#MMC;; Shadow Muse

[machinesandman]

A Gentle Confrontation

All of the Robot Master's knew by now the bad habits that their human had. Yes, their human. The one who had revived them, gave each and every single one a chance at freedom, no laws, true choice, and fully open sense and emotion. To live as they chose to be no matter their original functions or creators. Given exactly what the world wanted to ensure never had been given to them, and yet this lone human was a damned fool. Denies herself the same courtesy. It drove many of them up a wall with these facts, others deemed it useless to worry about, or just left.

Metal Man had even made Shaska promise him to his face, that she would not die or give up until all of them, or as many as can be, were back and online. The Wily Bot had been furious about the very idea of her dying on them without keeping the promise made so long ago. And he often times stuck around when she worked, especially on more dangerous numbers, just to ensure no accidents happened, nor did she mess up. Quick was much of the same boat, but preferred other methods to take up his time. Elec himself would come to assist now than then, more so to ensure that the human herself wasn't ragged, nor was her armor ever left at subpar power.

The list went on of who else would be involved, to help, either by locating remains, or by working around the underground facility, anything to get their end goals finished. And all the same that human kept pushing the limits that shouldn't be taken, even augmented as she was. Burning at both ends with a seemingly never ending candle, just as well as being more and more bitter, alongside health ever on the wavering thing line if any support system failed or medicine ran out. It was familiar. Not exact, but just enough...

Shadow Man has been seeing it for some time now, others slowly catching up to the traits he had already recognized. That woman who had taken a near impossible, and admittedly foolish, goal to revive robot masters... Was slowly becoming the amalgamation of all the worst traits of Proto Man, once upon a time. But without restrictions, laws, nor a network inside that head of hers. Truthfully? As much as Shadow did respect the woman's talent in the labs, and how she had gotten better in the battle field- he still believed her to be quite foolish at times. And he has had enough.

The old hybrid bot had found the woman as always, doing tasks within the work space she had deemed 'Restoration Section'. Where the base parts of Robot Masters were all repaired or put back together, alongside the updates. Next door to the 'Revival' room. It was well organized, if not dreadfully human of her to use this. But he wasn't here to argue semantics right now. No, the bigger issue at hand was the scientist herself.

"Shaska." Shadow spoke up to draw the others attention, watching as she finally looked up from repairing another Buster arm. It seemed to be another Wily bot if he judged the wiring just right. There was always a notable distinct way those threaded together for maximum weapon output. Whom it was for was not yet clear to him without details, but it was still a comfort to know another brother of theirs may yet be brought back online. So many were walking around now, living lives as if they were Reploids, but so many yet remained dead and lost to them.

Tools were put down as the woman stood up from her work bench, turned to look entirely towards the wily bot. "Hey, Shadow Man. How can I help you? Has something happened?"

Always jumping to conclusions that something is needed or required of her. Every time. A learned coping mechanism perhaps, or just automatic instinct after so long. Shadow gently shook his head. "Nothing of the sort. I am here to merely talk to you. Face to face and very seriously."

The brunette perked an eyebrow slowly, while one hand reached out to flick at a switch at her work desk, forcing the door behind the Robot Master to click closed for some privacy. "Absolutely. What's this about?"

"It's about you."

As he suspected, Shaska tensed up in fight or flight mode. Her shoulders were back, head lifted another inch. Braced for impact. Shadow knew it well, considering the amount of people that had snapped at her in similar ways. The shouting, the rage, furious entreaties. That was a learned way to prepare herself for the inevitable and worst possibility, simply accepting that rage to shoulder it and let people make their assumptions. It was useless, lacked any sort of reasoning to do so, other than the trauma of survivors guilt and the self punishment of the past she had no reason to keep.

Shadow stepped closer. "You need to give yourself days of recovery, after stints out in the world, or days spent in the labs. You are human. If you intend to hold up your side of your promise to us." He was well versed in how some almost obsessed scientists would just keep going, more and more. Wily was even worse when it came to being a workaholic. But at least he didn't go about getting personally involved in combat like this mad woman. "This is not your weight to bear, but you have taken it all the same. It's not your punishment to make up for the past."

