sometime after the deaging event

[voidster]

It was bittersweet, being young and whole again for a short time. Both good and bad, because everything must end. Back to being a unnatural thing in the shape of a skeleton, with far too much stuff in his head, weighing him down.

Luckily there's a convenient distraction about, something much more interesting than standing around and analyzing feelings. Those can be shoved sideways and buried, in favor of tinkering with the car that's taking up space outside. He hasn't gotten to the 'taking the engine apart' stage yet--for now, all he's done is sketch the parts on many sheets of (slightly oily) notebook paper lying neatly on the ground nearby. There's no breeze today, it should be fine.

He didn't even ask Souichi's permission first. How rude. But can you blame a nerd for being fascinated by the first motor vehicle engine he's had a chance to look at?

Comments

[aghostinthemachine]

Mettaton was still far from settling in to this place but he had at least managed to find a room for himself, although he spent most of his time in the library, now having the chance to study proper human history.

But one does get tired of the same old after a while. So despite having the impression that there's not much land outside the castle, the robot decides to get some fresh air. Three things surprise him when he opens the door. One, it's much bigger of am "island" than he assumed. Two, there's a car here. And three, Gaster is working on said car and appears... more gooey than he previously was. Does this mean...

Mettaton decides to play it by ear before making any more assumptions, clearing his throat to let the elder monster know that he was near. Although the clicking of his heels was more of a give away.

"Good morning, doctor."

[voidster]

My, that voice sounds familiar. He's in the here and now, focused, and turns without any delay, oily hands clutching pen and paper. He's as monochrome as ever, except for a golden watch on one wrist and a professional looking satchel slung over one slightly distorted shoulder. It's necessary for someone who can't speak to have something to write on at all times, of course.

The pen and paper are quickly passed along to a conjured set of hands, so that he can sign comfortably with the attached pair. More natural this way--speaking with the disembodied ones feels like mumbling, in a way.

[Good morning. You... know me, don't you, my friend?]

This is a test. This is only a test. Which Mettaton does he have here? The wonderfully kind one who talks with him?

[aghostinthemachine]

Mettaton perks up, clutching his hands together. Is this the Gaster from his universe? Oh, please let it be. Even with meeting new people and alternate versions of his friends and himself, he's felt...lonely. And that's saying something because he absolutely loves himself.

"Y-yes, I do! Are you... the Gaster from my universe?"

A question he never thought he'd ever ask. He decides to try and make this more lighthearted for his own sake by adding:

"The one who goes through all the books I recommend him far too quickly?"

[voidster]

So it is. What a remarkable and pleasant coincidence... although not so much for the ghostbot, who can't be enjoying being trapped here with a bunch of kids.

[From nowhere and no when, if we want to talk semantics. But you've met me--yes, I am that man. A slightly slower reader as of late.]

Now that time exists again!

[aghostinthemachine]

The robot lunges forward and flings his arms out to wrap around Gaster's shoulders.

"Oh, thank goodness you're here...! I thought I was going to go crazy. No one from home is here and there's far too many children. A-and myself."

Meeting his ghost self was humbling to say in the least. But he's finding more than one Mettaton is, well, egos will be egos, and he doesn't like sharing his presence.

Which reminds him...

"If you don't mind me asking, is there... another version of yourself here...?"

[voidster]

There's too much give in those shoulders for him to have real bones underneath. Nothing in the world is quite like hugging the voidstuff man, except perhaps squeezing a gigantic strangely shaped marshmallow. Cozy?

Good for him, not making any sound out of surprise. His 'new' voice is something else, like a broken computer trying to imitate bird warbles, perhaps. No one wants to hear that, least of all a stressed robot. Looks like he'll have to switch to signing with magic hands behind his back so Mettaton can still see.

[The children should be older now. It seems we were all moved back in time, including myself. There may be another G-A-S-T-E-R present, but the man you met was myself, decades ago.]

...Please, let MTT have forgotten the talk of Sans. Please.

[aghostinthemachine]

Similar to hugging a ghost. So it's not weird feeling to Mettaton. But he blinks at the explanation.

"... The castle not only makes no sense but it causes things like... that to happen?"

So there are three of him here, including himself. That's one too many.

But does that mean the little Sans he bumped into is Gaster's son? And if so, is it the Sans from his timeline?

... This place makes him think too much. Mettaton furrows his brow ands attempts to ignore all his roving thoughts. Siiigh. He just wanted a vacation.

[voidster]

[The castle has powerful magic. Anything that can not only piece me together enough to reenter a physical world, but keep me here for a month and a half is frighteningly strong.]

...That wasn't very comforting, was it? He exhales, somehow, and pats Mettaton on the shoulder with an unreal hand.

[You'll be fine, though. It won't last forever. People do come and go.]

[aghostinthemachine]

Mettaton lets out a dramatic groan, burying his face into Gaster's neck and going somewhat limp.

"I'm never going on vacation to a castle again," he mumbles into the skeleton.

After a moment, he pulls back since there's no way he could see what Gaster was saying in his previous position. He manages a tired smile, hands gently resting on the other's shoulders.

"Thank you though. For the information and the tour. You've been the most helpful out of anyone. No surprise there."

...

......

Should he or shouldn't he ask? Is now even the right time?

[voidster]

With magic hands floating anywhere they please, even out of Gaster's line of sight, of course MTT could see the signs. Right? Well, he assumed so.

