middaeg | [Open] Come In From The Cold...

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[Open] Come In From The Cold...

Who: House Darkness Residents and OPEN
When: All of February
Where: House Darkness in the Haven
What: It's an open log!
Warnings: Shadowbringers Spoilers in some threads possible, possible talk of the Snatched Event

[If anyone knows the residents of the house, it might seem strange that such a group have selected a cozy abode for their home in the city. However, it is not to be said that they are unwelcoming (depending on who) and usually when someone comes to visit, there's always a warm cup of tea ready for them...and maybe some food to go along with it. Feels like a crime if someone doesn't get fed. And despite the hardships of the previous month, the house does welcome guests for any particular reasons whether a visit for the soul, a chat to catch up on events, or even maybe go a few rounds with the poor striking dummy in the backyard.

When you live with sword users and have stress, it gets used, ok?

It might be chilly outside but strange enough, the house itself is pretty warm. Just mind the gaelkitten and Flood running around from time to time.]

((OOC: Feel free to make a top level if you wish! Open to all!))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[When she asks why she might take advantage of him, she's treated only to mysterious laughter. There is nothing more he'll say.

If he knew that she was thinking of these people as people with lives losing them, Mettaton would agree enthusiastically. Of course they have lives! It's only logical that if Mira's perfectly alive and has only a fraction of a soul, so too would the rest of these people. But the story starts to get complex, and he's forced to let his eye wander while he tries to sort her information: the Rejoining is when a shard returns to this Source; the loss of that shard would spell the ruin of millions; a shard returns if "imbalanced," and "aether" would disrupt the Source, causing Calamities.

He imagines it must be this difficult for anyone to understand the rules of another world. What keeps him here without tapping out is the desire to understand what she's so mistaken about, and to understand the motivations behind a man who treats self-disclosure as something earned. Mettaton doesn't get ahead in life by knowing nothing. When he sorts through what she's told him, something stands out. He presses a finger to his lower lip.]

So... These shards. They were all originally part of one star. And if they're imbalanced, they return to a "Source." To become one again, I assume. How is that destroying the star? Isn't that reconstructing it...? It doesn't sound like such a bad thing.

[He remembers something important, and quickly interrupts himself by dropping his fist into his palm.]

Oh... Of course! It's because in doing so, this kills millions of innocent people. That's unfortunate. [He tilts his head. Can't reform the broken star if it kills millions upon millions!] So this is how your stars are destroyed... But, why? What would returning these shards to the Source do for them, if all it does is destroy? Sounds counterproductive!

[To be honest, she wants to say it all but parts of it, she believes that Emet-Selch should tell the story. For he has more knowledge, can understand it more than her. As she is trying to still grip the idea of what she has always known, what she has been told...is not all of the story. But she will say this:]

...for his home. For his people.

[While Emet-Selch can be a right asshole and so entitled at sometimes one wants to shove ice down his skirts, Mira cannot say that he doesn't give a damn. She can tell with how he speaks of Amaurot and the people there that there's compassion...love, determination.

"I will bring back our brethren. Our friends. Our loved ones. The world belongs to us and us alone."

He kept pushing. Wanting her to prove herself in his eyes and despite every single obstacle he threw at her and the Scions, she came out of it. And still it was not enough for him. Her imperfect self was not worthy even in the end. Even so...if this was the reasoning, why did she still raise her sword in protection to him in this place? Why did she let herself listen to him, hear the tales of the time long ago when the star was one?

Why did she let him kiss her that night at the masquerade?

Why was it that when the Rathmores and their lackeys kidnapped and tortured him, she found herself much more enraged and worked herself to the point of hysterics back at the Coven? Yeah, she can say 'it was to bring everyone home' but the one thought honestly was 'to save him.'

Why did she care for someone who thought her less? Did he still? There had to be something deep down in that soul of his...after all, she felt it. That small positive feeling that only lasted for a mere moment but Mira knew it exists.]

