If you want Silvaze prompts, then I think Silver and Blaze’s wedding day would be quite wholesome and cute to see. :)
As for questions, I have to know what their children’s first words were.
OKAY HERE WE GO
I spent way too long designing these lol
ANYWAYS I personally like the idea of Silver and Blaze never getting married, but IN A SCENARIO WHERE THEY DO GET MARRIED I think it’d be outdoors in a tiled garden, bright and sunny. Theyd be all smiles, probably can’t stop giggling. Silver would be so excited he’s vibrating lol
I wanted wedding clothing for them to look unique and also matching! Including the matching red eye shadow and eye liner, I just feel like that fits?? Idk I’m putting way too much thought into the fashion in this country WHEEZE
FOR FIRST WORDS!!
I think Sterling would have been an incredibly greedy child and constantly snatching up anything that caught her eye, so her first word was MINE!!
As for Burst, he was always a mild child but if he got worked up his tantrums were disastrous and flammable, so it fit that it was during one tantrum he finally vocalized ‘NO!!’
"Thirty eight... thirty nine..." A loud dunderheaded voice was drawing close, "Forty.... forty one... forty-
"Must you insist on counting aloud?!" An egotistical sounding voice interrupted, "You're wasting my processing power on mindless drivel, are you less competent than a calculator?"
"You're the one who asked me to count them," The first speaker responded.
"I expected the task to be a mindless, quiet, distraction for you that would let me relax in peace," The second individual groaned, "Regardless, you have already counted our stock of Prison Eggs sixteen times; each and every time, you have done so at your highest volume setting," For a beat, no noise sounded at all, "And now you've set your volume to zero."
"Well, that's because the boss said there should be fifty of them," The first idiot droned, having returned to his prior loudness, "But, uh, fifteen times I counted fifty one pods," The listener was very much aware of that, "The first time I counted one hundred and two, but then I realised my eyes were out of sync."
"Yes, yes, I told you that you were seeing double- I have been here the whole time you know," The second fool was only growing more impatient, "When the Doctor said there should be fifty, I believe he meant that there were around fifty- that it was an estimate."
"Oh," The sound of a metal finger scratching the top of a square head followed the acknowledgement, "You're sure?"
"Positive," What was undoubtedly the spherical droid sighed, "Despite what he says, I don't think he plans such minute details. A few additional flickies are hardly worth considering."
For another blissful moment all was quiet again, "Wonder why he didn't put the portholes on these ones?"
That hadn't lasted long, "The what?"
"You know, the windows?" Voice number one unhelpful elaborated, "The little glass holes that let us see the little critters inside."
"I know what a porthole is," Voice number two snapped, "Why does it matter?"
"Well, that's just the thing. Does it?" A hand made contact with the wall of the listener's pod, she froze, "Sometimes he puts big windows on these capsules, usually there's a big button on them- it's not like any design seems to work better than another. They all get popped by Sonic just the same."
"I have no idea why the doctor designs anything in the way that he does, but if you really want to know we can just go and ask him," The sound of movement outside resumed, the two were finally leaving! "Hopefully he'll have another task to steal away your idle time..."
Blaze the cat waited until she heard the sliding of automatic doors before breathing a true sigh of relief. After all they'd planned, after the lengths they'd gone to, for this mission to be spoiled by those two foolish droids would be the peak of embarrassment. Hopefully the remainder of they journey would be uneventful.
Stowed away within what Cubot had dubbed pod number forty two, the guardian's back was aching. While this prison was surely intended to uncomfortably fit twenty or so small creatures, its two present occupants had been crouched for almost an hour with their spines set against the cold hard metal of the container and their heads brushing its roof. The humiliating sensation of his trembling thigh brushing against her inner knee proved that her pod-mate, Silver the hedgehog, was surely struggling even more so than her. Why had she let him talk her into such a foolish strategy?
Well, he'd made it all seem necessary and reasonable, that was how. The future was again in turmoil, overrun for centuries by discordant weather and occupied by an impossibly large robotic force. It'd taken him two weeks to recognise what had happened- though he'd assured her that was only due to overcast night skies.
The pair of them were presently in the cargo bay of Eggman's newest spacefaring vessel- a rocket that was on route to the massive crater on the dark side of the moon. If left unstopped, the doctor's work on the celestial body would render it into a waxing crescent that haunted the sky each night without fail. Lunar mining, that was the cause of the rapid changes in global climates and the origin of the mechanical armada roaming the planet. Within the celestial body's crust were the likes of titanium, aluminium, magnesium, and far rarer elements- all in abundance. Apparently, one of Eggman's previous schemes had even exposed an ideal site to begin the harvest.
Of course, the moon did not have all that the evil doctor required to make that future come to pass. His cruelty had bore a weakness- his machines did not run on regular batteries, but the wildlife of the planet he sought to conquer. That meant regular excursions to the world below to secure creatures and transport them to his lunar base. Thankfully, this time, he'd opted to store those animals in cheap metal pods without windows or significant safety measures. When Silver came across one such capsule, unused and untouched, he'd instantly set his heart on this foolish mission!
Blaze hadn't dared to glance at him since they'd assumed their mirrored stretching, unable to sit without getting in the other's way or stand regardless of how their cramping legs pleaded. The glow offered by the symbols on his palms was the only light in this windowless hull. Dry air wheezed through a small vent in the ceiling, the seal that marked the cylindrical edge's metal walls would take barely any effort to pry apart, either option could serve as an easy exit... but both routes meant damaging its exterior in a much too noticeable manner. There was no hope of breaching to take a break, they simply had to endure this discomfort.
"How long has it been?" A hushed whisper enquired from the other side of the pod.
"Not long," The cat quietly responded, "Does it matter?"
"No, I'm just wondering," That was a lie, "If you want to sit down for a while, I think I can squeeze up against the wall some more."
"I'm fine," She felt his leg quiver against hers... or was that hers against his? "But if you want to, you can."
"No, no, I'm okay," He refused, "But if you change your mind, just go ahead."
The guardian told herself that she would not, no matter how tempting that offer sounded. Squatting for five and a half hours was hardly an easy task, but Blaze knew that she had weathered worse during her training. Hours spent in silent meditation, days navigating turbulent seas, weeks enduring enemy invasions, years learning to control her flames, and a lifetime spent beneath the burden of royal expectations; all this and more meant-
Torn from her thoughts in an instant, acting on instinct divorced from intent, Blaze lurched forward as she felt her legs concede beneath her. Both of her hands were thrown forward in an attempt to brace against something solid only to meet with a set of shoulders that were also descending. It all happened so fast and yet each fumble stung with blunt mortification in her mind. His hands caught the small of her back, her tail spiked straight in a useless show of surprise. She'd pointlessly curled her toes, her feet couldn't get a grip in midair- psychic light had flashed from him too little too late. Her knee stung as it met the hard floor, the back of his head rang against the metal wall. Their tumble climaxed in the sensation of her clavicle upon his ribcage and an open mouthful of fluff.
Her gaze drifted up his frame, she had truly tried her hardest to forget what he was wearing. Given the stealthy nature of this mission, he'd explained that the stark white of his fur and its loose fluff could give away their positions- to prevent such, he'd secured a body suit made from a black material that left little to the imagination... only to discover that it would not zip beyond his chest fur! The cat's own outfit reflected her acceptance of that same premise, ditching her heels for some flatfooted boots and her overcoat for a slim fitting jumpsuit. In reality, the extent of their sneaking so far had been hiding out within this cramped container!
Between the strain and her wandering thoughts, the cat had no idea if he had fallen first and knocked her to stumble of vice versa! Suddenly, one of his hands slid from her backside and along the curve of her spine! Her teeth grit, a hiss was building in her throat, but when his hand left her to touch the back of his head a wince crumpled his features. He looked dazed, how hard had he hit his head?
"Don't touch it," Her whisper sounded so cross, "Stay still, let me see."
