Mable: Enjoy!
Going Home in a Box
Chapter Seventy-Two
"Are you sure about this? You don't have to do this if you don't want to."
"I do want to. Trust me, I know what I want."
"Good, because I would hate to think you were only doing this for me."
"I mean, I would. But I want to too. So, no biggie."
Baby had slightly giggled at that. A momentous feat considering that she was likely nervous.
Baby kept a cool face under pressure, but this was her second time on stage, and it would be for a much bigger crowd. It made Charlie herself nervous and she had been performing for dozens of kids a day at Pirate's Cove. It was a much bigger scale for them both.
But Charlie wanted to do it. If she hadn't, what happened next might've convinced her- Baby looking to her with those shining emerald eyes and giving a sincere and surprisingly vulnerable-
"Thank you, Charlie."
Charlie kept replaying that moment in her head as she sat in her box and listened to Fritz and Mike struggling to get it to roll through the grass. She couldn't help obviously, and she didn't want her nerves to catch up with her, so she settled with a distraction. She let her mind wander and it went back to that conversation. She wasn't sure why; she didn't regret what she said. Though in hindsight she could've maybe done more to assure the clearly tense Baby.
At least she got a laugh out of her. Baby had a nice laugh. It was a shame she covered it up so frequently, but that was Baby. Always trying to be the serious one in total control of herself. Not wanting to betray that beneath all that metal she was a softie at heart.
…
"So, we're in agreement. I'm crushing on Baby in the most embarrassingly cliché way possible," Charlie mentally confronted herself. Her music box tightened, and she began to heat up. She would've been blushing if she physically could, so instead she just had a feeling akin to getting tingly while sitting in a relatively warm car. Then again, that could've been being stuffed in her box. "And now I am going to take that knowledge and I am going to sing with her on stage. And I am not going to screw this up."
Her box was tipped to assist in getting her up some short steps, with Mike and Fritz swearing and snickering respectively as they got it up onto the stage and rolled it into position. Mike gave a couple knocks to the top of the box, Charlie quietly knocked back, and then listened as their footsteps retreated.
It was almost immediately after that when she heard some thumping in movement back towards the steps of the stage. She had a suspicion what it was, but it was only confirmed when she heard something getting wheeled up beside her. Baby.
"You've got this! You've GOT this!" Ennard whispered loud enough that she could hear it. Baby gave a near silent hum of agreement- one that Charlie did not hear- and Ennard was off the stage as fast as he had come on.
Baby only waited long enough for the audience to not be as suspicious when she suddenly came to life and then went straight into character. Her voice light and bubbly.
"Hello, everybody! My name's Ringleader Lizzie and we're going to be having a singsong in just a moment. I hope you will join me! My, there's so many happy faces out today!... And so many stars and stripes!" Baby gasped. "It must be… The Fourth of July! I love the Fourth of July! Is there going to be fireworks? Oh, I should've brought sparklers- Oops, I'm getting a little off-track."
Charlie could hear her wheeling her roller skates back and forth to emphasize. "But I'm not celebrating alone today. I've brought a friend with me!" She knocked on the top of the box quickly. "Wake up, Sleepyhead."
That was her cue. Steading herself one last time, Charlie got into character and popped out of her box. Though took care not to lose her flag printed visor and taped on sunglasses in the process, a few Fourth of July themed accessories to replace her too-hot jacket. Baby's only additional accessories was her plush pig covering her claw and a cluster of red, white, and blue star-studded balloons that had been tied to her back and bobbed in the air above her as she moved.
It was also only now when she caught sight of the Fourth of July celebration in the middle of Hurricane. The parade had been earlier in the day, but the crowd still hung around for the food stalls, carnival games, an oversized bounce house, and the impending fireworks once it got dark. It was still a long way from dark though, with a bright blue sky dotted with clouds stretched above the town. The smell of fresh cut grass and grilling meat hung on the air. It was the perfect summer day for a holiday like this.
Charlie rose from her box in a stretch, yawning like she had roused from a nap. Baby presented her with a wave.
"Lottie the Puppet, everybody! Give her a round of applause."
While they clapped, Baby rolled back just a little bit so she would be able to lean forward without bumping heads while they were exchanging banter. Much to Charlie's relief, she still remembered the lines they had written together even now that she was out of her box and under the gaze of a couple dozen onlookers and whoever decided to pass by in the meantime.
"Have a nice nap, Lottie?" Baby asked. She leaned forward and cocked her head cutely.
"It depends. Where are we?" Charlie asked. She looked around and tilted her own head in confusion.
"We're at-! Umm, I'm not sure. But there's a lot of people here just dying to meet you!"
"Oh, okay." Charlie fanned herself with her hand. "Yikes. Did we have to do this on the hottest day of the year?"
"Mm-hm! Besides, you could use a little sun. You're looking a little pale."
Charlie looked off stage at the audience.
"But it's supposed to be sunny! And that's because… it's the Fourth of July!"
"Oh, Boom Boom Barbeque Freedom Day?"
"No! Hot Dog and Family Time Day! And the freedom to stuff your face and spend as much time with your family as you can stomach. But not just family, friends too!" Baby turned her attention to and addressed the audience. "Lottie and I are best friends! We go back a long, long way. We've known each other since we were babies!"
"In pigtails and onesies, daycare days," Charlie agreed.
"We spent so much time together. When we were kids, we used to have sleepovers every weekend for the whole summer!"
"We didn't get much sleep."
"But we had plenty of fun in the sun!"
"I wasn't so pale back then."
"So, we wrote a song about it!" Baby chirped. "And you all are going to be the first ones to hear it!"
"Maestro, hit it!" Charlie called.
Maestro Ennard heard his cue and turned on the music. A light popish music began playing from the speakers, something that could fit well enough with the summery themes.
"Summer nights and pillow fights, starry skies and fireflies~," Baby began. Her hips swaying and skirt tilting to the beat. "And a couple dozen days spent by your side.~"
"Pretty plastic dollhouses, teddy bears, and puzzle cubes,~" Charlie joined in. Jingling along with the music a little while singing. "Overflowing toy boxes and diving to the bottom with you.~"
"But then you had to go and grow-up, and now I don't know what to do,~" Baby sung in a pouty tone. Only to quickly perk back up with, "But I'm not going to give up! Because I miss spending all my days with you. So…~"
They exchanged a brief look. A signal from Baby, a cue to gear up, and there was no way Charlie was going to miss it. They hit the mark at the same moment, voices melding together.
