Superstar Survivor

@staystillgregory

Once the crowd moved on and the announcement began to repeat over the PA - thankfully sans the legal jargon - Hornet slipped away, approaching the mouth of the boy's hiding place.

She crouched in front of it, hands on her knees. A casual stance.

[RUNNING NIGHT_EVENT_PROTOCOL. NIGHT_EVENT_PROTOCOL CURRENTLY RUNNING. CHASE_MODE_ACTIVE:FALSE, AS SPECIFIED BY ADMIN_A.]

"Since you've obviously met it, how intact was the Halloween STAFF Bot the last time you saw it?"

Hornet asked, not bothering to be surprised that Gregory had managed to slip in and take its hat.

There she is! Gregory is still grinning from the scare he gave the people on the floor as Hornet makes her way over. Despite her words, she didn't seem terribly annoyed. He pulls himself into a better position, hands resting against his chin.

"As a matter of fact, it was." He states with conviction, as though daring her to argue otherwise. A teasing gleam lingers in his eyes. "What can I say? I was bored."

[Unfortunately, Cassie knew what being missed meant to Gregory -- she didn't know the extent of what he'd been through, but she got little hints every day. The way he'd reacted to her raising her voice spoke volumes. He probably needed to hear that others cared about him; Cassie would gladly continue to remind him once this was all over and done.]

❝ You better. ❞ [Cassie smiled playfully, but dropped it as she continued.] ❝ ...Just promise you won't up and vanish again. Okay? ❞ [She couldn't handle another disappearing act from her cousin, especially after tonight. It had been rough enough sticking "missing" posters around town, but she had this whole mess to worry about now, too. The Mimic had impersonated her cousin just to lure her here, so there was always a lingering possibility that she could be tricked again...]

[Gregory reassured her with his next sentiment -- he realized now that his actions were wrong. That definitely shone in his attitude tonight. He seemed genuinely remorseful, and that was enough for Cassie. He'd be able to prove it to the animatronics if he helped patch them up, too -- he didn't have to leave things on a sour note. The animatronics were still their friends.]

[Supporting Cassie's impromptu plan, Gregory conceded that it could work; he suggested going to Parts & Service, and she wholeheartedly agreed...save for the fact that she had no idea how to get there, thanks to the damage the Pizzaplex had sustained. They'd probably have to carve a path through the rubble or try to get an elevator working...which she wasn't too keen on. At the moment, the mere thought of boarding an elevator made her stomach drop.]

❝ If we can find a way down there, it'd definitely be a good start. ❞ [She agreed with an enthusiastic nod. He was right; there'd be all sorts of tools down there they could use, and a heap of spare parts...for the animatronics' endoskeletons, anyway. Maybe she could nab a head for the second Freddy, too.] ❝ I definitely remember where they kept the endo parts, but I'm not sure about the casing. We'll figure something out either way. ❞ [Cassie smiled reassuringly -- they could be resourceful, if their collective Pizzaplex experiences had taught them anything.]

[Gregory offered his shoulder again; Cassie gladly took it. As they started to walk again, she sucked in air through her teeth -- she'd forgotten how strenuous the simple act of walking had been. Clearly, the adrenaline from tonight had worn off.]

[Cassie lowered her gaze as Gregory inquired about the attendants' condition; she was relieved to hear that they hadn't been victims of his, but they were still in such terrible shape that it hurt to look at them. They'd been a second set of parents to her, with how long she'd stayed in that Daycare...seeing them in disrepair broke her heart. She was glad she could help, in some small way.]

Gregory returned Cassie's fleeting smile with a steadying breath and a firm nod. "I promise." He offered readily, now confident he'd be able to keep it. So much had changed since his days of being a shadow on the streets. It still wasn't a conventional type of life he lived, but he didn't mind. It had room for the people he loved, and that was enough.

Cassie knew where parts were stored. Now that would be helpful! Especially considering Gregory's idea up until this point had been more or less to wrestle and dismember an endo... "It won't be easy, but I think we can find a way in." Already he was brainstorming, mentally going over the routes he knew of.

The Rockstar Row elevators were likely out of commission. That was alright, though. He had a feeling Cassie would be sticking to stairs for a while, anyway. The atrium route, though, was more promising. Maybe there were other ways, too - Ness would probably be able to help them on that front. "I've gotten pretty creative with maintenance and repairs before, so I'm sure we can figure out something."

