"Awww, it's so cute," Alice said once she finally came across a specimen of the spectacle that is this Zone's wildlife, "Hey there, little buddy!"
"Why, hello there… Alice?" The Flurent spoke. Of course it did. Talkative as they are. That must be obvious to you, right? Well, evidently it wasn't obvious to Alice, because-
"TALKING MOUSE! THERE'S A TALKING MOUSE!!!" Alice shrieked in terror.
"Not so loud, if you don't mind? And I'm not a mouse." said the Flurent.
"I don't care what you are! Why can you talk??!" Alice asked. Stupid question, truly. It was a Flurent. Everyone knows they can speak. At least, everyone here.
"Why wouldn't I be able to?" The Flurent replied, simply.
"Because you're- YOU'RE AN ANIMAL!" Alice said, evidently with some frustration.
"Yes, and? All similar to myself may speak here."
"Speak- Speak where? Where… Am I?" Alice asked as her breathing became heavy.
"The Rat Lab. Where else?"
"I- What's a rat lab?" Alice asked, becoming more and more confused by the second.
"This is The Rat Lab. Not a rat lab. Now calm down, before you break it for yourself."
"The- Okay… And you can all speak? All of you in this… Rat Lab… Can talk?"
"Yes. Has there ever been a place they could not?"
Alice simply stood there, mind blank, looking directly at this talking rat, but staring off someplace far beyond it… And hyperventilating… Before disappearing.