[Yes. This is not what I meant when I told you to vacation. ...Considering I'm one of around four or five adults, I'm also not surprised.]

More hands are scooping up his papers all over the place and tucking them away in his satchel. He's getting better at it--he's been able to keep six going so far, as long as he sticks to simple tasks, like picking things up. Funny how things come back to a person.

[aghostinthemachine]

"I know," another sigh. "I don't know if I should try bothering to relax or just continue practicing with things and wait until I'm able to leave here." He wouldn't want to get rusty by being lazy here and then on another long period of time right afterwards when he's able to go on a real vacation. It'll keep him busy, at the very least.

And speaking of trying, he's doing so with resisting the urge to discuss certain topics. Mettaton's all for ignoring the elephant in the room when it's his but other people's, not so much. Especially because he's curious about Gaster's more personal life.

Gaster can likely see the robot's wavering expression as he has this internal debate.

[voidster]

There's a sinking feeling in his SOUL. It's not right to procrastinate, is it--to conceal the truth that's already partially come out. He can't blame his younger self, it was bound to happen either way, with Sans around.

Logically, he knows this, and yet goes on talking about anything other than himself.

[There is a music room, if you're interested. It's something to pass the time with.]

[aghostinthemachine]

"Oh."

He blinks, successfully distracted for the time being.

"Perfect! I certainly hope the castle allows me to find and use it. I've been catching up on human history but... I'm not the best at sitting still for long. Not unless I'm listening to music that is."

Or just feeling like garbage.

So much for being distracted. And it seems curiosity is getting the better if him. Insensitive jerk.

"... Ah, am I interrupting anything...?" He glances over at the car.

[voidster]

The one eyelight flicks to the car and back, and he shakes his head.

[Nothing important. It's the first car I've had the opportunity to see and touch, so I thought... why not.]

Sketch first, make sure he knows where all the pieces go, then maybe take the engine apart. But. No rush. It isn't going anywhere.

[I suppose we could try to find the music room.]

[aghostinthemachine]

"Only if you'd like. I don't want to steal you away from something you've already invested yourself in." Even if it's just him tinkering. And that he does actually want to steal him away.

[voidster]

[It won't be going anywhere. No one else besides myself seems to have any interest in dismantling a car.]

...Again, half the population is under twelve. It makes sense.

[And I don't sleep.]

[aghostinthemachine]

"Well then! I guess that settles it."

Mettaton lets go of Gaster's shoulders, only to wrap himself around one of his arms.

"Shall we?"

[voidster]

The arms are no less squishy. Really, he doesn't give a darn about much other than his face and hands being more bonelike.

[If you're up for a walk. You know, there isn't anywhere to charge in the castle. Will you need magic? How long...?]

[aghostinthemachine]

Ironically, Mettaton prefers being squishy. His face, hands, and lower body are made from some weird magical silicon. Just his arms and upper torso are made of metal.

...

How will he charge? That is a very good question and one he forgot to look into himself. He swallows nervously.

"I... ah... don't suppose you know how to make a mini generator, do you?"

[voidster]

How do the other two Mettatons do it? He hasn't had the chance to ask. Hm.

[How long do we have? I don't suppose you absorb magic in the way we used to charge things by hand, before the CORE. That was before her time, she wouldn't have considered it... would she?]

[aghostinthemachine]

"I've got... about another day or so. Alphys made sure to make my charge last longer before I came to the Surface. I just need some form of electricity to charge my body and I'll be good. I don't really need to worry about absorbing food for my SOUL."

He thinks for a moment.

"Does that car work? Because I might be able to sap my charge from that."

[voidster]

[A day.]

His words are less directed towards Mettaton and more absent. Look at the nerd talk to himself, as if there are no witnesses.

This is not a new habit at all.

[Yes, it works. Ignore the dents. The battery still holds charge. We have no gasoline, which is filthy fuel in my opinion, but I'm sure what energy there is in the battery will last until I find a way to charge that directly with magic... no one needs the car, there is nowhere to drive to. Yes. Yes. It can be done.]

[aghostinthemachine]

The robot lets out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness... You're a life saver, Gaster darling. An hour of charging should give me a few days worth of battery life."

Depending on how strong the car battery is, at least.

But speaking of how his body works, this might be a good a time as ever to discuss certain topics. Yet another pause as he works up some courage.

"... Gaster... How much do you know about me?"

this is incredibly lazy and vague look at me not even psuedosciencing it up

[voidster]

He's stopped walking (thank goodness he has legs now and not a shapeless mass of goo where legs should be), vaguely gesturing numbers and other weird jargon at himself. What, is he in some sort of fugue?

Until the voice and questions snap him out of it again. Oops.

[To be honest, most of what I know about anyone... blurs together. There are an infinite number of timelines and only so many constants in each one.]

Very, very deliberately vague.

[You need not worry. I promise, I won't tell anyone a thing.]

the lazy way is the true way

[aghostinthemachine]

Mettaton stops as well, not wrapped nearly as tightly as he was before around Gaster's arm.

"I figured you wouldn't. You know why I'm so familiar with ghosts then," he smiles sadly.

Yet another pause as he finally decides to address the topic. They're alone now.

"On the subject of such things though, if I may be so bold to ask... They are your's, yes?"