The night was calm, at least; for that she was grateful. The last thing she wanted was to start a new job during a bad storm. Talk about foreboding.
Still, she couldn't stop the shiver from running through her as she stepped out of the car. The words "Freddy Fazbear's Pizza" flickered in bright neon colors above the building. The image of the namesake mascot, Freddy, looked much more cartoon-like and cute than the robot himself. She remembered that much.
The building itself was worn and tired, showing the years it had stood, too stubborn to cave under the pressure of threats and crimes.
Murder at a children's pizzeria? What kind of sick world was this? It had happened years ago, sure, but Moira still hesitated at the front doors. She didn't want to remember, but she'd had no choice.
'Be good, you guys. I don't want to come home to a mess again...'
The idea of her pets wrecking her house still made her smile. They knew better but things happen.
The smell of stale pizza and old cleaners was strong when the doors opened, and she peered down the hallway. The overhead lights blinked endlessly on and off, though the party room looked fairly dim. The drawings that plastered the walls looked as though they hadn't been touched in years; true, some of them were yellow and faded from time.
'I wonder what else hasn't changed?'
Moira wasn't getting much of a feel from the place. There was... something. Something hidden. The rumors were true, there was no question about it. The death of the missing kids... they'd surely been stuffed. There was a vague, haunting aura surrounding the restaurant. It was almost pulsing from the party room.
It was this thought that brought tears, which she had to hurriedly brush away as she strode into the security office.
Even the office seemed untouched, cobwebs littering the desk and ceiling. The drone of the ceiling fan looked to be her only company. Settling into the creaking chair, she flinched when the front doors sealed shut, at the same time that a chime rang through the hallways. Midnight.
When the phone rang, the sudden noise didn't do anything to calm her nerves. But the witch listened patiently, trying to focus on its instructions. They seemed pretty basic... except for the "quirkiness" of the animatronics.
'They... they move? They'll try to get in here? Oh no... Oh no........'
Now she was nervous. Once the phone call ended, she picked up the tablet and stood, unable to sit still. She paced, partially focused on the cameras and partially on what she could sense.
Pirate's Cove was "Out of Order". The curtain looked like it hadn't been opened in quite some time. It was a shame; the pirate fox had always been her favorite. Even if she no longer cared for pirates.
One look at all the pirate-themed things in her bedroom would have begged to differ, but no one ever mentioned it. She'd never have thrown them away, it was too painful to get rid of them.
Setting the tablet back down with one last glance at the immobile mascots, she tightened the ribbon holding her hair up. The other thing she couldn't bear to get rid of. And why should she? They'd been gifts. Gifts that remained as memories of friends long gone.
Stuffed, to be specific.
Still, she couldn't stop the shiver from running through her as she stepped out of the car. The words "Freddy Fazbear's Pizza" flickered in bright neon colors above the building. The image of the namesake mascot, Freddy, looked much more cartoon-like and cute than the robot himself. She remembered that much.
The building itself was worn and tired, showing the years it had stood, too stubborn to cave under the pressure of threats and crimes.
Murder at a children's pizzeria? What kind of sick world was this? It had happened years ago, sure, but Moira still hesitated at the front doors. She didn't want to remember, but she'd had no choice.
'Be good, you guys. I don't want to come home to a mess again...'
The idea of her pets wrecking her house still made her smile. They knew better but things happen.
The smell of stale pizza and old cleaners was strong when the doors opened, and she peered down the hallway. The overhead lights blinked endlessly on and off, though the party room looked fairly dim. The drawings that plastered the walls looked as though they hadn't been touched in years; true, some of them were yellow and faded from time.
'I wonder what else hasn't changed?'
Moira wasn't getting much of a feel from the place. There was... something. Something hidden. The rumors were true, there was no question about it. The death of the missing kids... they'd surely been stuffed. There was a vague, haunting aura surrounding the restaurant. It was almost pulsing from the party room.
It was this thought that brought tears, which she had to hurriedly brush away as she strode into the security office.
Even the office seemed untouched, cobwebs littering the desk and ceiling. The drone of the ceiling fan looked to be her only company. Settling into the creaking chair, she flinched when the front doors sealed shut, at the same time that a chime rang through the hallways. Midnight.
When the phone rang, the sudden noise didn't do anything to calm her nerves. But the witch listened patiently, trying to focus on its instructions. They seemed pretty basic... except for the "quirkiness" of the animatronics.
'They... they move? They'll try to get in here? Oh no... Oh no........'
