Getting Settled In

"Whoa." That was the only response David could think of to what Freddy had just finished explaining to him. "You're… you're serious? You guys… aren't human?"

"I'd say that's a fairly loaded question philosophically, but essentially, yes. Our origins aren't exactly what you'd call normal for any sentient creature," replied Freddy from across the table.

"Whoa," he said again, leaning back on the chair.

He really wasn't exactly sure how to take this. Yes, he considered himself to be pretty open minded but this was really pushing it. Some kind of deep cover for super advanced robots hiding from some guy who might use them to take over the world or something? It was like James Bond crossed with Star Wars. It seemed like some insane dream, but this was really happening.

But he forced himself to take a moment and think about this.

Well, so far it didn't seem so bad. They didn't seem like they wanted to hurt him, other than when they thought he might be a threat and even then, it hadn't exactly been shoot first and ask questions later. This guy Freddy seemed pretty reasonable and he was sure now that everything had been straightened out, the others would be as well. Sure the animal parts were a little… weird. But he could get used to them. Just pretend it was some weird costume party or something.

Regardless, he needed this job and they'd been the only ones willing to take him on with no past experience and almost immediately, with pretty good pay as well. As good as you could expect from a job like this anyway. Now that he knew the big secret, this might be more interesting.

"Okay. Okay," he said at last. "So, what exactly do I do? You gonna keep me quiet 'cause I know too much?"

"Something like that," chuckled Freddy. "Nothing incredibly drastic, mind, but I simply hope we can trust you enough to keep our secret."

"Don't worry, I can keep this to myself," he promised. "Besides, not like anyone would believe me if I did tell them. They'd think I was nuts."

"That's one thing," agreed Freddy. "Aside from your actual duties as a security guard, you can do as you please on these nights within reason. The main reason Aaron hired you is to try and give us a lil' more interaction with humans besides the lil' ones. Give ourselves a chance to be who we really are without needin' to hide."

"So, basically he hired me to be friends with you guys?" he clarified. "Yeah, I can do that. A job where I can socialise and get paid for it? I'm down with that."

"That's grand, son." Freddy beamed and stood up from his seat. "Now that we've sorted all that out, it's time you met everyone properly."

David rose and followed Freddy out. The other three were waiting in the dining area they'd left them in. They all looked at David with a sense of wariness and caution.

"So what's the word, skipper?" asked Foxy. "Can this lubber be trusted?"

"I am willin' to believe he is," answered Freddy. "From what he's told me and what I can tell, I can't see any reason why young David here should tell anyone what I've told him."

"No offense here, Fred, but is that really enough?" asked Bonnie suspiciously. "We can't exactly just give away what we are to anybody. Are we sure he's not with you-know-who?"

"I'm standing right here, you know," said David pointedly.

"I know. I'm not blind," she replied nonchalantly.

"Even if you don't think it is, Bonnie, I'm afraid there's not much you can do about it," said Freddy. "It looks like David is here with us for the long haul and we're just goin' to have to find out if our trust in him is warranted."

"What if it isn't?"

"Bonnie, enough," Freddy said firmly. "If his word isn't enough, mine should be."

"Not yours I'm worried about," she muttered.

"Hey, simmer down, lass," urged Foxy, sounding a lot more welcoming. "If our Freddy says this lad is on our side, that's enough fer me."

"Traitor. Just kidding, kidding!" she added quickly when Freddy glared at her. "What about you, Cheeks?"

David noted how Chica was still stood behind Bonnie. She seemed the most apprehensive, still fidgeting and fiddling with her skirt. She never looked at David for very long, like he was emitting a bright light and it hurt her eyes to do so. And were her cheeks blue?

"Um…" Her voice was barely above a whisper when she spoke. "I-I… suppose w-we… we'll just have to w-w-wait and s-see…"

"Guess I'm in the minority then." She sighed. "Fine, guess I'm going along with this then. Don't even know why we need a night guard anyway. Does Aaron think we're just gonna walk out on our own?"

"Well, if yer askin' fer opinions, Bon."

"Oh shut it, peg leg. Like you've never thought about it."

"Kinda jus' diggin' yer own grave there, lass."

"I'll dig you a grave in a moment, you stupid-"

"Anyone gonna ask me what I think?" They all turned to look at David. "Look, this is pretty weird for me as well. If you guys have been here since last week, I guess you've been used to having the nights to yourselves. I know this seems like a pretty big change if that's the case, but trust me. A lot of the people I've met like me. Or at least they tolerate me while laughing whenever I inevitably make an ass of myself."

He felt gratified when an appreciative chuckle came from Freddy and a nervous giggle from Chica. Even Bonnie's lipped briefly curled into a small smirk.

"But hey, if I can be on good speaking terms with Annie Anderson, who had this crazy idea in her head that I may have vomited on her best dress during freshman week while I was inebriated with alcohol through no fault of my own, I'm pretty sure I can get along with you guys. Don't think of me as the night guard or your babysitter or whatever. Just think of me as that one guy from who you can always get a laugh from at his expense," he finished with a smile. "Oh and don't worry about me telling anyone your secret. I don't fancy being institutionalized anytime soon."

