Shadow the Hedgehog

"Well we still need to get to the bottom of this... somehow." Hope then began to think about their options. ----- "Indeed," he replied as he cashed in his winnings, a gleeful smile as he took the wads of cash.

"I'm not the type to get paranoid. Maybe you don't know him, but he might know you somehow. I don't know for sure either way."

"There's definitely something going on here. I just don't know what." ----- "I've won again. Hmmm... we should probably cash our winnings while we still can. It's not too a suspicious amount."

"Perhaps you're right Melody, but I just have a bad feeling about him. Hiding something? How so?" --- "Well prepare to be impressed."

Hope bought her popcorn and went back over to Melody. "So what do you think of this new guy? He seems a little... off to me," she whispered. --- "Haha 3 bars. I even amaze myself sometimes."

"Excellent! Let's make our purchases and get going then." ---- "Not yet Red. This just requires a bit of patience."

"Oh nothing. Got everything you need?"

"Hehe good point. That would kill the mood pretty quickly," replied Hope. --- "Indeed."

"This stuff's already popped, which is convenient. Otherwise there'd be a lot of going to and fro the microwave." ---- "2 oranges and a cherry. Maybe she needs to be coaxed out."

"I know, I was just testing you," she joked before grabbing a few bags of popcorn. "I can't believe I nearly forgot. Nice save Melody. I'll grab an extra bag for Shadow and Rouge, asking them to share would probably give them a heart attack."

"Right. Well, shall we buy Anna's film and head off, or do you want to do more browsing?" ---- Crowley won the hand and collected his chips before going over to a slot machine. "Saving the best til last, as per usual."

"YAY!... ahem, yes, you get in for free." ---- "I fully intend to Red."

"Ok Melody, just for you," replied Hope in a mock soppy tone. ----- "Glad to hear it. Because I just won an extra 200."

"Exactly. And that's when you fork over some cash and enter my dream machine along with the rest of the bored masses." ----- "We're in a casino, not a warzone. So cheer up, things will be fine."

"I know that Melody, but that is what you'd be doing most likely. Normal life can be mundane at times."

"Uneventful I'd say. You'd most likely be going to school, wanting to go home as you're learning about stuff you'd never use again. Well, unless you get a job like mine, then there's no real escape from equations and such." ---- "Well this is one of the few times where you'll be getting your wish."

"Well given how weird things have been lately, we may as well continue the theme," joked Hope. --- "Please, have faith in my skills."

"Humans directed by Mobians? That's unorthodox. I'm actually interested to see how it turns out. Sure, let's give it a shot."

Shadow heard the door open downstairs. "Business as usual once more," he said to himself.

"Flying pirate ship? Well if you want you can give it a try. I've never heard of anything with a flying pirate ship so my opinion isn't much use." ---- "Yes. Most likely a hasty exit."

"What is it about?" asked Hope. --- "Well we're off to a good start. Hopefully our luck will hold."

Hope briefly glanced at Miles before buying her films and returning to Melody and Anna. ---- "As you well know I know alla bout being careful," he replied as he put 100 chips down on the blackjack table.

"There's nothing wrong with enjoying something from your youth. It's natural in fact."

"Well we're right next to the cartoons so it'd be easier to start there." ---- "I'll be careful Red, don't worry."

"Exactly. Any more films you want to get?"