NOTES
Hey! Wanted to let you know that the standard chapter order will be a bit different than it usually is.
So, as I've said before, every 10 chapters I make a longer-than-usual, plot heavy chapter. Things are going to be slightly different JUST THIS TIME AROUND.
The next two 'plot-heavy' chapters have some synergy between them. I'm not gonna get too much into the details, but because of that synergy, it simply wouldn't make sense for them to be 10 chapters apart.
So!
Chapter 30 will not be a standard mega-chapter. It might still be long compared to regular chapters, but it's not going to have any significant effect on the 'plot' progression.
HOWEVER
What WILL happen is that chapter 35 and 40 are BOTH going to be big ass plot-heavy chapters instead.
Thanks for understanding y'all, and sorry if it's a little disappointing. I promise, you'll get your story!
Alrighty. Anyway.
Enjoy!
New Years
"Rox."
"Don't!"
"If you don't grab that thing in the next fifteen seconds, I'm letting go of the ladder."
"Mike, d-don't! I'm getting it right now!"
...
"Grab it!"
"I'm grabbing it!"
"You haven't moved!"
" 'You' come grab it, then!"
"Alright! Get down here so I can come up!"
"No, I'm already here, just..!"
"What do you want from me?"
"Nothing! Stop shaking the ladder!"
There are still customers around, by the way. In fact, a small crowd has congregated to watch this phenomenal feat of a purple man and a robot wolf trying to take down Christmas decorations.
...
"Rox-"
"Shut up!"
"There's 'zero' chance you're afraid of heights. You're constantly dangling over the edge of the raceway."
"This isn't the same!"
"How is this not the same?!"
"It's not! I'm not on a fricken' ladder on the raceway!"
"You've been on a ladder before, they're everywhere."
"No I haven-! Why would I ever climb a ladder?! 'Cause it's fun?!"
"You've 'never' been on a ladder? Ever?"
"No, Mike!"
...
"Fine, take your time.."
" 'Thank' you!"
...
- Rattle -
"wAAH! MIKE!"
"My bad."
"Y-You! You did that on purpose!"
"Mm."
"I'll kill you!"
"Not from up there you won't."
"Holy sh-, Fine!"
Fueled by a rage overshadowing her fear, she nabs the wreath hung above her room's window and 'jumps' down. What the hell was she so afraid of if it wasn't the height?
"There we go. Was that so bad?"
Roxy shoves the wreath in my hand and fails to do anything other than stare at me like a furious idiot.
...
I lazily lift a finger in the crowds direction.
"Say hi to your fans, by the wa-"
Unphased by the population, Roxanne decides the best course of action at the moment is to grab me by the collar and drag me into her room.
-.-.-.-.-.-
TXT (Michael_Afton, Freddy_Fazbear)
Freddy: Hello, sorry to bother. If you're not busy, could you come to the service tunnels?
Freddy: A few day-crew locked themselves out, and don't have the authority to re-enter.
Michael: My stuff's in Roxanne's room, feel free to grab it.
Michael: She's not in here right now.
Freddy: ..Are 'you' in Roxanne's room?
Michael: Yeah.
Freddy: You can't just bring the key-card here, then?
Michael: No. Roxy taped me to the wall.
Freddy: What?
Michael: Roxy taped me to the wall.
Freddy: ..?
Freddy: Would you like some help..?
Michael: Yes please.
Freddy: I'm coming, with the intention of hearing what this is all about.
Michael: Roxy thought I shook the ladder she was on.
Freddy: She 'thought' that?
Michael: I shook the ladder she was on.
Freddy: Perhaps now is a good opportunity to learn about the consequences of one's actions.
Michael: Please un-tape me from this wall.
Michael: It's boring up here.
Michael: Freddy.
Michael: Freddy.
Michael: Freddy.
Michael: I'm begging you.
...
...
...
Michael: Freddy!
Freddy: You didn't tell me she taped over your mouth as well.
Michael: Get back here! Give that back!
Freddy: You told me I may use your equipment for the service tunnels.
Michael: Don't 'leave' me here!
Freddy: Roxy will let you down eventually.
Michael: You don't know that! 'I' don't know that!
Michael: So help me god.
Michael: Roxy left the tape in my line of sight, and the moment I get down from here, I'm taping over every single possession of yours.
...
...
Michael: No!
Michael: Dammit, I'm telling Roxy you stole that.
Freddy: Language.
-.-.-.-.-.-
...
Y'know, as the customers started to file themselves out, I was kind of hoping things would quiet down some.
I mean, kinda. Aren't many people just roaming the halls anymore, but as far as I'm aware, only a couple of the day-crew have left..
...
Starting to think I was left out of the loop about something again. There was a shockingly large amount of staff around today, but I figured that was just because we needed to finish up getting all the decorations out of here.
Is there a group chat I'm supposed to be a part of? Or does Coop tell everyone things individually and just forgets about me?
Anyway, the auditorium is still pretty noisy.. But, like, 'festive' noisy.
Guess that means there's a new years thing going on down here.
Thought a lot more people would leave to go be with their families or something, but new years is probably more of a friends-party thing.
Not that I would know, I guess.
...
Are they gonna stay till midnight?
