a spectral latte

[showybusiness]

A: Pre-Show

The resent tall, shiny, sexy robot entertainer of the base seems to be chiding a mug on the counter of the dining area. Not in a mean way, no - his tone suggests a firmness, but a firm encouragement. A soft order, perhaps. Not a command, but a hard suggestion.

He stands, bendy robot arms bent, hands on his hips. A power stance. The stance of a businessman, and superstar, used to giving orders.

"This will be a neat little stage trick! I promise!"

B: Show Time!

As they have been doing intermittently (and without total routine, as the pair have been working on other projects), the pair have taken center "stage" of the dining area. Mettaton sings his usual set - campy high energy song, followed by a softer song about being THE BEST, followed by a softer, sad ballad about being locked in a dungeon (???). His co-star, the large, sheet-like ghost of the base, hums a sorrowful, haunting back melody behind him.

Comments

[showybusiness]

Mettaton crouched down slightly, getting in real close and winking. His pink eyes moved from her to the ghost on stage, then back.

[naughty_nurse]

What what what what what what what what.

Mikan has no idea what's going anymore and has to wonder if this is some of lucid dream. "You... w-want me to kiss him?"

[napstablook]

"Oh... oh no..." They'd made someone else cry!! Oh wow, they were really bad at this whole celebrity thing. They glanced around for Mettaton, but he was probably off harassing being kind to another fan. This was on Napstablook.

So they crept out of their cup a little.

"I'm... I'm sorry..."

[showybusiness]

Mettaton gasped - well, actually said "gasp!" - at such a salacious suggestion!

"NO! No, no! I was asking if you would ever consider... a very sweet, very shy ghost. You're both very alike."

[naughty_nurse]

"Ah... N-No, no, I, um..."

After a big swallow, Mikan shut her eyes, struggling to regain control of the conversation. "That is... Mister Mettaton asked me to meet you..."

[napstablook]

"I'd like to try a burger sometime..." but they didn't make them in Ghost Food varieties. Not many people made Ghost Food. Actually, they were pretty sure they were the only monster who did anymore.

Oh - right. Singing. Napstablook took a little breath, and let out a long, ghostly wail.

"OoooooOOOOOOoooooooooOoOoOooooo..."

[showybusiness]

Mettaton could echo the soft, haunting sounds of ghost singing, only his were at a lower range and more... salacious sounding. He couldn't help it.

[napstablook]

"Oh."

Napstablook looked down at their cup. They slowly rose out of it and grew to their actual size. As always, it was surprisingly large. They weren't that much smaller than Mettaton.

"He's... pretty cool... I think he's trying to be nice to me..."

[naughty_nurse]

Was this better or worse? She wasn't sure.

"Uh... I... Um... I-I've never dated anyone before... I d-don't know..."

[naughty_nurse]

Mikan opened her eyes - BIG GHOST - but managed to swallow down any more 'eeps'.

"H-H-He seemed very nice! Um! And you seem nice t-too! Very nice!"

[showybusiness]

"Just wondering! I'm always looking out for my lovely Blooky. Ghosts are very soft, you know, and only the pure of heart can touch them!"

Yet Mettaton can touch a ghost.

[naughty_nurse]

"Th-then that definitely leaves me out... I'm not pure at all."

Although that really depended on who you asked. Years of bullying could do 'wonders' for a person's psyche.

[napstablook]

They kept it up for some time. When they stopped, they tilted their head to one side as if listening.

"... It didn't sound too bad..."

[napstablook]

"Thank you... you seem... nice... too..."

They floated there, anxiously, aware that this conversation was awkward and not sure what to do to make it better. What would Mettaton do?

"So.. you... enjoyed the show...?"

[showybusiness]

"It might be a bit too intense and ghostly for the folks here, unfortunately."

[naughty_nurse]

"Oh, y-yes, I did. It was very exciting. And unusual."

She hoped he understand that was a compliment. Sort of.

"I'll come to another show. If that's okay?"

[napstablook]

The people here wouldn't like it. In Napstablook's mind, that meant Mettaton didn't like it, either. And if Mettaton didn't like it, then it really wasn't worth much, was it.

"Oh..."

They didn't offer much more than that. They just looked down at the floor.

"Hm..."

They looked back up.

"You should... direct me..."

[napstablook]

"Oh, sure... I'll probably have my tables by then... so I won't be singing. I'll be mixing music for Mettaton to sing and dance to... I'm... much better at that."

Much, much better. It would be a great show then. They could linger in the background and just mix the sound and be mostly ignored. Much better.

[naughty_nurse]

"Then... I'll keep an eye out for that." She nods, not really sure what 'mixing tables' meant. "I'm sure you're very good at that! You two work really well together."

[showybusiness]

"I always do, sweetie."

He reached over to hug and cuddle his ghost.

[showybusiness]

"Really?! Well, if you can't touch Blooky that might be an issue... we'll have to see."

He winks.

[naughty_nurse]

Does she want to know what he's thinking? ... No.

But Mikan swallows, and bows, not wanting to be rude. "I-I can try to introduce myself to him... and to you. M-My name is Mikan Tsumiki."

[oneandmikleonly]

[well that is 1. not what he was expecting when he followed the noise into the dining area tonight, but also 2. kind of adorable...?

he's more acquainted with modern music aesthetic now, and this seems to be something a little more sideways from that -- what with the robot and the ghost and the mugs he supposes that makes sense.

it's fascinating, though. he applauds when it's over, very softly.]

[napstablook]

She probably didn't know it, but that was exactly the right thing to say. Napstablook seemed to perk a little bit. That didn't mean that they smiled; their gloom just seemed to shift a little.

"Oh... do you think so?" They certainly liked working with Mettaton - it was a real honour to be allowed to do it. There was just always that worry that they weren't good enough.

"Cool... thanks... it's a shame Shyren isn't here, she has a nice voice for backup singing... but I'll keep doing my best. I guess?"

[napstablook]

As his ghost was still in one of the cups, it meant that he was cuddling the small teacup ghost. Napstablook looked a little flustered, but pleased enough. They made some little nub arms and patted Mettaton's cheeks.