Muutos - Tumblr Posts

Where have you been? / vanny (give me that sweet, sweet princess quest ending content)

Jurassic Park (1993) starters

★ — Gregory freezes mid - step at her voice, a sharp inhale ( he hadn't realized he'd been holding his breath in the first place ) as his gaze darts towards the woman he hadn't initially noticed, far too focused on not making a sound as he came back in, hopeful the escapade would go unnoticed. Too late for that — it seems he'd been caught red - handed, a deer in the headlights.

It's not the first time he's snuck out, from Vanessa's care or otherwise. It's not the first time he's been caught, either, at least as far as otherwise is concerned. If Vanessa had noticed Gregory's absences, she hadn't approached him about them until now. He'd begun to assume that she might be like the guardians he's had in the past who simply didn't care where he was or what he was doing.

( not that this arrangement has been long - established ; a few weeks at most ).

Something swirls in his stomach. Embarrassment. Though rather than having the sense to look sheepish over his oversight, Gregory's posture lifts into something defense ; his brows furrowing, expression turning to a scowl, shoulders pulled back and back straightening. It makes him look just a little bit bigger, but it's almost pathetic on a kid as small and scrawny as he is.

If he stopped to think for even a moment, he would realize that the embarrassment stems from the fact that he might have worried her, after everything they've gone through, rather than simply being flustered over being caught. He doesn't think, though — simply acts. Just as he does on the assumption that he must be in trouble, if she's been waiting for him.

"Why do you care, huh? You just wanna keep me stuck here."

The door closes behind him — not a slam, but not shut gently either. He's not looking at her any longer, instead turning his glare to a particularly interesting spot on the floor just to the left of her. ( anywhere but at her, where he could see if she's disappointed in the kid she took in ).

"Did Freddy tell you I was gone? I told him not to tell you."

she knows he won't believe her. she never did, when she was his age. though for her it's more bad than not -- yet, perhaps gregory had felt the same way. she doesn't know... but she wants to. vanessa places a hand upon the boy's shoulder, kneeling to his level with a sincerity upon her face she's not sure she's even able to grasp. head tilting, with a sway of blond hair. "you're a good kid, gregory." (... who asked? you asked).

can someone please be proud of him like fuck he's trying

★ — The initial hand on his shoulder acts as a comforting weight — a reminder that despite how tremulous their arrangement might seem ( the result of two damaged people trying to pick up the pieces of their lives after everything they knew was crumbled to dust right in front of them, both trapped in their own forms of hell, both saving each other ), Vanessa — this Vanessa, the one that cares — is real and present. She didn't have to take him in after everything, but she had and surely .... surely that meant something.

Gregory isn't sure what to expect as she lowers herself down to be eye level with him, raising a curious brow but staying relatively silent. By her expression, he can tell this is something serious — and as much as he may act out, he's also capable of holding his tongue.

And he's certainly not expecting her to say that to him.

It makes his breath catch, makes his chest feel tight as brown hues widen in clear surprise. Gregory's first instinct is to argue — tell her she's wrong, but he finds the words are caught in his throat and no sound comes out.

How can he possibly be a good kid when all he's done is make things harder for the people taking care of him? He's heard it time and time again ; he's a difficult child, too temperamental, too stubborn, he can't be controlled, he acts out. If he could just behave himself, then people would want him. If he could just be a good kid, then he wouldn't always be alone.

But he never could. He was never good. It's ultimately why he decided running away was his best option, before he went into the pizzaplex — decided it was easier to look after himself than it was to be moved from place to place, never settling, never happy.

Vanessa seems so sincere though, and Gregory doesn't understand.

He hasn't been easy to look after. He hasn't been kind. He knows that .... he's pushed back hard, both scared of what she might be capable of and scared that she might give up just like the others. Not letting himself get attached, making things difficult, it had all just seemed easier ( less terrifying ) than allowing himself to settle into what might be a home.

