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[Honestly, "fighting" these animatronics sounded like a better solution than letting them run amok in the night; he kind of figured that Steven would agree, given that HE had been the one to establish how dangerous they were. Even if it wasn't a fight in the traditional sense, Nanashi could disarm these bots easily by using his technical know-how. Tampering wouldn't get him in trouble, would it?]

[Alas, Steven found his solution problematic. Weird. If they were as violent or posed as much of a threat as Steven said, Nanashi's idea would definitely pacify them...by force, but still. It'd get them to stop killing night guards. Nanashi definitely wasn't as distraught over that as he should have been.]

❝ Are you sure? ❞ [That was an indignant response, especially to a superior, but if there was something that COULD be done about this...then why not?] ❝ I mean, I guess I won't, but it'd be a Hell of a lot easier, wouldn't it? I know there's a "method" or whatever, but we could always just dumb down their AI. Tampering with them before the night shift isn't illegal, is it? ❞

@dagdasgodslayer said: ❝ Alright, so exactly how do I fight these things? ❞ -gremlin time gremlin time

"What on earth are you talking about?" There's a hint of strain in Steven's voice, a mix of mild alarm and complete confusion.

"I know what I've been telling you sounds bad, but I wasn't trying to say we had to, uh, fight anything. In fact, that's really the opposite of what we should be trying to do."

"...you understand that, right? You're not going to start knocking things over and hitting the characters as soon as my back is turned?"

[Yet again, Nanashi's idea was scrutinized; without a full explanation as to why ( aside from the threat of termination ), he couldn't help wondering what it was about tampering that worried his higher-ups. It wouldn't be much more than letting the robots "nap" during his night shift. Shouldn't a guard be more concerned about intruders than the animatronics, anyway?]

[Why put so many lives in danger when you could just put the animatronics into a theoretical sleep mode? Was it really that important for them to "stretch" their servos and wander around?]

[Oh, well. If upper management wanted him to stick to the script, he'd do it...maybe.]

❝ Yessir. Understood. ❞ [Not really, but would he get a sincere explanation for why his methods were controversial? Definitely not. Might as well go with it.] ❝ Yeah, yeah, I know what to do. Keep an eye on the power and don't let them get in. ❞

[Even without rigging the odds, Nanashi was pretty confident about these nightly chores. It wasn't difficult to keep track of the animatronics, not with how many cameras this place had, and he could balance the building's power, easy. The real "thrill" of it was the possibility that they'd find him; the idea of that looming threat was fun, but putting a damper on the danger might be the wise thing to do. He'd thought he was proposing a sound idea, but apparently not.]

[Steven "subtly" expressed his newfound worries about Nanashi taking the night shift, insisting that he was free to back out or have Steven take over; Nanashi shrugged nonchalantly. He wasn't afraid ( though, by all means, he should be ) -- he could fend off a few robots, no problem. What he'd suggested was more of a safety precaution, a way to guarantee that there would be no more unnecessary deaths. Nanashi himself didn't mind ( and even enjoyed ) the risk, but these new hires were..."quitting" at an alarming pace. If there was a way to prevent that, wouldn't it be nicer than forcing unprepared people to fend for themselves?]

❝ Don't worry about it, sir. I really don't mind. Besides, you guys lose a new hire one way or another every week. It's no big deal -- I was just wondering if there was some way to help, y'know? ❞

"Tampering with--? No! No, you can't 'tamper' with the animatronics."

The last time someone went around messing with the 'bots, a guard got his head chomped in. Steven can understand where the kid is coming from, but they have a system, and it (mostly) works. Why tempt fate by changing things?

"It's not illegal, but it's a one-way ticket to being fired. I can't... stop you, I guess, but I can strongly advise that you just stick to what I've taught you. It's really not so bad if you just, uh, keep your eyes open and don't fall asleep at your desk."

"Look, if the night shift gets too hard for you, just call me up and we can swap again." It won't be ideal, since they're extremely understaffed as it is and Steven's very much needed back on day shift to keep the place running, but he had his doubts that this arrangement would work out from the moment he saw his "replacement." Nanashi's far, far too young to take over what is almost certainly the most dangerous position available. Now that the kid's spewing all these bright ideas about how to cheat the system, Steven's even less confident that Nanashi's ready for this.

"You don't have to do this." Well, he does if he wants to stay employed, probably, as the higher-ups will just fire him and find someone who is willing to risk their life if he refuses. But still.

"You wouldn't be the first guy to back out."

[Blunt and insistent as Nanashi had been thus far, he didn't hold anything against Steven; Steven just so happened to represent a company that didn't have everyone's best interests in mind. Steven might be his boss and a spokesman, but he didn't hold any weight in Fazbear Ent.'s decision-making -- even if Nanashi had convinced him, policy probably wouldn't change. They might both get in trouble.]

[Encouraging as always, Steven assured Nanashi that he was helping just by taking on night shifts. That was true, to some extent...until another new hire was inevitably overwhelmed by the animatronics. There had to be a long-term solution, even if it didn't involve reprogramming or tampering. Maybe the next time a newbie came around, Nanashi would try his idea out and see if there was actually a noticeable difference...as long as he reset the animatronics by showtime, he wouldn't get busted. Probably.]

❝ Yeah, I get it. ❞ [The unspoken truth was that Fazbear Ent. was controlling and stubborn enough that its rules would never change. Guards would always be put at risk, so long as they had to operate the way Steven suggested. It wasn't difficult for Nanashi, but for somebody taking on the role for the first time ever...] ❝ No problem, sir. I like making myself useful. ❞

[An oppressive silence fell over them as Steven contemplated; Nanashi wondered whether this was a cue to say his goodbyes and awkwardly slink away ( since his question had technically been answered ). Quiet moments with a superior were always uncomfortable.]

[Finally, Steven spoke up again. He reassured Nanashi in a way that resembled an end to a conversation, only to backtrack and test Nanashi on his skills. Nanashi furrowed his brow, but it was probably a good ( and well-intentioned ) idea -- just to make sure he wouldn't run into any problems later.]

❝ Roger that. ❞ [Nanashi moseyed over to the cameras and flicked between them, just fast enough to register everyone's placement without wasting too much power. Granted, the main characters would be onstage until later, and Foxy was still in his cove...but it was a good skill to practice.] ❝ Freddy, Bonnie, and Chica are on the stage. Foxy is still in Pirate Cove. All seems gravy, sir! ❞

[Nanashi gave an unnecessary salute, almost treating this like a game or a military simulation. Okay, he definitely wasn't taking this seriously, but...it was his own way of making his nightly duties fun.]

"Yeah! Exactly. Uh... good." At least the kid paid attention to that part.

Steven isn't sure whether he should take offense to Nanashi's comment or try to defend the company in some way, but he ultimately decides on doing neither. It's not like Nanashi's wrong, after all.

"Well... you'll be helping out by taking this shift, at least for a while. I hope you know I'm not trying to be stubborn, or anything; believe me, I'd love to give us all less work!" He laughs, the sound coming out somewhat hollow, and spares a glance in the direction of the main showroom.

"But this is just how it is, y'know?" Leave the innovating to the creative minds up at the top of the ladder. Steven's been here for ages, and if there's one thing he's learned, it's that it's almost always best to keep your head down and your opinions to yourself.

There's an awkward moment of silence as Bell wonders whether he should warn the boy against getting too cocky. There's something about Nanashi's mindset that makes Steven think he's not taking things as seriously as he should be, but at the same time, the new guard has obviously internalized how dangerous the robots can get. In the end, Steven decides to give the kid the benefit of the doubt.

"Anyway, you'll do fine!" That's what he always says, and night guards rarely live up to his optimistic assessment. Maybe... maybe he should change things up, just this once. He doesn't want to feel responsible if something less than fine does end up happening.

"Let's just, uh, run through things one more time. Show me how quickly you can flip through the cams."

❝ Guess we're lucky that they don't walk around during the day anymore. ❞ [Nanashi smiled, simultaneously proving that he'd listened to Steven's message and that he didn't at all grasp the severity of it. It really was two steps forward and four steps back with this kid.]

[Again, Steven seemed to doubt him after his playful salute -- okay, maybe he shouldn't be acting silly or goofy around a superior ( especially one he respected and wanted to impress ), but he really did know what he was doing. Treating it like a game made it easier for him to process and anticipate the danger in a weird, counter-intuitive way.]

❝ I know, sir. I promise I'll take it seriously. ❞ [Maybe he shouldn't make promises he couldn't keep, but to some extent, he was being genuine. He might joke around to himself just to stay calm and unaffected, but he knew about the danger this job posed. He was prepared and excited for it.]

[Steven monitored him for a bit longer, but was ultimately satisfied by the kid's performance; Nanashi smiled to himself, feeling proud and ready. Steven offered to leave him some coffee ( the drink of sleep-deprived champions ), then joked around about Nanashi opting to take this position permanently. It obviously wasn't a genuine offer, but Nanashi still considered it -- if he did well enough, maybe they wouldn't even need to "sacrifice" a new hire. He loved his current position, and maybe he could still stay on for any troubleshooting this place might need, but...he might be able to help that way, like Steven said. He'd remember that.]

❝ Sounds like a plan, boss-man! ❞ [He really needed to stop goofing around in front of his boss, but he was comfortable enough around Steven not to worry about it. Hopefully that came across as "respectful" and not annoying or alarming.] ❝ No more questions from me, sir. I'm all set to go. ❞

. . .

[Maybe Steven had been right. Maybe in treating all of this like a game, Nanashi had been too forgiving or dismissive -- in all honesty, he was caught off-guard by how active the animatronics were tonight. Balancing his power had wound up being a struggle-and-a-half with the frequency of visits to his door. He couldn't help wondering if this was like some cosmic joke, like he was being punished for his hubris. Maybe the robots were angry that he'd wanted to tamper with them. Whatever the case...]

[Nanashi's night had ended abruptly. The power had gone out, Freddy played a song, and next thing he knew...he was being dragged down the hall to Parts & Service. There was a yellow suit there, one that he'd never seen or noticed before; he'd been shoved into it, but to his surprise, there were no "crossbeams or animatronic devices." The suit was clean, like a hollowed-out costume. And right when he'd thought he'd been saved by the skin of his teeth....he heard clicking. It was almost like a symphony of clocks counting down to his death. Just when they slowed, he could have sworn he'd seen a kid staring down at him -- the kid smiled, and the ticking stopped.]

[There was a terrifying lull, then a chorus of snaps. One by one, Nanashi was impaled by animatronic shrapnel. After just a few stabs, he blacked out.]

[He awoke, dazed and confused, to the sound of his alarm. The events of the night prior had seemed so real, but he no longer felt the pain or the fear -- just echoes of it. It was the same sensation he got when he'd been hurt in a dream. For that very reason, he attributed last night's events as a vivid nightmare -- how else could he be at home, safe and cozy in his bed?]

[Thinking nothing of it, Nanashi hurried through his morning routine, not once noticing his marred reflection in the mirror. He felt oddly lethargic and slow, and his body ached with every movement; even his vision was unusually blurred, his head perpetually dizzy. He silenced every sign that his body was lashing out because he'd actually been hurt; he didn't have time to think or listen to it. He'd be late for work if he didn't push himself, and he was not going to tarnish his neat and reliable reputation.]

[He felt unusually motion-sick as he drove that morning, nearly pulling over to throw up -- but he swallowed that feeling down, too. He arrived at work, bright and early ( in the afternoon ), looking worse for wear. He got a few horrified stares; if he'd known what he looked like, he might have known why.]

