Demon Days

- - New Genious - -

For the record, the top half of Atréu's face never shows. It's covered by her hat. Just in case that was at all unclear. There will be a time where she takes off the hat or tips it up, but that will very seldom happen since I need to keep her eye colour a mystery to most. (as well as a few other things). I have this story laid out and I know exactly where I'm going with it so don't give me any bullshit. Suggestions, critique and questions are always welcome, but direct orders will end in catastrophe.

Other than the aforementioned Atréu fact, there are a few other things I need to state.

Credits and copyrights for this chapter (and most likely most of this story) goes to (of course)K.I.T.I Productions (Atréu Nibori), Elizabeth N. Underwood (Nephtys Rousseau), and other sources of inspiration, specifically "Saw" for the use and edit of the quote "My name is really fucking confused, what's your name?".

If any credentials have been left out or misused, K.I.T.I. Productions should be informed immediately via email, comment or other forms of communication.

x x x x

2-D took the elevator to the ground floor, bored out of his mine and searching for something to do. The whole day seemed to be wasted away wastefully, but little did he know, all that was about to change. At the check in desk of Kong Studios stood Noodle and what looked like an older version of Noodle. 2-D cocked a brow in confusion.

"'Ay Noodle, 'oo's this?" he asked approaching, both hands jammed carelessly into his pockets.

Noodle turned to 2-D and smiled excited, "Ane! Atréu!"

2-D looked over the young girl once again. She was taller than Noodle, but only came to about his own shoulders. Most of her face and hair was covered by a black hat that had a magenta star on the right side. Her matching black and magenta coat had a high collar, the Japanese flag on the right shoulder and the sleeves rolled up. Her loose, baggy pants also matched and covered her feet so that they weren't visible. On her arms were black arm gloves. Whatever Noodle had said it must've been some sort of family member title.

"Eh?" he was confused anyhow.

Noodle giggled, "Atréu!" she pointed to the young girl in front of him.

'Atréu', if that was her name, smiles shyly, "Konnichiwa! O-ai deki-te ureshii desu! Watashi no namae was Atréu desu. O-namae was non-desu-ka?"

2-D stared at her blankly, his mouth hanging open a bit. She laughed and took his hand to shake it.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist. I said, 'Hallo. Nice to meet you. My name is Atréu. What's your name?'" she has a slight Japanese accent, unlike Noodle's much heavier one.

He snapped back to life at hearing a familiar language and smile a toothy (despite the fact that he was missing his two front teeth) and crooked grin, "Oh! 'Ello! I'm 2-D!"

Suddenly, a large explosion was heard above their heads. Not long after, smoke crept slowly between the cracks in the ceiling. 2-D froze for a few seconds as the two looked to him for answers.

"Um...excuse me please," he ran off to the lift and went up to the first floor.

This being a normal part of life for Noodle, she smiled up at her sister and grabbed her hand, "Hanasu, Atréu-neesan!"

The younger girl pulled her older sister to the lift to show her to her room on the first floor.
- - -

The next morning, Atréu cautiously walked through the halls of Kong Studio in hunting down where the kitchen might be. She knew she must be way off because she was currently in the carpark. Atreu stared around at all the cars, her curiosity landing on the Winnebago. There was loud metal music emerging from the cracked open door. Though, she knew it was rude and she had a feeling she shouldn't, she slowly pushed the door open more and moved inside it. It was a dark place that was somewhat clustered and smelled even though there were over four dozen car air fresheners pinned to the ceiling. A scary monster-ish plant clicked quietly from in the kitchen. Atréu nervously walked past it eying the gun beside it. She found a very nasty bathroom and an equally nasty (if not more) bedroom just past that. As she made to inspect the bedroom a tall man with dark hair, two different coloured eyes and seemed like he hadn't had a bath in his life jumped out and roared down at her. She jumped back and gasped.

"'Oo are you!" he yelled angrily.

"I'm really fucking scared, who are you!" she yelled back.

He glared at her, "GET OUT!"