The guardian moved to stand up only to find there was nowhere to step, certainly nowhere close enough to get a good look at him. Seeing no obvious alternative, her hands grasped tight on his shoulders as she pulled herself upright. Gingerly, awkwardly, she dragged herself up his chest until her thighs framed his ribcage and she was looming above his head.
Blaze tried to ignore the quickening of her heartbeat as his remaining hand made brief contact with the base of her tail before fleeing her body entirely. As if their orientation wasn't enough of a problem, lowlight was making this exceptionally difficult. Her fingers worked amongst his quills, failing to a catch a trace of blood obvious enough to confirm the brutality of the injury. A flinch from him almost threw her to the roof when her pinky grazed near the base of his skull. Pulling back the hand revealed a dark smudge on her glove.
"I can't get a good look," She tutted, still sounding much too grumpy, "I need to get behind you."
The hedgehog began to shift, she tried to move to match him only for her leg to catch between his side and that wall, this was going to be difficult. A nose grazed her midriff, knees again touched thighs, hands groped blindly through the dark, and her tail of course kept shoving itself into the least helpful spots possible. The end result was him taking up three quarters of the floorspace while she was cramped between his back and their surrounding silo. Fingers again began to tease through fur but now her troubles were different, the fluff was all surrounding.
"Hold your back quills up," She quietly commanded.
Her vision was quickly restored, with the added bonus of placing the lights on his hand directly above. She'd kept her knees to his back to make herself space, but now he'd hopefully hold his straightly sat position. As her legs came down to flank his, she was surprised to feel her hamstring stretch. This wasn't an angle she observed him from with any regularity, the broadness of his shoulders seemed somehow more imposing without the glow of his eyes, warmth of his smile, and fluff of his front... though that last feature was admittedly still quite present in a different capacity.
Ignoring the foolish thoughts fluttering in her head, the princess harnessed her partner's glow to better judge his injury. It was still difficult to tell, but the present blood seemed to be the result of him scraping his head across their container's seam rather than the initial bludgeoning impact. There was blood, but it was slight- there was certainly no deep gash. She removed her already bloodied glove and balled it before pressing it to the scratch marks to hold for a while.
"It's a graze, it'll bruise, but I think you'll be okay," She informed him.
"Thank you for checking it," He whispered back, relief in his voice.
Blaze tried to ignore the faint wag of his tail against her lap, "You should remain seated until our journey has concluded."
"I will," Silver agreed, "I think that means you'll have to do the same,"
She considered for a moment, taking stock of their space and her still aching thighs, "You're probably right."
With her back pressed against the metal and her legs still slightly stretched, it wasn't exactly a comfortable position to be sat in. His back spines were gently poking her, he still hadn't released his quills, he was making as much space for her as his body would allow and still incidently casting her in ethereal light. Though he'd instinctively attempted to use them during their fall, he'd been avoiding using his powers for fear that they may trigger some kind of sensor in the ship's hull. If only she could keep her mind on the mission like he evidently was...
She hadn't realised quite how broad his back had become, typically she could excuse the form of his body as resulting from the thick fluff that coated it. The tight leather-like material that encased his frame had removed that potentiality from the equation, it was as close as possible to him being fully sheared before her. It wasn't as though she had anywhere else to look, but she desperately tried not to ogle him.
Blaze shut her eyes tight and tried to lean back, searching for any sort of comfort while denying the pillow before her. Even with her arms folded behind her head, the way she was sandwiched between her partner and the wall made for a very limited range of movement. She was on the verge of giving in and just burying her head against her companion's back when he spoke up again.
"We don't have to stay like this, right? We can try a different position if you want..." That was both an offer and a request.
"Please don't phrase it like that," She groaned, "What do you have in mind?"
"Maybe if you lie on the base I can sort of hang over you?" He offered, "Since I'm wider, I should be able to get my knees and elbows down around you."
He'd had a lot of terrible ideas lately and Blaze doubted this would break that streak, "Let's try it."
His released quills flapped down into her face. Her legs quickly crossed as he scooted forward. Their eyes met again for a moment but she quickly broke the contact. She slid down onto her back, finding the metal rough and bumpy. The materials of their bodysuits chaffed against each other as Silver took his position, forearms framing her shoulders and knees at her waist. Now eye contact was entirely unavoidable! This was not an improvement in any sense of the word!
"Is this better for you?" Silver had the gal to ask.
"You're the one who's hurt," She deflected, "Is it for you?"
"I'm fine," Was he sweating? "I promise."
Blaze hadn't really considered the position he'd described beyond the fact he'd be hanging above while she was beneath. The reality was that he'd effectively assumed a planking position, a stretch that the feline wasn't certain he'd be able to hold for very long. He was athletic yes, but his legs had already endured prolonged squatting and when it came to training-
A sudden vibration caught the cat off guard, sharp instincts once again sent her forward- directly into her partner, this time head first. The sensation of her brow meeting his chin was less than pleasant, and it was swiftly followed by the collapse of his body around her. Protectively she coiled her frame around his, claws drawn behind his back and heat roiling along her arms, but the rumbling buzz continued. Now that their chests were flush with each other, she recognised the movement. It was her phone, stowed away at her chest in the lining of her jumpsuit. The feeling of it shaking while pressed against their bodies was somehow more mortifying than the brushing of their thighs as the hedgehog tried to rise free from her grasp.
The cat released him, she winced at the sight of his hand covering his mouth as he fully knelt above her. Awkwardly, she tried to hold the zipper in place while squeezing her hand down the narrow collar. After more than a little fumbling she managed to free the communicator. As if things couldn't get any more embarrassing, Amy Rose was on the line. She mouthed a quick apology to her hedgehog companion, hoping she hadn't split his lip, before answering the call.
A barrage of light and sound made the cat wince, "Hey Blaze! Just letting you know we're on our way, how's the infiltration going?"
Blaze fumbled to turn down the volume and adjust the screen brightness- of course it was a video call, why wouldn't it be? The pink hedgehog was buckled into a very comfortable looking chair, surely within a rocket of Tails' design. As if the craft's bright interior wasn't blinding enough, she was beaming at maximum intensity with a peace sign raised. That expression didn't last for long though, before the cat could answer her question the phone suddenly pulled close and concern entered Amy's eyes.
"Why are you on the ground?" Worry turned into panic, "Are you okay?! Where's Silver?!"
"We're fine, he's here, it's just a bit of a tight fit in the pod," The princess tapped the screen, switching Amy's view from herself on the ground to Silver above.
"Oh, I see," Immediately the guardian regretted her action- any concern was quickly replaced by a cunning grin on pink girl's face, "Is it getting hot in there Silver?"
"No, we're all good," Thankfully there was no obvious blood when his hand left his mouth, "When Tails sealed the pod up he made sure the cooling system was still working."
"Ah, so you two can get as steamy as you want in there," Blaze quickly pressed the button to switch the view back around, for the briefest moment the girl deflated before the mischievous expression redoubled on her face, "Want to keep the view for yourself, I get it."
"It's not like that. Things really are just cramped in here. We're trying to figure out what..." Blaze searched for the right word but could only recall what Silver had said, "Position is best."
"Have you tried spooning?" Amy instantly offered, "If you're right up against each other, you won't be wasting any space..."
"There is no space to waste regardless of our orientation," The guardian shook her head, "This confinement is practically unbearable as it is."
"Sure," Amy rolled her eyes, continuing to tease, "By the way Blaze, your zip is a little bit... oh, but that's probably intentional, I thought I knew you Blaze, you naughty girl!" Blaze reached for her chest, evidently she'd been less than elegant when drawing out her phone, "I'd never even considered setting things up like that, if I got Sonic in a pod he'd never be able to get away!"
A familiar voice was only just audible, "Did you say something, Amy?"