Gregory's shoulders tense as he stands in front of her, curling inwards, subconsciously making himself smaller. It's hard to keep looking at her ( feels as if he might cry if he does ), so he closes his eyes tight instead. The part of him that's terrified wants to shrug her hand off his shoulder, pull away and pull into himself — but he can't bring himself to shrug off her warmth.

Words still caught in his throat ( what could he say even if he could speak? ), Gregory finds himself shaking his head in response, the motion messy, panicked, shaking unruly locks into his eyes and obscuring his face from Vanessa's view.

★ — "Freddy?"

Voice cracking — barely fighting back tears ( has to stay strong, has to keep going, there's no time ), the closest he's ever come to crying in front of the animatronic bear. He hates seeing him in this state. Gregory steps forward. Grabs hold of his paw.

"I know. I'm trying. I — I just can't catch up."

@braveburned

"𝐠𝐫𝐞-𝐠𝐨-𝐫𝐲." his voice-box still works despite the missing head. freddy has control of himself in some situations, however he's in & out. the entity -- the one controlling him before -- he wants freddy to communicate with gregory, for some reason. "y-y-you have to-to stop her."

★ — Freddy's fingers curl against his own hand, and Gregory sucks in a breath. He hadn't hesitated to follow Cassie down to the abyss when he'd realized what happened, but likewise he hadn't had a moment to pause. With Freddy ( whatever state the animatronic might be in ), he feels safe. And he's in over his head. Again.

Head leans forward with a soft thunk as he rests it against the partially destroyed stomach hatch. He doesn't let go of the bear's paw.

"It's okay. I- I can do it. I'll get her out of here."

𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐲. he'd never wanted to hurt his superstar. it was bad enough he could not see, but to sense him. it was a lot to process, when freddy had been in & out of himself. "y-es, s-upers-tar." he confirms.

freddy curls his fingers around gregory's hand. "i wish i c-ould help you more. [...] but i c-an still t-ry my best." he wants me too, as well. the entity.

★ — The motion of metallic claws gently combing through his hair is a familiar comfort — Gregory closes his eyes to soak in that feeling, taking in a shuddering breath as he curls even closer to the bear. He will not cry.

But it's hard not to feel small when the thing that kept him the safest, that cared the most is in shambles before his very eyes. He's all alone this time.

"Do you — are you still connected to everything? Cause, I, uhm — I've still got the fazwatch you gave me .... and if you are, you could — could you talk to me ... ? Like last time?"

𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧. especially this sad. & all because of him. it is a foreign thing. one that. [...] hurt him. very much so. more-so than the damage to his outer shell. a pang of something felt in his metal insides, when the child's head clunks down against his hatch.

his other paw reaches up to stroke the brunette hair beneath it. keeping hold with whatever strength he had left. "i know y-ou can, s-s-s-superstar!" freddy's enthusiasm is retained, even now. especially for gregory.

"but, i-i'll do everything i can. i -- just, i don't want to slow you down." a pause. "but, i believe in you."

@muutos ( vanessa ) / ruin starter call !

★ — Michael had tried to warn him. Had said over and over again that going back to the pizzaplex was dangerous for this very reason. And in the depths once more, face to face with the costumed woman who had been determined to kill him, Gregory's heartbeat rings heavy in his ears with fear.

"What do you even want with me?! Look, I- I'm just a kid. And — and I think if a kid can take down your whole operation, maybe you're just kinda bad at it."

★ — .... maybe she did have a point. ( a begrudging acknowledgement ). The last time they had played their deadly game of cat and mouse ( rabbit and prey ), Gregory had never been alone. From the very start, he'd had Freddy — and then he'd had Michael. Protection and a guide, surety and awareness. Two things Vanny couldn't have predicted. There is nothing this time. Only Gregory and Vanny, alone in the abyss.

"Family? What the hell do you mean family, I — I thought you wanted to kill me, not keep me around?!"

