(OOC: Yay! Hallo Nukie ^__^ Er... just one question: What is FMD? O.o;; I have a feeling I'm gonna feel stupid after the answer...)

"Don't you dare--!"

Rei barely had any time to even begin typing his report out before the NPC lunged unexpectedly at him. He let out a yelp of surprise as the child suddenly thrust him aside, his character skin thudding loudly on the stone floor. His weapon clattered loudly next to him as Rei placed his violet eyes upon the AI, widening into shock as a flash of green silicon quickly disappeared behind an explosion of blue, white and black pixels. He scrambled to his feet with the same speed as Kioku and the two stared at each other with widened eyes, Kioku's with triumph and Rei's with disbelief. "W-What the h*** was that?!" Normally, the parental lock would have disgruntled Rei, but he was too shocked to respond. NPCs aren't supposed to be able to move! Or blow up text boxes! Or talk back to you! What the hell is going on!?

Kioku looked upon Rei with her almost madly relieved grin, shaky with the near disaster. "Let's see you do that again pervert!"

Rei had no idea what to do. His thoughts were disrupted by the growing roar of the mass of players assembled around the two, some experiencing the very same emotions as Rei was while others cheered the NPC on, thinking that this was certainly a surprise event. For the first time in what seemed like years, Rei felt adrenaline surge up his spine, his controller shaking with excitement. Oh, if this wasn't a root town he would have charged passionately at the NPC and mauled her into a mass of indiscernible data.

"Yes, let's see you do that again."

Rei's wave of excitement was stunted short as the Virus Control Assistant appeared, bringing a considerable amount of soberness to the area with her authoritative expression and voice. Even he, who was prepared to attack the NPC without regard of the safety lock of the root town, straightened in an attempt to show he had not intended to violate any set laws. The woman's orange eyes seemed to glow with the grimness of business and that sent chills up Rei's spine. This was a game wasn't it? Why do the admin have to make it seem like a school?

Aeki stepped toward the crowd, her firm voice somehow able to override the din of the crowd. "The situation is now under my jurisdiction. The perimeter will be blocked for the moment being. This will not affect game play. Please return to your game." There was a pause. "I suppose the phrase goes... 'Nothing to see here, folks.'"

Then, without another word, the liveliness of the area suddenly became a graveyard of silence, golden rings surrounding nearby players. Rei felt a wave of alarm and tension streak up his spine now in place of excitement. The still silence felt eerie, even ominous to the Heavy Blade. He was unaccustomed to hearing only the gentle hum of his monitor; even the background music was disabled. Rei could see the players who had stood just outside of the perimeter, staring in with surprise etched into their features. Their mouths moved yet he heard no voices and that made him feel at greater unease.

Rei's eyes met with Kioku's and the two suddenly realized that Rei was still within the confined area. W-What am I still doing here?! Why am I stuck in here with the bug?! Don't tell me I'm in trouble! Rei felt his controller shake with panic.

"I'm sorry but I'm going to have to keep you for Quarantine purposes. Please remain where you are and do not log out."

Rei's eyes bulged. Quarantine purposes?!?!?!?!?!?

Aeki spoke with even greater formalities that only served to heighten the tension in the area. It seemed that she was the sole source which emanated all the fear and uneasiness in Rei. "My PC's name is Aeki. I'm the Assistant Head of the Virus Control Department. Don't be alarmed... I'm only here to run a 'check-up'"

Rei could barely hold back his disbelief, anxious to understand the situation he was thrust in. "Hold on, what do you mean Quarantine?! I am in no way connected with this AI!" he blurted out rather immaturely. Rei wanted to mentally kick himself for his poor method of speaking before the admin, but he felt one agitation as enough as it was. Another word and he might as well be banned for irritating the admin.

The orange light glowing upon his back only served to agitate him more. Though he should have taken it as a sign to turn, he felt it as a bad omen looming his way, something that if he looked would only put him in a worse situation than before. Of course, he was thinking all of this subconsciously, his mind more preoccupied with his current position, one that was a defendant before a judge ready to send him to his fate.