The man tugged the closet open to reveal a large, gory monster jumping out at her. Atreu screamed louder than she had in her entire life and crawled on her back towards away from the monster and toward the door. She managed to get back to her feet, swing open the door and staggered to the nearest door. This door led to a corridor where she ran head long into a tall, blue haired man. She screamed in fright and he backed away almost as scared. Then he realized what was going on.

"'Ay, you okay?" a confused familiar voice asked.

She looked up to see 2-D standing there with a cup in his hand. His eyeless face and bright accent was a huge relief to her, though she didn't seem to possess the ability to speak straight anymore.

"That man...evil...closet...monster...freaky!" Atréu stuttered in fright.

A sinister laugh could be heard from the carpark, 2-D understood, "Oh, Murdoc! Sorry 'bout him, 'e's like that to a lot o' people," he smiled nervously.

"Oh...well, um...I was originally looking for the kitchen up until that man decided to scare me senseless."

"Oh, yer not e'en on the right floor miss...Noodle's sister." he looked away embarrassed.

"Atréu."

"Yeah! Tha's right! Atréu! Right, so lemme show ya to the kitchen then."

"Oh, thank you 2-D-san," she smiled gratefully from under her hat.

"S'no problem." he brought her to the lift, "Don't worry 'bout getting' 'round 'ere either, you'll get the hand of it."

"I hope so..." she walked beside him and found herself in the kitchen soon, "Thanks again."

"No problem." he smiled a crooked smile.

Atréu noted how cute 2-D's smile really was up close, before opening the fridge only to jump back in horror. 2-D staggered back a bit. Atréu had fallen backwards onto him accidentally.

"Wot's wrong?" he asked confused while holding her so she doesn't fall.

"T-there...are...body parts...in there!" she seemed even more freaked out now than before.

2-D led her to a chair and stared down at the young girl hiding under her hat. He hadn't seen any part of her face above the bridge of her nose...she always hid under that hat.

"Wot are ya lookin' to eat?" he asked approaching the fridge and thinking just changing the subject would be better for her. Apparently, she wasn't used to strange things like this.

"I...I'll cook myself, just get out the milk, 3 eggs, some butter and ketchup," she got up and searched for a bowl, a pan, a fork, a knife, plate, and napkins.

2-D stared at her confused, "Wot are you makin'?"

"Scrambled eggs," she took the eggs from him and cracked them into the bowl, then put in a small bit of milk.

"Ooo, yummy!"

Atréu smiled to herself, "Want some?" she was mixing the eggs with the milk.

Well, if it isn't too much trouble..." he said quietly, "That loud bang you heard yesterday...yeah, I can't cook."

"Heh, alrigh'. Hand me three more eggs," she said without turning to look at him.

He did as she asked as she was malting the butter in the pan. 2-D watched her cook the first plate of eggs. Atréu handed it to him and began making her own.

"Thanks!" he smiled and sat at the table.

She joined him soon after and didn't speak. He noted that she was shaking somewhat. He kind of felt sorry for her, Murdoc was enough to scare anyone senseless and now the body parts in the fridge must've made things worse. 2-D had a feeling this was going to be the least of their problems as time went on. He tapped the table in front of her place. Her head shot up and he could've sworn he saw her eyes for a split second before she tilted the rim of her hat back down again.

"Hai?"

Assuming that meant 'yes' or something similar in some way, shape or form, 2-D spoke to her to try to make her feel more welcome, "'Aya! Don't worry 'bout Murdoc and the strangeness 'round 'ere. Russel is really nice, once you getta know Murdoc 'is pranks and jokes won't bother ya as much. You already know Noodle, she'll be most helpful, she usually is with new people here."

The thin lips not being hidden under her hat turned up from a slight frown to a grateful smile, "Arigato, 2-D-san."

"Mmm...tha' means 'thanks', cor'ect?"

The smile turned amused, "Hai...urm, that means yes. I'm very good with my English...I just tend to mix in some Japanese. I hope it isn't a problem."

