Laughter, chatter, screaming, crying. It all ensnared the atrium like a muzzle on a fox. Inescapable, or at least until closing. But it would be a while before closing. It would be a while even before Cooper or Gregory could see their stars. For now, the spectacle in front of them would have to do.
The both of them were unsure if they would ever get sick of the band performing. Their ultimate mystical grace enchanted the room every time, Without fail. Caught under the clutches they were. The extravagant holograms towering above the band mimicked their every move, like a horizontal mirror. Once again trapped in a daze, he could never get enough of her. Same could be said for Gregory with Freddy, just less romantic.
The smoke machines ceased, and the platforms fell as the band descended to prepare for the rest of the day, or the few hours that remained of it. Box of pizza in hand, Cooper sat back down with Gregory. Many emotions. A pinch of jealousy, mixed with 20 mg of love, of course making sure to add the lust seasoning, served with a side of longing. Without forgetting the secret ingredient, envy. The recipe for Roxanne. Gregory's dish was a less sophisticated one needing fewer ingredients. 50 ml of friendship blended with a cup of adventure, with a little bit of role model cream on top. The Freddy milkshake.
It all came crawling back. In that moment, he was both everything and nothing. As was she.
He fantasised about her hair as his blanket for a moment before snapping back to reality with the realization Gregory was gone. He looked around at the storming sea of children, until they all melded to one. He would have called out, but it would be no use. He optimistically decided that the animatronics were now at their attractions, and that Gregory just wanted to see Freddy. Nevertheless he texted the boy to ensure he was OK, before his suspicions were confirmed.
Now being a better time than any, he walked to the wolf's racing den. Cooper didn't know why, but whenever he went to see his 'girlfriend', he always felt slightly nervous for whatever reason. He felt this same feeling and internally acknowledged it before attempting to brush it off.
Enthusiastic and high octane music played overhead as go kart engines roared. The sea of people here was identical to the atrium. Looking down on the familiar, winding track, no one familiar was seen.
Continuing to look, he noticed just below a balcony that a garage shutter door was open. Inside lay a party room with insultingly bright lights, vibrant neon coloured chairs, a large checkered table with children wearing party hats and party horns with their faces filled to the brim with chocolate. Napkins, confetti, balloons, ribbons, cards, presents, plushies, everything needed for a party was there. Who would've guessed. Mountains of party pies and sausage rolls were situated on the table, with rivers of chocolate and marshmallows following. The odd healthy stuff sat on the table, the only food item left untouched. Excluding of course the giant triple chocolate cake with... 7, 8, 9... 12 candles in it. Cooper's best guess was that they were all threatened something dire if the cake was to even be looked at for too long.
All of a sudden the relatively dormant children became ecstatic and started cheering for some reason. Cooper looked closer as he made his way closer, all the while dodging the hoard of people approaching. The kids' eyes shot to a place obstructed by another painted garage shutter. Cheering and hyperactivity was observed thoroughly. Cooper felt like a researcher.
Getting closer now but not wanting to intrude on someone's special day, he could make out individual words and not just incoherent screaming.
"Roxy!", "Yay!, "She's here!", "Roxy!", "Roxanne!"
That's why.
The boy atop the highest chair Looked over in delight as the animatronic unveiled herself. (She walled through the door) "Roxy!" He called out.
"Hey guys!" She walked around the large table holding out her paw for high fives. "You better not have touched that cake!" She jokingly told the eldest boy whilst jokingly staring at him.
"We didn't touch it. See! Look!" Roxanne walked back towards him and held her gaze before getting up close. A couple seconds of intense staring went by.
"Hmmm. I believe you." She told him as she exited her gaze. "Now then." She turned her attention to the table.
"Who's special day am I celebrating? I seem to have forgotten." A smile emerged on her face as she heard the collective response.
"William's!" The table roared. An unconscious shudder was hidden from the children by Roxanne. She didn't like that name.
"That's right!" She looked towards the eldest boy. Then towards his cake. "Hmmm... do do dooo..." She counted the candles. "Ahhh! I'm messing with ya!" She rubbed the small amount of hair visible that wasn't covered by the party hat. "I know how old you are. But I'll still guess. Now let me see... " She put her fingers to her chin as she looked upwards. "12."
The kids were shocked at how she 'guessed' William's age perfectly. Chatter spurred amongst them before Roxanne hushed them.
"Now I'm going to sing you a happy birthday song, but it's not going to be any old boring one you've heard like... 11 times already. It's gonna be a new one!" She bent down the the level of the boys and put her hand on Williams shoulder.
"Happy fazbear birthday!
Pizza games and cakes!
Open all your presents,
Until your tummy aches!
Now you are one year older,
On your special day!
And when this song is over,
You'll be on your way!" It didn't quite have the same ring to it, but it was catchy and the kids couldn't have cared less.
"Happy birthday William!" Roxanne exclaimed.
The boy, with a smile larger than life leaned in and blew the candles out almost instantly. Roxy got a nearby cake knife and distributed the huge cake evenly, with the exception of William. After it was all said and done, she did love her job, and she did remember everyone she met. The good and bad.
