[OPEN] now that's real, real, real

[sciencelizard]

Who: Alphys, Mettaton, and YOU!
Where: The bathhouse, outside the safe zone
When: During the Shadow event (Nov 17th-20th)
Rating: PG/PG-13 for possible sex jokes. I'm sorry in advance.
Summary: Alphys and Mettaton try to get out there and face their shadows. Unfortunately, their Shadows decide a tag-team might be a better use of their time, and not in the way anyone really wants.
The Story:

i. [shadows] boy toy named troy used to live in detroit

[Somewhere, a few floors up in the bathhouse, the sound of Alphys and Mettaton screaming can be heard. It’s unmistakably horrified, painting a picture that these two might be in danger, and certainly could use a rescue.

Of course, the situation, once someone comes upon it, is rather different. The real Alphys and Mettaton stand at one end of the room, looking aghast; Alphys’ screaming is slightly muffled by virtue of her hands being crammed over her mouth, and Mettaton’s hands are over his eyes, fingers not quite blocking the scene. They’re looking across the room, to where another Alphys and Mettaton stand, looking less horrified and a little more a different word that starts with ‘ho’. Shadow Alphys and Mettaton are caught in each other’s arms, lips locked, messily kissing in a way that suggests neither of them care who’s watching. The Shadows finally break from each other, faces close, tilting their heads back towards the pair of reals near the doorway as the fake Alphys speaks first.]

Mm, Metta, I might have to fix your fan after this, you’re burning up.

Oh, I’ll always run hot for you, baby.

[They immediately go back to pressing their faces together, eliciting another round of screaming and ‘NO NO NO NO’ from the reals. This only seems to egg the shadows on further.

Someone put an end to this. These crushes are years old and this is the worst possible outcome for them both.]

----

ii. [safe zone] this dude named michael used to ride motorcycles

[If anyone wants to find these two later in the event, they can both be found in the safe zone, either together or separately as the rest of the event goes by. They seem… not too intent to go back in there, though might be a little hesitant to actually talk about why. Regardless, they’re present, should someone need to find them.]

[ooc: The first prompt is a 3 way thread, but please specify if you want Alphys, Mettaton, or both for the safe zone! You can reach out to us on plurk at cancerously and pbmajesty if you have any questions or want a closed prompt.]

Comments

shadows

[naughty_nurse]

[Mikan has been struggling to find her friends to bring them to the safe zone - that's when she heard the screams of Alphys and Mettaton. Guilty, a part of her hesitates, after the heartache that Mettaton caused her during the last event...

... But if they're in danger, she can't just stand here and do nothing!

She frantically runs towards the sounds - maybe they can all get away together! But what if they're hurt? She still doesn't know how to heal monsters and machines... yet she simply can't abandon those she cares about! She won't! She -

Aaaand cue record needle scratch when she sees the make-out session.]

.... Ah ... ?

[OKAY, UNIVERSE, SHE GETS IT, SHE NEVER STOOD A CHANCE WITH METTA, COME THE FUCK ON]

[mettatonvevo]

[Mettaton is still completely horrified. Oh goodness. This is so embarrassing, how can he even process this-

He hears someone behind both him and Alphys and turns around.]

Mikan!!!

[NO NO NO, THIS WAS BAD AND NOW IT'S WORSE]

Darling, don't look at this, this is- I-

[Does he have any right to tell her not to look??? This is awful. Unfortunately, Mettaton's protests catch the attention of his shadow, who pulls away and looks over in delight.]

Well hello there, sweetheart! Aren't you cute! Welcome to the show! Starring me, your fabulous and perfect king, and my equally perfect and beautiful partner in crime, Alphys!

[He looks back to Alphys's shadow and puts a hand on the side of her face, looking at her with a deep well of affection.]

It really is a pity that my counterpart here finds this so shameful. There's nothing wrong with love!

[Mettaton puts a hand over his face, his voice muffled.]

It's not love that I find shameful, it's this whole display with someone who I am friends with!!

[The shadow laughs, yellow eyes trained back on the real Mettaton.]