Does that mean there's gonna be all these people here when my shift starts? Until AFTER my shift starts?
...
Whatever, I guess being paid to party isn't the worst thing in the world.. I'm just not a big party person. Just about everyone else is, though. I guess they'd have to be if they wanted to work at a place with 'partying' as it's whole gimmick.
I'd imagine that means the animatronics are good party-goers as well.. Roxy is a small exception. She might be more into parties than anyone else, as long as the party consists of strangers and children. When it's people she knows, a lot of that excitement is lost on her.
Chica and Monty like this kind of thing, but that's just who they are. Freddy's just happy to be involved no matter what the situation is, so no complaints from him either.
...
Sheesh. Don't they know the nightguard can't stand people having fun?
I gotta lighten up.. I enjoy the company of just about everyone here, it's just crowds I dislike. So many topics and thought processes in such a small area, and I can't help but want to pick up on all of them, even if I don't intend to involve myself in the conversation. Gets exhausting.
Thought I'd start my rounds early, so I've already done most of the first and basement floors. Right now I'm standing on the second floor balcony, staring down at the cluster of uniformed party-goers.
There are a few of those long plastic tables being brought in and unfolded. I reckon that means the New Years party is a go. Wonder what kind of food they have.
...
Welp, better head down there and pretend like I wasn't spying on them.
"Michael!" Cooper's voice almost makes me jump from how much it contrasts the younger staff. "Glad could make it, kid. Seriously."
"Yeah, I still work here.." I bumble out.
"Nahhh, not tonight. Tonight everyone's havin' fun."
Coop makes his way to my position by the bottom of the stairs and turns to face the crowd with me.
"I don't work tonight..?"
"Not if you don't want too. Today's still a holiday, we're just takin' some time to enjoy ourselves." Cooper lazily raises his hand to greet someone waving at him from afar. "Toldja in the group text, y'remember?"
...
"I should add ya to the group text."
"That'd be nice."
Cooper chuckles nervously and fumbles with his phone a bit.
"Ah ha.. Uh, Sorry about that.. I keep forgetting to send you the stuff.."
"It's no problem, haven't missed anything yet." I stay in place, but let my attention shift to the food being brought in one-by-one. "You 'keep' forgetting?"
"Ayup.. Everytime I think about it, I think about you, then get all sidetracked.."
I hum in acknowledgement, not really registering what he said, but get reminded of a question I wanted to ask ages ago.
"Hey, I was wondering about the night-guard position."
"You're hired."
"No, I mean-" Despite starting my next thought, I fail to hold down an amused huff. "Thanks. What I mean is Freddy told me something a while ago."
"Yep?"
"He said that when I applied, you guys weren't really looking for a night-guard position."
"Ahh.."
"It made sense, since this place has enough security to be considered a fortress. Is there a reason you let me have this job?"
"Aaaaayup.. Was kinda hopin' you wouldn't figure out about that." Cooper nervously chuckles again.
Oh boy. This oughta be juicy.
"It was your name, if I'm being honest. I wish I'd thought a bit more 'bout it at the time, but you were pretty much hired the moment I saw yer name."
"..How's that?'
"Thought back then that you were William's kid."
What..? How did he-?
"Back when I was snoopin' around William's cellar back there, I figured out the name of that other son of his that no one really talks about was 'Michael'. Didn't think much of it at the time, but when your name popped up on my desk, I got a bit ahead of myself."
Oh, I see what's-... Alright, not sure if this counts as 'lying', but I at least have a good reason to play this one off..
"I see. Michael's a pretty common name."
"Yep. Already had some doubts, but when we talked and said you were distantly related, I finally had to come to terms that you weren't him."
...
"So why'd you keep me?"
"Welp. I know we just talked about how this place was a 'fortress' on it's own and all, but still." Cooper pokes me on the shoulder before continuing to get the group-text situation figured out. "You've done a good job so far. No one's complained yet, 'cept for that wolf every now and again.. She hasn't said anything in a while though. Hopin' that means you figured things out."
"Yeah. Her and I are friends."
"Ha, good. Dunno what I would done to her if she kept buggin' ya."
"Mm."
...
Actually, that's a little strange.. Wouldn't it be the other way around? Even if Roxy was the one doing the 'bugging', nightguards are replaceable. Animatronic wolves aren't. Worst case scenario, all he would have to do was switch me with a day-guard.
The conversation is pretty light still, so it's possible he just misspoke. If anything, he should have worried about what he would do to 'me', not her.
"Besides, this still gets a little kick outta me." Cooper tilts his phone to show me that I was added to the chat. "Just 'having' a nightguard makes the place a bit more authentic. Like we really are a 'Fazbear family restaurant'."
..Wouldn't.. That also do the opposite? Trying to match the ecstatic party joy of a Freddy's location would mean trying to de-attach themselves from any of the past rumors. Simply 'having' a nightguard would have the opposite effect considering all the rumors surrounding them. So if 'authentic' doesn't mean 'authentic to the Freddy's family friendly atmosphere', what is it supposed to be authentic to?
"I see."
" 'N listen, maybe a little TMI for how good everyone's feelin'.." Cooper slides his phone into his pocket, pats my shoulder, and looks into the crowd. "But I really appreciate this 'family', since I ain't got much of mine left. Don't mean that in a sad way or anything, but the company can help sometimes, y'know?"