Dark eyes looked away, back towards the unfinished buster at her table. Shaska knew he was speaking the truth here, but the furrows of self doubt ran deep in that psyche, like canyons eroded away through the many long nights left to her own horrid thoughts, dug out from mental claws of anguish to leave her own inner self confined in it's own trap. A starving creature devouring it's self not unlike an ouroboros in the worst ways. "Who else has the where with all to do it? Or, well, the means to find any of you that is, and safely. It's my people that wronged you and yours, when Robot Masters deserved better, as do Reploids of the now-"

"Doctor Jonez-"

"Do not call me that!" Shaska shouted suddenly, head whipping around to stare at him. "I am not a Doctor nor as good as them! They have that title, I do not!" A step forward in challenge at the Wily bot. Shadow knew damn well she was capable, had been sparring with other Robot Masters in this underground bunker they hid away in most times. Yes, she could take him in a fight, but he wasn't here for that and was not ruffled into such. Instead he met her step with one of his own, hand snapping out to grab her by the shirt and yank closer, lifting the short human clean off the concrete flooring.

"I'll call you as I see fit, Shelly."

"Wh-"

"You're right, you're not Doctor Light or Doctor Wily. Not even Doctor Cossack... But that is a good thing. You are Shelly Jonez, you are also Shaska. You are Doctor Jonez now, and to us you are our means of revival and life anew. You will never be any of them, instead you are someone new, something new. What ever anyone else tells you is a lie." The hand tightened on those clothes as Shaska stared up at Shadow in stunned silence. When she went to speak, he jostled her and turned, shoving the human against the wall, forcing her to grunt and shut up. "I've heard you talk. Claiming the shadows you walk in. But you don't see the shadow you cast yourself. Step out from others, because they would not approve of what you do, yet we do. Let yourself live for once, Doctor. So we can live to." Now is when Shadow man finally let go of her, allowing the woman to slide down and stagger, standing once more.

Was it bad she flinched then? Being released without so much more shouting? It was all spoken with that calm tone. Almost gentle, despite the harsh handling. Trying to knock the sense physically into the woman.

A heavy swallow followed as Shaska glanced up, unsure of just how to react- especially when Shadow Man's hand lifted to gently pat her on the head, gentle as can be. Which is a stark contrast to any Wily Bots. "You're good to us. And we try to be the same. So be kind to yourself, my friend." That hand dropped once more to his side. "Just stay you."

Before anything could be said, Shadow felt he had outlived his welcome at the moment. And his internal code was struggling, too much of this was hard for him at times. Unless it was his fiance, Aria would be proud of him today, he thinks. The bot hummed and turned, vanishing in a rush of energy as he sank into his own casted darkness. Leaving a confused and caught off guard Shaska standing there.

"... I need air."

[machinesandman]

Shadow Man had always had a very specific way od doing things, this was well known among anyone close to him. The Wily Bots, the friends he has made, contacts... But everything had recently been rather changed. Specifically?

How the old bot would look over, almost protectively, of the scientist he was indebted towards. That was something that had been demanded to cease.

In fact, most of the Robot Masters that had been staying in the labs had been being insisted that they work on building new lives. Ironically, follow Crash's example. So while many of them ahd still been living there, the time spent merely upgrading, sparring, and planning, had lessened considerably. Most of those conversations over the net work now. Of course, not a single one of them, Wily Bot or Light Bots, changed their plans, just were quiet about them.

Still...

Now, the old Wily Bot had been calmly shifting through the shadows he stepped through so easily. As much as a human would say 'easy as breathing'. Could simply enter anywhere he so pleased without a need of alert or known. Yet still, did he always let Aria know when he would arrive. A pre message first, and the tingle of his own signal when close. Ever polite for the woman that had his core always warmed to it's deepest connectors.

Once he was given the reply, the old Robot Master slid up from Aria's own shadow upon the floor, slipping into the room in silence. But not unaware to her, always connected having let her into himself, and him her. Connected no matter how far. The smile on his face softening immediately upon being within the reploid's presence.

"Evening, Song heart." His voice quietly rumbled pleasantly, feeling his tension melt away the moment she placed the kiss upon his cheek. One arm moving forward to slip around Aria's waist with a delicate touch, ever so gentle with everything he did with her. Tugged close so he could hold her. Willing his connection to slip more against her own. "Mmm, I'm well."

And it was true. But his connection had a lingering curiosity, and a bit of an odd spark of... Hesitation? No. Not hesitation. More so something like he was trying to find words. "May we talk?"

