Mad Science, by queerlittlething (AKA thezerocard) (PG)

[laughingacademy.livejournal.com]

Fandom: WELCOME TO NIGHT VALE
Pairing: Cecil/Carlos, OFC/OMCs (all offstage)
Length: 2 chapters; total wordcount 2,696
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: queerlittlething on tumblr; works on AO3
Why this must be read:

It seems appropriate for my first WtNV fanfic rec to be a story told from a newcomer’s POV — specifically, from the viewpoint of one of the scientists who accompanies Carlos to Night Vale. The author clearly had a lot of fun creating a group of bright, diverse characters (including a woman who is probably somewhere on the autism spectrum and an asexual man), and then setting them loose to interact with (and hopefully survive) their strange new environment.

Essentially, they’re a well-trained, well-funded, enthusiastic group of dorks with no social skills whatsoever.
...
They get to know one another, bonding with incredulous exclamations of, “Would you come take a look at this!” and frustrated curses. They establish protocols in case of spore outbreaks, lightning strikes, rains of domesticated animals, rains of wild animals, and fire. Their lab coats become progressively less white, criss-crossed with stitching like battle scars. They watch cheesy monster movies, at first with cheerful humor and later with poorly-concealed paranoia.
...
Night Vale is curiously accepting, once you get past the initial rush of horror and disbelief. There is literally nothing you can do which will be weirder than the town itself, which is astonishingly liberating. It’s almost impossible to be worried about your co-workers’ reaction to your sexuality when a five-headed dragon is a mayoral candidate.

Chapter one covers the first year or so of the show, has minimal spoilers, and works as a standalone. The second chapter is set during episode 29, “Subway,” and mildly spoilery for that installment.

“Mad Science” on AO3