FNIA: The Missing Pieces

7: Protective and Resolve

EVAN POV:

I'll be honest I was somewhat nervous as Golden led me out to the Atrium.

She hadn't uttered a single word as we walked, and I didn't really trust myself not to say something and somehow piss her off. So I just let the silence hang in the air.

She took us up to the top floor balcony and over towards a Mexican diner called El-Chips. She didn't take us inside the place though, instead sitting at one of the small tables meant for 2 outside it. And motioned for me to sit across from her, which I did albeit somewhat hesitantly.

"Now I'm going to keep this simple and get straight to the point." She said as she looked at me with a firm glare, her eyes taking on a glow that just screamed danger. "What is your intention here?"

"... God damnit." I said with a sigh as my worry faded and I let my head fall, hitting the table with a dull thunk. "I'm gonna get asked this question a lot aren't I?"

"You've been asked this already?" She asked with a raised eyebrow, the dangerous glow in her eyes dimming a tad. "By who?"

"Marionette is the only one who's actually asked me, that happened last week when I came in for the interview." I replied with a shrug as I lifted my head off the table. "Freya tried to... tempt? I think that's an appropriate word for what she did. That happened earlier before I fixed Gem."

"And what was your answer?" She asked with a slight tilt of her head.

"Why do you need to know?" I retorted. I was both genuinely curious as to why she wanted to know, but the tone she was using was a little aggravating also. "Because I don't see how this is your business."

"Just answer the question." She said in a tone that was a mix of both tiredness, and slight aggression.

"If you're gonna speak to me like that then I'm just gonna keep my mouth shut." I replied as I crossed my arms, before an Idea came to mind. "How about this? If I tell you why I got this job, you tell me why you're so pushy to know why I did? Deal?"

"... Fine." She said as she held out her hand, which I shook. "Now speak."

"Alright alright." I said as I readjusted myself in my seat. "I'll tell you the same thing I told Marionette and Freya. I was Recommended for the Job. I was an Apprentice under one of the higher-ups of the company. He's been pushing for me to get a job here for a little while now. And yes I am well aware of why some other people apply for this job, I was made painfully aware of it by Freya."

"Hmm..." She hummed as she gave me a scrutinising gaze. "Who were you under an Apprenticeship with?"

"If I tell you, you are not to repeat it." I said with a firm voice. "I'd much rather it that people don't know that I'm friends with the board."

"Fair enough." She said with a nod.

"I was an Apprentice under Henry Emily." I answered, taking note of how her eyes widened slightly. "If you don't believe me then ask Willow when she comes past the building next. She knows."

"Hmm. Maybe I will." She said as she leaned back in her chair. "I'll be honest, It wasn't the answer I was expecting."

"Yeah I've heard that before." I said with a sigh. "Anyway, we had a deal. Why did you feel the need to take us both all the way up here to ask why I got the job?"

"You're probably going to want some context first." She hummed as she readjusted herself in her seat. "You're aware of what happened to us girls' old location? Before we were refurbished and moved here?"

"Mostly yeah." I replied with a shrug. "A group of thugs broke into the building during a company event. They attempted to steal all the Animatronics on site and torched the building. But due to the actions of the Security Guard in the building, all the Employees and Patrons were able to get out safely. As well as get you girls out before perishing in the fire with all the assailants."