The kids munched down on their prize as Roxy handed them all more party passes and convinced the group to use them on the raceway. Her paw on the handle of the door, Before she left, she looked back at the satisfied group. "You're the best Roxy!" A large smile formed as she walked through the door she came in.
The innocence of youth enchanted her, as the wonder of growing up enchanted them. She loved being adored by so many, for so many different reasons.
Cooper was touched by the performance, and just how happy her mere presence made them. A little bit of sadness rubbed at him, reminding him of the love he had never received as a kid. What he would do to love her in a more innocent way. He figured that must've been how Gregory felt. Perhaps the Freddy milkshake was a little more sophisticated than he thought.
Her arms were so comfy. The strangest crib. Her face was a baby mobile, and the AC was a lullaby. Everything slowed, before sliding to a pleasant halt. Dazing in and out of consciousness, he could see her eyes looking at him.
Roxanne dared not move, lest to disturb the boyfriend on her lap. Fridays were the best. His arms were around her waist, occasionally falling limp due to occasionally dozing. Roxy's metallic and plastic body was warm despite the AC being aimed directly at the sofa. Her perfume was a beautiful, fruity-sweet smell consisting of grape with a hint of lime, perfectly matching her colors. 5 minutes to closing, and the green rooms were closed off from the public. Most of the public anyways.
Lying in solitude, a number of kisses were exchanged, before Roxy indirectly pushed him away, slightly and softly mumbling ,"That's enough." Both out of character yet perfectly within it. She was fine with cuddling, but it seemed more intimate acts posed a threat for whatever reason. Cooper intimately looked at her, as he noticed a light shade of pink on her cheeks. Not thrilled, but respecting her boundaries nonetheless, he slumped down into her arms, where he currently laid contempt, like a cat on her lap. He desperately wanted to love her, and show her that he loved her, it was just a question of whether or not Roxy would let him. It was odd because merely a week before Roxy would've been fine with the gestures, and would've perhaps wanted to go further.
Footsteps soon approached the couple, as they groggily and reluctantly separated.
Thud* *Thud* *Thud* *Thud*
Roxy interlocked her hand with Coopers.
"This time next week. Right?"
"For sure. Wouldn't miss it for anything." He tried to reassure her. Roxy let go as she went to open the door. Cooper followed, getting ready to get Gregory and leave. The door slid open and revealed the night guard.
Wait, the night guard? They didn't start their shift until 12, what was she doing here at 8? Roxy wondered the same thing, as she blurted out the night guard's name.
"Emma?"
Cooper remembered last week Roxy telling him about the new night guard, her name being Emma as well.
"Wait, are you the ne-" His sentence was abruptly cut short as She grabbed his arm and quickly walked him out the rear door of the green room.
"Hey! What are you doing? Roxy!"
"Emma! Let him go!" Roxy snarled.
"Hurry up and follow me... Before they do their sweep and find you..." She hissed at him. She looked back at the wolf. "Don't follow us, meet you back here at 12." She stepped into the elevator to parts and service and pushed the button as she hastily dragged Cooper in with her.
"Cooper!" Roxy ran towards them but to no avail as the doors closed.
The elevator began its slow descent as the PizzaPlex's theme tune began to play.
"Uh... Hi..." Cooper was baffled. He had no idea what to make of what just happened. One minute he was in love, the next he's in an elevator with a stranger. He stared at her with confused eyes.
"You're Cooper... Aren't you?" Emma asked without tilting her head to look, just staring straight ahead.
"Y-Yeah... How do you know?"
"You're the only weird freak who wants to get feely with the robots after hours, that's how." She was hostile, that was evident.
"Hey, excuse me, way to make a first impression, and how the hell am I being feely?"
"Why else would the curtains be closed?" Still not looking at him.
"Because she wanted privacy whilst we talked. Why are you so rude?"
"Because you're a pervert. I hate perverts." She eventually looked up to Cooper, because he was physically taller.
"Why the hell did you drag me into this elevator with you then?" He gestured to the elevator around him.
"Because you've worked here before. And you're going to help me."
"Who even are you?" He asked in confusion.
"The girl that replaced the night guard that was getting a little too close and personal." She looked at Cooper. " To the Children's entertainers. " She got aggressive whilst saying the last line, frown on her face whilst staring flaming hot daggers into Cooper's soul.
"What exactly do you think we've been doing? You sound like you're suggesting we do it every night... I don't even know if it would be possible to do it with her."
"Enough. You've been doing enough. And wouldn't you love to know if it would be possible. Pervert." She looked back towards the elevator blankly, frown still present.
Cooper wasn't going to refute the last part, deep, deep down inside, there was a curiosity. The jingle finished as a ding sounded to let them both know the doors had opened. Emma didn't grab his arm this time, instead coldly telling Cooper to hurry up.
"Where are we even going? What about Gregory?"
"The kids fine. You're going where I say you are."
She continued to walk at an unreasonable walking speed, which was causing Cooper to pick up the pace more than he would have liked. What the hell was going on?