trans_9 | Degravify [OPEN] (Before Russel's announcment)

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Degravify [OPEN] (Before Russel's announcment)

Things had been a little on the slow side recently and for Shadow, it wasn't that big of a deal. Parties? Bah, Shadow wasn't one to participate in them, no matter what they were.

Instead, heading into one of the other sensoriums, he opted for something a bit more familiar - the weightlessness of space. As the hedgehog set himself up, he found himself in a familiar location, the outside of the space station ARK. Normally, being outside of a space station with nothing more than the fur on your back would be a death sentence. However, due to reasons unknown, Shadow wasn't affected. He never understood that part. Maybe it has to do with how the scientists built the station that allowed them to survive as is.

In any case, he opted to let the lack of gravity take over, allowing the hedgehog to float in space. Stacy would take over if he floated off too far.

He let a grin form on his face, though, for anyone stepping inside and having a freak out over where they were.

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However, the person who wasn't going to freak out was exactly the one that shadow might have expected to pop up in the first place. Alessa herself wasn't a social person, but when she did leave she did so with purpose. In this case, she was actually quite curious to see what the hedgehog did for fun, as she herself was unaccustomed to the idea of having it in the first place. And then there was that that friend business...

"Do you come here often?" Alessa asked, floating without a care. "Here, I mean."

"Sometimes. It was my home." Shadow said, not even blinking at Alessa's arrival. He's gotten used to her showing up when she did now. Had to by now. "Today I was just looking for something... different to do. I guess this was it."

There was a small 'heh' that escaped his voice. "Glad you could come."

There MIGHT have been a small smile forming as he said it.

"Its very quiet here," Alessa commented. Not she minded of course: quiet was one thing she was more than happy with. "I prefer this sort of weightlessness to the kind by the ship, anyway. But I wonder what made you bring it out here in the first place."

Alessa gave hims small (very small) grin. "I hadn't seen you in awhile. I wanted to come."

Not that she would say she missed him. Nope, totally wasn't doing that.

"It is quiet. It's nice in a way..." Shadow said, shaking his head. "I guess the weightlessness that we had earlier made me... nostalgic. I wanted to enjoy it for a little while."

He looked to meet her. "I'm glad you did. It's nice to have company."

Especially hers, but he probably wouldn't outright admit that.

"I like it myself," Alessa said. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to drift for a moment, almost happy to feel weightlessness of space. For a moment, nothing mattered: the monsters, the demons, the scorn, the reciprocated scorn: it all seemed to fade away in an instant. "And I think I can see why you do too."

She opened her eyes. "I made a friend a few days ago. It was strange: she just wanted to be my friend even after I told her I was a demon. Then she...she hugged me. Is this what humans do when they have affection for others?"

And he was lucky: she would only have mentioned it to him.

"Some people are like that. They don't care who someone is. They're willing to latch on to someone because they trust them, even after everything someone has done or said." Shadow said.

He cocked an eyebrow at her confusion over the hug. "Yes. Sometimes, though, people can be over affectionate and it's more of a nuisance." He chuckled a bit, remembering some of the moments Amy Rose launched herself at Sonic and the poor hedgehog having to run for his life at that.

"But, it isn't bad. It... feels good."

"Maybe," Alessa said, shrugging, drifting about for a little while. "She might not know a lot about demons though. She seemed alone...I guess I know a little about that. It didn't seem right somehow."

Alessa closed her eyes, thinking a moment. "It wasn't as bad as I thought, I guess. She's from a different world, so unlike humans and their usual annoying need of affection, she just wanted to show her token of friendship. You're right though. It isn't so bad."

She shrugged. "Some people surprise you. You surprised me, after all."

"...I guess when you're stuck on this ship for as long as we have, you start feeling that way." Shadow said, shaking his head. "It's not unnatural, though I can see why it feels... odd."

He let out a slight chuckle. "The friendly sort of person. Those are rare, I can tell you that. It's nice to have them, though."

"Me? Surprised you?" He let out a bit of a laugh. "How is that?"

"I don't know if its the ship," Alessa said, "Or maybe just me. I suppose I've been used to just thinking things were a certain way, and most people tended to do exactly what I thought they would. It was always the same: disappointing, ignorant reaction and the general idiocy that accompanies being in the human world. My viewpoint expanding is a new thing, and I suppose I'm not sure how that makes me feel."

Alessa stared at Shadow. "An alien. Not as rare as it would be anywhere else. But still...quite likable. I might even tell her some things."

She looked far away a moment. "When I met you, I wondered how much different you would be from everyone else. I could tell you had strength, that you had power. I wondered how that would shape how you thought. Knowing what I know now, I saw there was something more than just strength and stamina. You're...rather unique."

"This ship changes a lot about everyone. I guess it could be jarring for someone like you, especially with so many different people." Shadow said. "I say just take it in stride. Try not to get overwhelmed at it..."

He smiled a bit at what she said. "Enjoy what company she may have. You might like it."

Hearing the last bit caused Shadow to blink, his eyes going wide. Did she just compliment him in her own little way. He found himself drifting a bit closer as he fought - and failed - to stop himself from blushing. "Ah... um, well... th-thanks..." He tried to look away himself, hoping to hide his blushing.

"A ship, a world, its just another thing to deal with," Alessa said dismissively. "I can deal with anything that can happen with me. We've talked about this before: I technically shouldn't be here to begin with."

Alessa nodded. "I like her. I suppose it would be an interesting to find out how she deals with things."

Alessa didn't mind drifting closer to Shadow. "Think nothing of it. I missed you." She gave hi an appreciative smile. "Especially when I make you vaguely uncomfortable."