"What about our Fridays? When we were best friends forever and it couldn't be better. No worries, no cares, I'd rather be there, and I'd go back if I could. And maybe we should. So, are you going my way?... Because I'd love another Friday with you.~"
There was an instrumental pause. During which Baby continued her bouncy little motions as she scanned the audience. Charlie did as well and readied for the next verse; so far so good. She looked back to Baby as she began the next line and was almost immediately surprised when it wasn't the line she was expecting.
"I wasn't always quite so nice. I came with a little sugar and spice, but on the whole the sweetest days of my life were with you,~" Baby sung in a softer tone.
That wasn't the line they rehearsed, but Charlie went along with her own.
"Playing hopscotch on the street. Messy hands and lemonade stands, and popsicle treats.~" This was the same line they rehearsed, but all of a sudden Charlie decided to impulsively improvise on the fly for the last part. To try and match the tone of Baby's previous line. "Life was never too sweet when it was just me and you, and you and me.~"
Baby very slightly tipped her head, noticing the change in lines as well. Charlie could almost imagine the hum she might've gotten if they weren't on stage.
"But then we had to go and grow-up, now what're we going to do?~" she continued. Forcing her smile to not shift and grow as she grinned at Baby. "Well, I'm not gonna give up, until I'm hanging out with you! So-.~"
"What about our Fridays? When we were best friends forever and it couldn't be better. No worries, no cares, I'd rather be there, and I'd go back if I could. And maybe we should. So, if you're going my way, then I'd love another Friday with you.~"
"We lived big 'til the sun went down and now we're going 'round and 'round looking for another day to be like we used to,~" Baby sung, the song briefly dipping to a softer tune and her voice following suit. Her hand clutched to her chest in a hopeful looking way as she turned from the audience to her partner. "And I just can't forget you… So maybe next Friday you'll be here too?~"
"You can count on it," Charlie said sincerely.
Baby gave a pretend giggle. At least, Charlie assumed it was for the audience. Baby seemed so deep into character that she couldn't tell where Lizzie ended and she begun, but she knew for a fact that was what she wanted. Because even if Baby didn't say it, Charlie knew that the more she pretended to be someone else, the easier it was for her to cut lose in a performance. They wrapped up the song together.
"What about our Fridays? When we were best friends forever and it couldn't be better. No worries, no cares, I want to be there, and we could. But if you're going my way, then you better get here soon! Because I don't want to spend another day without you.~"
With a final flourish of music and a spin from Baby, the song ended with a one-armed bow from both. They were rewarded with clapping and only once it died down did Baby go right back into her routine.
"Thank you, thank you! But we're not done yet, nope. That was just the warm-up! Speaking of warming up, Lottie, what's hot and sweet and fits perfectly with a Fourth of July extravaganza?"
"Hmm… A melted ice cream cone?" Charlie asked.
"Close! I'm talking about… barbeque!"
Which eventually led into the bafflingly catchy barbeque song. They went through three more additional songs afterwards; one about fireworks, a variation of Crème de la Crème, and a duet of Heartsick Fever. It continued to go well and without a hitch. The closest thing to it being when Baby's skate briefly got caught on the microphone cord, but she gave a firm yet subtle tug and detached herself with the audience none the wiser. It was going amazingly.
By time they were at the end it felt like time had flown by. There was only one song left, a 'surprise' song. Not really a surprise for Charlie who knew about the plan but hadn't been privy to the song- Baby hadn't decided quick enough to tell her.
"But before we go! I think we have time for one more special song for one more equally special guy. I want to wish a happy, happy birthday to my little brother!" Baby chirped.
"You have a brother?" Charlie asked.
"I have four of them! And since his big day's coming up soon, I wanted to give him my birthday present early!"
Baby looked out into the audience, shielding her eyes with her hand as she peeked out. She saw Mike towards the back in puppeteer garb and face paint, Marionette mounted on his standby his side, far enough past the audience to watch without disturbing the crowd. Both no-doubt resting up from their earlier performance which she had listened to from the van through one of Scott's handheld radios. It was much more important that he saw her show than her seeing his in this case.
"…Even if he's not here. Oh dear. Well, maybe my new friends could listen and tell me how it sounds?" Some of the younger kids in the front agreed. "Wonderful! Now this is a song that's very special to him, and it goes something like this…"
Charlie was expecting a birthday theme, so the sound of calmer music coming over the speaker was a mild surprise. It sounded like Baby was maybe gearing up for something a little softer.
"Come along…~"
Charlie felt a tremble go down her spine.
"Will there be sunshine shining, will we find a silver lining? Come along,~" Baby softly sung. "Sing a song. When today becomes tomorrow, will we find joy or sorrow? Sing a song.~"
This was different from any of the previous songs. Not just because it wasn't one they had written- she heard Marionette chiming the tune once, so that explained why she chose it- but because Baby wasn't doing it in her Lizzie voice. Though the audience wouldn't notice, Charlie noticed the smoothing and softening of her voice until it was virtually identical to how it typically was. In fact, unless she was imagining it, she heard an emphasis on certain syllables that sounded distinctly like a subtle accent.
Almost as though the real Lizzie was coming out.
"We'll paint the grey clouds with pretty rainbow hues. And we'll brush the gloom away, and save it for a rainy day.~"
That was when Baby spared a look Charlie's way. Her eyes half lidded with her thick faux lashes hanging over them. The viridescent glow still as sharp as ever even in the light, drawing her in. It was mesmerizing and Charlie was inwardly panicking.
"Rainy day. Oh, today.~"
The tingles were back. Suddenly Charlie was very aware of her lack of a heartbeat because she knew it would've been racing if it was there.
In Baby's perspective, Charlie was just standing in her box as rigid as a statue. From this angle it looked like her eyes were glowing too, but she couldn't really tell through the thick shades that were already reflecting sunlight. She looked back to the crowd and found Marionette again in the back of the audience. His hands were now clasped together, a gesture so quiet and unnoticeable that anyone else could've overlooked it. She didn't, she knew that he was happy and gladly continued singing.
"Tomorrow is another day. How I hope you'll always stay…~"
The song ended and there was more clapping. Though it was less than Charlie thought was deserved. Baby had nailed the song, at least in her opinion. It took everything in her to not break character and clap, deciding not to risk it.
"Thank you, everyone! Well, it looks like it's time to say goodbye, Lottie. I wish we could stay, but I don't think roller skates will roll or skate on all this grass," Baby said.
"And I think it's time for another nap," Charlie agreed with a stretch. "Too much fun in the sun."
