Solstice Celebration
Solstice Gathering
"Why are we doing this again?" the slightly annoyed voice asked as the pair ran through the dense hodgepodge of trees, bushes, flowers and vines.
"Cuz," he slid under a low hanging branch, a smirk donning his face in his success, "It's tradition."
"So, why am I coming?" the purple firecracker leaped over the branch the blue bullet just passed, her face concentrated as she tried to keep up with his insane speed.
"How many times do I have to explain it, Blaze?" With an exasperated sigh he smoothly turned around, still running, though backwards this time, to face her. "It's a family gathering. Anybody we consider family attends."
"Okay. Just answer this last question Sonic." She replied, her voice losing that annoyed edge as she leaped a large log
"Shoot." said hedgehog turned just in time to leapfrog over a rock.
"Why on Möbius did you bring me to this accursed floating island!" Birds flew off at her scream, Sonic jumped in surprise, almost slipping up.
"Well the view of the sunset and the stars from Sky Sanctuary are amazing, the best in all the world."
"And the real reason?"
"That is the real reason," at her unconvinced look he relented. "Well ya see Tikal insisted on having it up here so that she could keep an eye on the Master Emerald and Nicole and Vanilla insisted because of the view and peaceful setting," a full body shudder came over him, "and ever since that one time with the ring, I've never denied them anything, especially together."
"But you're fine with denying me?" the fiery feline let out a huff of air. "I'm not sure if you're spineless or stupid, hedgehog."
"I prefer the term smart, but that's just me." A smirk covered his face, "Either that or suave. Ladies seem to agree on that one."
"You're 'family' seems to agree that you're pigheaded."
He waved a hand back nonchalantly. "Jealous I tell ya." Slowing at the base of the mountain he started to run up it, gaining speed quickly.
"You mean we're going higher?" She yelped, still following, "As if a floating island thousands of feet in the air isn't enough!"
"Don't get your panties in a bunch." He leaped to avoid a fireball. Turning back to gloat he was met with a snow ball instead. Scowling he pointed straight up where a beautiful cabin was located. "We're already here."
"I better not have to deal with what you call wit for the entire stay Sonic," came the threat.
"Nope, just most of it," he quipped back. He wrapped around the mountain, Blaze following. A cave entrance came in sight and he entered. As soon as his companion was in he guided her through the surprisingly well furnished cave. A long crimson carpet led the way and there were several other paths to take throughout.
"For the Tornado," Sonic explained. "Not to mention the other planes Tails has built."
Upon reaching the end of the path there was an oak door beautifully made with what appeared to be a fresh coat of lacquer. Sonic opened the heavy door and the sound of wood chimes massaged Blaze's ears.
The first thing Blaze noticed was the sheer enormity of the house. The living floor was almost entirely open concept. With pristine wooden floors, covered in rugs according to the space. A fireplace sat directly opposite the front door with love seats and couches around in a semi circle.
Her inspection was cut short by a smooth voice from atop the spiralling staircase. "Miles? Is that you?" The lynx stepped elegantly down the steps, though the t-shirt and sweats she wore suggested that it was unintentional. A soft smile appeared on her face as she saw the new guest. "Oh Sonic! I didn't expect you back this quickly!"
"Well you know me Nicole," he rubbed his nose trying, and failing, to hide an arrogant smile, "Quick is too slow for me."
He was enveloped in a hug which he returned before signalling to Blaze with his head. "Nicole you remember Blaze right?"
The feline found herself engulfed in a hug quickly after the introduction. "Of course I do! It's been too long Honey! You have to visit more often than you do." Nicole finally released Blaze from her hug.
Catching her breath she replied, "I'll be sure to Miss Nicole."
A rare frown appeared on the Ms. Soleanna pageant winner's still beautiful face. "Now sweetie, you know that it's just Nicole. No Miss." The scowl left and was replaced by a smile again, and that was replaced by a look of shock. "Oh look at me, I haven't even bothered to take your coat yet." She did so despite the weak protests from Blaze.
"You can stop laughing now Sonic," the cat said in warning, her more casual outfit seemed to make it much more unthreatening though.
"No I can't," his chuckles continued. "It's hilarious when it happens to someone else. Especially Shadow." At the thought he let out another round of chuckles.
Rolling her eyes she turned to Nicole who had spoken up. "You can see what I have to live with. He's definitely not an easy one to look after. But he keeps me young." She let out a giggle at her own private joke. "Sonic you show Blaze around the house. I'll go make some hot chocolate."
"Whatever you say mom. I'll show her around real quick."
He grabbed hold of Blaze's hand and revved his feet and was about to take off when a stern look appeared on Nicole's face, "No running in the house mister!"
