My legs are danglin' off the edge
The bottom of the bottle is my only friend,
I think I'll slit my wrists again and I'm gone,
Gone,
Gone,
Gone-
"Hey, did you hear something?" Shadow's ears perked up at the sound of a different voice, quick to dive behind a rather thick pipe in the alleyway. He could feel the security crews eyes scanning for who was singing, could hear the scoffs and scuffles of their shoes as they inched away.
"Hmn… Thought I heard some good singin' back here." A soft exhale and he slumped against the pipe, relief coursing through his body. That is, only for a second.
Beep Beep Beep Beep.
"Fuck! Guys, stay where you are! The guards-" He tried to speak into the god awful walkie-talkie he was given a second too late, glass shattering above him as the gang leapt out. He managed to avoid the larger shards, wincing when the tiner ones managed to slip into his quills. The guards of course didn't hesitate to shout and run their way back into the alley, and eye contact was made between him and their leader.
His father.
Mephiles. He didn't look too happy about being caught, quick to jump into the van with the rest of the crew.
"Go, go, go! Burn rubber!" The echo-like voice boomed out as the car started up, the officers quick to run out the way as the tires screeched against pavement. Shadow sprinted double-time to keep up, a hand from his father reaching out to yank him into the trunk.
He looked real pissed.
"I told you to keep a damn lookout! Where did you even- Where's your mask?!" He growled this out, watching as the young man remained silent. Intimidation didn't seem to work nearly as well when they were in public, to add onto his previous anger, and he huffed as he shoved himself away from him.
Shadow still was quiet, now reaching into the coat he was wearing and pulling out the white fox foam mask, just about slipping it onto his face.
Hopefully they don't get caught.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you~"
"To meee~"
Cosmo ever so carefully lit the candles on the rose flavored birthday cake, a wave of the hand causing a vine to grow and curl around her hand. The flower that bloomed was a cherry blossom, and she picked it with delicate fingers to set in the center of the cake. A gentle smile was spread across her delicate features as she lifted it up, now carrying it over into the dining room.
"Happy birthday to you…" The Seedrians around the table quieted down as the young lady walked in, softly humming as she continued where they left off.
"Happy birthday, dear Grampa… Happy birthday, to you~... Oh!" A pink flush swept over her face as she realized just what she had done, soft awws passing around as her rosebuds grew to hide her embarrassment.
"What? C'mon, just blow out the candles. You've gotta make your wish, y'know." The cake is slid in front of the old man sitting there, his chuckles making her flush even further.
"I wish you'd join some kinda music group out there, even a choir or a band or somethin'! Your talent is going all wasted out there!" The grumpy glasses wearing elder coughed, a finger swiping through some of the frosting before he popped it into his mouth.
"I know you a little shy, but c'mon! If I had the voice, I'd be singin' like nobody's business!"
"Sure Grampa… Remember, blow out your candles." Cosmo shook her head before standing next to her dear grandfather, who grunted as he sat up. A deep breath is taken before he did so, and with that, cake is being split up.
The one with an odd fingerprint is obviously given to the old man.
I don't really really wanna fight anymore,
I don't really really wanna fake it no more.
Play me like the Beatles and just let it be,
So come and put the blame on me-
"Mooom! Silas keeps trying to pour orange juice on me!"
"Daaad, Zara keeps throwing cheese at me!"
This was typical for the Bat and Echidna household, the weekend meaning that their kids were home and causing havoc. They decided to make their own mini pizzas for lunch that afternoon, and Knuckles was helping his wife with the dishes.
"Both of you need to stop it. Tanya, what did we say about flying at the table?! Felicio, sit down before I make you!" Poor Rouge, although she didn't look like she minded. It was typical, all these kids were bound to crash at some point.
"Here, I'll finish these up. You go ahead and get the baths ready… They're gonna need it." Soft whispers delivered by her dreadlock wearing husband followed by a quick peck, it was quickly yanked away as someone headbutted his leg. Oh boy.
"Hey! NO headbutting the King!"
Thank the Gods it was laundry day. All the sauce, cheese, and assorted ingredients were going to need scrapping and scrubbing. Thank God she had another pair of hands to help.
"Alright, alright! Everyone throw out your plates, then march upstairs for bathtime! Boys, you're on the left today. Girls, the right!" Her voice was strong and a loud flap of her large wings got all 25 of her adorable children's' attention. They all grinned and scrambled to do so, shoving and butting at one another to head upstairs.
No re quiero hacer sufrir…
One, two, one two three four!
The loud and over the top guitar riffs echoed throughout the small bar, the two hedgehogs on stage strumming along to the music that played in the background. One was a vibrant green, his head quills curled over his forehead as his ears held an assortment of silver piercings.
The other was a soft pink, her own head quills barely held back with a number of pins and a single black headband. She only had a few piercings in her ears, and a wide grin was spread on her face as she headbanged her way to the start.
They were the best rock musicians in town. At least, that's what Manic thought.
I don't wanna talk to ya! (Nothing to say!)
I don't wanna walk with ya! (Outta my way!)
I'm not gonna play with ya! (Don't wanna play!)
Amy Rose let her fingers pluck over her guitars strings, taking up the backup vocals as her boyfriend stated was better for her. This didn't stop her however, from getting a bit out of hand. Taking over the main song, she kicked down her microphone stand and shoved her boyfriend aside to sing into his mic, only to be delivered the same thing when he tried to take it back over.
I don't need anyone else! (Yeah yeah!)
I live my life by myself! (Yeah yeah!)
I can't stand the things that you say!
I'm not listening… Any...
They were quickly cut off by the mongoose running the place.