"We'll be back soon! We're only halfway through the year, there's plenty more parties waiting for us! I hope to see you there." Baby gave a friendly wave to the audience. "Goodbye! And have a happy Fourth of July!"
It wasn't long before Ennard was on stage and wheeling 'Lizzie' off, all while she was still waving at an unsuspecting crowd. The clapping, the praise, the excitement had all left her with a pleasant buzz that continued to linger as she was rolled down the makeshift plank ramp and off the stage. She didn't get any further than that before Ennard stopped and hugged her from behind.
"Fourth brother, aww!" he gushed and squeezed.
"I never said it was you," Baby retorted.
Ennard merely giggled and 'beeped' his nose against her cheek affectionately.
Fritz and Natalie walked past collect Charlie and her box off the stage. Mike likely still with Marionette.
"Hey, good job," Fritz congratulated with a pat on Baby's shoulder and a thumbs up.
"You did great!" Natalie agreed.
"Thank you," Baby replied. There was a shakiness in her voice that she hoped they didn't notice. They continued past and Ennard patted her shoulders before continuing to wheel her.
It wasn't more than a few steps before Scott showed up to join them, giving her a side hug and helping lead her to the van. All while giving her quiet words of encouragement. He sounded so proud.
Baby was soaking up the attention like a sponge. It was as though she was in a blurred fog of giddiness. Last time she had spent so much of the aftereffect reeling from the performance, but this time she just took in the rewards.
"You were great. Better than great, you were perfect! They'd be crazy to not have you come back for the festival, y'know. I can ask around if you want, but I think you're a shoe-in."
"She sure is! She's already had two greatshows! That's waaay more than Freddy's ever been able to pull off, ha ha. Least not without a major lawsuit."
"You think you're joking, but, yeah, you're actually right. Freddy's could've never pulled off two shows without something going wrong in one of them. Usually something falling off."
"We've got a sturdy lady here!"
That comment was enough to pull her only briefly out of her high long enough to scoff.
While she was getting taken to and loaded into the van, Charlie was wheeled off the stage and taken to the Foxy van, which was parked close to Scott's. Both parking beside a nearby building with the wall shielding them from most onlookers. It was quite a walk but was worth it for the additional safety. Charlie's box was slid into the van before she climbed out.
"Hey," Fritz said. She looked to him. "Want to go see Baby?" he offered.
"Sure," she agreed.
She scooted over to him, and he carefully took her into his arms before carrying her over to Scott's van. She went limp as soon as he picked her up, head falling back and arms dropping at sides, only regaining mobility when she was set inside.
Baby was already inside and sitting against the wall, against one of the cushions. Charlie pulled the back closed a little to drown out the talking outside- Fritz, Natalie, Scott, and Ennard- and moved to sit alongside her.
"How're you feeling?"
"Good," Baby replied.
"You should, because we nailed it," Charlie said with a grin.
"We did! I'm- I'm not surprised, but also I am. I just kept expecting a disaster. Sabotage, something," Baby semi-rambled. Even she was surprised at the state of her voice, how wired she felt. Like Ringleader Lizzie was still taking ahold of her.
Charlie could hear the happiness in her voice, but also took note of the trembling in her hand with a little more concern.
"Liz, you're shaking," she noted, looking at her hand. It clenched in response, trying to still itself.
"I know. I'm not sure why. It wasn't any more strenuous than last time?" Baby said questioningly. "…It went perfectly. I'm just coming down from it," she decided. She started trying to get her pig plush off when Charlie stepped in.
"Here, let me help," she offered. She crouched on one knee and began to gently pull the pig plush off Baby's tightened claw.
It was then when the van doors unexpectedly opened.
"Hey, I saw the show!" a familiar and cheerful voice remarked. Jessica's familiar and cheerful voice.
Charlie only had a second to process her position and what Jessica could be thinking seeing only her back and immediately panicked.
"Hey! I'm just helping Baby take her pig off!" she shouted. She continued working the pig up before stealing a look up at Baby.
She was giving her an incredulous look. If Charlie had looked back at Jessica, she would've seen a similar one on her face too, though hers with pursed lips as well.
"Thank you, Captain Obvious, but I can take it from here," Baby remarked without bitterness. She lifted a lid in exchange for raising an eyebrow and took over pulling the pig off the rest of the way.
"Uh, no problem," Charlie replied with a grin. She sat back and looked to Jessica whose face shifted back to a smile before she did.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to fly in here. I just wanted to catch you before you left. That was great! You guys were incredible," Jessica congratulated.
"Thanks!" Charlie replied. She finally took off her visor and sunglasses.
"Thank you," Baby said as well. She appreciated the compliment regardless of her quietness, and absentmindedly rubbed her sore wrist. Her claw having clamped up so tight during the performance- and at the sight of the young kids- that it felt like a cramp. "I couldn't have done it alone. Or I suppose I could have, but it wouldn't have been nearly as entertaining without the banter."
"I'll say. Did you rehearse that?" Jessica asked. She sat down in the back of the van, crossing her arms across her chest.
"For hours. I'm not that good at improv," Charlie admitted. "Where's everyone else?"
"Floating around outside," Jessica replied.
"Caught in Ennard's orbit, no doubt," Baby quipped.
"They do want to come congratulate you guys if it's alright," Jessica asked.
With Baby shaky and always very aware of her image, Charlie wasn't so sure if she would be on board with visitors so soon after the show. Yet when she looked towards the clown for a signal or a look, she offered neither. Instead focusing on rubbing at the wires that connected her claw to the rest of her arm.
"Think you can stall them for a few minutes so we can sort of…" Charlie made a vague gesture down at herself. "Shake off the performance?"
"You've got it," Jessica promised with a wink. Something in that look suggested she was suspecting something else.
Charlie returned something unenthused and watched her hop out and close the back again. Then she turned back to Baby.
"I don't want my friends to crowd you. I can take this over to Fritz's van and come back before we leave."
"No, it's fine. I can handle them. If I could handle an audience of that size, I can surely handle your friends," Baby affirmed. Finally starting to sound like her old self. Charlie scooted a little closer. Baby looked up at her with a questioning, "Hmm?"
"Can I?" Charlie asked. Holding out her hand in reference for Baby's arm.
Baby offered up her claw with little hesitation. Charlie took it in both of hers, resting it partially on her bent leg, and began to feel over the wires checking for any looseness. Her clever fingers carefully feeling and manipulating the wires without pain. There was no discomfort, and Baby couldn't help but watch her work with interest. Appreciating the feeling of being doted on, admiring the technician at work.
"Just a little tense," Charlie finally concluded.
