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etrayamemes2025-03-28 09:16 am
etrayamods) wrote in etrayamemes2025-03-28 09:16 am
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TDM 007
content warnings for this TDM include: violence, potential death, body horror, physical transformation, loss of senses, loss of autonomy  ⏵ arrival⏴ Arrival does not happen as Aurora usually plans for it. New characters are introduced to the AI, then informed of a mission that they are required to participate in before they can return to their home base of Etraya. A world called Aphaia is falling apart, and while there is nothing they can do to resolve this broken world, they can participate in the Gamerunner's Stratagem. Their mission is simple: step through the glowing purple portal that Aurora creates once they've had time to listen to her, and survive until a similar portal reopens in front of them, allowing them to return to Etraya. The Gamerunner's Stratagem is something they have been working on building for quite some time. She informs all newcomers that they will not be present on this world that long: their exit will appear to them exactly when it's meant to, allowing them to meet the others who have been recruited to save their worlds. She provides each and every arrival with an earpiece, allowing them to communicate with the other Etrayans. Aurora suggests taking a bag full of supplies along with them, which she will fill with a few generic items as well as any specific items they may need: synthetic blood for vampires, protein bars for those who may burn through calories faster, medication for anyone who requires it.  ⏵ aphaia ⏴ Aphaia is a neon-lit, chaotic planet. Cameras are everywhere, every action and inaction is judged by the 'audience'. Towering holograms advertise upcoming events while flashing leader boards track the most "popular" players. Contestants are thrown into challenges, many of which are games of skill, survival, and deception all to keep the viewers entertained. Not participating is an option! However, avoiding playing along and not putting on a show will quickly cause participants' score to go down, and scores that reach zero? Well. Unfortunately, there are only so many resources left on Aphaia. Their wildlife has died off, their planet is falling apart, and most others in this galaxy were either destroyed from the inside out, or warring planets trying to gain control of remaining resources destroyed them to avoid others getting involved. Their natural resources are depleted, and only those who manage to keep their scores up are given the luxury of having any supplies. As soon as one steps foot on Aphaia, as soon as they breathe, they intake nanotechnology which tracks their oxygen consumption, their food, everything they do or need. As soon as their scores reach zero? They disappear. There one moment, and completely gone the next. Their communicators go offline, and while everything they were carrying will be left behind, no one will be able to find them. They are simply--gone, erased from existence. This is a death and counts as a death as outlined in the game FAQ! Please keep this in mind. "Points" that go towards their total score will be assigned to contestants from the moment they drop down on planet. This will be visible using the HUD on their earpiece, and will be randomized at the beginning. For the sake of the TDM, we ask that no one be assigned Paragon initially, but you're free to use other ranks! The possible rankings are: 100: PARAGON 99-80: LUMINARY 79-70: CHAMPION 69-50: CONTENDER 49-30: UNDERLING 30-0: SHADE Ranks may change daily, or even hourly depending on the kind of situation one has found themselves in. Are they having a very public break up in which it comes out that they wronged their ex? They may go from a Champion to a Shade before they can even blink. Did they save a defenseless reporter from the big bad villain of the week? They may find themselves quickly elevated up to Luminary and given all the benefits that comes with being upper class. The world is their oyster, they only need to figure out how they'd like to utilize it! Aphaia is broken up into four districts. The Colosseum is a dynamic battle arena where combatants fight for entertainment, with shifting environments controlled by the audience. Victories earn points, while losses depend on performance. The Symposium is a lavish social hub for top contestants, where alliances and betrayals are made under the audience’s watchful eye. The Agora is the public center of Aphaia, where contestants engage with the audience through polls, interviews, and challenges to maintain popularity. It also houses the contestants in high-rise apartments. And Backalleys provide hidden spaces with intentional blind spots for secret dealings, though the Gamerunner is always aware of what happens there.  ⏵ st★rlight soirée ⏴ Something special is happening in the Colosseum. Lights flicker as the arena shifts, rearranging itself into a grand, glittering ballroom - if a ballroom had stadium seating, paparazzi drones, and an ever-changing floor plan designed to disorient those within it. Silver chandeliers pulse with artificial starlight, their glow refracted through the crystalline floors. Music swells, but it sounds - unnatural. It thrums through your veins, setting your blood alight with the urge to dance. Why is the ballroom designed as if intentionally put together to throw off one's balance? Well, it's time for the Panopticon Prom, of course! The Panopticon Prom isn't just an adventure in dancing and impressing your most recent crush. It's a test of endurance, cunning, grace, and charm. The floor beneath your feet moves as if it has a mind of it's own, shifting to the beat like a living creature all of it's own. It tilts, undulates, even vanishing in sections to keep dancers on edge. After all, it's difficult to keep up one's pace if they're falling through a hole in the floor to the foam pit below. Drones zip through the air, catching every stumble, every misstep, and every attempt to throw off others on the dance floor. This is a competition, after all; and what fun is a dance battle without having the freedom to thwart someone else on their road to victory? The rules are simple:
 ⏵ casino royale ⏴ Out in the Agora, another popular quarterly event is being set up! The Casino Royale has been destroyed countless times, but it seems as if the Gamerunner just can't let it go - every time it gets knocked down, it gets rebuilt. There is one rule. One must take a turn at the revolving wheel just inside the door as their entry fee, and whatever the wheel lands on, they must maintain until they exit the building for the night. Sometimes, this is easier: an effect they have no control over and cannot undo even if they wanted to. Sometimes, this is more difficult: an assigned task they must complete. Failure to abide by the wheel once means receiving a penalty. Twice? Certain death if caught by any employee. The wheel's effects are as follows:
The casino is alive with the hum of conversation, the clink of glasses, and the steady whirl of the roulette wheels. Golden chandeliers cast a warm glow over velvet-lined tables, where fortunes are made and lost with the flick of a wrist. But something feels. . . off. The dealers never blink. The cards never seem random. And the house always wins - always. Maybe it's just paranoia, or maybe this casino is something more than just a den of chance. Tonight, you're not here just to play; you're here on a mission. You've arrived dressed to kill, blending into the sea of bodies filling the casino's floors. But you're not here to win points or boost your social standing - you're here to win intel. Somewhere in this casino is a single flash drive containing information on just how Aphaia maintains their system. The only problem? The House knows someone is coming for it. After all, they're well-aware of the game: whoever retrieves the flash drive will obtain information on how to flip the script, to change the rules of the game to fit their wants and needs, rather than following the current Gamerunner. After all, this is the Gamerunner's Stratagem that Aurora has sent them out on! Many apply for 'employment' within the Casino Royale in hopes of getting insider information on where the flash drive is hidden and what it looks like. However, it seems that even the employees have no clue where it has been hidden. This is an extension of our Aphaia Mission! We have included enough information in this post that catching up to current in game logs isn't necessary to play with it, but you are welcome to use any part of the Aphaia setting in your prompts as you'd like. Current players are also welcome to bring the events from this TDM into their in-game threads. This mission can happen outside of time as needed! Incoming characters will find themselves introduced to Aphaia as they arrive. Current characters may find Aurora calling on them to visit Aphaia after the current mission for the Gamerunner's Stratagem. Characters already in game are welcome to post to the TDM, too! Please mark them as current characters in your header. Threads can be kept as game canon as long as both characters get into the game! Please direct all questions relating to this log to our mod queries comment! All other questions can be directed to our FAQ. |
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The response is met by a long stretch of silence. However, he won't hear any audible footsteps taking off elsewhere. Fio remains close by, idly swaying her arm and watching him. Unfortunately for the hedgehog, the little girl has taken an interest in him and she's full of curiosity, as well as many questions.
The treatment is almost familiar, actually. Similar to the coldness of a dear friend during their first meeting. And yet, she enjoyed his company... it was better than dealing with the oppression in her old life.
For now, she's entirely forgotten about her goal to boost her rank. She peers around him, checking if there's any nearby company or if he has someone to meet up with. After what seems like a long minute, Fio speaks up again: ]
Are you lonely? Do you have any friends around here? ...Are you afraid to make friends?