"Huh?"
"Good God... I thought you two said you were musicians?!"
Click.
"Ames, babe, I'm the lead singer of this thing, remember? You've gotta stick to backup vocals." Manic huffed this out as he put his electric guitar in its rightful case, quick to simply pick it up like a suitcase. Amy did the same, but instead rushed ahead of him, biting down on her lip as she heaved her own case against her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, I just got a little carried away."
"Yeah yeah, I know. It just, it really RUINS my song, y'know? You're better off as backup. We might as well head for home, I guess." He gestured for her to strap their guitars to the back of her motorcycle, which she did without complaint. Clambering on after her, he looped his arms around her middle, letting out a sigh against her neck.
"Yeah… Yeah, let's uh. Let's head home." A clear of her throat and she reeved the bike up, heading downtown. A few pops and she heard something stutter within the engine when she braked, letting out a sigh and shaking her head. Had to be fixed…
Maybe they could get another gig tomorrow… Maybe someone will answer their roommate wanted ad...
The prettiest notes in all of the city echoed in the stairwell of the subway, a deep green hedgehog playing a smooth golden saxophone with class. Side to side did Scourge sway, quick eye contact delivered to those that ventured down the steps in hopes for tips. Someone did toss him something…
A penny, caked in rust.
"What the… A penny? How dare you, sir?! I studied at the Mobian school of Music!" He sneered and turned to the man who did this. A lemur, who figured.
"Sorry, it's uh… It's all I've got for ease right now. Do you take credit?"
"Is that so? Hmph." He tossed the penny back into his case and gently set his beloved instrument down, cracking his knuckles before jumping towards the lemur.
"Prove it buddy!"
"Wh-What?! Prove it?!"
Yeah, empty those pockets!" A creeping grin spread on his face from the startled look on the other mans face, stepping back as he quickly did so. Pennies, old raisins, a paper clip… Ah.
"There we go… See, you've got stuff for ease." He picked up the wallet, thumbing along and pulling out two twenties from it.
"Everybody saw that, right? People, you all saw that, the lemur lied!" A collective gasp from the people walking up and down the stairs rose as he smirked, tossing the wallet down to the Mobian.
"Next time you pick on someone your own size. Ya bully."
Yet again did the notes carry off, echoing in Sonic's ears as he sped past. His dear associate He tipped an imaginary hat towards the valet at the front of the building, a snazzy place called La Fantaisie. Tails was waiting out front for him, and the two exchanged a quick handshake before entering the establishment.
"Alright, let's talk business-" A soft furred hand was held up in front of him, the sheepish smile on Tails' face stating that he had something to say, but didn't really want to say it.
"Before you say anything, Sonic, I can't donate anymore money to your shows. The bank won't stand for it, it almost looks like a drug run at this point, that's what they said, those were their words."
"Aha, and those shows were the exact problem! Look, I am grateful for all the times you've helped me out of a dark spot, and I'm not here to ask for money. For every cloud, a silver lining!" The man was always optimistic, sticking a gloved finger in the air at his own statement. This got a roll of the eyes and a chuckle from his best friend. The waiter once again passed by, clearing his throat to get their attention.
"Ah, one more moment please?... Thank you~"
"Sonic…"
"Now, what do I do to bring more people in? Drum roll please… A SINGING competition!" He nearly jumped out of his seat, hands smacking down on the tabletop as he leaned forward.
"A singing competition?... Sonic, that's what American Idol is for. Who wants to see another one of those?" Tails absentmindedly flipped through the menu, choking at the prices. That was a bit much for what was essentially a tea sandwich…
"Everybody! Everybody you know, the people, the news, that seedrian! Right there! Everybody would get a chance to sing their songs and music, live on my stage!"
"I have some doubts…"
"It's exactly what the people want, and I'M going to give it to them!" His fist hit a spoon and sent it flying, it hitting the head of some gator in the background, causing him to drop his phone directly into the bowl of soup beneath him. Oh boy, Tails saw that.
"Alright, can we get out of here now?"
"What, you don't wanna eat?"
"Well yeah, but you can't afford any of this, and I'm not buying bullshit!"
"Aha, you're right! And that's exactly why…" He propped up his briefcase onto the table, flipping it open with a soft click. "I brought sandwiches."
"That's… That's not allowed-" He just about managed to catch one as it was tossed to him, some kind of goop leaking out of it and immediately falling onto his pants. His face cringed, and he could see Sonic flipping through his selection. That waiter looked quite pissed off.
"What, don't like cheese spread? I got banana, I've got ham-!" The waiter yanked Sonic up by the scruff of his shirt collar, tossing him outside onto the pavement. Tails followed close behind, holding onto his briefcase and jacket with a soft sigh.
"You okay?" The smallest head tilt could barely be seen as he looked down at the hedgehog on the sidewalk, eyebrow quirked and a bit of a chuckle heard in his voice. This wasn't the first, and wouldn't be the last time he sees Sonic faceplant.
"Agh… Yeah, never better!" He brushed himself off as he got up, lightly shaking his quills to avoid any loose ones flying out and turning to his friend.
"I've gotta get back, we've got flyers to print! Don't wanna keep you from your inventions, after all~" A wink is given up to the far taller kitsune, the difference in height greatly changing over the years. No longer was he leaning on his head in grade school, but now he was just about chest height.
Just barely.
"Psh, you could never "keep" me from my inven- … Tions." No sooner than his jacket and case were given over was he given a wave before being left in the dust, metaphorically and literally. Coughing out what he breathed in, he gave a fond smile in the dusts direction.
"As if you were a burden, you stupid hedgehog…"