"The understatement of the day," Baby remarked.
Charlie chuckled a little and continued to gently work her claw joint in her hand, trying to work out the lingering tightness.
"You were amazing today," she said sincerely.
Baby felt butterflies in her belly.
"Thank you. You were too…" Her voice was significantly meeker than it had been moments before. She laid her hand on top of Charlie's. "Thank you for doing this with me."
"No problem! You're my best-…"
The last word hung there without being said. Charlie caught it at the last second and she didn't know why at first. Suddenly there was a ticking clock in the back of her head, bearing down and daring her to finish the sentence. To make a sudden impulsive decision.
"We sang a song about it," Baby reminded with mild amusement.
Charlie smiled awkwardly. "You're my girl."
There was a brief pause as Baby processed the words. Then they suddenly sunk in, and her eyes popped open.
"…What?" she finally squeaked.
Charlie instantly lost any nerve she had. "My girl! My- My best friend, my number one lady," she fumbled out, trying desperately to smooth it over.
"…What?" Baby repeated. She was only slightly less flustered than Charlie was.
The Security Puppet give a nondescript slew of noises that might've been a raced-out excuse and turned to desperately open the back. Waiting for Ennard to finish gushing over Carlton and Marla's match novelty hats before beckoning them in.
Baby was even less prepared now to face her friends, but she still had her head stuck on the stage, so she was able to pretend nothing happened without anyone noticing. Even if she hadn't, Charlie was still acting odd enough to draw attention away from her.
Good old Charlie, dredging up questionable feelings during times she really needed to focus.
Her best friend… Her girl.
…
As Baby and Charlie were removed from the stage, Mike tried to discreetly move Marionette away from the audience before he could draw any attention and get them stuck with a crowd of their own. He was guiding the frame back across the grass to the closest pavement when Marionette reached back and stealthily laced their fingers. In seconds his voice began to flood into Mike's head.
"That was beautiful. She sings like an angel," Marionette remarked. Even though only thoughts, he sounded like he was on the edge of tears. Choked up by his sister's early birthday gift.
"Runs in the family. Want to drop in and thank her?" Mike offered.
"…Let's give them a few minutes. They need to get in the van. I don't want to draw any extra attention while they do," Marionette suggested. He certainly wanted to go after and congratulate her, but he couldn't crowd her. At least not when they were still out in the open.
"Sounds like a plan. Want to take a look around?"
"I would love to."
Mike got the frame out of the thicker grass and began to wheel them past the stalls where he could get a better look at the celebration. He naturally attracted attention but none that would arise suspicion. More than a few kids came up to say high and Mike 'made sure to have his puppet greet every one'. A few people took pictures but whether or not Marionette was relaxed enough to show up in them wouldn't be known until they were developed.
One of the people who took pictures was a teenager with pink hair who worked for her high school paper. One who seemed at least somewhat aware of the old Freddy's regardless of their attempts to detach. Though she wasn't as intrusive as she was curious.
Which was fine on its own until the girl showed off her Freddy's knowledge by dropping an unexpected comment.
"He's a Freddy's original. Circa nineteen eighty-seven. Don't tell Freddy's. They might try to come back for him, and I only have one bat to beat them off with and no cash to bail myself out afterwards."
"That's so crazy!... Wait, eighty-seven? Isn't that when that kid got bit?" she asked. He hesitated and she took it as him not knowing what she meant. "Okay, so, there was this kid who stuck his head into the mouth of one of the robots and it like, clamped down and he had to get emergency brain surgery. But here's the spooky part! They never said which of the robots did it… But I'm guessing it wasn't this guy." She pointed towards Marionette.
"Nah, this guy's got a pretty tight alibi," Mike remarked. He proceeded to kick himself for making what sounded like a joke but it was the kneejerk reaction.
Marionette chimed but Mike made an effort to detach from the conversation after that, not sure how the Puppet was really handling that unexpected confrontation. It turned out he shrugged it off rather quickly.
"Well, that came out of nowhere. Are you okay?"
"From that? Of course! I've always found irony funny," Marionette replied. It didn't sound like he was covering and there was no spike in temperature, though he did glance towards Mike with a sly, "A pretty tight alibi."
"Tighter than Fredbear's teeth?" Mike dared to joke.
"That's awful, you know that?" Marionette said, the clear amusement in his voice showing that he took no offense.
"I know. I just have no impulse control."
"I know that very well."
They figuratively laughed off the encounter and moved along.
Mike continued to wheel Marionette around the celebration. For someone like him, this festival wasn't much to look at. Just a basic get-together in the middle of town. Yet with Marionette there, with the idea that he was stealthily giving him yet another outdoor experience that he could hang onto, it made it much more special. Not to mention the giddy feeling that accompanied that slight skirt of danger. Parading their little secret around town who no one was the wiser.
But that wasn't the only thing in Mike's mind. Baby's song had reminded him once again- as though he had forgotten- that Marionette's birthday was coming very soon, at the end of the month.
Considering all of what he had to put up with this year and last, Mike wanted to make it a special one. That's why he had gone all out with the gift, though that wasn't enough in his opinion. A gift could only go so far, but a memorable birthday was something just as, if not even more special.
When it came to communicating through telepathy, it wasn't a matter of just thinking something and it being transmitted. Mike had to make up for the fact that he wasn't telepathic in any way. He had to effectively think hard and loud. It was weird to describe, but he had become accustomed to it. His hand still discreetly resting on Marionette's back, looking like he was holding him to keep him from swinging, he forced more thoughts through.
"What do you want to do for your birthday? The party thing's got to be getting old after, what, ten a week?"
"Parties are eternal. Though yes, I do feel old," Marionette joked. "But I'm not sure yet. I would love to do something special, but I wouldn't want to get in the way of anyone else's plans."
"It's your birthday, it's your choice. Besides, I think we can manage more than one event a day. We crank parties out faster than that."
Marionette chimed a little. From an outside listener it might've just sounded like random music, or maybe a ringtone.
"I'm not sure. Let me think…"
Marionette trailed off as he looked off towards the bounce house. That too brought back some memories, though sneaking into the Pizzaplex to fool around in a bounce house was a risk. Though not entirely off the table. The Puppet continued to stealthily look around and think and Mike strolled along with him, taking in the ambience.
"You know what I want to do for my birthday?... I want to live dangerously!" Marionette finally proclaimed.
"Bounce house it is," Mike thought. That time unintentionally projecting the thought. Marionette inwardly chuckled and outwardly chimed.