He saw Bonnie's hardened look soften a bit and that smirk work its way onto her face. Well, at least he was making some progress then.

Foxy gave a hearty laugh. "Now, that there is some real spirit! Welcome ta our lil' crew, David!" He held out a hand. "Name's Foxy the Pirate Fox! Cap'n of the Salty Sea Fox, Sailor-a the Seven Seas an' fines' swordsman you'll ever meet!"

"Even though you've never set foot on a boat or never even had a tickle fight, let alone a sword fight," put in Bonnie.

"I'm tryin' ta stay in character, now hush!" he hissed.

"Or what? You'll make me walk the plank?"

"Aye, I jus' migh'!" he growled.

"Maybe trying to stay a little too in character there," cut in David, gesturing at Foxy's hand. "I hope you're not expecting me to give myself a laceration."

"Wha'?" Foxy realised he'd been holding out his hook hand. "Oops! Uh, sorry lad." He hurriedly swapped and shook David's hand. "Didn't quite know if I'd put me real hand on there or no'."

"Such a great pirate, can't even keep track of his own two hands," remarked Bonnie.

"Oh, ye jus' enjoy testin' me patience lass, don't ye," he grumbled.

"Yes. Yes, I do," she said simply. He saw her twisting her wrist before she brought it up to shake. "Bonnie Bunny. Unlike himself here, I'm an actual guitarist. Emphasis on actual."

"Hey, that's pretty- what?" David stopped when her hand, still holding on to his, came off her wrist. "Really? A fake hand? That's the best you can- WHOA!"

The hand scuttled up his arm like a spider, up and around the back of his neck, past his other arm and down his leg. It returned to its owner across the floor, where she scooped it up and attached it back to her wrist, smirking all the while.

"Okay," David said slowly, nodding. "That… that was pretty impressive."

"I know. There's a pun here, but I'm above that kind of stuff," she said.

"I'm not. Is it that you have some tricks up your sleeve?" asked David.

"Aw, come on!" she groaned. "Just when I was starting to think you might be alright."

"Right, how about this: I studied Music in college and I can play guitar," he told her.

She considered him for a moment. "Okay, you win a few points back. But the pun is still gonna cost you. I put up with enough of that from Freddy during the day and occasionally at night."

"You have to cater to your audience, Bonnie," said Freddy. "Sorry if my particular brand of humour doesn't appeal to you."

"That's a severe understatement," she countered. "Hey Cheeks. Your vocalisation processor on the fritz? Quit acting like one of the shy kids and say hi to our new possibly-trustworthy-but-we're-still-kind-of-not-sure friend."

"I do appreciate your confidence in me."

"No problem." Bonnie took a step back and gave Chica a little push. "Come on. You're on stage literally every day of your life and this is what scares you?"

"I-I-I-I… I-I j-just… well, I-I…" she stammered. "W-Well, I um…"

"Hey." David gave her his best smile. "Relax. I have no criminal record and the worst thing I've ever done was smash a guitar at the end of a talent show. You can imagine my folks loved that one. Not doing that again until I have more disposable income."

That earned another nervous little giggle and a slight relaxing of her posture. Slight, yeah, but it was progress.

"Give yourself a minute. I'm not gonna force you to introduce yourself. Even though I already know who you are, so you're already at a disadvantage if you hoped to keep your name hidden." He squinted at her and pointed. "I'm onto you, Chica."

"I… suppose you're right."

"And she speaks in a voice higher than a single octave!" he cheered. "And a complete sentence too, with only one pause and no stammers? I am on fire!"

She laughed and actually managed to hold a moment of eye contact. "Well… it's nice to meet you too, David."

"You too, Chica," he replied. "See? We know each other's names without even needing to say them. We're getting along so well and we've only just met."

"I guess so," she said with a genuine smile. "Well… I'm Chica, a-as you know and… I'm the backup singer. I-I'm also learning how to cook. I-It's a working progress, but I-I think I'm doing okay."

"You are not doing okay!" insisted Bonnie. "That's like listening to one of my guitar riffs and saying 'yeah, that was so-so'."

"Bon, please," she murmured. "I'm still learning…"

"An' yer a dab hand at it, Chica!" added Foxy. "If yer jus' a beginner now, I'm waitin' ta see what ya eventually become!"

"I was only m-meant to be the backup singer," she mumbled. "I-I don't even know if I will be any good later at cooking…"

"That doesn't mean you can't expand your skills and learn somethin' new," said Freddy. "You've found yourself another fine talent, Chica. Embrace it."

"If their words are any good, I'll second that," put in David. "Next time you make something, I call dibs on first taste to see for myself. But I think I'm gonna enjoy it."

Chica's face was blue like the sky, but David could make out a very faint smile before she looked away bashfully.