The reserved feline let out a chuckle at the two and followed Sonic as he sulked away.
"Oh and Rouge is in her room. Don't bother her!"
He gave her an acknowledging nod.
Blaze remained silent with a small smile on my face as Sonic led me through the dining room and the living room. They were both grand and comfy but not overwhelmingly so. The wood gave it a quaint feel. "Here's where we'll be spending most of our time. As a family I mean," flourishing to a large games room down a small flight of stairs. "There's a kitchen, a television, board games, video games, a computer, basically everything you'd need and if we don't have it just ask and I'll get it." He led her to the area with the fireplace. "This is what I like to call the sappy corner. Mostly for Nicole, Vanilla, Rouge, and Tikal to cozy up and have
girl talk or braid hair or watch a chick flick or whatever girls do when guys aren't around. It's also nice for couples but that's a moot point, cuz there are none, at least not now."
The west side of the house was next and it had two rooms, aside from a powder room. "This here leads to another basement area, Tails' workshop, lil bro insisted on having one.," he shook his head chuckling. "When that red light is on don't go in, trust me on that." He rubbed his quills nervously and she raised an eyebrow. He opened the other door "This is the library, books of all types are here and you can take them as long as you put them back. Or Shade will find you and you don't want that."
He then led me up the spiralling stairs, which I could see from the entrance. He pointed to the window which had a branching path. "That balcony holds a little self serve café that we made. It's great in the mornings." Turning around he led me down the left hall way. It wrapped around in a circle. "These are the bedrooms. There are three things that you need to know. Left side equals guys, right side equals girls and in the middle is moms. Don't try to sneak into the boys rooms or the moms will hear you. You'll never make it." He pointed towards the doors Which had a symbol with an inconsistent number of circles on them, each circle had there own little personal flare to represent the persons inside. "Blue, yellow, red is me, Tails, and Knuckles. White/silver and black/red is Shadow and Silver.
"On the parents side Techno themed is Nicole. Music themed is Vanilla. Emerald themed is Tikal."
"Girls side. Pink and cream is Amy and, well, Cream. Magenta and blonde is Rouge and Bunnie." He knocked loudly on the door simply to annoy the bat.
She poked her head out as expected and was about to explode at him when she saw the guest. "Morning Hon! Or is it afternoon? I always lose track of time in this house."
"Hello Rouge. It's been a while." The feline gave a smirk at the look of contentment, the flushed face, and the robe the bat was wearing, before being dragged off by the king of impatience.
"And last but not least is Black and purple." He turned to me. "You'll be sharing this room with Shade. Each room has an en suite so you know where the bathrooms are. That's about it. If you need anything come find us." He dashed off quickly and before Blaze could blink, was back with a snowboard. "You wanna go boarding?"
"Thanks for the tour but I'll pass. I might just lounge around for a bit."
"Suit yourself. Catch ya later firecracker," he winked and bolted off, a faint "bye mom" was heard before the slam of the door.
I went to the library picking up a book and made my way to the kitchen where Nicole was sitting with a cup of hot chocolate and a content smile. I took a cup off of the counter and sat across from her.
"This is a beautiful home Nicole."
"Don't tell me that,"she replied, brushing off the compliment. "Tell the boys, they built it all on their own. Though us ladies did the interior decor." She gave a little wink. "Speaking of which we need to design your room to suit you. I'm thinking a nice deep red..."
"Doesn't Shade need to be a part of this decision as well? It's her room as well," came the calm observation.
"Oh my bad." She sighed "Those three are always so late..."
"Pardon me Nicole but its only noon. I'm sure that they have a lot of work to do. They have to secure the Master Emerald, set up traps and such." Blaze flipped a page as she rambled on.
"I suppose so but-" She was cut off by the click of the door opening and she gracefully made her way to it. She let out a squeal as she saw Tails, engulfing him in a hug. "My baby!" She rained kisses on his face.
Tails was giggling, used to this type of behaviour. "Hi mommy. The Tornado's in the cave." He saw the younger woman behind the lynx, "Hi Blaze! Your stuff is with the Tornado. Okay?"
"Thanks kid." I offered him a small sincere smile. "Sonic's out snowboarding and Rouge's in her room."
Blue eyes shone in happiness, "I'm going to go catch up to Sonic!" He left before coming back in and flying to the top of the stairs.
"What did I say about flying inside!" Nicole scolded the two tailed child.
"Sorry!" Came the shout from the room. "A short while later he appeared again, snowboard in hand, clothes on and tails spinning as he flew down the stairs.
"Miles!"
