Disclaimer: This is a story mainly telling a story between a pair of my own Sonic Fan characters. I've taken several liberties with the setting, creating my own fictional country for these events to take place in. I honestly don't do much writing so forgive my inconsistent post lengths and terrible pacing.

Also, the Manic in this story is more of a product of my own design. This is an "Alternate Universe" after all! So please keep that in mind and be aware that despite how most people feel about fan character/canon pairings, I write for my own enjoyment.

In Fate's Hands

Act I
Meet Cute

It's a clear night, not too hot, not too cool. Things seemed quiet aside from the dulcet playing of an acoustic fluttering from the little park on the other side of the street. His ear flicked as the forest green hedgehog's curiosity was tugged at, his eyes shifting from left to right before stepping out onto the still warm asphalt.

The park was softly lit by old lampposts. Couples enjoying the calm night walked casually along the neatly bricked walkways. The music grew subtly louder as the hedgehog passed through the arched gateway, hands shoved into the deep pockets of his chain laden trousers. He followed his twisting ears until he rounded the corner of a line of rose bushes, stepping into view of a lone feline sitting cross legged with her back against the centerpiece fountain. She plucked halfheartedly at the strings, her case splayed out before her to accept the loose change of anyone who felt sorry enough to toss some in.

With a slow glance up one way and down the other, the hedgehog begun to approach her for a closer listen.

The park had felt like the best place to set up for the night. It was only a blessing that the weather had been so permitting. Psych strummed her fingers along the strings of her guitar with no real effort, filtering out any song she knew from sheer muscle memory. Her eyes were cast down, the bags underneath indicating she probably hadn't had a good night's sleep in some time.

She wasn't paying much attention to the going on's around her. A few people had tossed in some midrange bills but mostly she'd only collected a handful of change. Her eyes shot up briefly when the rattling of chains drifted in between the lower chords, addressing all she needed to know about the scrawny boy in front of her.

Cute. Nice smile. Dressed like a punk. She went back to her guitar with a little more fervor.

But then the boy knelt down, snagging one of his chains to pull a wallet from his back pocket. He fingers through a few bills and lets them drop into the guitar case.

Hundred'n fifty crisp bucks. It was enough for the purple feline to pause. Her brows knitted and she looked up at the hedgehog, who was already straightening himself "You sure about that, pal?"

He cracked a wide smile, although something about it gave off the impression he wasn't entirely positive "Uh, yeah. I'm sure! Anyone who plays like you deserves it," he rubbed his neck and looked anywhere but down at her for a few seconds more, before shoving his hands back in his pockets and dropping his attention back to her "You're talented. Do you take requests?" his head tilted a bit.

The cat chewed her lip, watching the boy with peaked interested "For that kinda cash? I'd play you a damn symphony if you asked. Watchya interested in? We'll see if I know it.." she shifted the guitar on her lap and waited for his answer.

For the next half hour the feline played for the hedgehog, giving him her best performance she'd given all night. It was honestly quite an ego boost. Every song she finished, he'd applaud and schmooze her abilities. It was great.

But it was also getting late.. And she couldn't suppress the yawn at the end of the final note. She reached up to cover her mouth and he stood, laughing a bit nervously.

"Sorry, guess I got a little carried away…" he took in a breath and shifted on his feet, before he offered his hand to her "I'm Ezra… by the way. Thanks for playing for me."

With another stifled yawn, the feline laid the instrument across her lap and accepted his gesture "Psych. And I'm super flattered.. You've got yourself a fine taste in music, my friend," she grinned, before she released him and began packing away her things.

She clasped her guitar case shut and got to her feet, giving the green male a final smile "I'll play for you again anytime."

He shifted his footing and nodded, letting her move past him with a quiet goodbye. He watched after her for a moment longer before he headed his own direction.