"Well, now that we're all introduced, we need to find some way to spend the rest of the night." Freddy reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bag that jingled with the tell-tale sound of change. "Aaron gave me these for tonight. I don't know about you all, but I want to see if our new friend is capable of beatin' Foxy's high score on Pac Man."

"Are ya jokin', Fred?" chortled Foxy. "This stubby fingered lubber don't stand a chance!"

"Excuse me?" David held up his fingers and waggled them. "Do these look stubby to you?"

"They look like they couldn't work their way 'round a belt buckle, even less an arcade console," retorted Foxy.

"Bit rich coming from the guy with only one good hand," countered David.

Foxy barked a laugh and walked back behind the curtain he'd come from. After a few minutes, he returned with an actual hand in place of his hook hand and waggled it in David's face.

"Make another count-a that, lad," he advised. "Ye don't stand a chance."

David glared at Foxy. "Are we going to spend all night talking about this or are we going to back this up?"

He glared back. "Yer on, lad."

And so, the Pac Man duel began. David was admittedly a little unnerved when he saw Foxy's high score but he wasn't going to back down. But David had a habit of getting too confident at this kind of thing and that led to decisions like charging a ghost even when Pac Man's ability to eat them was about to expire and paid the price for it. Though he tried his best, he didn't even manage to get halfway before the ghosts cornered him on his last life.

After some mild cursing and Foxy's moment of gloating, a few of the others had a go. Chica wasn't really the competitive sort and Freddy said he didn't have much interest in video games, but Bonnie gave a pretty fierce challenge to Foxy's score. She very nearly beat it until gave her a congratulatory slap on the back while she was in close pursuit by a ghost. The sudden movement was just enough to nudge the control stick in the opposite direction so that Pac Man met his doom.

"You did that on purpose!" she accused.

"A-course I did, lass!" he replied. "I meant ta give ya a job well done on beatin' me score, but it looks like I was a lil' too early fer that. Sorry 'bout that."

"Oh, you're gonna be sorry!"

"Enough." Freddy grabbed Bonnie by the shoulder before she could start on Foxy. "There's no need to get in a fight over a series of numbers on a screen. Rise above it, Bonnie."

"But I don't wanna rise above it!" she cried. "Being below it is so much more fun!"

"Bonnie…" He glared at her until she simmered down, with a scowl on her face. "And Foxy, you should learn to accept your losses with grace and dignity and not resort to such cheap solutions."

Foxy raised an eyebrow. "Pirate, Fred."

"Indeed and isn't there somethin' in the Pirates Code about fair share of spoils?" countered Freddy.

"Um…" Foxy chuckled nervously. "I suppose so… I read tha' in much detail…"

"Well, there is. Next time, let her have her victory." He smiled a little. "I'm sure you'll manage to regain your high score again if she does."

"Yeah." Bonnie folded her arms and smirked. "Next time, Foxy."

"Lookin' forward ta it, Bonnie," he returned.

"Are they always like this?" David murmured to Chica.

"You get used to it," she whispered back. "Just back away if you don't want to get caught up in it."

David nodded, mentally deciding to take that advice to heart.

They passed the rest of the time on the other games. David learned that Foxy held the high score on all of them. Chica had a go this time and proved to be rather good at Space Invaders. Her careful nature lent well to deciding when she should pop out of cover and take a shot or when it was better to hide. But whenever she was reminded she was being watched, she'd suddenly panic and lose her ability to play well, so they had to keep quiet while she did it.

Freddy just sat back and watched for the most part. David remembered how Chica and Bonnie were saying something about him staying in the backstage room before, but he never went back for the rest of the night. Whatever had happened, he looked like he'd gotten past it for now. On occasion though, David briefly caught him with a forlorn look when he thought no one could see him. He always managed to cover it with a gentle smile whenever he noticed David watching. Perhaps he should ask about that at some point.

It was about half past five that Freddy clapped his hands together and instructed that everyone put their suits on and get into position. Foxy returned to his Cove while the band placed got dressed on the stage, Bonnie taking her guitar, Chica her cupcake and Freddy his microphone.

"Well, it was a real pleasure to meet you, David," said Freddy sincerely with only his mask to go. "I'll see you tomorrow night."

"Looking forward to it, Freddy," he replied. "Break a leg, guys."

Freddy smiled and popped his mask on, locking it in place. He walked over to the side and pressed a button that made a curtain close on them. Chica waved, Bonnie flicked her fingers in a small salute and Freddy tipped his hat before they vanished from sight.

He looked over at the Cove to see Foxy peering out of his curtain. He waved his hook hand and retreated into its dark folds. David smiled and went to slip in his Walkman while he pulled out his keys to unlock the main door.

Working here was certainly going to be interesting.

Hey guys. Sorry this one's shorter than the others, but this might become a theme with the other chapters as well. I'll put in as much content as I can, but I don't want to stretch them.

Just a heads up here folks, while I have finished one of my essays I have another I need to research, plan and write for near the end of the month. Because of that, updates will be a little sporadic but I'll continue to do the best I can.

Be strong, be swift, be just.

AlphatheGriffin17