[Mettaton continues to become annoyed, disappointed... But not angry, and no more cold. In fact, he takes to him again, submits to his clutches in soul, as cold as Emet-Selch's become. Mettaton even warms to him, easily. It's a fragile sort of lenience that comes from not knowing what is right in a situation so complex, when there's nothing in this situation to be found that isn't pitiful. Somebody suffers unfairly. Emet-Selch's people suffer by causes against their control. The sundered people would suffer by the designs of the Convocation, on their behalf. And, in the wake of the two, they all suffer for it anyway. None of the options feel any less awful than the others.
With such a strong connection to his Bonded and his ever-developing love for Emet-Selch and his love for his people, the desire for him to find peace and happiness, Mettaton can't even bring himself to take favor to any side. This is what it means to find all life worth his adoration, he supposes. It certainly makes matters complicated.
Emet-Selch's view on mortal life is frustrating, though. But with such lingering affection, it's hard to get mad at him when he's already known this.
Ultimately, the Puca sighs. Concedes, but not in any agreement. He rests his cheek atop his head and resumes combing through his hair with his fingers, slow and soft, and holds him close. His mood speaks to his doubt, his inability to come to any concrete decision on the matter. Maybe they deserve to be rescued, but nobody deserves to die in their place...
Emet-Selch has had to make many a troubling decision. It's enough to break someone. Though Mettaton feels for those who lost their lives, a significant part of his heartsickness is very clearly directed for his Bonded, in spite of it all.]
... They didn't deserve to die, but... Perhaps, in choosing to sacrifice themselves, they did it for all who thrive in their death. To revive them at the expense of unwilling life... Is to disregard their choice. How awful it would be, to come to after all that... to learn that your life was bought back by another unwitting soul's. I couldn't bear the thought.
[This isn't said lightly.
Nonetheless, the relief he feels at knowing that this wasn't the original plan is weirdly immense. It doesn't make Emet-Selch any less at fault, but his people weren't on board for such an exchange.]
We continue to value life differently! Unsurprising, that neither of us would budge. But. This is... vexing, to me. None of this is easy to think on... Surely, you can see that it challenges what I hold dear. I wish nobody had to die.
[It must be a lot easier to make choices if one views the sundered souls as nonliving. Bothersome. His sympathy remains fully intact, despite Emet-Selch's inability to see life other than his own people's as worthwhile. They're completely opposite in that regard, but the longer Mettaton stays in Aefenglom, the more he sees beauty in lives he never knew existed. When it comes to Emet-Selch's people, the only frame of reference he has for them is the man he's laying with; he regards his soul with delicate deliberation, closing his eye and rubbing his cheek against his head.]
My heart aches for you still. Because I also hold you dear. You, and all you desire. ...They're not exactly in agreement, are they.
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With such a strong connection to his Bonded and his ever-developing love for Emet-Selch and his love for his people, the desire for him to find peace and happiness, Mettaton can't even bring himself to take favor to any side. This is what it means to find all life worth his adoration, he supposes. It certainly makes matters complicated.
Emet-Selch's view on mortal life is frustrating, though. But with such lingering affection, it's hard to get mad at him when he's already known this.
Ultimately, the Puca sighs. Concedes, but not in any agreement. He rests his cheek atop his head and resumes combing through his hair with his fingers, slow and soft, and holds him close. His mood speaks to his doubt, his inability to come to any concrete decision on the matter. Maybe they deserve to be rescued, but nobody deserves to die in their place...
Emet-Selch has had to make many a troubling decision. It's enough to break someone. Though Mettaton feels for those who lost their lives, a significant part of his heartsickness is very clearly directed for his Bonded, in spite of it all.]
... They didn't deserve to die, but... Perhaps, in choosing to sacrifice themselves, they did it for all who thrive in their death. To revive them at the expense of unwilling life... Is to disregard their choice. How awful it would be, to come to after all that... to learn that your life was bought back by another unwitting soul's. I couldn't bear the thought.
[This isn't said lightly.
Nonetheless, the relief he feels at knowing that this wasn't the original plan is weirdly immense. It doesn't make Emet-Selch any less at fault, but his people weren't on board for such an exchange.]
We continue to value life differently! Unsurprising, that neither of us would budge. But. This is... vexing, to me. None of this is easy to think on... Surely, you can see that it challenges what I hold dear. I wish nobody had to die.
[It must be a lot easier to make choices if one views the sundered souls as nonliving. Bothersome. His sympathy remains fully intact, despite Emet-Selch's inability to see life other than his own people's as worthwhile. They're completely opposite in that regard, but the longer Mettaton stays in Aefenglom, the more he sees beauty in lives he never knew existed. When it comes to Emet-Selch's people, the only frame of reference he has for them is the man he's laying with; he regards his soul with delicate deliberation, closing his eye and rubbing his cheek against his head.]
My heart aches for you still. Because I also hold you dear. You, and all you desire. ...They're not exactly in agreement, are they.