"Nothing my darling!" She beamed past her phone, waving the other hedgehog off, before pulling the device close to her face, "You'll have to give me the details later, we need to catch up when this whole adventure is over," Amy threw up another peace sign, grinning wide, "Anyway, I'm sorry to interrupt! We're just over half an hour behind you guys, I'll call again when we're about to arrive... or maybe I should just text?"
Blaze hung up without saying goodbye, she let her phone fall on her face. The plan was in motion, the board was set, despite their struggles in here everything was going exactly to plan. By the time their capsule was loaded into the base, Amy would be arriving with Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles- their assaults would begin simultaneously, splitting Eggman's attention and ensuring his defeat. She and Silver would wreak havoc inside before joining up with their allies to escape, bringing the mining operation to a complete halt. If only she could focus on the mission and not the weight of her partner upon her hips...
She heaved a sigh, still hiding behind her darkened screen, "Is your mouth okay?"
"I think I bit my tongue, but it's fine," He answered, "How's your head?"
"Uninjured, but overflowing," Blaze tucked the phone into her outfit, careful to fully zip it back up.
When she looked back to him, she found his expression troubled., "I can stand back up, I think I'm okay now..."
For a third time a foolish instinct possessed the cat; she caught his hand before he could rise, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," She frowned at him, he squirmed, "It's just that I got your stuck in here, I probably should have come myself- you could have travelled with the others," Now she was the one squirming, "It just sounds like you're pretty uncomfortable. I want to give you your space."
"It's not like that," The feline wasn't certain that her regret was conveyed in such a quiet tone, but keeping her voice down was vital to the mission, "It's just a bit claustrophobic in here. It's not that I'm uncomfortable with contact like this, it's the fact that we can't avoid it. I'm uncomfortable because it's of our control, not simply because it is happening.."
His concern wavered, "You're sure?"
"I'm certain, besides- it's better that I'm here, this wouldn't be safe for you to do alone," She argued, "And..." The words on her tongue felt difficult to say, but necessary none the less, "I wouldn't want anyone else to be in this position."
That sounded far too possessive, her face was aflame-
He squeezed her hand, "I wouldn't want to be like this with anyone else either, Blaze."
That wasn't exactly what she'd meant- it wasn't untrue, but that was beside the point! But his eyes were gleaming with such sincerity; she could feel his hold on her hand as a weight in her heart, the warmth of his touch wasn't something a pyrokinetic should be able to detect but it stuck to the forefront of her mind. The rub of his thumb over the back of her ungloved hand once again forced her to look away; the hedgehog's features somehow suited the gentle glow that he was responsible for!
If she had control over this space, if this was her bedchamber or some other personal place, she'd have frankly been in bliss. But this was a mission, the world was at stake, she couldn't give in to frivolous wants or allow herself to be distracted by idiotic emotions! Perhaps if she'd just planted her head into his fur from the start, embraced his softness as the boon it was, they could have avoided all this nonsense. Now it all felt too intimate, Amy's teasing smirk kept flashing in the pyrokinetic's mind.
"Regardless, I don't think us staying exactly like this is the correct answer to our present stretching predicament," A diplomatic tinge had entered her tone, truly she was much too embarrassed, "What orientation do you propose we attempt next? If we take control of the situation properly, perhaps it will be better for all parties?"
He seemed to take a moment to process her wording, "We could try spooning, like Amy mentioned?"
"No," Blaze answered, much to the chagrin of the cat's imagined Amy, "The floor is uncomfortable enough lying on my back, I imagine it would be much worse on our shoulders and sides. Not to mention, we need to maintain strength and preparedness in case we are discovered. Lying like that would leave both of us both exposed and struggling to rise."
"Then why not try something similar to how we first landed?" Silver offered, "Me on the floor and you on top?"
"I should be able to space myself out atop you and find some orientation that works for both of us, avoiding more sensitive areas..." Now she sounded like she was negotiating a trade deal, not agreeing to cuddle, "You're certain you'd be okay lying with me atop you for the rest of the journey?"
"Of course," He answered without a moment's hesitation, "Why wouldn't I be?"
Silver rose to sit on his haunches, freeing her to slip out from underneath him. She released his hand as he lay back, careful to avoid whacking his head again on the way down. She hadn't realised that, lying flat on his back, he was slightly too long to fit in the space. His s quills splayed as cushions as he lowered his head against the wall, his legs lightly spread and ankles turned to fit almost flush with the space's round walls. Yellow eyes looked up at her expectantly as his arms crossed behind his head, she tried to quash the thought that his body was subconsciously calling to her.
Having her thighs frame his felt much too embarrassing, so instead she brought her knees together and bent them to lay across the top of his legs. Her back curved as she slid her chest along his, bundling her arms upon his chest to lie face to face with him. Was the position perfectly comfortable? No, if she didn't feel so prudish she could have secured a better resting position (and perhaps she'd turn away as their journey continued) but she felt far more at ease than she had thus far in their journey.
"Is this okay?" She asked him, feeling her tail swish up to line his leg.
"That depends," He rolled his shoulders, "Are you comfortable?"
Chivalric wasn't a word Blaze typically used to describe Silver, but there was a first time for everything. It was likely that some part of him was still concerned that she wasn't happy being stuck with him in here, consciously or not. Either way, she could feel her heart beating faster and the flick of her tail back and forth.
"As sweet as that is to ask, people in my world attempt all manner of nonsense to ensure my comfort," The cat reminded him, "Please let me do so for you."
"Oh, okay," Was that a hint of pink on his cheeks, "Then yes, this okay- it's more than okay, great even."
"Good," She lowered her chin to rest on her wrists, "I'm glad that we have found an equitable solution..."
Trying to cool the heat on her own face and still the drumming of her heart, the cat fixed her gaze on the wall beside him. All was going well, she'd finally resettled, when yawn sounded from him. Blaze grit her teeth in a struggle to avoid matching him, but she lost that battle, her eyes briefly shut. When they reopened she caught him staring.
"I suppose sleeping is out of the question,"The cat hummed, "Though it does seem a waste to finally find comfort and be unable to embrace it."
"I think we'd actually be quite safe to," Silver informed her, "Based on Eggman's log for this flight, he spends the rest of the journey arguing with Orbot and Cubot. Neither of them are going to return, and he's much too distracted to send anyone else to investigate what he doesn't know about."
"Is that so," Blaze scrutinised him with a look, "How certain are you that our mere presence won't have impacted the chain of events?"
Silver pursed his lips, thinking for a moment, "Even if it had, the process of opening this capsule would surely wake us. According to Tails the metal plating is too thick to really scan, and without a porthole they've not really got a way of checking which pod we're in," His confidence was growing with each word, "Besides, if they were to try opening them to check, they wouldn't start from pod forty two. They'd start at the first or the last, making such a racket we'd wake up for certain."
"Sleeping on the job..." She sarcastically tutted, "How scandalous, I'm surprised that you're pushing so hard for such an indulgence..."
"Amy said she'd call," He was panicking, she couldn't help but smirk, "We could rely on that to wake us up, or you could set an alarm?"
"While I am comfortable with you, I'd still rather she not see us like this," She diplomatically responded, reaching for her zip only to catch his stare, "Close your eyes."
Silver acquiesced, going so far as to cover his eyes with his glowing palms. The feline straightened an arm to gain some height, cringing slightly at the metallic purr of her zipper lowering before slipping her phone free. Based on her clock, though considering time beyond the confines of a planet was a little strange, they had only just spent an hour upon the spacecraft. Based on Silver's prior recounting of Eggman's travel logs, they could justify a two hour nap... no, an hour and three quarters was safer and would give them time to properly awaken. She'd set reminders every five minutes from that point onward...
Her scheduling was interrupted by another yawn from her partner, she struggled to swallow its echo- not wanting to take her eyes off of him. The way his nose scrunched and brows lowered, the glint of his teeth in the cyan lowlight, it was impossible to look away from. He was lying at an awkward angle with his is chin near his chest, but somehow he still held a certain unplaceable charm. His quills were just ever so slightly out of place, bedhead would surely worsen their spread... she quite was looking forward to seeing that.