Mm.. He's not 'old' old yet, but he's that age where his parents have most likely passed by now. As far as I'm aware, Cooper doesn't have a significant other, so I can understand if an aging man like himself can get lonely in his house from time to time.
"Yeah. I'm happy to be here."
"Arrrright, think that's enough things to admit to one man in five minutes." Cooper gently pushes off my shoulder. "Gotta go find Arin before he gets himself into any more trouble."
That does make me smirk a little. The idea of 'keeping Arin out of trouble' seems wildly unlikely.
They're kind of an unlikely duo. Cooper's old enough to be Arin's father, and they do give off that father-son vibe together. It's even more entertaining how much their personalities differ. Cooper's easygoing, friendly, and maybe even a little lazy. Arin rarely communicates outside of necessary information, and works nonstop to keep everything in order, even if it's unnecessary. Not that he's 'unfriendly' per se, but it's just in his nature to talk about the most important and relevant information at any given time, rather than pointless chit-chat.
"I'll be here."
I'll probably 'continue' to be here. I've already psyched myself up for a full night of work, might as well follow through.
...
...
Cooper really is strange.
Almost forgot how fond he was of William, going as far as to invade his old house. I guess it would make sense for him to get excited upon seeing the name 'Afton' reappear on his desk.
Wasn't aware how much of a bullet I dodged by saying I was distantly related to my father back when I talked to him when Chica was on the fritz.. I'm honestly surprised he figured out what William's son was called. Well, everyone knew who Evan was. My father simply never cared enough to get my name on anything important, so.. I can't imagine many people know who 'Michael Afton' really is.
Probably shouldn't go down this rabbit hole if I don't wanna be a debbie-downer for the extent of this party.
...
To this day, I still don't understand why my father had such a change-of-heart when it came to parenting once Evan was born.. A part of me was terrified William would treat him the same way he treated me, but well.. He didn't.. I don't know if it was jealousy or just outright anger at the unfairness, but you know the rest.
"Corpse."
Holy-
"Jesus.."
"Close." The silver-grey fur lines the right side of my vision. "Roxanne."
Oh, ha.
"Damn. Really hoping for Jesus that time."
"I'm close enough. What do you want?"
Huff.
"Where'd you get all this ego in the last twenty minutes?"
"Your mom's house."
Wh..?
"Who the hell told you to say that?"
Roxy crosses her arms and looks into the crowd.
"Trudge. He said to tell you in specific."
"Oh yeah, Trudge.."
I take a second to scan the room, looking for the chicken and her companion. Supposedly, something might happen between them tonight.. Not really sure if Chica remembered, or even cares, but that'd be interesting to see play out.
"Said you'd be the only one who gets it."
"Do 'you' get it?"
"No."
"Mm."
...
"Care to explain it then, dumbass?"
"Not really."
"..Did he make me say something stupid?"
"Not much worse than what you usually say."
"What does that mean?"
"Mm."
"..You're lucky I'm in a good mood."
"You clearly are." I side-eye her. "What's up with that?"
"Is that a problem?"
"I don't know, probably."
She lets out a short sigh.
"What the hell? Mike- Why are you the only one immune to me?"
"..What does that even mean?"
"It's so easy to control a fricken' conversation with anyone but you."
"No one's 'controlling' the conversation, that's not how conversations work."
"Yes it is, watch."
Roxy glances around and turns her head to a passing day-crew, heading towards the stairs behind us.
"Hey. What are you doing?"
The day-crew stares blankly at her with a mouth full of food before registering that she's talking to him.
"Oh- Me? I was gunna go grab my friend from the-"
"They'll be in here in a second. Stay in here."
"..But they might not know there's-"
"They'll 'be' here. Sit down and eat, don't touch the damn stairs."
"U-Um.."
...
"D..Do you know who I'm talking about? Like, do you know they'll come back here-?"
"For f-.. Calling me a liar?"
"No! N-No, I was just making sure-!"
"What did I 'just' tell you?"
"T-That they'd be back, I know, but h-how do you-?"
"Do you think I'm 'lying' to you?"
"No! I'm just-!"
"Then shut up, sit down, and eat."
"O-Okay, I'll-"
"Why are you still talking to me?"
"Sorry! S-Sorry!"
The day crew meekly takes a couple steps away from the stairs and pretends to see a friend in the distance, then heads in that direction.
...
Suddenly starting to understand why the day-crew has such a hard time approaching her.
"Sheesh.."
"It's 'easy'." Roxy turns her head towards me and lifts a hand in the direction of the retreating day-crew. "I got what I wanted, and they couldn't stop me."
"Why didn't they?"
" 'Cause 'they' understand who I am. They know better than to get on my shit." Roxy crosses her arms again. " 'You' just don't fricken' cooperate."
"That's not true, you don't talk to me like that at all."
"Oh yeah?"
"I think so."
"Okay, pretend this is a normal conversation we're having then. Like I'm not trying to prove something, just respond how you would usually respond."
"Alright."
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing, really."
"Then go get me my perfume from my dresser."
"Absolutely not."
"You 'just' said you weren't busy."
"I said I was doing 'nothing'. I'm busy doing 'nothing'."
