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

[napstablook]

Applause! Napstablook had expected applause, sure, because Mettaton was there. There was a difference, however, between knowing that they had been part of an act that had received applause and actually having been at the forefront of it. It was a little overwhelming.

"Oh... jeez... thanks..."

[naughty_nurse]

Since things seemed to be going well, Mikan relaxed - a tiny bit. Still, it was something.

"That's all anyone can ask of another person, I think... Doing their best. If you do that... then I think everything will be fine."

[napstablook]

"I think that's what makes Mettaton so cool... he always tries his best, you know?" Even though the Underground would have ate up his most half-assed attempts ever. And did, when he hadn't been all that into tormenting Frisk.

But the point was: he did what he could, and it worked. A person like that had a lot of charm to them. It made Napstablook want to do a little better, even if only vicariously.

"So... as his bandmate... I've got to do that, too..."

[showybusiness]

"Mettaton! A pleasure, sweetheart."

He bows back, smiling, assuming this is a cultural thing.

[showybusiness]

That just made them much more portable! And cute! Like tiny cute anime figurines!

"Here come the kisses!"

He moved the cup like he drinking from it. Someone just developed a new fetish.

Delete.

[napstablook]

Oh! There came the smooches! Mettaton was able to adjust his magic to the right frequency to touch Napstablook, so it always felt so strange to actually... be aware of the thing touching them. They gave a tiny, fleeting smile.

"Hey, Mettaton?"

someone did develop a fetish. it's you.

[showybusiness]

Pretty pink and glowing eyes peered down at the smooshed ghost, now with a little pink sheen of lipgloss on their small face.

"Yes, my darling?"

you will never enter the Kingdom of God.

[napstablook]

"Why do you always ask that question?"

They rested a little arm nub on his cheek. Maybe this wasn't the sort of question they should have when they were crammed into a teacup. It had been on their mind for a while now, though.

"The... you know... the ghost smooching one..."

NO GODS NO KINGS

[showybusiness]

"Oh, well, I like to play matchmaker! It's fun!"

DUH????

[napstablook]

"Oh... okay..."

Wait a minute -

"M-matchmaking..."

[showybusiness]

"What, ghosts can't dream of love and smooches?"

BECAUSE HE SURE DID.

[napstablook]

"No... I mean, well, yeah, they can, but... I don't think they can't. I just..."

They squirmed uncomfortably in their teacup. They would have floated uncomfortably were they not in it. Love and smooches... it seemed kind of... a bit too much...?

"I mean... I'm already moirails with Chara..."

[showybusiness]

He frowned, and his expression darkened.

"Who is that? What is that relationship?"

[napstablook]

Napstablook looked at Mettaton's darkening expression, and out of reflex they went completely invisible.

[showybusiness]

Oh no! No, not -- he's being ghosted!

"Blooky, no! I'm just worried!"

[showybusiness]

The robot bows, winking and blowing a kiss at his lovely audience.

"Come back soon!"

[napstablook]

Well, they hadn't actually left that was Mettaton's job and only turned invisible. They slowly returned to visibility and peeked up at him nervously.

"It's just... a best friends... sort of relationship... but there are benefits to it..."

listen........... (yes)

[showybusiness]

"FRIENDS with BENEFITS, is it. What are they doing to you, Blooky."

[napstablook]

WHY WAS THAT SO SINISTER?? They looked thoroughly baffled and extremely nervous. "It's... it's just... they help me and I help them?? And we're friends?? That's all! It's like me and you but it's official and they asked me out!"

[showybusiness]

"Blooky, are you wanting me to formally ask you? After all this time?"

He was taken aback, but mostly that Blooky had... found... love, perhaps?

[napstablook]

"It's a - troll romance - thing...? The troll person who posted it is... not... very nice, so... I haven't asked for more... but it's easy... we just talk and... I try to help them out?"

Which wasn't really an answer to anything Mettaton asked.

[showybusiness]

"Oh, the big long post dictating how people find relationships? I remember. Faintly, because I thought it was stupid. Well, I'm not here to shun your finding of love, darling! I just worry. You know?"

[napstablook]

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to worry you..."

They looked down, feeling very sad that they had. Mettaton came back to them, invited them to join his band, made time and space and energy for them... and they thanked him by worrying him?

"I think we're fine... they're not being bad to me... they remind me a bit of Frisk... just... uh... not as... Frisk...ish."

[showybusiness]

"I trust you to know best for yourself, darling. But if I catch you crying, someone is going to suffer."

He reached into the mug with a finger to gently pet Blooky's shrunken ghost head.

[napstablook]

His finger went pok, like he was poking a little pile of mochi. Napstablook blinked up at him. As long as Mettaton wasn't worried... they really hoped he wasn't.

"I cry a lot, though... it doesn't usually have anything to do with Chara..."