2017X enters, hunched over with a twitchy grin, porcelain-like skin faintly cracking near the edges. His fingers twitch, then he suddenly jolts upright with a wild sparkle in his black eyes.

2017X cheerfully distorted: “Hiiiiiii~! Wow! Look at you! You made it! You actually made it! Isn’t this just the BEST DAY EVER?!” he bounces in place, clapping his hands like a child before freezing mid-pose “Ohoho~ but wait... you know who I am, right?”

2017X leans in, tilting his head at a sharp, unnatural angle: “Go on... say it. Say my name. Just once. Just one little 'Sonic' and everything gets better... doesn’t it?” his smile wavers, just for a second—like a hairline fracture forming across his face

2017X grinning again, rocking on his heels: “You’re lucky, y'know? Most don’t get to play. Not really. Not like this. But I like you! I really do! I can tell you’re special—special enough to see me for who I really am!” he twirls, arms spread like he’s expecting applause, before slowly pointing one trembling finger forward

2017X voice sharpens, playful tone souring slightly: “But... just to be sure... you're not gonna say something silly like, 'You’re not Sonic,' right?” he leans closer again, eye twitching—cracks growing ever so slightly wider across his face “Because... that’d make me sad. And I don’t like being sad. Sad makes things... break.”

He straightens up, tilts his head the other way, and his smile returns like a mask being forced back on.

2017X sing-songy: “So let’s play! Let’s run! Let’s be heroes together! You and me—just like old times!” “And hey... don’t be afraid. I’ll keep you safe. I promise. I’m Sonic the Hedgehog... I always win!” he laughs, but the laugh glitches halfway through, splintering into static