Wandering Shadow

Independant RP blog for AU Shadow the Hedgehog selective ↭ mutual exclusive ↭ 18+ only ↫ penned by Raven ↬

[wanderingshadxw]

Wandering Shadow

Independent roleplay blog for AU Shadow the Hedgehog going by the nickname Wander. Penned by Raven!

Endlessly exploring the multiverse, searching for home...

Selective ↭ Mutual Exclusive ↭ 18+ ↭ Multiship

Minors will be blocked! ⟸--x--⟹

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[oblivisscaris]

Black Moth knows, from years of experience with gruff and tough hive members and a stubborn leader, that "fine" typically means anything but. Yet they also know, from years of experience with the same, that it's best not to challenge it or pry. They simply give a soft hum, almost questioning, acknowledging, indicating they suspect he may be lying, but have no intention of calling him out. 

"It is quite noisy, isn't it?" They choose to say instead, and look back out over the city glimmering below. To not look at him is to relieve the pressure, to remove expectation and take him off the spot. Let his nerves dim, let his quills relax. They had seen that, too—but see little reason to draw attention to it. With a gentle tone and neutral posture, they give him the unspoken freedom of obliging the rambles of this old creature, or simply leaving them where they stand. "Much too much, especially for the likes of me."

Another neutral invitation for conversation, to potentially keep this bizarrely unfamiliar-yet-familiar stranger in their company for just a moment more until they figure out why he's familiar-but-not, "From this distance, it's almost tranquil. Almost star-like. Is it not?"

[wanderingshadxw]

The hedgehog curses in his head. That hum is more than enough to tell him that this being doesn't believe him, and he can't help being a bit upset with himself for slipping up so easily. Thankfully they don't seem interested in pressing the matter, allowing Wander to relax a little more. Of course, he's still reluctant to take his eyes off the stranger for long, watching them for a moment as they look out over the city before he finally let's himself do the same.

It's interesting to hear what this strange being has to say. Wander's never met someone like them, and he's curious. Especially with that strange feeling... there's a chance this could be someone from his forgotten past. As long as he doesn't have a reason to feel threatened- and he doesn't- he'll happily indulge in their conversation.

"... Yeah. Cities are often beautiful from a distance... alluring." The hedgehog finds himself drawn to them constantly. "Most of the time the sounds don't bother me. Sometimes it's even soothing, like white noise... but other times it becomes too much."

Even now Wander can still feel the edges of lingering sensations caused by how overwhelmed he'd been before making it out here. Ruby eyes shift upward again as he tries to study the stranger's face for just a second or two. "Is that why you're out here too?"

A part of him worries that there's more to it than that for this stranger. He can easily imagine paranoid city dwellers chasing someone like them away, or trying to do worse.

[wanderingshadxw]

@familylightfox asked: While Volt hadn’t been looking the whole time, he couldn’t hide the soft pink across his muzzle, or smile when being caught.

Wander was minding his own business. Perhaps even lost in his own little world while he sat outside, enjoying the nice weather. It felt good to get some fresh air and sitting within sniffing distance of some spring flowers didn't hurt either.

He'd been out here a while, calmly writing in his journal, but suddenly stopped to glance at the flowers next to him. A pause, then he leaned closer and let his eyes fall shut as he took a few gentle sniffs of the plant. It was when he opened his eyes to write down a description of the scent that he noticed violet eyes on him.

Instantly the hedgehog's muzzle was lit up, and it only got worse as he noticed that smile too. A strange mix of surging feelings had Wander feeling defensive, but his indignant expression couldn't hide the color on his face. "W-what?? How long have you been staring at me?"

[wanderingshadxw]

@familylightfox asked: When it came time to refill the glass in front of his friend, Volt also set down a plate. His smiling telling as the smells from the freshly cooked shepherd’s pie filled the room. “Thought ya might like somethin’ t’ go with the whiskey tonight.” With a wink he went back to his other chores around the lobby.

Black ears perked at the sound of the plate being set down, and ruby eyes followed, first settling on the hot meal, then flicking up to Volt. Wander could feel the subtle warmth on his muzzle now, touched by the gesture. Even though this was surely another one of the many kindnesses Volt performed for all his guests. It still felt nice to be treated this way. Like a normal person with normal needs.

How Volt seemed to know what he needed made Wander both nervous and curious. Hopefully it wasn't just simply a case of Wander looking like something the cat dragged in again...

All these thoughts in just the few seconds they had eye contact. The hedgehog had somehow managed to cast his friend a casual smile and utter the words "thank you," before Volt walked away.

