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castle_perraultAdam Brooks is one for following the rules.
Not the inherent rules set out by law enforcement and people he is far above, no. Those are all based on an unwavering idea of morality that Adam refuses to see as productive. No, he's one for following the rules his mind has constructed in order to further himself towards a goal. These are rules that are based on his observations of the world around him, ones that make sense and help him make sense to others.
The rules help him look like a normal person. They're honestly quite helpful in a place like this, where Adam doubts his appearance would be taken well. Barnaby certainly hadn't taken it well, but Adam couldn't imagine any scenario where he would. It's not everyday your brother comes back from the dead, after all. That is, regrettably, a rule Adam has had to break.
But other rules have been easier to follow. They remind him to remove Barnaby's clothes so he can wear them as a disguise, without anyone asking about any regrettable blood stains. They remind him to walk like his brother and talk like him instead of screaming for revenge. He is cautious and careful.
Kotetsu will be found first. He needs to check on him and gain his trust immediately, so that he has someone to back him up. To laugh off his strangeness towards other prisoners in this strange castle as social ineptitude. Toshi will be found afterwards, with Kotetsu still at his side. He doubts his disobedient slave will rebel for a second with Kotetsu already in his grip. He'll be sweet and kind to both of them, just as Barnaby would. Follow the rules. Soon enough his opportunity will come to strike.
So those who are around the hallways may see someone very much like Barnaby walking over to his room, straightening his clothes before peering inside in his search for Kotetsu.
After his reunion with his dearest partner and the android made in his image, 'Barnaby' will be all over the castle. He adores the library as much as he always has, and seems to have picked up cocking as well. He is deliberately careful to stay quiet and calm, so only those with a sharp eye will notice anything strange. For example, that bunch of berries from the garden can't be used as an ingredient in his soup, right? They're poisonous... Some may find it odd to find him coming out of the armoury with a crossbow, or practicing violin in the music room.
Or perhaps you may catch him wandering up the stairs leading down to the basement late at night. What would he be doing down there? Surely it's not a bad thing to ask.
((Okay, let's see if I can get this asshole to cooperate with me this time! Adam Brooks is impersonating his brother, Barnaby, and will be friendly to most everyone he runs into, if a little forgetful. Should anyone notice his odd behaviour, though, he may be forced to do something not so nice... so a trigger warning for possible character mutilation and death in here, as well as psychological mindfuckery which happens with a character like Adam. Should you not want him to tag you, please message this account to let me know!))
Not the inherent rules set out by law enforcement and people he is far above, no. Those are all based on an unwavering idea of morality that Adam refuses to see as productive. No, he's one for following the rules his mind has constructed in order to further himself towards a goal. These are rules that are based on his observations of the world around him, ones that make sense and help him make sense to others.
The rules help him look like a normal person. They're honestly quite helpful in a place like this, where Adam doubts his appearance would be taken well. Barnaby certainly hadn't taken it well, but Adam couldn't imagine any scenario where he would. It's not everyday your brother comes back from the dead, after all. That is, regrettably, a rule Adam has had to break.
But other rules have been easier to follow. They remind him to remove Barnaby's clothes so he can wear them as a disguise, without anyone asking about any regrettable blood stains. They remind him to walk like his brother and talk like him instead of screaming for revenge. He is cautious and careful.
Kotetsu will be found first. He needs to check on him and gain his trust immediately, so that he has someone to back him up. To laugh off his strangeness towards other prisoners in this strange castle as social ineptitude. Toshi will be found afterwards, with Kotetsu still at his side. He doubts his disobedient slave will rebel for a second with Kotetsu already in his grip. He'll be sweet and kind to both of them, just as Barnaby would. Follow the rules. Soon enough his opportunity will come to strike.
So those who are around the hallways may see someone very much like Barnaby walking over to his room, straightening his clothes before peering inside in his search for Kotetsu.
After his reunion with his dearest partner and the android made in his image, 'Barnaby' will be all over the castle. He adores the library as much as he always has, and seems to have picked up cocking as well. He is deliberately careful to stay quiet and calm, so only those with a sharp eye will notice anything strange. For example, that bunch of berries from the garden can't be used as an ingredient in his soup, right? They're poisonous... Some may find it odd to find him coming out of the armoury with a crossbow, or practicing violin in the music room.
Or perhaps you may catch him wandering up the stairs leading down to the basement late at night. What would he be doing down there? Surely it's not a bad thing to ask.
((Okay, let's see if I can get this asshole to cooperate with me this time! Adam Brooks is impersonating his brother, Barnaby, and will be friendly to most everyone he runs into, if a little forgetful. Should anyone notice his odd behaviour, though, he may be forced to do something not so nice... so a trigger warning for possible character mutilation and death in here, as well as psychological mindfuckery which happens with a character like Adam. Should you not want him to tag you, please message this account to let me know!))
(no subject)
Date: 2017-10-02 08:05 pm (UTC)He suspects he knows who he'll be guarding, even before he starts to hear that laboured breathing. The real Barnaby has to be somewhere.
