trusthell | Accountability.

"Killswitch? I 'left Alphys to die'? Please, darlings, don't tell me you actually buy all these tired old storylines..."

It's been a few weeks since that particular voice has been heard by anyone in the Vault; it's sharp, flamboyant and incredibly familiar, and it's coming from the same place the Kingmaker's always seems to - nowhere and everywhere at once, piped in through some unseen system.

"You know, normally I'd balk a bit at being dragged out in front of all of you for another trial, because I think you all know by now how much I hate repeat performances. Fortunately, there's a difference, isn't there? Between now and then... And if the crowd cries for an encore, who am I to deny it!"

There's a panel of wall behind that balcony, one that slides open quickly and easily; the pair of people that emerge from it...well, they're different than anything the Vault has seen so far, that much is obvious.

The first is reasonably slight in frame, his hair and his clothing bright in color; he's resplendant in...just about every tacky accessory Caren unwittingly brought with her to the Vault - with the exception of the bra, naturally. Because we've got to have some dignity here, clearly, even if that dignity doesn't extend to the fucking leopard-print bucket hat currently sitting on his head at a jaunty as hell angle. His expression is intense and deeply manic, his body shaking a bit and fists clenched at his sides as though he's trying to keep himself from laughing, from lashing out and hitting the wall, from doing something to relieve some of it, but his eyes...

...His eyes, though. His eyes are dead as hell, his stare cutting and utterly devoid of emotion all at once.

And the second...well, he's familiar, though it seems his avatar has changed quite a bit since the last time you saw him. It's something more suiting, let's put it that way.

He's the one leaning over to greet you now, hands braced tight against that railing spanning the length of the balcony.

"Beauties and gentlebeauties, I'm pleased to introduce to you our hosts for the evening! First of all, the Kingmaker, without whom none of this would have been possible!"

And that gets a sweeping gesture to his side, where the ginger just...enthusiastically pumps his fist in the air, and that's when the laugh escapes him, harsh and uncontrolled. "It's about time!"

Mettaton tosses his head a bit at that; he doesn't laugh himself, but he seems pleased enough with it before he continues. "As for me? Well, I'd like to wish you good evening and good luck - both sentiments straight from the King of the Underground! Try to make this good for us, all right?"

"Make it cool!"

"...Sweetheart, really."

...Right, well! Let's begin, shall we?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Well.

He would really have preferred the dickbutt, is all he has to think about one of their hosts.

The Kingmaker - Pretentious - doesn't get more than a second of attention and a raised eyebrow before he's turning to Mettaton.]

It's good to see you, my dear, as always.

[The smile he wears is only a little strained.]

Likewise, darling. As always!

[And that's no more distant or superficial than it usually is; like nothing had happened, really.]

Before we get into this, can I give an apology?

I shouldn't have asked you to say what you did, before your execution. It was cruel, I've regretted it ever since, and I'm at least glad I have the chance to apologize in person now.

[That's definitely genuine.]

I'm sorry.

Oh... It's not like I didn't understand why you did that, and I tried to give you what you wanted. If anything, I owe you an apology for the quality of the performance. You probably wouldn't have so many hangups over it if it were better.

Live and learn, I guess.

Oh, you don't have to worry about that, I won't ask you to repeat it.

By the way, Sigrun has a right to punch you before I hug you - and I'm sure she will want to exercise that right - so after this is over, remind me if I forget?

[Because after everything, after all the betrayal and awful truth, he refuses to accept that Mettaton will die if there's any other way around it.]

[......]

...Sure, darling.

[...]

You think we're going to kill you, don't you.

[He'll glance over at Ryuunosuke for a second; thankfully, he's otherwise occupied right now.]

...If this is my final performance, then so be it.

I refuse.

[That's firm, and he won't look away from Mettaton.]

If you give us any other choice - anything I don't have to sacrifice the rest of us for - I won't harm you.

Don't start, Cherryblod. You know he's done wrong. He knows he's going to die.

Of course I know that.

If it's a vote then my vote is against anything that harms anyone here.

You weren't so against it with everyone else who killed here.

...I want there to be a way out of this without executing anyone. I've always wanted that, but it never seemed like there was a way.

There's a difference between wanting and having to do something.

[That's all she's say.]

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amygdalae - 2016-04-30 00:56 (UTC) - Expand

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sleepingkogoro - 2016-04-30 01:11 (UTC) - Expand

[Cherryblod

Cherryblod can we not.

...Bruce isn't going to say anything but you can probably still feel his disapproval pretty easily.]

[Bruce, sweetheart, he doesn't even remotely care right now.]

[-10000% right now]

[Colress said he would be there to support Cherryblod, and he knows Cherryblod means well here, but...

He can't help but frown at this.]

Cherryblod...

...I realize this is entirely selfish. I realize there are plenty of people I don't even know who they've harmed, that they've harmed us.

You don't have to tell me that.

[He can't help but flinch a little.

He really hates to say it, but...]

But you and Miss Sigrun know him better than the rest of us, yet...we've all seen how he is in a trial.

[In other words, is it really going to be that simple with Mettaton?]

Give me five minutes of believing there's hope.

pokexplorer - 2016-04-30 01:01 (UTC) - Expand

Please. What makes you think I'd offer something like that?

I'm an optimist. I've told you that before.

[For Mettaton, he's all smiles.]

So if that's not one of our choices, what do we have to pick from?

Not so fast. You haven't figured out everything else by a long shot yet.

I'll get back to you on it.

I'll be waiting, son.