"Not that. Although that is an excellent idea. Let's keep that one on the table," he agreed. "Why don't we go spelunking? Like you did with Fritz and Jeremy!"
Wherever that had come from it caught Mike completely off-guard. He was about to break into a sweat, and he couldn't tell if it was just the thought of spelunking again or the smoky heat blowing past from a large grill.
"Where did THAT come from?" Mike asked.
"Well, first I was thinking of the bounce park, and then I got to the daycare, then into the plastic tunnels, and somehow that became cave diving in a real live cave. Mike, that would be incredible! Could we do that?" Marionette asked. It was Mike's worst fear: Marionette sounded excited about it.
But that shouldn't have been a problem. His last spelunking trip was pretty uneventful- if you ignored the panic-stricken elephant in the room. Not to mention that if he got Marionette into a cave, likely he would be able to hide him well enough that there wouldn't be much risk. He wouldn't be at a risk of getting trapped, and if he did, Marionette would probably be helpful in getting him out. If not, he could likely get to the car and call Fritz who could then call for help.
When Mike thought about it like that, it wasn't anymore risky than taking Marionette camping.
But Mike was definitely sweating now. He moved them further away from the wafting smoke.
"You sure that's what you want to do?" Mike asked. Trying to sound as casual as possible.
"I am! Unless you don't want to. I wouldn't drag you underground unless you were a willing participant," Marionette playfully added.
He was getting an out. Any smart person would've eagerly taken that out while they could, but Mike didn't always choose his brain over his heart when it came to Marionette.
"I'm in if you are," Mike said. Brushing off his concerns and exactly what he was 'in' with that decision.
Marionette was delighted and that was the end of it for then. They continued wandering around until they went to go visit Baby.
Over the next couple of weeks, Mike got together the stuff to go spelunking- the stuff he really should've had last time- and the two used the office computer afterhours to do a little research on possible caves. They ended up finding one that was supposedly easy and safe- as safe as an underground cave could be. The only catch being that it required a permit, which Mike was able to acquire before the planned excursion without much trouble. There wasn't even a fee.
But that didn't mean they were going to do it. The week before the big day, Mike had checked the forecast and noticed there was going to be rain for a chunk of the following week. There was supposed to be rain directly on Marionette's birthday. As excited as he was, and he was excited, Marionette wouldn't go caving in the rain. Flash floods were all too common and both were very aware that it wasn't worth the risk.
This probably wouldn't cancel the trip for good, just postpone it. It took the weight off Mike's shoulders as he became comfortably convinced that he was off the hook.
Fate always did its best to fool with Mike. Not only did July 28th fall on a Wednesday, meaning that Pirate's Cove was closed- which would normally be great but not as much today- but it also happened to fall on a bright and sunny day despite the warning of rain earlier in the week. Those clouds cleared up days ago and it was nothing but blue sky for Marionette's birthday.
Which, again, would've been great if this didn't also fall on the day that Mike agreed to go belly crawling through a cave. But he was a man of his word and was determined to get in and out of that cave before the party, without Marionette noticing anything amiss.
They drove up to the cave mid-morning. This time Mike showed up prepared. He wore clothes he was prepared to get scuffed including boots, work gloves, and had even bought a headlamp hardhat in advance, and brought a spare backpack from the Prize Counter to carry some spare supplies.
He also made sure that everyone who knew them knew exactly where they were going. Not that he was too concerned. While he had a chance of getting stuck, Marionette did not, and he was the only person bendable enough to help pull him out.
"Okay," Mike said with an exhale. He patted his hands on the steering wheel and looked over at Marionette in the passenger's seat. "You ready?"
"More than ever," the Puppet confidently responded.
"Then here we go."
Taking one more deep breath, Mike got out of the car and made his way over to the cave. It was close enough that he could walk over there, make sure nobody was there, and signal Marionette before beginning to climb down inside.
It was a low cave filled with loose dirt, one that almost immediately opened after the entrance into a wider room. Though it had a low ceiling it was already leagues better than the tight tunnel he was expecting. Unfortunately, he didn't get far before he found himself face to face with a metal gate held closed with a sturdy padlock. He quirked a brow and checked the padlock, but it was closed tight and the gate wasn't budging.
"It's locked?" Mike questioned. Marionette came up beside him to see and Mike cracked a smile, barely holding back a snicker at how comically the Puppet was bent forward to fit into the cave. With his legs lifted to not touch the dirt, he looked like he could tip over.
"How strange. How do people get in?... Didn't you get the permit?" Marionette asked with an edge of suspicion, side-eyeing the man.
"I did, but the guy didn't say anything about needing a key," he assured. He released the lock. "Well, this has been fun. Looks like it's time to head home."
Marionette gave him an amused smile and Mike returned it, then watched as the Puppet took the lock in his hand and made short work of it.
"There we are!" Marionette proclaimed. He pushed open the gate and hung the padlock on the latch it once sealed. Then he led the way further inside.
"…I'm starting to wonder if the locked gate is a sign," Mike remarked, shining his headlamp and flashlight around to illuminate the space.
"It's a sign nobody else is in here," Marionette coyly answered.
"Good point."
For a while they could make it through just walking and though the ceiling was low, Mike found himself much more comfortable with this arrangement. But it couldn't last forever and soon the room led to a rocky, narrow passageway down further into the caves.
Marionette all but dove in headfirst, using his hands to climb down the rocks as he looked wide-eyed at his surroundings. It was all so new. Even without much to look at it felt so interesting to him.
Mike followed down feet first, carefully climbing over the lodged rocks. It was now a little harder to see, as his lights were restrained by the small space, and the air was growing thick and stuffy. With the ceiling steadily lowering to meet him closer and closer, Mike decided it was a good time for a distraction and spoke up.
"So, if I may ask, what made you choose caving?" he asked.
Marionette laughed, his chiming reverberating in the small space. "You waited until now to ask?!"
"Yeah, I'm a real standup guy," Mike said with a slight grunt as he worked himself further down.
"Curiosity. I've never seen the inside of a real-life cave before. It's about time I did. Have an adventure; live a little!" Marionette said. "I am quite content where I am, but recently I've been a little more… intrigued by the outside world. I'd love to see a little more of it."
"You know what we could do? Sometime, not now. I need to go visit my grandparents. I could take you with me," Mike offered.
"Really?!" Marionette was downright ecstatic at the news. So much so that he spun his head around to look back at him. "I would love that! I would love to see them! Even if they can't see me. Do they still have the barn?"
"As far as I know," Mike answered with a grin.
Marionette trilled, a comforting sound in the otherwise quiet cave. "I'd love to see it."
