Those Waking Moments

[Saffron]

"Hmph.."

Saffron's eyes opened, ears perking a bit as he realizes he's awake. His vision wasn't perfect but he realized by the deep orange tint in the sky that nightfall was near. Stretching his shoulders a bit, he rises from his sitting position against a tree trunk. Sure there were only small villages of beings here in the Outlands and Never Lake, but he preferred the quietness of being alone usually. However.. a quick rumble in his stomach told him that he wasn't going to have much of a choice.

"Another day in the life." He lets out a quiet chuckle and out of the foliage, heading to a village in the north for food until the Sun had mostly set, being sure to look to space, taking note of the blurred Little Planet occupying the sky. It looked peaceful and complimented the sky quite nicely.

He wasn't unaccustomed to getting the glares and stares. He'd looked different for ages now, more setting suns than he could count. However a few locals stopped caring years ago, he'd made Never Lake his home and only passed through for food in the seasons where it wasn't growing commonly in the southern foliage.

[Metallix]

[From the Little Planet]

Fully restored and one hundred percent motivated in his task, Metallix roared back down the flip side of the chain and belted towards the nearest settlement he could detect. The sun was setting now; he hadn't realised he'd spent so long up on the Miracle Planet(as it was sometimes referred to) and he would have to find shelter for the night. Better to hide in plain sight than to move about during nightfall. He was at the end of the day a machine, and most people wandering abouts at night would have eyebrows raised at them.

Never mind a six foot tall spiky being covered in some sort of tarpaulin. That would do more than raise eyebrows.

As he got to the outskirts of the settlement, Metallix set down upon the ground as quietly as possible and resumed his journey on foot. He had to remain within the shadows and stay concealed for as long as he could.

One backstreet and near-miss led into another. After a good half an hour Metallix found what he was searching for - a plain green tarpaulin covering some sort of dry store. It seemed appropriate to reapply the fabric's deployment, so around him it went. He fashioned a crude hood and waterproof combo out of it, and quickly stabbed two holes for arms to drop through. Luckily there was enough fabric for excess baggage, so he could poke his arms through and still hide them underneath something.
Taking a moment to rearrange his hood, the robot was ready to begin his voyage.

[Metallix]

[Double posting with Saffron's permission, to get things moving]

Successfully covered in his rather cunning disguise(!) Metallix headed out towards the nearest population nucleus, to test it out. If it was going to be undone, he figured, rather it happen here in the arse-end of nowhere than in somewhere like Capitol or Radical City, at least here he could eliminate any and all witnesses before media and armies were alerted. It would mean a lot of bodies to hide, but...

Metallix shook his head as he walked along. No, that was an old mindset. I can't do that now, these people have done nothing wrong. My only crime is to look like a Robotnik creation...
He cast his mind back to the Ruins, and his reactivation. Those scientists that he'd ruthlessly slaughtered...
NO! he cried out to himself, clenching his fists. That was from a time when I was a slave to programming, when I couldn't help myself. Now I'm free to choose my own path and blaze my own trail...

As Metallix now walked into the late night shopping areas, he was lost deep in thought, and not paying much attention to where he was going.

[Saffron]

As he made his way through the more densely populated center of the village, Saffron's eyes began to see more sharply as the sun further began to set, the deep red barely careening over settlement roofs. For a village it did seem to still have some night activity, minus the hustle and bustle one would come to expect from any larger cities. Even in the thicker areas I would rather be here than in the cities that kicked me to the curb. His disdain for the old days of public fear and harassment based upon looks that he did not naturally acquire still bothered him. As he walked he noticed a family heading into their residence for the night... the happy smiles on children and parents that had togetherness.. a home.. acceptance. It was distracting to him, a feeling he was unaccustomed to.. a feeling he wanted to keep out of his mind.. a feeling that yet he yearned for.

*THUNK*

Thinking had left him distracted as he walked right into a pedestrian, stumbling back a step as he was taken by surprise... He rubbed his head a tad as it had made contact with the strangely solid other. "Buddy you should look where you're..." His expression was calm but as he opened his eyes he realized that the figure in question was covered and hidden. "..going..." The short break in his words occurred as he examined this other. I guess he has something to hide... not much unlike myself he thought still eying the figure, unaware (and unsuspecting) of it's robotic nature.. being far from the populous had left him with little contact of anything Robotnik related outside of news he caught being passed around by villagers from time to time.

So.. he stood and stared.. perplexed in a way, as to what sort of reaction he may get out of the concealed being.

(Hopefully good enough to keep things going, sorry for the delay.)

