Shadow the Hedgehog

"You're not weak, not by a long shot. Look, when we get back I'll take you to see Shadow or Rouge. In the meantime we need to focus." ----- "I know. It's rather pleasant."

"Yeah, that would make sense," thought Hope as they sat down. ---- "If that's what you want, certainly."

"Perhaps it's just temporary."[/i!] ---- "Shall we head back down?"

The others nodded in agreement and were led to a table in the corner, their luggage taken and carried upstairs. "I don't doubt your abilities at all. They've saved me after all," thought Hope. ---- "I'm sure you will."

"You could do some training back home. Shadow or Rouge could keep you sharp," thought Hope. "Hello there, can I help?" asked the cheerful attendant. "We'd like a room to stay in for a couple of nights please," replied Rouge. "Certainly, we can sort you something out. If you'd like we could take your luggage up while you all get something to eat?" the attendant suggested. ---- "You have a whole world of opportunities, so don't fret."

"Well when you do let us know," replied Rouge as they entered the inn. ---- "That reality is gone, think of it as a bad dream and nothing more."

"Looks can be deceiving. He said it'd be all nice at first." --- "Yes. I don't doubt that for a moment," replied Crowley, smiling.

Rouge cautiously led the way. --- "But that's no reflection on you. You're a good person now."

"Agreed," she replied, hiding the coins and bag. "Shall we head for that inn?" ---- "So was everyone else. Moebius is somewhat consistent in its tyrannies."

HRH Hope opened it. "Cutlery. Hallmarked silver. And the coins are silver as well." ---- "More praise than I received from Alicia, that's for sure. She wasn't a cruel employer or even a bad one, but there was always something to be done with her."

Hope watched the carriage leave. "I wonder what he meant by that." ---- "Thank you. It's nice to know I'm so highly regarded."

"We can handle this, I'm sure," thought Hope as the coach stopped and they got out with their luggage. "I'll be back in a couple days to get you ladies. You have my word," said the coachman. HRH Hope went to hand him some coins with an earnest "thank you", but he closed her hand. "Trust me miss. You'll need those," he said before starting back. ---- "I'm glad you came over today."

"No, we have to help Shadow." The coach started to slow down. ---- "You never know," smiled Crowley.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," thought Hope. ---- "You did help choose the car."

"They become vicious animals. Few survive an encounter, a man I ferried a while back looked like he could." He reached into the coach and dropped a bag on HRH Hope's lap. "Keep that hidden from them at all costs. It's contents might save your lives." HRH Hope pocketed the bag. "Thank you." ---- "Thank you for helping me today i appreciate it."

"Oh, I see," replied Hope. "Can you tell us more about this place?" asked Rouge. "Certainly. The people there aren't right, many would say unnatural. They'll seem friendly at first, but if the moon is bright in the sky you don't want to be around." ---- "From time to time. It's nicer with company."

"Did you use it often back home?" asked Hope. ---- Crowley admired the view.

The others jumped in as well and the coach set off. ---- "A beautiful view, isn't it?"

"As I said the locals aren't too keen on us, and neither we them. I'll try and explain along the way." ---- "Agreed."

HRH Hope nodded and wandered up to one off the calmer looking residents, a man in a suit leaning against a horse drawn coach. "Excuse me sir, we've just arrived. Why is everyone looking so forlorn?" she asked politely. The man stood up straight to face her. "Most people here get worried when the sun goes down. The town across from here has some... peculiar reaidents miss." "It just so happens that is our destination." The man laughed. "Then you're either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish. If you want I can take you there, no one else we go near that place." ---- "A safe guess."

"Yes, but what that something is, is what's concerning me." --- "I'm too easy to read it seems."

"Everyone looks pretty edgy here," noted Hope, seeing the concerned faces of the townsfolk passing by. --- "Of course not. That'd damage the car."

HRH Hope and Rouge nodded. Hope looked at a map her ciunterpart gave her then teleported to the town across from the town they needed to investigate. --- "At least that way if we run out of fuel gravity will help us back down."

"Ok, call me.... Regina." ---- "Oh yes. Well shall we go to the top of the mountain? It's a nice view "

"Yes, not everything I have is particularly fancy." ---- "Where do you want to go?"