It was a beautiful sunny day with a pleasant breeze blowing through the trees. No one could resist going outdoors on a day like today, not even those of the Stein household. It had been a little over a week since the whole kidnapping incident and while there was still some tension, the neighborhood was a lot more open to the ink creatures. Bendy and the other toons could once more play with the kids, though several of the parents kept a close eye on them. The more human ink creatures were still reluctant to interact with others, but Henry insisted that they get out more. Which is how Norman and the others ended up joining everyone for a picnic at the park.
Norman did his best concentrate on setting everything up and ignoring the stares he and the others were getting. Norman himself had to do his best to keep his nerves down, because, unlike the others, he had rarely left the house. He was too inhuman to try and pass off as normal, but he was too human for toon logic to have enough of an effect on him for an elaborate disguise to work. This meant that no one in the neighbor had any previous interactions with him and as such he received the most stares. It took all his will power not to leave and find a dark corner to sulk in.
The sound of children's laughter broke Norman out of his thoughts and he glanced up to watch the children and toons running around playing games together. They all wore bright smiles and laughter was infectious, causing many of the adults watching to smile as well. Bendy had the brightest smile of all, wearing his signature toothy grin. Norman grin was always happy to see Bendy with that grin because it always meant that the toon was far happier than the negative feelings associated with the grin.
Speaking of Bendy, Norman and the others had noticed that the little ink demon had been a lot more cheerful the past few days. The others chalked it up as Bendy being happy about finally being accepted by those in the neighborhood and being able to play with the kids once more, but Norman suspected it was something deeper than that. It seemed to the projectionist that the devil had been lifted of some great burden that he had been carrying this whole time. Norman had his ideas about what that burden might have been and he could only say that he was happy the little toon was finally learning to be comfortable and happy with who he was.
"Mr. Norman..?" the quiet voice suddenly addressing him surprised Norman, making him jump slightly with a brief screech from his speaker. Getting a hold of himself, Norman to see one of the children… Emily if he remembered correctly, standing there nervously.
"What can I do for you, Emily?" Norman asked the girl, doing his best to seem unintimidating.
"Is it true that you give Bendy rides on your shoulder?" Emily asked, looking hopeful when Norman nodded. "Can you give me a ride too?"
Norman hesitated for a moment before nodding again. Emily's face lit up and she scrambled onto Norman's shoulder as soon as he kneeled down.
"I'm so high!" Emily giggled as she looked around. "Now let's go catch Bendy!"
Norman complied and started chasing after the demon with the other children. The kids laughed and gladly accepted Norman into their games, each one begging for their own ride. The afternoon pretty much became a blur of running and laughter for Norman, but during the brief breaks he had between rides, he could see the other human ink creatures interacting with the other adults. By the time everyone headed home for the day, both sides were a lot more comfortable around each other. Norman couldn't help but be pleased with their special little neighborhood. And as he waved goodbye to several of the kids, he couldn't help but look forward to leaving the house more often…