entrancelogs | Birthday party, take two

Entry tags:

Birthday party, take two

Who: Toriel, Frisk, Chara, and whoever else comes to the party!
Where: One of the tearooms, and outside in the gardens.
When: 5/25
Ratings: Probably PG, maybe PG-13
Summary: It's Frisk and Chara's birthday!!!
The Story:

All the preparations are done- it's time for a party!

On the 24th, the invitations went out- to those who had expressed interest in coming before, and to the Pines family, letting everyone know when the party was, where it was, and how long it would last- and on the 25th, it arrives!

Toriel has put a great deal of effort, into making sure this party goes well. Upon entering the tea room, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. There are the standard things, of course- balloons, streamers, 'Happy Birthday Chara and Frisk' or 'Happy Birthday Frisk and Chara' banners- she didn't want to play favorites and make it one child's birthday more than the other, after all.

There's a table, filled with various kinds of birthday food. 3 kinds of pie- Butterscotch Cinnamon, Cherry, and Blueberry, as well as a large chocolate cake, and two large bowls of vanilla and chocolate ice cream. There's also a bowl of mixed fruit, and a tray of apple, orange, and watermelon slices, for if anyone needs or wants a more healthy snacking option.

Another table, mostly empty- but with a few neatly wrapped boxes on it, in two distinct piles- with little labels reading 'For Frisk' and 'For Chara', and a small banner hanging off the table informing everyone to 'Place Gifts Here'.

And finally, one half of the room is almost completely bare, with lots of space for people to stand around and chat, play games- or look at what appears to be a cannon, in the corner. Any worries that it might be dangerous though would quickly be dispelled, as it shoots off blasts of confetti high into the air, that rain down over that area of the party intermittently.

Now, the only thing to do is to celebrate and have fun!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Mettaton has been very carefully avoiding Toriel this entire party because the last thing the kids need is to see their friend/weird psuedo uncle get into a fight with the party host/their mom. And it will absolutely happen, if their previous interactions are any indication.

Of course he does not shy from stepping forward with his gifts, flashing everyone (including Toriel) a winning smile as he presents his gifts for Chara and Frisk.

For Chara, it is a basket of various hair dyes, hair gels, and fake body piercings, wrapped up in various sparkly bright bows. The card attached bears the message: A little something to help you find yourself.

For Frisk, it is a delicately wrapped box that, when opened, contains various tutus in different shades and builds. Some of them are more traditional than others, some more like skirts in a tutu style, but the card that comes with says: For those days when you feel like you can do anything.

When the gifts are placed he steps back, acquiescing the "Stage" to whoever either wants to go next, or the kids opening their gifts. He's open to conversation however, though he may attempt to leave soon.]

[He remembered. Even if they couldn't bring back any of the clothes they got from the Citadel, he still remembered, and each one of them is beautiful, as delicate and wisping as candyfloss, practically sparkling as they catch the light.

Mettaton is lingering, hanging back as though afraid. That strikes them as more than a little uncharacteristic - though given everything he's been through, maybe they can't blame him for that.

They shouldn't.

Still, they manage to catch him before he slinks out, beaming.]

Thank you. They're beautiful.

[He'd seen how their eyes had lit up on the Citadel, how lovely the tutus were and how they had spoken of them. So of course he made sure to give them what Wonderland on its own would not.

As he's on his way out Frisk manages to stop him and Mettaton tries to ignore the happy uplift in his soul at seeing them.]

You are absolutely welcome, Frisk. I couldn't let my favorite co-star be bereft of one of their favorite outfits! It just couldn't stand.

I'm glad you're here.

[Immediately, they wish they hadn't said anything. That's...mean of them, isn't it? Guilting him into staying, when he'd really obviously rather not. Stop it, Frisk. Don't be like this; even a day of celebration doesn't entitle you to play with other people's lives.]

I mean, I mean - thank you. For coming.

[Mettaton smiles gently. He doesn't want to leave, not really, but between Toriel's silent wall of dismissal and his own feelings of guilt around tending to this connection to people, leaving had been the only option left.]

I'm glad to be here too.

[He won't lie about that, at least.]

And of course! I promised you that I would come to your next party after being loathsome enough to miss your last one. So here I am.

You weren't in Wonderland. You couldn't have...

[Well, they won't press it. He's making an effort here, and they shouldn't be cruel. He deserves something nice in his life, like a party. He deserves something that makes him feel like people want him here.

Because they do.

But forcing him to stay wouldn't...ha ha, that'd be kind of mean.]

You, um.

You don't have to stay. If you want.

[Mettaton smiles a little at Frisk... and then furtively looks around. He sees Toriel facing some other guests with her back turned and he leans down to whisper to them.]

Honestly Frisk, I wouldn't mind staying longer, but I'm afraid if I do I'll end up in another argument with our esteemed host and we really can't have that ruining you and Chara's special day, now can we?

[He winks.]

We're both a bit too fiery to succeed at doing anything other than ignoring each other's presences currently.

Another argument?

[With...Toriel? They dart a furtive glance in her direction and then back at Mettaton, head to one side. They didn't...they didn't know. They should have paid better attention, really, ha ha. That's probably their fault. Should have asked, at the very least.]

