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@silverinthedark

It was early morning when he returned from his outing. A breif flash of light and Shadow was standing there, in front of doorway. A tired look casting his features while eyes fell to the mat below. An ear twitched as he noted Riku's boots there.

Despite the months that had flown by since his recovery, he still didn't feel comfortable taking off his shoes. Therefore, upon activation, he began to hover through the apartment to avoid dirtying up the place. Doing so allowed him to spot the cake on the table, making him perk with interest as he drifted over, then settled feet upon the ground once he deactivated said shoes.

Upon reading the words, he felt the lightest pricks of tears build at the corner of his eyes. The scene reminded him of time when Maria had tried to celebrate his own 'birthday'.

Dropping to his knees, he sat there for a good minute, just admiring the cake until his gaze slowly slid downward to the gift. Blinking, he reached for the wrapped package, then opened it quietly. Taking his time, he eventually unwrapped it to reveal a steady glowing crystal. Blue in color, and medium weight, he gentle spun the object around in his grasp, inspecting it until he heard a faint flutter of paper falling to the floor.

A note.

Picking it up, he read softly.

"Hello. Birthdays are a human concept that I'm unfortunately still trying to wrap my head around. Do forgive me if I've botched this. However, after you told me about the birthdays uou've celebrated with Maria, I thought I'd offer something special to commemorate it. This is what we call an Azulki. Its a crystal from my own planet, used to store or balance out mass amounts of energy and information. We use it for various things, and I hope you'll find it useful to you in some way!"

After reading the note, the fainst smile would curl upon his lips before eyes focused on the crystal in his other hand.

"Thanks..."

[shadedlight]

@bluebluradventures

Eyes swept over with subtle annoyance, along with traces of curiosity in them as Shadow studied Sonic for a moment.

"What do you mean?"

It wasn't the usual semi-aggravated tone, but softer, as if he were recalling something sensitive within that particular moment. This wasn't further from the truth either, considering Maria was the one taught him the concept of 'birthdays'. Even if his was practically unknown to him, she at least attempted to celebrate his through some made up date.

[shadedlight]

[[ Made a verses and relationship page that I'll gradually add to over time. ]]

[shadedlight]

Send a 🎧 and I will put my music on shuffle, then write a starter based on a lyric from the first song that plays

Song: DArkSide - Bring Me The Horizon  Lyric: My heart keeps breaking over and over

Fire burns, raging throughout the city as towers fall, and soldiers work their hardest to take down invading forces. The bellows of a thousand beast reigning terror on civilians and heroes alike. The wail of a soldier, the masses of guns firing in a feeble attempt to bring down a black herculean monster which literally snapped the poor G.U.N. agent like a twig within it's grasp. It's insideous clicking instilling fear in those who stood in it's way.

These dark beings with golden eyes took on various forms and sizes. Although alien, they held a familiarity to them all-the-same to outsiders to this world.

A darkness.

One which radiated off a familiar hedgehog as he stood there, towering over the blue hero of Green Hills who had fallen in front of him. There's a scathing sneer on his face, eyes glowing a vivid red with intense golden rings surrounding reptillian-like pupils. Eyes which held unbridled rage within as they watched Sonic reach out for him. Instead of giving him a helping hand, Shadow used the metal soles of his shoes to kick Sonic in his chest and watched him tumble and skid across the pavement, causing him to gasp and cough up blood.

"Pathetic..."

That was when his eyes fell upon the woman across from both of them. His eyes wild, so unlike the grumpy hedgehog she met that day, and yet, so like him all at once. He cocked his pistol as he approached her in steady steps, walking over Sonic with a focused gaze. He raised the pistol, aiming it at her as he voiced sharply over the roaring flames that consumed life around him... much like his heart.

"Do you really think a meek human like you can stop me, the Ultimate Lifeform? Heh, not even that blue moron could stand a chance..."