[Metallix]

*THUNK*

Normally, the impact wouldn't have bothered the metallic one but the light blow surprised him, sending him reeling a couple of paces backwards. His feet clomped heavily backwards, finding purchase in the ground beneath his feet.
A voice came through to him. "Buddy you should look where you're..going..." Looking at whoever it was that had walked into him, Metallix then realised that the robing combined with the light levels was giving him a menacing look. Perhaps it would be wise to keep the eyes hidden for now; their red piercing beam would scare the bejesus out of him in this case.
And the one who dared to stand up to him was now cowering slightly, it seemed.

#Analysis Confirms Being Is Hedgehog, Hormone Levels Suggest The Being Is Curious As Opposed To Fearful. The Two Are Surprisingly Similar-
Metallix blinked, silencing the HUD's readout. So, what now? His heads-up was now giving him lectures?

The robot took a moment to size the hedgehog up. "You Are Neither Sonic Nor Shadow," he mused out loud. "I Believe You're The First Non-Heroic Hedgehog I Have Bumped Into." Metallix's eyes made a "^^" shape briefly as he realised he'd pulled a funny without even realising.

[Saffron]

"Hmmm.."

Saffron slowed the rubbing of his head, the quick pain of contact had all but died out after a short period. The robed figure had stumbled back but seemed to regain himself? without making any real attempt at apology or lashing back. This is new.. thing hasn't even mouthed back at me.. what's the deal? He was thinking to himself, straightening his posture and too perplexed to make a step.. but, as a trendy as it seems to be with hedgehogs.. his patience and curiosity seemed to give out as the 'other' continued to stand and make no noticeable action whatsoever.

"Well pal.. you're boring, so I guess I'll be headin on now."

He began to turn as audio began to flow it's way into his ears for the first time since hearing the thudding footsteps. "You Are Neither Sonic Nor Shadow... I Believe You're The First Non-Heroic Hedgehog I Have Bumped Into." the audible tone caught his attention, it didn't seem natural, it seemed cybernetic.. as if coming from... a machine? What would a bot be doing all the way out here..? It had been years since his last interaction with a machine, and being as uninformed as he was... he still didn't know that that interaction was with a simple parking meter in Station Square.. This thing better not ask me for any quarters....

Wait..

Sonic and Shadow were definitely a pair of names he'd heard... beyond that they were a duo he knew. The heroes.. the big shots.. he was used to hearing their names when speaking of smashing machines.. not working with them.. yet this cloaked toaster was acting as if it'd interacted with either or both and lived to tell.. that could mean plenty good or bad things... Might as well go with the flow.. deciding not to make any of his thoughts or assumptions too obvious to the other, preferring instead to see what answers he could get.

"Non heroic.. heh.. never been one for the spotlight.." He lets out a slight chuckle and points casually at Metallix. "So.. buddy.. what brings someone who knows Sonic and Shadow here... better yet.. why you hidin yourself under all that.. if you're a hero like them...."

He eyed the cloaked figure, hoping for a faster response then the last one dished out to him.

[Metallix]

Metallix drummed his fingers against his metal torso gently, a faint metal dinging audible even through the garments the robot chose to wear. How to answer this..? The truth would suffice; he after all was a slave to logic once upon a time and it never really hurt to be a bit up-front.

But how to word it? He had an idea...
"My Original Purpose Was Corrupt Beyond All Reason, But Through Circumstance I have Broken My Coding And Now Seek To Make Amends For The Errors Of The Past."

He would leave it at that, and see where it led the hedgehog's train of thought.

[Saffron]

The response... tapping. Well there's no doubt about it now... funny, thought he'd do more to hide his true being. Thinking to himself, he crosses his arms calmly as Metallix nonchalantly seems to continue exposing himself through the audible finger drumming. He kept a semi-serious look on his face as the robot spoke, perking his ears slightly as it neared the end of it's words. It took him a short moment to take in what he had heard, lowering his head, closing his eyes, and relaxing his stance once his mind had done it's work.

"So I guess you've done some bad things and wanna make nice.. turn yourself around. But.. one question still perks my interest.."

He opens his eyes with a small smirk on his face, not so much to express happiness or to look relaxed, but to relay visually that he wasn't intimidated and to seem chill with the rather odd meeting.

"What brings you here? I mean.. I don't see any way you can make amends for your past wrongs walking around the Outlands covered in a rag... you're hiding yourself for a reason, and I got a feeling that it's not just because you are what you are.... So.. really, drop the cover.. If I can walk around without worry.. you can..."

Why is it when I ever run into anyone for a long time they have to be as unpredictable as a box of chocolates.. why can't anyone WANT to talk to me and BE NORMAL at the same time....?