Closed starter | @machinesandman

Aria had gotten the message from Shadow that he was coming over in a little while, and quickly wrapped up her work. Closing up her notes and putting her monitor to sleep, she dashed out of the lab to get changed. She always appreciated when he gave her a heads up, even if they were engaged now. His politeness always softened her core a little, even after all this time.

Her quick change was a simple one; leaving her lab coat hanging just inside the lab doors, putting her armor into subspace and slipping a sweater and leggings on for some comfort and decency. Aria entered her living room just as the sensation of his presence made itself known in her core. She paused for a moment, with a hand over her core panel and a soft smile on her face. Would she ever get used to that? Part of her hoped she didn't.

'Come on in. Please excuse the mess.'

The "mess" she spoke of was hardly as such, just a few datapads and books on the coffee table and some dishes not put away yet. When he appeared, Aria faced him with a bright smile.

"Good evening, love." She strolled closer, leaning up on her toes to give him a kiss. "How are you?"

[machinesandman]

"Are you also in love with the Dhampir hunter?"

"... In love with the who? That what? I'm sorry, are you asking me about books or media, or...? You've lost me."

"Are they talking about shade man, maybe? He's the only one I think could maybe be mistaken?"

"He's more based off typical sort of Dracula theme's though. Not really Dhampir's like in comics. And aside from that, he's still not fully built, he's only in the base body right now to move about."

"True, and he makes it known how picky he is about it..."

"None of that matters, because Dhampir's simply do not exist. Why do you two always entertain these kinds of questions?"

[machinesandman]

"I see we are doing this again..."

"The lab is going to be entertaining, surely." Shadow Man's deadpan tone spoke more volumes than any words he could follow up with. And here the ancient individual was thinking they could have a quiet day for once.

[machinesandman]

@m3chanical-rhythm​

Shadow Man had been giving a lot of thought into certain aspects of his personal life. As well as conversations and debates between many of his comrades. They all did know Aria, yes. Well, most of them, at least. And she has been helpful in many ways, as well as casual friendship with some... Perhaps it was about time for her to have a bit more of a glimpse into things, she was his fiance after all.

His Fiance. Fiance! The realization still hit him hard enough that it sent the dual cores residing in him aflutter both, warmth flooded into every servo. If anyone had asked him years ago, if he ever expected to get this far in his life and actually be engaged? Well, the old Robot Master would have laughed at such a ridiculous notion. But reality in the here and now was an oddly comforting fact, and strangely... Normal. Despite the hell he knew was waiting somewhere out there, the next problem to crop up, danger around a corner- that was how life was. What he knew, always, as a war machine. Even then he still had somehow, even against his god damn will, found some form of... Contentment? Perhaps not the right word. But that didn’t matter.

He shook himself off, out of the internal meditative thoughts. And instead sent a ping to Aria through their connection, full of his affection. But it was a request, asking her to meet him outside, and to be ready to be gone a while. Shadow was asking her to take a day out with him. And so he was just outside her home, the ninja waited patiently.

This would be an interesting turnout, certainly. And he was prepared for it as well. Long over due to bring her more into their fold, really.

[machinesandman]

@m3chanical-rhythm​

Shadow Man had stayed wit Aria all this time, just as he had promised. Maintaining that composure for her, helping around the Lab as much as she would allow. Surprisingly enough, the Ninja did know his way around, and all the technical terms as well as needs of various things. As if he had been in or around labs for a great many years. All of that paying off in the here and now to help the Reploid around or get her work done as smoothly as possible.

Now however, it was mostly the waiting game, Shadow standing near by with his arms crossed as one red eye watched her with an air of caution and curiosity. Not sure just what it is this data compile might just reveal. He hopes something would stand out, considering just how energized Aria suddenly seemed to be, instead of the lethargic shakiness of a few hours ago. This... Really was running a course like illness for humans.

She spoke up, and shadow snapped to full attention. Moving closer at her side now to try and observe as well. He may not be a scientist himself, but Robot Masters ALWAYS understood coding. “What is it you’ve uncovered, Aria?”

[machinesandman]

“Royally problematic, more like...”

[machinesandman]

“...”

Shadow Man would not even get involved in this madness. His alternate put himself into this, and if there was even just more than one Proto Man involved at all- then that was more than enough for him.

[machinesandman]

@m3chanical-rhythm​

Aria was tense... She was sitting here, with her messy desk, and... Sounded not at all like she should. Sure, the situation was stressful, he knows about HQ. His Network was alight with activity. But Aria wasn’t there, she was here, and didn’t sound like her usual self. Nor was she even turning around to face him.  HIM! Of all individuals, of all Reploids or Robots...