We both know that's not the ENTIRE story, Mettaton.

[SOMEONE PLEASE KILL HIM]

[sciencelizard]

[Alphys sees Mikan show up and just drags her hands down her face, groaning.]

Ohhh my gooddd whyyyyyyyyyyy.

[Meanwhile, her Shadow stays curled in the fake Mettaton's arms.]

Aww, Metta, look! Another cute one.

[She takes the opportunity to wink at Mikan. The real Alphys takes the opportunity to scream into her hands.]

Look, this, uhm, this is n-not what it looks like--

Yes it is! It exactly is! Alphys, you just have so much love to go around! Why don't you admit it more often how much you want to--

[Alphys just starts yelling to drown her out as the fake giggles.]

[naughty_nurse]

Ah...

[What... is she supposed to say to this nonsense?! She wants it burnt from her eyeballs but now she knows she'll be seeing it every time she closes her eyes!]

B-But... didn't Alphys make Mettaton's body? Doesn't that kind of make her his...?

[Well, maybe not 'mom', but something close???]

[mettatonvevo]

[Mettaton cries out.]

No! This isn't like that! I mean, yes, it looks like that but this isn't-

[His shadows interrupts with a loud cough.]

Oh darling, does it matter what she thinks? Aren't you so tired of hiding how we are? We have so much love and so much pomp, why hold back anymore? People will love us! And those who don't will die!

[The shadow's grin grows malicious in nature as he places his face next to his shadow companion's face.]

It's been awhile since I've done that, hasn't it been, my sweet Alphys? Do you want me to dust a few people? I know when I do it can be very... exciting.

[His voice drops into low, husky tones, clearly intending to be seductive. Mettaton, meanwhile, gaps at him.]

You did not just say that.

Shadows

[forwearemany]

(Their wandering has been limited.

The sound of screaming, however, grabs their attention. They head for the source. It doesn't take them long to find it.

...Headtilt.)

...Mettaton. All data indicates that "shadows" represent unacknowledged aspects of oneself.

(NOT helpful, Legion.)

[romsapience]

[Turing, too, hears the screamings, and is able to pry themselves away from 'babysitting' their shadow to follow the noise. They notice Legion upon arrival.]

Legion! Did you hear that scream as well -

[Then, they really start to take in the scene of what's going on.]

......what on earth am I looking at?

[mettatonvevo]

[Look. It's bad enough that his old/sorta new/still-here-and-there crush on Alphys is being put on display for everyone in the damn mansion to see, it's another thing ENTIRELY when the entire population of Wonderland robots here is witness to his... interesting feelings for his creator.]

Yes, Legion, I am aware of that.

[Oh gracious, is he aware of that. He looks imploringly at both Turing and Legion.]

This is just... Wonderland being Wonderland, as you know, please disregard everything you are seeing.

[Uh oh, Mettaton! Those were the Wrong Words because your shadow pulls away from his partner and turns, putting a hand on his hips and crossing his legs in front of him, taking in the spectacle of his counterpart's embarrassment with unchecked glee.]

Oh please, I'm sure your little friends here would love to share some sweet smooches with their creators as well!

[Mettaton's face twists into more horror.]

No??? No no no???? No!!!!

[sciencelizard]

[Alphys recognizes this is infinitely more embarrassing for Mettaton, considering their growing list of peers here involves more robots than organics, and she knows the stigma they're unintentionally touting. On the other hand, this is horrifying and she would like it to end effective immediately. She just looks horrified towards Turing and Legion, while her fake speaks first, caressing the shadow Mettaton's cheek.]

Who couldn't love a face like this? I designed him perfectly.

[She looks slyly back towards the Shadow as her real sputters.]

Besides, he's the only one who could ever love me. I designed him to. He can't leave.

[Now the Real actually looks scared, hands fisted into her labcoat.]

No! That's not-- we're not dating!!!! I didn't do that!!! Ohmygod stop stop stop!

shadows 1/2

[causesstampedes]

[The screams startle Simba, and he goes running to investigate the noise.]

