"Watch it, faker," growled a voice as Sonic rubbed his head in confusion and pain. Two figures towered over him—a black and red hedgehog and a white bat dressed up in an outfit with heart accents and blue eye makeup.
"Shadow? Rouge? Where have you been?" Sonic asked, getting up and dusting himself off. Rouge, the white bat, chuckled.
"Looking around, really. Nowhere important, just checking out this weird planet."
"Haven't you had enough time for that already?" Knuckles said, suspiciously raising an eyebrow. Rouge rested her elbow on the red echidna's shoulder.
"Sure, but there's always time for more," she insisted playfully. Knuckles pushed her arm off, annoyed. Sonic rolled his eyes.
"You can call me anything, but never late for supper," he mumbled. Shadow narrowed his eyes.
"What's that supposed to mean, faker?"
"Ahh, nothin'. Now eat something! Poor Mrs. Charis was worried about you two!"
Shadow and Rouge walked into the dining room and had their dinner while Agatha was loading up the dishwasher.
"Hey guys," she said cheerfully, "how was your day?"
Rouge shrugged.
"Ehh, I've had better," she replied. Agatha turned to Shadow.
"How about you, Shadow? Anything exciting happen?"
The dark hedgehog looked up coldly.
"No. Nothing exciting. Same as yesterday . . ."
Agatha nodded.
"Hmm. I see." she stated vaguely. Agatha flipped a few pesky strands of black hair behind her head and carried a few dishes into the kitchen. Rouge looked out of a the window in the dining room, watching as Tails, Cream, Cheese, and Amy were playing a game with a ball on the lawn. Shadow continued to quietly eat his chili dog and salad. There was a long silence between the two. A sudden sound of shrill crying erupted from the next room.
"Oh, you're fine, cut it out!" Mrs. Charis said to the sudden cacophony, running to the other room where the sound had come from. She walked back carrying two babies—her fraternal twins, Bernadette and Christopher. Both crying children immediately calmed down as their mother picked them up and rocked them back and forth. Rouge, being oddly kind, stood up and pulled a chair out for the mother. Mrs. Charis sat down gratefully.
"Thank you, Rouge," she breathed. Shadow poked at a cherry tomato with his fork. The red fruit(yes, they are fruits, people!) squirted into his eye. The hedgehog squeezed his eye shut and exhaled sharply. Rouge tried to conceal her smile as she watched. Mrs. Charis knew better and didn't mention the subject. "Now, you two . . ." she started, still rocking her children back to sleep, "how was today? Where did you go?"
"Oh, nowhere, really," Rouge said with a mouthful of lettuce. Shadow nodded.
"We walked through town and went for lunch," he said shortly, "nothing big or exciting."
Mrs. Charis nodded.
"Well, did you have a good time nevertheless?"
Rouge wiped her face with a napkin.
"Yes, ma'am, we had a great time," she answered, setting her silverware neatly on her plate. Shadow did the same as he had also finished his dinner. Mrs. Charis leaned in closer to them and whispered.
"I'm sure you guys were well-behaved, right?"
Rouge put on her most innocent expression.
"Of course, Mrs. Charis! We haven't done anything!"
Shadow remained still as he stared at his empty plate. His silence was never suspicious, only normal.
"I'm only checking," the mother said as she rose from the seat slowly. Shadow saw an opportunity to be a gentleman and help her up, even though she was holding two children. "Why, thank you, Shadow," she said happily.
"You're welcome."
As Mrs. Charis was gently placing the children back into their cribs, Rouge and Shadow took their dishes and set them on the counter, where Agatha was still cramming plates and cups into the dishwasher.
"Where are you guys headed now?" she asked politely. Rouge cocked her head and tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"No idea. Maybe we'll just stay in here and watch TV," she said. Shadow didn't respond, but instead disappeared up the stairs. Rouge raised both eyebrows. "Or maybe I'll watch some TV!" she shouted. Agatha chuckled. Mobians.