Take a Step

"I dare say you love him not so ill to wish him here alone, howsoever you speak this to feel other men's minds. Methinks I could not die anywhere so contented as in the king's company, his cause being just and his quarrel honourable." Freddy frowned at the script. "I have to say, this Henry fellow certainly is trying to garner sympathy for himself."

"Yeah, but that's the point," said Jeremy. "He knows that, even if his cause in the war against France is just, it's still causing suffering for the men he's called to fight for him. He's just trying to ease his conscience."

"Hmm. Yes, I can see that. Anyway, my apologies, I interrupted."

Jeremy waved his hand. "Don't worry about it. I'm still getting over the fact that you've never heard of Shakespeare. You look like the kind of guy who has special edition, hardback copies of all the plays and quotes them endlessly."

"Now, I didn't say I'd never heard of him. Simply that I've never read or seen any of his plays. In the environment I found myself in, attending the theatre wasn't somethin' I was in a position to do and I don't particularly like readin' scripts when they're meant to be performed."

"I know exactly what you mean. It only really comes alive onstage, you can't get that just from reading it."

Freddy nodded. "I certainly get that impression from what you've recited to me so far. I'll be sure to get myself a ticket when the time comes so I can see when it all comes together."

"Yeah, I just need to get my parts all ironed out first. I only just managed to let the director to let me have this part and that's only because someone else dropped out." He quickly glanced at his own script, which he had face down nearby. "I have to be off-script by next week."

"That's certainly a tight deadline. Just be sure that you're not pushin' yourself too hard. You've been through a great deal in the past month, Jeremy. Far more than I would expect from a young man of your age," said Freddy.

He waved his hand again. "Don't worry, I'm alright. I like to keep myself busy, especially if there's something big on the horizon. Until Goldie has this thing with Sid figured out, I'm focusing on what I know I can do and that's getting this down."

"Very well. However, the help is always there if you need it. Speakin' of which, shall I feed you the line again? Just goin' from the last sentence?"

"That'd be great. Okay, I'm ready."

Reciting the line once more, Freddy had to admit that this wasn't what he'd expected to be doing, but was enjoying it nonetheless. He'd originally stopped off at the library to see if there was any books he could pick up and read for a while. That's when he saw Jeremy, coming from one of the meeting rooms that could be booked for different usage. When asked, he'd told Freddy that he'd arranged for himself and another actor from his theatre group to practice, but they'd dropped out at the last minute. Naturally, Freddy volunteered himself to help. After all, he was a thespian of sorts, even if it was only in children's entertainment.

As they went on, Freddy had to admire Jeremy's tenacity. If he got a line wrong, even slightly, he'd insist on going back over it again until he got it absolutely right. He delivered the words with the cynicism and bleakness appropriate to his character, one Michael Williams: a soldier, serving in the King's army at the battle. One in particular resonated strongly with Freddy:

"There be few that die well that die in a battle."

It called to mind what Goldie had said to them. In the past, they had never been in this kind of danger. While Hawthorne was a threat, so much time had passed between his initial act and their going into hiding that it felt like it would never happen. For all they knew, the man could have failed in his efforts and they were hiding from shadows.

Then those children had turned up dead. Then they'd been forced to leave their home and taken against their wills. It was only thanks to the ingenuity and bravery of a few, including Jeremy, that they escaped. It was remarkable how much things had changed in such a seemingly short space of time. Part of him wished that they could go back to when none of this had happened, back to their relatively simple, if unorthodox, lives.

But there was no point in that now. They would do whatever they had to do. For now, Freddy was going to take a leaf out of Jeremy's book and focus on what he could do, rather than worry about what he couldn't.

"Well, I will do it, though I take thee in the king's company," said Freddy.

"Keep thy word. Fare thee well." Jeremy sighed. "I don't know, I feel like I could have done better on the part where he talks about how pointless Henry's threat is."

Freddy smiled reassuringly. "Jeremy, you're doing magnificently. You've already improved leaps and bounds to when we started. Even then, you were excellent. I think you've earned yourself a rest, at least for the moment. We can review the material a little later."

"Okay, you're right. Here, I've got some snacks in my bag." He took out some chips and grapes. "Since Mark bailed, no sense letting them go to waste."

