[ he had said before that he wouldn't return here, but there were few choices presented before him, and this outcome feels selfish. shadow had said that he would return both him and maria home knowing what awaited them both, but maybe things could be different if he uses etraya as a medium to keep her alive while trying to save their world. it'd be like a second chance, maybe maria would live regardless.

or so he thought. ]

a) [ within the hospital, the hedgehog notes that he's come back alone, and that it must be the same for everyone. maria's not in good health, she needs someone to support her, and he wonders if arriving in a place like this is a cruel joke. what if she's bedridden, what if she's by herself, lost and confused and doesn't know what to do. he wastes no time moving from room to room, peeking inside, and even pushing open doors that are probably locked for a reason in search of her.

it's when he finds a robotic assistant that's moving throughout the hospital that shadow tries his luck there. unfortunately, luck has never been on his side, and as someone is passing by the door... luck is on their side as they barely miss this android slamming right into them, or maybe they're not on luck's side as it does slam into them.

either way, as the hedgehog walks out the room of where the robot previously was, and his attention on the person instead. ]

You're in my way.

b) [ no matter where he searches, he doesn't stumble upon her at all. that's when worry starts to sink in, maybe he's done something wrong, and maybe this is karma for his previous actions. his steps have turned into a run as he zips through the halls, papers flying off tables and various items crashing onto the floor.

he doesn't really care about the mess he's making once he finally reaches the lobby. zipping from one spot to another, it's hard to keep up with the hedgehog until he stops in place, head tilted forward with a fist under his chin in thought. as much as he hates it, the hedgehog will accost the first person that he sees, dashing forward at an unbelievable speed to cut them off from leaving. ]

You. [ this is the hardest thing to do in his life. ] A girl with blonde hair and blue eyes, where is she? [ it sounds almost accusing, but this is how he is, it's the most important question he could ask, and then against his better judgement with a groan. ] Or something that looks like me.

[ it's been like this for the past few hours, one of those annoying chocobos has been following him nonstop now, even as he puts distance between him and it, and he's safe from it for maybe thirty minutes to an hour... the bird inevitably finds him again.

annoyed, the hedgehog stands there with a frustrated expression on his face as the chocobo walks over and snaps at him, trying to bite at one of his quills. he's quick to grab the bird's beak, holding it shut and then stretching his arm out so that it doesn't try again. it's the closest person he notices that he's giving them a task ]

This nuisance belongs to you.

[ it's not exactly tamed, but shadow has it's beak confined by his strength where it's unable to leave from out of his grip, no matter how much it flaps its wings. releasing the bird, its wings spread out, feathers fluttering everywhere as it stomps against the ground, and again trying to snap at shadow's quill. the hedgehog quickly dodges, dashing right behind the person he had just spoken to, and the smell of lavender fills the air with the hedgehog so close by. ]

[ are there things you want to do with shadow the (meaner) hedgehog through plotting and planning, hit me through pms. do you have an idea already that you want to roll with, then hit me with what you got! as for the gift selection, if anyone wants to find this photograph and give it to him, or if there's anyone that wants him to find their gift and give it back, i can make a starter for it. ]