Is someone there?! Who's in tr-

[causesstampedes]

...

What are you doing?

[He's not even sure who this question is directed at since there's like four people here, and two of them look the same. What's even happening.]

[mettatonvevo]

[...That is a Lion]

...Hello darling, are you new here?

[A lion monster maybe??? They look younger than the one he gave his dress to...

His shadow, hearing that Mettaton's attention has shifted, proceeds to pull Shadow Alphys closer and suck very loudly on her lower lip. Mettaton visibly shudders and looks back at the two shadows.]

Stop that!!!!

[sciencelizard]

[That Is A Fucking Lion Oh My God. Unfortunately, Alphys has no time to concentrate on that as her Shadow giggles at Shadow Mettaton's attention, and she suddenly feels like she wants to vomit.]

Okay, so, n-nothing to see here! You can leave now and forget this ever happened! In fact, uh-- we don't exist! None of us exist! This is a dream!!!!

[She's really, really good at this.]

shadows

[mcgucket]

[... oh my god, what the diddly darn fuck are we even looking at here.]

Uh... do I want to know what's going on here?

[mettatonvevo]

Fiddleford!

[It's been awhile since he and Mettaton have spoken and of course it's like this.]

No! You don't need to know! You can leave!

[His shadow detaches from Shadow Alphys (which sounds like it takes some effort, from the loud sucking sound it makes) and turns immediately to face the newcomer.]

Tsk tsk, Mettaton! That's no way to treat one of your loyal subjects! Fiddleford, dear, I will be happy to tell you every juicy, intimate detail you want to hear. You don't need to thank me. That's just how things are under my rule. I'm gracious.

[sciencelizard]

[Oh god Fiddleford no why. Why someone she knows. Why someone who can see her sins.]

IT'S NOTHING VERY NOTHING THOSE AREN'T US YOU CAN GO NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

[Too bad her Shadow feels the need to speak up.]

Oh, Alphys! That's so unkind to someone else you've thought was soooo cute.

[Alphys, meanwhile, is now screaming into her hands.]

[mcgucket]

I--seriously? Why?

[First Stanford, now you Alphys? Why do people think that about a dumpster fire like ourselves??]

shadows, obviously

[punful]

[He's exhausted. His Shadow is gone now for good, thank god, and he's ready for this event to be over. Just gotta make it down to the safe zone, assuming there is such a thing. He's dragging himself slowly in that general direction when he hears something like caterwauling.]

[That sounds an awful lot like Alphys and Mettaton.]

[He can't tell if they're in pain or simply distressed, but he starts moving a bit faster toward where he hears them, dragging himself along the wall. He knows full well by now just how dangerous these Shadows can be.]

i'm coming, hang on...

[He tries to move a bit faster and turns a corner. There's Mettaton and Alphys. And...there's a second Mettaton and Alphys. Sans can tell instantly which ones are real and which ones are the Shadows.]

[He stops, still braced against the wall. Blinks. Squints to make sure he's really seeing what he's seeing.]

what. really.

[He glances over at the real Mettaton and Alphys, who both look appropriately horrified.]

really?

[mettatonvevo]

[Mettaton looks to Sans. He looks to Alphys. He looks back to Sans. This? Oh god. He thought other people coming into this would be bad, but now he's blushing because Sans is here and seeing all this. His little crush on Sans being one thing, now he's seeing his other old crush and a part of him thinks that this is "crossing the streams" like that one human movie he saw once.

His shadow, of course, is eating this up.]

Really really, darling! It's quite sad to see myself so ashamed of his affection for my darling Alphys, but that's why we're here! To help you all see the truth and whatnot!

[Mettaton glares at his shadow.]

I'm not ashamed! This just isn't how things are now!

[The look his shadow gives him is all incredulity. He then gives Shadow Alphys a knowing look.]

Isn't it adorable how they deny the truth?

[sciencelizard]

[Of course. Of course Sans would be here. Of course this is happening.

Honest to god, Alphys has no response to this. She looks at Sans. Looks at Mettaton. Looks at her Shadows. And then just lies face-first down on the ground.]