Blaze couldn't help herself, this nonsensical situation had put them both through so much- both in body and mind. It was foolish to think she was owed anything, they were doing this for the good of the world and her friends, but the opportunity was simply too perfect. Though the alarm was set and her phone re-secured, she did not yet grant him permission to see. Instead, she leaned in and brushed her fingers through his quills, still weighing whether she would dare take this next action and testing that he wouldn't move his hands. His softness and commitment to the act proved too much for her to deny, her comfort truly was his most pressing concern...
Her lips feathered against his forehead, gently enough that there was at least a chance he wouldn't recognise the contact. As if to further obscure her act, she leaned in deeper, pushing the gem at forefront of her head into his soft fur to contact the skin beneath. Her fingers traced down the back of his head, careful to halt before the abrasion near his neck. Uncontended with that first meek peck, she pulled back ever so slightly and put her lips to the parting she'd made.
When she pulled back his hands were still upon his face, but the beat of his tail against the floor and the quickened pace of his pulse spoke volumes. Whether he knew what she had done or not, he had surely imagined something similar. Blaze brought her hands to cross upon his clavicle and set her forehead upon them. As her cheek nestled against his exposed chest fur, she felt her tail curl around his leg, and she finally found bliss in the clutches of this villainous metal cage within a cage in the cold depths of space.
"You can open your eyes now, but I would recommend you keep them closed," Blaze instructed without looking, "Get some sleep. The alarm will vibrate us awake less than two hours from now," She didn't dare to look at him, but she one of his hands gingerly retake its place on the small of her back, "I'll try not to headbutt you when it does, but I can't make any promises."
Clock-watching was a most unbecoming habit, one that Gardon loathed more than almost any other. To the koala it suggested a serious failing of character, a willingness to waste time in waiting for what came next rather than going out to seize it or doing anything worthwhile with the minutes and hours ahead of you. The older he grew, the more the thought of just sitting around wasting even seconds perturbed him- he always had to be doing something, be it sweeping the long palace halls or surveying the royal gardens for weeds, even the most basic of act would suffice. He truly thought anything was better than wasting space.
The belief made his current position, stood in an antechamber listening to the slow tick of his pocket watch, all the more frustrating. Waiting for good reason was still waiting, it still felt like he was embodying laziness. He'd got so antsy that he'd ended up putting an eye to the banquet hall's keyhole, trying to glimpse the near end of the long table to zero success. So far he hadn't managed to identify any infractions enacted by the room's sole occupant. No sounds had peaked over the click of his watch and the beat of his heart, save for the briefest squeak of a chair against the floor. That sole sound had sent him tumbling backward most unprofessionally.
With each passing second the once steaming pot upon his tea trolly was losing warmth, its cooling due to the lid being set just slightly askew. A brown sugar cube was slothfully basking in a small bowl, the only other occupant being an errant teaspoon. The mugs were clean, but not pristine- a small rim of brown from their prior use was present in their bottom, the handle of the milk jug was even chipped! Yes, the bait was all set, the trap was prepared... he just had to push it into the beast's territory.
Finally, the guard captain dared to draw the watch from his blue waistcoat and glance the time. Sixteen going seventeen minutes past three in the afternoon, almost unfathomably late for lunch. Eating more than a snack would be frankly wasteful, it'd only serve to ruin one's dinner or push it back- resulting in a fitful night of sleep. Yes, it was time to act- it was time to test this rapscallion the princess seemed to think so highly of!
A creak reminded him to oil the hinges as he backed into the ancient door, something he could have done with that wasted time. As the guardsman turned he laid eyes on the fellow for the first time, and his first impression was... lacking? Could this truly be the otherworldly warrior he had heard so much about? This fluffy thing sat halfway up the grand dining table?
"Good afternoon, I'm so sorry for the delay! An urgent matter required my immanent attention, hopefully we shan't be interrupted any once more," The koala quickly called out, rushing to arrive at the opposite edge of the table from Silver.
Based on Blaze's descriptions, Gardon had expected the hedgehog to be a hulking mass of scar tissue and blinding tattoos with radiant eyes that could burn away a man's soul. In reality, the fella wasn't exactly tough looking. There was something admittedly otherworldly about him, that much matched his claim of coming not just from another world, but that world's future. Almost everyone the swordsman encountered was taller than himself (and this traveller was no exception), but he looked to be more fur than flesh. The glowing sigils she'd mentioned were mere marks on his hands: one of many poor fashion choices the young man had made.
A troubled look claimed the fellow's face before the koala could make further introductions, "Oh no, is everything okay?"
"Erm, indeed," All that time stood standing around and he hadn't thought up a half decent lie! "There was an electrical issue, the wiring in the castle is rather finicky and required some attention," He quickly lied, "Nothing to fuss over. It is so nice to finally make your acquaintance- Shiver the hedgehog."
A second test of etiquette had just been launched, how would this supposed hero respond to being incorrectly named?! The first of many trials had already concluded- the white figure had selected not to sit at the head or foot of the table, instead a sort of central right position near a window out onto the garden. It was a very demure choice, it suggested some care for tact and manners, but he had been given so much time to select his seating! This was going to-
Without blinking the hedgehog responded, "It's nice to meet you Gardon," Had he not even noticed?! "Blaze has told me so much about you!"
"H-Has she? Well, hopefully all good things, she was very set on us meeting for this luncheon on quite short notice..." Gardon mused, beginning to transfer goods to the table.
"Oh, feel free to just sit down. I can set things up," The hedgehog offered, though remained seated, "It sounds like you've been running around all day."
Light flashed in the hedgehog's palm, a glow that was soon flowed across the tea trolly. Before the koala could protest, thesilverware and ceramics had taken flight. With no more than a handful of gestures and the pointing of some fingers the telekinetic set plates, positioned cups, planted the sandwich serving stand, and placed all the guard had brought symmetrically between the two of them.
The final cutlery arrangement was neatly placed but incorrect... although, perhaps the layout of fork on the right with knife and spoon on the left was standard in his pocket of space-time? There didn't seem to be many differences between this world's people and those from over there, beyond their rampant adventurousness. Even then, Marine's demeanour suggested that alone was not a tell. Perhaps it would be wise to start a list of cultural deviations to prepare for future visitations...
"Thank you, that was most gracious of you, Shiver," Gardon made a subtle attempt to exaggerate the misspoken syllable as he took his seat, "Would you care for some tea?"
This time the hedgehog did hesitate, Gardon was certain he could see gears turning behind his-
"Yeah, that sounds great," Again, the hedgehog had completely blanked the mispronunciation, "That's what's in the pot, right?"
"...Indeed," Gardon hummed, "How do you take it?"
Now this test the hedgehog truly couldn't avoid. He had lifted out the sugar bowl himself and should have noticed it was near empty! To ask for the only lump would be rude, but to ask for more would suggest either a foolish unobservant nature or be the height of bad manners. Yes, he could ignore slips of the tongue but-
"However's best," The fellow said, as if it were a normal answer.
"H-However's best?" Gardon stammered back to him.
"Blaze says you always make it perfect for her, so I think it makes sense to try it your way?" He stated as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Not only was this hedgehog willing to take tea in mugs cleaned to a substandard finish, he was willing to so freely surrender the choice of sugar to another? Was that polite? A compliment had certainly been launched. Gardon had never experienced an attack like this before, he didn't know how to parry the kindness. Instead, he felt he had no choice but to reach across and take the pot- as if pouring it would somehow allow him to retake the advantage in this sparring match.
"Very well. I shall serve it to Blaze's particular specifications then," The gentleman affirmed, filling the other man's cup first.
