how did this happen

[awfulsentimetal]

Three years is a hefty chunk of time by human standards. So, ah... happy anniversary? I suppose I oughta thank you for not being as awful as you could be. Not for lack of tryin'.

You're, ah... you're not gonna make me sing the song again, right?

[A beat.]

Right?

Comments

[mybackstory]

Wasn't it some days ago they were musin' over what I first told you.

[corruptedsave]

Sing what song?

[Hi robot man.]

[awfulsentimetal]

Yep. I seem to recall you said I had a slim chance of makin' it out of here.

[One corner of his mouth quirks in a wry smile, and he shrugs mechanically.]

Looks like you were right.

[mybackstory]

It isn't that great bein' right about some things.

[He predicted the future, what a ride.]

At least it ain't all awful, or as awful as it could be like you said.

[awfulsentimetal]

[Ah, crap.]

No, ah... no song in particular. Just, you know, a song. That I am definitely not singin'.

[corruptedsave]

But you know how to sing it, right?

[SING SING SING, is the unspoken chant Chara's expression is totally saying.]

[awfulsentimetal]

[Loooooonnnnnnnng pause.]

... Funny, I seem to have erased the lyrics from my long-term memory.

[He is an awful liar, just look at him nervously straighten that tie.]

[corruptedsave]

What about your short term memory? Or heck, hum a few bars maybe I've heard it before?

[They will get the Spine to sing this song, whatever it is.]

Oh also congrats on lasting so long with a Player.

[awfulsentimetal]

I choose to look at it this way: if they hadn't held on all these years, you wouldn't have me backin' you up in that city.

[A slight pause, and then he blows out some steam in a sigh.]

Gotta give them credit where it's due, they've been pretty nice since that last try at a horror game.

[mybackstory]

Gotta admit I do appreciate havin' you around as back up, and it ain't so bad talkin' to myself.

[Wry little crooked thing of a grin. Uh huh.]

The city is better than that place, and it's even gotten better there hasn't it.

[awfulsentimetal]

Thank you. I think. [WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

He "clears" his throat with a little burst of static.] I'm, ah, pretty certain you'd recognize the song. It ain't exactly original. More of a... parody. To use the term loosely.

[corruptedsave]

[IT'S MEAN GOOD JOB ON NOT DYING, METAL MAN.]

A parody of what?

[awfulsentimetal]

[Oh. Well. Not for lack of trying. The stars just never align.

HEAVY SIGH.]

I'm gonna regret this... [he folds his arms over his chest and hums a few bars of "you've got a friend in me" by randy newman]

[awfulsentimetal]

So far. So far. But you know how these mundanes get. One day it's singin' flowers and impromptu concerts, the next it's mechanical death zombies risin' from the swamp.

[mybackstory]

Or whatever ate those flyin' sharks decidin' that it wants out of there or to go for a stroll, pick up a few snacks.

[awfulsentimetal]

It better not. You didn't catch a glimpse of that darned thing.

[mybackstory]

I'd rather not catch a glimpse of it at all. I've had more close-ups with those mechanical death zombies than I want and really would rather not add onto that.

[awfulsentimetal]

... We, ah... might want to pick a different topic of conversation. I think mine's startin' to get ideas.

[mybackstory]

[BOXES.]

... Yeah, can figured out where that'd lead to.

How's it been playin' at that bar lately?

[awfulsentimetal]

[DEFINITELY NOT BOXES.]

The patrons keep askin' for the greatest hits of the 1890s. [Daisy Bell. His lack of expression says it all, really.] Grillby doesn't seem to mind that I, ah, occasionally have an audio-receptor malfunction that prevents me hearin' requests.

[missfunction]

Three years an' you still haven't gotten me a pony. L-l-l-lame.

[awfulsentimetal]

You're gonna have to take up that complaint with my mundane, Rabbit.

[WOW WAY TO PASS THAT BUCK THE SPINE]

[mybackstory]

[It's already being done elsewhere.]

Sounds like you've found a nice gig then.

[missfunction]

Tee, when am I gonna get a pony, huh?

[awfulsentimetal]

[WHENEVER MEY MAKES ME MAKE SPINE GET YOU ONE

goodbye fourth wall]

Uh... Rabbit, I don't think it works like that.