"Mike. Get the damn perfume."
"Is it the white one?"
"Yes. Go."
"Nah, I'm not a big fan of that one. Smells okay, but it's so potent that you can't smell anything else if I'm standing next to you."
"Mike, why the hell would I care what you think of my stuff?"
"You don't need to care. I'm the one who'd be getting it, so if I don't like it, I'm not gonna get it."
"You care about getting taped to the wall again?"
"That's not gonna happen."
"Yeah?"
"I deserved it that time, so I let it happen." Without warning, I raise my arm to boop her nose. "I've dealt with plenty of animatronics before, I can get around you if I wanted."
That's half-true, and almost entirely bluff. Either way, the nose boop got a good reaction out of her.
"I, fricken-.. You haven't dealt with a 'Roxanne' before, and you're about to right now."
"I've dealt with similar. You used to be a fox in the past."
"A 'fox'?"
"Yeah. You'll never guess what they were named."
"Fox?"
"Foxy, yeah."
"Was she your favorite too?"
"Yeah, actually. Foxy was a boy, though."
"Gay."
"No- Not 'gay', it was a robot."
"Is that supposed to make it better?"
"Yes!"
"I'm not sure you, uh... Mik- Fuck! There!" Roxy resists the urge to stomp like a child. "You changed it again! We were talking about my fricken' perfume!"
"Oh yeah.. I got distracted, I guess.."
"But you made 'me' distracted, which is the part I-! Ugh..!" The wolf frustratedly crosses her arms and turns her head back to the crowd. "You're just.. I can't get through to you."
I snicker.
"Don't try and guilt trip me into feeling bad that I didn't let you boss me around like a queen."
"But 'everyone else' does!"
"Haven't made many friends with the day-crew, have you?"
"I don't need any friends. 'You' just wouldn't leave me alone."
"That's pretty much how you make friends as an adult."
"Shut up."
I kind of see what she was talking about now.. Rox really does try initiating conversations with me the same way everyone else does. I'm just not scared of her, so I don't feel the need to hold back what I really think.
Not that Roxanne isn't objectively intimidating, I guess..? There are still a lot of things that can scare me, but by the time I first started working here, 'animatronics' simply weren't one of those things anymore. Maybe that means the reason Roxy got so frustrated with me back then is because I was one of the only people who wouldn't bend to her every whim.
That was kind of intense back there, though.. I bet that guy was having a good time before Roxanne made him an 'example'. Hope that really was just an example, and not a representation of how she treats everyone.
...
...
...
Y'know, she's been quiet a suspiciously long time..
...
"You alright?"
I tilt my head a bit to glance at her. Looks like she's deep in thought, but.. a little melancholic?
"I'm fine, do you-? Um.."
"..?"
...
"Do you really not like that perfume?"
"Oh.. I don't hate it, but it's like someone taped freshly pollinated flowers onto your nose. Smells nice, but it's the only thing I 'can' smell."
"..Okay."
...?
"You shouldn't care what I think about it, though. If you like it, wear it."
"I never said I cared what you thought. I was just curious."
"Alright."
"I'll be right back."
"Are you getting food? I might-"
"No, just need to talk to someone real quick."
As if she couldn't make it any more obvious, Roxy uncrosses her arms and beelines for Arin's position in the crowd. Surely there's nothing perfume related in that conversation of theirs.
It's shockingly pleasant in here.
Thought it would be similar to the thanksgiving 'party', where people would be bouncing from place to place. Not this time, though. No game happening in the back of the auditorium, no tree-chomping asmr in the background.. People are just standing around with drinks in their hands, talking to whoever it is they feel the desire to talk to.
Still kind of dizzied by the amount of topics being tossed around all at once, but I think I'll be alright. Maybe all I need is to find someone to talk to myself.
...
Such as this chicken who's been standing two feet behind me for the last several minutes..
...
How do I initiate a conversation with a Chica?
"Still alive back there?"
Solid C-tier greeting.
"Oh- Hiya!"
..Did she not see me right in front of her?
Either way, the chicken walks all two steps it takes to stand beside me instead of behind.
"What's up with you?"
"Your mom?"
...
"Trudge told me you'd get that."
Might have to talk to him later.
"Did he tell anyone else that?"
"Dunno."
"Rox said the same thing."
"Is there something wrong with your mom?"
"No, people just say that to, uh.."
..How the hell do I explain 'your mom' jokes?
"Is she nice?"
"She was pretty nice, yeah."
"Whacha drinkin'?"
Probably for the best the subject shifted where it did.
"I don't know, whatever's in that pitcher. Looks like coolant. Tastes like coolant.."
"Whussat?"
"It's used to regulate the heat in machines sometimes. Or cool it. It cools things."
"For machines?"
"Yep."
"You can drink it?"
"Nope."
"..Huh?"
"Don't drink coolant."
"You're drinking coo-!"
"This isn't coolant."
"But you said-!"
Suppose this is what I get for making a joke in her vicinity.
Unexpectedly, Arin is the one to save me from this horrendous interaction.
"Michael."
"Arin."
"Is this coolant?!" Chica's voice still manages to break through.
Arin stops a couple feet short of us, starting blankly between our heads.
"..Not that I'm aware of?"
