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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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I can't thank you enough. Truly. I hope we can do that again sometime! [She reached out to touch Shadow's shoulder gently before she moved her hand back. She actually wanted to give him a hug, but considering his initial reaction when she first saw him, she didn't want to ruin what she hoped would be the start of a friendship. He hadn't wanted to hold her hand or anything like that, so she would respect his wishes.]
I wonder where...[My Shadow? Other Shadow? Or just Shadow? This situation was really quite strange and she wasn't sure how to address either of them for a moment.] the other Shadow is? I would have thought he'd be here by now...[She frowned slightly in thought.] I hope he's okay. Perhaps I can try contacting him this time.
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The moment passes and she brings up a good point. It feels unlike that Shadow to take their time getting here. So he starts to check his surroundings and...ah. A certain dark hedgehog, moving away instead of towards them. He frowns. For them to turn away instead of coming to them, to his Maria. How long had they been there?] ...He's over there. [He'll gesture to a spot behind her. His expression turning more serious. Considering their first encounter, he doesn't know what to expect from the other. Surely they wouldn't try to make a scene in front of Maria, but he can't let his guard down. Just come get Maria and he'll leave peacefully.]
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[Maria turns to look in the direction that Shadow indicated. It took her a few seconds but then she saw her Shadow's unmistakable silhouette. Moving away? She waved, trying to get his attention.]
Shadow!! Over here! [Standing at the top of the steps as they were, there was no way that the other Shadow would miss them, even with people coming in and out of the colosseum and lingering on the steps. Why was he moving away? She glanced back at the Shadow behind her, seeing that he had gotten quiet and serious again. Was he still concerned about the other Shadow? Just how rocky was their first encounter anyway?]
Don't worry. It'll be okay. Trust me. [She reassured, determined. She'd make sure of it. She'll make it clear that this Shadow would never do her harm and that she trusted him.]
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turning around, that strict expression on his face remains as he walks over, uninterested in the current games being played around him. once he's close enough, he goes as far as to stare at maria while ignoring their surroundings. ]
...
[ his arms crossed, there's no need for the girl to speak first, so he'll take that position. ]
I only came here to make sure you were safe; since you are, I was taking my leave.
[ is that so wrong of him? he would follow up on his threat if something were amiss, but from what he saw, things were fine. ]
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I thought....[She started, trying to understand what was going on. She huffed a sigh.] We were just passing the time until you got here. I thought I was going to go with you, now that you found me.
I'm sorry I didn't try the earpiece sooner. I must have worried you and caused upset after we got separated. Shadow behind me has been nothing but kind and good company. There is no need to distrust him.
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Shadow is surprised along with Maria. He didn't know what they were going to do or say, but it was...not that. The words play through his mind over and over. Trying to make sense of it. For him to leave, while he's present by her means they're not as bothered by his presence like before? Then again, they are intentionally not looking at him. They had to have been watching. How much, he doesn't know, but it doesn't matter. It effected them.
His gaze falls, noticing they held a box in their hand. His brows furrows, thinking deeply on how to keep them here. It can't have been that easy for them to make the decision to turn away while someone important to them is right there, especially when...knowing a terrible fate awaits this Maria as well.] ...I have somewhere I need to be. [Not a lie, he was going somewhere before running into Maria. He looks to the other, their back to him.] I can't take her with me where I'm going. [Spend what time you have with her. Who knows if she'll still be here tomorrow.]
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it's either her happiness or her safety. ]
Feh. You expect me to trust a fake.
[ is his response, his gaze stern as he watches maria, as though he's amazed she would even begin to ask this of him. ]
Nothing good comes from another one.
[ the many that he has killed, how many times has he smashed his own face in, what if it's just another one of those bots that a certain someone enjoys making. initially, he thought that it was something from the casino, perhaps some guard with his likeness, but all that leaves from the casino reverts back to normal.
but this, it's still here, and shadow doesn't dare look at it. ]
I should get rid of it like I've done all the others.
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Shadow that's enough! [Her gasped tones were more incredulous than true anger. Like when she would scold Abe Towers for calling Shadow a freak.] I don't know what happened when you two met. But he was summoned to Etraya just like we were. Just because he's from another universe doesn't mean that makes him a 'fake.' I might not be the Maria he remembers, but that doesn't mean that I don't care for his well being, just like I care for yours. He deserves to live and be happy, just like you do. If his Maria gets summoned to Etraya, I'll welcome her too.
