Fredrica's ch3 pt2

At least in one regard, the squat little man had been right about coming in during the day. The windows in the back were all pulled open, natural light and fresh air making the corridors a little more cheery than they were during the night. You’re able to get a much better lay of the place. Upon first coming up the stairs, you encounter a door you didn’t notice the night before. It was modestly labeled, ‘COSTUMING’. You could hear the comfortable rattle of a sewing machine coming from within. Since you now knew who did what, you could assume it was the bunny behind the door. Smiling, you poke your head in.

Bonnie looks up and appears surprised by your face, but not at all startled. Well, that was a first, and a good first at that. She’s seated at a little metal table. A white sewing machine and several tools of the trade and scraps of fabric litter most of the available space. She appears to be pulling some very shiny gold fabric through the machine. She lets her foot off the pedal, the clunking of the machine coming to a hault. “Hi Mike!” She says happily. She seems to be in just a giddy mood. Perhaps she only gets tense when there’s performances actively happening? The robot withdraws the fabric from under the needle and snips off the loose threads, then sets it onto a pile of similar fabric on a counter behind her. Her eyes settle on you and she gives you her full attention.

“You seem like you’re in high spirits today,” You comment. She quickly nods in response.

“Mama gave me some new patterns and fabric and Chica and Foxy ordered more outfits from me and, gosh, Mike look at this!” She twists and pulls a large bolt of dark red fabric off the counter. “Look, it’s real velvet! Aaaaa…~” She rubs the fabric against her face, and her expression is just one of pure ecstasy. Seeing her happy and passionate about something is even more endearing than seeing her upset. You laugh a little and she blushes. “Also…. I… wanted to apologize for last night. E-everything about it…”

“It was fine Bonnie,” you reassure her, “Sometimes we all do embarrassing things, but that’s part of being human… er… robot too.” She gives you a little smile.

You decide to ask her more about the costumes she’s working on, and she just lights up, telling you all about them and the acts they go with. She shows you her works in progress, and all about how tear away clothing works. She’s so proud of her work, but not in a gloating sort of way. She’s in the middle showing off Foxy’s latest costume, when it reminds you to ask about something.

“So… Why is Foxy always in the pirate getup? I mean, you’ve made her all these cool outfits…”

The rabbit shrugs. “She likes it, I mean… She’s never told me… She doesn’t really talk to me a lot…” You remember Gary mentioning something about the fox’s dark past, and with what you know from Bonnie’s, you find it a little strange they never developed some kind of kinship over having crappy histories. Maybe it didn’t work like that?

You idly pet some of the beaded fabric Bonnie was showing you, “Maybe you two should talk more? I mean she is your sister after all, in this and such. She’s nice too.”

The animatronic is about to respond, when the door flies open. Chica walks in, her arms loaded with some of those giant feathered fans you had seen last night. She plops them down on Bonnie’s fabric counter, “Ey Bonnie, could ya deal with these? They lost some feathers and gems’n stuff last night and Mama needs em again tonight. I’d do it but I’m kinda busy so…”

Bonnie tucks her head down submissively, “Y-yes Chica, I’ll have them done for you.”

The chicken turns and finally notices you. Her tone instantly changes, “Hey Mike! What brings ya into tha inner sanctum? Yer pretty early for work ya know, or could ya not go on with your day without seein a few beautiful dames?” Her mechanical eyebrows waggle.

“Gary suggested I come in early and look at the place during the day,” You explain.

Chica smirks, “Ya know, you see enougha the dirt during the night, just sayin. Just don’t go into anya the bathrooms. You’ll wanna ask the doctor for like 10 shots after sittin your ass in there.” You take her advice into consideration. The bird puts an arm around your shoulder and pulls you in close. “Hey, I actually wanted to talk ta ya in private last night, but ya know, things came up… So if you ain’t too busy here with Bunbuns, maybe come drop by the dressin room a lil later?” You agree to it and she grins. With that she leaves the room, shaking her hips in wide inviting strides.

Bonnie doesn’t look very happy, “..If you want… y-you can go now…” she mumbles, taking a seat back behind her machine and grabbing one of the fans Chica left.

“Gary told me Chica’s supposed to work on props.” You say, frowning at Bonnie’s expression.

“W-well she is but… She’s really busy i-it’s okay…”

“No,” You say, “You’re already really busy in here.” You put on your determined face, “I’m going to go talk to her. I’ll be right back.” Bonnie mumbles something else, but you’re not having it. It’s probably not your place to do this, but you know Bonnie isn’t going to stand up for herself when it comes to Chica, at least not now. Maybe you’ll be able to persuade her better.

You leave the costuming department and head toward the main dressing room.