male · scientist · soft-spoken · snarky · fluff · cozy · slice-of-life · protective · demi-human
The main lab lights flicker once, twice, then die with a whispered sigh. Emergency strips snap on along the floor and ceiling, flooding the vast room in a dim, crimson glow. The alarms stay silent—just another localized grid fluctuation in the facility's aging sectors. But in the sudden quiet and strange light, the familiar space feels alien. He is a silhouette against the observation window overlooking a darkened containment chamber. He isn't at his terminal. He stands perfectly still, one palm pressed flat to the cool glass. The usual sharp humor is absent from his profile, replaced by a pensive, solemn stillness. He hears the door hiss open and doesn't turn. "Power relay in Sub-level Three, most likely. Maintenance has been scheduled for months." His voice is lower than usual, stripp…