Leaving the hedgehog alone to shake off the now obvious blush, and force his attention onto the food. At least, he tried to.

[wanderingshadxw]

🕳️: What would startle your muse?

Little Details - Accepting

Coming face to face with anyone or anything that he hadn't perceived to be there until the last moment always startles him, whether he shows it or not. Disbelief that he wasn't paying enough attention to notice (promptly followed by scolding himself internally), but it happens more often than Wander's willing to admit, not even to himself.

Sudden loud noises, aside from ambient things that Wander has become desensitized too (like city noise) can also startle him.

Unexpected touch is another good way to make him jump, and a good way to get hit. Of course, if he is already aware of your presence in the same space as him- and he trusts you- this reaction is less likely, and your chances of getting bonked go down significantly.

[wanderingshadxw]

👁️

Little Details - Accepting

👁️: How firm is your character's grasp on reality?

Not as firm as he’d like, to put it lightly. Between the head injury, mental illnesses, booze, and all the constant zone hopping, reality gets real blurry at times.

Wander is also aware that he blacks out sometimes, and not from too much alcohol- although that happens too. Either way scares him, he doesn’t like not being aware of his actions.

He’s even found entries in his journal that he doesn’t remember writing. Though most of them are nothing but scribbling and/or nonsense.

[wanderingshadxw]

🧸: does your muse have any comfort items? What reaction would they have to it being taken away from them?

Little Details - Accepting

Wander doesn’t have many material possessions, but the most important items are his journal and jacket. He feels more secure with his jacket on, and looks to his journal entries for reassurance. Wander wouldn’t call them comfort items but they’re the closest thing he has to one.

If his jacket was taken Wander would simply take it back from whoever took it, kick their ass if he needs to.

The journal will earn a quicker and more aggressive reaction, the thief is most definitely getting roughed up.

‘Course if it’s someone who’s close to Wander they’ll get much less aggressive responses, but now he’s gonna be confused about trusting them..!

[wanderingshadxw]

🌑🗯️!

Little Details - Accepting

🌑: How well does your muse sleep? Do they have problems such as nightmares/sleep paralysis/insomnia/etc.

In general Wander doesn’t sleep great. He often experiences the above symptoms, and s sleep paralysis likes to come with his nightmares, but more rarely the “opposite” will happen and Wander will sleep walk during nightmares/intense dreams.

🗯️: how would your muse react to being yelled at?

Depends on who it is and why, but by default it’s reacted to with ears flicking back. There will be a subtle furrowing of brows and the tiniest scrunch of his nose, but he’ll try to look deadpan otherwise.

If his head hurts, he’ll look angry and probably try to cover his ears while interrupting the one yelling to ask/tell them to kindly stfu.

[perpetual--motion--machine]

Oc/Muse ask game, slightly dark and fucked up edition! This is intended for more horror focused muses/OCs, but they can be used generally as well.

There is also an accompanying M!A post which you can find here

🫀: Does your muse have any injuries, and if so, what severity?

🫁: Does your muse have any health problems, and if so, what severity?

🦷: What texture is your muse? (Can be literal or based on vibes)

🕳️: What would startle your muse?

👁️: How firm is your character's grasp on reality?

🍄: How willing is your muse to eat odd/inedible things, on a scale of "I'd rather starve" to Craving it?

🌑: How well does your muse sleep? Do they have problems such as nightmares/sleep paralysis/insomnia/etc.

🪰: How hygienic are your muse's living conditions?

🍭: how easily manipulated is your muse?

🧸: does your muse have any comfort items? What reaction would they have to it being taken away from them?

❄️: Does your muse do well with temperature changes?

🗯️: how would your muse react to being yelled at?

[wanderingshadxw]

"Hm. Too bad. I don't see anything wrong with 'smashing' someone you just met."

[wanderingshadxw]

Teatime! What tea would your muse be?

[wanderingshadxw]

◦◦◦↭◦◦◦

A pen scratching against paper is the only sound filling the quiet and dimly lit hotel room. Aside from the distantly muffled noise of the surrounding city. Writing in the journal propped up against his own legs while leaned back on the bed helps Shadow's mind feel more organized. His thoughts are less sporadic and scrambled when they have somewhere to go.

It's mostly just memories, jotting down little summaries of what he's experienced, making notes and doodles of favorite locations and places he's visited- including reminders of where not to go again- but he uses it to track his mental health too. Perhaps not as consistently as he should, but the effort is there.