"Mike said it's coolant!"
"The very last thing I said to you was that it wasn't..!"
Arin looks questionably into the drink in his hands, before gently shaking his head and remembering whatever it was he needed to talk to me about.
"..Anyway.. Roxanne and I just talked."
"I saw. Beelined from me to you."
"Does that mean I'm correct in assuming that you're to blame for her perfume obsession?"
"Probably. Did she mention me?"
"Not on purpose."
"Sounds about right."
"Did you give her access to the internet in some way?"
Where could this conversation possibly be going?
"Possibly. I told her it was alright for her to use my laptop, but she never told me she's used it outright. Why?"
"She seemed familiar with the website she insisted I use on my phone regarding.. Perfumes.." Arin slides his own phone from his pocket, and uncertainly messes around a bit.
"Uh oh."
"There." He holds the phone up so we could all see it. "Roxanne insists.. 'this' is the perfume she needs.."
...
"I'm not paying for that."
"I told her that Cooper and I would not be paying for it either."
"Tell her she's 'out of her mind'."
"Actually." Arin brings the phone back down and starts the process of shutting it off again. "When I informed her that Cooper nor I would be willing to spend that much, she left in the direction of Rockstar Row."
"Okay?"
"Is your office where you keep your valuables?"
"Yeah, for the most part."
"Is that office the one that's closest to Rockstar Row?"
"Yeah..?"
...
What is he so reluctant to tell me?
"Michael, would your laptop already happen to have your credit card information on-?"
oH SHIT
Arin is the first to comment on my disheveled appearance once I return to the auditorium.
...
"Michael?"
"I'm fine."
"What on earth..? Was Roxanne attempting to-?"
"Yes."
"..Was she successful?"
"Not after being tackled to the ground, no."
"Ah.."
...
"She didn't take that very kindly, I take it.."
"No."
"Where is she now?"
"Not in that damn office anymore, I hope."
Like clockwork, my wrist vibrates, and I don't take the time to check who the caller is.
"Want to say hi to her?"
Arin's eyebrows visibly raise an inch.
"I'm.. Alright, thank you.."
- click -
"Mike, 'you' are paying whatever it costs to clean what you did to these fucking clothes!"
"You have more. I 'bought' you more."
"I am NOT going out there in a fucking T-shirt and sweatp-!"
- click -
"She was in the middle of finishing the order. Threw my drink at her."
"A-Ah.."
Half an hour passed, and I was given enough time to re-accommodate to the atmosphere.
It's actually been pretty pleasant to just stand around and watch people communicate. Of course, every now and then someone would come up for some small talk, but usually nothing longer than a few minutes. Freddy came by a while ago and we watched the crowd in comfortable silence, which appears to be a hobby we share. Monty also came over. It was certainly not silent for that duration.
A couple random day-crew came over and talked as well, probably just because they pitied the purple man standing by his lonesome.
I'm definitely not the best at small talk still.. But it's comforting to think that I'm getting a little better with every new person that I talk to. At least I hope so.
Trudge runs past me, breaking my train of thought. Fortunately, that meant Chica followed shortly after, lightly jogging after him.
Instinctively, I reach out to nab Chica's sleeve, hopefully separating the two of them for just long enough for me to ask her something.
"Chica."
"Oop-!"
Of course, I didn't grab onto her hard enough to stop her momentum, just get her attention. As soon as she recognizes that I touches her, she skids to a stop and backpedals toward me.
"Mikey?"
"Hey. You alright? You seem a little out-of-it today."
"I do..?"
Alright, think I'll just ask her bluntly.
"Thought of a plan between you and Trudge tonight?"
Her expression tells me just about everything I need to know. Thought Chica might be a little 'out of it' because she was apprehensive about tonight.
...
"Ummmm.."
"It's alright if you haven't. There's no rush."
Chica finally turns all the way around to face me, but starts to fiddle with her hands and fails to maintain eye contact.
"Mike, I just.. I dunno.."
"It doesn't have to be tonight."
"But I 'want' it to be tonight..! 'Cause today's special! I just dunno when I'm supposed'ta, um.."
"I see."
"Am I just supposed'ta go up and tell him? That sounds weird..!"
"You want it to be at a special time."
"Yeah..!"
"Mm.." I lift my head a bit and do a small sweep of the area, making sure Trudge isn't barreling towards our position. "Midnight?"
"..Midnight?'
"Yeah, well.." I bring my gaze back down. "There's a tradition to kiss your partner at midnight, but that might be a little intense for right now."
"Really..? Why do people do that?"
"Symbolic, I think..? It's like the very first thing you do for the year, so it's more memorable."
Hell if I know.
"Oh.." Chica's head lowers a little, thinking about what it might mean for her.
"You don't have to kiss him or anything, but if you're looking for a special time to tell him something, that's the only idea I have."
"Okay.." Chica responds absent-mindedly.
"..Sorry, I'm not the best person to talk about this with."
...
"S..So I 'can't' kiss h-him?"
I cock an eyebrow, but try my best not to react in any obvious way.
"All I said is that you don't 'have' to. You can do whatever you want."
"He wouldn't like it?"
"I have no idea."
...
"O-Okay.."
