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]

"Oh wow... your butt would sell like hot cakes."

Do hot cakes sell? They have no idea. They just know that Mettaton's butt-shaped food sold really well. And it seemed hot? That was what people said about it anyway. Maybe it wasn't a cake though.

Anyway.

"So... no singing...?"

[showybusiness]

"Actually, based on my sales, hot burgers sell best. Even when being sold by useless employees."

He giggled, albeit maliciously.

"Of course I want you to sing a little. Let's rehearse! Give me your best!"

[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]

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..."

[showybusiness]

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

[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..."

[showybusiness]

"I always do, sweetie."

He reached over to hug and cuddle his ghost.

[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.

[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!"

[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.