He had been searching to fill the void in his heart. To understand his true origins and he finally found it hidden within the wings of a dark seraphim who answered his call. Finally, he knew his mission, his raison d'être! And he wasn't going to let anyone get in the way of that.

Perhaps it was those strange latent genes, or that darkness she may have grown familiar with, but what over it was, he was brimming with it. STANK of it.

Stank like a heartless. Evil had taken root of his heart, while breaking the hearts of those around him just like how his own had been broken time and time again. Left out bare and bleeding, only for it to be used and tossed aside once again.

Humans... they deserved every bit of what was coming to them, and he'll be sure of that.

His father would be sure of that.

[shadedlight]

@bluebluradventures

Send a 🎧 and I will put my music on shuffle, then write a starter based on a lyric from the first song that plays

Song: Pink Pony Club (...I can't beleive it landed on that one).

The interior walls were cracked, unkept from years of no use and covered in the dim amber light provided by a lamp stationed in the far right corner, adjacent from where Shadow stood, in front of an old victorian styled mirror, in the center.

A soft hum slipped past his lips as his red glowing eyes squinted, studying closely at the way the corset he wore fit his form. Red, speckled with black polka-dots while black lace started below the chest and down to his hips. Satin frills jutted out along the edges of the bust and lower rim of the outfit. And on both sides of his hips were two black bows and one dapped in the center below the breast. It was cute, and matched the fishnets he adorned along his thighs and legs, and the platform shoes with their high heels and silvers chains dangling on the sides. These shoes corvered in lace as well.

He'd shift his body left and right, then attempted to strut toward the mirror with a subtle sway of his hips.

Hm, not quite. His posture's a little stiff. He needed to be more smooth, like Rouge.

He'll just have to work on it.

He was silently grateful no one was here to witness something so... embarrassing. Humiliating.

Nor did they know he had stolen these from Rouge's apartment.

But seriously, the ultimate lifeform, dressed like this? Absurd!

Dressed head-to-toe like a little playboy girl with a punk rock or goth edge to them? Completely ridiculous!

No one needed to know he secretly came to this abondoned shack in the woods of Green Hill to test alot of these outfits out on himself. No one!

He spun around on his heels, striking a swift pose as his foot hit the floor, while he pushed out his rump. He lowered both hands to his knees as he stood there in quite the suggestive pose. His tail wagging behind him as he observed how he looked.

He wasn't a sexual person-- or he'd like to think he wasn't, but... the way Rouge carried herself. He found it inspiring. He wanted to be kinda cool like that in some ways, but wasn't really sure how to go about it. Thus was why he was here, donning her stolen attire.

There was another quiet sound as he pondered to himself. Would Maria find this interesting?

He imagined her putting eyeshadow on his eyes while Rouge painted his nails and they all chatted about the boy--

"Why am I thinking that?" he growled softly before sighing to himself.

This was stupid. So utterly and brazenly stupid.

Having grown aggravated with himself for the upteenth time, the black hedgehog sighed, standing straight, and not fully registering the possibility of someone watching him within the moment.

[shadedlight]

Riku returning was a welcomed distraction as he reached out for the towel that was offered to him. Although Shadow was not drenched to high-heaven like Riku was, there was a few spots he chose to whipe at with the cloth -- mostly his face and forehead. He scrubbed at his face, ears remaining perked as he listened intently.

With a hum, he dried ooff his snout, his large eyes looking up at Riku while he made his way into his kitchen. The hedgehog pondered for a moment as he placed the towel around his shouldrs and peeked into the fridge.

Truthfully, he didn't need to eat all tht much. A strange condition of his that he's had since uncovered from the meteor. However, it had been a long time since he last ate, and he couldn't help but lick his lips at the thought of consuming meat. However, the last suggestion mad him respond instantly with a light flush of his cheeks, "Ah, no, you don't need to do that. I-- fish and rice will do."

He gave a curt nod as he tugged at the fabric resting upon his shoulders. Riku didn't need to get wet again for his sake.