"I quite agree. Good of you to be health conscious of your food as well," added Freddy, nodding to the grapes.

"That's more my mom's influence than anything. When I was younger, she always told me to get at least one piece of fruit with whatever meal I ate. Wouldn't let me have the good stuff until then. I guess you don't really grow out of some habits," he said with a laugh.

"There are worse habits to have. I've picked up more than a few over the years." Freddy paused to get a handful of grapes. "So much so that, upon having a day of freedom, I elected to spend it alone and in a place of silence. I might as well have stayed, when you consider that."

"Nothing wrong with that," said Jeremy. "There's probably a lot to be said from just stopping for a moment and having time for yourself. I wouldn't exactly call that a bad habit."

"Perhaps," murmured Freddy. He looked up at Jeremy. "But enough about myself. I feel I don't know you as well as I should, Jeremy. However, both Mike and Goldie have informed me that your family has quite a connection to Freddy's."

"And then some. My mom went back in the day when Goldie still ran the show, along with that other one. The rabbit that had to get shut down. She wasn't there for that, but that's not exactly something she's unhappy about."

"Yes, between the Spring Incident and the Bite of '87, not to mention… recent events, it almost seems our little restaurant is cursed."

He caught himself before he explicitly referenced what happened to the children, but he could see that Jeremy was still perturbed somewhat by it.

"My apologies, son," he said quietly.

"It's fine," he said. He cleared his throat. "But yeah, that's her. As for me, I had more than a few birthday parties there. I don't expect you to remember me though, with how many kids you probably had."

"Now, don't say that just yet. Let me see if I can recall…" Freddy pressed a hand to his chin in thought. "You're evidently still a young man. I'm guessin' eighteen?"

"Yep, back in December."

"So, that puts you being born around 1997. Well after Foxy was taken out of the runnin', so that narrows it down. Assumin' your mother didn't bring along straight out of the womb, we can narrow it further between around, say, 2002 up until roughly 2011 when you would have turned around twelve." He fell into deep, silent thought. "Wait a moment now. I remember a little boy that when I asked him how old he was today, the answer was-"

"'What, you can't count the candles on the cake?'" Jeremy cried. "You actually remember!"

"Well it was enough to get a chuckle out of me. And every birthday after that you had, I always made certain to tell you I had counted them so I wouldn't have to ask."

"Yeah, that definitely sounds like me," he agreed. "I had a pretty smart mouth on me when I was a kid. Got me into trouble more than once. I guess not much has changed, except now I use it on stage."

He chuckled again. "Even then, I recall you were drawn to performing like a magnet. The number of times I had to tell you that little boys and girls couldn't be up there with us, but I'll be damned if that didn't deter you."

"Hey with how many times I'd been, I'd learned the lyrics to pretty much all of the songs the band knew. I think I was qualified enough to join up. I mean, look at me now. I pretty much am."

"In a manner of speaking. Though I admit, I'm surprised that your mother still let you, even after both the Incident and the Bite," noted Freddy.

"Well, she was lucky on both counts. She never saw the Bite, she was in her teens by that point. I guess she still had enough good memories from her time there, everything that happened didn't bother her so much. She still wanted me to see what it was like. I just don't think she would have expected me to get involved like I have recently."

The two of them shared another laugh. Freddy was thankful to be reminded that, even with everything that happened, they had managed to make a positive impact on someone.

"Those were some great times." Jeremy sighed. "I still miss that old place. You know, even after… everything." He became quiet for a moment. "But hey, I hope you guys get another chance to put on a show."

"I echo that sentiment."

"The world always has room for another good show. You had it right on the money, by the way," he added. "Going to Freddy's for my birthday, that went on right up until I was twelve."

"Around the sort of time kids become 'too cool' for places like Freddy's?" he asked.

Jeremy laughed. "Pretty much, although that was more for everyone else than me. I still went along there when I got the chance. You can imagine how much I got teased in high school for being the one kid who actually went there without being dragged along by their siblings. Though I guess that ended up falling to me too."

Once again, he fell silent. It was times like this that, despite how foolish it was, Freddy felt somewhat responsible for what had happened with those children. Even if it was only by association of the fact that his home was where they were found. That it was their connection to Freddy's that led to them being targeted.

"He was as spirited as you had been with us, your brother," he said. "Especially for Bonnie. Boasted about how, one day, he was going to become an even greater guitarist than she."