The two of you are your own beings, but you are both Shadow and I deeply care for you both.
[She took a couple deep breaths. That was a lot to say.] We're all summoned together and tossed in this situation. I can't speak for everyone, but This whole situation is pretty frightening. Personally I think it's better if we work together rather than fight amongst ourselves.
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Whatever Maria was telling them, he could hardly follow along. Frustration, anger and hurt building up inside him. It's one thing when he chooses not to engage with anyone, it's another when someone blatantly tells him he's unwanted. So why press it? And now Maria's getting all worked up over him. Forget them, it wasn't his intention to cause her further trouble. Were he of more sound mind, he would agree with her, see the bigger picture. Right now, he doesn't want to be here anymore. She's not his Maria anyway.] Don't waste your breath. I don't have to listen to this imposter.
[This place is massive, they don't need to do anything together. There's a snap as Shadow starts to blip out of existence. He needs to get away from here, too much pain building in this space.]
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if his opinion on the matter is being confronted because of hers, then he'll admit his problems with this. ]
You're seeing something I don't see, Maria.
[ because shadow would never give that opportunity, he isn't in the position to see eye to eye because this doesn't make sense from what he knows. what he knows? anything like him is a threat to the world she wants him to protect, kill it now, and there's no consequences later. ]
The last time I let someone go... [ it's like yesterday, believing sonic that mr. tinker was a good person and where did that lead them, where did it leave him but another enslaved pawn by his own judgement? not again, not again, and knowing what the doctor is capable of, what if that is not just another one waiting to strike. ] I won't make the same mistake again.
[ how can she give her affection so easily, but he knows the answer, he knows why she can say these things so honest and so genuine. there's a part of shadow that says he should hold his ground, if he doesn't, it'll be the same. just like last time. he can't allow for it, but those two look at him as though he is wrong.
then he'll have to be "wrong" to them.
the moment he goes to open his mouth, his voice doesn't come but rather the shadow across from him speaks. to call him an imposter, shadow feels that he might start seeing red. and as soon as he disappears, shadow's breath hitches, and in an instant he's gone.
...
he only returns with the scruff of the hedgehog in his hand, they're overhead in the air where shadow makes quick work to throw the younger hedgehog into the ground nearby not caring how hard the impact is. ]
You're going nowhere.
[ the older hedgehog glares down at the one he's prevented from leaving. this will reflect poorly on him, he knows.
more than half of his attention returns to maria, the remain wary of the other hedgehog as he won't let him go. ]
For what reason do you trust him, is it because his face resembles mine?
[ if that is the case, if she knew what life was like now, how many robots wore his expression and are used for destruction, would she care for those two even as they destroy that world she cares for?
in his one hand, there's this box that hasn't left from his grasp, but he grips it tighter as though he's trying to remain calm in some way.
shadow's eyes close, the inner anger of his always flickers at inopportune times. slowly they open to look down at the hedgehog in the ground recalling maria's words. not only does he have his face, apparently he has a maria. why would he believe that farce, but even so... why does the thought bother him? ]
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Golden yellow sparks start to come off his body as he glares at the other. It was a look of someone ready to beat their ass until there's nothing left. Don't tell me what to do, you piece of shit. Don't act like you know me, Other Shadow or not. Were Maria not here, this would have already turned into a battlefied. But he's holding it all back. All he can do is grit his teeth and give a deathly glare, trying to contain the anger and hate building inside him.]
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Maria was aware that the Shadow said something behind her and there was a sharp crackling sound. But then everything started happening too fast for her to follow. The Shadow that knew her suddenly disappeared, and the ground shook a little beneath her feet with the impact of one of the Shadow's hitting it. She cried out, hands over her mouth as she turned, seeing it was the one who had danced with her.
She looked up at Shadow who was still in the air.]
Stop this! Please!
[Without a thought, she scurried over to where the other Shadow was, sparking with golden energy. She stood with her arms spread, in an almost identical pose to when she....she...
She had gotten shot. Protecting Shadow so she could get him to safety.]