Now she was nervous. Once the phone call ended, she picked up the tablet and stood, unable to sit still. She paced, partially focused on the cameras and partially on what she could sense.
Pirate's Cove was "Out of Order". The curtain looked like it hadn't been opened in quite some time. It was a shame; the pirate fox had always been her favorite. Even if she no longer cared for pirates.
One look at all the pirate-themed things in her bedroom would have begged to differ, but no one ever mentioned it. She'd never have thrown them away, it was too painful to get rid of them.
Setting the tablet back down with one last glance at the immobile mascots, she tightened the ribbon holding her hair up. The other thing she couldn't bear to get rid of. And why should she? They'd been gifts. Gifts that remained as memories of friends long gone.
Stuffed, to be specific.
~•♡•~
There had been no usual reaction to the phone call, no yelling or cursing in disbelief. Once they'd even had someone try to run back out. It hadn't ended well.
Bonnie hesitated. He didn't know why; laziness, maybe? Tired of the same routine, day in and day out? But Freddy turned to eye the rabbit, and Bonnie groaned inside. What was the point?
What Freddy Fazbear wanted, Freddy Fazbear got. And he wanted the bunny to go down the hallway like he always did. Not necessarily aiming to kill, no. Just to observe. Most guards lasted the first night or two. The lack of response from this one would probably be no exception.
So the bunny lumbered off of the stage once the camera turned away. Always the same path: Parts and Services, the hallway, maybe the supply closet. Look into the camera every so often to freak out the guard. It used to be amusing, now it was just tiresome.
He didn't even bother with the closet this time. The only thing Bonnie had to even try to be excited about was getting a good look at their new guard. Even that little thrill had worn off, but it was better than nothing.
So he peered into the window, expecting the door to crash shut. But the black-haired female within the office didn't even look up from the tablet at first.
'Oh boy. She's lucky it's the first night. I don't feel like...'
He paused. That head of hair with the red ribbon seemed... familiar. Painfully so.
Bonnie hesitated. He didn't know why; laziness, maybe? Tired of the same routine, day in and day out? But Freddy turned to eye the rabbit, and Bonnie groaned inside. What was the point?
What Freddy Fazbear wanted, Freddy Fazbear got. And he wanted the bunny to go down the hallway like he always did. Not necessarily aiming to kill, no. Just to observe. Most guards lasted the first night or two. The lack of response from this one would probably be no exception.
So the bunny lumbered off of the stage once the camera turned away. Always the same path: Parts and Services, the hallway, maybe the supply closet. Look into the camera every so often to freak out the guard. It used to be amusing, now it was just tiresome.
He didn't even bother with the closet this time. The only thing Bonnie had to even try to be excited about was getting a good look at their new guard. Even that little thrill had worn off, but it was better than nothing.
So he peered into the window, expecting the door to crash shut. But the black-haired female within the office didn't even look up from the tablet at first.
'Oh boy. She's lucky it's the first night. I don't feel like...'
He paused. That head of hair with the red ribbon seemed... familiar. Painfully so.
~•♡•~
'There's one of them. But there's nothing bad about him. I don't understand... the phone call was so scary, but... the rabbit seems sweet.'
She wasn't being silly, not at all. It wasn't a childish thought. The purple bunny's aura didn't feel remotely deadly. Sad, yes, but not deadly.
So the door remained open, and Moira made no motion to close it. She let Bonnie simply stand there, staring right back. It only lasted a minute or so; he eventually wandered back down the hallway and to the stage again.
Freddy turned again, mildly curious. There had been no sound of the door crashing down. Nor had there been a screech. But Bonnie merely shook his head. What is it? Freddy questioned silently.
It's... no. Not this one. She's...
"She?" The bear raised an eyebrow; now he was definitely curious. We've never had a female.
We've never had a friend either.
The bear stared for awhile, not quite understanding. Friend. Bonnie, I don't think you--
It's the witch.
Silence. Even Chica turned to stare. Was it really her? There was only one way to find out. Bonnie didn't like it, not in the least, but he didn't protest when Freddy wandered off of the stage.
The Cove was dark, and Foxy had no intention of getting up that night. Why? The first night was uneventful. He tuned out the oncoming footsteps, assuming they belonged to Bonnie passing by. The light suddenly filling his little area, however dim, still made the fox flinch. Aye, Captain? What be th' matter?
Go check on the guard. The bear's instructions made the fox tilt his head.
