The next morning, the young woman awoke to the sun’s rays through the slits in the curtains. She got up with a nice pain in her spine and remembered that last night she had slept on the floor beside him, by the way, where was he? Without barely waking up, the door was thrown open by the blue rabbit.
─Miss, my lord requires your presence in the dining room.
Very courteous as always, the rabbit said. Having just time to splash water on her face and finger-join her hair, the girl left the room and followed the rabbit into the dining room. As they walked, she noticed a burn on the back of the rabbit’s ears. ‘Poor boy, what did those things do?’ she thought. Upon arriving in the living room, the rabbit left her alone with the master, who was sitting in the far corner of the fireplace. Without saying a word, he motioned for the young woman to sit beside him, and so she obeyed. They both fell into an uncomfortable silence as they ate—in case it was only Vanessa who was eating.
─Aren’t you going to eat too?─ the young woman asked.─ I’ve never seen you eat or drink anything since I got here.
─No, I don’t need to eat anymore, although I still can, but what’s the point of eating and not being able to taste it?
─And why did you decide to see me eat like a spy cat? What an ugly thing Mr William.
─Look, I…it’s so weird having to ask for this that I don’t even know where to start. Do you want to stay with me? I mean, help me with some work in the workshop…
─Ah, if that was just it then fine.─ She smiled.
When he had finished eating the soup and bread they had made for him, they went to the west wing of the castle. She was familiar with that part of the castle, as she had been there without permission, so it wasn’t all that surprising. What was really surprising was the huge workshop that was in front of them, dear! It was a huge place, with things far beyond the girl’s fertile imagination, it was almost a dream. With that ignorant and backward-thinking village, she had little contact with technology, and what little she has experienced was in drawings of old advertisements and with robot servants of the palace. It was a more splendid creation than the other, on one side they were things resembling metallic skeletons and on the other side small artifacts that could do anything far beyond what a normal human being could imagine.
─So, what did you think?─ he asked in an attempt to bring the girl out of all that ecstasy.
─This place is so far beyond what I jáve ever seen that theres no better word to describe what Im feeling than ecstatic, that was specific but its true. What is this?─ She pointed to a small device with a red light.
─It is an illusion disk. To better explain what he does, let me show you.─ The rotten rabbit took the small device and held out his paw for the young woman to hold it, without hesitation she took his paw and the two went further into the workshop .
He led her to a circular metal bench with a column attached to the ceiling in the middle. On the bench, there was a white bear with its snout and around the purple eyes, in its right hand, there was a kind of puppet in the shape of a rabbit, it looked like Bonnie but in a darker shade of blue. William took the device and placed it on the bear’s shoulder, he squeezed something and at the same moment the bear was completely different, he looked more alive, just like William.
─Wow! He looks like you.
─I know, but that’s just an illusion, he’s still that same metal bear with a weird laugh. The Illusion Disc can do much more than that, but I have no reason to try to improve it anymore.
─What else is here? How do you make one of these? What’s this thing?” She held up a kind of silicone sheet with an elongated, thin shape.
─Calm down, later I’ll show you and this thing in your hand is silicone, I use it to make the Bonnies’ rabbit ears.
─Wow…
And so it happened, the two began to meet day after day in the workshop, working together with new creations and when they took a break from work, they were reading something or messing with old things and discussing things they could do around the castle. As one day when Vanessa was tinkering with a small music box with five small wooden dolls, William said it was something built shortly after being cursed, he said it was longing that made him do it. And also one day in particular, where Vanessa suggested cleaning the entire castle, since all that dust was burning her nose ─in addition to the very bad smell that the rabbit gave off, she just didn’t say anything about it so as not to embarrass him. Because the young woman was quite right in wanting to clean the castle, the rabbit organized all of his servants, from Bonnies to Foxys, and even helped with the cleaning. Cleaning the castle took practically a full day, but the effort was worth it as they watched the purple and violet floors glow with hundreds of lit candles.
─It’s been so long this place didn’t smell like cheap cleaning product.─ said the rabbit looking around with its muzzle moving.
