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[The video feed opens to a pair of robotic hands pinning a sign to a pillar in the Entrance Hall. This isn’t terribly peculiar since Mettaton has done this quite a lot in the past for his concerts but the subject of this flyer is of a different affair than anyone is accustomed to seeing. It is rather bare in comparison to the almost gaudy things he’s put up before but this one is straight and to the point: a picture of a ghost that some of Wonderland may recognize and the words on the top and bottom of the flyer say in big bold, eye-catching print HAVE YOU SEEN THIS GHOST? Anyone who happens to explore the mansion today will run into a lot of them hung up all over Wonderland.

There’s a couple of seconds as Mettaton adjusts the flyer so it sits perfectly on it and, satisfied, he reaches a hand back to the camera and turns it to face him.]

Hello Wonderland! It’s been awhile since I have posted here, I know, it’s a tragedy that I need to remedy more often, but that’s a problem for later. For now, dear Wonderland, I need your help. You see, in that last event or perhaps a little before it, someone important went missing. And I know some of you knew them, so I will need your help in finding them!

[He says this with a confidence that does not betray the anxiety that has been building in his soul that he has been fervently denying.]

Now I know one of the first questions some of you may ask me is “Is their room empty?” Well. Their room being empty, whether or not it is, doesn’t matter right now. What matters is that they are missing and that I will find them. Any information you have as to where they may be would be incredibly helpful!

[Now Mettaton looks almost imploringly to the camera, but of course he’d never come off as desperate, no, he’s Mettaton! He’d never potentially lose his cool like this.]

So! If any of you have information about the whereabouts of the dear and lovely Napstablook, I am all ears! I will be all over Wonderland and if you have anything at all, respond to this and let me know.

[With a decisive nod he ends the feed.]

((ooc: If you’re feeling an action thread, Mettaton can be found almost all over Wonderland feverishly looking for his dear friend, so feel free to run into his rather desperate search as he denies that Napstablook is gone. Places of note are The Music Room, the Library and probably the entirety of the Second Floor but he can absolutely be found anywhere you wish other than the Forest, which is a closed prompt.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Ohhh, Toriel, you have just gotten right to the heart of things and Mettaton's face screws into a look of pure anger.]

Fit of denial, hm?? You really think I care about your opinion on this when my good friend is missing? Do you really think this is the best time to get at me for attempting to find them?

[His eyes narrow.]

You display a stunning lack of tact time and time again.

[It's just a little hard to be that tactful with a man who tried to murder a child on live television.

...She wants to say that. But she doesn't. Because she is at least trying to have some tact.]

Were they actually missing, and not gone, I am certain that this would indeed be a poor time for it. However, since they are no longer present in Wonderland, you are wasting your own time and the time of anyone else who futilely decides to cooperate with your search.

You are only making things harder for yourself, by ignoring the truth.

[Finally, Mettaton snaps.]

That might be what you think, but that doesn't make it the truth!

[He snarls his words, trying desperately to ignore Toriel's good sense.]

You don't know me! You don't care about me! You certainly didn't care enough about them to know them at all! What makes you think I need to hear what you say?

[Toriel just pinches the bridge of her snout. Why is she even putting up with this? She's trying to be understanding, because losing someone close to you is difficult and can cause you to lash out, but... She just really does not care for Mettaton, and it's difficult to be patient with him.]

I am trying to help you, Mettaton. You will have to face the facts eventually, and the sooner that you do that the easier it will be in the long run.

Regardless of my feelings towards you, I do not think you deserve the pain that you are feeling now. Nobody does.

Why should I face these "facts"? Wonderland is so strange and breaks its own rules plenty of times! Maybe this time is different! Maybe they aren't g-gone!

[His voice hitches but he forces himself to stay stable.]

This pain is only temporary. When I find them again, it will be ok. I know it.

Then you are at Wonderland's whims, whether it chooses to return them or not.

Perhaps they will be back soon. There is no true way of knowing. It is not something that you have any impact or control over, however.

You will simply have to wait, and learn to deal with their absence.

[Mettaton huffs and crosses his arms.]

They could still just be hiding somewhere out here. Wonderland could be pulling a prank or something.

[He doesn't sound as convinced as before, but he'll rot in hell before he'll agree to anything Toriel says without some kind of caveat.]

Alright. If you choose to believe that, then I have no way of changing your mind.

[Also, he's being annoyingly stubborn, and Toriel's sympathy for having loved ones disappear only goes so far. She's trying, but... she just really doesn't want to spend any more time than she already has trying to console someone like this.]

Face reality at your own pace, Mettaton.

[Mettaton doesn't say anything in response but opts to hang up abruptly. He doesn't care that what she said hits rather close to home. It doesn't matter. It doesn't.]