The mention of Cassie makes his blood run cold. He's heard her, calling out for him. She thinks she's coming to save him. She has no idea what she's getting herself into. She doesn't deserve this. And Gregory knows he'll do everything in his power to keep her safe, no matter the cost.

"Don't fucking touch her! This doesn't have anything t'do with her — just let her go."

"𝐚 𝐤𝐢𝐝 [...] & his giant talking bear w̷i̴t̶h̸ ̸ ̵b̷u̸i̴l̷d̶i̵n̸g̴ ̴ ̵w̷i̸d̸e̴ ̸ ̶s̶e̵c̴u̸r̵i̴t̴y̴ ̵ ̵c̵l̸e̶a̷r̴a̸n̵c̴e̶." vanny shrugs with a dramatically tilted head. "if springtrap was back to full strength, you would have been harvested for remnant in no time! but you just bein' here means w̴e̵ ̸ ̴h̶a̷v̷e̸n̶'̵t̸ ̴ ̸l̴o̴s̵t̴." she giggles, wiggling her fingers. "n̴o̷t̵ ̸ ̵r̸e̴a̶l̶l̸y̶ we're gonna be a family! you, me [...] --- the big guy, downstairs. even ol' freddy if ya' want. i̴ ̴ ̴c̷a̶n̶ ̸ ̶f̸i̵x̵ ̵ ̸'̵i̸m̶ ̷ ̶u̴p̶ ̷ ̸r̵e̴a̷a̷a̴a̵l̸ ̵ ̶n̴i̸c̴e̶ ̷ ̶f̶o̶r̷ ̶ ̸y̶a̵.̷" he may be a human boy, but he's as good a replacement as any. he can't leave now. "besides. we'll take r̷e̷a̸l̴ ̵ ̴g̶o̸o̴d̶ ̴ ̷c̶a̸r̵e̵ ̷ ̴o̸f̶ ̵ ̵y̸o̸u̷ ̵, if you help teach your little friend the rules to our game."

you made me actually like gregory, & idk if i've told you that before. i wasn't his biggest fan, or even of princess quest ffs -- but you've made me fall in love with the au, and with gregory! you've made him so three dimensional and i feel so heavily for him, when you write him. it's so realistic! he's really in great hands, with you. i've so enjoyed being a part of witnessing and interacting with your interpretation. not everyone can do muses so young so nuanced, so i applaud you. :3 you're the best!

how’s my portrayal? ♡

saying my portrayal made you start liking gregory as a character is truly such an honor I know he can be a rather abrasive character but he is just a kid in a bad situation and it's important for me personally to try and balance that out but genuinely thank YOU for all our interactions I love writing with all your muses sooo much especially our pq au which makes me feel insane constantly

★ — Gregory doesn't want to leave either. Overcome by a wave of exhaustion, worry, fear. For himself, and for his friend. In the presence of his protector is the first time he's allowed his guard to drop for hours — knowing full well that being guided by the entity doesn't mean he's truly safe. But here. Now. Freddy would never hurt him. Freddy would never let anything hurt him. He nods, refusing to lift his head from the metal torso, his forehead rubbing against the exoskeleton.

( if he closes his eyes, he can almost pretend there's nothing wrong with the bear. nothing that a trip down to parts and services couldn't fix. just like last time ).

" .... I don't want to leave you here." ( a quiet admission ). "I can come back. Once I get Cassie out."

𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐥𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 to let gregory go -- not again. not all by himself, into a place where freddy himself can't follow. so he continues to comfort him for as long as he's allowed. still holding his superstar's hand, & even squeezing a bit with his metal claws.

"oh! you are right, superst-ar! i could do th-at! i believe i'm still connected directly to your special fazwatch, as long as it is still inside of the bui-lding."

his malfunctioning voice-box is correcting itself more, the longer it is in use. it is promising, to say the least. he's quite excited, at the discovery that his friend still kept the gift he'd been given all that time ago. "i am happy that i can be of more use than we initially thought. however.. i will miss you, gregory." he hopes they can see each other, again.