[As always, he checked in with his boss before clocking in; he tried greeting Steven as he normally would, with a bright smile and a cheery "hello!", but his body revolted against him. He hadn't noticed it until now, but his throat was so sore that he couldn't speak. He tried again, but was overwhelmed by a nasty coughing fit -- he covered his mouth, choking and sputtering until his arm was splattered with red. As he looked closer, he saw a line of scars and scabbed-over wounds down the length of his arm. Okay...let's not think about that. Maybe he'd just come down with something without even realizing. It'd explain his weird fever dream, and maybe even these "hallucinations."]

[No matter the case, he squirmed in his skin, intimidated more by how Steven would react than how ghastly he felt.]

❝ S...Sorry, sir. ❞ [His throat screamed with his attempted vocalization, his voice scratchy and raw. Just push through it.] ❝ Just...wanted...to say hi. I think I...came down with something, m-maybe. Is...it still okay if I- if I clock in? ❞ [Again, that should be the LEAST of his worries, but he didn't want to call out sick now. His work-life balance had always been terrible, but this was a new low.]

Steven exhales, allowing himself to be reassured by the skill with which Nanashi navigates the cameras. Quick, efficient, and practiced. That's all it takes to keep on top of things. Nanashi will be fine.

"Great! We'd be in trouble if they weren't, heh."

Maybe this will work out after all. Nanashi is young, but he's capable, and he's been around the animatronics enough to understand their capabilities and the true strength of their mechanical forms. He knows what he's getting into, even if that salute is anything but comforting.

Steven hesitates, squinting at the other employee. Every time he starts thinking Nanashi gets it, the kid does something like that.

"This isn't a game. Just... keep that in mind."

He watches Nanashi for another few seconds before turning away, adjusting his cap. Prepared or not, this is happening; it's best to just put it out of his mind and trust that the boy will figure things out.

"Alright, I think that's everything. I'll leave you some coffee, and, uh... yeah! Maybe you'll end up liking it so much you'll take over permanently!" That's a joke. No one has ever enjoyed the night shift (besides maybe Steven himself), and for good reason. If the animatronics don't drive them away, the low pay and awful hours do.

"...did you have any other questions?" Last chance to get out, Nanashi. It's now or never.

[Steven's immediate distress ( and disgust ) caught Nanashi off-guard; sure, he wasn't feeling great, but he was still here. After the nightmare from last night, he figured that he was just...reeling. That happened sometimes. Tactile hallucinations would haunt him all morning and he'd start to question reality; the only thing that had spared him from such a fate was the fact that he had to work today. Should he have paid more attention to the pain that had been ravaging his body? He still didn't think there was much to worry about ( even AFTER coughing up blood ). He could totally work today.]

❝ Uh...I-I...don't know? ❞ [Nanashi swallowed another cough; provided that his dream had no grounds in reality, he assumed he was just feeling off today. He hadn't ever let illness stop him before -- he'd always been a pretty sickly kid, so he tended to bring Ibuprofen and Nyquil to work. Maybe if he'd taken some this morning, he'd be feeling well enough to convince Steven that everything was fine...alas, it was probably too late now.]

[As Nanashi expressed that he wanted to work today, Steven became almost...horrified. That next statement gave Nanashi pause; like he'd been run over?? He glanced down at himself -- his uniform covered the gruesome bits, but his arms ( exposed by his polo's short sleeves ) were covered in barely-healed markings. Some of his wounds were scabbed, some of them were so deep that they were still raw and open. He felt faint, realizing that it hadn't been in his head -- those were unmistakably real.]

[It wasn't just his arms -- the pain was radiating from everywhere. How much damage had been done to the rest of him? When? Had his nightmare...oh God, had the nightmare been real?]

❝ S-s-sorry. ❞ [Nanashi sputtered, the soreness in his throat suddenly haunting him. The depth of his wounds made him worry that his throat had been affected, too. And still...] ❝ Y-you...sure I can't...w-work today? ❞

[Without missing a beat, Steven instead insisted on Nanashi following him out to his car; he reached out, then hesitated, backing up and covering his nose and mouth. Oh, right. Nanashi had claimed to be sick...but his injuries had been so prevalent that he doubted that theory. Not like he wanted to consider the alternative, but...]

[Steven continued to panic, insisting that Nanashi just call in next time -- honestly, no matter how mortally wounded he was, he doubted that he'd ever just bite the bullet and call in. He could be dead and he'd still find a way to show up to work.]

[Dead...]

[A wave of dizziness hit him. Dead. Was he dead? He sure should be, especially if his nightmare was real...how the Hell was he alive right now? Was he even alive?]

[Steven scrambled for another solution, ultimately deciding to call an ambulance. Nanashi fearfully shook his head; if he went to the hospital and they examined his injuries, they'd realize that he was basically a walking corpse. They were legally obligated to share that information, too -- he didn't want his dad or sister to see him like this, let alone KNOW that he'd put his life at risk. He didn't need to go to the hospital, right?]

❝ N...n-no. I can't -- I d-don't... ❞ [Nanashi grumbled ( making his throat feel even worse ), then forced his words.] ❝ No...h-hospital...I'm f-fine. Just- just let me work today. ❞ ["Let me pretend like everything is fine."] ❝ I-I'll just...get myself p-patched up. I have s-some bandages...in my car. ❞

[Nevermind why he had them -- he just knew that he was accident-prone.]

The first thing Steven does in the morning is check in the back room-- it's a courtesy he hopes the other employees extend to him when he's on night shift. Things seem slightly shuffled around in a way he can't quite place, but there's no half-dead body waiting for him, so he lets the last of his worry fade and makes a mental note to congratulate Nanashi on a good night's work. Maybe the kid had meant it when he had promised to take things seriously.

He's not ashamed to admit that Nanashi completely slips his mind for the rest of the morning; Steven's been pulled back to day shift for a reason, and that reason involves a shitload of paperwork, supply-checks, clean up, and customer service. It's something of an adjustment to return to these kinds of tasks after spending so long alone on his shifts, but by the time the lunch rush filters out, Bell feels confident that he'll be able to whip things back into shape. All in all, it feels like it's going to be a good day.

...or not.

"Wh-what on earth happened to you??" And why the heck is Nanashi here, instead of a hospital?

Are you fucking kidding me? Steven doesn't say, his expression pained and disgusted.

"You're not serious about working today, are you? Nanashi, you look like you got run over like, ten times on the way here!" Steven can be overly blunt when it comes to grisly matters like the fate of old employees, but he typically sounds fairly unaffected in situations like that. ...he sounds far from "unaffected" now. If nothing else, that should be a sign to Nanashi that he looks really, really bad; it takes a lot to force Bell to admit that things aren't just peachy.

"I-- shit, let's just-- I'll walk you to my car. Through the back." Rule number one of coughing up blood: don't do it in front of the customers.

Steven reaches out to put a steadying hand on Nanashi's shoulder before thinking better of it. He can't quite tell if the kid's sick or injured, but on the off chance that this is some deadly, highly infectious disease... he takes a step back, covering his mouth and nose with his sleeve.

"Please just call in next time." He glances over the other employee again, his gaze settling on what appear to be regularly-spaced wounds lining the visible portion of Nanashi's arm. It isn't hard to guess that this has something to do with last night's shift, considering the fact that the kid was fine just yesterday, but Steven has no idea what could have caused something like this. ...or how the guard survived it.

"This is crazy," he says to himself more than Nanashi, unable to stomach the sight and smell of the fresh blood for much longer. Turning away from the boy, Steven takes a deep breath-- big mistake-- and grimaces.

"Okay, scratch everything. I'm just, uh... going to call for an ambulance. Just sit down and t-try not to move too much, okay?"

Holy shit. Holy shit. What if Nanashi dies right here, in his office? How fucked up would that--

Okay, Steven. Focus.

[Did it concern him? Surprisingly, yes, now that he'd seen the state of his arm ( and had taken a moment to listen to the rest of his body ). Honestly, thank God his family had been out of the house while he was getting ready for work -- he didn't want to picture their reactions, especially with how worried his BOSS was about him.]

["You'll scare everyone away"...unfortunately, Steven had a point there. He hadn't paid it much attention, but the amount of terrified stares he'd been met with as he entered the building...even though his job was more "back of house," there was a good chance that a kid or parent would see him and flip out. Working was, tragically, a no-go.]

[Steven uncharacteristically yelled at him, trying to bring him to his senses -- Nanashi couldn't really blame him. He'd been in severe denial this entire time. If he was normal, he probably would have scurried off to the hospital once he'd seen himself in the mirror; instead, he was here at work, insisting that he was well enough to work without issue. To some extent, that was the case -- he was walking, talking, breathing, but he didn't know how many functions were..."artificial." None of his organs should be functioning right now. Was his breathing fake, his own heartbeat fake? He shouldn't even be standing -- but he was.]

[Thankfully, Steven still respected his request for a hospital not to be involved ( probably for legal reasons, but Nanashi could pretend that it was out of sympathy ). So long as he got bandaged up, he'd feel safe returning home -- it wasn't very likely that Asahi or her dad would be back yet, so long as they were quick. He could pretend that he was sick and hole himself up in his room. Anything that wouldn't make them worry...]

❝ Yeah -- yeah, I-I can walk. Don't worry. I can get...back to my car -- back home -- on my own. ❞ [Realistically, he shouldn't, but he had already driven here; getting Steven involved would only make Nanashi feel worse.]

[Steven offered his arm nonetheless, only to pull it away, causing Nanashi to lose his balance; he caught himself, though he winced at the resulting pain. Maybe he shouldn't be walking OR driving right now ( not like that would stop him ).]

[Steven asked "which animatronic" had done this to him, a question that made Nanashi blank; he remembered Freddy dragging him, but the suit...his head ached trying to recall whose it might have been. There weren't any golden characters here, were there? Chica was yellow, but...this suit had been different.]

❝ Not...sure. There was a- a suit...in the back. It was y-yellow, or golden, maybe...b-but I didn't recognize it. They...F-Freddy... ❞ [Nanashi started, but shook his head -- he didn't need or WANT to go into detail.] ❝ I...don't know. N-None of them need to be...out of order. ❞

"And that doesn't concern you??" Does Nanashi have a concussion (or worse)? Not another case of brain damage...

"Yes. I'm, uh, absolutely, completely sure. You'll scare everyone away." Nanashi's health is (mostly) higher on Steven's list of priorities than how these injuries might impact the kid's ability to perform his duties, but hopefully giving a work-centric reason for why Nanashi can't under any circumstances complete his shift today will be enough to convince the guy. Bell knew Nanashi was dedicated, but this is downright ridiculous.

"You're not fine!" And Steven shouldn't be wasting his time arguing, but a call to 911 means police presence on top of the ambulance, and it's typically better not to involve the cops unless absolutely necessary (especially when Bell doesn't fully understand what's gone wrong); if Nanashi doesn't want Steven to call for help, the manager might be convinced to handle this in-house, as awful as it is. ...and as awful as that makes him for considering the company reputation over his employee's safety.

"You're not fine," he repeats, more gently this time. "Can you walk? We can go to your car and-- and bandage you up, and then I'll drive you home. Or to the hospital, if that doesn't work." There. A compromise. Steven will go back to the original plan of driving Nanashi to a hospital himself, and then they can avoid both the police and any potential consequences that might arise from not getting the poor kid some proper medical care. Win-win, right?

