\\Řøćķý Wăţëŕš//

\\7//

"You offered them to stay, knowing full well we don't have space as it is, after Mephiles sent them?" Shadow raised his voice slightly, his usually calm exterior faltering, revealing a much angrier, frustrated Shadow Sonic rarely saw. "Scourge trusts them?" Sonic reasoned. Scourge was one of the most trusted crewmembers, being fourth in command after Rouge, Sonic and Shadow, Silver's previous role.

"Just because he trusts them doesn't mean they're not here to kill us." Shadow argued. "Remember who sent them!" He reminded. Sonic sighed, sitting on the bed. "If they are to be trusted, they can be our allies. We could definitley use some." He retorted, resorting to mumbling the last part. Shadow looked at Sonic, his anger growing. "We don't have the time to risk telling someone that we are wanted by a queen and a prominent pirate captain anybody would side with to stay alive." He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

The ebony hedgehog turned back to the desk on the farside, writing a report of the newcomers. Sonic stood up with a sigh, walking towards Shadow. "I know you want to keep us safe..." he grumbled, engulfing Shadow in a hug from behind, slightily angering the other given he coukd no longer write. "But not everyone is a threat y'know." He reassured. "They seem to have history, so they might help out for old times sake." Shadow shook his head with a sigh, dropping his pen. "If they do turn out to attack us, don't think I'm protecting you." He spoke in a deadpan manner.

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The blue blur crept through the hallways, the acute sounds of his footsteps echoing slightly. The castle was shrouded within darkness, all of the servants - save a few guards - had returned to their chambers long ago. It was the perfect time to slip away and meet his friends at the tavern.

He donned a long, black coat and a grey bandana. If anyone were to see him, he'd be thrown into the dungeons before he was recognised. That'd only draw out the truth, something to avoid. His mother wouldn't take kindly to him socialising with pirates - or practically anyone.

He climbed through a nearby window, landing in the courtyard. He could hear the guards, making jokes to one another and talking about whatever seemed to entertain them. It would be easy to sneak past them.

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Shadow sat within the tavern with tye rest of his crew. It was best not to saunter by their boat, you could be arrested for merely being a pirate here, the Queen clearly didn't like pirates of any kind - or perhaps she had a bad run in. It wasn't like Shadow cared however, the tavern was quite cozy despite how old it was. It had been one his father and mother often talked of, promising to take Shadow and Mephiles once they were both old enough to drink. It was a shame his father had never gotten the chance.

"Sonic!" Amy beamed, running up to the blue blur and engulfing him in a hug. He chuckled, patting the smaller hedgehog on the back before she pulled away. "We were getting worried." She smiled up at him. Shadow found it quite obvious that Amy was attracted to Sonic. He so desperatley wanted to crush her hopes to be with him by merely stating he was a prince, yet he couldn't work out why.

After getting to know the blue blur, he found him to be tolerable. He actually enjoyed his company in some cases. Each wry advance or joke made by the blue hedgehog flustered him. It was actually quite frightening how easily the younger hedgehog could take advantage of him.

The hedgehog took a seat next to Shadow, giving him a small smile, and ordered himself a drink. "You want one?" Sonic asked. Shadow shook his head. "If I did I'd be capable of ordering my own." He spoke, his tone laced with hostility. Sonic laughed. "I was trying to be gentleman-like." Shadow rolled his eyes. "Emphasis on 'trying'." He remarked.