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[ again with the questions and all he has are answers that should drive her away, his personality normally getting the job done, but it does nothing. she remains there with such child-like curiosity which pains him to hear when she asks such things. that's when his eyes open, his crimson gaze staring directly at the young girl that has yet to leave.
he hasn't seen her before, but it's not like shadow goes out his way to familiarize himself with anyone. as off-putting as he is, the look on his face screams that he wants this interaction to be over. ]
If you know what's good for you, you'll go back to your parents, child.
[ in a place like this, she's better off staying close by to whoever she came here with. a quick survey of their surroundings and he tries to see if there's anyone with the same color hair or anyone close to fretting over losing someone. he doesn't see anything like that and then his eyes fall back onto her again. ]
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The fact that he has "nothing" is only extending this interaction to be even longer. This poor thing has nothing? She once had no one to care for her—hated by the world and left to die. She knows that no one can survive on their own. ]
I know what's good for me and it's good to have friends. I also know that it's very sad for anyone to have nothing, so... [ Fio blooms into a friendly, hopeful smile, heavily contrasting with the grumpy little creature's expression. ] I hope we can become friends!
[ Now is probably a good time to introduce herself, because that's one of the first steps in friendship! ]
My name's Fio. It's nice to meet you.
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shadow scoffs. ]
Foolish girl.
[ as foolish as they come with her determination and hope, it's unwavering that he notes her resolve. for what reason is she going out of her way? ]
I don't need your pity.
[ if that's what she's extending to him, it's nothing he's actively seeking after. no, he doesn't want it given to him at all. he finally moves from the wall he's leaned against, already walking past the girl as he notes that the participants are ready to take part in today's event. he's only here as a viewer to see what he would be up against if he takes part. ]
Find someone else to trail after, Pigtails.
[ which is one way of brushing her off because he's not sticking around. ]
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But Fio pauses, caught off guard by "Pigtails". This may be the first that she's ever received a nickname. She ponders, staring at his back as he walks past, watching as he slowly gets further away. His fur is mostly black... ]
...Darkie. [ She's smiling again. Not the most original-sounding name like a whole lot of her other nicknames, but she's pleased how it sounds regardless.
It might sound like she's decided to stop following. Only for a few seconds. Here comes the sound of a pair of little footsteps, tottering behind the hedgehog to catch up. ]
Darkie! [ She calls out. ] Where are you headed to next?
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there has been a warning issued for her to leave, shadow even told her to leave him alone, and she still remains nearby. if she wishes to follow him then so be it, if there are consequences then fio should readily accept them. in their silence, he finally makes it to the flight of stairs that go up into an audience with various places to sit. ]
Here.
[ the people cheer on the contestants that walk into the center of the field, clipping enthusiastically considering this is a competition of the ages.
soft music buzzes inside of the stadium, picking up in beat as two individuals properly dressed for a sort of dance walk to the center of the stage, just as hyped as the crowd. there are two empty seats nearby, and shadow already moves over to take one, and fio can decide where she wants to go.
shadow is aware that she'll sit by him, there's no choice in the matter.
above, an announcer speaks out talking about a dance and the two winners will earn a plethora of points by the maximum being 50! any and all newcomers who fear for their lives, join the show.
whether this means anything to shadow doesn't show, but he is listening to how the crowd and the young girl recieves of the offer. ]
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Here? 'Kay!
[ After a moment, she plops down into the seat next to Shadow, leaning forward and staring upon the current contestants with awe.
At first, she thought she would remain a spectator... but it's the announcement that brings her to sit up straight with attention. It's a reminder of what she needs to do: survive. She won't be able to protect her world if she doesn't. The large amount of points could at least bump her up to a safe threshold before her rank starts to tick back down again. Then she can survive with whatever remaining days they have on the planet. ]
...That's a lot of points. [ It's easy to tell what Fio's thinking. Her feelings are an open book. The offer clearly sounds appealing. A pause. ] Darkie? What's your rank?
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so this is how they'll force people to play? pathetic. ]
Shad...
[ she's a child, she won't even correct herself if he told her his proper name. their mental capacity only holds so much space so he answers her question while deciding not to be a complete asshole. ]
Shade.
[ the spotlight hovers around the stadium, traveling over various people in search of their "lucky winners". ]
Why does it matter? You should worry about yourself.
