all sunny days

You always wanted to be a star. It was something you had dreamed of for far too long no matter where you were or what you were doing in life. Even now in college you focused your talents on your degree in theatre. Though the thing about stardom is that you have to start somewhere. It’s all about getting your name out there and paving the way for yourself. Even if that means starting with something as simple as preforming for children. So, when you saw that the Freddy Fazbear Pizza Plex was holding auditions in the city you were attending school there was no way you could refuse. Was it what you had in mind? Absolutely not. But was it as job? Damn right it was.

They were looking for a new main act for their daycare’s theatre. They said you could sing, dance, perform comedy, or any other myriad of talents that could be brought to the table. With your background in stage performance and a heart full of determination you attended the auditions with your hopes high. Luckily enough you were rewarded for your confidence with the new position just days after your audition. They agreed to work around your college schedule as long as you were willing to work weekends which you didn’t mind. So thus stared your new job and your first gig as a performance artist.

Today was your first day on the job, well, night more like it. The manager suggested that you come to the Pizza Plex after hours to get a feel for your work space and prepare for your first show tomorrow. There was also some paperwork and security measures that needed taken care of so you could get backstage and such. You had happily agreed to meet up with the night time security guard as directed to get everything in order.

As you entered the Plex you noted just how big it was. The last of the day’s guests were filling out the doors as you walked in and you couldn’t help but be impressed by the dramatic size and atmosphere of it all. It only made you more excited.

“Miss, sorry to inform you but it’s just about closing time and- oh! You must be (Y/n), are you the new act they hired for the day care?” A tired looking blonde in a security uniform approached you and greeted you with her hand on her hip.

“That would be me, nice to meet you,” you said holding out a hand to shake. She ignored it as she continued.

“I’m Venessa, the head of night time security. We’ve got to get you some badges and such before I show you the daycare and where you’ll be working. Follow me,” she finished a bit dryly as she turned to leave. You were a bit taken aback by her demeanor, but you guessed since she was security, she had to be a bit stern. So, you followed without a second thought as she leas you through the atrium and down a back hallway to one of the security offices. She didn’t talk mush as she logged into her computer and started making what looked like a fresh badge for you.

“I’ll need a picture, stand over there in front of the camera,” she motioned and you followed her lead. You stood Infront of the camera and smiled brightly before it blinded you with a flash. You shook your head and blinked your eyes as she continued typing. “You ever work alongside animatronics before?” she asked suddenly, cutting through the silence.

“No, why?” You were curious as to why she would bring it up. To your knowledge your act was a solo one.

“They didn’t tell you? Or ask? Of course they didn’t. Well, you my lucky friend get to work alongside our daycare attendant animatronic. He’ll be joining you for your scripted act. All I’ll say is don’t break him or it’ll come out of your paycheck,” she said with a slight laugh to herself. You stood there blinking in confusion. How did no one mention this? It was a pretty big detail to miss. You didn’t mind of course but you wondered how difficult it would be to act with a robot beside you.

“How are the animatronics here? Are they old or can they move around and stuff,” you asked ignorantly. You didn’t know much about the franchise or animatronics in general.

“Move around? Yeah, they move all right. They all have personality chips too; we’ve got the most advanced AI that money can buy. They really spared no expense on those things. It’ll almost be like having a human partner. He’s just a hunk of metal in reality.” She said with a shrug. You pondered at the idea of a robot so advanced that it has its own personality. Though you were excited to hear he wouldn’t be as boring as you thought. “Alright, here we are. Your badge and access passes, don’t lose them or you won’t be able to get where you need to go. I’ll take you to the daycare and from there I’ll leave you be, I have things to do and rounds to make. Let’s go,” she said rushing you out of the office.

You followed quietly behind her as she showed you the way to the daycare, paying close attention to how to get there so you wouldn’t wind up lost. She escorted you into the main area as you gawked at the size of it. This was all for little kids? This place really did have a lot of money.

“Over there is the entrance to the theatre, here I snagged a map off a bot for you so you could find your way around. If you go down that slide, you’ll end up in the play area, it’s one of the only way’s down. The daycare animatronic should be there cleaning up since all the kids just left. Introduce yourself. If you need me there’s a radio at the daycare desk and backstage at the theatre, I’m channel 87. Good luck,” she said with a Pat on your shoulder she turned and walked off.