─I didn’t know you could use fabric softener as a disinfectant.
─And I can’t, I only wear it because I like the smell of clean clothes, and as you can see, my clothes haven’t been clean for many years.
─How long have you been wearing the same clothes?
─Five years, I think. When you go too long without leaving a huge, unkempt place, you lose track of time.
─How old are you again?
─I turned 59 last week.
─What?! Why didn’t you tell me?
─Why would you want to know my birthday? Nobody likes birthdays.
─The question is not the birthday but the person, I know that nobody cares, but hey, we are friends! You could have told me, I would have looked for something to give you.
─I don’t care about material goods.
─Say that and have a giant castle and a huge fortune!
─Okay, whatever, if you want to give me a gift, why don’t you do a prom just me and you? And the rest too…
─Fine.─ She smiled.
─How is it?
─I agree to do a late birthday prom for you, and also, this clean castle deserves a ball.
─Oh yeah…
He didn’t know if he was feeling sorry or if he was happy, anyway, feeling sorry for having made an invitation wouldn’t break his curse. Out of irony or annoyance, the “prom” was going to be on the same day. Both went to opposite sides, to get ready and be in character when the time comes. Vanessa went to her bedroom and when she got there, she was made a model for Chica to take her exact measurements and make the most beautiful dresses. William, well…he went to take a shower.
─Bring more shampoo!─ the rabbit yelled annoyed, and slightly embarrassed.
─But sir, it’s already been three cans of shampoo…─ the blue rabbit said worriedly.
─Bring shampoo, soap, or anything else that makes this stinky goo come out of my fur! And bring a flea control too, I think there’s a nit on my back.
─We told you to take a bath when you were bewitched, and now you’re in this humiliating situation trying to get rid of fleas in water that got dirty from you by your feet.─ the blue rabbit complained.
─Speaking of water, can you bring more?
─Yes sir.─ Bonnie sighed and left the room. At the same moment, Foxy appeared with five bottles of shampoo and a bottle of flea control.
─Here you go, tell me, why this sudden interest in wanting to shower? Couldn’t take the itchy underside?─ Foxy asked, malice in her voice.
─No, and who are you to say anything about itchy underside?
─I don’t know what it’s for so you don’t have to throw it in my face, ok!?
In addition to having to get rid of all that dirt and fleas, he also had to worry about untangling the knots he had around his body, especially the hair that grew like hair on the back of his head, it was a weird thing, but take care of the right way until he looked like an afghanistan hound. Vanessa on the other hand, was much more than full in the tub and being dressed with a finish. When they had finished getting ready-and after William had been through a lot of hardship to get himself cleaned up and fixed that fur-the two met on the staircase that led directly to the ballroom. William was in the best of her clothes in dark blue and purple, and Vanessa, she was in a blue dress, was the first time he had seen her wearing something that wasn’t red. It was a dress that moved lightly and apparently she wasn’t wearing that grid that made dresses swirl.
─Are you wearing lavender perfume?─ she asked playfully as she clung to his outstretched arm.
─Actually this is disinfectant, the perfume didn’t help much. I don’t care what I used to brush my teeth.
─Dude, that’s disgusting, ha-ha, please try to shower more often.─ She chuckled.
─Okay, okay, I’m only going to do this because I’m feeling lighter, and also because I had forgotten what color my fur was…
William wanted to go into the dining room and make small talk, but then music started playing. He saw in Vanessa’s eyes the desire to dance, and feeling obligated and not wanting to admit that she wanted to dance too, he did. He was never a good dancer to start the conversation, but Vanessa wasn’t that kind of waltz either, but that wasn’t a performance, it was fun, and they danced their way, in a special way. At the height of the music, he lifted her up, and with her height, he gave the impression that the girl could touch the chandeliers above them. When the music stopped playing, they went to the porch that was there, they sat near the railing and admired the snow-covered forest and the vast garden of blue orchids and violet flowers, and tulips of every known color, that garden was like the perfect description of paradise she saw in books.