★ — Gregory's mind is buzzing. Heart is pounding against his ribcage, the beat heavy and fast and loud, loud enough for him to hear every thud despite the way his ears seem to be ringing. His breathing is becoming a bit shallower, a little shaky if one were to pay close enough attention. He's not thinking clearly — panic overtaking any rational thought the kid might have had.

It's that very panic thats pushing him to lash out ; if she's going to be angry, he's going to be angry first. Give his guardian something to be angry about.

( maybe then she'll see he isn't worth it, just like every guardian before her had ).

It's not fair to her. Gregory doesn't know much about the night guard beyond his single night in the confines of the pizzaplex, but he is observant. He sees the way she's barely holding herself together. He knows there must be a reason they're here, in this extended stay hotel instead of her own home. ( she must have had a home before, right? ). Vanessa is falling apart, and yet still doing her best to ensure he's taken care of. She even let him keep Freddy with them.

As she stands, takes a step closer, Gregory takes an equal step away — his gaze flickering quickly towards the animatronic bear head currently in sleep mode, oblivious to the confrontation taking place. A sense of security. Fear flashes in his eyes. It only lasts a moment, before he steels his expression into cold stubbornness once more.

( it's not vanny he's scared of this time, but rather what experience has taught him to fear ).

"Whatever," ( a huff, curling in on himself ). "I know you could've turned me in and you didn't, but — you're not my mom. You don't have to pretend to be one. I can take care of myself. We both know you don't wanna be doing this, anyways." ( speaking on assumptions ).

𝐬𝐡𝐞'𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞 of the small suite she'd been able to book for them. their time there wasn't going to be long, though she wanted them to stay there for at least a little while. being responsible for the kid has been - stressful, to say the least. especially since he was so stand-offish. truly, she did notice he wasn't around. when she would open her eyes, & see he was in bed, she would be able to sleep again. or, at least what she could find when it came to rest. though, it's all been too much tonight. the quiet, the loneliness, the stress [...] the fact that gregory had been gone.

it's clear she's been crying, with pink waterlines & puffy eyes. her cuticles are bleeding, her hair pulled back to reveal the heat in her face. knees drawn to her chest. she hadn't even bothered lying down tonight. & freddy was in his charging port for the time being.

her head had been in her knees, when she heard the latch click open. her lips parted as she looks up at gregory. meeting his gaze with big, green eyes. it's not that she didn't care, she just [...]

what if he hates me? he has every right.

his posture changes & she can feel it in her chest. the anxiety. oh no, he does hate her. is she trying too hard? her lips close, brows screwing & teeth grinding. eyes flickering, as her legs slowly move to touch feet to floor.

her lips are swollen from being bitten. with afton gone she hasn't eaten more notable than water, & toast. she's falling apart, somehow more-so than before.

she stands up, picking at her nails again. using two hands, with her sweater sleeve covering her hand. it's still her security windbreaker. cheek still flexing, in her tireless pressing of pearly teeth.

"no -- freddy's sleeping." she looks over. that's what she calls it, anyway. "& i -- wasn't." she admitted.

"but you.." she pauses. shaking her head. "i don't want you to be stuck anywhere, gregory. i just.." [...] she shakes her head, looking down & opening her lips. her head aches -- tension to blame. "look, i'm sorry, okay? --" i just want to make sure you're alright.

★ — He feels pathetic.

Unable to look his caretaker in the eyes — his own eyes closed so tightly that they begin to hurt from the pressure of his muscles contorting inwards. It's a defense, both against the soft nature in which Vanessa had been directing his way before he'd shut them ( a poor attempt at trying to shut her out ) and against the tears that build in the corners, tears he refuses to let fall. Gregory will not cry. Not over this. Not in front of her.