He might be harsh but...he cares. Given the subject matter.

[Cares but he is far from toothless. Mira would not have him any other way.]

[She seems to be thinking deeply upon something, and Mettaton tucks his fingers under his chin to regard her curiously. Her words are scant, but her thoughts are many, and that's fine. Maybe she's thinking the same sort of thing he'd like to hear, the curiosity of wondering how someone who held people such as her with such contempt could be redeemable to her. If he knew the extent of it at this point, he'd be more concerned. But he'd hold hope that Mira could see something in him that he cannot.

He nods, and smirks. So he has some "people" he's doing this in the name of, and she understands that much. Yet she was still his enemy. There must be a good reason for that, and yet...]

Despite your differences, you place such faith in him. You must really love him.

[Does he have evidence that the two are in love? Heavens, no. But he'd like to think so, and even if they didn't agree. It still doesn't clarify what she's so "mistaken" about, to Mettaton... Perhaps he can sort that out. He'd like to think that if anyone's mistaken, it's not Mira.]

[It's just that time when she decides to take a drink of her tea, to gather her thoughts. And then Mettaton drops that particular four letter word and Mira cannot help but have a reaction of nearly spitting her drink back into her mug, coughing because did he just say what she thinks she heard?!]

B-Beg pardon?! Am I w-what now?!

[That...cannot be possible, right? There is no way that a child of Hydaelyn could ever feel that way with a child of Zodiark. Despite her job as a dark knight, Mira still fights for the Mothercrystal...although she does have a lot of questions for her. Such as why the seven hells did she not know about most of this until Emet had to tell them?!

But love?! She doesn't even know what the hell that is supposed to be like!]

[Oh, this is absolute gold. Mettaton's smile broadens, his eye widening, thoroughly entertained. Is Mira being real with him right now?! He covers his mouth, snickering behind his glove at the sheer weight of her reaction.]

Oh, Mira. [He practically sighs her name.] Mira, Mira, Mira. Here, I thought I was stating the obvious...! Ahahaha!

[He composes himself, humming with satisfaction. He loves some good drama, and this proves to be such a hopeless case of romance to him. He shakes his head.]

Ha. I'm just saying it like I see it! [He shrugs with his arms.] Enemies to lovers... How romantic. You've only been talking about how much you trust and care for him. See through him to his goodness. And, you even admitted as much... Being so drawn to him. Or am I mistaken, about all I've been hearing? Which, I'm not. I know what I heard. But!! You know best!!

Isn't that what anyone would feel when they spend time with someone?

[Doesn't everyone get protective at their friends like that? ~~No sweetie, they do not.~~ Half her face is hidden by her mug because how does she handle this emotion that isn't a form of self love? What does she even do? How does she know what the puca is saying the truth?]

I...I honestly don't know. This is going to sound very strange but given my line of work, it's a good reason why but...I don't know how it feels to have that particular emotion. In that particular way.

[Familiar love she can understand easily. Love between friends she can comprehend. Love for romance when it came to her...not a damn clue.]

[Protective, sure. But Emet-Selch has an unrivaled depth of disdain for people with souls like hers, and she knows this, but she still feels this way about him. He smirks, lacing his fingers together atop the table.]

Of course you don't know how it feels. ...Or, so you think. But that's the nature of love... in that particular way.

[Terribly amusing. Who knew people could be so endearing...? It reminds him a little bit of prying into his best friend's love life, though its quite different: she couldn't begin to deny it like Mira can. And, uh, well. Small difference: she wasn't into somebody who was supposed to be her enemy? At all.]

Let me ask you something, darling. If you had to self-describe your feelings for him, what would you pick? Family? Friend? Foe? ...Something else?

[And what does she mean, by her line of work? Filed away for curiosities.]

[She has no clue why he seems to be concerned with this particular part of her feelings. Was this a normal thing for him? Nonetheless, that mug is staying up because she wants to try and hide some of her.