There is bigger things to worry about than whatever is going on between you two! [She gasped, heart racing, shoving memories aside. Tears filled her eyes. She knew both Shadows were deeply hurting and she also knew that the core of it all was most likely her fault.]
This isn't like you! [She implored to the Shadow above her. Not even in that dream-like white space did he seem like this. He at least fought back and resisted control of Black Doom. Just what was going on here?? She never feared Shadow, but these drastic changes in him did pull up that emotion. Not in fear of her life of course. She never feared him like that. Just...this worried her so much. She feared for him.
Everything was too much! Too much! She was trembling.]
If he truly was a danger to me, he wouldn't have watched over me and danced with me like he did. I saw him smile. He has a good soul.
Just like I see in you.
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no, it's for...
is she choosing him? there's a spark of disappointment that washes through him, staring at her confused by her actions. though the box in hand reminds him of other reasons that he's here, pulling him back from those nastier emotions as he feels hurt that she would do this. shadow doesn't particularly hurt anymore nowadays, but these fated encounters always manage to pain him in such a way he wonders why does he even try. ]
Nothing is bigger than my need to protect you.
[ nothing will ever surpass that, that's why he has to remain vigilant, that's why everything he's learned up 'til now must be assessed appropriately to avoid those stupid mistakes of the past.
if he leaves that copy to his own devices, will he turn against them, will maria be hurt again? some could argue now that she's hurting now because of his actions, but he's trying to help her. why doesn't she see?
yet, he doesn't move any closer, his eyes remain on her, they see her, until they don't when his gaze slowly drops to the ground before him. ]
I can't fail you again, if he's a danger...
[ but she swears that he's not, that he danced with her, that he kept her safe. that he even has a good soul.
shadow laughs, emptier this time as he only looks away now off to the side. perhaps what humans have written in detail about heaven isn't entirely right, about how angels watch after you, or when she would always be with him in his heart.
was she not always there watching him strive to do what she requested in his own way?
...
no matter the situation, he does return to what he knows in terms of her actions. ]
Enough. [ he sighs. ] Stop pushing yourself, I said before I don't want to hurt you.
[ if she's too caught up in her emotions and her body is unable to handle it, she might fall into one of those fits of hers.
that's the last thing they need, it's something he wants to avoid. ]
Sit, please.
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A good soul? Hah. A sound caught in his throat when he heard that. That's, maybe he believed it once, when another once reassured him in his moment of doubt. Another that was like the one standing before him. All he believes now is that his existence is a curse. He closes his eyes, the intensity of the sparks lessening until they stop. Her well-being is priority right now. She is upset, she is ill. She can't keep acting like this.] Do as he says, please.
[He sits where he was, hands shaking as they form into fists. With anger? pain? sadness? hate? With himself? He was just overwhelmed by the amount of feelings that was weighing him down. Just let him leave, he doesn't want to stay here anymore. It all hurts. Or is this just his punishment to endure, for ever daring to try and do anything outside of what so many think he should be?]
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I know. I know you'll do whatever you can to protect me, Shadow. It's a part of you. Just like how I will always be with you in here. [She touched her chest since she couldn't reach his. She had seen him look down and she prayed she was getting through to him.] Nothing will ever change that, or change how I feel about you.
Just please. Trust me.
[When he told her enough, to stop pushing herself and that he didn't want to hurt her, she lowered her arms. She could hear the other Shadow behind her telling her to do as he said. Shuddering, she slowly moved to kneel right where she stood on the pavement. She would have wanted to go to Shadow directly, but she didn't trust her legs on the stairs at the moment now that the adrenaline was fading. She huddled there, hugging her arms about her middle as she sought comfort.]
I know you won't hurt me. [Her voice was a little breathless as she wept silently.] But please, stop fighting each other.
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...
he remains quiet. he listens to the way maria breathes in and out, the sobbing, and the way she searches for someone to hold her. at this moment, she'd probably take anyone, as long as she didn't cause herself any discomfort from trying to hug herself. ]
You.
[ he's finally given the other hedgehog his attention, as much as he probably doesn't want it, or even wants to disappear. those desires won't be fulfilled, instead... ]
She says you have a "good soul". [ whether he believes that or not, it doesn't show. ] Show it to me.
