video; un: demon cyborg

[scrap_metal]

[ Genos is sitting on the floor in a small room, with a mix of confusion and annoyance on his face. There's a lot of yellow fabric scattered around, and behind him, a hint of Saitama on a visible side of the floor; lying down, reading something.

The annoyance comes from losing a fight in which cyborg is participating. With needle and thread against a tattered...yellow...rag? He puts away the needle and presents the rag- ah, it's actually a yellow jumpsuit, full of holes though - to the viewers. Some of the holes are patched up, with the different yellow fabric. The color is close enough, but the texture is different so they do stand out. ]

While we still have some time before the mission begins, and I understand that gathering intel, and investigating the museum is our top priority right now, I still have a small request for assistance

[ He tries to fold the uniform without damaging it further ]

Is anyone here skilled in the art of tailoring, or specifically, fixing clothes? Unfortunately, I do not possess necessary experience and knowledge required to save my sensei's hero suit. Contact to trusted tailor would be welcome as well, but since we don't have much time left, I'd rather not have the suit left behind when we get ported back.

[ At this point Saitama just rolls over and says ]

Genos, stop bothering people about unnecessary stuff.

[ Genos, of course, turns back to him ]

It's very necessary, I know how much your uniform means to you-- [ the video ends before he finishes the tirade ]

Comments

[ex_mettacrusher33]

Oh, I'm sure you have. It's a nasty tactic, but nasty people do what they will, regardless of what they are. But I'll bet you anything it wasn't our type of monster - something that cruel? We literally don't have it in us. I love them, don't get me wrong, but... Well, that's more of a human trick.

And, for the record? You might want to think about caring.

[scrap_metal]

[ Did he overreact? That possibility grows... People from one Earth can have vastly different experiences and morality than people from the different world. Could monsters be the same?

It tampers hostility in his voice, but only a little ]

Fair point.

But why do you call yourself "monsters" in the first place? That word has very clear definition and connotations. If you're not evil and don't want to be seen as such, why call yourself that?

[ex_mettacrusher33]

What do you think came first, darling? The name? Or the connotation?

A lot of names lose their original meaning when someone decides they don't like the people attached to them.

[scrap_metal]

I'm no linguist, but I imagine the word and its meaning comes first. To define the reality around us, we name what we see.

[ a pause, due to overanalysing and reaching conclusions ]

The definitions change over time, sometimes nearly into opposite territory. And with different worlds in the multiverse we're bound to find the same words having different meaning across them.

Is that what you're getting at?

[ex_mettacrusher33]

I'm getting at that humanity says the word "monster" with a quiver in their voice the same way monsters do when they say the word "human." It didn't start off as a bad word - experience makes you treat it like one.

But eh! Multiverses, different worlds... That's true too, huh?

So. About Papyrus and that apology...

[scrap_metal]

[ he's still ranting on the linguist subject tho ]

But if in your world "monster" means "talking, supposedly peaceful, skeletal being", why did you call yourself a monster?

You're not a skeleton.

[ex_mettacrusher33]

[Oh, you poor, simple dunce...]

It doesn't imply "skeletal being." It doesn't imply a specific image at all.

[Sigh!! Mettaton leans back, projecting gray images of other monsters to show on his end of the feed. A fish, a ghost, a snowdrake, Jerry...]

It's a species.

[scrap_metal]

Species implies common characteristics or qualities. [ But that gets right back to the whole "words might have different definitions and so on" from seconds ago ] But I think I understand. Back in my world, monsters are not limited to just one kind of appearance either. Quite the opposite.

[ex_mettacrusher33]

[Monsters do have common qualities when it comes to their SOULS, but...

Eh, whatever. Close enough. He'll be here all day if he keeps trying to explain and he has other things to do (like lounging. Or buying more outfits and jewels).]

So!! Now that we've gotten our little lesson out of the way, I'm sure you're far more enlightened and calm! What a wonderful feeling that is. It's so good, I'm SURE you're feeling kind enough to extend that apology now to my friend, now that you know he isn't a threat to you or anyone.

Isn't that right?

[scrap_metal]

[ reluctant but honest ] ...I suppose you are right on that.

But I don't want to let you think you can win so easily.

[ Now he's just giving you shit ]

[ex_mettacrusher33]

[ex_mettacrusher33]

I took the time out of my busy schedule to educate you away from being a rude dunce and into being a kindhearted gentlemen and you have the gall to imply that this was easy?

I feel at this point that you need to apologize to ME.

[scrap_metal]

You are not getting that though.

[ But he did follow with an apology to Papyrus ]

[ex_mettacrusher33]

You say that.

[He's smiling as he hangs up, but Mettaton Will Remember This.]

Toodles.