)○( ║ When Riku returns, he's already dressed in a set of dry clothes, a simple loose shirt and long sleep-pants that still came a bit short above his ankles due to his tall proportions. He hands a large fluffy towel to Shadow before he returns to clean up the wet trail he left. His own towel around his neck, wet from drying his hair off, was folded twice and simply tossed to the ground. His bare feet, with the claws of his toes as brightly colored as the nails on his hands, pushed and swept the garment around to clean up the water leading back to the bathroom.

"There," he says with a tired sigh as he walks back to the main room, feeling the evening's exertions finally catching up with him. "Would you like anything to eat?" he offers. He makes his way to the kitchenette, where with his proportions seems even more compact. He's greeted with a stocked fridge and with some stored leftovers, courtesy of going shopping a couple days ahead of schedule with his neighbor. A hot meal could be whipped up for the two of them in no time.

"Main staples are rice, fish, and vegetables... Does a curry with rice sound appetizing? Of course, if there isn't anything to your liking, I could also attempt to fetch it for you."

[shadedlight]

"Don't thank me," came his curt response, "I just want you out of my hair."

With that he motioned her to follow with a hand before turning on his heel to resume walking. He continued on, walking down the alley with a set frown on his features, wondering why he was even bothering to help this person until they finally made it to a clearing. Ahead of them was a group of people who were either going about their day or conversing with one another while surrounded by various brick buildings. Some of these individuals sat comfortably in their seats in front of a restraunt while consuming their meals. It was a lively little place, but not on the same level as Tokyo, or even London.

As the hedgehog made his way through the crowd, he was given a few curious glances, followed by murmurs that did not go unnoticed with by the critter as he'd toss an occassional glare or two at some. Eventually though, he'd come to a stop in front of the restraunt door and peered up at her.

"Here. I figure either the owner of this place could help you, or some of the locals..."

The sweat that she could feel on the back of her neck was almost gross. She was nervous. She was putting all her hopes on this talking hedgehog that could absolutely put her in an ER ward for three weeks. But there was hope the hedgehog wouldn't immediately jump to harming her. A usual gamble that paid off once more. Rainy let out a sigh and immediately dropped her arms. "Thank you. I appreciate it. I'm sorry, again. I just... got... really lost on my way home." She could feel the words stumble in her mouth as she tried not to over explain. The hedgehog didn't need her sob story about her screwing up portal jumping again for the Nth time.

[shadedlight]

Send a 🎧 and I will put my music on shuffle, then write a starter based on a lyric from the first song that plays

[shadedlight]

"What's up, Hot Topic? A lil' birdie told me that some bigshot 'Ultimate Lifeform' reaaaaaaally missed me~"

"Why do you insist on calling me 'Hot Topic'? What does that even mean?"

Aggravation evident in his tone before he turned away with a 'humph', "And no. I did not."

[shadedlight]

While giving gentle head pats, "You're one of them good heroes."

His ears twitched as Shadow gave a little scuff. Him, a hero? It was still hard for him to wrap his head around, even after that little pep talk the blue menace had with him a few days ago.

"I don't get you. Really."

[shadedlight]

pspspspspsps <3

There was a moment where Shadow offered a tilt of his head, added with a curious look that eventually morphed into something akin to pure offense. A snarl slipped through his lips as red sparks rippled along his quills.

"I don't know what in the hell this is about, but I don't find it amusing in the slightest. Knock it off!"

[shadedlight]

Again, he studied her with a wary glance. Body turning fully to face her while he contemplated over her words.

Him, knowing what he was doing? Under regular circumstances, he probably would've boasted about such in a cocky manner. However, the truth was, that he'd barely stepped foot out of the confines of a laboratory throughout most of his life. This fact, plus having been stuck in cryo-stasis for over 50 damn years, proves that this little guy actually had no idea what he was doing half-the-time.

"Hmph. Shouldn't have gotten lost then," he responded with a sneer, crossing his arms over his chest while turning his back toward her.