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...So you're like me then. [ Remaining in the lowest rank feels dangerous, with how many eyes and cameras are around the planet and how quickly the score may change. They're both in danger. Maybe now is the best time to fix it. ] I am worried. I heard you can disappear if you lose all your points... that's so scary. I don't wanna disappear.
[ She wonders if "disappearing" is the same as dying. She really doesn't want to feel the experience of dying again. ]
I don't want you to disappear either. [ Which might sound strange coming from a little girl that's only known him for a short while. All he's done was treat her coldly. And yet... ] That'd be too sad. Aren't you scared?
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[ and he hasn't seen it happen, then again, shadow doesn't pay any mind to others around him. if the girl beside him disappeared at this moment, then he would carry on as though they never exchanged conversation.
that scenario doesn't mean much as he can hear her worries and concerns, the spotlight flashing across them still in search for the best participants. ]
I am the Ultimate Lifeform.
[ she doesn't know what that is, but the way he speaks those words shows that he has some sort of confidence in them that'll protect him from what she's worried about. ]
I will always return even if I disappear.
[ even when he doesn't want to. his body continues to keep him hanging on, even on the verge of death, he isn't allowed to officially die. it's a shame to him, the sooner he dies, the closer he could be to maria. ]
If you're afraid, then you should participate. Cowering next to me won't keep you alive.
>:( sorry i have only one angry icon
I don't know what an Ultimate Lifeform is. I don't know if what you say is true... that... you'll just come back. Even if you do, I think... you should try to treat the life you have now with care.
[ Fio speaks slowly, finding it difficult to put every thought into words. She knows that she feels worried and sad for Shadow. ]
...We gotta get you some points.
[ Fio stands up. ]
I wanna participate! [ A small hand shoots up into the air. Her voice is naturally small and soft, almost hard to hear, as she tries to call out. The spotlight continues to soar across the crowd and while it might not easily land on their seating, there has to be plenty of cameras around that at least one should be focused on her.
Dropping her hand, she points at the hedgehog in the seat over. ] And I want Darkie to join with me!
its emphasizing her anger!!
[ fio's right, anything she asks him will only be brushed off with his confidence: he doesn't need points, he's unable to die, he's the ultimate lifeform so there are no threats. if anything, he is the threat that everyone should be wary of. this young girl doesn't seem to understand that he wants nothing to do with her, but it's not even about "her"... somehow, unbeknownst to him, she frames it that he should value his life more.
the sentiment sounds familiar, one that he could easily place, but it makes him feel uneasy. his thoughts linger back to that young girl who would look down towards earth in both yearning and love. how she wanted those who existed upon it to be happy.
shadow decides to get up, wanting to leave her here because he's had enough. the moment he's ready to part from her, the spotlight falls upon the two where fio's voice registers onto the monitors hanging above. shadow lifts one hand, covering his eyes from the light as another settles down, almost blinding.
it's with a growl that shadow turns to the young girl, his feelings from before leaving instantly. ]
I don't dance.
[ he doesn't know if he even can, but the real reason? he doesn't want to take part in any of this, and this girl going out of her way to volunteer them both only irritates him more.
unfortunately for shadow, even raising his hand paired with fio is enough for them to qualify, the announcer cheering that they have found their final two participants. aliens of all sizes move to the side, allowing the long flight of stairs to be revealed to them so that they can walk down.
if only denying this were easy, because it doesn't take long for the crowd to usher them to go, that they want to see a show! ]
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[ She's preparing to pull the weight for the both of them if she has to. The only type of dancing she knows is ballet...
Fio can feel her legs trembling as she takes the first few steps down. A deep breath, then the shaking stops. It's true that she's afraid. She's not ashamed to admit there's a lot that terrifies her. She knows she'll always find the strength to fight.
Seeing her face on a couple of monitors around, she puts on an awkward smile accompanied with a nervous wave. The lights and noise are just as disturbing as when she first arrived. Now, she knows better than to run and do her best to make a positive impression. (Her rank may have already gained a minor uptick in points, with some of the audience impressed by her volunteering.)
She resists a frown upon seeing her white tattered dress reflected onscreen. She's used to it, but... for dancing? Are they going to be provided some nice clothes to wear too?
