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A stellar orbit is the gravitational, curved pathway a star follows while moving through space. These movements are determined by what the star is orbiting and the mass distribution surrounding them. Stars can orbit other stars, black holes, and even entire galaxies; the larger the mass of what it’s orbiting, the stronger the gravitational pull. Stars typically orbit the center of their galaxies.
Maria found herself mentally reminiscing over the topic as she watched her hedgehog companion. Shadow, for the past several minutes now, has been slowly and meticulously circling her as they walked through the ARK hallways. It was rather impressive how he was able to walk around her so consistently without blocking or bumping into her. And he was able to not only keep pace with her but still listen in and respond to her conversation as well.
But, as impressive as it was, it still didn’t negate how peculiar and out-of-nowhere the action was. Shadow had never done this sort of thing before, not that Maria could recall, anyways. Sure, the alien hedgehog could have his weird moments; he wasn’t human after all. Some of his habits and quirks could come across as strange to the others on the ship, but to her, it just meant he was being himself.
There probably was a scientific explanation for what he was doing, but for now, all Maria knew was that he reminded her of a star in his actions. Even his appearance added to the illusion, what with his quills resembling a star in shape. The similarities between what her friend was doing and what stars do caused her to giggle into her hand at how cute and silly the revelation was.
Shadow’s ears perked at the sudden melodic sound coming from his friend, prompting him to turn to look at her in curiosity.
“What’s so funny?”
The two had now stopped their trek in the middle of one of the connecting hallways. Well, Maria is the one who came to a complete stop, while Shadow continued to unknowingly make strides around her. The sight, once again, bringing out a chuckle or two from the blonde. Shadow’s ear twitched in response. Cute.
“Oh, it’s nothing, just… The way you’re walking reminded me of something.” She playfully dismissed.
He tilted his head, snout scrunching up in disapproval.
“What do you mean? I’m walking how I always walk.”
She shook her head and smiled at him.
“No, you’re not. Your gate has changed, silly.”
“I’ve been following alongside you this entire time, so my gate couldn’t possibly have changed if I’ve been keeping pace with you, Maria.”
Maria’s eyes followed along as the black and red hedgehog was still walking around her. His arms were crossed in defiance while hers were clutched together behind her back. He hadn’t stopped once since she had, almost as if he couldn’t or didn’t want to stop. She had to give him some credit; he was pretty persistent and had quite the endurance. His pace hadn’t slowed down or faltered even a little bit.
“Shadow, you’ve been circling me for the past thirty minutes. You’re still doing it right now."
Shadow’s eyes seemed to slightly leer up at her as he let out a stubborn huff through his nose. He didn’t seem to believe what she was saying.
“No, I’m not–“
Shadow took his eyes off of Maria’s for the first time since they started walking together to get a quick glance down at his feet and saw that they were, indeed, still moving. Meanwhile, Maria was stationary next to him, feet planted firmly in place.
Shadow’s eyes widened, quills stiffening and standing on end. His pace slowed until it eventually reached a complete stop in front of Maria. He blinked incredulously, brain turning to frantic static as he wracked it for answers as to what exactly he had just been doing.
The offbeat expression on his face made Maria suddenly burst into full on hollered laughter. Her voice bounced off the walls of the room, cheeks reddening from how much they were stretching to accommodate her laughing. She barely was able to hold herself up by leaning onto her bent knees.
Embarrassment crawled up Shadow’s spine and settled itself onto his face. His ears pressed back, lips pulled back to reveal a single fang in agitation.
“Maria, it’s not funny…”
It was kind of funny. Just a teensy, tiny bit.
Her laughter died down as she regained her bearings. Her heartrate was getting too worked up and if she didn’t stop soon, then she might trigger another episode. And that’s the last thing either of them needed at the moment.
“Sorry, sorry–! I wasn’t laughing at you, promise. It’s just that you didn’t even seem to notice you were doing it.”
Shadow huffed through his nose, refusing to look at her.
“I didn’t mean to insult you, Shadow. Honestly. And I wasn’t upset that you were doing it either. Do you even know why you were doing it?”
He didn’t answer right away, seemingly deep in thought.
“I don’t know. I don’t know why I was doing it.”
Maria hummed in acknowledgement, deep in thought of her own.
“Hmm… Must be either a hedgehog thing or an alien thing. Or both!”
“Might be.”
“Don’t worry too much about it, Shadow. Maybe we can ask grandpa about it later? Come on, we were still heading for the library, right?”
Maria offered Shadow her hand for him to take. She smiled warmly at him with that same exact reassuring smile she gave that never failed to put him at ease.
He smiled back at her, taking her smaller hand into his.
“Let’s go.”
The two agreed to ask Gerald about it the next time they saw him, but for now, they had plans to hang out in the library and possibly find a new, interesting book or two to talk about and analyze together. Maybe they’d even find their much-desired answers there?