Thankfully, Gardon's waiting beyond the door had resulted in the intended effect. As the brown liquid filled the first mug not only was it unsuitably dark- by its splash and the temperature of the porcelain, the drink was surely no hotter than lukewarm. Yes, the hedgehog would notice no steam was rising from either mug, not to mention how minute the impact of milk would be on the well brewed dark liquid.
The koala's eyes flickered up to the hedgehog as he poured, only to find his gaze shining with curiosity. He was staring intently as the tea was poured into each of their mugs, that conviction didn't fade as Gardon went on to pour the milk. It was as if he was expecting to observe some hidden secret; if so, he was truly missing the forest for the trees. There wasn't a hint of trepidation or concern about his personage...
Aha! But there was still the sugar, even further proof that the drink was cold- yes! By plunging that cube to sit undissolved in the depths, regardless of ferocious stirring attempts, surely the psychic would come to understand how cold the tea was before it could reach his lips. All it would take was some extreme stirring!
Harnessing the small silver tongs, he dropped the singular brown cube into the dark liquid before taking up the spoon. To say his mixing was wild would be an understatement, returning the cube to breach the surface time and time again looked anything but casual. Still, when older man's wrist cramped and he conceded, the hedgehog still looked excited.
"Thanks," The hedgehog picked up his mug without blinking.
He gave a sniff. Raised the rim to his lips. Took a small sip, then gulped the whole thing down. With a single crunch the unmelted sugar cube was consumed.
"Oh wow, that really is great!" He cheered, "I can see why it's Blaze's favourite."
"Would you like some more?" Gardon bleated, entirely on autopilot.
"There's more?" Why was the hedgehog so surprised?! "Then yes, absolutely!"
Gardon poured the young man another cup, this time unable to provide sugar due to his own prior trap. The telekinetic didn't seem to notice however, again raising the cup to his mouth. He didn't gulp it down in a single swallow this time at least. Had he always known the tea was cold? Was the hedgehog truly just a step ahead- had he noticed Gardon waiting outside the door? Perhaps it was time to try a different tactic, one not of confusion but of disgust. It was time for the luncheon to truly begin!
"Would you care for a sandwich, Shiver?" Again he stressed that first sound.
Gardon's initial idea had been to use bread that had gone slightly stale, but that seemed too rude and cruel- not to mention perhaps unnoticeable until a sandwich was bitten, making it useless for assessing Silver. Instead, the koala had devised some fillings that no person could possibly enjoy. Marmalade and green beans on peppered sourdough was just the start, ham on rye would be fine if he could ignore the chocolate spread and lemon zest, some truly unfortunate slices of ciabatta had been glued together with wasabi paste and soft cheese, and he'd even grated down peppermint candies to serve with olives and peanut butter on seeded bread.
It would be impolite to not at least sample the delicacies, but even more improper to spit them out or pull a face. This was a true test of character, how he responded when presented with such putrid but edible foodstuffs would surely speak to the quality of his character. The aroma alone was all frankly debilitating... but the hedgehog hadn't yet flinched!
Surely he'd noticed the scent? His eyes had drifted to the platter now but...was that hunger in his expression? Could he not clearly see the strange mixture of colours between the breads?
Again the hedgehog didn't blinked, but what he said was even more bewildering, "Oh, they're for me too?"
"...Indeed?" Gardon managed to squeak, "Feel free to help yourself."
A cyan glow engulfed a finger sandwich, raising it into the air ahead of Silver. Was that polite? The hedgehog wasn't exactly at risk of dropping crumbs, his power didn't seem to allow for such a possibility, but he wasn't exactly using the tableware. Yes the forks, spoons, and knives were largely ceremonial but the plates had a use. There wasn't so much as a crack in his demeanour either, he seemed genuinely happy with-
The crunch of teeth splitting green beans echoed through the dining hall, "Wow, I've never tried anything like this. It's really good!"
Not only was sparing the dishes from needing cleaned, he was protecting the koala's feelings! This was more polite! Through this esper's efforts, an endeavour of otherworldly skill that surely required more energy than a humble sandwich could grant, the time traveller was endeavouring to save the palace staff from additional duties. He'd already swallowed one sandwich and was telekinetically reaching for another, was he intending to leave no waste at all?! How could he handle such discordant tastes and textures?!
"Did you make these?" He asked, having swallowed a mouthful of peppermint and olive.
"Indeed," Gardon whimpered, "Eat as many as you wish..."
With the third now taking to the air, he was on track to taste all the flavours of nonsense the older man had dared to dream. The entire plan to test this lad had been an abject failure with not a single piece of viable data generated besides the fact he had no sense of taste. All the ways he seemed mannerly could have been pure interdimensional coincidence or general strangeness rather than an intentional want to be polite. All that and Gardon had yet to begin to glean just what made the princess so infatuated with this rapscallion, besides perhaps his fluffiness.
An ask of something like "Are you feeling okay?" Freed the captain from his thoughts.
"Excuse me?" Gardon asked, rousing more fully."I just noticed you're not really eating, you haven't touched your tea either, and you seem pretty tense," He explained, "Are you feeling sick?"
Was the hedgehog responding in kind with a test of his own? Was this goading, mockery, jeering? Did he truly have a masterful pokerface? No, there was nothing but earnestness in his eyes, a heartfelt concern was radiating from the hedgehog. Still, Gardon felt he couldn't admit his folly.
"No, I'm just rather tired from duties already," More specifically the past twenty or so minutes, "My work sometimes requires strange and disparate things of me."
"That makes sense, given all Blaze has told me, it seems like you do a lot- especially for her," Another sandwich vanished, "You're kind of like her dad, right?"
That question was enough to return the guardsman to full attention, "What did you just ask me?" Finally, actual rudeness, bizarre bluntness!"The way she talks about you, it just sort of seems that way," The hedgehog elaborated rather than repeat himself, "It sounds like you've really looked after her, ever since she was little."
"I..." Images of a tiny kitten with fur stained by soot flashed in defender's mind, "Um..." Memories spun of long nights she'd spent in the library, of him urging her to bed and checking back to pull a blanket over her shoulders when his pleading failed, "Well," The way she would chastise him for using her official title rather than her true name rang in his ears, "Erm..."
"Maybe I've messed that up, used the wrong words," The young man interjected, finally perhaps a little flustered, "I just meant to say thank you for that, for all you do and have done for her," His hand was back at his chest fur, "She has looked out for me a lot and helped me in more ways than I can even think. I'm just so glad that you have been here to help her while I've been away," Gardon steepled his fingers, "I promise, I'll do all I can to help her. I'll stick by her side no matter what."
Something wasn't right. The koala consider himself to be a scrupulous judge of character, second only to the princess herself. He could see the sincerity in the hedgehog's eyes and hear the earnest truth in his tone. He seemed to care for Blaze in a way few others would dare to express, and that truth coupled with the prior mention of fatherhood brought Gardon to consider the truly improbable. Was this hedgehog a suitor, was that why Blaze had seemed so set on arranging this meeting?! Did she intend to wed this strange fluffy foreigner?!
"You're talking as though you've been here before, but to my understanding, she must have met you quite recently. I watched her grow myself," Gardon could hear the defensiveness in his tone, "Her majesty has only visited the other reality a handful of times. What do you mean that you've been away, and how could you possibly have such a connection with her?"
"It's complicated, I don't think I can explain it- not even with her help," His hand drifted to his quills, "In a time and place that no longer exists, we looked out for each other. We spent a lifetime together- well kind of a lifetime? It's not like we got old. I also don't know if we're the exact same people who spent that time together, versions of us certainly did, but we've sort of remembered it? She realised everything first, a little while ago, I'm surprised she didn't tell you," His hand stilled, "I only really put it all together last week, maybe ten days ago? That's when we properly reunited and renewed our vows to each other."