This can't be love. It's not possible.]

We have stated that we are friends after all...and that I do care for him. But it is something else. I don't know how to describe it.

That's what I'm telling you, Mira. [He performs a dramatic eye roll, smirking all the while.] You say your friends... But it's not enough. The depths of your concern for him run deeper than most, so much so that it veers... into unfamiliar territory, head-on! It's classic. Aren't I right?

[When is Mettaton ever wrong?? He'd say: never. And don't think he doesn't notice that strategic hiding of her lower face — that, too, is a cinematic classic. Mettaton sees things through the lens of a camera at times, and he loves it when they come true.]

[It started in this place. She never felt this way about the Emet-Selch from her particular version of her universe but the one here, who only first knew her as another pesky Warrior of Light but then...it grew.

Both of them knew that it was wrong to get so close but did they listen? No.

Mettaton won't be getting a verbal answer but he will get one by Mira nodding her head once. These feelings are not familiar to her and so she can't say it's love.

Was it?]

[[ ooc: you're* friends, not your, BASIC MISTAKE ZONE ]

Mettaton hums, satisfied with that answer just as much as any. She nods; she sees that her feelings run deeper than stating they're friends. That's all he could ask for.

He nods approvingly.]

I'm glad you see it, now. At least it gives you something to ponder...

[Because even if she's nodding, he's sure it might take a lot of internal denial before anything comes of it! Nonetheless, the only thing that comes to mind for Mettaton is, well... Love doesn't have to be a reciprocal game. Mira could love him, and love him devoted. But he didn't have to feel the same. He sighs.]

But that'll only get you to know yourself. Loving someone as prickly as Emet-Selch... You have your work cut out for you, if you're hoping he'll reciprocate.

I doubt he will.

[Stubborn twelve thousand year old man here. Besides, might be a cold day in hell before anyone admits those kinds of feelings. Mira knows that she wouldn't dare to.]

Mhmm. I thought as much.

[Given, this is still a time before Mettaton has been able to probe for his emotional depths. Though he possesses a Bond with the very same man they speak of, they are nowhere close enough for him to get any kind of read on him through that alone. Right now, his impression of Emet-Selch is that he's kind of a dick who doesn't deserve Mira's love!

But that's the nature of love... Sometimes it's for people who "don't" "deserve" "it." Mettaton knows. Nonetheless, he balls up his fist and leans across the table somewhat.]

However. Know that I'm rooting for you, gorgeous. I think that you might have a chance! You should see how his expression sours when I mention you by name... I think that's promising.

[how]

How is that promising?

[Now she feels like she did something wrong after hearing that. It doesn't sound normal to be like that, does it?]

For somebody with a pervasive air of disdainful annoyance... Any strong response is a good one. Oh, yes... It means you stir in him something deep and meaningful, obviously! Something personal.

[Sound logic, Mettaton. He seems to find this quite true, for he places his hands over the center of his chest as a be-still-my-beating-heart kind of gesture. Then he folds his hands together.]

People don't react so strongly in either direction unless they're invested, darling!!

Are you sure?

[Invested in her? Well possibly and it was that way back on the First but...that just means being invested. Not actual love.

She can say the personal connection but that is not her place to say. That's for Emet to disclose at his own time. For several big reasons.]

Let us say that he is invested in me. But for what reason would he given everything I have said?

[Did it...have something to do with that fleeting positive emotion before he was taken? Mira did feel that at least but love? She doesn't think him incapable given his words back at the Ladder about emotions and that he too has them.]

I couldn't begin to tell you how that man's mind works. [Half-roll of his eye.] So you know he's invested... And I've seen that he truly responds with passion, when it comes to you.

[It was not positive passion, and it was probably more at the thought of Mettaton knowing of Mira's dedication to him. But that's fine. Everything is up for Mettaton's wild interpretation.]