As she reaches the entrance to the arena, she glances back to make sure Shadow is on his way. She makes a big gesture with her arm towards Shadow, as if to signal the cameras to give the hedgehog his own solo focus on the monitors. Hopefully this helps with his points. Look at him. Look at him. ]
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he takes the first step down.
for what reason is he following along a child of her age when she's decided this on her own, when she should be aware of the consequences? he believes he'll find out as time passes. ]
......
[ when she turns to check on him, she'll find that he isn't too far behind. his eyes focused on her instead of the cameras. it's an intense gaze, but on the monitors above once shadow has made his way to standing right next to fio, he finally glances up at the camera's with a sour expression, glaring at the cameras. this causes him to lose one point. unimpressed, he crosses his arms as he waits for the gate to open which allows them entry into the arena.
upon the floor, the ground is cut into various squares of different colors that sparkle beneath their steps. there was an example before, something that said that every step on a specific spot causes the panel underneath them to disappear until there's only a hole left in place. if someone falls down within it then they've lost, and they will lose almost all their points.
the host hovers above the two looking at their attire and... lack of, and a single question is translated into their earbuds. "now reveal what your heart's desire! what sort of clothes would you want for this dance? there must be something, something spooky? orrrr would you want to be a beautiful princess! maybe a fairy and her pumpkin cart!" the crowd does find that funny, but the spotlight flashes down on fio to give her the option of speaking first. ]
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Looking across the arena, she studies the example and the tiles. It's... intimidating. She knows she needs to be brave. She tries to think about winning and less how deep the fall might be. This is not the scariest situation she's ever been thrown into anyway! ]
Don't worry, Darkie. [ She says, even if he doesn't appear to display any sign of worry. ] I'll make sure you stay on your feet.
[ Then the spotlight takes her by surprise. ]
Me first? 'Kay! I... uh... [ The answer shouldn't be hard, but the sudden light briefly throws her off guard. The smile returns shortly as she tries to maintain composure for the cameras. ]
I've... always loved seeing the beautiful ballerinas in my picture books. So that's what I wanna dress in! A frilly and fluffy dress that's as beautiful as a ballet dancer's dress!
[ Fio twirls once in place while pretending that she's already donning a fluffy dress. It might not be special enough for the audience, but maybe she can use this small chance to experience an old daydream of hers, even if it's only temporary. If life had gone differently, perhaps she could have grown up to become a ballerina on stage. ]
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from the q&a, he grows bored, ready to leave her where she stands after she answers the question with that lilt of hope in her voice. ]
I've had enough. I'm leaving.
[ shadow will not be stuck here playing dress up, it was already a bad idea letting her follow, and now this is the mess she's getting him into? turning away, he begins to make his way back to the flight of stairs until the spotlight falls on him next.
"ohh, sorry little guy. you must stand next to your partner to choose! don't worry, we'll pick. this'll go great with a ballerina!"
when a small breeze that blows past them, fio will find herself donned in a new outfit much different compared to what she walked down in. what may be a surprise to fio is how her head feels a little heavier, and a pair of floppy, bunny ears... real? or maybe they're fake... hard to tell to the audience in the way they move to match her animal companion.
as for him, his wardrobe change is a full plate of armor. his ears twitch underneath the helmet, groaning in another wave of irritation as the host pulls further away from the arena to display their outfits to the crowd. they appear on the big screens gaining all sorts of praise.
"sooo what do you think? have i outdid myself or have i outdone myself!!! ha ha ha!!" ]
...Damn you.
[ shadow growls, the extra added weight onto his body isn't a problem, but it's real. it clanks under his footsteps which after the third step, the hedgehog lifts his hand to raise the visor to show crimson eyes glaring at the screen. annoyed, he attempts to try and remove the helmet, but it just won't come off. ]
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...Bunny ears? [ Fio smiles nervously and waves to the crowd. It's both for the audience and fondness for the new fit. Even if the new set of ears are really distracting. ] Yeah... it's great. Thank you. [ Yet, her animal ears stick outward, clearly alarmed. As if it wasn't already easy enough to discern her feelings. It is a nice dress though. Fluffy and cute, with a pretty color. Something that she never thought she'd see herself wear, until now.