"That sounds like him," said Jeremy quietly. "Always let his mouth run away with him. Guess he got that from me." A small smile appeared. "We always played Guitar Hero at home. It was this video game that simulated being a rock star, had to press coloured buttons for the notes."

"Early training for the budding guitarist?" asked Freddy.

"Pretty much. He always insisted we play on the highest difficulty because I only ever played on medium. Wanted to show me up, even though he was as bad as I was, with the notes going that fast." He laughed at the memory. "Not that the losses made him give up. Every time, he'd get just that little bit better. He really liked to rub it in when he started to pull ahead, even if it was only by about a hundred points."

Freddy nodded. "Tenacious indeed."

"Yeah." His voice shook a little, but he took a breath. "Bobby used to help with my rehearsing too. Well, I say help. If there was any parts that had sound effects, he'd be the one doing it. He was practically a living soundboard. Sometimes too early and he'd cut me off during a monologue. I used to get so annoyed at him for that…" Jeremy bowed his head. "And now, he's had parts of his mind ripped out of his head by that bastard and his body turned to mulch, just because he wants to prove he's better."

"No one deserves a fate like that, much less a child." Freddy crossed over to him and placed an arm around him. "I understand your anger, Jeremy. You have every right to feel it, we all share it. But save it for when it's really needed. I assure you, son, what I vowed when we found out that day still remains. We will bring him down and put those poor souls to rest."

"Okay… okay." He gripped Freddy's arm. "Thanks, Freddy. I'm just… this whole thing is just so wrong, you know? Just so long as I'm there to see the end of it, that's all I need."

"So long as you find the cause just and our quarrel honourable," said Freddy.

"There you go, see? You've only just started looking at the guy and you're already quoting him. If Goldie reminds me of my old science teacher, you could definitely be my English teacher," said Jeremy.

"Ah, a fan herself was she?"

"That doesn't say the half of it. Whenever we'd have to watch a movie adaptation of Shakespeare, she'd always be mouthing along under her breath. Least you can't deny she had passion for it."

"As do you," noted Freddy. "Now, shall we go over it again?"

"Actually, you know what? I think we're good for the day. I think the two of us deserve to go and enjoy ourselves. What are you feeling like?" he asked.

"Hmm." Freddy thought about it for a moment. "You know, I'm not entirely certain."

"Come on, you're outside the restaurant and I'm pretty sure you don't want to spend that time helping me rehearse. There must be something you want to do."

"Now that you mention it… would you happen to know anywhere I could play some kind of sport?" he asked. "Not somethin' contact based, but somethin' simple. Somethin' that can be easily picked up and enjoyed casually."

Jeremy grinned. "I think I know just the thing."

Freddy watched carefully as Jeremy took up the large ball and lined up his throw. He stood for a moment, then stretched his arm back while moving forward at the same time. Moving low to the ground, he sent the ball rolling down the lane. It made a very satisfying sound against the polished wood before hitting the pins with a loud clatter. He got them all except the two at the very end.

"Oh no!" he cried. "That's the worst kind of split!"

"Yes, you'll have a hard time knocking down both of those," chuckled Freddy. "So that's all there is to it?"

"That's all there is to it," replied Jeremy. "Ball, down lane, into pins. Couldn't be easier and with your strength, I'll bet you won't even feel the weight. Right, you're up."

Freddy picked out a ball, a bright green one. Jeremy was right, he barely felt how heavy it was. He'd have to be careful with how hard he threw it, otherwise he might knock down more than just the pins. He stood at the head of the lane, remembering how Jeremy had held and thrown the ball. Taking a moment to judge his throw, he moved and let the ball fly free. Even with what he thought was a gentle roll, he still knocked down all but one pin.

"That was impressive," said a voice from next to him. "Though, given what you are, I think it's to be expected."

Freddy turned to regard the voice's owner. It was a woman with short brown hair and a pale face dotted with freckles. She was wearing a shirt that Freddy immediately recognised as the symbol for Slytherin house from Harry Potter. Her tone didn't suggest anything friendly and she seemed vaguely familiar to Freddy.

"Yes, I suppose I do have somethin' of a physique," he said, putting on a smile and gestured to her shirt. "I confess, I always thought myself more of a Hufflepuff."