─Today was weird, in a good way.─ she said. For some strange reason, she felt that 'butterflies in the stomach’ expression was making perfect sense now.
─Yes, it had been a long time that I didn’t have fun like that. The last time was when…well…you know.
─That doesn’t seem like a lot of fun to keep in memory…
─Tell me, this is a huge weight…
─I see, why do you want a reason to regret it?
─I don’t know, I’ve never lived with a desire of my own, that’s not quite true, but there are details I don’t want you to know. I grew old and had a legacy, but I never stopped to ask myself what I wanted, sometimes I waited for someone to show up so I could decide what I wanted and what I didn’t want, just like a robot. The only things I did because I wanted and wanted was to get married and kill those kids, and… let you stay…
─Have you never stopped to do something you really wanted to do?
─Yes, more or less…
─And what do you want to do now?
─So…
Let’s agree that it’s not just a ball, much less a conventional dinner. I will not narrate what happens next.
A/N: Yeah, I cut out the final part, because it’s a lemon, and also because it was a friend request in Spirit fanfic. I would put it here, but I’m not sure if anyone would like to read this or if anyone would feel comfortable reading this.
It had been three weeks since the day Vanessa ended up at the castle, it was quiet times and even alone at times, but in the end, she quickly got used to it all. One time she read something, sometimes she went to take care of the animals together with Bonnie and Chica─ she only found out their name only two weeks ago. Sometimes she also spent time with the lord of the castle, but that happened on rare occasions when he wasn’t so grumpy. One day, the young woman was in her bedroom reading a book when she saw the bedroom door almost knocked down by the blue rabbit.
─Quick Vanessa, blow out the candles!─ ordered the rabbit amidst her despair.
Without questioning, the young woman dropped the book and ran to extinguish the candles in the room, the blue rabbit had closed the curtains and then ran to close the others that were around the huge castle. In order not to be alone in the dark, Vanessa took an old lamp and lit it with the small ember from the fireplace that was already almost completely extinguished. Because it was dark and there was no fire, the castle was starting to cool down.
─Heavens, how does this guy manage to stay out in the cold? Oh yeah, furry…
She continued walking through the corridors trying to understand what was going on, she was starting to shiver with cold. She saw a very familiar pink and white fox at the end of the corridor, the young woman quickened her steps and when she got close enough to the fox, she asked:
─Foxy, what’s going on here?
─Vanessa?! What are you doing outside the bedroom? Come on, come back soon, they could show up at any time.─ The fox grabbed the young woman by the shoulders and turned her back to the bedroom path.
─They who? Why doesn’t anyone in this damn castle want to tell me what’s going on?
─Stop asking questions for a minute and go back to your room!
The angry young woman went back to the bedroom, in fact she just pretended to go to the bedroom. As soon as the fox left the surroundings, it returned to its exploration. ‘What’s going on in this place? If even robots are scared then it must be something serious…’ she thought. Vanessa stopped walking when she found herself between two corridors, she lit the entrance of both with the lamp and wondered which way to go. After thinking, she went to the left hallway, as she walked, she heard a light melody invading her ears. It was something like a music box, it was soft and dreamy. The young woman stopped walking when she heard a voice hum in a melancholy way.
─Why are you hiding on the wall when there is music in my hall? All I see is an empty room. No joy; An empty tomb. It’s so good all day to sing.
The young woman saw a strangely beautiful-looking woman with blue hair, pale skin and reddened cheeks and lips. She wore a cute outfit, a dark blue bodice and a silk and pink chiffon skirt with knee-length yellow flower embroidery, a pearl necklace around her neck, and a pair of orange earrings and a crystal tiara, in addition. to wear sneakers and have the nails the same shade as the bodice. The mystery woman was on tiptoe, twirling with light, graceful movements, when Vanessa realized they weren’t in the castle. It was an empty place, like nothing. The woman stopped dancing and Vanessa could have a broader view of her, the woman was also a mechanical being like Bonnie, Chica and Foxy, but her difference was her more human appearance. She stopped dancing and stood in front of Vanessa, she opened her lavender eyes, so alive and so deep that they scared the girl.