They continued making light small talk as they edged further into the cave and Mike was starting to feel like he was getting a handle on the unease. The adrenaline spike he was expecting hadn't quite kicked in yet, but he was in shape enough that he wasn't getting winded either. It was nothing like last time. The cave was a lot less overbearing- though longer, but he brushed that thought off. They followed the sporadic green flag markers deeper into the cave.
"Oh, Mike, look!" Marionette said. His voice breaking a momentary silence. He had gotten a little ahead without noticing it. "Shine your light over here."
Mike scooted over and did as requested, and much to his surprise the ceiling glistened under the bright lights. Not exceptionally bright, but a noticeable sparkle from minerals dotting the stone.
"Take a look at that," Mike remarked. "The guy I talked to at the office said something about crystals. These don't look like that, but it's still something."
"It's beautiful," Marionette enthused.
"Hold on…" Mike slid off the black and white striped backpack, unzipped the puppet face pouch, and fished out the camera stashed inside. After unwinding a layer of bubble wrap, he scooted back and got into place. "Smile!"
The Puppet snapped his head towards him with a smile and tossed up a peace sign. Mike eagerly snapped a couple of pictures of him and the wall, though more of him. Afterwards, Marionette held out his hand, silently asking for the camera. He scooted further down the rocks and reached to hand it to him, only to feel a light tug and have the camera jump out of his hand and right into Marionette's fingers, to which he eagerly lifted it to his eye to return the gesture.
"Your turn."
"Hang on." Mike readjusted his headlamp a little and brushed some of the dust off his pants before reclining back onto the rocks with his arms behind his head and a devilish grin. "Ready."
"Oh, very good~," Marionette trilled. He took the picture. "Definitely going into the album." He took another one.
"What album?" Mike jokingly asked.
"The pile of photos I have stashed in the nightstand."
"Oh, THAT album. Right."
Marionette chuckled, chimed, and reached out to plop the camera back into Mike's hand. "Let's keep going. There might be more farther in," he encouraged.
Mike felt a noticeable clench in his lower gut but ignored it and got up off the uncomfortable rocks to continue down.
The cave tightened up a bit more. Still not to the point of belly crawling, largely because it was at a downward angle, but noticeably. Enough so that his breathing sounded louder, and his lights were much less reliable for distance.
As it grew a little too tight to float through, Marionette began to crawl. Limbs eagerly twisting to propel him along, body smoothly contorting to pass through the narrow space. The way Marionette climbed and maneuvered around on the rocks could've been terrifying to the untrained eye, but it was always fascinating to Mike. Though his full attention wasn't on it, especially once they got a little distance between them and he only caught flashes of black fabric and stripes around the rocks.
That was when it started creeping back up on him. His jaw held tight as he tried to ignore it. Because at this point it wasn't even the cave that was causing the anxiety to swell, it was the dread that an attack would creep up on him. That he would have up with it- and not just the symptoms either, but having it happen in front of Marionette on the one day he didn't want to throw off his vibe. He wasn't going to let that happen.
He was so distracted that he almost missed the other's voice.
"It looks like the path splits up here. Can you imagine having to come all the way down here just to find the appropriate tunnel?" Marionette remarked. Mike's answer was delayed. "…Mike?"
"Sorry, I hear you. I was just focused," Mike assured. It could've been believable as he was currently getting him down and through an awkwardly low section of ceiling.
But the Puppet had noticed that his usually wise-cracking other half had been rather subdued. Most noticeably after they had stopped to take pictures. He turned back, only now realizing how much distance had come between them as he was exploring ahead. He quickly climbed back to him.
"Mike, if I may, you've been unusually quiet," he softly prodded.
"Just trying to keep the dust out of my mouth," Mike casually deflected.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah." Mike exhaled as he squeezed past a rock and then looked up from the floor to come almost face to face with Marionette. He flinched a little. "Whoa! Give a guy a warning. I'm only sitting in a cave in cougar country."
"Oh, sorry! I was just checking for this dust. I wouldn't want you filling up before the party," Marionette apologetically joked.
But he noticed that something was amiss. Not only was Mike distracted but he was also uncharacteristically jumpy. A far cry from the sturdy rock he was used to, especially when he was somehow startled by him.
Mike noticed Marionette's staring- it would've been hard to miss with him now right in front of him. "What's up?" he asked.
"I could ask you the same thing," Marionette replied. The slight concern in his voice sanded over as he gently continued, "What's got you so tense, hmm? If you're worried about all this, don't be. You know I'll keep you safe."
"There's nothing to worry about. I'm just… Okay, I had a slight panic attack last time I was down in one of these, and sometimes that puts me on edge. I don't know, I've done plenty of stuff more dangerous than this. I don't know why getting mildly jammed up in a hole in the ground's the one that stuck with me," Mike admitted. At this point it was better to just be out with it than hide it and risk putting Marionette through more worry.
That wasn't to say that Marionette wasn't concerned by the confession. His eyes widened in surprise.
"You didn't tell me about that… Mike, I wouldn't have made you come down here if knew that! Why didn't you tell me?" he lightly scolded.
"I didn't think it was going to be a problem. It's not a problem, I'm just a little tense. I'll be fine once the adrenaline kicks back in," Mike excused. "It's no big deal. You wanted to come down here and I wanted to do something special for your birthday. Win-win."
"It's not a win-win when one of us loses…"
"Eh, I'll lose when I'm dead."
"…Do you want to turn around?" Marionette offered. He reached out and took his hand, squeezing it affectionately. "We can. I won't be upset."
"No, I can handle it. We're already halfway through if we're hitting the other routes," Mike said. He squeezed back and took a deep breath. "I'll tell you if it gets any worse, but I don't want to be and the mercy of this thing."
"Okay… Okay, then we'll finish up. Together. If you're sure," Marionette agreed. He leaned in and pecked him on the cheek. "I love you."
"Love you too, Birthday Boy," Mike said genuinely.
"Call me that again and I may seriously consider ditching you in here," Marionette jokingly threatened.
"Got it, Boss. I'll save it for the party."
With the following scoff and chime, things seemed to lighten up. Mike still felt a little off, but Marionette stuck close and that gave him a little more grounding every time something began to tense or tighten.
He still had that feeling like something big was about to go down. That any second now they were going to have a close encounter with danger, and he was prepared for it. Standing on that edge waiting to jump back if something reached out.