He offers his arm to help balance Nanashi, pulling it away again as he suddenly realizes that there's something he needs to do before they go.

"Just-- shoot. Which of the characters did this to you? I need to tell someone to put them out of order before we can leave, just, um. Just in case." The animatronics shouldn't be an issue until tonight, but they also shouldn't have done... whatever it is they did to Nanashi last shift. Better safe than sorry if they've begun to act out of character.

[Steven remained adamant -- Nanashi was not getting into a car alone. Having Steven drive was the safest option, obviously, but it inflicted Nanashi with unwarranted guilt -- he was dragging Steven away from his work because he'd been irresponsible enough to show up after dying. In hindsight, yeah, he should have just called in -- but that wasn't like him. Not even when he was a shambling corpse.]

[A chance to heal up...that didn't sound good. How long would that even take? He'd have to hope for a miracle if he didn't want to go to the hospital ( and he didn't ). Maybe forcing himself to recover for the rest of the day would make him fit enough to return to work first-thing. That was definitely wishful thinking, but he didn't want to be out for longer than he had to...]

❝ ...Yes, sir. ❞ [Nanashi conceded in as few words as possible; it hurt to speak, and it would hurt even more to argue. If Steven insisted...he couldn't really say no.]

[Steven apologized upon seeing Nanashi stumble; it had been a direct result of Steven offering to help him balance, but Nanashi didn't blame him. Nanashi should be getting a grip instead of succumbing to his injuries.] ❝ S'okay. ❞

[Nanashi described the suit he'd been shoved into; Steven's face paled. Apparently, whatever had killed him last night was just as incongruous as Nanashi thought; he didn't know who they were, but Steven sure seemed to. Not only that, but their identity seemed to scare the living shit out of him. Nanashi didn't understand -- maybe it was just a discarded suit that was, for whatever reason, returned to Parts & Service that night. That's what Nanashi had assumed, anyway -- was the truth scarier than that?]

[Anything out of the ordinary...the only thing he could think of was the way the characters moved that night. They had been so aggressive towards him, even though the night should have been slow. It was his first real night; Steven had assured him they wouldn't get active until much later.]

❝ They were...really active. I-I followed what you said...but they never stopped gunning for me. ❞ [Was there anything else...? Nanashi fell quiet, but lit up as another recollection hit him.] ❝ There -- there was a kid! They were there. They smiled, a-and then... ❞ [SNAP. Nanashi cringed, as though he was being stabbed all over again. The underlying message would hopefully be inferred.]

[Really serious...? Was a new ( or even old ) character's appearance anything to be this concerned about? Nanashi clearly didn't know as much as Steven did, but it wasn't like he could question the man in this sorry state. It'd have to wait for later.]

[Finally, Steven reached out again -- without letting go or fearfully stumbling backwards. Nanashi appreciated it, but he might be better off just walking; being "carried" like this only aggravated his wounds. They stung at the touch, careful as Steven had been. Nanashi winced, but didn't say anything -- he could push through, at least until they reached his car.]

[If he remembered anything else...did he? He'd blacked out. He didn't have much memory of anything after the fact. Actually...how had he gotten home? Maybe he hadn't just passed out -- maybe there was a gap in his memory. Now, that was scary to think about.]

❝ I...don't remember m-much. S-Sorry, sir. ❞

"No, I can't let you do that." There's a distinctly nonzero chance that if Nanashi gets in that car alone, he'll never get out of it again. Whether he loses focus and crashes or just bleeds out before he can get home, it would be grossly irresponsible of Steven to let him try to drive.

"Don't worry about the car situation-- getting yours back to you, I mean. We'll figure that out later. The important thing is that you get the chance to heal up." ...jeeze. How long will Nanashi be out with injuries like these? Bell will probably start having to pull doubles if the machines are acting up, since his usual trainings won't be enough. Lucky him.

"Sorry! Sorry," he says, brows furrowed in concern when Nanashi stumbles. That was definitely Steven's fault.

He's concerned for a very different reason when the boy continues speaking.

"That's... not..." That's not possible. That's not good. That's not what he had hoped to hear.

He's seen flickers of the yellow suit himself-- Fredbear, not the other one-- but he's always chalked it up to sleep deprivation and misplaced guilt about the old protocols. He's never once considered that his visions might have been real, and even now he would assume that Nanashi had mistaken Chica for something else if the proof weren't etched there into the kid's skin.

Steven has never seen springlock scars in person. He's heard about them, of course-- heck, he voiced the training manual for those suits. But he's been lucky enough to have avoided being present for any mishaps. Until today?

"Did anything else out of the ordinary happen?" Like human movement on any of the cameras? This wouldn't be the first time someone used one of the classic suits to fuck things up, although from the looks of things, it seems they're no longer content with just tampering with the animatronics.

Tampering with the animatronics. Does this have something to do with--? Had Nanashi ignored everything Steven said and adjusted them anyway?

What an absolute mess.

"This is really serious, Nanashi." He almost sounds angry, but he's not-- he's confused and frightened and overwhelmed. There's so much about this that just doesn't add up, and it's hard to know where to start in terms of protecting the rest of the staff and the pizzeria itself.

First things first. Get Nanashi taken care of. Then he can worry about the mystery suit and what that means for them all.

"Okay. Easy does it." He gingerly reaches out for the third time, doing his best to avoid touching any blood or open wounds.

"If you remember anything else, please tell me. But-- but don't push yourself! Just, um... take it at your own pace."

[Steven apologized, but Nanashi shook his head; this wasn't his fault. There was no one to blame but himself -- he'd been so confident that nothing would go wrong. He couldn't have known that the animatronics would go berserk, but he could have tried to escape or even call Steven. There wasn't much point in lamenting right now, though...not that he really could. He was still processing the fact that he'd probably died last night.]

[Steven then asked if Nanashi had tampered with the animatronics; he hadn't, but he couldn't help wondering if the night would have gone differently if he had. It was like their programming had gone haywire without Nanashi even touching them. It didn't make sense.]

❝ I didn't. Promise. ❞

[Even though it wasn't much, Steven thanked him for the information -- as far as Nanashi knew, nothing he'd provided had any solid answers. Recalling it bewildered him; not only should he be a rotting corpse in the backroom, but the suit he'd been shoved into wasn't a suit he'd recognized. A kid ( odd in and of itself, since it was after hours ) had smiled down at him while the springlocks went off. It felt like something out of a horror movie, but judging by his sorry state, it had been real.]

[Finally, Steven vaguely informed him about past events -- presumably the ones that made him weary and frantic now. A previous location had actually been closed down because of this stuff. Had Nanashi not been the first person killed by that golden suit? Or had the suit itself been a remnant of a darker time?]

❝ What...happened? ❞ [Nanashi choked out, suppressing another cough. If Steven had all the answers, he wanted to know them -- but considering the company's need to cover everything up, he doubted he'd get any.]

[Steven expressed his relief that Nanashi was alive, but he really couldn't agree. Now that he'd seen the condition he was in and dwelled on last night's events, he realized that there was no way he was still alive and breathing. There was a huge gap in his memory between his death and his "revival." How had he gotten home? There was no way he could have climbed out of that suit after he'd been punctured so many times. He didn't understand; that bothered him more than anything else.]

❝ It's not...your f-fault. ❞

[Upon reaching his car, Steven inquired about Nanashi's keys -- right, they'd probably need those. He dug into his pocket, retrieved them, and handed them over to Steven.] ❝ E-Everything's in the glovebox. ❞ [His car's glovebox was practically a first-aid kit at this point. Antibiotics, over-the-counter medicine, and of course...gauze, band-aids, and ace bandages.]

[Nanashi was a strong practitioner of self-reliance, but when it came to dressing his wounds, it was always nice to have someone help. It was Hell trying to bandage his own arms or legs -- he was grateful that Steven was offering, because right now, he didn't think he had the reach or strength to do much.]

❝ Thanks. I-It's...not too far from here. I can tell you wh-where to go. ❞

"I'm so sorry." It should have been Steven on duty that night. He would have immediately known something was wrong, and (hopefully) been able to adjust accordingly. He can't help but feel as though he set Nanashi up for failure, even though he never could have anticipated that things would go so wrong so quickly.

"And you didn't do anything to them after I left, right?" He has to ask. At this point, it would be better if Nanashi had messed around with their code; at least it would offer a clear, addressable reason for them to have acted as they did.

A kid.

Fuck.

"Okay. Okay. Thanks for, um, telling me all this." No one's called in with a missing persons report, yet, so there's still time to fix things. Steven's pretty sure he's putting the pieces together now, after all-- a yellow suit, a child in the back room, the animatronics acting wrong... history is repeating itself, but this time he has the benefit of experience. This time things will be different. ...right?

"I don't know how much you've heard about the old location, but it got shut down over stuff like this." It's possible the perpetrator this time is the very same one as before, considering their access to the old suits. That's a good thing, in a way; maybe this time the son of a bitch will get caught.

"I'm just glad you're okay!" In a sense. "I-- I really am sorry, Nanashi, if I had known--"

So much for not involving the police. The moment Nanashi is taken care of, Steven is coming back to the pizzeria to close early, do his own investigation, and then submit an official report. He can't let more kids get taken, he just can't.

"Do you, uh, have your keys?" Bell asks belatedly, peering into the window of Nanashi's car to look for the promised bandages. He's antsy and on-edge in a way that's relatively rare for him. How far is Nanashi's place? If Steven speeds just a little more than usual, maybe he can make it back before dinner prep, and--

No, he has to at least stay to make sure the kid is comfortable and that any emergency contacts have been notified. Or maybe they should forgo a trip home altogether, and he should drop Nanashi at the hospital first thing. But that will take more time, and he has to get back before anything else happens, and--

Again, he has to interrupt his own racing thoughts. Panicking won't help anyone, and he forces himself to shove down his worry and fear in favor of the familiar, comforting feeling of absolutely nothing. It's not really something he can turn on and off at will, though, and his nerves still peek through here and there, but at least he manages to put on a brave face for his employee.

"Alright, let's make sure you're all bandaged up before we take you home. Do you think you'll be able to give me directions as I drive?"

[It was a relief to hear that Steven believed him, given how insistent he'd been the day before. Honestly, he still wanted to test his theory out when he was "fully rested," but Steven leaping to the conclusion that Nanashi might have tampered made him worry. Just a bit. Maybe it was easy to screw up? Like, one error and they'd go insane...like last night.]

❝ U-Understood, sir. ❞ [Okay, he'd for sure been over-exerting his voice. This time, Nanashi coughed and hacked uncontrollably, no longer able to stifle it. With startlingly in-tact reflexes, he covered his mouth with his arm and turned away. When it was finally over, he saw an excessive amount of blood ( and maybe even viscera ) on his arm. The sight ( or perhaps the loss of blood ) made him dizzy.]

[Steven spoke up again, encouraging Nanashi to save his voice; he weakly nodded. If he wanted to rest up and heal, then he needed to shut the hell up.]

[To Nanashi's surprise, Steven willingly divulged company "secrets;" apparently, back in '87, there had been a series of incidents. The first reveal was that the yellow suit he'd seen had been used by...well, by the sound of it, not even Steven knew. Whoever it was, they'd royally screwed up the animatronics -- maybe that was the reason for the company's rules about tampering. It'd gone so awry that they were hostile towards staff; from the sound of it, there'd even been a casualty ( Jeremy? ).]