Captain, it be hardly past--
Now, fox. No point in arguing with the leader.
Fighting the need to roll his eyes, Foxy slowly got onto his feet. He didn't even run down the hall as he might have; the camera in front of the Cove hadn't moved since the first few glances. The robotic fox damn near stormed down to the office, actually. Why was Freddy so demanding so early on?
Whatever his reasoning, it wouldn't take long to take a peek. He should have been running, however, so the fox stopped before picking up speed. His loose jaw flapped a little bit, and it probably would have looked a little ridiculous had the guard been watching.
He popped his head into the open doorway, mouth open and ready to scream before stopping again. He stopped dead.
Moira stared right back, heart racing. Would the pirate fox be trouble? The way he'd just stopped completely seemed to say no. She should have shut the door, but she hadn't with Bonnie... so she wouldn't with Foxy.
The fox raised his arms, making motions for her to stay put as he backed away. She blinked a little bit, watching him retreat, though he didn't go far. Foxy slumped to the floor against the wall, ears down.
'Should I? If I shift, th' lass might get scared... But... she's...'
"Foxy?" He yelped and looked up at her, still holding the tablet. "Y-you... I don't know if you... remember me, but..."
"Foxy knows ye." He knew more than he was ready to admit. Eyeing the ribbon in her hair, he went on. "What are ye doin' back here?"
She fidgeted, setting the tablet on the table before coming back, sitting against the wall beside the fox. "I... needed to figure some things out."
"Aye? What kind 'o things, Princess?"
It slipped out. He didn't actually mean to say it, he wasn't ready to tell her, but the nickname had come out so easily. Habit, most likely. But her eyes widened slightly before her cheeks flushed a bit. "Th-that's sweet of you, but please... don't call me that..." she murmured.
"Aye? Ye don' like th' nickname?" he asked, trying desperately to pretend he didn't know.
"It's n-not that. I like it. Or... I did. But I only want one person calling me that, so please... please don't." Her voice began to break as she explained, tears beading the corners of her eyes.
Damn it all, it shouldn't have to be like this!
The robot fox rose back to his feet, seemingly making as much noise as he could. Subtlety was never his strong point. But he looked down at her, trying to mask his painful thoughts. "Ye be in no danger here, lassie. There be no need t' close th' doors; I be tellin' th' Captain ye be part o' th' crew."
'Again...' he added, but only to himself.
Moira blinked and wiped at her eyes a little. "Okay... thank you," she added, watching him rush back down the hallway.
He didn't go far. Foxy, as graceful as ever, stumbled over an upturned chair and succeeded in crashing through most of the rest. The guard ran to follow and could only find the fox's feet, sticking up from the pile of chairs and tables. He kicked them wildly, trying to at least free himself.
A loud thump past the mountain of chairs told her that the purple rabbit had fallen, as well, though he was clutching his sides and laughing as he rolled around a bit. The chicken had her hands over her beak, trying to stop the giggling. Only the bear looked annoyed, stomping towards the mess. "Look where you're running next time, you fool," he spat in his booming voice, grabbing a thin metal ankle and lifting the fox from his mess.
Foxy hung in Freddy's grip, glaring back. "At least Foxy don' go runnin' into th' little lasses room when 'e gets bored!"
Freddy dropped the pirate fox back down, and watched him struggle to free himself before looking back to the night guard. She had both of her own hands over her mouth like Chica, laughing behind them but trying not to. "Good to have you back, princess," the bear murmured before walking away.
Moira stopped dead. Now it was even worse; they definitely remembered at least something, but it didn't give her the answers she wanted.
They were all here, they had to be, but she really only needed to know who was who. Or... which one he was.
Out of all her childhood friends, she'd grown closest to the one that had coined her their "princess". And while she'd gotten tired of the nickname, hearing it again after so long made her heart ache.
With a lot of cursing and muttered threats, Foxy finally got back onto his feet, kicking aside the chairs so he could walk again. But in the middle of his anger he'd slipped: Moira stood stock still, staring at the red-haired human that looked as shocked as she did. "... Argh... Foxy messed up, didn' 'e?" he asked.
"Yes. Good job," Freddy called out from behind the stage curtain; he'd dragged the other two away to give them privacy, though he looked pissed at the slip-up. "Why don't you just tell her who you are and ruin the reunion?" the bear added before disappearing again.
'Always fighting...'
She looked up at the pirate, who scratched the back of his neck, frowning. "You two... always fight, don't you?"