You looked around before deciding to take her suggestion and find the animatronic, it was oddly quiet and you didn’t like it now that you were along. You fumbled your way to the slide and pushed yourself down. You had to admit that if you were a kid that all this would be pretty cool. You landed in a ball pit at the bottom and giggled to yourself. You stood up and dusted yourself off, getting your cardigan unstuck from the pile of balls. You found your way out and into the play area before you spotted him.

At first, he looked like a sunflower of sorts, though all the posters told you he was a sun, though half his face was a moon. He was dressed like a jester which you thought was clever since you were to play some sort of princess role in your theatre act you got the script for. He was cleaning up some crayons from a small table at the moment before he paused and looked up towards you. He must have heard you, but from all the way over here? Good hearing programmed for the kiddo’s you guessed.

“Oh! A new friend!” He exclaimed before making his way over to you cheerfully. He was taller than you and had a moving mouth and everything, he seemed so life like in how he moved that you were stunned for a moment. “Hello friend! What’s your name?”

“I’m (Y/n), who are you?” You asked kindly. His head spun around cheerfully as he answered.

“I’m Sundrop! Though you can call me Sunny, that’s what the little one’s call me! Are you here for a slumber party? You look a little old for daycare.” He asked with a laugh that sounded embarrassed almost. You shook your head and smiled.

“I’m your new partner for the-“

“The theatre! Oh, I’m so excited to meet you! I heard I was going to get to work with a new buddy!” He cut you off as he threw the crayons he was holding everywhere in excitement. “We’re going to have so much fun together! You get to be the princess, aren’t you lucky? They kiddos are going to love love love you!” He said taking both your hands in his. You noticed that unlikely you had expected that he was warm to the touch, not cold. You assumed that was something else that was programmed for the kids. Wow, this robot barley seemed robotic at all, other than the very faint whirring noise you could hear coming from him.

“I’m excited too! Working together should be a joy!” You couldn’t help but be positive, his radiance was contagious.

“Oh, a joy indeed! Here let me show you the theatre!” He said as he led you by hand to the exit of the play area. He was so kind and bubbly, well he’d have to be for the kids you suppose. He didn’t stop talking until you ended up backstage where he began to show you around and what doors went where and how to get on stage. He was quite helpful and patient as you asked questions and got to know your surroundings. You came upon a series of switches on the wall and before you began to mess with them you found your wrist was snatched by Sundrop in a frighteningly fast fashion. The look on his face was panicked.

“Woah I-“

“Sorry Sunshine,” he let go of your wrist softly as if not to hurt you. You blushed softly at the nickname he had given you in the five minutes you’d known him, “I was just scared one of those was to the lights. There’s only one rule here in the daycare and its to keep the lights on... always.” The slight pause made the statement seem all that more gravely important. You backed away from the switches and nodded slowly.

“Got it, lights stay on. Are you afraid of the dark?” You asked curiously. You didn’t know their programming went as far as possibly having fears too. How advanced was this AI anyway?

“You could say that, it’s for everyone’s safety mostly. The best way to have fun is the safe way!” He said near the end his bubbly aura returning as he smiled brightly at you. You shrugged in agreeance as you nodded.

“Can’t argue with that. Well thank you for showing me around Sunny. I really appreciate it. I’d probably get lost without you.” You smiled as a beamed back, seeming proud of himself.

“We’re partners aren’t we! That’s what I’m here for! Now that we have that out of the way we can go play together!” He said grabbing your hand again and pulling you along effortlessly. You seemed to weigh nothing to him, he must have been strong. He led you back to the play area and you agreed to help him clean up the remainder of the messes left by the kids. Mostly crayons and pesky glitter glue. Afterwards you planned on leaving but you were stopped in your path by the tall sun figure.

“Sundrop? I have to go now,” you said with a smile. He groaned and pouted a little.

“Aww but I wanna play with my new friend,” he said sadly. “We can color, or drink FizzyFaz, tell stories, I have a lot of books,” he continued in an effort to keep you here with him.

“Sunny I’d love to but we can play tomorrow, I have to get home and sleep so that I’m not tired for our act tomorrow.” You said reaching out and patting his head softly. He sighed and nodded in understanding as he stood up tall again.

“Fine, but I get a hug from my sunshine before you go!” He said swinging his arms open wide. You laughed as you complied, hugging him as he picked you up from the ground and twirled you around. He was so warm and surprisingly comfy despite his being made of metal. He sat you down gently and waved to you as you left the daycare.

You made your way for the atrium with a smile on your face and your excitement high. This job seemed like it was going to be fun. Though you still wondered why Sundrop was so adamant about the lights. Though you worried about that for another time.