Renewed vows?! This was truly bizarre, if he was a suitor then he was using some truly poetic language- rambling about some kind of bond across space and time. The older man wanted to think it nonsense, but this self professed connection was plainly mutual- Gardon had heard so much about this strange fellow from Blaze. Less than a month ago she'd first mentioned him, and since then she'd scarcely stopped. Despite that being the case, a protective instinct- either paternal or born of duty- was welling within the koala.
"You really think you know her so well?" For the first time in this luncheon, Gardon managed to steel his resolve, "Then prove it. Tell me about her, tell me the things that only her closest of companions would know."
"I know..." His boldness seemed to give the hedgehog pause, but a certain seriousness quickly claimed his expression- both his palms struck the table! "That she struggles with spicy food but really likes sweet stuff, even though she thinks it's childish. That whenever she thinks something is cute she feels a need to hit it or mess it up somehow. That she's nervous about being petite even though she's the strongest person I know. That her truest smile is small and wiry, the fake one is wide and toothy. That she used to worry so much about being left alone she pushed everyone away. That she is really upset about her cooking even though it's really good," He barked and barked, "That she falls asleep sitting up just as easily as lying down. That she'll only take one pillow for herself, but she really wants two. That her claws come out whenever she's dreaming. That she's had a reoccurring nightmare about a giant bird carrying her away ever since she was a child," Now he was starting to wheeze, "That she likes wearing dresses, but gets flustered when she's seen in them. That she feels too short if she's not in heels, even if they slow her down. That she tilts her head just a little to the left whenever she's confused. That her tail always betrays her attempts to remain stoic. That her shoulders go all stiff whenever she's stressed or in public. That she hunches over like a gargoyle if she likes what she's reading, but sits properly if it's boring her..."
The koala wasn't certain when he'd started smiling, but now he was struggling to contain laughter. Silver had gone red in the face, not pausing to breathe as he rattled off claim after claim about Blaze. All of them, well all that the koala could confirm based on his own experience, were true. Except that her cooking was good, of course. Embellishing was a most unbecoming habit, but one Gardon supposed he could look beyond on this occasion.
"That she'll stare at you from across the room and quickly look away when you catch her- refusing to admit that you've done something to annoy her," The knight hummed.
"Y-Yeah," Silver panted in agreement, "That too."
"So you do actually know her," Gardon acquiesced, "And care for her."
"More than anything!" The preternatural hedgehog proclaimed, "I'd give up my life a million- no, a billion times if it meant saving her!"
"In that much at least, we are aligned," His laughter settled in his gut, the smile on his face felt warm, "I would like to hear about your apparently secret lifetime with Blaze, if you don't mind sharing," Gardon requested, daring to sip his lukewarm tea, "She doesn't often consider her accomplishments worth discussing, and it is so very nice to hear from another who cares so much for her."
"She really doesn't like to take credit for anything..." Sternness had quickly faded the yellow eyed fellow's expressions, replaced with that warm honesty once again, "I've got tons of stories from that time, but the endings aren't always the happiest," The hedgehog had gone from silly to glum rather suddenly, "Would you rather I kept it all positive?"
"I know that she's here now and that she's safe, nothing you tell me will change that," He said, sounding far too fatherly in his own opinion, "But if you tell me anything she'd rather I not know, we both know what'll happen to you."
"I think I might've already done a bit of that, you should probably forget what I said about cute stuff and her cooking... and some other stuff," The esper's smile returned as he again began to tug at his chest fur, "Okay, I'll only tell tales of her glory from now on!"
---
Blaze was beginning worry, both her captain of the guard and time travelling companion seemed to have made themselves scarce. It was far past lunch, she hadn't expected to finish her duties and find them still waiting for her- but a report from Gardon had been expected. Neither he nor the hedgehog were in the banquet hall, kitchen, their lodgings, the library, or anywhere in-between.
Finally, in the royal gardens, she had spotted a familiar looking white frond poking out from behind a tree. The psychic hedgehog was so deep in a daydream he didn't seem to notice the cat as she peered around the trunk- he was laid back against it, staring up at the canopy. She, perhaps impulsively, swatted an errant quill to take his attention.
"There you are," She could hear the frustration in her own voice,"I've been looking all over the grounds for you," That sounded slightly better, "How was lunch?"
"The food was great, it went pretty well I think, but he seems to really struggle with my name..." Silver answered, still somewhat in his own world judging by the fingers plucking at his chest fur, "When you told me your dad spoke a bit weirdly, I thought you just meant the posh stuff."
"M-My dad?!" Blaze spluttered, her tail straight and twice as concerned as she had been, "What in the world did you two get up to?"
"We just talked and ate," The hedgehog shrugged, "I think he likes me."
Clock-watching was a most unbecoming habit, one that Gardon loathed more than almost any other. To the koala it suggested a serious failing of character, a willingness to waste time in waiting for what came next rather than going out to seize it or doing anything worthwhile with the minutes and hours ahead of you. The older he grew, the more the thought of just sitting around wasting even seconds perturbed him- he always had to be doing something, be it sweeping the long palace halls or surveying the royal gardens for weeds, even the most basic of act would suffice. He truly thought anything was better than wasting space.
The belief made his current position, stood in an antechamber listening to the slow tick of his pocket watch, all the more frustrating. Waiting for good reason was still waiting, it still felt like he was embodying laziness. He'd got so antsy that he'd ended up putting an eye to the banquet hall's keyhole, trying to glimpse the near end of the long table to zero success. So far he hadn't managed to identify any infractions enacted by the room's sole occupant. No sounds had peaked over the click of his watch and the beat of his heart, save for the briefest squeak of a chair against the floor. That sole sound had sent him tumbling backward most unprofessionally.
With each passing second the once steaming pot upon his tea trolly was losing warmth, its cooling due to the lid being set just slightly askew. A brown sugar cube was slothfully basking in a small bowl, the only other occupant being an errant teaspoon. The mugs were clean, but not pristine- a small rim of brown from their prior use was present in their bottom, the handle of the milk jug was even chipped! Yes, the bait was all set, the trap was prepared... he just had to push it into the beast's territory.
Finally, the guard captain dared to draw the watch from his blue waistcoat and glance the time. Sixteen going seventeen minutes past three in the afternoon, almost unfathomably late for lunch. Eating more than a snack would be frankly wasteful, it'd only serve to ruin one's dinner or push it back- resulting in a fitful night of sleep. Yes, it was time to act- it was time to test this rapscallion the princess seemed to think so highly of!
A creak reminded him to oil the hinges as he backed into the ancient door, something he could have done with that wasted time. As the guardsman turned he laid eyes on the fellow for the first time, and his first impression was... lacking? Could this truly be the otherworldly warrior he had heard so much about? This fluffy thing sat halfway up the grand dining table?
"Good afternoon, I'm so sorry for the delay! An urgent matter required my immanent attention, hopefully we shan't be interrupted any once more," The koala quickly called out, rushing to arrive at the opposite edge of the table from Silver.
Based on Blaze's descriptions, Gardon had expected the hedgehog to be a hulking mass of scar tissue and blinding tattoos with radiant eyes that could burn away a man's soul. In reality, the fella wasn't exactly tough looking. There was something admittedly otherworldly about him, that much matched his claim of coming not just from another world, but that world's future. Almost everyone the swordsman encountered was taller than himself (and this traveller was no exception), but he looked to be more fur than flesh. The glowing sigils she'd mentioned were mere marks on his hands: one of many poor fashion choices the young man had made.
A troubled look claimed the fellow's face before the koala could make further introductions, "Oh no, is everything okay?"
"Erm, indeed," All that time stood standing around and he hadn't thought up a half decent lie! "There was an electrical issue, the wiring in the castle is rather finicky and required some attention," He quickly lied, "Nothing to fuss over. It is so nice to finally make your acquaintance- Shiver the hedgehog."
