[ FLASHBACK , 2023 ]
it was dark in the grayson residence . dark , cold , and empty , except for nolan . the atmosphere was thick , ripe with tension and an anxiety that seemed otherworldly . he wasn't alone , though she suspected he picked up on that before he even arrived home . she was sat in the recliner that resided in the corner of the living room , the one that sat at an angle adjacent to the bookshelf that bordered it . it only took him a minute to silently float his way into the living room , evidently inspecting other rooms of the house before making his way into the one where she was .
her gold , red ringed orbs stared up at him , unblinking , in an almost predatory way . she was still in her work clothes , with one leg crossed over the other . she was acting like she hadn't just broken into his home , and more like she was an invited guest . " you took longer than i expected . " were the first words she said , as she stood up . there was something uncanny in her posture . there was no outward appearance that yelled danger , yet any sensible organism would find themselves overcome with the urge to run . and that smile ... it was ... inhuman . " i'm sorry to drop in unannounced , but we need to talk . off the record , and away from prying eyes . and your home is the only place that your pestering government doesn't have eyes on you . "