Welp. If Chica wasn't 'out of it' before, she sure as hell is now. Not really sure what I was expecting.
"You've only got a few minutes, though. Take things one step at a time and make sure you're at least 'by' him when it turns midnight."
"Huh?"
"As in roughly ten minutes."
"O-Oh!"
Not dedicating enough brain power to say a good-bye, Chica simply runs off in the direction she was originally going before I stopped her.
...
That might've been a lot of information to dump on her in such a little amount of time. It really was the only thing I could think of, though.
Did 'not' think I'd be volunteering myself as a counselor when I grabber Chica's sleeve. Honestly just wanted to know if there was something to prepare for. Hope I didn't give her any bad advice; I really, truly am one of the worst people to talk to about this kind of thing. Never had a partner before.. And likely never will.
- Clack -
A distinctly different sound than the usual footstep emanates from the bottom of the stairs behind me. I don't turn to look at them, but I tilt my head to acknowledge their presence.
"Mike.."
"There you are. Almost missed the show."
As Roxanne positions herself in the side of my vision, I can see that she finally decided to just suck up and wear the lounge-wear I got her a few nights prior.
She crosses her arms as she gets comfortable, her snout drooped a little like she's flustered.
"If I get any 'looks' from anyone, I'm tearing you apart.."
"You're fine. Everyone wears sweatpants, you're freaking yourself out over nothing."
"No one else is wearing any.."
"Everyone else is in uniform because they 'work' here. I can almost promise you that as soon as everyone here gets home, they're changing into what you're wearing."
Roxy slowly inhales like she's going to respond, but eventually decides to gently release the breath.
"You're fine. Nobody thinks it's weird, I promise." I repeat with a little more sincerity this time.
"How come you never wear shit like this, then?"
"I'm working. Even if there's no one but us and the animatronics in the building, it just feels better to wear a uniform while I'm here."
To be honest, this uniform doesn't actually have any markings that suggest that it belongs to the Pizzaplex, so I wear it just about everywhere.. I know that's dumb, but it makes me feel better. Been trying to shake off this 'out-of-place' feeling that's been lingering ever since I made it out of my old pizzeria, but I haven't made much progress.. Weirdly enough, wearing the uniform helps. It makes me feel like the 'night-guard', which is all I've ever been. Connects me to my past in some weird way, and the past is the only place I feel like I belong.
Not telling her that, though. Wouldn't really help my argument at the moment.
Roxanne 'hmphs' under her breath, turning to face the crowd but getting lost in thought in the process.
...
"I prefer it."
Didn't even feel myself saying that, but that was definitely my voice.
"That's 'cause you 'bought' these damn things.."
Think my logic there was that 'if Roxy was willing to change perfumes because I didn't care for it, maybe she'll be more comfortable with my outfit if I say I 'do' like it.' It makes sense to me now, but I'm not even sure I finished that thought process before I spoke.
"Maybe. I think it just blends well with your fur."
Roxy sighs.
"My costume is cooler.."
"It's flashier, I guess. Maybe I just like this because it makes you look like 'regular-Roxanne' instead of 'performing-Roxanne'."
"So?"
"I like the real you."
...
"I'm always the real me.."
"You know what I mean."
"I 'never' know what the hell you're talking about."
"Yes you do."
"Uh-huh."
"Fine, it's like.." I tilt my head upwards a bit to think. "..The Roxanne that's on the stage, playing and performing like her life depends on it is cool and all, you know? The you that's signing autographs and lifting children's spirits is entertaining to watch."
I bring my head back down once I figure out all I want to say.
"But I like the Roxanne that gets under a blanket and watches a movie with me more."
"God-, Mike.." Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Roxanne turn her head to face away from me. "..Do you have to say shit like this with people around..?"
"You wanted an answer."
"I 'want' you to shut the hell up sometimes.."
"What do you want from me?"
- 10! -
Scaring the shit out of both of us, our attention snaps to the crowd.
As the countdown lowers to 9, then 8, I tap on Roxanne's shoulder and point to the direction I saw Chica a moment ago.
Thankfully, it only takes us a couple seconds to spot the duo.
"Watch them. Something might happen in a sec."
"..Okay?"
But as the countdown lowers past 5, I start to lose confidence. Trudge is emphatically fist-pumping in the air with every countdown, and Chica's looking borderline paralyzed.
Chica tries a couple times to timidly tap Trudge to get his attention, but the energy in the latter is overpowering most of his senses, so unless Chica finds the courage to get his attention more forcefully, new years might come and go before she even knows what happened.
I decide to stop thinking for a moment, and just watch what happens.
...
...
- 1! -
The auditorium erupts into a muffled cheers, a bottle or two pops, and there's a combined upward movement, like everyone tried to jump at the same time but only really 'perked'.
There are a 'few' kissers out there, but only between couples that have been together for as long as I've known they exist. There are even a few couples that don't do anything at all, and simply take part in the crowd's excitement.
The former couples are scattered around, not in any one place.. But the two I'm watching aren't one of them.
Trudge is cheering furiously, I can almost hear him from the opposite end of the auditorium. Chica's standing behind him, a little dazed, but quickly tries to take part in the surrounding excitement.
A few seconds pass, and nothing happens..
It might be a little inappropriate, but the sight does make me chuckle a little.