Whether he loves you or not... He already has the depth of it for you. Clearly. But who knows?? It could be a one-sided romance. Forever! How tragic. [The android shakes his head.] But I'm not going to believe that... Since I have faith in your ability to sweep him off his feet.

Heh, just my luck if it ends up as such.

[Warrior of Light luck stat: nonexistent. But she's still unsure. Why would anyone be this adamant to some kind of romance between others? As to passion...well that depends on the act. Mira's not sure what that last one counted as but she felt good during it, more than good to be honest. Did that count?]

You have that much hope in me despite not knowing a damn thing when it comes to myself?

Of course I do. If you managed to connect with him this much, despite being enemies... And besides. This place is a unique opportunity, isn't it? Why shouldn't I place my hopes in your ability to convey your feelings, and be heard?

[He snorts, crossing his arms and pretending to be ticked off, but it's very transparently a show.]

My. You make it seem like I know nothing about you... Even after we came to each other's aid on multiple occasions. If I have intuition for danger... I have it stronger for a judge of character.

Anyway. Mira, darling, should you ever need that romantic touch, that flammable spark... Well. I'm persuasive. It wouldn't be the first time I've seen a happy couple made before my own eyes!

[He'll even be the one responsible, "by" "proxy", for landing Emet-Selch in a kissing booth in the near future. Perhaps in hopes of having Mira engage him there... But that's not confirmed or anything!]

...you speak of being some kind of matchmaker?

[She's unsure about this but because she's never seen anyone this sure and this adamant on the subject. Or maybe she just is constantly around workaholics that the idea is ludicrous.

...there isn't any harm in this, is there?]

Hmm. I wouldn't say I do much in the ways of match-making, no.

[He'll be upfront about that. He shakes his head, trying to find a better way to put it, and even drinks more tea! Wow, he really can drink it, or something. Once again, he seems to demonstrate some peculiar look toward the tea, like it's done something to him...

(Spoilers: he's in the process of developing taste, as Mira will eventally learn.)]

So I don't find two people and consider them worth each other's time. That's presumptuous, even for me! But I do see love where it exists... And delight in seeing how it unfolds! I'm more of the push some people need, toward realizing what they want.

[Because exposing his best friend's crush on TV and yelling at the two to just make out already has little to do with uniting a pair, and far more to do with enabling and bringing to light existing feelings. In the most dramatic of ways, naturally.]

[It would be easy to scream about how she isn't in love but the more they seem to talk...no, Mira can't let him talk her into this nonsense.

Is it though?]

And so will you try and push me?

If that's what you want, darling. I can't make you two hook up. But if you were scared of the depths... And needed the push of a gentle, robust robot... Yes! I'd be there. Straightaway.

[Denial is the first step toward acceptance!]

[One of these days, she will learn the term 'shipper on deck'. It will not be today. It's still weird that she barely knows this puca bot and he's offering to help her with this sudden new thing she has to work through. And this world is different from their own, where it's possible to see beyond what they know.

And soon what she will learn about herself.

It's ok to take this path...right?]

I...I'm still trying to digest it all. Never I actually would have the capacity to feel it at all and then here...

[Hits her like ton of bricks. Or a ton of soaps in socks or jade. Don't ask about what Brumelings use to hit people with.]

Maybe I am. Never felt like this for anyone so all of this feels like I just taken a dive in the depths.

[He is a bonafide shipper on deck, indeed. He and his creator both, although she's certifiably worse about it than Mettaton...

For as newly acquainted as they are, Mettaton's a perceptive sort, clever in the oddest of ways. And very attuned to emotion, as is his natural state. He smirks, satisfies that Mira's coming to at least explore it with a bit more understanding of herself. It doesn't do anybody any good to have feelings, then not to recognize them or pay them mind.]

Of course you have the capacity for love! There should be nothing that keeps you from that. Those depths must be both uncertain, yet delightful...

[Mettaton shrugs with one hand.]

Well. Take your time, in digesting it. You'll likely see for yourself, how you truly feel!

[Open] Come In From The Cold...

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