…But in this case, Mike's hunch was wrong and he knew it. He didn't slip and break his leg on a loose rock. Marionette didn't lose his grip and crack his porcelain on the stone. All of the things he expected in vivid detail were not coming, and even though he shouldn't have been surprised- he knew all of this was in his head- he was still relieved when he caught sight of sunlight. They had reached the end of the route in one piece.
"And there we are! We've made it!" Marionette cheered triumphantly. He turned to Mike with a beaming smile. "How are you feeling?"
"Not too shabby," Mike said with his own grin. As a matter of fact, he was feeling a little proud of himself.
"Good!" Marionette chirped. He pulled him into a congratulatory hug, relieved and delighted himself.
Mike was feeling pretty good. Maybe it was the confidence of pulling through, of spiting his own irrational reflexes, or maybe just the triumph of successfully clearing the cave. Or it could've been the adrenaline that was finally starting to give him a slight buzz. He felt good enough that he was tempted to take another risk, maybe not yet ready to pack up and leave.
"So, how far are we from the car?" Marionette asked.
"Not that far. It should just be around that way…" Mike pointed. "…But." He dropped a hand on Marionette's shoulder with a cheeky grin.
"Oh no. That look," the Puppet remarked. "What are you thinking?"
"Want to take a whack at one of the other tunnels while we're here?"
It was the second time that Mike has taken Marionette aback today. He almost didn't think he was serious at first, but that smile said too well that he was considering the idea. But with everything in consideration, the Puppet was a little more hesitant.
"I'm not sure if that's such a good idea… We might not be ready to tackle a more difficult cave. Someday, I'm sure! But maybe not today?" Marionette suggested with an apprehensive smile.
Mike knew why he would be a little hesitant. If not out of worry for Mike pushing too hard, then perhaps concern that they really would get stuck.
"Good point," Mike agreed. He tapped his fingers on his leg and considered their options. "…Want to go back the way we came? Might give us a new perspective, or at least a workout."
"Are you up to that?" Marionette asked tentatively, a little more intrigued.
"I'm good to go. The high's kicking in and I'm ready to go ride it out," Mike insisted.
"Hmm… Well then." A much more natural smile spread across his porcelain mask. "I'm in."
So, they turned around and headed right back into the cave. This time Mike was determined to get threw it without even a single hiccup.
Unfortunately, Mike didn't entirely consider the fact that since he spent most of the time going down in the cave that turning around would mean going back up. It was significantly more of an effort to go up than down, but not enough to make him turn back. Though the number of times he bumped his head on the low ceiling was making him almost consider it. At least he was getting his money's worth for the impulse hard hat purchase.
There was a moment when he was squeezing through one of the narrowest sections when he came through and found Marionette's hand waiting for him. He eagerly accepted it and got a helpful tug up to where he needed to be. He didn't think about it at the time, but he reflected back on it later, how perfectly it summed up the experience. Him fumbling around in the darkness and suddenly a gentle hand helping him through.
And somehow, driving home covered in dirt while an equally dusty Marionette sat curled up in a tarp looking like a wrapped body, Mike fell in love all over again.
…
Mike and Marionette stopped by the house to change and shower off some of the dust before heading over to Foxy's. The house was empty when they got there with everyone having already left. Despite the temptation to take advantage of the time alone, likely by relaxing on the couch and watching some television together, they kept their time there brief. Just sticking around long enough to get themselves looking presentable.
Marionette hummed happily as he tied on one of his red bows on his neck. It was such a far cry from the first birthday they celebrated together, one where he spent so much of it afraid of his Happiest Day that he could barely celebrate the day happily. Until he was absolutely sure that it wouldn't be his last one. Now here he was ecstatic, eager to get to Foxy's and join the party. It was such a difference.
And the bowtie was an excellent choice. It was going to fit perfectly with his gift. Not that Mike was going to dare tip him off this close to showtime, instead tossing him a compliment and leaving it at that.
They drove over to Foxy's and pulled around back to find the vans parked close to the backdoor. Just seeing both Fritz and Scott's vans was a dead giveaway that everyone was already here.
"Last chance to back out," Mike offered.
"Not without my cake," Marionette declared. He looked to him with a playful glint in his eye. "I'll see you inside."
Then he vanished from the car and Mike was left to catch up. Not that Marionette got far. He teleported into the hallway just beyond the backdoor only to find all the lights off. It would've been a little eerie if he didn't catch the distant murmur of voices.
He knew exactly what was coming, and it was a good thing he seldom got stage fright because he knew he was about to be the center of attention. His music box tightening and lowly trilling in excitement as he waited for Mike to let himself in, which he did a few moments later. They exchanged a look but not a word. Mike gestured for him to go ahead, and Marionette led the way, eyes alighting with excitement as he peered into the darkness.
He paused and braced himself for a moment before heading out into the dining room. He didn't get a chance to see through the darkness before the lights flicked back on.
"SURPRISE!"
A chorus of voices calling out slightly ahead and behind of one another, the sound of a couple of plastic noisemakers, and the distinct thump from Michael bumping his head on a table. So many people popped out of hiding and yet they were all friends and family who he knew so well. Marionette tossed up his arms in exaggerated surprise but was quite happy to see all of them.
Foxy hopped down from his stage- Jeremy, Louise, and Plushtrap following out behind him, with the last one getting scooped up on the first's shoulders as they did- and hurried over to his brother before anyone else could get a chance.
"Happy Birthday, Marion!" he greeted. He sent a questioning shrug past at Mike. "What's the deal, Schmidt? I thought ya were visiting the cave, not settin' up shop in it."
"Turns out you don't crawl through a cave as fast as you think you will," Mike replied.
Foxy quickly swooped in for a hug that Marionette eagerly embraced. He patted his back, then felt over his back, and then pulled them apart and shot him a questioning look.
"Why're ya wet, lad?"
"I had to clean up a bit before I came in. The cave was extremely dusty."
"What did ya do, spray yerself down with a hose?"
Marionette laughed and decided to not inform Foxy that he could handle a few seconds in a shower. Mike just grinned to himself and kept his mouth shut.
"Eh, it's fine. Stand under the lights, they'll dry ya out," Foxy said. Hooking an arm around his brother, he led him over to the others. More specifically gunning to lead him towards their other siblings and Charlie, who quickly came up to meet them on the way.
Mike decided to stay back and give Marionette some time with everyone else. He had more than enough time already- a quick glance at his watch reminded him that they were over an hour late. Not that anyone was really going to push a schedule onto a birthday party- save Foxy, of course. Fritz walked up from the table he had been hiding beneath.
"How'd it go?" he asked
"Good up until I decided it was a good idea to climb back up the cave," Mike replied. He took a deep breath and gave a more honest, "Better than I thought. Almost flared up about halfway through, but we made it."