[Steven expressed his relief that none of them had hurt a parent, just a member of staff...before overcorrecting himself, assuring that he didn't mean to imply that their lives were any less valuable. Scared to speak, Nanashi gave a nod -- he knew that Steven didn't harbor any ill will or intentions. Judging from today's events alone, he cared...he was just under the influence of a terrible company at the same time.]

[Nanashi held back a laugh over Steven's reaction -- yeah, there was almost a hospital's worth of medical equipment in there, even before he knew how dangerous his workplace would be. Back in the day, there was rarely a moment where he wasn't bedridden and feverish; he still carried a ( perhaps irrational ) fear that he'd never quite overcome that. Better to be safe than sorry, right?]

❝ Preparation is key. ❞ [Nanashi forced out. That was the simplest explanation he could give.]

[Nanashi assessed the dressing of his wounds, and honestly, he was kind of impressed. It was like Steven had done this before...then again, given the backstory of the company, maybe that wasn't surprising. At least Steven had gone out of his way to help. He was cooler than Nanashi had given him credit for, which was saying a lot.]

[To the best of his ability, he gave a thumbs-up of approval. If he was seen in this "mummified" state, it'd be tough to explain...but he could at least hole himself up in his room and pretend nothing happened. God, he hoped Dad and Asahi weren't home yet...]

[Soon enough, they were on the road home; however, Steven's indecision between "fast" and "slow" only made Nanashi feel worse. He quietly reached for the grab handle, a nonverbal hint that the drive was making him uncomfortable.]

❝ Y-You don't have...to go slow. ❞ [In other words, PLEASE quit alternating speeds.]

"Right! Yeah, no, of course. I wasn't trying to imply you broke the rules or anything, that's not what I-- I'm just trying to cover all the bases, you know."

Nanashi's the last person who would go spreading company secrets, and nothing Steven has to say about the Toy Line is anything he hasn't told previous guards. The truth is, there isn't that much to tell.

"Who knows?" he starts, interrupting himself to urge Nanashi to "try to save your voice until you can rest up."

"This was back in '87. You've heard about the big investigation there, haven't you? Someone... used one of the suits. A yellow one, just like what you saw. They came in and messed around with the criminal recognition software we had back then until the animatronics just went crazy. I guess the characters started seeing every single adult as a threat, even in the daytime? I don't know. We're just lucky they attacked a staff member before going after any of the parents." That... came out wrong. "Not-- not that it's good they hurt Jeremy! Or you! I-- shoot, I'm sorry. You know what I mean, though, right?"

Steven should probably shut up before he makes things worse than worse.

He's quick to turn his attention to the offered materials-- he can't put his foot in his mouth if he's too busy patching Nanashi up, after all-- but he still can't help but comment on the sheer number of supplies the kid keeps around.

"What is all this? Do you always, uh, travel around with a whole first-aid station in your car?" Not a bad idea, actually, considering Nanashi's place of work.

"There we go, good as new!" Steven says with a shaky smile once the worst of the wounds are covered. He's no medical expert, but the application of the antibiotic ointment and bandages is clean and clearly practiced.

The boy might look like a mummy with all those wrappings, but at least he isn't actively bleeding out.

"Alright, uh... time to get you back home. Tell me if I'm driving too rough."

He's already begun to rehearse what he'll say to Nanashi's family when they inevitably ask what the fuck happened. Steven can get away with leaving most of the explanation to the kid himself, but he'll have to give some sort of statement, preferably one that will reassure everyone that steps are being taken to find the person responsible for Nanashi's awful incident, if there is one. It's the sort of speech Steven's made multiple times before, but he's hopeful that this time he'll actually be able to make good on all those empty promises.

With a quick adjustment of the seat and mirrors, Steven begins to slowly pull out of the parking lot, mindful and on-watch for any stray kids who might come barrelling out. He can't seem to decide between driving gently and speeding once they're on the road, though, and he keeps hitting the gas, only to ease back down to an awkward crawl a few minutes later. At least Nanashi said his place was close.

[Hey, at least Nanashi's wild, excessive preparations had inspired Steven. Maybe those first-aid kits in Freddy's would finally get refilled -- Nanashi had checked a handful of times when he accidentally nicked his finger, but they were always devoid of anything worthwhile. There was a reason he had his own supply kit.]

[After a good, lengthy pause, Steven spoke up again and asked if Nanashi would be able to identify the kid later. He racked his brain for clues, any trace of a memory; all he remembered was their smile. Sadistic, almost -- uncanny for a child. He scoured the single mental image he had for anything noteworthy, but he doubted his ability to recall them accurately.]

❝ Dunno...I don't -- I don't remember much. ❞

[At the very least, Steven's next series of questions did give Nanashi details to go off of. Now that he thought about it, there was something else off about them -- for whatever reason, the grin had haunted him more, but...their eyes. They had eerie, black eyes. He didn't remember anything else, but...]

[Wait -- "yet?"]

❝ They had -- ❞ [Nanashi sputtered again, suppressing another bloody cough.] ❝ B-Black eyes. Pitch black. Is there -- is there a reason that...they would have been hurt? ❞

[Thankfully, Steven picked up the speed without question; Nanashi relaxed, feeling his consciousness drift, kind of like someone post-concussion. He wondered if his brain had been swiss-cheesed, the way every other part of him had been...maybe he'd take a good look at himself in the mirror when he got home. It'd be gross, but he could turn this shitty situation into a positive by picturing the neat scars he'd have later.]

[Steven spoke up again to ask for directions. Dazed, Nanashi squinted at the open road they were speeding down...]

[And saw THEM. The kid from last night was right there, in the middle of the street they were speeding down, wearing that same terrifying grin. Nanashi's eyes widened; he turned to Steven, hoping that he'd notice or slow down, but nothing. They were getting closer. Just before they would have hit them, Nanashi panicked.]

❝ Jesus -- there's a kid!! ❞ [He grabbed for the wheel and wrested control, desperate to prevent the inevitable. At this point, though, it might have been too late.]

Steven has the awful, selfish thought that he's glad they're taking Nanashi's car if the kid's going to be spewing blood everywhere. Bell's own vehicle is far from clean, but at least it isn't a health hazard. ...probably.

"Uh, wow, hey, I guess so! I mean, it sure came in handy today. I might have to start... packing some things myself." Right after he restocks the pizzeria's first-aid kit. When was the last time anyone checked on that? He hadn't really bothered with that sort of thing while he had been on night shift, because the likelihood of getting attacked and surviving long enough to make use of any sort of gauze had been slim to none.

...lucky Nanashi!

Again, Steven wonders just how the guard did manage to survive. Nanashi obviously went home after his shift, which means... what, exactly? The perpetrator let him out of the suit, assumed he was dead, and left him there to bleed out? And instead of calling for help, Nanashi just... drove home, half-deceased, and decided to come in to work the next day like nothing had happened? It's an unbelievable story, but so is everything else Steven's experienced during his time with Freddy's.

"Do you think you'd be able to identify the kid you saw if you saw them again?" Nanashi doesn't seem to remember anything about any adults or attackers, but if he got a good look at the latest victim child, that might be a big help, especially if they want any chance of getting ahead of the situation before the parents call.

"Were they... okay? When you saw them? Not, um... hurt, yet, or anything?" It's a terrible thing to have to ask, but an important one. Bell has always held out hope that the other missing children are still alive out there somewhere, but he's not naive enough to think that there's no chance that their kidnapper killed them on-site. At least if this one was still alive last night, there's still a chance to--

"Huh? Oh-- oh, right, uh-- got it." Whoops. Pick a speed, Steve.

Nanashi has picked for him; sparing a glance at his sick-looking passenger, Bell begins to go faster and faster. There's no one else on the road right now, which means that as long as he doesn't go overboard (or pass a cop), they should be fine.

"Right or straight coming up, Nanashi?"

FOR THOSE WHO FEEL LIKE A MONSTER || STILL ACCEPTING! || @mute-call

mute-call asked: “You are not what has been done to you.”

❝ Yeah, I -- I know. ❞

[But did he? Since getting a full grasp on his plight ( death, revival, being puppeteered by a bratty child ), he wondered how much of him had remained intact. He could still breathe, but it was more based on instinct, a desire to feel like he was normal. His heart no longer beat. His skin was ice cold and riddled with scars. He wasn't...human anymore. He couldn't call himself that.]

[So what was he? A monster? A vessel? A puppet? The question and its unresolved answer plagued him. What had been done to him had been done, but he wasn't the same. Would he ever be? And worse, a query he had yet to acknowledge...when Cassidy was done with him, what happened next? Would he just drop dead...?]

❝ Really, it's not that big of a deal. ❞ [Nanashi gave a weak laugh, lying through his teeth.] ❝ I'll get over it. I survived, it's over now. I won't sweat it. ❞

[Steven was baffled by the kid's alleged black eyes, but frankly, so was Nanashi. Now that he thought about it, the kid's presence felt more ominous or malicious than innocent and curious. It felt like they knew what was going to happen...and they were happy about it. Was that just his mind twisting his own fuzzy memories, or was he onto something...?]

[Nevertheless, Steven accepted the information...though he probably didn't understand or even believe it. Nanashi was beginning to doubt himself here. They resembled a ghost more than an actual child.]

[Nanashi's question wasn't borne of ignorance -- moreso the fact that, well...the culprit hadn't acted in years. A kid in the back room was uncanny, sure, but he was more inclined to accept their presence as a coincidence. Maybe it was a kid who'd stowed away as they closed up for the night, or maybe his theory that they were a ghost had some credence to it. Whatever it was, the last thing on his mind was a killer from the 80's making a comeback.]

[Either Steven knew something else that Nanashi didn't, or he'd leapt to a conclusion that...probably wasn't accurate. He was too tired and unsure to contribute right now, so he'd leave it at that.]

[Tugging at the steering wheel had been stupid and reckless, but he'd acted on impulse -- if he hadn't, they would have ran that poor kid over. In hindsight, however...that was definitely the kid from last night. If he'd been able to put two and two together in that moment, he would have realized how abnormal that scenario was. Then again, it probably wouldn't have changed anything -- on the off chance that it wasn't him hallucinating, he'd rather save a life.]

[His actions had, of course, had consequences. Between Steven slamming on the brakes and the spinning of the car, he felt sick to his stomach -- that, and a seatbelt digging into his hanging-by-a-thread corpse was indescribably painful. He uncontrollably coughed; specks of blood sprayed the glovebox and the floor of the car. Blood pooled on the fabric of his shirt, likely from some reopened wounds. At least his shirt was already red, eh?]

[Steven's exclamation worsened the situation, riddling him with guilt on top of everything else. He choked out an apology, finding his throat even worse for wear now.] ❝ S...s-sorry...sir. ❞

[Nanashi didn't protest. He exited his side of the car, withholding an explanation until he felt well enough to speak. Rushing to his feet had some ill effects, though; not long after he was on solid ground, his stomach expelled itself...maybe literally. The resulting puddle, like the discharge from his coughs, had nothing but blood and viscera in it. Don't think about it.]

[Nanashi entered the backseat, his entire body trembling from the shock and utter agony. He believed in the reasoning behind his actions, but boy, was he paying for it.]

