staystillgregory

[staystillgregory]

(Still here! Still alive! Just been insanely busy, sick, and moving all my crap to a new laptop so bear with me! Responses will happen.)

[staystillgregory]

ruin lore

[staystillgregory]

Merry Birthmas to one festive boy!

[staystillgregory]

@horrifichaunts asked:

(horrfichaunts, something silly and soft after Ruin for the kids birthday because I love our lil found family) It was rather silent when Gregory woke up in the room he shared in Ness’s apartment with Cassie, Freddy’s head, and Roxy who’s still powered off for major repairs. No sign of Cassie in the bottom bunk of the bunk bed, and she usually slept in since they rescued her from the Plex, and Freddy’s head was also missing. It wouldn’t take him long though to find where everyone went as once Gregory entered the kitchen. “Happy Birthday Gregory!” “Happy Birthday Superstar!” “Happy Birthday squirt!” Who says you can’t have cake for breakfast? Waiting for Gregory was a very very messy hand made cake, and two wrapped up presents on the table.

Gregory was alone when he woke up. Curious, considering Cassie's habit of sleeping in - even though Gregory was no morning person, he was still usually up before her. Had he overslept? Fumbling around on the small shelf nailed to the wall, just above his head, he grabbed his watch and squinted at the small screen. Nope, it was his normal time to wake up... Weird.

A glance over at the room below showed Freddy's head was already gone - not as surprising as Cassie's absence. After all, Gregory usually moved him out into the other room when he woke up, so she had probably done the same. With a yawn, he climbed down the ladder, not bothering to get dressed yet.

He didn't have to go far to find where everyone had gone, however. Upon stepping into the kitchen, Gregory stopped dead in his tracks, jaw dropping at both the exclamations and the cake on the table.

They remembered. Holy shit, they remembered. He knew he shouldn't be so surprised, necessarily, but having his birthday fall on a holiday and past experiences had taught him to not expect much to come of the day. Sure, Cassie had tried in the past few years to do something, but they had never had the resources for much. But now, here he was, with a cake and presents on the table. Gregory didn't care that it was messy. To him, it was perfect - a true reminder that he had found a family, and they cared enough to try.

"Thank you." Gregory laughed out, and - oh, fuck, there were tears in his eyes. When had those sprung up? "Thank you! I... God, I didn't expect this." It had been a long time since anyone had wanted to celebrate his birthday like this. "This means a lot to me."

[staystillgregory]

Merry Christmas, superstar!

[staystillgregory]

(Ok, I'm jumping on the bandwagon! Leave a message for Gregory's tree? His birthday is Christmas Eve, if you wanna wish him a happy birthday too!)

[staystillgregory]

[staystillgregory]

(Updated my verses page! Now my animatronic, Ruin and Trapped Ruin AU verses are on there.)

[staystillgregory]

@staystillgregory and me are hilarious today

[staystillgregory]

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."

Joking aside, he had seen what happened to the STAFF Bot. "It's out of order. And before you ask, I didn't do it." He dryly adds the last part, rolling his eyes. You wreck animatronics on one night and suddenly everyone thinks you're destruction incarnate. "Some customer pushed it down the stairs. Something about being mad about the prices of the Halloween thing, I think. Monty was hauling it to Parts and Service, so I took its hat. Not like they needed it anymore."

Though the second voice startled some of the more skittish children, leading them to tightly grip the hands of adults and older siblings who actually wanted to be there alike, it was thankfully echo-y enough for them to assume that it was a planned special effect.

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.

"Was this necessary?"

[staystillgregory]

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."

Despite her pain and exhaustion, his cousin still was able to tell him what she had done to the Daycare Attendant. "That sounds about right... Sun wasn't hostile to me when I was trapped, so I don't know if the virus took root in his half of the system. He was really neurotic, though. Panicky, and high-strung... But Moon was another story." There was genuine fear breaking through his lowered voice at the last part, though it was obvious Gregory was trying to hide it. "He was very much infected. Maybe your reset put them into safe mode..."

[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.]

❝ ...It's pretty bad. I helped, but only with Moon. I'm still not totally sure what I did, but I think rebooting them made Sun and Moon...coexist, I guess? ❞ [The attendant was now a blend of them both, an Eclipse, exhibiting the kindness and compassion that Cassie remembered from her childhood. Had Moon always been such a problem? Every night in the Daycare had been peaceful and soothing with them around. Cassie had never slept better anywhere else. Part of her wished that the attendants could tuck her in tonight and keep her out of harm's way, if only because she was sure she'd have nightmares otherwise.] ❝ I guess what I mean is, the only damage they have now is physical. We're going to need all the spare casing we can find. ❞

[staystillgregory]

Whump starters

"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."

"I can't trust anyone. I've been betrayed too many times."

[staystillgregory]

"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.

"What the fuck?!" He loudly exclaims, bristling with thinly veiled horror. "Why the fuck- Cassie, don't put that on! Oh my God, why do you have that thing?!"

“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.” 

Cassie hands the sweater off to Gregory, she’s having no luck tearing which is understandable as she’s exhausted and hurt, and she reaches into her bag to pull out her second most important tool of the night. The Vanni mask, as she doesn't want to use her head chip to talk to Helpi just incase it aggravates her head wound.

[staystillgregory]

[staystillgregory]

[staystillgregory]

"YOU HEARD THE SPIDER!" He's perched precariously on the edge of a vent, cupping his hands around his mouth to amplify his words. On his head is a stolen witch's hat... hmm.