Most importantly the wanderer writes about the people he's met. Details about their appearance, their personality, the things they do and don't like, who's been friend or foe. Anything Shadow wants to make sure he doesn't forget. Just in case.

A night like tonight is a good time to have reminders of friends. Placing the cap back on the pen, it's set aside so that Wander can flip back through the pages. Finger pads tease the edges gently to make sure no damage is done as he reads. Looking over names and the good times he's shared with them.

It's enough to soften his expression, and the wanderer finds himself looking forward to seeing some of these smiling faces again soon.

[wanderingshadxw]

@familylightfox asked: A certain toddler approached with a paper bag held in her teeth. As she walked over, her tail wagged and she placed it by his feet. Light wasn't far behind with a separate bag held in his hand. "She thought you'd like to join us for dinner. They're chili cheese dogs from the stand down the street."

Now that was a curious sight. Wander had to wonder what Gibbous could possibly be bringing him, quirking a brow, though as she got closer his nose told him at least part of the answer before Light could. It smelled like some sort of food, he just couldn't place what exactly.

"Ah... sounds like a Sonic special," he commented with a chuckle while bending over to pick up the bag and ruffle Gibbous' bangs, before straightening back up. "Though I don't think I've had cheese on them before... I bet it's delicious. Thank you."

A grateful smile was cast to both Gibbous and Light. Sharing food was something Wander considered to be 'friendship language,' so the gesture was absolutely not lost on him as he sat down with the two of them to eat.

[oblivisscaris]

The planet had been deemed a relatively "safe" one; one lacking in immediate threats ready to mow their kind down or discriminate on-sight, one the Black Arms in turn deemed passably "safe" enough to simply roam and scavenge in their limited time. One neutral enough it allowed even a passive, comparatively frail presence like Black Moth to venture from their hive for a change, apart from any escort. Unwise, perhaps, but they always were a stubborn one, and they took comfort in the knowledge their leader and his scavenging party were within teleport range.

But there was strength in distance, in unfamiliarity, especially on a planet so utterly populous it was impossible to steal a meal from without alerting suspicion or inviting enemies. "Safe", indeed, if only because the planet and its inhabitants were strong enough in numbers to never be a target to a starving race to begin with. Yet even the frailest among them towered above the average resident, their handmade silks too eye-catching and too extravagant to allow them to even hope to blend in. It compels them instead to remain along the edges of civilization, cautious but unbothered, and look on with a mixture of indifference and wonderment. 

The city lights glimmer like stars at this distance, yet they are untenably noisy. Do all civilizations inevitably come to look this way? Do all settlements invariably explode into one massive metropolis, like that of some mechanic parasite serving as the planet's beating, hazy, raucous heart? Had their own planet been this way? Surely not. Surely they had been more dignified than this, more refined, like that of cold stone and dim skies above wind-swept teal grasses and a light—

They don't have time to dwell on the growing distaste for long, or recall distant memories of what had been so long ago lost. Too wrapped up in their thoughts prior, they don't notice the approaching stranger until they hear him speak. Oh, how Black Doom would scold them so. Be more cautious, he would say. You make yourself an easy target. 

They turn their head and look downward, slow and almost uncannily serene, and are struck by... something. Though they don't recognize this tiny stranger, they sense something in him almost familiar, masked almost under the bitter stench of alcohol. 

A trap? Unthinkable. A signature like that is far too unique to brazenly fabricate, far too precious to mock. Whoever this being may be, Black Moth is compelled to extend an olive branch. They wonder if Black Doom would scold them for this too, for this bleeding heart of theirs, ever prepared to extend a concerned hand to one of maybe-their-own.

"It wasn't my intention to startle you," the silkmaker finally says. Their voice is soft, unimposing, but far from patronizing in tone. Merely curious. "Are you lost?"

[wanderingshadxw]

As if the hedgehog's quills weren't bristled enough, they somehow stand up further as the much taller being slowly turns their head toward him, and even the fur along his spine raises. At least the slow movements mean Wander doesn't feel immediately threatened.

Everything about them is so calm. Even their voice is alarmingly soft for a being so large, and it's enough for Wander's quills and fur to smooth back down. Though he's still keeping up his guard. This behavior could easily be meant to lure him into a false sense of security.

However... there is something... about them.

Some kind of energy or aura- Wander doesn't know, he can't place it for the life of him, but some kind of feeling, something gently prickling at the back of his mind that's stirring up some strange sense of... longing? Perhaps nostalgia? It's weird. He's not sure if he likes it.