❝ The...kid. Th-There was a kid...on the road. ❞ [Nanashi forced out, sinking into his seat.] ❝ I-I'm sorry. ❞

That's to be expected. Trauma like that-- it tends to leave accurate but limited memories, especially this soon after the event. Nanashi might have focused on anything from how many floor tiles he saw in the back room to the springlocking itself; details about the child might be completely inaccessible at this point.

...oh, well. It was worth a shot.

Except--

"Black eyes...?" Steven echoes, struggling to make sense of what Nanashi means. A trick of the light? Something as simple as very dark brown irises? Blown pupils, maybe? He has no idea.

"Okay, uh. Good to... know."

Steven's gaze flicks toward Nanashi, surprised by the question. Nanashi knows about the company's long, unfortunate past, doesn't he? How naive does someone have to be to see a child in the back room after hours and not jump to the obvious conclusion that there's something really, really wrong going on? It must just be the general near-death confusion clouding the guy's mind. Bell debates with himself for a moment before settling on a response that's unlikely to upset the poor kid too terribly.

"No! No, of course not. Uh, I just wanted to make sure." There's no need to go into things right now when Nanashi's clearly not all there.

Steven barely gets out a confused "huh?" before Nanashi goes crazy, yanking on the wheel and sending them careening off the road.

Things happen too quickly for Bell to fully comprehend, but one moment he's slamming on the brakes, and the next--

"Wh--" He blinks, dazed, pressing an uncoordinated hand to his face to push at his glasses. There's an odd sort of pain in his abdomen where his seat-belt has bitten into him, and he can't quite tell whether he's slammed his head against something, but overall... that could have been worse.

"What the hell, Nanashi!" there's not much force to his words, and they come out more shocked than angry. He should probably make sure that none of the other employee's wounds have reopened, but at the moment, all he can do is stare straight ahead and reel from what just happened.

"Th-th-- you need to go sit in the back. I'm going to-- I don't think the car's banged up too badly, but Jesus! What did you go and do a thing like that for!"

[This was the first time ( as far as Nanashi could recall ) that Steven had ever been this angry with him -- it was deserved, though. Nanashi had pulled a stupid move that could have easily gotten them killed. That and, apparently, the sight had all been in Nanashi's head -- he'd gotten them both hurt over a delusion. He should have trusted Steven's lack of reaction as a sign that there was nothing there.]

[He shrank in his seat; he felt like a little kid again, upset and frustrated with himself for disappointing his dad. Of course, this scenario was objectively worse -- he was actively being a burden to his boss because he couldn't get his shit together. That, and he was dying. Not a good look.]

[After a moment, Steven collapsed against his headrest, then apologized for snapping. Yeah, this definitely resembled a lecture from his dad...albeit with deeper repercussions. He reassured Nanashi that they were okay and hadn't hurt anyone, which -- though partly obvious -- was a big relief.]

[It did, of course, raise some questions. Who was the kid he kept seeing? Were they connected to that suit, somehow? Or maybe it was one of those things where he'd been seeing some manifestation of the grim reaper, kind of like how people on their death bed would see otherworldly shit. God, he was in bad shape.]

[Nanashi quietly nodded as Steven offered to drive -- slowly, this time. His gaze absentmindedly drifted to his window. He stared at the road; the kid was nowhere to be seen.]

[If he saw any more "visions," huh? Yeah, Steven probably thought he was crazy now, on top of everything else. Alas, he was in no position to argue or defend himself...he'd just shut up for a while. At least his throat might heal.]

❝ Deal. It's a left...a-at the next light. Then you turn...right, after the park. M-My house's on...Rocky Road. ❞ [Might as well get instructions out of the way now -- it'd be easier than trying to navigate from the backseat, and remaining silent was a good solution to...a lot of problems right now.]

Yeah, Nanashi better be sorry. That was reckless, and dangerous, and not in the ways in which Steven is used to.

The sound of retching makes Bell turn his head, hard-wired to immediately clean up any unfortunate accidents before parents start explaining, but he can see all the way from inside the vehicle that whatever Nanashi has thrown up is more blood than anything else. Oof. Now they really need to get the poor kid some rest.

Steven quickly averts his gaze and shifts his focus back to the car. It’s still running, which is good, and hopefully Nanashi’s place is close enough that the vehicle can limp along the last few miles even if there’s damage that Bell can’t see right now.

Looking back at Nanashi through the mirror, Steven grits his teeth, frustrated.

“There was not. The road was completely empty.” …it’s not Nanashi’s fault. If he had hallucinated a kid in the road, then he had… maybe… done the right thing in making sure they hadn’t hit it.

Bell sighs, letting his head fall back against the seat with a painful thump.

“I’m— no, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get short with you. We’re okay, and I promise, we didn’t hit anyone.”

Nanashi needs some serious help. As soon as Steven gets him home, he’s going to call up the guy’s family if they’re not already around and demand that they get his head checked out (in addition to everything else wrong with Nanashi right now). Then Steven will go back, fix things, and— and everything will be just fine.

“I’m going to start driving again, okay?” At a far more reasonable speed, this time. He doesn’t want Nanashi to throw up more blood.

“Tell me if you start seeing any more, uh, visions, and I’ll tell you if they’re really real. Deal?”

[Steven apologized again; Nanashi speechlessly shook his head. It might feel crushing to have disappointed someone he cared about, but all the same, he could kind of understand Steven's exasperation. Honestly, he was kind of frustrated with himself for not questioning an obvious delusion, but...he was admittedly reckless and impulsive. He was already dead. What was the harm in getting himself killed if it meant saving someone?]

[Though, considering that Nanashi hadn't been alone, that was an incredibly selfish line of thought. He'd probably survive ( in...one way or another ), but what about Steven? No matter what he did, he would have hurt somebody. Lose-lose.]

❝ Right. ❞ [Nanashi quietly agreed, trying to put less strain on his throat. It absolutely could have been worse. He was lucky that it'd been a minor crash, one that might have dented the car and given them scrapes and bruises, but easily survivable. They were fine ( scratch that -- Steven was fine ). He should just latch onto that.]

[At last, Nanashi's home was within sight. He kept his eyes peeled, praying that his family wasn't home yet. They didn't need to see him like this. Please, please...]

[He breathed a sigh of relief upon spying his empty driveway. They were still out. He wouldn't worry them, so long as he kept his head low and maintained that he was sick ( and not the alternative ). He might be feeling like shit, but knowing that he'd be alone lifted a heavy weight off his shoulders. They didn't need to know.]

[Nanashi stood on wobbly legs ( frustrating, since they'd only been in the car for ten minutes, max ); Steven rattled off ways that he might be able to help, but Nanashi ( miraculously ) paled at the mention of phone numbers. Maybe he should lie. He could improvise some fake numbers off the top of his head, right? Until Steven called them or saw his actual paperwork...fuck.]

[Whatever. He'd cross that bridge once they got to it.]

❝ Water s-sounds nice. ❞ [He wondered if that might cure his raw throat...or maybe feeling anything slide down his throat would make it significantly worse. Oh, well. Water couldn't hurt.] ❝ I...don't think I can eat, though. ❞ [Honestly, he still felt kind of queasy. He wasn't about to worry his family by spewing his remaining organs onto the kitchen floor.]

[As for the recitation of numbers...he probably could, but did he want to? Absolutely not. Maybe he could delay the inevitable here.] ❝ I, uh...I don't know. That's a big ask r-right now. ❞

[Steven went ahead and used his shoulder as leverage, then firmly held Nanashi's wrist. The concerned expression that followed didn't raise much confidence. Either his skin was ice cold, or...he was missing a pulse. Maybe both -- he wouldn't be surprised at either possibility. He sure felt dead, or like someone who was slowly dying.]

[There was a lapse of silence; Steven ended it with an expression of his regret. Even if he'd opted to send Nanashi to a hospital, though, Nanashi would absolutely have fought against it. His situation felt less intimidating when he didn't have medical confirmation that he was a walking corpse. A doctor would make his predicament feel grave and alarming; he didn't need a medical professional to confirm what he already knew.]

[Especially in front of his family.]

❝ I'm fine. ❞ [Nanashi hoarsely insisted, muffling a cough. He wasn't, but he could get over this, probably. He sure could hope.] ❝ A doctor couldn't h-help me, anyway. ❞

[Steven cut himself off, unsure of how to ask a glaring question; the objective answer was no, he was not holding up ( nor was he alive ), but that was a response that Nanashi couldn't ( and wouldn't ) give. They were in the homestretch. He just wanted this to be over so he could feel...well...normal-ish again.]

❝ Feelin' better already. ❞ [Nanashi assured; contrary to his words, his throat was so scratchy that he couldn't help another bloody cough. He threw his arm over his mouth -- the same one that he'd already stained in hopes that it would "blend in." He then gave a weary thumbs-up. He was probably actively making the situation worse, but hey, he was trying.] ❝ Really. Water will cure me. ❞ [He gave a weak, forced laugh. He should really stop while he was "ahead."]

"Got it." Awkwardness hangs heavy in the air now that they're out of immediate danger, and Bell clears his throat as he scrambles for some way to diffuse the discomfort Nanashi must also be feeling.

"Sorry again for, uh. For that. I mean, things could have gone a lot worse, right?" He laughs, forcing himself to sound easy-going and less bothered than he is. Yes, Nanashi fucked up. But the kid also looks like a walking zombie right now, and the last thing he needs is to feel guilty on top of completely ill.

The rest of the drive goes smoothly, even if Steven doesn't relax his white-knuckle grip on the steering wheel until they pull gingerly up to Nanashi's house. There aren't any other cars in the driveway, which is certainly not what Steven had hoped to see.

"...looks like no one's home." Under different circumstances, Steven might ask for permission before entering the house, but time is of the essence right now. He struggles for a moment to locate the correct key, then half-jogs between the open door and the backseat to help Nanashi stand.

"I'll get you some water once we have you set down. Do you think you can stomach eating something light? And... obviously I don't have your, um, paperwork here, so I might need you to remember some phone numbers if your family are out at work. Do you think you can do that for me, buddy?"

He wouldn't be surprised if the task of contacting Nanashi's family is beyond the poor kid right now. Nanashi is obviously out of sorts, and the current goal might have shifted from "drop him off in someone else's care" to "stabilize him and call emergency services." At least the ambulances and cops would be swarming around the house, and not the pizzeria.

As Steven loops one of the boy's arms around his shoulders, he holds onto Nanashi's wrist to keep the other employee from slipping to the pavement. Bell's not an expert, but he's pretty sure the fact that he can't feel anything resembling a heartbeat isn't... good.

Nanashi quite literally feels like death warmed over. It shouldn't be possible-- none of this should be possible-- and Steven's own heart begins to race as he does his best to ignore the implications that are beginning to arise. It's hard to ignore them completely, however, and he can't help but stare at his companion out of the corner of his eye, wondering.

"...I think I-- I might have messed up. Not bringing you straight to a hospital." I'm so sorry, Nanashi.

"Do you feel--" alive?

"How are you holding up?"

[Nanashi had a tendency to be pulled aside after his technology class, but he never minded it -- Mr. Bell was by far his most encouraging and supportive teacher. One who taught his favorite elective, at that! Any other teacher would talk about his "wasted potential," but Mr. Bell recognized where Nanashi's heart lied and fully embraced it.]

[A bright grin crossed Nanashi's face as he was complimented -- just as he was about to thank him, Mr. Bell continued. This wasn't an ordinary "keep it up, kid!" conversation...it was an opportunity. His expression dropped, but not because he wasn't excited...it was because he was in disbelief.]