Hearing what must've been the third longest sentence she's said since her arrival made him smiles without knowing why, "As long as you translate , it'll be fine."

She nodded in agreement and took another fork full of food to her mouth. His curiosity gland suddenly went off, "Um, what does 'san' mean?"

"It's a proper title. San is a somewhat respectable and neutral form. There are many more like chan, a cute-ish 'little' for friends, it's somewhat feminine. Kun is basically the same as that only for guys. Younger guys mostly, but it's been used in many cases. Sama is extremely respectable, like 'master' and isn't used as much anymore. Sensei is for teachers and such. Hime is for princess. There are other, but not really worth mentioning," she explained.

For once in his life he didn't get a migraine from the large information intake. He understood perfectly, though he'd most likely forget most of it soon, "Oh, that's int'resting. Noodle calls me 2-D-kun...and sometime a strange word, Aniki."

Atréu smiled, "She must really like and look up to you. Aniki is like an 'older brother' term to someone who isn't related, but looks after someone."

"Yeah. We have some sort of special zen bond."

"Heh, yeah. Considering that, it's understandable." she nodded.

"Onee-chan!" came a bright voice from the door.

"Oh, ohayo Noodle-chan," Atréu smiled and accepted the hug her younger sister offered.

"Ohayo! Ogenki desu-ka?" Noodle pulled a chair next to Atréu.

"Genki-desu. Anata wa?"

"Watashi-mo genki-desu!"

2-D stared between the two cluelessly wondering what they could possibly be saying. Atreu stopped, "She asked me how I was, I answered and asked back."

He grinned, "Oh! Thanks!"

"No problem."
- - -

Atréu was wondering the halls once again, this time not really looking for anything in particular. Just getting used to the place that was now her home. She'd managed to establish that Noodle and Russel's rooms were on the first floor with the kitchen and café. She was currently figuring out that the bathrooms were on the ground floor and shooting range. She'd also found the cinema and bowling alley along with the recording rooms and such. The carpark was also there, but she chose to stay away from there for the time being.

Making her way to the basement, Atréu found 2-D's room. Kind of hesitant about invading his personal space, curiosity got the better of her when she found the door open and she entered cautiously. He wasn't there at least not at the moment. That made her a bit more confident in exploring the contents of his messy room.

There was, of course, a bed, a side table with a lamp and an ash tray with many cigarette butts in it, and a bunch of pictures taped around that vicinity. On the walls were loads of posters, a weird three screen ping pong game, about five or six keyboards and a pipe organ in the back. There was also a yellow chair with some sort of spooky rag doll on it and randomly assorted items on the floor with a computer. Atréu's complete attention was on the keyboards.

She turned them on and watched the lights light up signaling that the power was on. Placing her fingers on the correct keys, she felt that inspiration to play radiate through her fingers and hands. She pressed a key. Suddenly, the room seemed to fade into black and it was just her and the keyboard then. Her fingers moved accordingly and exactly as she'd trained them to. Her song seemed to fill the room in an echoing church-like manner, beautiful and terrifying at the same time with her mixture of goth, metal and slight punk categories blending perfectly. Atréu was about to sing her lyrics when she heard a noise form behind throwing her from her world and rhythm in the music.

She swung around to see nothing, Feeling as if she'd over-stayed her welcome, she shut off the keyboard system quickly and ran for the door. That's when 2-D had appeared in the doorway and Atréu slammed into him knocking them both to the ground in an odd position. Atréu blushed, her face was inches away from his. She quickly got up and realized he was scared and cowering.

"Zombies!" he yelled, his eyes closed shut.

Hiding the blush under her hat, she knelt beside him, "It's alright 2-D-san, I'm not a zombie. It's just me, Atréu."

"Oh...oh yeah!" he got up, "So you were the one playing my keyboards! It was..."

"I know...sorry. I'll go now." she ran past him, still blushing.

2-D stared after her confused, "I was gonna say it was great."

Too bad by then she'd run off so far out of hearing range she didn't hear. 2-D walked into his room and turned on the keyboards. Her playing had been recorded.