"Aye. An' ye don' like pirates, do ye?" Foxy asked. He didn't accuse her, it was more as though he already knew her answer. When the witch nodded, she opened her mouth to speak, but he reached to cover it with his hand. "Ye don' like pirates, but ye still keep th' ribbon. An' that ring on ye finger. An' Foxy be willin' t' bet 'is hook that ye kept th' pirate-y things I gave ye, as well."
If her pulse beat any faster it would have sent her into cardiac arrest. But her eyes burned again, more from relief than sadness. "S-so... out of all the a-animat-tronics... y-you were put into our f-favorite...?"
Foxy smiled gently, reaching to brush the tears away. "Aye. I told ye, I be yer pirate, an' ye be me princess. Don' think I be forgettin' it, either." When she broke down he nearly panicked, practically tripping over his own feet in his rush to get to her. He somehow kept his balance, and even succeeded in pulling her into a hug.
He stood like that for a good long while, letting her slowly calm down. When the sobs had at last tapered off the pirate stooped down, lifting Moira off of her feet and carrying her carefully towards the Cove.
Foxy snuck in a kiss between her eyes before she could say anything, and he grinned crookedly at her blushing. "Do ye still not like pirates?" he whispered, teasing her gently.
"I... I only like robot fox pirates," she managed, smiling a tiny bit. Everything felt calm that night, at long last. At least now she no longer had to worry about her old friends, about what had happened or if they were all right. Her smile grew bit by bit as Foxy carried her.
But from behind the curtain... "Don't trip."
"Go walk th' plank, ye bastard!"
... Maybe there was still some reason to worry.
She wasn't being silly, not at all. It wasn't a childish thought. The purple bunny's aura didn't feel remotely deadly. Sad, yes, but not deadly.
So the door remained open, and Moira made no motion to close it. She let Bonnie simply stand there, staring right back. It only lasted a minute or so; he eventually wandered back down the hallway and to the stage again.
Freddy turned again, mildly curious. There had been no sound of the door crashing down. Nor had there been a screech. But Bonnie merely shook his head. What is it? Freddy questioned silently.
It's... no. Not this one. She's...
"She?" The bear raised an eyebrow; now he was definitely curious. We've never had a female.
We've never had a friend either.
The bear stared for awhile, not quite understanding. Friend. Bonnie, I don't think you--
It's the witch.
Silence. Even Chica turned to stare. Was it really her? There was only one way to find out. Bonnie didn't like it, not in the least, but he didn't protest when Freddy wandered off of the stage.
The Cove was dark, and Foxy had no intention of getting up that night. Why? The first night was uneventful. He tuned out the oncoming footsteps, assuming they belonged to Bonnie passing by. The light suddenly filling his little area, however dim, still made the fox flinch. Aye, Captain? What be th' matter?
Go check on the guard. The bear's instructions made the fox tilt his head.
Captain, it be hardly past--
Now, fox. No point in arguing with the leader.
Fighting the need to roll his eyes, Foxy slowly got onto his feet. He didn't even run down the hall as he might have; the camera in front of the Cove hadn't moved since the first few glances. The robotic fox damn near stormed down to the office, actually. Why was Freddy so demanding so early on?
Whatever his reasoning, it wouldn't take long to take a peek. He should have been running, however, so the fox stopped before picking up speed. His loose jaw flapped a little bit, and it probably would have looked a little ridiculous had the guard been watching.
He popped his head into the open doorway, mouth open and ready to scream before stopping again. He stopped dead.
Moira stared right back, heart racing. Would the pirate fox be trouble? The way he'd just stopped completely seemed to say no. She should have shut the door, but she hadn't with Bonnie... so she wouldn't with Foxy.
The fox raised his arms, making motions for her to stay put as he backed away. She blinked a little bit, watching him retreat, though he didn't go far. Foxy slumped to the floor against the wall, ears down.
'Should I? If I shift, th' lass might get scared... But... she's...'
"Foxy?" He yelped and looked up at her, still holding the tablet. "Y-you... I don't know if you... remember me, but..."
"Foxy knows ye." He knew more than he was ready to admit. Eyeing the ribbon in her hair, he went on. "What are ye doin' back here?"
She fidgeted, setting the tablet on the table before coming back, sitting against the wall beside the fox. "I... needed to figure some things out."
"Aye? What kind 'o things, Princess?"