Nope. This is what Kanji m-meant. They've killed me. That's it. I'm done.

[The Shadow Alphys, however, is loving this.]

Oh, how they forget. Against the person who shared their SOUL! He already knows. What's there to be ashamed of? Just accept it!

[punful]

[He braces his hands against his knees, still trying to catch his breath. This is ridiculous. And weird. And he definitely felt some mutual affection along the connection, but there was a lot of other stuff to pay attention to then. And, like. He knows Mettaton doesn't think of Alphys as his "mother" or anything, but...she kinda is, right? Like. She created him. So this is kinda weird.]

[Or at least like pretty dang weird.]

i mean, my shadow was a clingy little crybaby, so i...guess...i have no right to judge?

[Who is he kidding, judging people is still kinda his whole Thing.]

okay, but, like. listen. this doesn't have to be weird. [He gestures with both hands at the smoochfest down the hall.] like they're obviously making it weird by overexaggerating the whole thing, that's what these shadows do.

[Oh god, how many people have seen this already?]

listen, how about you accept it for now so you don't...die or anything, and then just. tttaaaalk about it later?

Shadows oh my god

[softspokenlandlord]

[He probably should have walked out immediately after catching sight of a lizard kissing a tall robot. All he had wanted to do was find the source of the screaming. He's only a powerless teenager, but maybe he could help, somehow...

But uh.

No, he really can't help here, can he? He can't do much more than stare at what's going on, immediately go red in the face because whaaaat the heck did he just walk into, and then...casually...walk over to the versions of the two that aren't absolutely lip-locked and only interested in...well.

Naughty things.

Once he's close enough, he speaks, hoping not to frighten Mettaton or his...equally horrified friend.]

Um. Excuse me, am I interrupting? The screaming...it was you two?

[mettatonvevo]

[Mettaton is trying to calm himself because clearly he and Alphys's combined agitation is just encouraging their shenanigans further but the approach of someone new immediately sets him back into a state of distress.]

Ryou! Yes, it was us, we were just... taken by surprise. Horrible surprise.

[His Shadow pulls from the kiss but, entirely unwilling to step away from his partner, instead places his arms on her shoulders, crossing his hands out behind her head and leaning his head on top of hers.]

Sweetheart, you're not interrupting at all! You're here in time for the show! Front row seats, even! Don't be afraid to take notes~!

[He winks. Mettaton immediately responds, sounding more horrified.]

No!! Don't take any notes! Don't listen to him!

[Is this what it feels like to be on the opposite end of his shenanigans?]

[sciencelizard]

[On one hand: This is good, because it's someone she doesn't know. On the other hand: this is bad, because now this is their first impression of her and she's going to die right here right now. The Shadow Alphys stays close, nuzzling into Shadow Mettaton's neck.]

Oh, yes, we're here to put on a fabulous show! All that matters is us, after all.

[Alphys shrieks a little bit more, looking back towards Ryou.]

I'm so sorry, o-ohmygosh, this isn't... this is not. What it looks like.

[Her shadow calls from behind her.]

Yes it is! All she ever cares about is loving people so she doesn't feel so alone!

[And her face immediately falls, putting it into her hands and yelling.]

[softspokenlandlord]

Um, I. Well, I don't--this seems private...

[Ryou glances away from the amorous pair, and fixates on the Mettaton that says his name, along with his...friend?

Are they...more than that? Who even knows, Ryou's getting mixed signals. But then again, he's more used to giving mixed signals himself than dealing with them. Was this what it was like for his friends back then?! If that's the case, then he's even more sorry than before.]

Don't worry, I'm...trying not to listen. But can you...explain?

[This is his first foray into the shadow shenanigans, so it's no one's fault, but as soon as the yellow lizard woman starts shrieking, he can't help but to move towards her, reach a hand out to brush her shoulder]

It's okay, don't worry! I'm...

[His hand pulls back as if he'd been bitten. That was rude, to touch someone when he didn't know her.]

I'm sorry, but...what I mean is, you don't have to explain. Something strange is going on here, obviously.