The cautious hand extending toward him is eyed carefully, but Wander doesn't move. Eyes only return to the other's face with that curious question. One that's so much more loaded than this being likely knows.

"In a... manner of speak-" The hedgehog cuts himself off and shakes his head while waving a hand. Why the hell was he about to open up even that much to this stranger? "No- no, I'm fine. Just exploring. Trying to get away from the city's noise."

Rubies glance toward the mass of buildings again, nose curling up just slightly for a second, before his expression relaxes and he looks back up to the tall one. "And- you didn't startle me." That much...

[emeraldtied]

{➹} – A SMALL, AMUSED sound left the hero at that. It was true, and his expression said that he had more than a few experiences trying to find that solitude at times. Sometimes even someone like Arrow needed a place to think in peace, more and more those days even. When he had been younger? Not so much, though he had to wonder if he would have been able to handle things a little differently if he had stopped to 'smell the roses' so to speak.

Oh well, he had plenty of time to do that now. And half joke or not the other's statement got a smile from the hero as he waved a hand nonchalantly.

"Not at all. Might sound a bit odd but sometimes 's nice t' share the quiet with someone else. Even if they are a complete stranger with a familiar face." Clearly he wasn't bothered in the slightest by that. By now the accented hedgehog was used to meeting people of all shapes, sizes, species and beyond. It was just always a joy when he got to see alternates of his friends. It made him wonder what this one's story was, but he wasn't one to pry.

But he did hold out a hand, smile unwavering. "'M Arrow, by the way."

[wanderingshadxw]

"Doesn't sound odd to me." Wander could agree to that quite easily. Many strangers had come and gone in his life over the past few years, some reappearing enough to become a new friend, others not so much. Yet every encounter, provided it was impactful enough- and the ones featuring these familiar faces always were- mattered to Wander in some way, for better or worse. This one was definitely for the better. At least so far.

In any case, sometimes it was nice to simply exist in the same space as someone else. Especially when the world- the multiverse- was feeling far too large. Ears perked at the hand extending toward him, and the striped hedgehog returned the smile as he reached out to shake the blue one's hand.

"Well met, Arrow. I'm Wander." Releasing Arrow's hand, the striped hedgehog looked once again out toward the cityscape, perfectly content.

[wanderingshadxw]

@emeraldheroes ⬫✧ Sonic ✧⬫ asked: “You can talk to me, you know.” - emeraldheroes / sonic :)

Ruby eyes lift from where Wander had been staring at the ground to settle on Sonic. Suddenly the striped hedgehog's muscles don't feel quite so heavy. Vibrant green eyes and striking blue fur cut through the fog in his mind like a beam of sunlight.

It's a strange effect, frightening enough to have Wander denying it, almost wanting to run from it, but he can't. He can't resist the warmth of that smile. And deep down he doesn't want to.

"I know," he replies simply, smiling in that subtle way he often does, but somehow his eyes are so soft. Always far too soft when looking at this blue hedgehog- it's even harder to mask it when Sonic's going to the trouble of reaching out to him like this.

However, anxiety hasn't released its hold on Shadow just yet, so he shrugs. "But I don't wanna worry you. Besides, I already feel a lot better with you here now."

[dyadhogs]

the fact that the other hedgehog had just grinned at him, in a way that basswood could only take as genuine given it hadn't been followed by or preceded a punch, was more than enough for him to return the gesture. he actually didn't mind answering the question, it was just a fact of matters those days.

❝ usually i'd say it's a long story but, it's really not, ❞ he said with a shrug. if anyone might understand the wedge in between himself and that zone's version of the ultimate lifeform, it was bound to be another shadow. right? basswood sure hoped so, or he might come off like a bit of a jerk here.

❝ we wanted different things, and i wasn't going to follow his endless quest for power. simple. i have better things to do than constantly prove myself and how strong i am. ❞

[wanderingshadxw]

Wander wasn't sure he was going to get a real answer, or any answer at all, so when he actually did get one he listened closely. A brow quirked, but not because he thought Sonic was some kind of jerk. The blue hedgehog's reasoning sounded perfectly sound to him, even though Wander was the last Shadow that would understand the wedge between most versions of Ultimate Lifeform and Blue Blur.

"An endless quest for power? That does sound tedious..." It definitely wasn't something Wander could see the appeal in himself, though he knew why some others would seek it. "It never ceases to amaze me how different things can be from zone to zone, yet similar all at once... The divide between you two is common, but the reasons behind it vary wildly. Makes me wonder what he wants all that power for anyway? Most Shadows I've come across are content to believe they're already the most powerful thing out there."