give the man a nobel

[voidster]

Birds are singing, flowers are blooming... and one useless old man is playing cards against another faceless (and useless) old man, outside in the gardens.

It seems the real thing has finally made peace with his double--or at least taken pity on him enough to stop ignoring him. It's wearying, carrying around all that animosity for someone who literally can't venture too far without being summoned back, and who can't help what he was created for. (To nag and nag him to murder a friend.) Life has been rough and he's... lonely, in a sense. It's good to have someone to play a game with nearby, and who has nothing better to do.

They've brought a little table and four chairs with them, on the off chance anyone wants to join. It's nice here, in the shade of a tree, sun shining through the leaves. Sit with them and wonder how in the world the rune-faced Gaster sees his cards without any eyesockets?

Comments

[sassifist]

That sure is Gaster and... some other dude? Puzzled, Frisk moseys on over. They crack a small smile, raising an eyebrow at the two and their little cardgame.

"So, whatcha playing? Go Fish? Old Maid? Blackjack?"

More importantly, who's winning?

[voidster]

They look completely identical, except for the copy's complete lack of facial features. Just a large pink rune taking place of everything: eyesockets, cracks, nasal bones, teeth and smile... That alone would have made Gaster extremely uncomfortable.

[Spades.] The real Gaster is speaking for them both. It's one of the games that trickled down into the monster world. [What is 'Old Maid'?]

[sassifist]

Okay, that's kinda creepy. Or maybe very creepy. But they'll try not to star for too long in favor of the subject at hand.

"It's... Well, I think what you're supposed to do is discard cards in pairs, and then whoever's left with one card is the loser. And you offer cards for the person next to you? I never played much of it; it's just something I sorta... know exists."

[voidster]

[That sounds nice and simple to teach. We could play, if you want.]

Assuming three can play... it would be cruel to leave the Runester out again. The little pocket universe that's 'home' now doesn't need more pain in it.

[sassifist]

"Hmm... I guess we could try! If nothing else, I'm down for some laid back chatting for a bit." So they kinda... plop down by the two Gasters. "By the way, you hear what happened with Papyrus and Mettaton?"

[voidster]

The two Gasters glance at each other for a moment, and lay down their cards nearly in sync. They're one and the same, despite looks... and 'silence' from the new one.

[I didn't. What is it?]

Good news, for a change?

[sassifist]

"Weeell, thanks to me, Mettaton finally asked him out on a date." You an practically see the smugness radiating off of them. Are they pleased? Heck yeah. They don't really know how things went, but hey. As long as Papyrus is happy, they won't pry too much into adult affairs.

[voidster]

Beaming.

[Good, good for you. Thank you for finally getting them to see sense.]

(Wise of them. He himself doesn't care to ask, either--there's no possible way it went badly. The details don't need to be shared.)

[sassifist]

"I'm just surprised it happened so fast. Here I was, expecting this long, drawn out, will-they/won't-they routine." They hold up their hands and sigh. "Glad I was wrong this time. Guess TV and movies aren't always the best indicators, huh?"

[voidster]

He shakes his head, wanting to chuckle, knowing it will come out distorted and unnerving.

[I know him outside this little pocket, and I've been pressuring him to ask for months. Perhaps longer, I'm not sure. Strange to think someone who's been on stage could be so shy.]

[aghostinthemachine]

As soon as a certain someone spots Gaster as he's walking through the garden, he makes a beeline for the two, eventually peering over the old skeleton's shoulder to see what he's doing.

How nosy.

"Mind if I join you two?"

[voidster]

How comfortably familiar. Isn't it nice?

A pair of purplepink hands appear in front of Mettaton's face. One pokes his nose before beginning to answer. (Hee.) [Do you play cards?]

[aghostinthemachine]

Mettaton lets out a surprised grunt at the poke, standing up fully again before giving his own answer.

"Sort of? I mostly faked it on my shows. Never properly learned how."

[voidster]

[I could teach you, if you'd like.] After all, look where they are--any way to kill time is good. [I knew a few different games and I'm sure the humans here know even more.]

[aghostinthemachine]

"As long as neither of you mind!" The glambot smiles then waits a moment before sitting down between them.

"So, what are you currently playing?"

[voidster]

Nope. They're both nearly the same person, inside and outside. Both happy to spend time with Mettaton, and fortunately so alike that one won't interrupt the other.

[Spades. Poker seemed ridiculous when it's technically only... myself.] What the hell would they play for? [I think you'd like that.]

[aghostinthemachine]

Mettaton blinks, asking a genuine question. "... What's the difference?"

[voidster]

What's the--

He blinks back. The Runester probably wishes he could blink too.

[...Don't worry about that. I'll explain how it goes.] And he does. But shhh shhh that's no fun to read or write.

[aghostinthemachine]

And the glambot listens intently.

When Gaster's done explaining, Mettaton rubs his chin in thought.

"They both seem fun. Probably best we do spades though, for obvious reasons."

[voidster]

[Nothing to bet on, you mean?]

Good point. Imaginary money? Favors? Questions? All a bit silly. He wants nothing from Mettaton and already knows most of what interests him...

[aghostinthemachine]

"And that it would be two against one," he sticks his tongue teasingly. "Care to deal the cards?"

[voidster]

[We're not a team, I'm playing against him.] he says, lightly.

The faceless wonder angles his head in a way that suggests he's 'looking' at the original, his own projections of hands appearing to sign for him too. [The feeling's mutual.] As it would be when one Gaster thinks the other Gaster is a fool.

But. Runester hands over his cards and Gaster begins to deal for three.

[aghostinthemachine]

"I know. I'm joking."

Mettaton waits until he's been given his cards, then looks at his hand. Playing cards usually revolves around small talk, right?

"... You'll be happy to know I went on a date with Papyrus."

[voidster]

Yep. It's why each Goop-man has four hands. Whatever would he do if he were limited to two?

[It's about time.] Smug. [Did you enjoy it?]

[aghostinthemachine]

Mettaton's cheeks turn pink. "I... I did. It was nice to really talk about things with him.."