He was about to make a speedy exit toward his destination... but his heart told him otherwise. Or was it more so Maria's words on kindness...

Sighing, with a shake of his head, he'd face her once more with a tone of aggravation in his voice, "I'll take you to a public outing nearby so you can get better help, but the moment I catch you following me again, you're as good as dead, understood?"

Again, her hands shot up in a defensive motion. The ginger swallowed, trying to keep a yelp from leaving her. The less eyes on the either of them would be better. Shadow could see there was no ill intent from her. "...Cause you look like you know what you're doing?" Rainy carefully speaks, still keeping her hands up. "And I'm lost."

[shadedlight]

"Hey, hedgehog to hedgehog, I gotta know! Who does your highlights?"

"The more you speak, the higher the chances of your brain matter painting a new mural on these walls, hedgehog."

There's a growl in his tone as he pointed the gun at the other hedgehog. Was he serious on his threat? Usually, he was. Hard to know though.

[shadedlight]

Please reblog this if your blog is crossover friendly

aka you are happy to write with muses who aren't in your same fandom (fandomless muses of similar genre for instance)

+ specify in tags what kind of crossovers you're open to

[shadedlight]

Remaining still, the hedgehog watched quietly as Riku draped the jacket over his form. Wide eyes fixed on him until the larger being lifted him up to hold him close. With a slight huff, he clung to Riku's shirt with one hand as his snout poked out from a small opening within the jacket, which eventually led him to pushing more of his head out to peer up at him like a kitten with the most curious look in his large eyes.

"Cloaking...?" he repeated softly. His question, however, was answered when their bodies become nothing more than spectral shadows that eventually sifted through the streets. The speed at what Riku traveled was enough for the smaller creature to sound a tiny gasp of surprise. He hadn't expected such from the larger being, and if Shadow wasn't as speedy quick himself, it would've been dizzying for him.

Throughout their journey, there was the occasional moment where Shadow would peek out of the small opening to stare with wonder at the metropolis before him. His eyes twinkling at the array of colors that shimmered throughout the city. It appeared that they brought the power back after his confrontation with the blue hedgehog that looked like him. Unfortunately, such spectacles were unable to be fully appreciated at the moment as Riku continued to traverse in the ways he did toward their destination. It made it difficult for the hedgehog to fully appreciate Tokyo's splendor.

And thus, he'd retreat into the jacket, give a brief nod of acknowledgement to Riku's words. In the meantime, he thought back to the times Maria spoke of Shadow seeing the world. He doubted he ever would be able to leave the vicinity, nor see it, but appreciated hearing her whimsical tales of lands far beyond things he could ever imagine was something he loved listening to.

Suddenly, his ears caught an unfamiliar word uttered from Riku, drawing him out of his musings and making him frown slightly as he heard the door open. However, the moment he was set down, with the jacket removed from his body, he gazed up at Riku with a look of concern suddenly morphing onto his features.

The black and red-striped alien wanted to ask if he was alright, but instead, watched quietly as Riku took off his boots while he clutched the book and toy tightly to his frame. Canting his head curiously before his eyes lifted upward and ears standing tall as he listened to Riku speak.

He gave the elder being a nod, watching him retreat deeper inside his apartment. Afterward, his eyes fell upon his own shoes in wonder. Should he remove them?

Axiety built up at the thought of removing his shoes and gloves. He didn't understand why, but something about the action roused feelings of vulnerability on an instinctual level. As if such an action had exposed his most personal parts to those who was not allowed to see such. It was something he hated whenever the scientists removed them to study his hands and feet...poking and prodding... he hated all of it, honestly. A shudder traveled down his spine and he visibly shook his head to force the thoughts out of his mind.

So, instead of removing them, he stood there to take in his surroundings instead.

)○( ║ Riku gives a small smile, appreciative of the sentiment. Yes, he hopes he can find his dear someone hopefully soon... but it was so very much like the human phrase 'finding a needle in a haystack.' He could consider himself lucky enough to be in the right part of the earth to start searching. Something drew him here to this country, but as for any direct leads, he was lost for the time being.