[ how shadow feels at the moment, it's hard to place as he feels absent, but he hasn't left either. this entire situation feels almost like something he's unable to believe, but the box in his hand remains as he contemplates his next move.
... ]
I'll do my part after.
[ nothing will heal the pain other than what she's searching from with both of them, to... stop fighting. as much as he hates it, the fact that he could be making a mistake again is like a warning sign in his mind. ]
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A "good soul". How does he do that when he doesn't believe it himself? Ears fall forward. A discomforting laugh almost coming from him.]
I... [Words hang at the tip of his lips, but then he closes his mouth. No. It doesn't matter how he feels about it. He looks up to Maria, left in a sobbing mess because of them. Doesn't matter what the other wanted. All that matters right now is her. Let her believe in the lie.
His body starts to move towards her, coming up beside her. It was almost instinctive what he needed to do. A hand, gently takes one of hers, pulling her out of the swirling darkness she got dragged into. Her once bright, smiling face, now wet from tears falling down her face. He finds himself wiping a few away before putting his arm around her back, squeezing gently. Memories of bygone days, threatening to swallow him while he held her. Memories when his Maria would comfort him the same way when he was feeling uncertain about himself, worn down after a long day of tests. To have another warm comforting body beside him, instead of the cold testing equipments.]
...It's okay now. [A quiet apology of sorts, even when he couldn't bring himself to look at her. Whether or not he believes it, he's doing this to make her feel better and reassure her.]
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Oddly, despite the music coming from within the colosseum, it felt deathly quiet between the three of them. Except for the small sniffles and gasps that Maria was making. She shivered as if cold with released tension, lifting a trembling hand to her face.
Suddenly, she was aware of the other Shadow next to her. His hand took hers and she looked at him frozen with large tear filled eyes. Completely trusting as he reached out to wipe some tears from her face. She squeezed his hand and huffed a soft watery noise and smiled shakily as his arm shifted around her back with a gentle squeeze.
His words of comfort caused a fresh round of quiet tears to fall as she leaned into him and rested her face against the side of his head. Her free arm slid around him to complete the hold as she whispered soft apologies against his fur. She wasn't his Maria, and she was sorry for his loss and the pain he had to go through.
Her actions held the quiet promise of her love, to help him through that pain. She'd never be able to replace the Maria he loved. But she hoped that he would allow her to love him. To know he was loved. He deserved to be loved. To be happy.]
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What was she even apologizing for? He's not the one crying. They got her like this. Stop it. She shouldn't even be crying into him.
His hands are shaking as he tries to keep it together. That hand on her back, trying to rub her gently. It is okay. It'll be fine. Everything he's doing, all things his Maria would have done for him. He misses her. Misses her so much. Even when he feels the kindness and love from this Maria, it still doesn't fill the hole that was left after she died. He struggles to let her in, her becoming a reminder of what he no longer has. Those fifty years of torment, desperation for her love once more, always ending too soon, always just out of reach. It only hurts. Hurts knowing he can never feel her anymore like this.
Tch. He glances to away from them both, eyes watering, but nothing falls. He refuses with Maria like this. Take her already dammit.]
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that should be him where that other shadow is, but it's not, because in the end this was a personal request.
slowly, the hedgehog slowly makes his way over as maria holds onto the younger one, and the younger one keeps her close despite his attempt to look in an opposite direction. the box in hand is placed on the ground by maria, a tag hanging off on the side that she can pull to easily unwrap it whenever she wishes.
pulling his hand away, the hedgehog takes a step back, his steps clearly meticulously calculated to ensure he doesn't cause too much noise. one hand on his hip, his brows furrow as he looks off to the side himself. ]
......
[ they're sensitive, they seem to need this more than anyone at the moment, and he leaves them to that.
maybe he was wrong. maria's intuition has never been wrong, she has known things that shadow would have never believed. she's expressed to him things that he wouldn't have thought possible.
an amazing girl with an extraordinary talent. if she could do that for him, then the other one probably needs that hope more than he does. ]
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She became aware of movement. Her Shadow had approached them and put down the box next to her. She moved her head to look up at him with watery reddened eyes. The worst of her tears had calmed but her eyes widened a little as he stepped back. Please don't go. Her gaze seemed to say. Wordlessly, she held out her free hand to him, seeking to pull him closer. Afraid he would just disappear. From her perspective, it seemed like yesterday they were together on the Ark. So it was no wonder all these changes had been startling.