Barely holding himself together, and yet he feels something in him crumble even further at the comforting motion of her thumb against his shoulder. There's concern in the gesture that Gregory doesn't think he's felt in years.

( it reminds him of a time he was younger, much younger and much more oblivious to all the ways the world could be cruel. his own mother may not have known what to do with him, may have left him to fend for himself at too young of an age before leaving him entirely, but she did love him. he knows that. he'd scrape his knee from being too reckless, too bold and she'd kneel down to his level with a similar hand on his shoulder. tell him he was tough. he was never good. but he was tough, and tough was enough ).

"I — I'm n-not."

His words are shaky when he does speak, not quite a whisper but not spoken loudly either. Another harsh shake of his head — Vanessa hadn't done anything wrong. She just didn't know what she was saying. Didn't truly know him. Otherwise she wouldn't be saying that. It felt so obvious. Everyone had seen it before her, so it was only a matter of time before she did.

That knowledge made his chest ache. He liked Vanessa. More than he'd expected to. She was broken, just like he was — wasn't expecting him to be perfect. But it felt inevitable that she would realize he was too much ( a child she had never even asked for ), just like all the others had.

"You .... don't mean that. M'not good."

𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 after having him removed from herself. the ashes of her life [...] of what she thought was her life, fluttering down around her with the literal ashes. with the head of a sentient bear, & a kid outside in that same ruin. how could she leave them there? it didn't seem like her at the time. there was a sickness within herself she needed to combat, & that beforehand she had never questioned before. perhaps it could have been misguided damage done to her, trying to make herself the villain . trying to take some power back for herself. the more she's tried to work it out herself, the more it doesn't connect. all of the lines. though, all she knew was that somehow gregory had given her a chance at something different. no matter whether or not she deserved nor wanted it, or if he had intended for it to turn out this way. the tug within her couldn't leave this child out in the cold. even with the blood of some children his age still drying on her hands.

but vanessa does know that the longer she spends time with gregory the more he gives her purpose again. should be in jail yet now has the ability to take-in a child who needs her. it might not be ideal, but with her ability to help freddy if he needed it (given to her by glitchtrap) -- it seemed like the best arrangement. he helped a lot, but the truth was she & freddy were too ill-equipped, damaged people. or, a person & a robot. as was the child. yet, she felt their bond growing closer. at least on her end. hasn't worked up the courage to ask gregory, yet. despite her life before, & the fact that she doesn't deserve it? she's not alone. & she can see that he is a good kid. just scared, perhaps? she knows how fear can make you act out. want to overcompensate.

his breath hitches, eyes widen: making vanessa give him a closed lipped smile, though her brow has a slight furrow in mild concern. rubbing her thumb over his shoulder in a comforting manner. an instinct she didn't even know she had, though for once nothing is calculated. everything is genuine. whether she has the time to recognize it right now, or not. she's learning. & yeah, she wishes he were easier to handle. also yes, she wish that he didn't insist on worrying her. though she has gotten to see him in his real moments. she likes that kid. but he deserves someone at his worst, not just his best. just like she had, at her lowest.

vanessa's jaw clenches, though she doesn't stop anything. she [...] well, she feels this might not be going well. though neither has a lot of what she's tried. maybe she's trying too hard. her eyes flicker back & forth rapidly when he nods, studying him as her smile fades into something worried. "gregory..." she sighs, her wide green eyes wet with her concern. voice breathy. "i'm sorry. did i -- say something wrong?" she asks. wants to tell him that she means it. that she hopes he can one day believe her. yet, she can't formulate the words fast enough.

POST - IT NOTE vanessa for princess quest

send “ POST - IT NOTE ” for what my muse would leave yours in a post - it note message !

ness!

please please please don't freak out I swear I'll be back in a minute I just went to the convenience store on the corner to get a snack and a drink. I'll bring you back some candy!

— gregory ( there's a little drawing of a bear head smiling next to his name! )

“Me? There’s nothing wrong with me!” nessssaaaa pq!