[Afton Robotics? THE Afton Robotics? That was a huge name to drop on him out of the blue; not only that, but it sounded like he was being offered an internship. A life-changing one. If he made his name known around there, he could secure his future as an inventor. He might even get a full-ride scholarship, despite his mediocre grades. As enthusiastic as he was...he couldn't believe this was real.]

❝ No way. Are you serious? ❞ [He was being cautiously optimistic here -- he wanted this internship more than anything else in the world, but he couldn't accept this at face-value. He didn't get why they'd want him. He excelled in his technology class, but...he wasn't some kind of prodigy. He was good, but he wasn't THAT good.]

[But of course, Mr. Bell wasn't finished. An uneasy chill ran down his spine as his teacher alluded to his "extracurriculars;" there was no way he was referring to what Nanashi thought he was, right?]

[Nanashi unconsciously picked at the glowing scar on his hand. Laziness and carelessness were part of the reason he didn't focus on his other classes, but there was also a deeper reason. Not too long ago, he'd...well, he'd died trying to protect his sister. Rather than accept that fate, he encountered a demon who wanted to help ( in his own way ). Nanashi would be granted power, but would forever be Dagda's puppet, forced to obey the demon's whims. He'd saved his sister, but in the days since then, he'd been encouraged to..."practice."]

[His ideals aligned with Dagda's, in some ways. "Some people deserve to die," as Dagda so kindly put it, "so why not strengthen yourself by getting rid of them?"]

[And so Nanashi had. He'd been a reckless, albeit unseen and unrecognized, vigilante for the past few months. Most recently, he'd started ( and finished ) a war with a powerful local gang -- a deed which hadn't gone unnoticed, even if he'd somehow gotten away with it. That couldn't be what Mr. Bell was referring to, though, could it...? He couldn't imagine what might happen to him if...well, anyone knew.]

[Unusually wary of a teacher he trusted, he glanced to his phone -- Dagda's "connection" to the living world, the apparatus that allowed him to manifest and influence Nanashi. When he was at a loss, it was often Dagda he would turn to...and this was no exception.]

❝ He knows more than he's letting on. Let's hear him out, kid. ❞ [Nanashi remained uncertain, but Dagda's voice had an air confidence to it, like he knew precisely how this would unfold. He trusted Mr. Bell, and to an extent, he did trust Dagda. He wouldn't have relied on the demon's advice otherwise.]

[Mr. Bell concluded, in so many words, that he could help. Nanashi wasn't alone. He didn't have to do this himself.]

❝ ...How did you know? Have you been spying on me? ❞ [Nanashi asked apprehensively, not daring to verify these "extracurricular activities" aloud.] ❝ Besides, I'm fine on my own. What could you do to help me? And -- what does any of this have to do with Afton Robotics? ❞

alt verse roundup! || @dagdasgodslayer

"Hey, Nanashi, hold on a sec, would you?"

Steven's smile is easy and warm, just like always. It's not hard to pretend; this assignment has been pretty fun, as far as acquisitions go. Nanashi's a nice kid-- he'll do really well once he gets settled in-- and it's rare that Bell gets to gush about old communication technology to people who will actually listen. Maybe if things don't work out for him at the company, he can start teaching for real.

He almost grins at his own joke, but catches himself in time. He's about to have a very important conversation, and he can't afford to get lost in his own head.

"You've been killing it! Uh, I hope you don’t mind, but I have some friends over at Afton Robotics, and I told them about you. They’re always looking for bright young minds to help keep them pushing forward, and I think you’d do really well there in an internship, if you end up wanting one.”

If Nanashi were a normal kid, an offer like that would change his entire life. Afton Robotics is big. Career-making big. Having the Afton name on your resume means you’re a shoo-in for nearly any other research position in the country.

But Nanashi’s not normal, and Steven’s not done.

“I wasn't just impressed with your work here, though. You've-- look, I don't know how to say this without sounding cheesy, but I know you've been... splitting your time between school and stuff and-- extracurriculars? Very unique extracurriculars?" He sounds a little sheepish, as though he's not quite sure how to phrase things, but his tone remains open. Inviting. Safe.

"You don't have to explain yourself to me. I just want you to know that you're not alone, and that-- I think I can help you out there, too. If you want it. We're more alike than we are different, if you know what I mean."

[Would Mr. Bell be lying about this? If his teacher was as kind as he'd always made himself out to be, then there was no way. Again, Nanashi really didn't understand...but an opportunity was an opportunity. He'd have to seize it while he still had the chance. If Afton Robotics was actually interested in him...how could he say no?]

[His teacher continued, alluding to how "obvious" Nanashi's vigilantism had been; admittedly, he hadn't been doing much to conceal his identity ( a hoodie and face mask didn't do much, but hey, were Clark Kent's glasses any better? ), but he didn't think that anyone had noticed. His family worried when he came home late, and recently, his dad had been chiding him on how much school he was missing...but running off to commit crimes in the name of justice couldn't be the first conclusion anyone would reach. Other kids skipped all the time without being questioned. Had he really been that reckless?]

[Nanashi swallowed, averting his gaze. Mr. Bell was right. If he could piece this together, then ultimately, others would too. What would they do then? Nanashi would be apprehended, his dad would be horrified, and his sister...]

[...Hell, Asahi didn't even know that he'd died in that first confrontation. He couldn't imagine how she might react.]

[His teacher continued, revealing Afton Robotics' true goal in all of this: they were a sort of "sanctuary" for people like him. The sales pitch that followed was ( unfortunately ) effective, moreso because Mr. Bell was someone that Nanashi wholeheartedly trusted. Mr. Bell really did have the best intentions; he wouldn't recommend this unless he was absolutely sure Nanashi would benefit from it.]

[Nanashi anxiously rubbed at his arm; that conclusion sounded hopeful and optimistic. A win-win, no matter how you looked at it. A once-in-a-lifetime internship AND protection in his chaotic pursuits. It would guarantee a future for him in more ways than one. He couldn't refuse.]

[He eyeballed his phone, gauging Dagda's reaction. He seemed satisfied. There would be no interference on his part...which meant that Nanashi had to do the logical thing here.]

❝ So...they actually want to help me? ❞ [If Mr. Bell's pitch had any truth to it, then yes, they did. He still didn't understand why a stupid kid like him would hold any interest for them, but...] ❝ I mean...I can't say no. Interning with them would be a dream come true, and if they support...what I'm doing, then that's even better. ❞

❝ But -- what do they even see in me? I'm not... ❞ [Was he really just about to insist that he wasn't special? He could die and ressurect as many times as he wanted, with only a few strings attached. He had become a pinnacle of strength and fortitude with Dagda's help. Still...] ❝ I just...don't understand. ❞

"Would I lie to you about something like this?"

Steven waits patiently for Nanashi to take in everything that he has offered. It's a lot at once, and although Bell didn't specifically intend to overwhelm the kid, he didn't try to avoid it, either; he doesn't want to give Nanashi the opportunity to think too hard about any one thing Steve's said.

When Nanashi finally speaks, it's with more suspicion and fear than Steven had anticipated, but he gets it. This is probably the first time anyone's challenged the kid on his vigilante work, and he's probably too new and naive to realize how obvious he's been.

"Nanashi," Bell starts gently, "you know you haven't exactly been, uh, subtle, right? ...I didn't need to spy on you to figure it out. And if I can put the pieces together, it's only a matter of time before everyone else does, too. Look, I don't know what your goals are, exactly, but I know there are better ways of achieving them. ...ways that won't end with you getting caught?"

"Afton Robotics-- my friends there are part of a branch of the company that knows about people like us and works to help them. Resources, community, protection... I know you're a capable kid, and you'll probably be fine on your own, like you said. But I can honestly say that connecting with them was the best thing that ever happened to me! You have so much ahead of you! I just-- don't want to see you throw it all away by getting yourself caught because you were too stubborn to let me help you."

This is mostly a sales pitch, but part of Steven really believes what he's saying. Nanashi has done truly incredible work already, without any direction; under Mr. Afton's guidance, he could be one of the most important and powerful people of his generation. Sure, Steven's here on behalf of AR's interests, but this will be a mutually beneficial arrangement, he's sure of it. It's going to change Nanashi's life.

"Look, I'm not here to force you into anything. You're welcome to come intern with the normal R&D branches, no strings attached, and I'll never bring up the rest of it ever again. But... just think about it, please? I've seen how this goes. You make enough waves on your own, and someone else with bigger and better powers comes to make you stop. You're doing amazing work! I don't want to see you fail before you've even really begun."

He watches Nanashi carefully, his expression still open and hopeful.

"What do you think?"

❝ A super…? ❞

[Was that what he was? He was no stranger to superheroes ( how could he be? ), but they were almost like...celebrities. Cool and admired, but untouchable. When he witnessed the spectacles performed by supers, their daring rescues, their fierce battles...he was at least 90% sure that their abilities hadn't come from a third party. Or rather, a third party that had stayed with them -- Dagda would always be here, controlling Nanashi behind the scenes. He'd like to see a radioactive spider do that.]

[Regardless...the point remained that he wasn't a super, not really. He was immortal, but only if he remained in cahoots with Dagda. His powers came at a great cost and a great limit. Afton Robotics had to be mistaken about him...he almost felt bad taking advantage of this offer. This was his ticket into two elite societies, but he felt unworthy -- moreso now than ever.]

❝ And you, uh -- you really think I belong there? ❞ [Again, he relied on an outside source -- one who didn't have the full story. If Afton Robotics thought he was special, why not take advantage of it? Dagda would wholeheartedly support that. He'd been surprisingly complacent thus far.]

[In an effort to reassure him, Mr. Bell elaborated, praising Nanashi and his actions. To his surprise, Mr. Afton apparently regarded Nanashi as somebody who could change the world -- but how much of that was because of his newfound power, and how much was his hardworking attitude?]

[He was complimented again, but in all honesty, hearing more and more about the potential he had was sort of...uncomfortable. None of it was him. It was almost entirely Dagda's influence. He had a gift, sure, but it wasn't one he'd developed himself...if he lost Dagda, he would lose everything. That wasn't very "superheroic" of him, was it?]

❝ ...Right. ❞ [Nanashi self-consciously agreed, feeling a pang of fear as Steven expressed that his future was his own. It wasn't. No matter how much he wanted it to be, no matter how much he tried, he would never be free of Dagda's influence. He had no freedom. He had no choice.] ❝ I guess I just have a hard time accepting that. I...used to be normal. Y'know? ❞

[Despite himself, Nanashi got a bit starry-eyed at the idea of touring the facility after school -- there was nothing he'd want more. He'd admired Afton Robotics for so long...to think it was double-sided in the best way imaginable. He once again wondered how "real" this was. How could two of his interests coexist so perfectly? It was surreal.]

[Steven reiterated that it was Nanashi's decision...but Nanashi knew the truth. The only reason he'd be allowed to follow this pursuit was because Dagda wanted him to. He'd probably be puppeteered if he dared to say "no."]

❝ That -- that sounds great, sir. ❞ [He stumbled, the reality of the situation sinking in. There was nothing more anxiety-inducing than trying to meet an idol's lofty expectations.] ❝ I guess I should ask what to expect...what's the supers program like? Is it more of a behind-the-scenes gig, or are there cool training classes? I just...uh...I feel kind of lost in all of this. It's a lot to take in. ❞

"Yeah!" Help him help them, but still. "Gosh, Nanashi, there's so much you still have to learn about this stuff. Have you ever even met another super before? Uh, secret identities aside, Afton Robotics won't just be your ticket into the tech industry, it'll be your ticket into supers society. No matter what you end up focusing on, it can't hurt to have them at your back, you know?"

