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

[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.."

[voidster]

It would be so nice to have a camera right now.

[Good. Don't let that be the last one. I'm sure you have much more to talk about.]

[aghostinthemachine]

"Of course. He's an absolutely charming..." He lets out a dreamy sigh. "I'm just sad he's not from my universe..."

[voidster]

[But one is. You'll do the same for him when you return home, won't you?]

Because it matters. It matters so much. This is the only possible positive influence he'll have on Papyrus's life.

[aghostinthemachine]

Mettaton looks up.

"Do you think it would be wrong? I might know things about him that he isn't ready to share."

[voidster]

[Such as? Because he's lived a different life, the one you're dating.]

Hee. Dating.

[aghostinthemachine]

"I don't know yet. But he still has the same personality from what I can tell?"

... His cheeks darken. Dating.

[voidster]

[So.] he says, in between rounds. [Don't assume anything. Ask him everything you're not sure is true. And don't worry.]

[aghostinthemachine]

"Hm."

He pauses.

"It feels unfair though. I'm getting a practice run with him. Am I just over thinking things?"

[voidster]

(And he wins a round, finally.)

[I don't know. Perhaps. But you should do it anyway--you two deserve to be happy.]

[I agree.]

Again. There's really no point in the other saying anything--they agree on almost everything.

[aghostinthemachine]

Mettaton pouts a bit, looking down at his cards for a moment before returning his attention to the Gasters.

"I heard from Frisk you two were discussing us."