─Now what do we have here? A human. He couldn’t settle for metal and went after meat?
─What?
─Was it just satisfaction or just another experiment? Whichever it is, it’s a hell of a waste of beauty.─ The woman said, carefully analyzing the young woman. ─I’m sorry but can you tell me who you are?
─My name is Vanessa…
─There is! Those idiots will see only when they find out I was right!
─Why doesn’t anyone explain to me what’s going on here!
─Oh, sorry, I forgot it was there. My visual sensors don’t work very well and my memory is too full. My name is Ballora, tell me, did you come here of your own free will or did he make you come?
─It’s kind of complicated since if I refused to stay he would force me to stay here, but I think in theory it was by choice, as I gladly accepted.
─Strange, why would you accept to live with that monster?
─He didn’t strike me as cruel, by the way, he even said he was merciful in taking care of me.─ Vanessa explained. Ballora looked at her in astonishment and then slowly shook her head in disappointment.
Heavens, you don’t know anything…
─Of course not, no one here wants to tell me!
─Then sit down, as I’ll tell you about the Beast’s curse and how he got to it.
─Er… can you sit here? It’s just that there’s literally nothing here, no floor, we’re floating on top of dark water, look at my wet dress.
─We’re in your mind, just imagine anything to sit down and that’s it.
─Wait a minute, if we’re on my mind, then this story you’re going to tell me isn’t real?
─Yes, no…Look you’re confusing me! Do you want to hear the shit story or not?
─I do, tell me.
─As far as I know of this story, the Beast, who was human at the time, had killed his own wife and children for an experiment he spent his entire life studying, and not being satisfied with what he did, he killed more and more people. Men, women, children, especially children! He was crazy, but one day, he chose the wrong child to kill and when the child’s soul saw what he did and what he did, the soul became furious and punished him by turning him into a beast and the curse would only go away. break if he felt sorry for what he did.
─This is kind of confusing…
─I heard this story from a reliable source and—
The void for some strange reason began to tremble, the robotic woman dissolved like dust and gradually Vanessa heard a voice calling. The void began to retake the shape of the castle and in front of the young woman, was the same rotten rabbit. He had a very visible frown on his face, he was holding her wrist with a certain force and with the other hand he was holding the lamp that the young woman brought with her. Still confused by the situation, Vanessa was hurriedly dragged back to her room by the rabbit. As they entered the room, the rabbit locked the door and extinguished the lamp. Still being confused, the young woman asked:
─What is happening?
─Shh, be quiet!─ he whispered.
You could see orange lighting through the door frame, and you could hear heavy footsteps down the hall. Curious ─and momentarily frightened─ the young woman crouched low to the door’s lock and peered through the keyhole. She saw a bird, identical to Chica, except that it looked much more horrifying, it even looked like a kind of puppet on fire. She felt a strong arm tug at her arm and jerk her away from the door.
─Damn Vanessa, I had Bonnie come here to make sure you didn’t leave the room and now here I am trying to make sure those things don’t come to you.─ the bunny chided her in a whisper.
─What are those things?
─These are nightmares, I don’t really know what they do here, but they always come every six months. I just know that the last time they came, one of the Chicas turned a stick!
─Crosses…we will have to stay here for how long?
─Until dawn, you should go to sleep, it’s getting very late and you don’t want to know what those things look like at 3:00 in the morning.
─And you?
─I don’t need sleep, just as I don’t need many things anymore.
Vanessa decided not to argue and sat down beside the bed, the rabbit did the same and lit the lamp again. They stood there, silent, waiting for anything to happen until Vanessa remembered the story Ballora had told her. She also remembered a detail that never stopped to think very well, what was his name?
─What’s your real name?─ she asked.
─What?
─Your name is that I always call you a beast and in all this time I never stopped to ask myself what your name was.
─Why this sudden interest in wanting to know my name? We don’t even speak very often.
─But we live under the same roof, we don’t know each other very well and that’s the least I can ask to get close to you, so tell me what’s your name?─ she insisted. The rabbit sighed in defeat and turned to her.
