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[When the feed clicks on, Mettaton is at the camera, perfectly poised and smiling wide.]

Hello, Wonderland! Sorry for that little hiccup earlier!

[He fluffs his hair a bit, which definitely looks disheveled; an unusual deviation from his usual picture perfect looks.]

I had a small incident with Wonderland's local dream demon BUT! There's no need to fear, darlings, because your strong, amazing hero Mettaton repelled the evil doer! Wonderland is safe and so are the rest of you!

[He smiles, though it falters for just a brief second before he continues.]

Now, let's put this silly incident behind us, shall we? There's no need to worry about any of these shenanigans or torment yourself with worry over me (unless you want to, of course! ♥). I'm sure you'll see my shining face on the network sometime in the future again (minus any and all unauthorized uses of my brand) so I shall let you all return to your daily lives. Bye, darlings~!

[He pauses for a moment, blinks, and then hurriedly gives a cutesy wave and wink to the camera, though it's clear his heart isn't in it. The feed ends there.]

((ooc: Mettaton may respond to network responses but it will probably be sporadic due to the fact that he's feeling really rough right now. For anyone wanting to personally come and check on him, the door will have many latches and locks and Mettaton will not be opening his door for anyone other than close CR, if that. But he's fine. Absolutely fine! Totally.))

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[And just like that, her anger seems to be snuffed out.]

I'll be there in a few minutes.

[Mettaton nods his head in acknowledgement, cutting the feed. As he waits for her arrival, he preemptively undoes the locks. There's no way he's keeping her out and there's no reason to even try.

So he waits, mirrors hidden and door unlocked; ready for her whenever she comes.]

[When she finally arrives, she slowly pushes the door open, and nudges her way inside. Mikan's brought nothing - what could she bring for such a situation? - and heads for him, quiet.

When she approaches him, in all her usual nervousness... she touches his hand.]

... Mettaton...

[Despite it all, despite trying to push her and everyone he knows away, it's still a comfort to see her. The touch to his hand makes him jump a bit but he forces himself to calm down, to give her a reassuring smile.]

Mikan. It's good to see you.

[It's good to see her like this and not that elevated level of afraid and anxious, calling out his name on the network as Bill rampaged with his body. He hadn't been able to wrestle control to do much there, but he had seen it all.]

... I was scared.

[The tears come, hard and hot and heavy.]

I was so scared I'd never get to see you again... See you perform again... Hear you speak again... S-so... how can you tell me to stay away?

I don't ever... ever... want to lose you!

[...oh]

Oh darling... I told you, I was going to take care of it. And I did. A demon like Bill could never keep a star like me down!

[He tries to smile, tries to put on that bravado and ego he's known for. It feels like a scratchy blanket. It doesn't cover him entirely and is uncomfortable and threadbare. It doesn't line up right now. But it's ok. He's a good actor. He has to be.]

I just. I didn't want to worry you.

[He tries to gently dodge her words. He doesn't have it in him to tell her that he'll have to leave her one day.]

... You can't do that.

[Not a hard, defiant statement, but a matter of fact... and, okay, emotion.]

You can't... prevent people from worrying. That's something I've been learning. Worrying is... one of the things no one can control, no matter what. Especially when you care about someone.

I can never stop worrying about you... And your friends... Everyone who knows you... They'll never stop worrying about you e-either! That's part of being a friend! Why can't you understand that? W-why... do you always... do this? You... You want to perform and be seen by everyone... But when people try to get close to you... And worry over you... You get afraid...

[Mettaton's smile falters. His mask cracks a little and he looks away. He's fragile right now. That's all. Her words don't mean that much, he just feels weak it's... it has to be that.]

Well, of course I can't stop people from worrying but maybe I could make it less.

[His words sound empty and he knows it. He's trying not to look at her as she continues speaking.]

I'm extremely lucky to have such devoted fans.

[Fans. Not friends. He can't have friends. That's not what stars do, they're not allowed to have a life outside of the stage and performances. That's what makes them a star, that perfection that can never be truly reached. If people know you, truly know you, how could they ever love you as ardently as they love a concept?]

The performance is the most important part, Mikan. People coming to see me and enjoying my work is more than fulfilling for me. Trying to get closer to me will just ruin that illusion. It's better to admire someone from afar.

[Ah... it's not really her place to say such things, is it? If anyone's going to lecture or help him in any deeper way, it shouldn't be here. It should be someone from his world, someone who truly understands him in ways she never can. A real friend.

She's a fan. Not his friend. And yet... she doesn't let go of his hand. If anything, she squeezes it harder - presses it to her forehead while the tears never stop.]

... I would've liked you... Would've been here for you... Even if you weren't a performer. Because... the real you, the nice you, the you that looks out for everyone, and wants to make people smile... That's you. That's Mettaton.

It's okay if you don't believe me. I'll... I'll still be there for you. You said I helped you... and that's real.

[Mettaton's eyes widen as Mikan speaks, as she takes his hand and presses it to her forehead. Humans and their SOULs are harder to feel, blocked by their physicality, but sometimes in moments of great emotion (or lack thereof) you can feel them stir in the way you would a Monster's and this...

Perhaps he is fooling himself. Perhaps he is so desperate for those taboo connections to people that he's trying to read into something that isn't really there. But he thinks he can feel her depth and how genuine it is and he can't look away.]

Mikan... I am the performer. It's who I am. It's who I have always been. Even before I was famous, I always had that flair. That other bit you say that is me... it doesn't fit. It can't fit what being a star is.

[Right?]

...thank you. You are so kind. So incredibly sweet.

[There are no accurate words for how deep he feels this.]

[Why? Why can't it fit? Why can't he both be a star and be compassionate? It almost borders on the ridiculous - because argue it as he may, he is good. Why is he afraid to admit it? Is it because he honestly can't see it?

So many people have insisted on Mikan's good points, yet she finds them impossible to see. Perhaps... Perhaps he's the same way. The ugliness inside them blinds them to the light. It's an comforting thought, oddly enough. Her breathing evens.]

I'm really happy to be your friend... And whenever you need me, I'll come running. And I know if I need you... you'll be there. Even if you can't see all of yourself, and even if I can't see all of myself... We'll see the good in each other. That's kind of nice.

Please... keep being my friend, Mettaton.

[Mikan calms and Mettaton feels himself following in kind. It's not a conscious action but one born of a strand of empathy that he has forged for the girl.

A better way to describe that would be friendship. He feels warmth flow into his soul and a few tears fall over his cheeks as he smiles.]

That is nice. It's a lovely thought, a wonderful sentiment...

[For a moment he opens his mouth and considers telling her why this may not happen in the future. Why he may walk away from her or push her away. For a moment he wants to reach under his bed and pull out the mirror and show her exactly why he can't be what she thinks he is.

But this is sweet. This is nice. He feels more loved than he has in months and he's too selfish to ruin it with uncomfortable truths.]

Of course, Mikan. I'll never stop being your friend.

[He pulls her into a hug, arms warm and strong, as he tries to convince himself that he isn't lying.]

-1 to ZEZPQB BT FRESMNF IZDVZ BEFVQN GC NBVBW

[And she's more than happy to just enjoy that hug, holding onto him tightly, burying her face into his chest. He may be metal, but he feels as warm as a summer day. She doesn't say anything towards him, but just mumbles, keeping her head low.]

Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever....

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