"That should do it. I hope." It didn't look too shabby if she said so herself. Though she would be far more confident if she didn't have an overprotective wolf breathing over her shoulder. Quite literally. "Does it feel alright? Not too tight or anything?" 'Please be good, please be good…'
"It's fine, I think. Even if it aches, it's far better than not healing right at all. I'll get used to it at some point."
'Oh my god thank you!' "Hoooooh boy, alright. Now all that is left…well, is to wait."
"How long will it take?"
"I…I don't know. A couple weeks? Maybe a month or two? Depends. I'm the furthest thing you can get from an expert, but I'm pretty sure it takes a while for these types of injuries to completely heal."
"W-Weeks? Months? It can't be that long…"
Vanessa wants to offer words of comfort, but all she could muster up was a pathetic shrug. The boy tightly gripped his hair, just short of yanking it. Deep frustration bubbles up within.
"That's…such a long time to be on the ground, b-but at least I have something to look forward to." He said through gritted teeth.
"I-I'm sorry kid, I wish I had better news for you."
"I'll be fine, bad news and I are old friends." Vanessa didn't know how to respond to that, so Roxanne filled in the silence.
"Just because she's a huge downer doesn't mean you got to be. You'll be up and running before you know it, and when that happens, I will finally catch you." Gregorys anger subsided considerably as he smirked.
"Only when pigs fly." She ruffles his hair.
"We'll see about that little pup."
"Heh, can I leave this box now? I need a change of scenery." The guard wasted no time to take advantage of that option.
"You know what, that is the greatest suggestion I've ever heard in my life, let's go." She quickly went towards the large doors without even bothering to wait for them. Both only stared as she walked away.
"That was sudden. Is she okay?" The wolf shrugs.
"Beats me. We really don't 'know' the guards per se. As people they're complete unknowns to us. The only thing we make sure of is whether or not they have a…history."
"Really? So people with records aren't allowed to work here?"
"...Actually, they are. There is a line though. No murderers or…or…sick people."
"Wow, so if you catch the sniffles, you get the boot. Wouldn't be the weirdest rule I've ever heard of believe it or not."
"Not that kind of–you know what, I think we should catch up with Vanessa before she does anything stupid." 'Me and my big mouth.' She picks him up, being mindful of his new brace without elaborating further on his inquiry. 'What little innocence you have left should be preserved and treasured.' Gregory meanwhile pouts at not being told what she meant.
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Vanessa practically kicked the door open to escape, startling the rest of the animatronics that were present.
"Alright guys, we're done here. Can we go now? I think I'm starting to suffocate." Recovering from his stupor, Monty shook his head.
"I would love to, but not before I can finally see the little guy for myself. I've been itching to make a proper first impression, and now's my chance to do it in an environment so dangerously family friendly it's vomit inducing." The guard smirked at his shot to the daycare.
"Hey! I'll have you know; it is designed to be completely safe and sterile." Sun is either not amused or couldn't understand a joke. Either way, it only made Vanessa grin even harder.
"Doesn't change a thing. Now where is he? I might literally explode if I wait any longer." His wishes are answered with both Gregory and Roxanne finally exiting the daycare. "Finally! Hey Rox…Rox…." The gator's jaw dropped at the sight before him.
To start with, the wolf being affectionate was entirely off putting to him. Even her most dedicated super fans didn't get to be held like this random kid is. Speaking of which, he isn't as he had pictured either. From what he has heard, he was expecting something a bit more…edgy. Like someone who has a knack for getting into trouble and looking the part, something similar to his own audience.
None of that was what he got, not even close or within any sort of spectrum. Never has he seen such a frail looking kid before, to say he was put through the ringer would be putting it mildly to say the least.
"H…Hi…Um…" Gregory started, but nothing more was said.
The boy was locked in a staring contest against his will, a wave of fear and guilt has taken over his senses. He thought he would be ready to face Monty, but for some reason he just…couldn't. The teeth, the brawn. He couldn't stop himself from eventually shying away. All he could think about was the close calls. The gnashing of teeth…the obliteration of doors…the merciless chases…then there was his near complete destruction.
In the end, Gregory couldn't look at him, instead burying his face onto the crook of Roxanne's neck and tightening his hold. The wolf nuzzles him and uses her free hand to soothe him. That didn't stop her from giving Monty the stink eye anyway.
"Staring is kind of rude, you know." Roxanne berates him for his speechlessness. The gator rapidly blinked as he composed himself. His face got hot.
"Sorry, uh–it's just–it–uh…it's just that…he's not what I expected."
"Oh? Then what exactly did you want to see?"
"Uhhh, nothing. Nothing in particular. Only didn't expect him to come with heavy battle scars." Roxy only narrowed her eyes. "Hey, little guy. Come on, I don't bite."
Unbeknownst to him, he only reminds Gregory of the horrifying times he almost ended up being chomped by his seriously unsafe teeth. The boy remained rigid, which signaled to Roxanne that now wasn't the time for them to interact.
"I don't think he is ready for this." She said completely seriously.
"Oh come on! I'm not that scary!" The wolf could only deadpan. Monty looks around bewildered. Absolutely no one has come forward to back him up on his claim, not even Freddy, who is looking off to the side whistling away. "Am I?" This time Freddy looks him in the eyes.
"I mean…you were both designed to attract adolescents. And to that I say: mission accomplished."