...you two are fighting?

Yes, we are, but it's not the worst thing in the world. We had a general disagreement over certain things and now would much rather not see the other person around.

["Certain things" being who can act sanctimonious over attempted child murder.]

Of course I wasn't going to let something silly like that get in the way of being here, so ta da! Here I am!

[He makes a show of posing fabulously right when Toriel turns in their general direction. He shoots her a wink. Stop trying to instigate things, Mettaton, you menace!!!!!]

What certain things?

[Frisk isn't convinced, frankly. They're not...they don't like it when people fight. Lots of people fight, they know; it's natural. But it's too reminiscent of people screaming at one another and the tinkle of breaking glass as they huddle in a cupboard or beneath a bed, or wherever it is they won't think to look.

They're not about to drop it, just yet.]

[Ok, they're asking for clarification and Mettaton pauses, thinking. If he is completely honest, they'll blame themselves. They might even insert themselves into the situation in an attempt to fix a "problem" they "made". If he lies, they may end up going to Toriel to talk about it and realize he told them the wrong information and be hurt.

Ugh. This is kind of sticky.]

Well... We got into a discussion about how things went in the Underground. Things we should have done versus not done, and while I am very aware of my mistakes and what they entailed, Toriel is not so forgiving in her impressions of me. Nor I of her, evidently.

In the end though, Frisk, you must understand that this is merely how we are as people. I don't think our personalities have meshed well since day one. I'm not too concerned; if we become friendly in the future, we will! It all takes time, after all.

[And let's be real, a degree of humbleness that Mettaton doesn't have at this point. He sees no reason to go begging for Toriel's good will. If she starts trying to bar him from seeing the kids for whatever reason, THEN he'd be more active in trying to repair things, but until then this unspoken tension is more than settled enough for him.]

[They consider it quietly, let him explain. Maybe that's not so surprising. Or at least, parts of it aren't. He's careful about what he says, what he lays out in their direction. Maybe he feels like he has to be. They, ha, can't really blame him for that.

One corner of their mouth twists in an expression that's almost rueful.]

...it took her a long time to like me too.

[She doesn't forgive very easily. Not that she has to, or needs to, but - but they think they know a little bit, now, who Chara shares that trait with.]

[Mettaton returns the rueful grin, his mouth twisted in dark amusement.]

It did, didn't it? But look at you two now. Attending your birthday party that she hosted. And, all pettiness and grudges aside... it's very good. You and Chara deserve a good day.

[As much as he wants to bash the decorations for no good reason, he won't let his own immaturity ruin what is a good time for the kids.]

[It's better with you in it.

That would make him feel guilty, and obligated, and he doesn't deserve that. No one deserves to feel like they have to do anything, especially around them. It's okay, though. It's okay.]

So...um. If she can, can like me after I killed her, then, then maybe you can...get along too.

[Mettaton stops for a moment, a little surprised at what they say, but then smiles warmly.]

Maybe one day, yes. It might take some time and it probably will be hard but perhaps one day we will be friends.

[Personally he doubts it but you never know.]

[It's a hope, isn't it? Maybe a false one, maybe a fool's one. But they've been rather good at ill-advised endeavors for most of their time Underground; why should that change now?]

I hope so.

[But that'd be pretty selfish, if they just went and pushed that expectation on his shoulders and expected him to adhere to it. They, of all people, should know how damaging expectations and the weight thereof can be.]

I'm still glad you came. Chara, um, they would've missed you.

[Mettaton grins a little, nudging them.]

Of course they would have missed me! Just like you would have missed me, yes?

[He winks.]

It's all right to say you want me around. The feeling is mutual.

[That earns a smile, the soft bump of an elbow up against their shoulder. It's okay right now. With him.]

We both want you around. Can't, um...can't have you leaving a Mettaton-shaped hole in our Mettaton-shaped hearts.

[Ha ha.]

Now that would be a crime of the highest caliber!

[A crime that he will have to commit. Eventually. Of course.]

I should probably let you go to the rest of the party. If you... want I can linger a bit longer. But I can't stay for too long.

[There is someone waiting for him back in his room, after all.]

[Can't stay for long. Of course he can't. But they can't press him away, can't force him to stay against his will. Trying to cling to something so desperately is almost as effective in driving it away as simply letting it go.

They'd know.

Maybe they're learning what it is to pick their battles.]

You, um...don't have to stay. If you don't want to.

[He wants to stay. But he can't really... say that now, can he? Not if he wants to try and be better. He looks at them though, takes in their eyes and face and their slightly anxious manner and finds he doesn't want to hurt them. He's got too soft of a heart yet again.]

A little longer, then. Perhaps we should play a game or two before I go. Really get into the spirit of things!

What...what kind of games do you like?

[Maybe something quick, so he doesn't feel like he has to waste all his time here, wilting under Toriel's stern eye. If they just push him back, he might not see any point in returning.

But they can compromise, surely. Can't they?]

Cards games are always fun! Though I would be fine with any party games that Toriel has set up here. Did she set up that one human game, the, ah. The stab a donkey one? I've always wanted to try that.

[It'd be a good distraction, he thinks.]

Mettaton | OTA

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