trusthell | now listen good and listen straight, you're not the master of your fate

now listen good and listen straight, you're not the master of your fate

[Another week, another murder, another absolute shitshow. Tarrlok kind of just wants to lock himself in his room for a while, but... well, he volunteered. So... it's definitely going to be much later in the day before a note advising everyone to meet up in the bar for some comfort food is slipped under everyone's door.

At least Tarrlok didn't have to take care of everything alone, though; while he spent most of the time cooking by himself, Speedwagon and Yosuke helped take some delicious pork buns up to set them out across the bar so that everyone could drown their sorrows in stuffing their faces. And, you know, alcohol, maybe that too. There's also some vegetarian stir fry for people who don't like pork, too, of course.

There isn't an official bartender to start out with, but there is live entertainment courtesy of Yosuke, who's strumming his guitar over in the corner there.

Hopefully someone will step up, because lord knows everyone in the Vault needs a drink right now.]

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[The chapel seems ideal after everything that happened; it's quiet and still in here, it reminds him vaguely of the Ruins, and if he wants to go join the others in the bar later he can. But there's no obligation to, either, and he probably won't; for now, though, he just kind of wants to exist somewhere and this seems as good a place as any, because everybody's got to be somewhere.

He just isn't expecting anyone to be in here already.

He hasn't spoken to Bruce in a while; just the same, it's more awkward to ignore him entirely.]

...Hi, sweetheart.

[It's a little blank, dull-sounding; he's not anywhere near up to the usual enthusiasm levels, let's put it that way.]

[...ah.]

Hello. [He manages, and he does sound a little better himself at least, although his voice is quiet - not that he really needed to raise it, anyway.] I didn't think anyone would be coming up here so soon.

[He still hasn't quite set up all the portraits.]

...I wasn't really sure where else to go.

[And that's...surprisingly honest, given everything.]

...yeah, there's not that many places to go when we're all trapped in here.

[So he can understand.

There's a brief pause, and then Bruce sort of... makes a gesture.]

Do you need some time alone? I can take my leave and finish up later.

[...Ah.]

Well...I'm not going to insist on it. If you want to stay, then please, go ahead.

I'll just stay until I'm done with this, then, if you don't mind.

[He sends a small smile over at Mettaton's way again, then goes back to resume setting the rest of the portraits up.]

...That'd be great, darling.

[Because if he's going to be honest, this is preferable to being by himself? He doesn't know.]

How are you holding up...?

[Well if Mettaton wants continued company, he only has to say the word.]

I'm... [It's a bit hard to say 'fine', especially when its Norman's portrait he's holding now and that just reminds him of... what had happened. It would be a lie if Bruce said he didn't sympathize, in some manner.] ...well, I think I'm at least better than before.

[It's not the best he can offer, but at least its the truth.]

[Maybe eventually. That...well, it involves emotional competence, for one thing, and he's not really sure he can feelings that out right now.]

...It's good to hear that, actually. I know people were concerned.

I know.

[And here, at least, Bruce is at least somewhat apologetic.]

I'm doing my best to reassure them, however I can.

[He's probably never... going to be fully away from there, but he can focus enough away from that to what's important right now. His own issues and problems can be dealt with later. Just like always.]

[He just tips his head a bit at that; god, this...likewise probably requires more emotional competence than he has, but he's going to make an attempt at it anyway, because it sort of needs to be said.]

...I told someone last week that there was a one in five chance that it would hit someone I couldn't stand to lose, if we just let it go at random. That was too many for me to not do anything. Really, one would have been too many.

You were one of the people I was thinking of.

[...that's...

Bruce hadn't expected to hear that, and it shows for a bit in how he pauses, just for a second, hands tightening their grip on Norman's portrait.]

...I see. [He finally manages after a second, and he eases up his grip on the portrait so he can put it up along with the others he's already placed.] ...I'm sorry to have worried you, then.

[He does sound a lot more apologetic now, if it helps with anything.]

No, it's okay.

[And from the sound of it, it...is, he's not just saying that.]

Really, I thought you might do something like that. You...remind me a lot of my creator, actually.

...your creator?

[And that has Bruce looking over to Mettaton with a confused expression. How did he remind Mettaton of his creator?]

Definitely.

[He shrugs a little at that, though he doesn't seem to mind talking about her; Alphys is a good topic today, it seems.]

She's more interested in books than parties, and very interested in science and having an explanation for things. She's got all sorts of nerdy little hobbies, too, it's actually kind of endearing.

[...]

She also tends to talk herself down a lot. Underplays her importance and all that. She'd rather die than see anyone else hurt.

I think if she were here, she would have volunteered, too. Not for the reason I did, but because she'd genuinely think that she deserved to die before anyone else.

She hates herself. I'm sure if you asked her she'd have all sorts of reasons why. I know some of them, and she's done some pretty terrible things. But she's still my friend, you know? And I don't think she deserves that.

I've got no idea why you're so...well, you about things like that, but I don't think you deserve it, either.

[...its not hard to see where Mettaton makes the comparison, hearing all of that. It almost feels like Mettaton is describing him the more he speaks about her, honestly. It's more than a little disconcerting.

Still, he deals with it the best that he can.]

...thank you. [He manages, and there's a more genuine smile now, this time.] I won't lie, I can probably relate to a lot of that. And I... when we do get out of this place, I think I'd like to meet her myself, if at all possible.

[Just as a fellow peer, or something. Somebody who can understand her and understand him back in turn. It would be... something.]

[It takes him a moment to reply to that; sort of like he was considering one thing and then thought better of it.

It doesn't make what he does say any less true, though.]

I think she would like you.

...I think I might like her, too.

[He can't be entirely sure, of course, but its just a feeling he has.

There's a brief pause as Bruce seems to debate on something, and then:]

I'll make this a promise, then, to you. I'll do my best to stay alive, so that when we get out I can meet your creator.

[He's quiet for a moment at that.]

I don't-

[He shakes his head, though. Starts over.]

Well. I guess we'll have to see, won't we!

I'll hold you to that, though - that you'll see the end of this alive.

As I said, I'll do my best.

[Says with a smile, this time.]

So you stay alive too, alright? Can't exactly meet your creator if you're not around yourself.

[See, that's better.]

Don't worry about me, darling! Dying isn't on my agenda, and I don't really feel like penciling it in.

I doubt dying is something people want to pencil in, generally.

[The smile's still there, and it is a bit more relaxed now.]

Are you feeling any better now?

...I think so.

[He definitely seems it, anyway.]

Thanks, sweetheart.

It's the least I can do.

[And... its good that Mettaton is better now.]

I think I'm done here for now. [Gestures to the portraits that he has set up as they were talking.] ...I'll catch up with you later, alright?

Sounds good, darling. Anytime.

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now listen good and listen straight, you're not the master of your fate

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