It slipped out. He didn't actually mean to say it, he wasn't ready to tell her, but the nickname had come out so easily. Habit, most likely. But her eyes widened slightly before her cheeks flushed a bit. "Th-that's sweet of you, but please... don't call me that..." she murmured.
"Aye? Ye don' like th' nickname?" he asked, trying desperately to pretend he didn't know.
"It's n-not that. I like it. Or... I did. But I only want one person calling me that, so please... please don't." Her voice began to break as she explained, tears beading the corners of her eyes.
Damn it all, it shouldn't have to be like this!
The robot fox rose back to his feet, seemingly making as much noise as he could. Subtlety was never his strong point. But he looked down at her, trying to mask his painful thoughts. "Ye be in no danger here, lassie. There be no need t' close th' doors; I be tellin' th' Captain ye be part o' th' crew."
'Again...' he added, but only to himself.
Moira blinked and wiped at her eyes a little. "Okay... thank you," she added, watching him rush back down the hallway.
He didn't go far. Foxy, as graceful as ever, stumbled over an upturned chair and succeeded in crashing through most of the rest. The guard ran to follow and could only find the fox's feet, sticking up from the pile of chairs and tables. He kicked them wildly, trying to at least free himself.
A loud thump past the mountain of chairs told her that the purple rabbit had fallen, as well, though he was clutching his sides and laughing as he rolled around a bit. The chicken had her hands over her beak, trying to stop the giggling. Only the bear looked annoyed, stomping towards the mess. "Look where you're running next time, you fool," he spat in his booming voice, grabbing a thin metal ankle and lifting the fox from his mess.
Foxy hung in Freddy's grip, glaring back. "At least Foxy don' go runnin' into th' little lasses room when 'e gets bored!"
Freddy dropped the pirate fox back down, and watched him struggle to free himself before looking back to the night guard. She had both of her own hands over her mouth like Chica, laughing behind them but trying not to. "Good to have you back, princess," the bear murmured before walking away.
Moira stopped dead. Now it was even worse; they definitely remembered at least something, but it didn't give her the answers she wanted.
They were all here, they had to be, but she really only needed to know who was who. Or... which one he was.
Out of all her childhood friends, she'd grown closest to the one that had coined her their "princess". And while she'd gotten tired of the nickname, hearing it again after so long made her heart ache.
With a lot of cursing and muttered threats, Foxy finally got back onto his feet, kicking aside the chairs so he could walk again. But in the middle of his anger he'd slipped: Moira stood stock still, staring at the red-haired human that looked as shocked as she did. "... Argh... Foxy messed up, didn' 'e?" he asked.
"Yes. Good job," Freddy called out from behind the stage curtain; he'd dragged the other two away to give them privacy, though he looked pissed at the slip-up. "Why don't you just tell her who you are and ruin the reunion?" the bear added before disappearing again.
'Always fighting...'
She looked up at the pirate, who scratched the back of his neck, frowning. "You two... always fight, don't you?"
"Aye. An' ye don' like pirates, do ye?" Foxy asked. He didn't accuse her, it was more as though he already knew her answer. When the witch nodded, she opened her mouth to speak, but he reached to cover it with his hand. "Ye don' like pirates, but ye still keep th' ribbon. An' that ring on ye finger. An' Foxy be willin' t' bet 'is hook that ye kept th' pirate-y things I gave ye, as well."
If her pulse beat any faster it would have sent her into cardiac arrest. But her eyes burned again, more from relief than sadness. "S-so... out of all the a-animat-tronics... y-you were put into our f-favorite...?"
Foxy smiled gently, reaching to brush the tears away. "Aye. I told ye, I be yer pirate, an' ye be me princess. Don' think I be forgettin' it, either." When she broke down he nearly panicked, practically tripping over his own feet in his rush to get to her. He somehow kept his balance, and even succeeded in pulling her into a hug.
He stood like that for a good long while, letting her slowly calm down. When the sobs had at last tapered off the pirate stooped down, lifting Moira off of her feet and carrying her carefully towards the Cove.
Foxy snuck in a kiss between her eyes before she could say anything, and he grinned crookedly at her blushing. "Do ye still not like pirates?" he whispered, teasing her gently.
"I... I only like robot fox pirates," she managed, smiling a tiny bit. Everything felt calm that night, at long last. At least now she no longer had to worry about her old friends, about what had happened or if they were all right. Her smile grew bit by bit as Foxy carried her.
But from behind the curtain... "Don't trip."
"Go walk th' plank, ye bastard!"
... Maybe there was still some reason to worry.