So much for that, I guess. Hope Chica understands that there really isn't any rush, they don't have to get together 'today'.
She seems a little melancholic, but the adrenaline from the crowd does seep into her veins, and she jumps around a bit too.
...
As things settle down back to conversation volume-ish, I glance up in Roxanne's direction. At the same time, she furrows a brow at the two individuals in question, but eventually looks down at me like 'what the hell am I supposed to be looking at?'
I dismiss the topic, and the two of us chat about nonsense for a minute or two. We're only interrupted by the sudden appearance of the Trudge-Chica duo right in front of us. Trudge is dragging Chica along by the hand behind him, not entirely understanding that Chica's energy isn't quite matching his.
"Mike!"
"Hey."
The two skid to a halt in front of us.
"Resolution! Now!"
"..Resolution?"
"Someone's gotta hold you to your resolutions. It's me. I'm him. Tell me your resolution."
I glance in Roxanne's direction, and it's clear that she doesn't intend to rescue me from this situation.
"I haven't thought of one."
"I will be thinking of one for you if that's your final answer."
Absolutely not. Subject change time.
"What are the both of yours? Maybe I'll just steal one from you two."
For a brief moment as I mention Chica, the two of us lock eyes and share a moment of somber understanding. If only I were able to communicate that she'll be perfectly fine through eye-talk alone.
"W-, uh..Whussa resulotion?" Chica stutters out, not wanting to be left out of the conversation.
"It's like a big change that you start the year with. Kinda like you're promising yourself something. It's cool."
"It's cool?"
"It's cool."
Trudge turns back to face me, then immediately remembers that I was asking him a question.
"Oh, uuhhhhhh... Mine isssss..."
"You haven't made one?"
"Shuddup Mike I'm thinking.."
Talking with this man is impossible.
...
"Ooh, I got a good one. They're like changes, right?"
I don't fricken' know dude, 'you' were the one who explained what they were seven seconds ago.
"Something like that."
"Cool." Trudge bends over his shoulder to look at Chica. "Wanna go out?"
Ah.
...
Godammit.. That's not even a resolution.
"H-Huh?!"
"Oh- sorry, I meant romantically. Not like going outside. It's cold outside."
"T-Trudge! D-Don't just-..!" Chica, flustered to the point of a raspberry, emphatically waves her arms a couple times before slapping a hand over Trudge's mouth. "Y-Yes! T-That's fine! Just d-don't say it like that..!"
I stand back and cross my arms, letting the two of them babble incoherently at each other for a few minutes.
Chica tried so hard to make it special, it's as funny as it is exasperating..
Y'know what, whatever. We got what we wanted. I guess that's what's important.
I take a step closer to Roxanne and stand a bit taller so I'd be able to talk as quietly as I needed.
"That's what I was hoping would happen at midnight.. Trudge came and saved the day, I guess."
Roxy takes a while to respond on account of being dazed by what happened two feet in front of her.
"Mike, what in the..?!"
"Mhm."
" 'You' knew about this?"
"Kind of. Everyone knew this would probably happen eventually, but I was just kind of 'hoping' it would be today. Chica wanted it to be today. It was today."
"Holy shit.."
I cock an eyebrow.
"You can't possibly be surprised by this."
"Mike- Yes I can! I had no idea this was going to happen!"
"..You been living under a rock?"
"Fuckin-.. Die, Mike."
As I take a small step back to my normal position, Trudge thrusts a thumbs-up towards me.
"It's cool with you, right?"
"Oh, Yeah.. Why do you need 'my' permission?"
"You're the night-guard. Roxy!"
Wh.. So?!
Trudge shifts his hand from me to Roxanne, Chica's hiding her crimson-feathered face behind her hands in embarrassment.
"Cool with you?"
"U-Um.."
"Cool." Trudge turns around to face Chica again. "How 'bout that?"
"T-That's not what I meant..!"
"Cool." He puts his hands on his hips like he's satisfied with the work he's done. "We shoulda done that forever ago."
"It's good you did that when you did, actually." I butt myself into the conversation. "Chica was hoping to say something at midnight, but she got embarrassed."
"Aw, pfff." Trudge pokes Chica's head through her hands. "You know I woulda said yes, dingus."
"Think the plan was to kiss, actually.." I scratch the back of my head.
Dunno why I felt the need to say that. Pretty sure I just find Chica's flustered face funny. Might be a bit of a dick-move, actually.. Chica's receding like she's trying to actually 'bury' herself in her hands.
"Ohhhh, 'cuz New Years! I shoulda thought of that! Hold on, uhhhhmmm.." Trudge stands up on his toes and whips his head around a bit, spotting something and grabbing Chica's arm. "Found it. C'mere, check this out."
"H-Huh?"
Before Chica realizes what's happening again, the two of them are off.
I stare blankly in the direction they were running, trying to figure out what the plan is.. It isn't until I remember what Trudge was supposed to do regarding Christmas decorations. Trudge was 'supposed' to help with the side of the auditorium they're running to right now, but it's not a big surprise that he must've gotten distracted, since there are still a decent amount of decorations above some of the shops in that area.. There isn't really 'one' in specific, but each area over there usually has a couple mistletoe's hung above some archways or counter tops.