He was her best friend. None of this would ever change that, nor dim her love. She needed him. But a part of her also knew intuitively that he needed her too. Even if he might think he didn't. Both Shadows did.]
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as much as he wants to go, maria gives him that look that begs he remains. if she speaks then all that may come out is sobs. his eyes glance to the other hedgehog there with them knowing that he probably has nothing to say either. not soon after his eyes fall down to the proffered hand held to him.
what point is there for him to take it? she must know that he'll leave, she's far too aware, and it only makes things harder when she's like this. his hand curls into a fist, then uncurls in a slow motion as he reaches out to wrap his hand around hers gently. he looks down at where she sits, how she holds onto the other hedgehog all the while.
his hold is loose, as if she could slip out from his grasp at any moment. despite this, the look in his eyes is softer than it was before... unsure, not entirely confident in his actions. even in his eyes they read that he understands that the other one needs her much more than he does.
that he knows he doesn't need to be here. and she can let go at any time when she's ready. ]
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Being with her, seeing what the other saw, she was someone precious that needed to be kept safe. The heart won't fully let her in, but it can at least focus on a self-imposed mission. A direction, even when he feels undeserving, this is something he can do while he's alive and she's here. His head leans against hers, eyes falling onto a pair of familiar air shoes a few steps in front of him. He dares not to look up at them, uncertain if they'd react poorly again. Continue to ignore his existence, or look at him? Either options make him uneasy.
Their feet start to move towards them. Take her already, is what he wants to tell them. These loving gestures from Maria weren't meant for him, and yet...he selfishly wanted her to stay. No effort is made to give her back on his part, even when he knows he should be insisting. Then again, would Maria even let him go...? The other was now standing in front of them. Another moment, and he sees the box he had been holding being placed beside Maria, obscured by her figure.
The arm that was around him suddenly moves away as Maria reaches for the other, fearing he would leave her again. Her hand still gripping his while reaching for her Shadow. Her actions answer the question he had been pondering. She wanted them both and she would have it no other way. He wipes something in his eyes, taking a deep breath. Slowly, he looks up towards the other's face. Still with that serious look on his face, but there was a softness when they take Maria's hand.
...They just want her to be safe. They probably meant every word about him, but everything he does is for her sake. Did it still hurt? Of course. He didn't need to be reminded about being unwanted, or accused of being a fake. He'll stay angry about it, but...he gets it now. He quietly observes, the other seemingly lost as to what to do besides stand there and hold her hand. Or maybe he's just imagining it. If they bother to look in his direction, he would have gesture to the empty spot on Maria's other side. Just sit down and be with her. She isn't going to let you go anywhere.]
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Biting her lip, she gives her Shadow's hand a tug, trying to bring him in closer.]
I....I know you want to leave. [She whispered, blue eyes bright as tears slid down her cheeks.] But...I'm just afraid that if you do...I-I'll never see you again. [It was an irrational fear, surely. She knew he lived to protect her and cared for her wellbeing despite his reserved nature. And...all the changes she'd seen in him.] At least let me hold you a little b-before you do.
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he doesn't need the affection right now, he doesn't need anything other than time to himself. but he doesn't want to hurt maria, she's been upset with everything he's done so far so what if he ruins this too. ]
....It could be better that way.
[ that she never has to see him again, he doesn't even care if the other is right next to her and will probably get upset for her. it's not that he's doing this to be cruel to her, but how many times can shadow make a mistake in hurting her. there's only so many times until he feels like he's lost how to handle the situation with her, maybe this is his punishment to be without her.
but he kneels down beside her despite his words betraying his actions.
her tight hold onto his hand wanting to keep him here, he can feel it, she probably doesn't want to go anywhere else. how she yearns for them both to be here but shadow doesn't think of himself as a good person to be here. isn't the other hedgehog the one who needs this more than him.
shadow's silent now, his eyes now staring at the ground between them as he's grown disappointed in himself. even his tail droops against the surface with no energy to be seen. ]
Do what it is that makes you happy. That's all that matters to me.
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