"That's good! We were thinking about you," Jeremy added in as he walked up. Plushtrap still straddling his shoulder and resting on his head while Jeremy held his back. "Not enough to go after you. You couldn't pay me to go back in a cave."
"Actually, it was way better than the cave we went into. Most of the time it was open, pretty much no crawling, and the hardest part was just keeping my head down."
"…Okay, you might be able to pay me to go into that."
"Don't tempt him. He will save up the money to get you down there," Fritz warned. Mike audibly shushed him.
All the while Marionette started to mingle with the party guests, greeting his siblings and friends and welcoming them to a party he himself only just arrived at. Only briefly sidelined by getting blindsided by Ennard and nearly taking Carlton down in the process. Not long after he spotted Chrissy standing nearby, wanting to come see him but hesitant to walk up with the crowd surrounding him. So, he instead went to meet her and kept her close by for most of the party, which she appreciated.
The party started off great. Someone brought Pin the Tail on the Donkey, a rather standard game. It started off well enough until Marionette tied on the blindfold and, right before he was about to spin around, got an idea and requested someone bring out the office chair. Which resulted in what was sure to be his staple party trick from now on: spinning around in an office chair at lightning speed while Foxy and Ennard goaded him on.
Charlie had warned him about last time and when that didn't work, made sure to stand in front of Chrissy. Pretty much everyone else who was watching was doing so from a safe distance.
"Someone ought to slow that thing down before he flies off," Fritz warned, likely hinting for Mike to do so.
Unfortunately, this prediction came a little too late. Not long after he said that Marionette also got the idea to slow himself down before getting up. He tried to slow himself with his legs and was pulled forward, causing the chair to teeter and wobble. He reflexively fell back onto levitation to stabilize himself and it promptly flung him in a random direction. He careened into Balloon Boy who gave a resounding "OOF" before falling back in a heap with Marionette's tangled limbs.
Partygoers rushed to their aid only to realize very quickly that the two were fine. Save for Marionette having to ride out the dizziness on the floor and Balloon Boy's bruised pride- he only gave one complimentary laugh at the incident and then no more.
The cake went much more smoothly. Tabitha had baked it and brought it out herself, seemingly not ready to give up credit. Nobody could blame her; it was clear she had gone out of her way to make it special.
The cake was small since Marionette couldn't eat it himself. It was easier just to make a small one that looked nice and throw in a sheet cake for the humans and the few animatronics who were willing to sacrifice their dignity for some delicious empty calories. It had white frosting with red piped edges and a matching 'ribbon' around the middle. Marionette admired the cake with glee for a good while before waving out the candles.
It was the first year that Mike hadn't noticed a hesitation before he waved out the candles. He wasn't sure whether to read that as Marionette already knowing what he would wish for or him having no fear of what may happen if he got it. Or if he was just so distracted by the jovial scene around him that he didn't even spare the thought. Any of those options were perfectly fine by him.
Then it was finally time for the gifts. Which was announced by Mike sweeping aside the cake just in time for Foxy to drop a giftbox on the table.
"I regret sayin' this, but this be a team effort," Foxy confessed.
"Oh? I wonder what it is," Marionette said thoughtfully. As though the fact that it was a flat box that looked similar to the one they used for Charlie's jacket wasn't any indication. He carefully peeled back the balloon dotted wrapping paper.
Soon he had gotten down to the box and lifted the lid and peeled away the tissue paper to see what waited inside.
If he could breathe his breath would've caught at the sight of dark purple inside of the box. Though any questions were answered as he lifted the fabric and it unfurled and revealed its true form.
It was a coat. One who's length could've perhaps resembled a pirate's coat but lacked the costume details to denote it as such. He guessed it would likely reach his knees.
Its main color was that vivid purple, but it was also accompanied by red accents. Such as a red band around the middle that resembled a belt. The cuffs were also red with two additional, horizontal, matching stripes above them on the sleeves, resembling Marionette's arm stripes that would be hidden beneath them. The red distinctly matched the usual color he preferred for his cheeks and lips.
There were three golden buttons on the chest that disguised the fact that the coat had a hidden zipper that kept it closed. The inside was soft and silky, and he could tell from touch alone that it would chafe against his own velveteen texture. It wasn't a heavy jacket either, feeling light enough that it wouldn't get cumbersome during work.
The most intricate and important part of the jacket was the back of it, and as fate would have it that was the last part Marionette had revealed to him.
The red band circled around the back of the waist and overtop a matching vertical stripe that went from under the collar all the was down the back to the split of the coattails. The red band and striped purposefully resembling the ribbon of a present. To punctuate this, on the upper back and laying over the vertical stripe, there was an embroidered decal of a gift box- white with a black ribbon.
It was beautiful. It was so beautiful in fact that despite the fact he was expecting it- Mike randomly taking measurements of him while getting Charlie's jacket done tipped him off- it knocked him off his feet seeing it in person.
"So, what's the verdict?" Mike asked. His smile giving away that he already had an idea what it was.
Marionette expressed his delight for the jacket with a slew of exclamations that were all but lost under the trilling and chiming that also spilled forth.
"It's so pretty!" Chrissy chimed in. It was a rather good summary of Marionette's own thoughts.
"Well, try it on, Lad! Let's see how it looks!" Foxy encouraged with a soft thump on the back.
Marionette promptly rose from his chair and slid on the coat. It fit perfectly and he spun around to further show off the jacket and feel it in motion. He then looked up to the others excitedly.
"How do I look?!" he asked. Finally getting some words past his own musical joy.
"You look like a magician!" Chrissy gushed as she looked over the jacket. "And kind of like a present too!"
"Mike?" Marionette looked to him expectantly.
"Stunning," Mike replied sincerely. He quickly got the camera ready again, the one he had used in the caves, the one he used a few minutes ago for the cake. "Alright, grab Chrissy and give me a smile."
Marionette eagerly did so, resting his hands on her shoulders and smiling happily above her. She sent the camera the widest smile she could muster. Foxy squeezed himself in at the last second, getting his arm back around his brother before the picture could be taken.
Mike wasn't smiling for the camera and yet he couldn't have had a broader grin as he snapped that photo. Picture or not, he was going to remember this party.
Especially if he was going to outdo it next year.
Mable: Quick note here! The song "What about our Fridays" was originally imagined and suggested by my bud Hourglassradio. ^_^ I wrote the lyrics myself, but they were the person who planted the idea and started the lyrics, so consider the song a tribute to them!