[video]

[undefines]

[There isn't a person seated in front of the terminal. Instead, there's a pair of shadow children, grinning in their typical eerie way. What makes it worse is the way the video on screen doesn't seem to want to display properly, meaning they appear twisted and strange. Nue's voice sounds from somewhere above the camera's range, though, so she must have been the one who turned it on... Her words might not be entirely clear to a listener, and especially with how she isn't facing the terminal directly, but Nue doesn't know how these things work, so.]

I've seen these things before. [Specifically, she saw them when she...woke up in the lower levels, she supposes would be the way to say it. She has been writing off the sense of familiarity as being thanks to that—maybe they're the same ones that tried to carry her off?] Am I the only one?

Comments

[voice]

[undefines]

I saw them while that...weird "time suspension" [she repeats the phrase uncertainly] thing was happening. They tried to carry me away.

[There's a pause here, while Nue looks at the things that have been tailing her.]

I guess so. They don't seem like they're bothering anyone, anyway.

[She doesn't really trust them, but they seem harmless so far... She just wants to know what they're following her around for.]

[terreifying]

Really? I didn't catch sight of them at all until today.

[She turns and waves her hand, having it pass right through one of the shadows.]

Where do you think they were carrying you to? And how come they could touch you?

[undefines]

I don't know. I don't think it was up on the normal floors. All I remember seeing is a red door.

[terreifying]

Yeah...there's no doors painted red here, are there?

[A pause.]

Maybe you went down a secret passage? Or into some extra floor?

[undefines]

Well, who knows? Someone chased them off before they could take me through it. [A pause.] It was weird, though. I couldn't move at all while they were carrying me.

[terreifying]

That does sound weird.

[She frowns.]

I've never heard of people being completely unable to move. Unless it's right after you come back to life.]

[undefines]

[She hums.]

Maybe it's an ability they have. [Not that Rei can see, but Nue looks back at the shadows behind her again.] There was a man, too. He said something about losing more of us to these things.

[She would probably at least recognize his voice if she actually paid attention to the network 90% of the time! But no, she only does when she wants something (like now) or is bored.]

[terreifying]

That sounds a little ominous. But maybe they won't be able to take us if we stay away from red doors?

[undefines]

Maybe it has something to do with that particular door, or...

[Grumbles. This is hard.]

[terreifying]

Hm...did that door have a number or anything? Or was it just a red door with nothing on it?

[undefines]

I don't know. They just let my head flop around when they were carrying me, so it's not like I could really get a good look at it.

[terreifying]

[She nods. It seems they've hit a dead end with this line of thinking.]

I'll be careful then. I'll only sleep in places they can't reach.

[undefines]

[She hums a noncommittal sound.]

Well... Be careful, I guess.

[terreifying]

You too. Stay somewhere safe, alright?

[undefines]

...Yeah, all right.

[People don't usually say that kind of stuff to her. That's weird. You're weird, Rei.]