Unfortunately, there's an entire crowd in between them and where Roxy and I are standing, so I don't think we're gonna catch what might happen.. I think I'll survive though. Pretty satisfied where I am right now.
"..What just happened?" Roxanne's baffled voice pierces my thoughts.
"They're going somewhere with a mistletoe."
"What the hell's a mistletoe?"
Oh boy.
"You don't know what a mistletoe is?"
"No? Am I supposed to?"
"Do you think Chica knows what a mistletoe is?"
"No! What the hell are you talking about?!"
"Mm." I turn my gaze back to the crowd. "Might wanna ask Chica about what happened later."
That's hilarious, by the way. If Chica doesn't know what a mistletoe is, then she has NO idea what's about to happen, or why.
...
...
For a moment, there's a single surprised yelp from either Chica or a nearby female day-crew, and a second uproar of cheers erupt from the crowd in front of us shortly after.
I reckon that means the deed's been done.
..Better time than ever to make fun of Rox, I suppose.
"Chica got a boyfriend before you."
"What?"
"Chica got a boyfriend before you."
"..So?"
"I thought you were the 'best'?"
"I 'am' the best."
"Chica got a boyfriend before you."
"That.. Doesn't mean anything.."
Shit-eating smirk time.
"Of course it does."
"Well- Trudge got a girlfriend before you..!"
" 'I'm' purple. I feel like I've got a good excuse. Don't pretend like I'm the 'best' either."
" 'pretend', huh?"
"Mm."
"Thought I was your favorite?"
"You are. I didn't say you were the 'best'."
"Are people usually this much of an asshole to their 'favorite'?"
"You'd be surprised."
"Don't make me get the tape, corpse."
"You can't."
"Uh-huh."
"Freddy took it."
"What?"
"Freddy took the tape."
"..You're bluffing."
"I'm not. Check for yourself."
Roxanne's piercing gaze scans the room for Freddy, and she almost beelines for him, but quickly decides against it.
"Choosing to believe me?"
"No. I just don't want to ruin their 'moment'.."
I follow Roxy's gaze to where Freddy's standing and see what she means.
Freddy 'was' clapping happily, as most of the auditorium is doing. As I turned to look at him however, a green blur practically teleported to Freddy's position, almost toppling him. Now Monty's jumping up and down with stars in his eyes, using one hand to death-hug Freddy and the other to point at where the new couple can probably be found. Freddy, on the other hand, is trying to both survive and desperately pry Monty off of him.
I getcha. Everyone's in such high spirits at the moment that Roxanne stomping over and demanding her tape back would probably upset the atmosphere.
"Mm."
"Don't forget though, corpse. You've still got the whole night with me."
"Temporary truce?"
"No."
"Mkay."
Only a few stragglers are still in the building by now.. A large chunk of the day-crew left soon after midnight hit, but an equally large portion stuck around to eat and talk amongst each other for a while longer.
About an hour passed before people really started to filter their way out of here. Exhaustion must finally be setting in.
As I take my first step down the auditorium steps, I'm met with the comforting observation that everyone has finally congregated in the lobby.
This time, for real, I think things are gonna go back to normal for a while. The last few days have left like an eternity, but.. I think I might finally have a couple days to just 'exist' for a while. No brain-breaking realizations, no arguments, no chompers, no injuries.. Just doin' my night-shift work with the company of the animatronics.
As I reach the bottom of the stairs, a pair of footsteps make their way across the auditorium.
Chica was seriously barely functional for a while there. Sometimes it can feel like her and Trudge have no filter, but Chica's certainly does exist. If the situation is intense enough, she can get embarrassed about things too.
Hell if I know about Trudge. The entire reason things worked out tonight was because of Trudge's 'lack' of filter.
Things seem alright now, though. The two of them are running after each other like usual, heart-filling laughter trailing them wherever they go.
...
Only when their footsteps ring out as they leave the room do I notice the lighter footsteps descending the stairs behind me.
"Arin?"
"Hello."
Look at me. I've interacted with him three whole times today. That's a record.
"Thought you left."
"Not yet, but I will once I'm done here."
"What's up?"
"..Trudge, hm.."
Arin starts his sentence mentioning Trudge, but immediately fails to conjure the words he wanted to follow. Let's see if I can't guess them for him.
"If you're worried how his relationship with Chica will effect things at the Pizzaplex, I don't think you need to be." I start, turning my whole body to face him. "The two of them act the way they do because that's the way they like acting around each other, not because it's how they think they should act since their 'friends'."
Arin stops a few feet short of me.
"Ah.."
"Now that they're dating, I don't think that's going to mean they treat each other any different. If Cooper has any qualms with it, send him to me, I can convince him-"
"No, don't worry about that." He interrupts, waving his hand dismissively. "The two of us have no issues, I was coming to talk to you about something else."
Well, aren't I an idiot.
"Something else about Trudge?"
"Yes." Arin drops his gaze a bit as he tries to piece together what to say. "Trudge insisted there was something I needed to talk to you about."
" 'Trudge' did?"
"Right." He scratches his head lightly. "I don't fully understand, but he said you would."
"Alright.."
"Is there something important regarding your mother that you need to speak to me about? Trudge had insisted that your-"
I'll kill him.