This is going great! Steven's glad this is the tactic the higher-ups chose for Nanashi. ...they didn't exactly have a choice, not with the kid's ability set, but still. You catch more super-powered flies with honey than with forceful-retrieval-slash-elimination-teams, as they say.

"Um... let me see if I can rephrase. You're a really hard worker, I've seen that first-hand. Mr. Afton's always said that it's people like you who are going to end up changing the world-- you don't have to be one-in-a-million, or a genius, or anything like that. You just have to know what you want and know how to get it. In terms of your extra abilities, though... Nanashi, do you have any idea how incredible you are? I'm considered a high-value asset, but I'm nowhere near on your level. You've been given a real gift. What you choose to do with it is up to you; the company just wants to help you live up to your full potential."

Where exactly that gift came from is a mystery-- one Steven knows the lab techs will be excited to unravel. They have yet to develop a reliable method of evoking predictable powers within their test subjects; every kid in the program was a gamble, all injected with the same chemical formula, and not all of the latent powers that emerged from their unique, individual physiology proved as useful as Bell's.

There's no telling what the company can learn from someone who got his abilities somewhere else, however. If they could reliably duplicate Nanashi's powers, that would be a success beyond anyone's wildest dreams! That would fulfill most if not all of Mr. Afton's personal goals for the program! With Nanashi's death-defiance, William would... he'd be--

He'd be unstoppable.

Steven's surprised by the flicker of anxiety that flashes through him at the thought, and dutifully ignores it. It doesn't make sense, and it's not worth dwelling on, especially not right now. He still has work to do to finish this job.

"I know this is a little... soon, but I could take you by today if you want and show you around." He knows Nanashi doesn't have much in the way of after-school commitments, because the kid spends his time wreaking havoc instead.

"You could see what they have to offer. ...but if that's too much, you can always ask me any questions you have instead. About, uh, either opportunity. I know it's a lot to take in, and I'm here to tell you that there's no rush to decide! You're in control."

[Mr. Bell believed in him...that was both reassuring and terrifying. From the sound of it, he'd only botch this opportunity if he did so intentionally. Afton Robotics didn't know the circumstances that led to the acquisition of his power, so that tracked...but it didn't make him feel any less uneasy. So long as he kept Dagda a secret, he could make the most of this, right?]

[...He'd have to.]

❝ Wow -- uh, thank you. ❞ [Worried as he was, his teacher was being unyieldingly optimistic and encouraging...as always. If it weren't for his feelings of inferiority, Mr. Bell's words would have inspired confidence. Even if he couldn't internalize any of it, he did genuinely appreciate Bell's support.] ❝ I'll try -- no, I'll do my best. ❞

[They were the same? It wasn't exactly difficult to picture Mr. Bell as normal ( Nanashi had always assumed that he was an "average joe" ), but the knowledge that he'd become super seemingly out of nowhere struck him. In a way, that was what Nanashi was experiencing now...albeit with a side of helplessness. Assuming that he'd have to lie throughout this endeavor, he'd been worried about that "community" bit -- but maybe it'd be more useful than he thought. After all, nobody knew what Nanashi was going through ( if he played his cards right, then nobody ever would ), but maybe he'd meet others who kind of understood him.]

❝ Yeah...that'll be nice. ❞ [Nanashi mused, mostly to himself.] ❝ You said you started out normal, too? What was, um...how did you deal with becoming super out of nowhere? ❞

[It had everything? Once again, this sounded too good to be true, but it was Afton Robotics...the tech side of the company was probably so profitable that they could afford all sorts of amenities. Hell, they'd probably contributed some of their own resources, being a pioneer of the technological industry and all. Nanashi could only imagine what their facilities looked like...it sounded so cool.]

[Even more interesting was Mr. Bell's allusion to a time when he couldn't even control his powers. To some extent, Nanashi could truly relate to that...he felt out of control himself. For different reasons, but still.]

❝ So you couldn't control your powers? How'd they help with that? ❞ [The answer would likely be obvious, but if Steven was willing to go into any detail....he sort of wondered if it'd help him in the end. Probably not, but...he was curious either way.]

[Mr. Bell remarked that Nanashi had a good grasp on his abilities -- to some extent, he'd trained himself by following Dagda's advice, but "control" didn't feel like the right term. He'd adjusted. He'd gotten used to the feelings of death and revival, developed a strong pain tolerance, and honed his power to do as much damage as possible while avoiding outright destruction. That wasn't control; it was adaptation.]

[As anticipated, this facility sounded like the best possible place for him. Those training courses definitely appealed, too ( although learning that the tech class wouldn't be taught by Mr. Bell was a bit disheartening ). If they were offering to take him under their wing, no payment required, he had to accept. Even if it wouldn't help, even though Dagda would always loom over him...he wanted to go there and learn what he could.]

❝ It sounds like it. The only way they could improve is by having you teach tech. ❞ [Nanashi smiled, finally easing up on this whole situation. It was a lot of pressure and a ton of information all at once, but maybe he could pull it off.]

[Mr. Bell expressed his enthusiasm again, then gave Nanashi another chance to ask away -- he wasn't really sure what to ask about now, though. Most of what he wanted to know would be revealed when he visited the place.]

❝ I'm not sure, I...I think I'll be able to think of more stuff to ask when I'm actually there. ❞ [Though, come to think of it, there was one pressing concern on his mind.] ❝ Actually...my family. Do you guys tell them what's going on? And, uh, the "protection" thing you mentioned earlier...does that cover them, too? ❞

"Of course! And I'm not the only one. The people I've told about you-- they're really looking forward to meeting you. ...I won't lie, you can still blow this if you really try. But I believe in you, I know you'll show them what you've shown me." Steven smiles again. The implication is clear and intended: I know you won't let me down.

Oh, that's fascinating. Does Nanashi mean he wasn't born with his powers, or that they took time to manifest? Steven taps at the headphones around his neck, activating a simple reminder system that will helpfully yell at him in a few hours that there's something he's supposed to remember for a report.

"I told you we were the same. I know where you're coming from. It's a huge step, going from being--" nobody. Nothing. Useless. "--uh, 'normal,' to going to the top of the heap. If it helps, most of the people you'll meet at AR have gone through the same thing. That's what I mean about the community aspect-- you'll finally be around people who actually understand what you're dealing with."

Aaaand... done. Steven's gotten Nanashi through the door, and the bulk of his job is over, now. Sure, he'll answer questions, and he still needs to physically walk the kid over, but retention is someone else's concern. Easy-peasy! ...it's almost a shame. He'll miss working one-on-one with Nanashi. Considering the differences in their abilities, it's unlikely they'll be sent on many assignments together.

Bell relaxes now that he's in the home stretch, and when he starts talking about the program, it's with the same casual, genuine enthusiasm that he shows in class when he's explaining the history of telegraphs and Morse Code.

"Oh, it's got everything! I mean, it's been a while since I was your age, heh, but if it's the same as before, it's-- it's well-rounded, I'll put it that way. There are definitely cool training classes. My cohort, we-- most of us couldn't handle our powers at first. At all."

God, those first few weeks had been hell. Steven's not a telepath, but he imagines their powers come with similar difficulties; without the experience needed to effectively tune in and out of all the billions of fucking transmissions being channeled through his head, Steven had nearly lost himself. But the company had saved him, first with a mechanical chip in his brain to do the filtering for him, and then by teaching him how to do it for himself.

"I know you've gotten a handle on yours, but they'll be able to teach you how to make the best use of them, if that's something you want. There's, uh, classes in combat, tech-- not taught by me, unfortunately-- subterfuge, all the stuff you'd expect from a fancy place like that. It's just incredible! And the facilities... I'm telling you, Nanashi, this is literally the best program money can buy." Yes, there are other facilities out there doing similar things, but Steven thinks they're stupid and inferior on principle.

"Sorry, that probably makes you feel even more overwhelmed. We'll ease you into things. I'm just-- absolutely thrilled you'll be giving this a shot! Is there anything you're specifically concerned about, when it comes to the program or your, uh, situation?"

[Unworthy as he was, Mr. Bell's unwavering faith in him sparked a bit of confidence this time around. It'd be stressful, but he really did want to prove himself...for all sorts of reasons. The more his teacher talked about it, the more idyllic Afton Robotics seemed. They might actually help him, to some extent. He wouldn't ever be free, but...this made him feel like he had a chance.]

[A doorway to a better life...yeah, that was exactly what it sounded like. This would open up all sorts of doors for him; he could pursue his dreams and hone his abilities all at once. Not only that, but even Dagda was endorsing it...he couldn't be certain that Dagda would continue to be supportive, but this gave him hope. Dagda might not be so bad after all.]

[Nanashi somehow paled at that question -- how did it happen? There was no way he could spill the beans, obviously, but coming up with an origin story on the spot was no easy task.]

❝ I...don't want to talk about it. ❞ [In the end, the vague approach might work for him; as an added bonus, he technically wasn't lying. He didn't want to get into the gorey details.] ❝ Sorry. I know that isn't what you wanted to hear. ❞

["A heck of a thing" was putting it lightly. Mr. Bell wasn't wrong; it had taken a good number of deaths to get him to his current level of competence. He wouldn't have taken on an entire gang if he wasn't a thousand percent sure that he would survive it in one way or another. Plus, dying a billion times gave him a better handle on his powers; he wasn't sure if he'd just taken on more risks after the fact or if it had always been part of the deal, but he learned that he had some degree of inherent regeneration. It became stronger the more he revived, as did his overall strength. He sort of wondered if it was Dagda compensating for his ineptitude. That, or maybe he was actually getting better.]

❝ That's one way to put it. I guess you're right, though...I won't get into it, but all that fighting has a way of building your confidence. ❞

[Mr. Bell hesitated at first, but he eventually described his experience in detail -- greater detail than Nanashi expected. It almost made him feel bad for withholding the details of his own "awakening," but his secrecy was for the best.]

[From the sound of it, whatever his teacher's power was, it sounded like a real hassle. Suppression was apparently impossible to achieve in some cases -- Mr. Bell's was intense enough to warrant sleeping pills ( or maybe something more intense ). It sounded rough. He never would have guessed that Mr. Bell was suffering so much behind the scenes.]

❝ That sucks ass. ❞ [Where Mr. Bell apologized and censored himself, Nanashi remained unfiltered, even in the presence of authority.] ❝ Really -- I had no idea that your powers were such an issue. ❞ [Or that he even had them in the first place.] ❝ At least you got some help from them, right? It'll get better. They're making new breakthroughs every day, y'know...I'm sure creating an actual suppressant isn't too far off. ❞

[The "real" experts, huh? Nanashi couldn't help doubting that, at least when it came to those tech classes. The teacher there might be a bit more knowledgeable, sure, but he doubted they'd have the same passion that Mr. Bell had. That was part of the reason Nanashi got along with him.] ❝ If you say so, sir. ❞

[Whenever he was ready, huh? Better sooner than later. Plus, hey, he could come up with a bullshit origin story while he was in the car. He'd work himself up too much if he waited.] ❝ Couldn't tell ya, but I'm good to go whenever. ❞

[In all likelihood, the school day wasn't even over...but it wasn't like he was known for attending his classes.]