"A lot of us shouldn't be here, but here we are..." Shadow said. He shook his head dismissively. "But, that's not the point, though. I know what you mean."

As he came closer to Alessa, he held a hand out, laying it on her shoulder so he wouldn't bump into her. As he did, he returned the smile. "I missed you, too. It's... lonely without your presence."

"The situation is unavoidable," Alessa said. "I've learned at this point there's little point bemoaning the situation. Whatever happens, well, is simply another obstacle in a more meaningless set of circumstances. When something actually comes of it, that's the sort of thing that interests me."

Alessa blinked. Teasing Shadow was one thing, as was complimenting him: him complimenting her, especially actually saying that he actually missed her, was not something she expected.

"Um...thank you. I didn't expect to hear that from anybody. I...I missed you too."

Shadow's smile grew a bit hearing her admit she missed him. Despite the awkwardness of the two of them being around and the antics that happen during, it made him feel happy that she actually enjoyed his presence.

Of course, there was also the rare moment of making her act awkward. He took a few moments of trying to think of something to say, but he just laughed.

"...if I end up saying anything now, it's going to be utterly sappy." he said, laying his other hand on her other shoulder so that he could look at her eye to eye.

Truth be told, he couldn't think of anything - all he could have would have been too sappy.

Alessa sighed. It was annoying to admit it, and REALLY annoying to think about it when she wasn't creating her animals and her worlds, but the fact of the matter was that she had to admit a little something to Shadow that she would not have felt comfortable having anyone overhear.

"I don't...really mind if you say something like that," Alessa said, looking almost awkward. "You can say whatever you like. It's your simulation, after all."

Well, that just killed any reason to skirt around the issue. Shadow let out a sigh before continuing.

"I enjoy your company, Alessa. I truly do. If you weren't around... I guess I'd be keeping to myself, staying away from everyone unless it was necessary. I know I've probably said I'm annoyed by your sudden arrivals and all, but... in truth, I'm glad you do show up. I know I'm not alone here. And I..."

He went silent for a bit.

"...don't want you to go."

Alessa was quiet for the moment. She had to think of a way to phrase her answer, because Shadow had been very frank with her. She should be just as truthful.

"I would have probably killed the people on this ship, or attempted to, without you," Alessa admitted. "It is one thing to distract oneself as a demon: chaos is your only certainty, you attack and crush and scare others. But sometimes you meet someone that just changes things. You just...actually start to care about all of the stupid things on the ship."

She paused. "I guess I'm saying I'm used to being alone. But now, if I had a choice, I'd prefer being with you."

She shook her head. "So...I won't go, all right?"

Shadow's smile grew wider hearing that. Probably for the first time in the longest time, he had someone with him - not just an ally in a battle, but someone who cared about him.

"Thank you... Alessa, and I won't go, either." Shadow said.

It just seemed perfect now: him and Alessa, alone in (simulated) space, just in each other's company. Probably wouldn't get better than this.

Alessa couldn't help it, could not avoid the fact that there was a slow smile creeping up her face. This was the second person that actually said something like this, and that was something that always seemed to startle her.

"I'm glad," Alessa said. "And I promise to stop stalking you like you don;t like, I could tell it bothered you."

She took his hand and floated with him. This was actually nice.

As Alessa took his hand, Shadow closed his around hers, allowing the two of them to float together. He shook his head, though, at what she said.

"No, you don't have to. Bothered me, yes, but it's good to know you're still around." Shadow said.

Alessa really couldn't help it. She could just let what he said go easily. What was more, she liked being alone with him

Which was whys he took this opportunity to grab him by his hips and kiss him again. She could separate at any time, if it bothered him, but she liked the feeling of being with him in this way.

Shadow blinked in surprise as Alessa pulled him close and kissed him. It had been quite awhile since she did that to him - before the Nightmare King broke out, in fact.

He closed his eyes and returned the kiss, his hands on her shoulders as he did.

He missed this, he had to admit. Probably to her, but no one else. It felt... nice.

Alessa would have reveled in catching Shadow off guard-but the truth was that she liked that she was this close to him in this manner. She had missed him, missed this, and despite not really understanding it, or not trying to, she wanted it all the same.

She brought him closer, kissing him harder, then released.

"Shadow," she said. "I...like you. I won't repeat myself. I really like you, okay?"

Shadow just looked at Alessa when she said what she had. It took him awhile to process it, especially after the second kiss, then smiled at her.

"Alessa. I... I really like you, too. I guess you can say... I love you." he said. "I don't know how you'd react to that, but... I don't care. I like this. I like being in your presence. I like..." he trailed off to kiss her again. "...and frankly, I wouldn't want it any other way."

Alessa shook her head. Those words...they didn't need to be repeated over again. She understood they were words Shadow had some difficulty in saying, and that by itself was enough of a reason. No one ever said things like that to her.

"I feel the same," she said, and in the kiss, she joined his hands in hers. For a moment, Shadow could feel something like a weight pressed against him: a demon's love, after all, was a heavy thing, and also something that was a boon.

Because a person in the care of a demon was guaranteed safety until that demon was dead.

As Shadow's hands joined Alessa's he could feel the pressure before it disappeared. He didn't think anything of it. He didn't have to right now.

"We don't have to tell a soul. They don't need to know. Let them be blissfully unaware." Shadow said. "I know you may never need it, but... if you need me, you know how to get me."

He released one of his hands from Alessa's grip and laid it on her cheek, an awkward smile forming on his face.

He wasn't alone anymore. And he'd be damned if anyone tried to change that.

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Degravify [OPEN] (Before Russel's announcment)

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