Still, the sight of him there, chained and bleeding, would stop Mettaton in his tracks if only it could. He lets out a strangled cry of horror through clenched teeth, even as he follows his captor into the dungeon like an obedient pet.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-10-04 01:26 am (UTC)He rolls his eyes as Mettaton cries out. “Don’t be pathetic. There’s no need to show that kind of sympathy for someone like him.”
Barnaby looks up at the noise, squinting without his glasses. He doesn’t really recognize whoever is in front of him. He’s seen them around the castle, but can’t recall a name. Not that he could call for them or even apologize with Adam so close by.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-10-05 07:00 am (UTC)(He never did this. He's been cruel, he's lashed out for petty reasons, taken his bitterness out on anyone who dared get in his way at the wrong time, but... but he never had anyone tortured. There were lines he didn’t cross -
- oh, were there? Remember Frisk? Remember your hand at their throat?)
"You..." It's deeply uncomfortable to talk like this, still, like writing with the wrong hand. If that hand was the only part of your body that still belonged to you. Everything inside him feels defiled. "You think... I'm going to help you? Without question?"
(no subject)
Date: 2017-10-14 05:16 pm (UTC)Adam is certainly more extreme than Mettaton, but if he realizes as much, he certainly doesn’t care. His own brother gets nothing more than a cold glance, and watching Mettaton suffer and struggle to speak gets a bored eyebrow raise.
“Aren’t you already helping me? You can question all you like, but your body will still move under my commands.”
Barnaby stirs then, looks at Mettaton, horrified.
“What did you do to him? I thought I told you to keep everyone out of this-”
“And I have to listen to you?” Adam spits. He examines the remote in his hands, presses a string of buttons intended to send Mettaton towards Barnaby.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-10-14 11:06 pm (UTC)His body steps forward and he tries, he tries to fling himself backward instead, to stumble and trip, to do anything else. To get out of his body altogether, maybe, break his bond with it, is that even possible? It would break his heart to lose it, but who cares -?
It's a moot question, anyway. Nothing happens, except what he's told to do. The best he can manage is to force out a glitching, staticky "- s-sorry -" as he's moved toward the real Barnaby. An apology for whatever's coming next.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-10-20 03:18 pm (UTC)Of course he’s not a person. Does he look like a person? He’s made of metal and magic, and thus all he can be to Adam is a toy. One to play with and torment and then toss aside once he gets tired of it, or pushes it beyond its limits.
Barnaby looks up at Mettaton and shakes his head. There’s no need to apologize. They’re both prisoners here. If he had the energy, he’d say that.
Adam, mercifully, doesn’t make him do much yet. Of course, ramming his fist into Barnaby’s gut with full power several times isn’t pleasant by any means, but it’s tolerable.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-10-21 10:05 am (UTC)Do intentions count, for physical attacks against a human? Does it matter that he doesn't want to do this?
...no. Of course not. Stupid to hope so. It won't matter, because he isn't the attacker here. He's the weapon. Nothing more than a blunt instrument.
And you've done worse. The voice in the back of his mind sounds just like Chara, for a moment. Of your own free will, you have done worse and enjoyed it. Don't act so shocked.
But it's different, without the high of LOVE and self-justification driving him. He doesn't want this.
The room is starting to blur around him. Mettaton didn’t think his horror could grow any deeper, but it does, just a little, as he feels shimmering magical energy start to pool beneath his eyes. Not even strong enough to form a bullet. That was Blooky's thing.
Of course he can still cry. And he can't even raise a hand to wipe it away. The humiliation only makes it worse.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-11-14 05:16 pm (UTC)It’s ugly and blunt and painful… yet Barnaby at least reminds himself it could be worse. He’s dealt with worse torture before, subjected himself to greater levels of pain in the name of training for being a hero. He might break something, bruise something, but he can use his Hundred Power to heal… at least, if he ever makes it out of this prison.
Still, he does try to struggle, gasps and tries to move away or at least brace himself. The hits come too fast most of the time, though.
He’s gasping for air, choking on each breath when Adam finally lets Mettaton stop. Barnaby glances up, dizzy, but he still manages to catch the tears in Mettaton’s eyes. He shakes his head, tries to find something to say and only ends up launching into a coughing fit.
Adam notices the tears too, but with dull interest instead of sympathy.
“You can simulate tears, can you?” He wonders aloud. “Your programmer must have been impressive. Still, I managed the same with my own androids.”
(no subject)
Date: 2017-11-15 12:40 am (UTC)It doesn't matter, anyway. He can't keep his body from reacting to this nightmare the only way it still can.
He should keep quiet at least, he knows he should, he's been told in no uncertain terms what might happen if he doesn't shut up, but. There's that pride of his again, he guesses, some part of him that doesn't mind being hurt so much as not being seen. At least this creature could talk about him as though he's alive.
- not that Mettaton is going to admit that he isn't simulating anything.