"Sorry mom! Bye!" He said as he slammed the door shut.
Shaking her head with a defeated look on her face Nicole murmured, "Takes after his brother, that one."
Blaze chuckled as she witnessed the scene. Putting a mark in her book, she stood up. "I better go get my things then."
"Oh let me help you sweetie." Before she could protest Nicole had on her boots and a purple jacket.
Grabbing her own robe, Blaze made her way out.
Coming back they were greeted by a flash of white and green. Shadow appeared out of it carrying his own suitcase.
Welcoming us with a curt nod and a small smirk he spoke. "You are very kind to invite me to your home, Nicole."
"Oh it's no problem sweetie! We're glad you could come. I'd give you a hug but my hands are full."
Looking visibly relieved, he held open the door for us. Nicole pressed a small button on her watch and in seconds a blur of blue and yellow whizzed in, leaving a trail of melting snow behind them and laughing.
"Did you see me make that jump? It was so far!"
"I sure did buddy! I think you need a little work on your landings though! You crashed right into me!"
"Boys can you calm down for a second?" Nicole said in a tone that sounded more like an order than a suggestion. "I need you to carry Blaze and Shadow's things to their rooms." She turned to Tails, "And you, young man, need to dry off and don't you do dare shake off right here."
Caught mid shake Tails smiled embarrassedly and ran up stairs.
Sonic and Shadow were caught in a deadlock stare as the two gave each other smirks. "Same as last year Mr. Unsmiley?"
"Of course faker. An event every other day."
"Winner gets bragging rights until the next solstice."
"Loser in the costume."
They clasped hands and shared nods as they headed up the staircase, trading insults and playful banter.
Blaze went back to the kitchen shaking her head and smirking at the two. She got her book and resumed reading. Nicole disappeared, presumably to help Tails dry off and the hedgehog duo were seen and unseen zipping all over the house in some unresolved rivalry.
Soon enough when they slowly calmed down and the three boys were down in the den, doing only they knew what, and the three girls were sitting in the "sappy area" chatting there was a knock on the door. Nicole quickly got up and answered it only to be met by a trio of rabbits and another hedgehog.
"Wow! A bevy of beauties came knocking on my door. To what do I owe this pleasure?" Teasing laced the question and a smile accompanied it.
"Oh you are too much, love!" Vanilla gave the lynx a hug in greeting. "It's nice to see you again."
"He- hello Miss Nicole," soft words attracted the lynx's attention.
She slowly bent down and her soft emerald eyes met the innocent eyes of Cream, Vanilla's daughter.
The little rabbit had her hair in a braid, and her in her hand she held a little chao plush.
"Hi there honey." The usually loud lynx was surprisingly soft in her words. "I love your hair! Did your mom do it for you?"
Cutely, shyly nodding, Cream let her eyes roam the house. "Thank you. Um... Where is Tails?"
Smiling, Nicole pointed her downstairs where immediately Cream rushed off to, her plush flailing behind her wildly.
"Good afternoon girls!" Nicole cheered, now back to her normal self. She enveloped the rabbit and hedgehog in a large hug. "Bunnie, you look beautiful sweetie! And Amy, you look adorable honey!"
Bunnie blushed but not nearly as heavily as Amy. "Thank you Nicole y'all are to kind."
"Yes thank you Nicole." She gazed around the large room just as Blaze had done but her reaction was shown on her sleeve so to speak. "This place is so beautiful," she breathed out, "a perfect place for me to cuddle up to my Sonic!"
Nicole let out a nervous giggle and Rouge's chuckle could be heard even from the distance. Shooting past the adults she almost flew down the stairs. Sonic's screams could be heard through the soundproof floors.
Bunnie giggled cutely and followed the pink hedgehog saying that she would save the blue hedgehog from the love-struck girl.
Giving Vanilla another hug, Nicole led her by the small of her back to where the rest of the ladies were.
Before she sat down, she signalled for Sonic again. He came up, relieved, looked at the bags groaned, and heard the knock of the door and groaned louder.
Opening the door with, what he deemed, a welcoming smile he greeted a white hedgehog.
"Hello there Sonic." Silver deadpanned.
"Silver... So nice of you to come."
Silver hated Sonic's laid-back, cocky attitude, and Sonic had a general distaste for his exaggerations. In short they didn't get along much. Even less when out of the adult's presence.
A smile appeared on Silver's face when he saw Blaze though. "Blaze!" he waved happily. "I must have just missed you leaving."
"You must've," she said sipping another cup of hot chocolate. "If you'd called I would've waited."
"I did call but I got voicemail every time. Did you lose your communicator?"