Hearing the clank, she drops her gaze to look at Shadow. It's an adorable outfit, like a little knight! Or perhaps he would prefer to be called "cool"? First, she does need to express her disapproval at him for trying to leave. ]
Darkie. Don't... leave yet. You can't leave now. [ "Don't abandon me," she almost wants to say. The bunny ears droop, flattening behind her head. ]
You have to get through this. Just do your best to get as many points as you can. It'll be okay! I'm sure this won't take much longer.
no subject
[ his points lowering as they do don't scare him, as the ultimate lifeform, he's able to withstand anything that comes his way. the only reason he's here is because the young girl wouldn't leave him alone. even underneath the plate of armor, it doesn't hide his irritation in his voice or conceal his body language either. shadow stands much like someone who is ready to turn their back and leave.
it's childish, there are other things that warrant his attention, and even as he turns away with arms crossed, the hedgehog glances at the crowd before him. from the looks of them, they aren't impressed by his actions, and by his unwillingness he can hear the less-to-be-surprised beeping in his ear about how his points are dropping, but since this is a partner activity.
...fio might also hear her points dropping from the ear piece.
one quick glance to the monitors above that displays the footage of what they're doing, he can see their numbers dropping down at the same pace. annoyed, the tips of his fingers curl into his gauntlet's palm, metal clinking together at the underhanded plays of this world. if only he could kill every single one then he would at the expense of himself, but no one needs to be dragged down with him.
he can't leave now. ]
This is pissing me off. [ the hedgehog turns to look towards the young girl now dressed in something different. with a sigh, shadow closes the distance between him and fio, with a tilt of his head up, the hedgehog stares at the girl through the visor before extending his hand for her to take. ]
I want this over with.
no subject
[ By volunteering him into the competition, whether he liked it or not.
Once again, his grumpiness reminds Fio of a friend that's incredibly dear. A sad gaze drifts over to his quills sticking out from underneath the helmet, first at the black fur and then at the bit of red color. It's also his unpleasantness that more closely reminds her of a lonely girl, one whose hatred became far too great that she sought out to extinguish every last bond of humanity. And that other girl's anger also reminded her of—
Herself. In her worst state. She too had nothing. She thought she had nothing. Still, she can only continue to guess at the reasons for Shadow's own behavior, left to wonder what his actual reasons are for acting the way he does. ]
I really wanna understand why you're so grumpy. And I'm still hoping we can become friends...
[ There's more that she would like to say. And ask, even if he refuses to give a proper answer. Her thoughts are interrupted by the ticking coming from the earpiece causing her to tense. She casts a worried glance up at the monitor. As if their rank as Shade wasn't already dreadfully low enough. She begins to wonder if the points would've taken less of a nosedive if she hadn't tried to volunteer. Too late for her to feel guilty about it now.
Fio takes a firm hold on his hand. She would squeeze tighter if it weren't for the gauntlet. Another deep breath, squaring up her shoulders and injecting more confidence in her voice. ] We got this.
no subject
[ there's no need to think that they'll become friends, if anything, this is business of sorts. he's helping her with the points she has, and her with his, and after that they have no reason to speak at all. even with her hand in his own, the game wastes no time to begin with the floor generating new colors underneath them. some areas only allowing one step, some allowing three, but the one that they stand on shows that one they move... it'll disappear from how see-through it is.
shadow stares at the young girl before him, not moving himself as though waiting for her to be the one who leads this.
if under other circumstances, maybe he would have been able to follow through, but this seems like a waste of his time if it's only to humor the monsters that watch. ]
We aren't going to be friends, ever.
[ she doesn't know what she's asking or what she wants, the fact that she only wants to understand him because of his previous words doesn't make sense. why does she care? he's only a stranger. he's never understood why these types of people feel so inclined to intrude on lives of others, but there's only so much thinking he can do with the loud cheering that's insisting that they go ahead with this. ]
You're better off using me for points, make this transactional, and you won't feel bad.
no subject
[ She wonders if he even understands how much better it is to have company. A friend. Has he ever smiled before? Seeing his stare, she realizes it's up to her. And she doesn't complain that she may be the one pulling all the weight.