The woman appeared surprised, but recovered herself. "Well, that'll have to do for you. Just too bad there's no house that has a bear for its symbol. That might be more fitting for you."

Freddy felt a chill run through him. There was no mistaking her intention this time. This woman not only knew him, but his true nature as well. But despite the odd feeling of familiarity, he was certain he didn't know who this woman was which could only mean one thing…

"Perhaps," he said evenly. "Though I suppose your paymaster could probably relate to a snake-in-the-grass quite well."

"Lidiya?" A man approached from one of the further away lanes, with dirty blonde hair and a stubble. "Hey, there you are. I looked up from my throw and you were gone. Bumped into someone you know?"

"Sorry about that, Lucas. Just some people I knew from work," she said.

"Yeah, that's one way of putting it." Jeremy had noticed now and was at Freddy's side. "You know, before we were cut loose."

"That was your own fault," retorted Lidiya. "Besides, as I understand it, we've supplied you with new employment anyway."

"Yeah, fixing a mess that you made."

"Okay, I'm sensing some tension here," said Lucas before Lidiya could respond. He placed his hands on her shoulders. "How about I go and get us all some drinks, then we just go back to enjoying ourselves?"

Lidiya forced a smile. "That sounds like a great idea. Sorry, hun."

"Hey, no problem, sweetie." He kissed her cheek and smiled at Jeremy and Freddy. "What'll you guys have?"

The two managed to keep their voices even and friendly as they told him their orders, thanking him. The moment that he was gone, Freddy looked back at Lidiya, who was regarding him warily.

"I concur with your partner's suggestion. There's no need for anythin' to become unpleasant, even though we are on different sides," he said.

"Jeremy, I can't believe you're allowing this." Lidiya turned away from Freddy completely. "You can't just let it roam wherever it pleases."

"He can go wherever he likes," he returned.

"Will you stop anthropomorphising it? It's a machine! A very sophisticated and advanced machine, but still a machine!"

"A machine that has excellent hearin' and is very much present." Freddy placed himself back in line with Lidiya's vision. "After all, isn't the human body itself simply an organic machine?"

"I'm… I'm not getting into this." She shifted uncomfortably, eyes darting between Freddy and the floor. "It didn't have to be like this. You could have been so much more than… this."

"More according to the definition of whom?" Freddy sighed when she didn't reply. "Miss, I understand that you think you're doin' the right thing. But please, believe me when I say that Sid Hawthorne is not a man you should be associated with."

She made a dismissive sound. "Thank you so much for your unbiased opinion."

Jeremy thrust a finger at her. "So you're fine working for a guy who had children kidnapped and killed?"

"That wasn't…!" Lidiya realised she was nearly shouting and lowered her voice. "That wasn't anything to do with Mr. Hawthorne. That was the work of Fritz and that Gordon maniac."

"Sure, keep telling yourself that," said Jeremy. "Look, if all you're here to do is tell us how right you are and how wrong we are, great job, well done. Now how about you get lost?"

Lidiya opened her mouth to say something, but closed it when Lucas arrived, drinks being carried on a tray.

"Almost spilled these on the way over," he joked. He let Jeremy and Freddy take theirs. "Okay, we'll let you guys get back to your game."

He started to lead Lidiya away. Her eyes flickered back to Freddy one more time before she relented. Watching her go, Freddy felt the need to say something to her.

"On the subject of your shirt, miss? I never liked how Slytherin house was always portrayed as villainous. Cunning and ambition doesn't make one necessarily evil. I always found it such a shame that young Harry never met any nicer members of the house."

She looked over her shoulder at him, wearing an expression both confused and a little intrigued.

"What's your point?" she muttered.

"That there's always more than what lies beneath the surface, as I'm sure you know." He tipped his hat to her. "Have a pleasant day, miss."

With that, Freddy turned his back on her and returned to his and Jeremy's lane. The young man was sitting morosely by the row of balls.

"Well, could have done without that," he sighed. "If you want to go somewhere else, I'd get it."

Freddy smiled. "What and let you get out of the crushin' defeat you're about to suffer? I don't think so."

"Oh, you've said it now." Jeremy returned his grin. "Bring it on, Fazbear."

The play they were reciting was Shakespeare's Henry V.