[His response to the question of his family was comforting; it seemed like he'd be able to dictate how much they knew and how involved Afton Robotics would be. Keeping them uninformed would be for the best ( he'd read up on how dangerous involving your loved ones was in the super world ), but if they got sucked into Nanashi's mess, he would hope that they'd be safer with Afton Robotics' oversight.]

❝ No, no -- ❞ [Nanashi was quick to dismiss the idea that they were supers.] ❝ They're totally normal. I just...I don't want them to know more than they have to. If anything happened to them, I don't know what I'd do. ❞

[Nothing good, that was for sure.]

"I know you will, Nanashi."

"It was an adjustment, but a good one. For me, they walked me through everything. It was-- it was like a doorway to a better life had suddenly opened up in front of me, and they were helping me step through it."

Steven's gone a little quiet, and his smile softens from a bright, enthusiastic grin to a gentler, sincere tilt at the corner of his mouth. He sounds half brainwashed when it comes to all the good the company does, and in many, many ways, he is.

"...what was it like for you? How did it actually, uh, happen?" There's something probing in his gaze. He doesn't need to be the one to get this information out of Nanashi, but as long as it's come up, he might as well see what he can find out about the origins of the kid's powers.

"That must have been a heck of a thing to realize about yourself. Not that I know the, uh, full extent of what you can do, but from what I've heard, you must have gotten into some pretty intense scrapes to feel confident tackling the stuff... and people... you've been dealing with now."

More than that, Nanashi's died at least once by now, from what Steven's been able to gather. What must that have been like before Nanashi had known he'd be able to bounce back? Had he been scared? Exhilarated? Steven's heard of people with rapid healing factors who let themselves get hurt on purpose just to see how quickly they'll recover. It sounds awful, but he can understand the urge to test one's limits. ...to an extent.

"Uh." How to word this? "They gave me some, um, mechanical assistance, and then taught me how to get a handle on things. There are certain tactics that work better with different categories of powers, but the basic stuff is all the same: mindfulness, being in tune with your body, practice. That sort of thing. It's like growing a new limb, or something-- you just need to learn how to use it. ...I'll be honest with you, though. There are some powers that are a pain in the ass-- sorry, um, excuse my language. There are some powers that give people trouble no matter what they do to control them. I still have to take pills sometimes before bed, just because it's, y'know, harder to keep things in check when you're unconscious. I wake up with headaches... sometimes..."

TMI, Steve.

"Sorry, sorry, I'm sure you don't want to hear about all that! The point is, if you have any unwanted side-effects from your abilities, you should let the Afton medical staff know. They can help, I promise."

He laughs, his smile brightening again.

"That's really nice of you. Don't worry, you'll love the people they have teaching there. They're the real experts." And there's no way the company would ever waste Bell's talents on teaching full-time, as much as he might enjoy that.

"That sounds good! Uh, actually, what time is it? We could probably head over whenever you're ready."

He shoots a quick text to the "Welcome Committee" on the private server ( 𝙾𝙼𝚆!! :-) 𝙰 𝙰𝙲𝚀 ! 👍👍! ), stifling a laugh when all he gets in return is a curt "𝙶𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝." Some people just don't know how to have fun.

...oh. The family question.

"I-- that's really up to you, Nanashi. Do they already know about you? You're the one the company would be working with, not them, so... you get to put in your contract how much you want them to be involved. Most people tend to keep their supers life and their, uh, non-supers life separate."

Steven can't remember the last time he saw his parents in person.

"Wait, sorry, actually, I guess the better question is-- are any of them like you?"

Bell hasn't been able to find any indication that that's the case, but again, as long as Nanashi is offering opportunities for natural-sounding questions, Steven will try to learn what he can.

"Because if they are, we might not be able to set them up with the same deal, but they'd be welcome to make use of certain protections and resources as well, I'm sure."

[Thankfully, Mr. Bell didn't ask anything more of him; he'd rather not dredge up trauma or fumble a totally fabricated backstory. He needed time for...both of those, really.] ❝ Thank you, sir. ❞

[Nanashi may have misinterpreted his teacher's complaints, but a suppressant really sounded like a good solution for any sleeping problems ( assuming it was his abilities that were bugging him ). Maybe not, then. At least Mr. Bell was taking it in stride!]

❝ Heh, okay -- I hope they figure out a way to teach that, then. I wonder if there's a super with, like...sleeping powers. ❞ [For therapeutic purposes, of course. Having nocturnal abilities sounded more like a villain thing, though...putting people to sleep would be too much of an advantage.]

[His teacher's reassurance meant the world to him; they were his number one priority and concern in all of this ( and the opposite was probably true for them ). He wanted a guarantee that, no matter what he did, they wouldn't be put in any danger whatsoever -- he'd never forgive himself if his actions jeopardized them. Mr. Bell made it clear that they would be alright; that was enough.]

[Nanashi couldn't help a laugh at Mr. Bell's question -- if Nanashi had cared about his family's rules, he wouldn't be skipping class or taking on gangs. Accepting rides from strangers was a no-no he'd been taught since he was a little kid, but Mr. Bell wasn't a stranger. Nanashi trusted him -- his dad did, too. There wasn't a real rule-break here.]

❝ Nah, don't sweat it. You're on the good list -- I'm sure Dad wouldn't mind you giving me a ride. ❞ [He probably wouldn't accept Nanashi being whisked off to Afton Robotics without permission, but...he didn't have to know.]

[Nanashi dutifully followed after his teacher, trying to suppress his returning anxiety. It was hitting him again -- this was it, a make-or-break that could set him up for life. God, he hoped Mr. Bell hadn't been exaggerating about how hard it'd be to disappoint them.]

[Mr. Bell's car was surprisingly unremarkable, but it was an older model that he could appreciate -- his dad had sparked Nanashi's interest in cars, especially "ancient" makes from the fifties. This might not be a fifties car, but it was a model that interested him nonetheless, no matter how plain. As an added bonus, Mr. Bell's personality really shone through in the mementos he'd decorated the interior of his car with. There was even a makeshift fox plush on his dashboard! It seemed impressively complicated. Cool.]

[Their conversation didn't die down once throughout the drive -- unproductive in terms of thinking up a backstory, but extremely productive in easing Nanashi's nerves. It was tough for his anxiety to creep up when he was so busy distracting himself with idle chatter. He was really grateful for it.]

[As they pulled up, Nanashi was taken aback by the opulent entrance; the architecture screamed "fancy" and "modern." Nanashi had seen it in pictures, but those were nothing compared to reality. It was gorgeous and sleek, all while avoiding the oppressive atmosphere of similar buildings. He was immediately struck by the feeling that he did not belong here -- he'd grown up in middle class poverty all his life. This was a far cry from his home.]

[Steven pulled Nanashi away from the metal detectors and into a luxurious lobby. The sheer elegance of this place was intimidating. Couches, chairs, and vending machine might not seem like much, but Nanashi was used to depressing folding chairs and tables. It almost reminded him of those fancy vibrating chairs in the middle of the mall that he'd always insisted on sitting on -- the only difference here was that the luxury was all-encompassing.]

[He'd been so distracted admiring the place that he almost forgot that the point of a waiting room was to sit. He felt like a total outsider as he cozied up on one of the chairs. He'd never get used to this.]

❝ ...Not really. ❞ [He admitted; it wasn't that he didn't want this as a home, he just felt...undeserving. That had been today's overarching theme.] ❝ This is a lot. I can't see myself ever getting used to this. ❞

[Nanashi nearly jumped out of his chair when Dagda spoke up again; since Dagda's voice was imperceptible to anyone other than Nanashi, it wasn't like Mr. Bell would hear, but it still startled him.]

❝ You'd better start, kid. This is what you wanted, isn't it? ❞ [His voice sounded smug, but what struck Nanashi was the demon's sudden support. He'd encouraged all of this. He even acknowledged that it was more Nanashi's dream than his own, but he was still willing to let Nanashi pursue it. Yeah...Dagda wasn't so bad.]

[Nanashi quietly smiled, giving a subtle nod. He didn't want to freak Mr. Bell out now, just when he was about to formally introduce himself to the company.]

"Don't sweat it. You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to. I know this stuff can be difficult to talk about."

He is disappointed, but again-- his job is practically completed. He'll leave it to his teammates to wheedle out the extra details.

Steven has to stifle another laugh at the kid's blunt assessment. Nanashi's not wrong.

"Yeah! Wait, uh-- no, that's not-- I don't want a suppressant. That's not what I meant." He would gladly trade a few headaches here and there for all the good his powers offer.

"It's really not so bad, I'm totally used to it by now. I mean, people take medication for all sorts of things. The only thing they could do for me now is teach me to have self-control in my sleep. Heh."

Steven flashes a thumbs-up, turning to tidy his belongings into his shoulder bag. He's been careful not to personalize the classroom too much, so it's easy to pack up everything for a hasty get away. Tomorrow, someone will come in and kindly explain that Steven's had a family emergency, and that they'll be bringing in a very qualified replacement to finish up the semester. Bell half-wishes he had waited to approach Nanashi, but he's far too professional to delay an acquisitions assignment just to finish teaching his class. Who knows? Maybe he and Nanashi will get the chance to chat about this stuff if they ever cross paths in the office. That'd be nice-- Steven really does find Nanashi's interest in the coursework refreshing.

"Of course. Don't worry, they'll be just fine!" he says, and believes it. His own parents are living very well, far, far away, with the sort of stipend necessary to support a lifestyle they could never have dreamed of when Steven was young. The difference between him and Nanashi is that Steven doesn't have to lie about where the money comes from-- his parents are the ones who signed him up for the program in the first place. In Nanashi's case, if he wants to support his family financially while also keeping them in the dark, he might have to get creative about suddenly becoming a very wealthy teenager. Even standard AR internships don't pay that much.

"Are they okay with you, um, taking rides from teachers? Not that you'll be telling them about any of this, but... still. I don't know. I don't want to make you break your family rules."

Bell's already beginning to walk out of the classroom, however, and Nanashi has already indicated he's willing to head out now; unless the kid expected AR to send some fancy transport to pick him up, he probably knew he'd be hitching a ride over.

Steven's car certainly doesn't look like the vehicle of someone with ties to one of the biggest companies in the country. It's old, unremarkable, and almost exceptionally plain-- at least on the outside. Inside, there's finally a hint of personality, little trinkets here and there (including what appears to be a hand-made Foxy plush sitting on his dashboard) and a backseat littered with the spoils of Steven's last antiquing trip.

Steve is (unsurprisingly) chatty on the half-hour drive out to the local Afton Robotics office complex. He does his best to keep conversation light and give Nanashi time to collect his thoughts before he overwhelms the poor kid again by actually showing him around his workspace.

Afton Robotics is exceptional, after all.

Any pretense of unassuming normalcy is abandoned at the entryway; clean, bright, modern architecture sprawls before the pair, classy but without the cold, clinical air one might see from similar companies like Oscorp. There's a security checkpoint that Steven circumvents with a flash of his badge, leading Nanashi away from what appear to be metal detectors directly towards a more comfortable waiting area decked out with couches, chairs, vending machines, and displays describing the many advancements made "in these very halls"!

Steven flops into one of the chairs, shooting off another quick text to let the others know they've arrived. It won't be long now until he and Nanashi part ways.

Again, he feels a twinge of regret-- he'll miss the kid.

"So... yeah. This is it. What do you think, Nanashi? Ready to call this place home?"