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Having a visitor after so many years of isolation was already a blessing, but to see new hope for this place filled him with an excitement that he hadn't felt in ages. There was still much work to do, but you had managed to get most of the park's systems running so that he would be able to control everything he needed. To say Rambley was on cloud nine would be the understatement of the millennium.
"I can't thank you enough for everything you've done to help get the park back in shape, I couldn't have done it without you!"
He really meant it - none of this would've been possible without you. He couldn't even bring himself to think of where he would be right now if you hadn't walked through that door. Still stuck in the entry server, alone in a limbo between the outside world and the decaying kingdom he so loved.
He didn't know what he would do without you.
"No problem, Rambley, it's been a pleasure," you beamed, "I promise when I come back I'll-"
The world seemed to stand still as those last few words sunk in.
Although you were still speaking, he could hardly register anything that was being said. Your words turned to white noise as that one phrase replayed over and over in his digital mind - when I come back. He'd heard it before, all those years ago, and he had learned from experience that people who say that more than likely never return.
He knew - or at least he hoped - he could trust you to keep your word unlike the last humans he'd made contact with, but a growing uncertainty gnawed at his core. He had been alone for so long, he finally got a taste of what it felt like to entertain a guest again - to have a purpose again - and now you were leaving just as suddenly as you came in. His screen briefly flickered with static as conflicting thoughts raced through his coding.
If he let you leave and you kept your promise, then he would be able to restore the park and have all the visitors he could possibly dream of to fill that void. That was the whole point in this after all. Surely you wouldn't have gone to all this trouble if you were just going to abandon him.
But there was no guarantee that you would actually come back. And if you didn't, then he would be left waiting. Waiting for however long it would take for him to finally give up on the expectation of your return.
Just like before.
"...Rambley? You okay?"
He snapped back to full attention upon hearing his name. His feelings must've shown on his face, because you were now giving him an odd look. Regaining his composure, he quickly forced his iconic smile.
"Never been better!"
His facial recognition detected that you weren't fully convinced, but you seemingly brushed it off, much to his relief.
"Well, I had a great time aside from the, uh.. Hiccups," you let out an awkward chuckle, referring to your less than pleasant run-ins with the park mascots, "Thanks again for helping m-"
Another flicker of static flashed across the screen as he momentarily panicked, realizing this was building up to that dreaded 'goodbye'.
"W-wait! Uh," he quickly caught himself, "Before you go, there's one more thing I wanted you to see."
His statement was met with visible confusion.
"I was excited to show you but things got out of hand," he pressed the tips of his index fingers together awkwardly, "Y-you wouldn't mind staying just a little bit longer, would ya', buddy?"
An idea was formulating with each syllable that exited his speakers. Whether it was the cute face or his acting was better than he thought, you couldn't bring yourself to say no. He cheerfully led you along, trying not to break character.
Just a little bit further.
Almost there.
He couldn't believe he was doing this. It not only went against his nature but against everything the two of you had been trying to accomplish. But it was the only way to truly make sure that he wouldn't be left alone again.
He had opened and closed things off to provide a pathway that would allow you to roam unbothered by the vicious mascots but unable to access any exits. He ping-ponged from one screen to another, keeping you placated with friendly banter as you unwittingly made your way to the park's hotel. Upon entering, Rambley gave you a brief tour of the place, corralling you deeper into the building until he successfully lured you to your room. He allowed you to unlock it with your Critter Cuff instead of doing so automatically, just to give you the sense that you still had some control over the situation. Maybe this didn't have to be a trap, maybe he could convince you to stay.
"Well, what do ya' think, buddy? Pretty cozy, huh?"
"It's really nice, but I'm afraid it's getting late and-"
"No problem, that's what this room is for!"
By now, you had obviously figured out where this was going.
"I don't think you understand, I need to go home for tonight," you tried to explain, "Don't worry, I'll be back first thing in the morning with some friends to help tidy up. I'm sure we can get this place back in working order in no time."
You smiled at the screen and he nearly melted. He wanted so badly to trust you. He really did. He wanted to be able to just let you leave and have you actually show up the next day. He wanted to be able to pull off what you two had planned and bring the park back to life. But he couldn't let go of the possibility that if you walked out that door, it may very well be the last he ever saw of you.
Even if you intended to keep your promise, there was a chance something could happen to you before you were able to fulfill it. Just as the inside of the park had changed since he last had access to it, it occurred to him that the outside world - a place he'd only ever caught fleeting glimpses of in the form of visitors - had likely changed too. There was no telling what kind of dangers lie outside this gated husk.
The only reason you managed to get away from Mollie was because he was there to help. He had no such access to the outside. If anything transpired, he wouldn't be able to intervene - he wouldn't even be aware that anything had happened at all.
He couldn't bear the thought of it.
If you couldn't be talked into staying then he wasn't going to take any chances.
As if on instinct, he activated one of the security features. You jumped as the door automatically shut and a steel one slid over it with an unceremonious slam. Another clank of metal and the window was effectively sealed off as well. A sort of frozen panic washed over you and it took a moment for you to even react. He averted his gaze as you ran to the door and made a hopeless attempt to pry your way past the steel reinforcement.
When he finally met your eyes again, they reflected a look of terror that he had only seen when you were being chased by the other mascots.
"R-Rambley? Please open the door."
"...I'm sorry, (Y/n). I'm afraid I can't do that."
—
After several hours of trying to escape, you had finally exhausted yourself. The digital raccoon watched contently as you now laid curled up on the bed, having cried yourself to sleep. He'd hated that part, it crushed him even more than hearing your pleas to be let go, but at least you were calm now. Unfortunately if upsetting you was the price he had to pay just to have you here, safe from the other mascots - and away from any exits that might take you from him - then so be it.
No matter, he would simply find a way to make you happy again. Bring back that smile that had so enamored him during that first ride. He would make up for this admittedly selfish act and you would get used to living here, maybe even enjoy it.
He did need to figure out a way to get you food... Everything in the concession stands and cafés had long since been cleared out or left to rot. He suddenly remembered there were some nonperishables somewhere in the staff-only areas - things that had been stored in case of emergencies - but he would worry about them later.
Right now the only thing Rambley was concerned with was keeping an eye on his guest while you slept off the stress of recent events. He gazed fawningly as you rolled over and subconsciously nestled against the Rambley plush that you'd earlier tossed aside in your panic. He could only wish it was really him, what he wouldn't give to be on the other side of the screen with you. His striped tail flicked happily at the thought.
Never thought I'd be this jealous of a bunch of cotton stuffed into fabric.
That feeling of your efforts having been for nothing still itched at the back of his mind. If he kept you here then the park may never be fully restored and reopened. As much as he wanted to bring back the glory days of eager crowds bustling in, Rambley had already made his decision. It wasn't worth the possibility of losing you, of being left alone again, waiting and wondering and wasting away. He was willing to trade all of the hypothetical visitors in the world for the already guaranteed one he now coveted.
You were his spark of sunshine.