At the thought he closes his eyes again with a small chuckle

Oh well...

[Metallix]

A wonderfully obvious question came from the fleshling, one which Metallix almost giggled at. Initial analysis confirmed this guy wasn't much of an issue; seemed rather wrapped up in his own world - and his powers of perception were not as great as the tribal hedgehog seemed to impress upon the Metal Sonic.
"Tell Me, How Many Hedgehogs Have You Seen In Your Line Of Work With Peculiar Markings? I Am Used To Such Matters, And Your Response Suggests You Are Not. However Let Me Ask You This..."

Looking around briefly to see whether anyone was around, the robot was satisfied that nobody was around to look or listen in. Returning his gaze towards the dark-furred one, Metallix didn't bother to lower his tone nor reach condescending levels.
"How Many Robotic Hedgehogs You Seen? One, Maybe Two? If You Saw One, You'd Remember It. I Have My Reasons For Hiding, Namely My Creator, His Enemies, Their Enemies... My Former Purpose Is The One They Seek, Not This..."

He held a robotic hand out palm down, fingers outstretched. He flexed the joints of the fingers and tilted his head to look at this, slightly bemused and in awe of the great gifts bestowed upon him, and in sadness due to the fact that he wasn't a creation of nature but instead a man-made beast - designed - capable of many acts of sadistic butchery. A large percentage of which he'd carried out all too recently.

His head remaining solidly in place, Metallix scrolled his red eyes back upwards to view the hedgehog. "What Do You Have To Worry About, Hedgehog? I Would Much Rather Travel Like This Than Have To Travel At Night, Hiding My Features. I Want To Right The Wrongs I Have Done, But If I Reveal Myself Before Such A Time Then I Will Surely Lose My Life. Hiding In Plain Sight, The Last Thing My Creator Would Suspect."

Clenching his fist, the robotic one now fell silent. He felt like he'd said too much, and shifted his bodyweight in preparation for a swift departure.

[Saffron]

[Wow I was typing for like forever and the net cut out.... Here we go again..]

Saffron stayed silent, understanding what the machine was saying.. as bad as he had had it regarding the physical changes he was forced to endure.. it was hard to imagine being a machine... He keeps mentioning this creator.. and as infamous as he makes him seem only one name can come to mind... Of course that name would be Robotnik's, the only name that could really strike fear into the entire region time and time again.

He watched as the machine reached out a hand which Saff examined with great interest, the unorganic nature of it was highly entertaining, especially after living a largely displaced life in the outlands.. where, lets face it.. not much of interest had happened in quite some time. I look at this hand and say machine, but what am I to call the kettle black... to most people I'm not any better.. He watched as Metallix's eyes raised to see him, he caught sight of the lifless red glow, but unlike the machines he has seen before.. they seemed to show essence.. vulnerability.. was it just a sense.. Maybe for reasons unnatural that make me so, there are things that can make what was once lifeless.. more.. He sighs at the prospect, possibly appearing visually bored with Metal.

As the metal one clenched his fist he saw that the machine was in the mood to move as he turned, the cloth covering him swaying along with his motion.

I'm not just gunna let you walk away..

"Hey hey.." He chuckled a tiny bit. "I know you're itchin' to get outta here but I have an idea you may like.." He reaches out his hand and grabs Metal on the shoulder to keep him from easily moving away. Suddenly a purple energy flame softly emits from the hand grabbing him. What the..? His face responded with surprise, the energy is never supposed to be active unless he forces it out.. and even then things are iffy. Somethin about this machine is bringing it out.. He pulls back his reach, the energy retracting back into his being, even feeling slightly refreshed, Metal's cloth unharmed by the aura when it was grabbing him. All that was left was a slight tingling sensation in Saffron's right hand as he clenched it a few times.

"Definitely not what I expected.." He looks back at Metal. "I don't know how you were able to set off my stored energy.. but now I can't just let you walk away... From what I heard, you're in the middle of somethin pretty deep.. and from the sound of it, you could use a little help... Even you gotta realize the odds stacked against you, either that you're makin it sound a lot worse than it really is.." He closes his eyes and smirks a tad "I wouldn't wanna watch you walk off just to hear through the chatter that some robot in a tacky robe got smashed in town.. and I gotta admit.. after all the years I've been alone, I wanna get outta here."

He stretched his hand again, anticipating the machines reaction to his proposal.. not that it mattered, he'd do his best to follow with approval or not, it's just how he was.

(Sorry for the smallness and bad flow, I lost the interest in putting the same type of effort into this post after losing it the first time.. ^^; )