Argumentative Sentences, Vol. 1

★ — Growing pains are to be expected in a situation such as theirs. A damaged kid who never asked to be given home, a damaged girl trying to pick up the pieces of both of their lives, and a stolen robot who surpassed his own code. The trio sounds dysfunctional even at the briefest of glances.

And yet — Gregory can't help the frustration that bristles under his skin at her response. Brown hues narrow as he practically glares at his guardian, his expression making it clear that he doesn't believe her at all.

"Stop fucking lying to me!"

Comes the snapped response, his hands balling into fists at his side. Concern and irritation blend into one. Vanessa did everything she could to ensure Gregory was taken care of ( in every way possible, a fact which he was still getting used to ) while she, herself, was falling apart. She may try to hide it from Gregory, but he wasn't oblivious.

( he's seen it before ).

"We're supposed to talk to each other, right? That's what Freddy said — so why won't you talk to me about what's going on! Because I don't want to be here if you taking care of me means you're not taking care of yourself!"

★ — His concern is genuine. It may have turned to frustration at his guardian's reluctance to let him share in her struggles the same way she encouraged him to share his. ( they were both fucked over by fazbear, weren't they? there was no other person on the planet who could begin to understand what all they had been put through. all they had was each other ). And that may have yet turned to thinly veiled anger ; because all Gregory has ever learned is how to react to things with anger. But his concern is genuine.

( and despite it all, he can't help the self - satisfied smugness he feels at her obvious shock towards his choice in abrasive language, as he always did upon reminding a guardian that he wasn't the good kid they expected — he would never be the meek and mild, gently sweet poor little orphan that would sing praise for the simple act of a roof over his head that so many wanted and expected ).

He sticks his tongue out at her reprimand, the little shit.

Can practically hear Freddy's scandalized concern at his actions. Maybe it's a good thing the animatronic isn't around for this argument.

How can he tell? It's obvious — not that either of them are expected to be okay after everything they went through ( and vanessa, for so much longer ). But Vanessa has looked like she's been falling apart since the night they left the pizzaplex together.

"Seriously, 'Nessa? M'not stupid — you should know that."

Anxiety seeps in, running in his veins like ice alongside the red - hot frustration burned anger. It wasn't his fault? She may claim that it isn't because of him, but he's seen this before. ( his own mother had been around her age, when he'd lost her ). It had been his fault then ... or so he's allowed himself to believe.

His shoulders curl inwards, a slight, subconscious protective gesture meant to make him look smaller. Does his best to narrow his eyes as he looks at her, chin lifted. It looks silly ; childish.

" .... I don't believe you."

𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 on the guardian's face is easily transferred to her open mouthed, pinched brow shock at his brazenness. although she's not sure why she's so surprised. (it's not like she's never heard him swear, before).

arms come down for hands to land upon the former guard's hips, as she looks away with a huff & a shake of her head. smiling, almost in disbelief before looking at the floor.

he was right & she knows it.

vanessa isn't even good at hiding it, anymore. every bad habit coming forth at once, especially some that shouldn't be exposed to a child. her inability to sleep, her crying in the bathroom [...] her binging, & otherwise -- well you get the picture. she picks cuticles till fingers bloat, struggling with her self esteem now that there was nobody to pick her up. guilt at the nagging loneliness when gregory is right there. yet, how is she supposed to handle all of this, when also so deathly afraid of the child's hatred?

not being good enough.

"seriously, gregory?" she sighs. looking up at him with eyes alone, while her lips part blankly & green orbs stare. chin low by her chest. "fucking language."

one arm comes to cross over her chest, while the other pushes the few fly-aways back down against her slicked back hair. resting in a nice ponytail. one she re-did twenty times until it looked right, mind you. thumb resting in between her teeth with a scoff.