Cassie's noise of pain pulled Gregory out of his thoughts, and his gaze softened in sympathy. "Not much farther." He murmured, trying to reassure her. In just a minute or so, they'd be close enough to the surface for his location to be tracked. He'd be able to flag the others, and they'd get Cassie the help she desperately needed. "You'll be able to rest soon."

"I can't believe I got myself into this mess. I need your help, fast."

"Don't worry, I've got you. We'll figure a way out together."

"I'm hurting, and I don't know if I can keep going."

"Stay with me. We'll take it one step at a time. You're stronger than you think."

"I can't feel my legs. I need you to find help, now!"

"Hold on, I'll get help right away. You're going to be okay."

"I can't breathe. It's getting harder to breathe."

"Stay calm. Focus on your breathing. I'm here with you, and we'll get through this."

"I'm so cold. I don't think I can make it much longer."

"You're not alone. I'll keep you warm and get us out of here. Hold on, just a little longer."

"I can't see anything. It's dark. I'm scared."

"Take my hand."

"Trust me, I won't let anything happen to you."

"I feel so weak. I can't even stand up."

"Lean on me. I'll support you. We'll find a safe place for you to rest and recover."

"I'm bleeding. It won't stop. I need help!"

"Put pressure on it."

"Stay with me, don't lose hope."

"I'm trapped, and I can't move. It's crushing me."

"I'm coming for you. Stay strong."

"I won't leave you behind. We'll find a way to free you."

"I can't remember who I am or how I got here."

"Don't worry, we'll figure it out together."

"I'll be here every step of the way."

"I'm so tired. I can't keep going."

"Rest for a moment. We'll regroup and find a safe place to recharge. You're not alone in this."

"I'm being chased. They won't stop until they find me."

"Stay close to me. We'll find a way to lose them and keep you safe."

"Trust me, we can outsmart them."

"I've been captured. I don't know what they want from me."

"Don't worry, I won't let them harm you. We'll come up with a plan to get you out of there."

“Well….I didn’t want you to worry.” Softly mumbled out of her crooked mouth 

Cassie lets out a small sigh , just kind of sitting down and slowly working on unbuttoning her sweater. They needed something for bandages, thankfully said sweater being rather wrecked meant her polo under is just fine, and while it’s not clean it’s not like she can wear it again with all the stains they’ll never be able to get out and the rips it already had. She gestures for Gregory to sit down with her as she works to try and rip it more. Gregory’s friends he vaguely mentioned, and Roxy who went on ahead to clear the way, can wait just a moment.

“ I g-got to the elevator like you were instructing me too. It got up ab-about midway and then…..well I pr-presume you lost the signal...but you were…It was still your voice and the speaker…..it said I c-couldn’t leave . Th-Then the elevator it-”

Hands shake, the ache in her chest is back because Cassie is trying desperately not to get emotional. He would never. Gregory would never try and-. They might not be blood siblings but they made a promise to each other the night they ran away from foster care. He was so worried when he found her hobbling out of the darkness with Roxy by her side.

“It’s a bit blurry af-after that, b-but Roxy f-found me….h-helped me get out fr-from down there. Th-then you found us.” 

"A bit late for that." The words themselves held no bite, merely concerned. Following her wave, he sinks down into a seated position. Gregory watches as she unbuttons her trashed sweater, still fighting the sinking feeling in his stomach as she begins to explain.

She had followed his instructions - ones he had called in a desperate bid to get her away from the jaws of death. It should have been enough, but the monster in the basement had to have the last laugh. Amber eyes go wide with horror as he hears that once more, his voice was used in a bid to hurt her.

"I'm sorry." He chokes out. "I'm so sorry. It...it wasn't me. I did lose the signal, I swear. I would never have done that to you." This was his sister - maybe not by blood, but in every sense that counted. They were in this together. They always would be.

Gregory takes the sweater from her after her futile efforts to tear it. In a flash, he whips out a switchblade from his pocket (definitely new), and starts slicing the fabric to strips. It's a good distraction from the worry and turmoil he feels - at least he's being useful. However. the knife drops from his hand as he spots the mask Cassie is pulling out.