[staystillgregory]

Just as soon as the storm of anger had come, it passed. Something in his confession seemed to have gotten through to his cousin. Cassie apologized, squeezing his shoulder, and the action provided more relief than he could admit. Though a thick cloud of shame still hung over him, his posture gradually relaxed.

"I...I appreciate hearing that." Being missed was something so easy for most to take for granted, but not to Gregory. Hearing that Cassie had worried for him, and thought about him while he was alone on the streets... A lump formed in his throat, and the damned tears gleamed in the corner of eyes, though he refused to let them fall. It truly meant more than he could ever say. "I know. I do know now it wasn't right. "

Cassie's next words caused Gregory's eyes to widen. She had been helping the bots that were left behind? She really was a wonderful, kind person, doing quite literally the opposite of Gregory's own actions. God, how could he even be related to someone like that? Even while having her hands full trying to rescue "him", she had taken the time to aid them. Now, Cassie was proposing the idea of trying to repair the others, too. She believed they could find it in themselves to forgive him, and while Gregory doubted that... He had to do it anyway. He had to right his wrongs, now that she was showing him a way.

"It... could work." He softly agreed, thinking over the condition of the animatronics the last time he had seen them. Roxy and Chica were mostly intact, however damaged they were. Monty, on the other hand, would be much more difficult, considering he was split in half. They'd probably have to take legs off an endo... "If we can get into Parts and Service, we'll have more to work with. I doubt the maintenance cylinder still works, but there's got to be tools in there that are better than what I've been using for Freddy. Maybe there's even spare casing, if we're lucky."

We were both their friends, before everything. How long ago those days felt now... It would be nice to have it back, however vain a hope it might be. And it would be very nice to work together with Cassie to make it happen.

He offered his shoulder once more to his cousin, so they could continue on their way. "...I didn't, umm, do anything to the Daycare Attendant, so I'm guessing whatever happened to them physically was due to the building's collapse. How badly were they damaged?" God, please don't need additional repairs! He silently added, begging the universe to take pity on him. As much as Gregory wanted to atone, being in a room with Moon again was pushing it.

[Cassie's yelling caused Gregory to flinch, and she felt a whopping pang of regret -- she was upset, but she shouldn't have raised her voice. Not around him. There was a reason he'd hated the foster care system; she found new ways to recognize his hurt every day, with every conversation, and it made her heart ache. At least he had Freddy...but at what cost?]

[After her long-winded rant, Gregory quietly, shamefully admitted the truth -- he hadn't considered the long-term effect of his actions. He reiterated that he thought they deserved it, that his vengeful actions would solve his problems. Again, Cassie couldn't really wrap her mind around that mindset...but as she'd just been reminded, Gregory had been through a lot.]

[Moreso than she'd thought, too. Her eyes widened in shock and horror as he referenced a cruel one-liner from Roxy; she'd never say anything like that. Even in the aftermath of everything, she'd never thrown a degrading insult Cassie's way, or even in Gregory's way -- she'd had ample opportunity when Cassie had needed to lure her away with her cousin's voice, but she said nothing. Had all of the animatronics been so ruthless...?]

[Cassie bit her lip and lowered her gaze. Of course Gregory had reacted so violently to hearing that "nobody would miss him." Worse yet, he said it felt true -- but it wasn't. Cassie would have. Her dad would have. She'd gone through Hell tonight just to bring him back safe and sound, even if it hadn't necessarily panned out.]

[It wasn't them talking -- Gregory seemed to realize that now, at least, even if it had been delayed. He dejectedly added that he didn't know how to fix any of it, or how he could make it right...thankfully, figuring out how to make amends ( in this scenario, anyway ) was Cassie's department. She'd fixed some of them tonight -- she'd rebooted the attendants, given Chica her voice back...and now that the animatronics were back to normal, if he showed remorse and tried to help, she was sure that he wouldn't be "enemy number one" in their eyes.]

❝ ...Don't say that. I'm sorry, Gregory. ❞ [Cassie gently squeezed his shoulder, trying to reassure him.] ❝ I-I just...I didn't understand. I kinda do now. I'm...sorry she said that to you. For what it's worth, she was wrong. I'd miss you -- I did miss you while you were gone. I thought you might've been missing, or worse...I... ❞ [The "missing" posters from the augmented version of Roxy Racers flashed through her mind; she'd questioned a lot about the VANNI network, but she realized now that its twisted contents had reflected her fears and insecurities. Everything in Roxy Racers had practically been designed to hurt her, especially as she deactivated the nodes there, but it had probably been her own fault.]

[Cassie sniffled, willing the tears away. Not now.] ❝ ...You would be missed, Gregory. Don't ever doubt that. I still don't think you dealt with the problem in the best way, but...at least you get that now, right? ❞ [Speaking of which...]

❝ On the bright side...I think I know how to fix this. I've had to help them a few times now -- Sun and Moon needed me to reboot them, and I found Chica's voice box... ❞ [Through an arcade game, but...that counted, didn't it? She had to wonder how it even got there when Freddy supposedly had it. Maybe it was a spare?] ❝ Um, point is -- you were kinda right. They can be repaired, but I think that we'll have to be the ones to repair them. Plus, if you help, I think they'll find it in themselves to forgive you. We were both their friends before...well, everything. ❞ [...Which perhaps made it worse for the animatronics. Cassie had also been ( falsely ) betrayed by him, so...she understood the pain of a close friend suddenly turning on you.]