A second test of etiquette had just been launched, how would this supposed hero respond to being incorrectly named?! The first of many trials had already concluded- the white figure had selected not to sit at the head or foot of the table, instead a sort of central right position near a window out onto the garden. It was a very demure choice, it suggested some care for tact and manners, but he had been given so much time to select his seating! This was going to-
Without blinking the hedgehog responded, "It's nice to meet you Gardon," Had he not even noticed?! "Blaze has told me so much about you!"
"H-Has she? Well, hopefully all good things, she was very set on us meeting for this luncheon on quite short notice..." Gardon mused, beginning to transfer goods to the table.
"Oh, feel free to just sit down. I can set things up," The hedgehog offered, though remained seated, "It sounds like you've been running around all day."
Light flashed in the hedgehog's palm, a glow that was soon flowed across the tea trolly. Before the koala could protest, thesilverware and ceramics had taken flight. With no more than a handful of gestures and the pointing of some fingers the telekinetic set plates, positioned cups, planted the sandwich serving stand, and placed all the guard had brought symmetrically between the two of them.
The final cutlery arrangement was neatly placed but incorrect... although, perhaps the layout of fork on the right with knife and spoon on the left was standard in his pocket of space-time? There didn't seem to be many differences between this world's people and those from over there, beyond their rampant adventurousness. Even then, Marine's demeanour suggested that alone was not a tell. Perhaps it would be wise to start a list of cultural deviations to prepare for future visitations...
"Thank you, that was most gracious of you, Shiver," Gardon made a subtle attempt to exaggerate the misspoken syllable as he took his seat, "Would you care for some tea?"
This time the hedgehog did hesitate, Gardon was certain he could see gears turning behind his-
"Yeah, that sounds great," Again, the hedgehog had completely blanked the mispronunciation, "That's what's in the pot, right?"
"...Indeed," Gardon hummed, "How do you take it?"
Now this test the hedgehog truly couldn't avoid. He had lifted out the sugar bowl himself and should have noticed it was near empty! To ask for the only lump would be rude, but to ask for more would suggest either a foolish unobservant nature or be the height of bad manners. Yes, he could ignore slips of the tongue but-
"However's best," The fellow said, as if it were a normal answer.
"H-However's best?" Gardon stammered back to him.
"Blaze says you always make it perfect for her, so I think it makes sense to try it your way?" He stated as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Not only was this hedgehog willing to take tea in mugs cleaned to a substandard finish, he was willing to so freely surrender the choice of sugar to another? Was that polite? A compliment had certainly been launched. Gardon had never experienced an attack like this before, he didn't know how to parry the kindness. Instead, he felt he had no choice but to reach across and take the pot- as if pouring it would somehow allow him to retake the advantage in this sparring match.
"Very well. I shall serve it to Blaze's particular specifications then," The gentleman affirmed, filling the other man's cup first.
Thankfully, Gardon's waiting beyond the door had resulted in the intended effect. As the brown liquid filled the first mug not only was it unsuitably dark- by its splash and the temperature of the porcelain, the drink was surely no hotter than lukewarm. Yes, the hedgehog would notice no steam was rising from either mug, not to mention how minute the impact of milk would be on the well brewed dark liquid.
The koala's eyes flickered up to the hedgehog as he poured, only to find his gaze shining with curiosity. He was staring intently as the tea was poured into each of their mugs, that conviction didn't fade as Gardon went on to pour the milk. It was as if he was expecting to observe some hidden secret; if so, he was truly missing the forest for the trees. There wasn't a hint of trepidation or concern about his personage...
Aha! But there was still the sugar, even further proof that the drink was cold- yes! By plunging that cube to sit undissolved in the depths, regardless of ferocious stirring attempts, surely the psychic would come to understand how cold the tea was before it could reach his lips. All it would take was some extreme stirring!
Harnessing the small silver tongs, he dropped the singular brown cube into the dark liquid before taking up the spoon. To say his mixing was wild would be an understatement, returning the cube to breach the surface time and time again looked anything but casual. Still, when older man's wrist cramped and he conceded, the hedgehog still looked excited.
"Thanks," The hedgehog picked up his mug without blinking.
He gave a sniff. Raised the rim to his lips. Took a small sip, then gulped the whole thing down. With a single crunch the unmelted sugar cube was consumed.
"Oh wow, that really is great!" He cheered, "I can see why it's Blaze's favourite."
"Would you like some more?" Gardon bleated, entirely on autopilot.
"There's more?" Why was the hedgehog so surprised?! "Then yes, absolutely!"
Gardon poured the young man another cup, this time unable to provide sugar due to his own prior trap. The telekinetic didn't seem to notice however, again raising the cup to his mouth. He didn't gulp it down in a single swallow this time at least. Had he always known the tea was cold? Was the hedgehog truly just a step ahead- had he noticed Gardon waiting outside the door? Perhaps it was time to try a different tactic, one not of confusion but of disgust. It was time for the luncheon to truly begin!
"Would you care for a sandwich, Shiver?" Again he stressed that first sound.
Gardon's initial idea had been to use bread that had gone slightly stale, but that seemed too rude and cruel- not to mention perhaps unnoticeable until a sandwich was bitten, making it useless for assessing Silver. Instead, the koala had devised some fillings that no person could possibly enjoy. Marmalade and green beans on peppered sourdough was just the start, ham on rye would be fine if he could ignore the chocolate spread and lemon zest, some truly unfortunate slices of ciabatta had been glued together with wasabi paste and soft cheese, and he'd even grated down peppermint candies to serve with olives and peanut butter on seeded bread.
It would be impolite to not at least sample the delicacies, but even more improper to spit them out or pull a face. This was a true test of character, how he responded when presented with such putrid but edible foodstuffs would surely speak to the quality of his character. The aroma alone was all frankly debilitating... but the hedgehog hadn't yet flinched!
Surely he'd noticed the scent? His eyes had drifted to the platter now but...was that hunger in his expression? Could he not clearly see the strange mixture of colours between the breads?
Again the hedgehog didn't blinked, but what he said was even more bewildering, "Oh, they're for me too?"
"...Indeed?" Gardon managed to squeak, "Feel free to help yourself."
A cyan glow engulfed a finger sandwich, raising it into the air ahead of Silver. Was that polite? The hedgehog wasn't exactly at risk of dropping crumbs, his power didn't seem to allow for such a possibility, but he wasn't exactly using the tableware. Yes the forks, spoons, and knives were largely ceremonial but the plates had a use. There wasn't so much as a crack in his demeanour either, he seemed genuinely happy with-
The crunch of teeth splitting green beans echoed through the dining hall, "Wow, I've never tried anything like this. It's really good!"
Not only was sparing the dishes from needing cleaned, he was protecting the koala's feelings! This was more polite! Through this esper's efforts, an endeavour of otherworldly skill that surely required more energy than a humble sandwich could grant, the time traveller was endeavouring to save the palace staff from additional duties. He'd already swallowed one sandwich and was telekinetically reaching for another, was he intending to leave no waste at all?! How could he handle such discordant tastes and textures?!
"Did you make these?" He asked, having swallowed a mouthful of peppermint and olive.
"Indeed," Gardon whimpered, "Eat as many as you wish..."
With the third now taking to the air, he was on track to taste all the flavours of nonsense the older man had dared to dream. The entire plan to test this lad had been an abject failure with not a single piece of viable data generated besides the fact he had no sense of taste. All the ways he seemed mannerly could have been pure interdimensional coincidence or general strangeness rather than an intentional want to be polite. All that and Gardon had yet to begin to glean just what made the princess so infatuated with this rapscallion, besides perhaps his fluffiness.
An ask of something like "Are you feeling okay?" Freed the captain from his thoughts.
"Excuse me?" Gardon asked, rousing more fully."I just noticed you're not really eating, you haven't touched your tea either, and you seem pretty tense," He explained, "Are you feeling sick?"