"Wow, and here I thought you were the negotiator." The bear shrugs that his displeasure. "...Regardless! 'M not that bad!" Roxanne rolled her eyes.
"Suck it up and wait a little longer, forcing it will only make things worse."
Monty was about to retort but stopped when the kid caught his attention. The boy was starting to shake. Swallowing his pride, he let out a very long sigh. He nods and backs off.
"Sorry. Got a bit too excited." He sheepishly rubs the back of his head. "He's a trooper though, I'll give him that for free."
"Heh, that he is. Here's hoping that he recovers very soon." She turns her attention to the daycare attendant. "How was he?"
"Oh he was delightful! I must admit, I had my doubts at first, what with him breaking the rules with such vigor in our initial meeting, but he showed how childlike he still is. It just saddens me that what it took to get here cost him so much."
"I'd much rather he forgets about that." She looks at the kid, reminded of the hardships that he has gone through for pretty much no reason. "Hey pup, you hungry?" He silently nods, still preferring to remain quiet. "I think that is our cue to go…thank you Sun. Thank you so much."
"Wait! Before you go, I need to give you something!" He quickly retreats to his lair, muttering to himself all the way. Curious, Roxanne decides to stay put. "Come on…where are they, where are they–AHA." In no time he is already back, specifically pining for Gregory. "You almost forgot these."
The boy looks up slightly. In Sun's hands were folded papers. His drawings. He timidly reached out and grabbed them, grateful that they weren't forgotten. He tucked them away for later.
"Thank you."
"You're ever-so welcome. I look forward to your next visit. Hopefully soon. Roxanne Wolf." The wolf's ears perk up at his choice of words.
'Full name.' She nods. With that mental note stowed away, she now focuses on taking care of her pup.
"Now, how about we go? We should have the kitchens to ourselves now." He eagerly nods.
"The daycare food is nowhere near as good as the rest of the 'Plex." He quips. The attendant actually took offense to that.
"Now hold on! The food here is just fine! Much healthier than the grease triangles you call pizza!" Roxy only rolled her eyes, but Chica…now it was her turn to be angry, complete with eye twitching.
"...You…You have some nerve don't you!"
Admittingly Roxanne would've loved to have stayed to see how the argument would play out, however she already promised Gregory something to munch on so that is what she is going to do. With Freddy suddenly being thrust into the role of mediator once again along with Monty cheering on the display, she had a golden opportunity to slip away.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"Hope you don't mind if I tag along for now." Vanessa suddenly made herself known once more. Her presence would take some getting used to.
"I suppose not, you're alright." An awkward silence ruled between them until they exited the daycare area.
"...So…how are you doing kid? You sort of locked up back there, like you saw a ghost."
"...I thought I would be ready to talk to him, but I wasn't."
"Okay…if you don't mind me asking, why?"
"I'd…rather not talk about it."
"Are you sure? Maybe it will do you some good?" Roxy butted in.
"If he says he doesn't want to talk about it, then keep it to yourself!"
"Okay! Relax! I'm just trying to do what little I can on my own!" Suddenly the wolf felt bad for raising her voice towards this woman.
In hindsight, despite the rocky first meeting, she kept her promise to keep Gregorys presence secret, even going above and beyond. She didn't have to go those lengths at all, just keeping her mouth shut would've been satisfactory. Roxanne is honestly surprised that she is willingly sticking by her. It felt wrong, but that can be righted.
"You know, I…uh…" The woman glances at Roxy, noting the bashful expression, it was amusing.
"Are youuuuu, talking to me?"
"Yeah, yeah. I wanted to say that I'm sorry…for everything since you were 'volunteered' for the night shift. You know…for being so disrespectful…treating you like an enemy."
"It's alright, I understand. All I ask is that you stop staring at me whenever I'm in the room. I'm not that important."
"...You don't actually believe that do you? If it weren't for you, things could've been very different. Think about it, would any other guard be as lenient?" Vanessa shook her head.
"I don't think that's very fair; we have jobs to do and admittingly most are simply not willing to take that kind of risk. Honestly, I find it hard to blame them. Though I do see where you're coming from." She sighs deeply. "Regardless, apology accepted, for his sake if nothing else." 'Nice to see that you admitted to being a taint.'
"Thank you, I'm glad that you have no hard feelings." Roxanne felt the most relaxed she had been since before Gregory appeared.
"...Dammit, I need to go."
"Hm? Why?"
"I forgot to clock in, it's already midnight."
"Oh, that. Hold on, look at me and stand still." Her eyes start to glow, then a visible ray of light emerges as they scan the unexpecting guard's face. "...There, you're in."
"Grr, a little more warning next time? I would greatly appreciate it if you didn't blind me as your first act of goodwill."
"Quit the bellyaching, at least you don't have to make the 'harsh' journey to your office just to slide a card or punch a piece of paper."
"At least there is that silver lining. Thanks for that by the way."
"Well I can't let the bigwigs have an excuse to moan and complain right? Besides, it's the least I can do for you."
"What else can you guys do? Is there some manual that I can read? Or is that just for the tech boys?"
"That's on a need-to-know basis sweetheart. Can't let you in on all of our tricks, can we? Not even the eggheads know everything."
"Now you're just being cruel."
"Not even close, trust me." 'Yeah, she's alright.'
With a newfound trust for each other, they headed off together to the food courts.
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AN: Any of y'all ever hesitate to press the 'post' button?