Nigredo may have been a variant like Rubedo and Albedo, but he was the odd one out. The two were twins, and he was the third wheel, and...well, it was lonely. Rubedo and Albedo were elsewhere when Nigredo first ran into an odd man standing under a tree near the place the three usually played at. He wore armor, and there was a purple glint behind the grate-thing on his chest. The man...almost looked like he could be an older version of him.

When the odd guy noticed Nigredo, he raised an eyebrow. "Hey, kid, where am I?"

"...the Yuriev Facility. Who...Who are you?" Nigredo asked.

The man grunted. "The heck is this Yuriev...whatever. Call me Malos."

"What are you doing here? Are you with the Federation?" Nigredo wondered.

"Er...no. You're a bit too calm around a stranger, kid," Malos said, frowning.

"I'm around strangers a lot. What are you doing here, then?"

"Kid, uh...I'm lost, short and simple. Don't know where I am or how I ended up here," Malos admitted.

"Oh! I can take you to Yuriev if you need help!" Nigredo offered.

Malos shook his head. "No, uh. I'll find my way out of here. It's fine, alright? Who are you anyway?"

"URTV unit 669, unit name Nigredo," Nigredo answered, standing up a bit straighter.

"...that's not a kid's name," Malos said, flatly. "Where do I even begin with that response...is Yuriev your dad, or something?"

Nigredo nodded, and Malos sucked in a breath. "...a kid really shouldn't have a number or anything like that. Look, I gotta go, alright? Take care," he said.

"Nigredo! Are you out here?" Rubedo called. Nigredo shifted his gaze over to Rubedo approaching, Albedo close behind like always.

"Rubedo! I was just talking with..."

Nigredo turned, and Malos had vanished. "Huh?"

"Who were you talking to? There's no one out here but you," Albedo pointed out.

"It was this guy! He was like me but older!" Nigredo explained.

Rubedo shook his head. "Don't tell me you're getting imaginary friends now..."

Nigredo, despite all the maturity he had at that age, pouted at his brothers. "He's not imaginary!"

"Suuuuuure he isn't."

"Rubedo...!"

—

For a few days after that meeting, Nigredo constantly checked the spot Malos had been at, hoping he would return. He didn't dare mention it to Yuriev, and when Sakura asked during a visit...

"Are you okay? You look worried," Sakura said.

Nigredo quickly nodded. "Y-Yeah, yeah, I'm okay! Just tired!"

"Don't tell me you're falling for her too now!" Albedo whined, and Nigredo rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, sure, Sakura has suddenly wooed me and Rubedo, and is bent on charming the whole facility."

"I knew it!" Albedo declared, and Nigredo dragged a hand down his face as Sakura laughed.

It was not long after that conversation when Nigredo walked out to the courtyard-like area again and saw Malos under the tree again.

"Malos!" he called, running over, and Malos turned to face him. There was frustration evident on his face, but his look softened as Nigredo ran over.

"Heya, kid. Sorry I vanished like that, I've been trying to find a way home," Malos said.

"You couldn't get a ship or anything?" Nigredo asked.

"'Fraid not." A sigh escaped him as he sat down. "Not that I know where home is, even..."

Nigredo peered down at Malos' hands, curiosity biting at him. They were both covered up, so he couldn't see the palms, but...

"Are you...me but older?" Nigredo found himself asking.

Malos paused at that, clearly not expecting the question, before snorting. "Kid, you don't want to grow up to be me. No, I'm not an older you."

"Oh. Why did you come back here then?" Nigredo pressed.

"Because I could," Malos answered with a grin. Nigredo frowned, and he added, "I can't find a ship off this place, my options are limited, kid."

"Where are you from, if this isn't your home?" Nigredo asked.

Malos was quiet, as if considering his answer, before he said, "I'm from a place called Alrest. I don't suppose you've heard of it?"

Nigredo shook his head, and Malos huffed. "Figured as much. Look, as much as I like playing 20 Questions, don't you have elsewhere to be?"

Oh. Crap, he didn't want anyone to get suspicious...

"I gotta go, but! Can you tell me more about Alrest later?"

Malos shrugged. "Sure. Why not."

"Thank you Malos!" Nigredo said before hurrying back into the facility. Malos leaned against the tree as he watched him go.

"...is this even Alrest? Where the hell am I?"