With how the floor beneath them is close to fading away entirely, she needs to think quickly. There appears to be a good solid row of bright, vibrant tiles nearby. ]
I don't know what the word tran-zak-shual means! [ She calls out through the audience's cheering. That's a big vocabulary word! ] Let's go, Mr. Ultimate Lifeform! [ A grin. She still does not know what that is either. Oh well. Maybe, she should try to have a little fun... or try to teach him how to have fun, all while trying her best for the both of them. Because having fun is what friends do together! ]
Hop. This. Way!
[ White flo-wer. Mentally counting the three row tiles ahead in beats of three, counting with flowers in the same way she used to practice dancing a long time ago. She doesn't really need to call out, because she's going forcefully to try to tug the little hedgehog along with her as she starts doing little bunny hops. She has bunny ears now... so why not? ]
no subject
Transactional.
[ he repeats, more focused on the girl's very horrible pronunciation of the word. while he should be focusing on the dance, going with the flow with the cheering of the crowd who are excited to see them either fall or worse; it really isn't shadow's concern. ]
Tran-zak-shuh-nuhl.
[ the worst part is that she doesn't even know what it means which makes it that she can continue asking of things from him. with a sigh, he takes a step forward, physically for her to move backwards because the tile behind is darker and less susceptible to disappearing after a few steps. ]
It means when you give me something, I give something back in return. That's what we're doing.
[ like how he's making sure that the surrounding panels are safe to be on no matter where she hops to. ]
no subject
And now her attempt at pronouncing a new vocabulary word... ]
Tran-zak-shual. Tran-zak-shul- shuh- [ A pause as she attempts to slowly sound the whole word out. Almost there. Grinning, a little too delighted over learning a new term. ] Nuhl. [ And it still sounds horrible. Now she just needs to use it properly in a sentence, and practice how to say the word fluidly without the strange pauses in the between. ]
So it means we're helping each other out! That's what friends do. You teach me a new word and I... teach you a ballet step! Would that be... um, tran-zak-shuh-... nuhl?
no subject
[ she can try all she wants, but he's not interested. besides, teaching her how to understand proper words and have a conversation shouldn't warrant it. ]
Being oblivious only brings a bad end. Keep in mind what's taught to you.
[ coming down here was basically his payment, but now she's adding to the pile. truth is, she doesn't have to teach him anything because when would he ever ballet step again? he follows her step only to make sure she doesn't fall, if she tries to go too far to one side, he's quick to pick her up in one fluid motion to set her down.
he knows that one of the rules is that they must keep one hand on one another. ]
I don't need anything from you after this dance.
[ it comes as a growl, and his glare hidden behind the visor of the mask. ]
no subject
Hm...
[ He can growl as much as he wants, but she continues to be unfazed. She would be more rattled if he was someone who would try to outright physically harm her.
However, she takes his intense glare as a sign to lay off on any further talk about friends or friendship. Of course the thought of it continues to linger around her mind. That's not going to stop her from wanting to help him, even if they never become friends. It's out of her own kindness that she wants to help others. Making anything "transactional" was never on her mind in the first place. ]
Yeah. Being o-bli-vious would be really bad. [ A nod. "Oblivious" is another word that's not of her usual vocabulary, but she seems to have an understanding of what it means at least. ] Thank you for teaching me a new word! [ She manages a polite smile, despite his irritation. ] I'll keep it in mind.
[ The colorful squares continue to dazzle, blink, and fade beneath her feet. After a couple more hops across the tiles, she does realize there's no chance she'll ever fall with Shadow's assistance. For the next set of squares, she tries to dance more freely without worry of falling, less bunny hops and implementing more little ballet skips and runs. ]
...You're really strong, huh. So, what are you planning to do after this dance?
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have you seen the sonic & friends chicken and banana dance w/ shadow.. i think it's like this thread
I SAWWWW ITTTTTT shadow did NOT want to be there did you see the other one
if you mean the other dancing one i just looked it up too :') small shadow so annoyed and cute...
he hates them all.... but he never leaves..... i wonder why!!
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