"She was brilliant." It comes out sounding like a snarl through gritted teeth, and that's only partly down to the effort of using the secondary speaker. "You couldn't - keep up, darling."
Oh, he's going to pay for that, he's sure. If he could, he'd be shaking in his boots, quite literally.
...at least it's his choice. And at least it might get Barnaby off the hook for a little while. Enough to catch his breath. That would be something.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-11-15 07:42 pm (UTC)Maybe it’s a little of both. Barnaby wants to be reassuring, of course he does, but he’s a hero who’s lived his life on survival. If Mettaton wouldn’t cry, there would be no reason for Adam to mock him. And then nothing to prompt what happens next.
His eyes go wide as Adam’s grin fades into grim and cold acceptance. He raises the remote without a word, and yes, Mettaton will be pleased to know that he does grant Barnaby some brief reprieve with his outburst as he’s led away, back to Adam.
“I can see I can’t trust you with the capacity to speak. If you’re going to insist on snivelling, I will remove your speakers. And whoever made you won’t be around to put you back together again.”
He turns back to grab a screwdriver again. Mettaton is free to plead in the meantime.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-11-16 07:40 pm (UTC)- he can't. He can't be pulled apart again, can't bear to feel those hands on him, he'll beg, he'll scream and grovel for forgiveness if he has to -
- caught between two extremes, all he can manage is a skipping, stuttered "d-don't -" and nothing more.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-11-21 04:59 pm (UTC)“Don’t?” Adam’s lips twist back into that same grin. “Are you begging now? I can’t blame you, I’d want to keep my ability to speak as well.”
He spins a screwdriver between his fingers, takes a step forward and another.
“I don’t know if I’m convinced you won’t cause any more trouble, though. You have to really prove you’ve earned the right to speak. Would you like another chance?”
(no subject)
Date: 2017-11-21 09:50 pm (UTC)- no, he won't!
Mettaton hisses through clenched teeth, finally willing those shameful tears away. He isn't going to play along with this sick little game. He isn't going to debase himself again to earn the ever so generous reward of not being mutilated -
- is he?
He's so, so terrified. As proud and as stubborn as he is (and he's not nearly as proud of himself as he used to be) he can feel himself buckling under the strain of it. He is going to break, isn't he. One way or the other. He's no Undyne. And even she came apart in the end, didn't she?
"A-and how - would I prove - that I've earned it?" As if that's even a real question. As if the human can't keep on finding new hoops to make him jump through, one after another. Twisting reality with his words. Mettaton can see the trap he's been led into.
He just can't find his way out of it.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-11-22 07:00 pm (UTC)Unfortunately, it doesn’t much matter whether or not Mettaton plays along. Adam is going to get all he wants forcing his body to act without his say so. Vocal protests won’t matter, whether they’re voiced or not. What he’s putting Mettaton through is all for his own amusement.
And he can tell that Mettaton is trapped too, desperate to get out, and thus very close to breaking. He doesn’t give that desperation a second glance, still spinning the screwdriver in his hand, humming idly to himself.
“Well, there’s a lot of options. Keeping your mouth shut and getting back to work would be one. Using your voice to beg and plead for the opportunity even as I’m starting to remove screws would be another. Maybe finding my failed creation and bringing it down here to finish what you started, that would be nice…”
(no subject)
Date: 2017-11-22 08:30 pm (UTC)"...your creation?" He doesn't know what that means. Should he know?
He's never really spoken to Toshi, doesn't know enough to put any pieces together, and he's not thinking clearly right now, anyway.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-11-28 07:11 pm (UTC)“The personal bodyguard and battle android I created. H-13 was its designation, but I’ve heard it goes by some ridiculous nickname now. Toshi. I’ve been wanting to track it down, but I haven’t had much time in between all the work I’ve done down here.”
Considering the way he talks about ‘it’, he doesn’t see Toshi as anything alive at all. And his pretending to be so clearly annoys him.
augh I meant to edit this ages ago. ignore previous version wtf me
Date: 2017-11-28 10:09 pm (UTC)Everything seems to fall quiet, suddenly. As if the desperate shrieking in the back of his mind - let me go let me go let me GO - was a real sound, that's just now stopped.
He knows who the human's talking about. Another friend of his double, he's seen them together in the ballroom (and left, because fine, he didn’t really need to go in there anyway). But he's never spoken to the other robot. That his name is Toshi is pretty much all Mettaton knows about him.
But apparently, that's two more facts than his own creator knows.
...
Talking back to his captor again would be far worse than suicide. Mettaton knows this.
He's being handed a lifeline. The only one he'll ever get.
He can't claim to be selfless, or principled, or heroic. He's done far worse in the past than he's being expected to do now. Of his own free will, for his own selfish gain.
It's only a matter of time until the human does find Toshi, anyway.
...and despite all of that, it's still an effort to hold back every barbed remark that comes to mind.
"Toshi." He repeats the name again, and it's not a question. "You want me - to bring him?"
Emphasis on the correct pronoun. Maybe it just comes across as a side-effect of his forced speech. Mettaton almost hopes not.