Accountability.

[ratingspoint]

"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?

Comments

[cherryblooded]

[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.]

[sleepingkogoro]

...okay, who the hell are you?

[Not you, Mettaton. Your redhead friend over here]

[goodforsomething]

I understand the ugly jumpsuits now.

[notjustawriter]

[Okay the Mettaton thing is.

Just.

Okay, he's breathing. That's the important part.

But good God in heaven, the Kingmaker is really a shitchild and he is so angry right now he's holding his podium so hard it's shaking.]

[amygdalae]

So the Kingmaker was never just one, but two.

[Bruce doesn't even bat an eyelash, this time.]

That was the first big error on our parts.

[sleepingkogoro]

His title fits him real well, doesn't it?

[Pretentious as heck]

[isafraid]

....I don't believe this.

[Speedwagon is... well. He's angry, of course. But ho god if this hasn't been a day and a half, and it's surely drained a bit of energy out of him.

But that doesn't mean that Ryuunosuke and Mettaton aren't getting the worst stink eyes right now.


Mettaton especially.]

This is all just a fucking game and a show to you lot, isn't it?

[notjustawriter]

....He probably thinks they look good.

[ratingspoint]

Likewise, darling. As always!

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

[isafraid]

Well they don't.

[Let's just make this clear from the start.]

[notjustawriter]

Of course it is.

You've heard Mettaton talk about it before, haven't you? This was all just one big piece of performance art.

[greatestcool]

My name's Ryuunosuke Uryuu! It's nice to finally see you all in person!

[BOY IS HE EXCITED TO BE HERE]

[penduli]

[ ...well, Black already knows Sigrun's not going to take this well. But really: ]

Are we going to have a quiz show again? [ .......JUST CURIOUS.............. ]

[ratingspoint]

We actually went over this a long time ago! For those of you playing at home, that would be case...four?

The number of people a title applies to really doesn't matter.

[amygdalae]

...they're useful, but that's about as much as I can go with.

[Look he's the one who had to wear these jumpsuits for the entire goddamn time, okay.]

[captainobnoxious]

[Sigrun is clearly torn -- this is worse than the kill switch reveal, but part of her is happy to see Mettaton, even if the large majority is absolutely fucking upset.]

So much for everything not being a performance.

[It's cold, and-- she wishes she could leave, but the most she can do is just stare at his redhead friend and wonder if Mettaton's always had a preference or if birds of a feather flock together. That's the guy she always talked to? Gods, does he have some issues with fashion.]

[cherryblooded]

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.

[isafraid]

....Right. When this blows over, we'll find you something else to wear, eh?

[Something less.... all of that.]

[sleepingkogoro]

Right. Uryuu...Uryuu-san, I suppose. Pretentious serial killer.

What is your big idea now? You and Mettaton-kun can't be out here without having some sort of plan. What are you two going to do?

[Mouri is trying hard to stay calm. This is like a hostage negotiation. That is how he is seeing this right now, and first rule is to stay calm.

He fully expects Ryuunosuke to be infuriating]

[captainobnoxious]

I wish I could say the same.

[Son of a bitch.]

[ratingspoint]

[And there's the briefest of pauses before he responds; it's nothing too long or pointed, just kind of. There.]

If it helps you to think of it that way, sweetheart, go right ahead.

[goodforsomething]

...that's too many U's. I'm gonna keep callin' you Pretentious.

[amygdalae]

[Yes Bruce faintly recalls that... but he didn't think it'd apply to the Kingmaker too.]

Then you being in the game with us - that was all clearly pre-planned. You didn't lose your memories at all, unlike the rest of us.

[isafraid]

The feeling's not mutual.

[Boy all of this sure is the fucking worst.]

[greatestcool]

Just call me "Ryuu" then. I won't answer if you call me by that stupid title!