"please, you just --" she throws up her hands with a coping smile. "you wouldn't understand, okay? [...] look. i don't know how you can tell that i'm... i'm not taking care of myself." she grits the words like they physically pain her. as if she doesn't have bags under her eyes. "but it's not because i'm taking care of you, okay. so please don't think that."

⚠️ eats all of Vanessa’s favourite snacks and not telling her about it until she finds an empty box 😂

send me a ⚠️ with a reason my muse should be shamed (e.g. “hangs toilet paper backward”) and I can only confirm or deny

★ — He'd prefer not to answer! If the snacks weren't there to be eaten, then why were they in the kitchen, huh?

🕯️ / mama nessie :3

send me 🕯️to hear my character's inner thoughts about your character.

★ — It feels as though everything should be more complicated than it is.

Sometimes, Gregory thinks he should be wary around Vanessa. That he shouldn't trust her, even that he should be scared of her. He hasn't forgotten the fear Vanny inflicted on him, and he doesn't want to let it go. If he's holding on so tightly to the memories of that night, shouldn't he be holding it against Vanessa?

Truthfully, Vanessa feels like the closest thing to home Gregory's had in a long time. It's as simple as that.

She reminds him of his mom, in a lot of ways — she was also young and stressed ( and woefully unprepared ). Despite this, he doesn't think of her as his mother figure ( even though she's definitely found herself in that role ), instead slotting her somewhere between older sister and guardian in his head. Someone to rely on, someone to trust, someone he cares deeply about in return. He worries about the affect he's having on her life ( she's so young, is he ruining everything for her? ), and is scared that one day he might prove to be too much and she'll cast him aside like all his legal guardians had before her.

For all the ways he lashes out in fear and worry, he is incredibly thankful for her taking him in, and wishes there was some way he could look after her as well.

★ — Wariness evident ; frame tense even as she brings herself to his height, nervously shifting his weight between feet as if preparing to run at a moments notice. He doesn't trust her. Uniform makes her easy to identify — she'll take him back to the foster system if he lets his guard down for even a moment, a fact of which Gregory is absolutely certain. He can't run just yet, but ( heart beating rapidly in his chest, feeling caged ) he knows he can't stay here. Brown hues flicker across the surroundings, never leaving the officer for very long. He shrugs, a vague answer to her question.

"S'kinda weird." ( a shrug ). " .... didn't think anyone cared to check in here anymore."

🍭 @braveburned !

there's a gentleness in the way the officer crouches down in front of the child. the dimness of her second home all around them. she's wearing an open-mouthed smile, a light placement of her hands on her knees while approaching the boy's height. "hey." she says. there's a sinking feeling in her gut at seeing a child inside freddy's so late. "i see you've found freddy's." she laughs a little, perhaps somewhat in nervousness. she's always had a way with kids. vanessa gives a tilt of her head in study. "different than places nowadays, huh?" she nods. skirting the point, as the danger has likely already presented itself.

★ — "And I'm not vandalizing it!"

Comes the young boy's immediate, insistent response. His words aren't quite a shout, but they're not far off — a significant difference from his previous mumbled, half - hearted tone. As if he's not doing anything wrong by being in the building. ( as if he didn't have to climb in through the old air - duct just to get inside ).

Stubborn set to his jaw, looking at the officer with narrowed eyes. His chin is lifted in some childish attempt to make himself look tough ; almost daring Vanessa to tell him he needs to leave.

"S'not like anyone's using it, anyways. I don't get what the big deal is."