Shadow Man stepped closer, both hands lifting to softly rest on Aria’s shoulders from behind, the touch gentle and light. He knew better than to trust this.c Too many years among humans had taught him this much. “You don’t sound so convinced, Songbird.” He whispered, deep voice rumbling with how he spoke. And sounded so concerned. “Talk too me... What’s wrong? What’s got you sounding so on edge?” It was just the two of them here, and no one else could hear, nor any other sound. Just them.

“I’m here for you.”

[machinesandman]

Shot Glass forn Shadow, what are your TRUE opinions on Aria?

Let's Play A Drinking Game!

The smile on Shadow's face is impossible to keep away, contentment flooding his systems at the mention of the Reploid's name. The warmth that filled his dual cores swam across every servo within his form, and over the link he shared with Aria herself. Thumping in time with a pulse beat that matched his own. All while one gloved hand took the glass-

And then he set it aside. He wouldn't be drinking it. No, because he had no intention of not answering. "My true opinions on my fiancé should be clearly obvious... Aria is a brilliant mind, and patient. Shocking in this world, considering what she has seen and experienced. Being of one designed as she is, with the intention behind it, the talent laying in wait... Yet still, it has only ever been her personal choice, on what she does with it. An honorable woman, who has put up with my self, and my brothers, at our harshest."

And then he began to wax poetic, and slip into old world languages just to get his thoughts and points across. Someone stop him. He may or may not have already been in the Sake before hand.

Shadow Shots: 0

Shadow Sake: ????

[machinesandman]

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓  𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐃  𝐎𝐅  ' 𝐈 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 '  𝐀𝐑𝐄  𝐘𝐎𝐔  ?

          I love you and I wish you knew just how much

The pining, the aching, the wishing, and hoping; it's what you whisper to yourself under the cover of darkness as you fall asleep thinking of them. it's the text you've typed out and deleted before sending at least a dozen times. it's the countless pictures of them you have of them on your phone, the home screen image of their smile that you know will give you away the next time they jokingly swipe your phone. it sits restless and suffocating at the back of your throat. rip dude, i know how that is.

          I love you, I've always loved you, I will always love you

It's commitment, it's devotion, it  goes often without saying, but is felt nonetheless. it's accepting that  you would travel to hell and back for them if they asked and knowing  that they would do the same for you. it's an old ache, long after  they've burrowed deep into your chest and settled there like a weight-  grounding, an anchor point. even when you're apart, you can still feel  the shape of them, it's like phantom pain. neither of you can help but  succumb to the other's gravity, yet neither of you fear the collision.  it means that you trust them, that they make you feel safe, that they  feel like home.

Tagged by: @m3chanical-rhythm​ specifically for Shadow

Tagging: You, steal it

[machinesandman]

“A... Aria...?” Shadow Man is speechless.

[machinesandman]

m3chanical-rhythm

Aria is hiding in her sweater. Muffled squeaking, inbound.

There is one arm sliding around the pink haired womans waist, ever so carefully tugging her closer. Shadow then planting a soft kiss against the crown of her head, not saying a word further. The muffled sounds were enough now.

[machinesandman]

“Oh no.... His poor internal systems... May some higher mercy take it’s self upon my alternate.”

Shadow has some concern over the other version of himself seemingly choking on drinks, and can only shake his head. Clearly, several someones are not pulling punches.

[machinesandman]

@m3chanical-rhythm​ from: Here

Shadow Man’s gaze was intense, that one eye bright as he glanced around the room briefly, before settling on Aria. A visible calm moving over the Ninja as his shoulders began to ease slowly. Expression behind the face mask softening. The sword had already been semi pulled from it’s sheath, but now it was softly clacked back into it’s locking point. Releasing the handle.

“... If you are sure.” He sounded like he was still incredibly tempted to go after whom ever had left the Reploid feeling in such a state. His senses slowly extending just a bit more of that hyper awareness. Just double checking if everything was safe here. His hands still tense.

Wait a moment.  “Why is your wrist sore? What happened?”

[machinesandman]

Aaaand an obligatory Aria for Shadow! Cmon Shadow, how hot do you think your fiancée is?

"I believe I've answered this, haven't I? What can I say to truly convey in words my opinion?"