After the acknowledgement he draped his jacket over Shadow's head. It was wide enough to enclose the spread of red-striped quills and long enough to reach the ground past the unique shoes. After making sure that Shadow tucked both the book and plush close to him to shield from the rain, Riku then overlapped the fronts of the jacket to wrap the other further. Not too snugly, but to keep as much moisture off as possible and to keep the other warm. Riku then picks up and holds Shadow securely to his chest, not unlike a carry a parent would have for their child.

"Okay, I'll be cloaking the both of us... Unfortunately it won't make us water-resistant, but we'll be near-invisible to human eyes," Riku explains as he held his hand out into the rain. His and Shadow's body had faded from view as if something shifted their opacity from opaque to nearly transparent. They blended perfectly in the shadows, but the water splashing and beading off of Riku's hand told them that they were still a solid being.

"I'll try not to make this too bumpy of a journey," he says before he steps out into the heavy rain, tucking the small body closer to his own before taking off in a sprint. He could feel the slight slip of his boots against the pavement as he ran through both sidewalk and streets before he built enough momentum to leap from the ground in wide bounds. He made it to the train where he knew the tracks ran above the ground and boarded the roof of the front car before it could take off from the station. As it sped along, he maneuvered himself accordingly to avoid obstacles from the top and sides of the car, a pattern that he had memorized before he had learned how to properly take the public transit as a human patron. He watched the vast city travel across from him, it's lights practically twinkling in it's own way amid all the rain.

It was a half-hour of travel, even with this particular train making fewer stops than others on it's schedule and a switch to another that would deposit them at Ōtsuka station. "Almost there," he tells Shadow, where the last leg of their travel was just through a handful of blocks to his apartment building. He took the outdoor stairs quickly to the 3rd floor, wanting to avoid running into anyone before entering the building.

"Tadaima..." Riku sighs out of habit once he reaches his door, exertion in his voice from the efforts to get home. He dispels their cloaking as he plucks a key from his pocket and unlocks the door, setting down Shadow in the entryway once they're both enclosed inside.

Riku is comically soaked from head to toe. His silver hair dripping and sticking to his forehead while the rest of his clothes were plastered to every dip and curve of his body. He's tempted to shake his hair out, but manages to stop in time, remembering the spray he had to clean up after. It was annoying to keep things tidy, but it did have it's benefits. Though perhaps today he could make a few exceptions...

"This is home," he announces, finally unwrapping Shadow and hanging the jacket up, ironically next to the umbrella hanging off the hook next to it. He takes off his boots next and leaves them near the short shoe-rack, pausing to peel off wet socks as well before stepping over the threshold.

"Feel free to settle where you like. I'll be back with a towel for you," Riku says, leaving a trail of wet tracks across the hardwood floor.

[shadedlight]

Even if she were more skilled in her subtle 'stalking', the creature's ears were acute -- sensitive to the slightest sounds. Thus, his ears would swivel back as his pace slowed to a stop. Then, with an abrupt turn of his head, he tossed her a rather fearsome look as red hues started glowing.

"Why're you following me?" he demanded with a wrinkle of his muzzle; a snarl escaping as rather sharp fangs exposed themselves beneath a quivering lip. His quills rose, glowing a golden color as his muscles tensed in preparation to either fight or flee if he had too.

Ah... shit. There went one of her few explanations about this place. Rainy barely had any time to really think. She didn't try to pull out her phone to see if it was working, or if it was even on. Portal jumps always screwed it up. So until she could get it working...

Shadow would hear footsteps following behind him. Rainy tried her best to not look like she was deliberately tailing him, but she had only been trained at least a cursory amount on how to do so. Hopefully, he wouldn't ... motorcycle? at her. Or bite her face off.

[shadedlight]

My Art -----------

@silverinthedark sent me a meme to draw our muses to and I couldn't resist. lmao (Sora is also my muse).