Was the hedgehog responding in kind with a test of his own? Was this goading, mockery, jeering? Did he truly have a masterful pokerface? No, there was nothing but earnestness in his eyes, a heartfelt concern was radiating from the hedgehog. Still, Gardon felt he couldn't admit his folly.
"No, I'm just rather tired from duties already," More specifically the past twenty or so minutes, "My work sometimes requires strange and disparate things of me."
"That makes sense, given all Blaze has told me, it seems like you do a lot- especially for her," Another sandwich vanished, "You're kind of like her dad, right?"
That question was enough to return the guardsman to full attention, "What did you just ask me?" Finally, actual rudeness, bizarre bluntness!"The way she talks about you, it just sort of seems that way," The hedgehog elaborated rather than repeat himself, "It sounds like you've really looked after her, ever since she was little."
"I..." Images of a tiny kitten with fur stained by soot flashed in defender's mind, "Um..." Memories spun of long nights she'd spent in the library, of him urging her to bed and checking back to pull a blanket over her shoulders when his pleading failed, "Well," The way she would chastise him for using her official title rather than her true name rang in his ears, "Erm..."
"Maybe I've messed that up, used the wrong words," The young man interjected, finally perhaps a little flustered, "I just meant to say thank you for that, for all you do and have done for her," His hand was back at his chest fur, "She has looked out for me a lot and helped me in more ways than I can even think. I'm just so glad that you have been here to help her while I've been away," Gardon steepled his fingers, "I promise, I'll do all I can to help her. I'll stick by her side no matter what."
Something wasn't right. The koala consider himself to be a scrupulous judge of character, second only to the princess herself. He could see the sincerity in the hedgehog's eyes and hear the earnest truth in his tone. He seemed to care for Blaze in a way few others would dare to express, and that truth coupled with the prior mention of fatherhood brought Gardon to consider the truly improbable. Was this hedgehog a suitor, was that why Blaze had seemed so set on arranging this meeting?! Did she intend to wed this strange fluffy foreigner?!
"You're talking as though you've been here before, but to my understanding, she must have met you quite recently. I watched her grow myself," Gardon could hear the defensiveness in his tone, "Her majesty has only visited the other reality a handful of times. What do you mean that you've been away, and how could you possibly have such a connection with her?"
"It's complicated, I don't think I can explain it- not even with her help," His hand drifted to his quills, "In a time and place that no longer exists, we looked out for each other. We spent a lifetime together- well kind of a lifetime? It's not like we got old. I also don't know if we're the exact same people who spent that time together, versions of us certainly did, but we've sort of remembered it? She realised everything first, a little while ago, I'm surprised she didn't tell you," His hand stilled, "I only really put it all together last week, maybe ten days ago? That's when we properly reunited and renewed our vows to each other."
Renewed vows?! This was truly bizarre, if he was a suitor then he was using some truly poetic language- rambling about some kind of bond across space and time. The older man wanted to think it nonsense, but this self professed connection was plainly mutual- Gardon had heard so much about this strange fellow from Blaze. Less than a month ago she'd first mentioned him, and since then she'd scarcely stopped. Despite that being the case, a protective instinct- either paternal or born of duty- was welling within the koala.
"You really think you know her so well?" For the first time in this luncheon, Gardon managed to steel his resolve, "Then prove it. Tell me about her, tell me the things that only her closest of companions would know."
"I know..." His boldness seemed to give the hedgehog pause, but a certain seriousness quickly claimed his expression- both his palms struck the table! "That she struggles with spicy food but really likes sweet stuff, even though she thinks it's childish. That whenever she thinks something is cute she feels a need to hit it or mess it up somehow. That she's nervous about being petite even though she's the strongest person I know. That her truest smile is small and wiry, the fake one is wide and toothy. That she used to worry so much about being left alone she pushed everyone away. That she is really upset about her cooking even though it's really good," He barked and barked, "That she falls asleep sitting up just as easily as lying down. That she'll only take one pillow for herself, but she really wants two. That her claws come out whenever she's dreaming. That she's had a reoccurring nightmare about a giant bird carrying her away ever since she was a child," Now he was starting to wheeze, "That she likes wearing dresses, but gets flustered when she's seen in them. That she feels too short if she's not in heels, even if they slow her down. That she tilts her head just a little to the left whenever she's confused. That her tail always betrays her attempts to remain stoic. That her shoulders go all stiff whenever she's stressed or in public. That she hunches over like a gargoyle if she likes what she's reading, but sits properly if it's boring her..."
The koala wasn't certain when he'd started smiling, but now he was struggling to contain laughter. Silver had gone red in the face, not pausing to breathe as he rattled off claim after claim about Blaze. All of them, well all that the koala could confirm based on his own experience, were true. Except that her cooking was good, of course. Embellishing was a most unbecoming habit, but one Gardon supposed he could look beyond on this occasion.
"That she'll stare at you from across the room and quickly look away when you catch her- refusing to admit that you've done something to annoy her," The knight hummed.
"Y-Yeah," Silver panted in agreement, "That too."
"So you do actually know her," Gardon acquiesced, "And care for her."
"More than anything!" The preternatural hedgehog proclaimed, "I'd give up my life a million- no, a billion times if it meant saving her!"
"In that much at least, we are aligned," His laughter settled in his gut, the smile on his face felt warm, "I would like to hear about your apparently secret lifetime with Blaze, if you don't mind sharing," Gardon requested, daring to sip his lukewarm tea, "She doesn't often consider her accomplishments worth discussing, and it is so very nice to hear from another who cares so much for her."
"She really doesn't like to take credit for anything..." Sternness had quickly faded the yellow eyed fellow's expressions, replaced with that warm honesty once again, "I've got tons of stories from that time, but the endings aren't always the happiest," The hedgehog had gone from silly to glum rather suddenly, "Would you rather I kept it all positive?"
"I know that she's here now and that she's safe, nothing you tell me will change that," He said, sounding far too fatherly in his own opinion, "But if you tell me anything she'd rather I not know, we both know what'll happen to you."
"I think I might've already done a bit of that, you should probably forget what I said about cute stuff and her cooking... and some other stuff," The esper's smile returned as he again began to tug at his chest fur, "Okay, I'll only tell tales of her glory from now on!"
---
Blaze was beginning worry, both her captain of the guard and time travelling companion seemed to have made themselves scarce. It was far past lunch, she hadn't expected to finish her duties and find them still waiting for her- but a report from Gardon had been expected. Neither he nor the hedgehog were in the banquet hall, kitchen, their lodgings, the library, or anywhere in-between.
Finally, in the royal gardens, she had spotted a familiar looking white frond poking out from behind a tree. The psychic hedgehog was so deep in a daydream he didn't seem to notice the cat as she peered around the trunk- he was laid back against it, staring up at the canopy. She, perhaps impulsively, swatted an errant quill to take his attention.
"There you are," She could hear the frustration in her own voice,"I've been looking all over the grounds for you," That sounded slightly better, "How was lunch?"
"The food was great, it went pretty well I think, but he seems to really struggle with my name..." Silver answered, still somewhat in his own world judging by the fingers plucking at his chest fur, "When you told me your dad spoke a bit weirdly, I thought you just meant the posh stuff."
"M-My dad?!" Blaze spluttered, her tail straight and twice as concerned as she had been, "What in the world did you two get up to?"
"We just talked and ate," The hedgehog shrugged, "I think he likes me."
✨Like parent, like child✨ I have gotten grossly attached to these fan kids dude it’s very unfortunate 😔 I wanted to show the little ways they take after their parents while still not being carbon copies
I also headcanon that Blaze is the type that absolutely LOVES whenever the kids show more of Silver’s traits 👉👈 She’s down bad for this silly guy (and it’s so SO mutual)
You love drawing hedgehogs and cats so much but how do you feel about the real life ones?
Sometimes I also like to draw real animals. But if you're asking if I draw Sonic characters, I do, but very rarely, more often as an experiment or an attempt at something new.
If I misunderstood something, please tell me.
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