#// ohhh mannn this is fine... ahdfjk oh boyy

[galaxofmuses]

"I also grow sunflowers! My cabin has so many out front, and it becomes to vibrant in spring and summer. The tulips on the little hill near by paint so many colors behind the tall vibrant yellow flowers." Maria releases a soft breath of wistfulness. Already missing the vibrancy of the seasons that have changed. But Autumn and Winter could be just as beautiful in their own ways! Even if Winter had proven to be hard on her all the time. At least her illness hadn't killed her yet. She still did her best! "It is settled then! I would love to meet this friend of yours, and the three of us share advice and seeds." One day, mayhaps.

But then suddenly, the jovial air came to a stop. As Sonic seemingly tried to place who her friend may be, or the where, then just... Stopped.

Maris stopped next to him, looking down as he seemed to be lost in thoughts now, eyes wide and pupils small. And she knew, just KNEW, what was happening. That was a rush of panic. Something he thougght of had suddenly sparked unpleasant thoughts, or maybe memories in him, and she had no idea just how deep it went.

But that did not stop her. "Sonic!"

Quickly, Maria knelt down to be at his level, one hand still holding his and squeezing tightly, while the other reached up and gently placed on top of the hedgehogs head. Her touch so gentle, almost delicate. "Breathe. Deep in, and slow exhale out. Look at him. Tell me one thing you can feel, two things you can hear, and three you can see."

A regular tactic that her grandfather used on her to help ground.

Sure he has repressing so many times. Too many times to count. Too many memories. Too much pain. Failed to save Shadow in time, but yet he smiled back at him and yet Sonic can only grasp is the inhibitor ring that he kept in years under his glove. It was the only thing that keeps him alive and as a reminder about him. Gripping his glove as he felt like his body was floating away back in space. He hated looking at the stars for awhile....it took so much time to appreciate the twinkling skies and with the help of his friends.

Sonic can hear a soft voice and loud murmurs and felt...

a hand....and another.

He was finally free from that moment of panic and looks to see a very concerned Maria. Taking the few deep breathes as his heart is still racing. She is asking simple questions as he nods to answer.

"Y-Your.....the...hand...." Focusing on her guidance as he proceed to answer more questions as the panic starts to dwindle. "W-Wind, Ocean...the cars...and umm...can see....trees....ocean and...you." The tactic seems to do the trick as the heartbeat slowly down and same with his breathing. The feeling on his chest doesn't constrict any longer and filled with relief.

"S-Sorry about that..."

He slowly pulls back the glove on the left and there is the inhibitor ring that is infused with the fake Chaos Emerald on his wrist.

"I....I've met your friend before...It was Shadow. Right?"