If you like this chapter, be sure to leave a heart or comment so I know you want to see more! Hit the flag for background music :D Previous chapter: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/553897058/ ♡ “Finally, headed back home,” I sigh indulgently as I sink into my seat. The flight attendant handling my luggage smiles. “I’ve heard a lot of great things about your tour from people travelling back and forth, you know,” they say as they close the carry-on shelf. “Everyone says you did an amazing job!” “I hope so,” I reply cheerfully, pulling out my phone. “Thank you for your help!” They nod and walk away as the pilot announces that the plane will be taking off in a few minutes over the intercom. I lazily scroll through the Undernet (well, technically it’s not the “Undernet” anymore, but monsters still call it that), looking for something to keep me entertained during the flight. I stop right in my tracks when I see the headline of a news article that makes me gasp. “THE RUTHERFORD MYSTERY: DOES THE OSTENTATIOUS ROBOT CELEBRITY METTATON HAVE A SECRET LOVER?” After a moment’s shock, I pull up the article, outraged. Without wasting a single second, I find the reporter’s name and email address on the newspaper’s website, and immediately begin writing the angriest email of my life. How dare they? How DARE they?! Are these people really so desperate for attention and views that they would jeopardize the happiness and privacy of a young woman who did absolutely nothing wrong?? “Mettaton? What’s the matter?” Kim asks from the row across from me. “You look really upset about something. Are you stressed over the gala?” “No, that’s not it, Kim. Look!” I lean over and hand my phone to her, fuming. She takes one look at the article and immediately gasps. “Oh, no… Oh, no, no, no. Mettaton, I’m so sorry! I’ll do everything I can to put a stop to this for you!” she declares, handing my phone back. I sigh. “Thankfully it’s just the one article, and I’ve already demanded that the reporter take it down, or face consequences. See, Kim, this is just another reason why I can’t do anything about the Eliza situation. Her safety has already been compromised. What next? Will people begin stalking her? Taking photos of her in public? Following her home?” I bury my face in my hands. “Why did I have to drag her into this…? Oh my God…” “Okay, let’s calm down and be realistic,” Kim says reassuringly. “This is just celebrity culture. It’s toxic and superficial, as you surely know by now. But it’s also flighty. Sooner or later your fans are going to forget about this entire discourse and find something else to exploit. I mean, it’s happened before.” lowly, I begin to nod as her words sink in. “Yeah… Yeah, I guess you’re right. Worse things have happened. But that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be a little more careful or discreet from now on.” “That’s true,” Kim agrees. “Until this situation has blown over, we should avoid interviews and confrontations with potentially nosy fans. Does that sound good?” “Yes. Thank you for your help in this, Kim. I wish I didn’t have to get you and all my other friends involved in my drama,” I add with a nervous laugh, and she smiles. “Hey, it’s my job to get involved. Plus, I like Eliza. I don’t want her to be put into a dangerous situation.” I look back down at my phone, staring at the newspaper article with a feeling of dread sinking deep into my soul. “Neither do I.” ♡ Sorry to once again be releasing a chapter a day late... I've been INSANELY sick the past few days (it's not covid, i'm vaxxed & i've gotten tested) and so could barely even muster up the energy to put together a project like this Music: "The Room Where it Happens" by Lin-Manuel Miranda, piano cover by SteamieNews Art and writing by me! All Undertale content and characters belong to Toby Fox. This next chapter is one of my absolute favorites :) NEXT CHAPTER: ♡