All Gregory wants is somewhere to stay, away from the neglectful yet suffocating reach of being a child of the state. Freddy's certainly isn't ideal, but it's better than nothing.

vanessa's mouth opens, although no protest leaves her. a little brightening of her eyes in worry however, quickly snuffed out as to not spook the kid any more than he already was.

her brow narrows in the center, at the way in which every inch of her wanted to help this little boy. get him out of here, before something awful happens. yet something in her gut churns with the idea, like an unexplainable nauseousness. her eyes flickering over those oh-so-familiar signs, like she'd see so many times in her childhood. like she'd remembered doing herself, when her father involved her in any of his [...] hobbies. at least, the one outside of engineering.

her lips press together, arm dangling from her raised knee. she wouldn't trust herself either, if she were gregory. he wants to run away, &. even she knows what she has to do. however, it doesn't make it any easier. heart strings feeling a distinct tug. "yeah, well.." she looks down, though also doesn't allow her eyes to leave the boy for very long. "that's why i still do." she says, matter-of-fact. [...]

"the building -- it still has an owner. &. he nor the city want it vandalized." she continues, with an inhale.

★ — Something in Gregory tenses at the bear's warning tone, shifting back just enough so that he isn't leaning all of his weight against the wrecked animatronic. Still finds it hard to look directly at him with all the damage he's sustained ( the sight of it sending another pang through his chest, wondering if he could fix it just as he had been able to when vanessa tried to incapacitate him that night ), so keeps his gaze down with hands curled against the metal casing.

His brows furrow in confusion — concern. He bites into his lower lip and shakes his head, the action just short of being frantic.

"You wouldn't let anything happen to me!"

Insisted upon, even now. Freddy has always been Gregory's protector. He refuses to believe he could get hurt under the animatronic's attention.

"I can't ——. I don't ——. Freddy .... I don't wanna leave you behind again."

"𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫." his voice is warning, though there is clear hesitation there. swears he can feel the pain of those words, physically. for once again he's displaying the softness of an unexplained paternal instinct. one that continues to flourish within the ruined bear animatronic. "it is far too dangerous for you to come back here!"

however, how is he supposed to tell gregory to let him go? it feels like agony. more-so than any physical damage could ever hope to cause.

the entity. [...] freddy doesn't know about that, yet. likely for the better, as it would only result in more worried scolding from the glambear. for it is true. as much as it is in his power, he will protect his friend. [...] his superstar.

"i am.. sorry, gregory. but i cannot let anything happen to you. n-ot because of me."

★ — Gregory can't help but roll his eyes at her explanation ( at her attempt to placate him, he realizes sourly ), letting his gaze vaguely flicker towards the open vent in the main room as the officer gestures towards it. Her loose attitude does little to put him at ease — his arms folding over his chest, shoulders curling subconsciously. Unbearably defensive and closed off.

"That's stupid. Isn't your whole job about rules?"

Words nearly come out as a sneer, a challenge biting in his tone, his expression scrunching up slightly into one of distaste as he glances over the woman — her uniform, mostly. It's her job to bring him back, after all. ( part of him wonders if she recognizes him, if his foster family bothered to file a report on his disappearance ).

"You're just —— gonna let me leave?"

Biting his tongue before he can ask where would he go? It's a problem he'll figure out on his own ; doesn't need to give Vanessa more reason to take him back.

"You're not gonna follow me, or try to take me anywhere?"

LIPS PURSE AT THE STARTLING EXPLANATION, not prepared despite having every reason to be. the nod of her head coming soon after.

"hey -- i didn't say you were. i'm only telling you why i might be concerned to find someone came in through the vent." she points over at the vent opening, next to the show-stage. she gives gregory a knowing look, with a small tilt upward of her lips. good nature. though, she's not sure if the child would necessarily see that intention.

"look, okay - i get it. i don't know why it's a big deal, either." vanessa says. shrugging &. loosening up. her green eyes softened even more-so, easily slipping into her ease with interacting with children. "but -- sometimes the grown ups don't get to make the rules, either."

a moment passes, her head tilted whilst flickering eyes over the boy's tough face. sighing through her nostrils. SHE KNOWS WHAT THE BOY IS AFRAID OF. "tell you what. this time i'll let you off with a warning." vanessa says. "i won't make you go anywhere you don't want to -- but, you can't stay at freddy's." she pleads with her eyes. "it's not safe here."