─I don’t have the patience to argue right now so ok, here’s my name, my name is William…
─William Shakespeare?!
─William Afton darling, Shakespeare is an artist and I an inventor.
─But aren’t these things that go hand in hand? Art needs creativity and inventions too, you are a machine artist.
─Whatever, go to sleep.
─Only after answering me one more question.
─And what is it now?
─What have you really done with your family? I may be going crazy, but a woman in a funny outfit told me you killed your family, is that true?
─Who told you this story?
─One such Ballora, did you or did you not do it?
─In some ways yes, but no, I didn’t do anything with my family. What she told you was just what anger and reason made my daughter believe, I wasn’t always bad…
─Want to tell me what happened?
─There’s no way to say no after you’ve been told a lie like that, well, where do I start? I was never very “normal” according to the rest of the world, but even so, I lived normally, I was never good at getting along with people other than my best friend and my wife. My friend and I treated each other like brothers, negotiated and sold our technology and discoveries to the rest of the world. One day he got married and started his family and I did that too, I was afraid to stay with my wife because of the history of abandonment I already suffered but in the end, the two of us got together and formed our own family.
─What was your wife like?
─She was just like a Viking, except that she had no beard and red hair, and a slight Irish accent, and she was much prettier. I remember she got a six-hectare plot of land after being challenged to drink a barrel of beer. Continuing the story, when winter came, she had to take a trip to a province, but then…the coachman missed the path and the carriage she was in fell into the lake, it was so cold that she died in a matter of seconds. ..I was so shaken up that I barely had the willpower to get out of bed, but at least I wasn’t having to deal with that kind of thing alone, my best friend was also in mourning. Over time, I became obsessed with envy and ended up taking it out on my best friend’s daughter, I killed her. A few years after that, I lost two of my kids and started going broke, my oldest son ran away, and I was left alone with my best friend who had been trying for days to take his own life. I started to feel an unbearable desire to kill, and I started to kill children, after so many victims, after so much blood, I was cursed by one of them and I became this thing, I was condemned to become less human as the time passed…
─And do you regret having done this?
─As much as I want to regret it, I can’t, all I can feel is guilt and it’s no use if it doesn’t make me change.
─But nobody changes all of a sudden, you can be aware that you are wrong but if you try not to make the same mistake again it doesn’t make you better. Actions are relative, equal to time, if in a moment you regret it, who can guarantee that it won’t happen again?
─It’s not overnight Vanessa, I’ve been in this situation for thirty years and nothing changes, it will never change, my time is running out and I can’t feel sorry. I know this is a waste of time and a waste of anger, but if you look closely, the child who did this to me is absolutely right. Is that you? I know that story you told me isn’t true, tell me why were they chasing you?
─I killed my fiance, I feel sorry for doing it but it was for a good cause, either I did it or I would become a toy on display for anyone who wanted to use me…
─If you knew he was like that, then why did you agree to marry him?
─I barely knew I was engaged, my parents said I was getting old and that if I took a little longer nobody would want me, so to speed things up and pay off some debts, they exchanged me for five dairy cows and a plot of land. ten hectares.
─No offense but your parents are horrible…
─No offense and I agree with you.
The young woman yawned and leaned against the rabbit’s arm, normally the weather was already cold in that region and it was even worse at dawn, and nothing better than sleeping leaning against a creature that produces its own heat. The rabbit watched her sleep slowly and went out in the lamplight. It wouldn’t be long before the sun came up and those nightmares went away. As he waited a little longer, just to make sure she was asleep, a small flaming pumpkin appeared under the door.
─What was it this time?
─There are only three screws left for the claw to come undone, aren’t you sorry?
─Not at all.
─Be careful, you only have three more chances.
─Lose your hope, we all know how this story will end.
─If you say so, so be it. At least try a little harder, you were never one to give up easy.
─Before I had a reason, now all I have left is to wait for death.
─And this one on your side? Not a reason?
The rabbit was silent and ignored the pumpkin, it smiled mischievously and left the room while hopping. How is she a reason if they barely know each other.