Slyly covering her wrist communicator with her glove she nodded. "The guards didn't give any messages either."
Shrugging, Silver left his bag at the door and gave a wave to all the other ladies, heading downstairs.
Leaving Sonic to put all of the suitcases in the room. With a groan he started and as soon as he left the 'sappy corner' it exploded in laughter.
"Was that sad or was it just me?" Rouge teased with a smirk on her face.
"It definitely was not you, that kid has been chasing me for a month now. I use to humour him but now I just ignore it," The feline shook her head, "If his father wasn't such a good friend with mine he wouldn't be here."
"Isn't he Amy's age?" Vanilla piped up. "I hope it doesn't happen with little Cream I already have to watch one girl go gaga over a boy."
"Hopefully it is just a phase, I can't deal with it for much longer."
From the staircase, hidden behind the wall, Sonic smirked at the little tidbit of information, before continuing to put the luggage away.
On the last trip and as he was heading back down red, sunset, and tan balls of light appeared and with the sound of chimes, three echidnas appeared.
'Well at least I don't have to open the door this time...' Sonic thought depressively. "Hey guys, nice entrance," he greeted them with a wave and a smile taking there bags quickly.
Tikal smiled softly, "Thank you Sonic. And hello everyone."
"What's up blue?" Knuckles gave Sonic a brotherly punch on the soldier.
Shade merely waved and let out a soft, "Hello."
Sonic gave Tikal and Shade a quick hug before blasting off up the stairs. Shade seemed like she was going to faint and Knuckles carried her to the couch with the other ladies where Tikal sat down beside her.
A streak of blue passed by and in a flash Knuckles was gone. "I guess they went downstairs." Blaze stated.
Nicole let out a sigh, "I tell him no running in the house..."
Tikal let out a soft musical laugh. "Telling Sonic to walk is like telling water to stop being wet."
"Now that's not true." Vanilla countered with a smile on her face. "The water is much easier than Sonic will ever be."
The women let out small chuckles and Blaze, Rouge, and a reluctant Shade all headed downstairs.
"And we have to go down here why?" Blaze inquired.
"Because we're kids! Nicole's told me the best part of her life was when she was learning to be normal! And I could agree that when she wasn't..." Rouge looked around before whispering, "bat-shit crazy, she was a lot of fun. Besides, it's not fair to Bunnie."
Pushing open the den door Rouge loudly announced her presence. "Well now that everybody's here, who's ready to party?" She asked. The general answer was screams of agreement. "Sonic go get your CD case. You have all the good songs."
"Gotcha boss," a mock salute and he was gone only to be back seconds later with a blue pouch with a saw blade design. "Classic Mix or Modern?"
Tails jumped up and snatched the Classic Mix from Sonic's case. Rouge chuckled, "I guess that choice was made."
An upbeat, relaxed tune flowed through the air and from then the party truly started.
(Hydrocity Zone Act I & I I Mix)
From upstairs the mothers could hear the music. "Sounds like they're finally getting ready for some fun." Vanilla observed pouring herself another cup if tea. Turning on the television she scanned through the movie selection. When two foxes came on the screen under the title 'Ends of the Earth' she stopped. "Is this one okay?"
Nods all around. "Go ahead honey. We have enough time to watch all of them if you want."
Tikal giggled, "Even the ones I brought, I hope."
Smirking deviously Vanilla poured the sunset coloured echidna a cup of Dragon Road Entice, watching as the serene woman downed the fruity cocktail. "Oh especially the ones you brought love."
A light kiss was shared between the the two as Nicole leaned back and started the movie.
"I love this holiday."
Families or Clans might be better-
Sonic: 14
Tails: 6
Rouge: 15
Nicole: 26 (though technically she's 2...)
Knuckles: 15
Shade: 14
Tikal: 25
Bunnie: 14
Amy: 11
Cream: 4
Vanilla: 24
Shadow: 50
Maria: 34
Blaze: 14
Silver:13
So yeah this story serves a get to know my Sonic Universe type of thing it's really just introducing characters and locales with a festive theme.
Shadow isn't such an over the top angst character (that people for some reason write him as) because Maria's still alive. Maria doesn't die Shadow has no reason to be dark. He's still serious but more open to company Though he's not OOC in my mind. And as a heads up you can be treated as an adult at 14 in this world though they are still kids but this explains why Blaze can rule a country, the young age for the parents, and why Bunnie owns an inn.
Shadow's fifty because he was created 50 years ago still the same purpose but Maria as a catalyst.
This might continue cuz I enjoy writing it and the different character interactions but if it does I'll probably use it to practice lemons I even left that open at the end.
Thanks For Reading!