Turns out, unsurprisingly, that checking the LED color of their eyes revealed nothing had changed. Of course, that only made the technicians even more confused upon Dream waking up. He was still thoroughly out of it, feeling cold and slimy inside before managing to pull Nightmare awake without stepping out of the light, all but collapsing as the darker twin took control.

Nightmare was a bit guilty, deciding to stay awake as the humans went on about testing the voicebox. Especially when one pointed out to shut them off already so they could do that.

He was only distantly surprised when he managed to power through the shutdown alone as it knocked Dream out easily. So, he watched as one of the lower technicians joined him inside the cylinder, hesitating before reaching for the buttons on his front. He made an effort to memorize the pattern pressed, only to tense as his front simply swung open.

The human shrieked in a high pitched voice, stumbling to the glass walls as Nightmare forced himself to sit up, eyes practically burning. The crowd outside backed away in shock, black liquid pooling out from the inner mechanisms.
“None of you will inform management of this.” He stated flatly.

“H-h-how-” “You will say nothing.” He interrupted calmly, the goop reversing direction, forming thick tentacles that pulled the mass back inside. The man gagged. Nightmare decided to hell with it.
“I am not normally this disgusting. The reclaimed portion of my old body is simply not compatible with a robotic form.”

Tugging at the restraints, he cracked them open with surprising ease before swinging his legs over the edge, head tilting at the trembling human cowering in the corner.
“Look at me.”

When the man flinched at his voice, Nightmare paused, only turning to glare when he sensed someone outside reaching for a tablet. Said human dropped the device as soon as they realized he was glaring.
Folding his legs beneath him, Nightmare repeated.
“Look at me. I have not hurt you. And do not intend to harm you. Look at me, human.”

Terrified brown eyes slowly turned to look at him, shaking like a leaf. Automatically, his head clicked further to the side. The man flinched violently.
“I cannot possibly look that unsettling to you. This face is designed to greet children, is it not?”
He knew full well the design was shit anyway.

“What- I- you. What are you?” The man stammered anxiously.
“I am a spirit inhabiting an animatronic in place of a living body.” He was honest, gesturing to the slimy mass. “This is a remnant of my old body and magic. I recently reclaimed it. I would appreciate that none of you let what I say here reach anyone else. Understand?”

The human flinched at the last word, nodding frantically.
“Then we should get along nicely.” He noted, gently closing the compartment. Leaving it open felt wrong.
“I assume you understand why my voice and eyes are not the same?”
The other cringed, not daring to respond. Of course, he was too technologically minded to understand.
“It is my true voice and eyes, human. The same goes for my brother, who is in this body with me.” He explained sedately, unfurling his legs to stand.

Though instead of remaining at full height, Nightmare crouched down to be level with the man on the floor. “You are afraid of what you do not understand.” He noted the fear mildly.
After a moment of watching him shudder and anxiously stare, the dark guardian attempted to pull that fear away. It didn't want to leave, his power weak and newly returned, but he was persistent, and it began to slip away from the human.

The trembling eased, and eventually their eyes met.
“I interact with children and they are unafraid.” Nightmare pointed out. “You should open your mind. It would do you some good.”

That said, he finally stood up, facing the humans outside the glass. Willing some tar to his hand, he carefully wrote backwards on the glass.
Switch on.
When no one moved, he tapped the writing. He didn't like how difficult it was to move unpowered. It was certainly easier with a portion of his power back, but unpleasant nonetheless.

Eventually the one closest to the outdated computer jolted, tensely regarding the screen and glancing up at him nervously. He nodded, tapping on.
With great trepidation, the human clicked something.
And blankly stared at the screen in bewildered confusion.
Nightmare tapped the writing again, underlining it.
Switch on.

Eventually he felt electricity return as the wires disconnected, giving his head a good spin in lieu of a shake. The door started opening, and the entire group started panicking, each lunging for the computer to keep him contained.
Nightmare slammed a fist on the glass, humans freezing in terror.
It was cracked, a small ring of damage around his fist. He slowly shook his head as the door slid upwards.

Those that weren't frozen in fear scrambled to gain some distance from him as he stepped out, but again, he only cocked his head with a click.
“Really, there's no need to be so skittish. I don't bite.”
He physically couldn't, he had no real mouth.

“What- you- how-” The one closest to the door stammered frantically.
“Possession.” Nightmare answered drily. “I'm sure you've heard of the concept.”
Now crossing his arms, he regarded the group.
“And you are well aware that it is for the best that none of this is reported? All our systems are functioning quite well, I would say.” Was he using a mildly threatening tone? Maybe. He couldn't afford to risk them deciding it was a good idea to report a possessed animatronic. There was no telling if management would take that seriously or not, given the current erratic history.

“Demon?” Another questioned shakily.
“No.” Nightmare deadpanned. “Though I can be if you report this. But you won't mention this incident to anyone, will you?” Many of them nodded, but someone a few feet away was just staring.
His head turned a little more to the side as he leaned forward, reading the badge. “Right, Kendrick?”

The human flinched and nodded rapidly. “The favor would be much more appreciated if you did report that a more expressive face would be beneficial.” Nightmare clasped his hands together politely.
“I must admit that I have a certain distaste for the current one.”
Part of him reveled in the fearful, obedient nods he received for that, humming.

“Good, good.. our business here is complete, then?” His voice was steeped in a vaguely threatening tone.
The various nods were again, pleasing.
“Excellent.” He decided, heading for the exit and ignoring as they scrambled out of the way.
Only.. he had to pause right in the doorway.
“Do remember.” Nightmare added, head turning to face backwards partly just to creep them out.
“What happens in Parts and Service stays in Parts and Service.”

With that, he headed back to the daycare, unhindered by pestering technicians.
He was having a great day; getting much of his old power back in one sitting, idly relieving some stress through terrorizing pests, and no longer left in the dark about what those around him were thinking. And he didn't even have to deal with kids any time soon!
If only he could just have a drink..
Oh well. One step at a time.