Hello everybody! Here's a new chapter for this story. To be perfectly honest with you, it's in the middle of the night here; three in the morning to be precise. I'm dead tired, so I'm not going to leave a very long author's note. I'll just say that I hope you enjoy this chapter. Please don't forget to leave a review before you move onto the next story that you want to read. They are always very helpful in that they allow me to see how well-received my chapters are to you all. Until the next update to this or any of my other stories everybody!

Chapter 14: A Third Class Teen at a First Class Dinner

"Hmm, I would have expected to have seen that third-class hedgehog by now," Rouge responded as she sat straight up in her chair and took a sip of water from a nearby glass. "I did say to him that we were to be having dinner at seven. I suppose punctuality isn't a part of his dictionary. Then again, I suppose I cannot really expect much from a person with a ticket for the stowage compartments of the ship."

"With all due respect Rouge, it's only five minutes before seven," Shadow politely countered as he casually stole a glance at the black watch with a gold rim that was situated around his left wrist. "As you just said, we told him to come at seven. And provided that the line to get in here has since grown in size from the time we arrived, I'm sure we can assume at least a couple of minutes' worth of delay. It's only natural being that most everybody on board here considers this a popular time for dinner."

"Shadow's right on that, Rouge," Dr. Robotnik agreed with his son before taking a sip of water himself. "Even the most punctual of men are allowed a few minutes of leeway. And don't forget that we've only been seated here for five minutes at the most ourselves. Give our guest just a little bit more time."

"I wouldn't be surprised if the stowage rat is already in line but having trouble just to enter this fine establishment," Mephiles responded with a light snort of his breath as he took his napkin and laid it neatly along his lap. "After all, I'm sure that any and all servers serving these first class businesses were informed to not let anybody either without reservations or are not first class members in. I've no doubt that the way he's dressed would indicate to everybody that he's a member of third class."

"I'm sure that he'd be more than capable of coming in," the ebon furred hedgehog replied despite the doubt he had in his mind that was raised courtesy of both his fiancée and bodyguard. He also made it a point to keep himself composed despite hearing who he considered his new friend being insulted. "You all just need to be a bit more patient and stop trying to find flaws in his character before he's even had the chance to do anything wrong. That and I believe it to be rude to talk about somebody's character when they aren't around to defend it."

"With all due respect, patience never allowed my business to be at the stage it was before our unfortunate economic downfall," the bat said with a bitter bite in her tone along with a small shrug of her shoulders. "Why do you think I pulled out of it and left my partner holding the stick? He was too patient for his own good in believing that our sales would do better while I was intent on saying that there was no other way to go but down. Patience is a virtue best left for those with nothing to gain and everything to lose."

Instead of choosing to answer, Shadow took his glass of water and drank from it before setting it down and settling on looking out at the window that showcased a setting sun along with the emerald-colored sea. As much as he wanted to disagree with the woman, he knew that it was most likely not his place being he has had nothing to do with her fashion business. It would only lead to an unneeded argument that she would most likely base off of her own experience rather than consider the other possibilities.

Not to mention that his ever-faithful bodyguard-for-hire might come up with another pessimistic thought. Just by the way he spoke of Sonic a few seconds ago indicated to the ebon hedgehog that he was most likely either a member of first or second class. He settled for the latter since he could not see a first class man actually going along with being in the front lines of protection and willingly risking his life. Being that he was employed by his father and was given accommodations fitting that of any other first class passenger; he might as well have been just as privileged and thus considered as one of them.

"Hello there, Dr. Robotnik!" A voice suddenly spoke up in the relatively quiet restaurant and broke Shadow out of his deep train of thought. "What a pleasure to have run into both you and your company here tonight."

Looking towards where he heard the voice, the ebon hedgehog noticed that it was Silver who was calmly approaching them dressed fancily in clothing that he was surprised to see him in. Following closely behind him was none other than Sonic, the person whom he had been expecting to see tonight and was also dressed in fancy clothing. This surprised him more than the sight of his first-class friend, but he noticed that both tuxedos looked the same in design and figured that Silver had loaned one to the other.

"Ah, isn't this a surprise?" Dr. Robotnik responded with a smile as he stood up and walked over to the newcomer with an arm outstretched for a shake. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your company, Silver?"

"Well, I had thought to come and try some of the food here after hearing some nice reviews from those who had a pleasant experience," the silver furred hedgehog responded smoothly as if he were speaking the truth while accepting the firm handshake. "Unfortunately, I failed to find any of my fellow business friends on board who were free to accompany me tonight, so I chose to come alone."

"If your intention was to come alone, then why is Sonic currently accompanying you?" Shadow asked as he raised an eyebrow at the previous explanation and looked beyond at the cobalt hedgehog who seemed out-of-place in the dining hall. "We had invited him for dinner and were expecting him to come on his own."

"Oh, I just happened to have run into him by accident yesterday. You see, I had managed to get myself lost aboard this ship while trying to get to the deck, and Sonic was more than kind enough to help lead me there. I had apparently taken a wrong turn and found myself heading down the second class corridors before he took notice that I was lost. I must admit that he was quite observant since I was trying my best to keep that fact to myself. We made small talk and I found him to have been quite an interesting fellow. And we just happened to meet again in line just a few minutes ago and decided to come in together."

"And I suppose it was during this round of small talk that he mentioned being invited by us to dinner," Mephiles responded more than questioned as he looked at the young first class hedgehog with stoic eyes that seemed to have been piercing through his soul for any signs of a lie. If not that, then he was simply trying to burn holes into the other's body. "If that is the case, then why not come up to us and invite yourself to our dinner before now? Why did you fail to approach us when you first figured out yesterday?"

"That was simply because I had been busy with some important paperwork that I have to finish before we arrive at Mobius. They are important for a potential business deal that my father has there, and he has sent me to act as his representative. My fiancée, Blaze, handed me those incomplete papers under the pretense that I would finish it for her. I am her husband-to-be, so the business she wants me to send these papers to deem it allowable for me to complete them in her stead. As such, I've been too busy to approach the good doctor and ask for a personal invitation to his dinner. Also, I was not sure if you wanted to accept other dinner mates being that you might have some important matters to discuss."

"Then I find no better time than now for us to officially invite you to our table for a wonderful evening!" Rouge responded happily as she gestured towards an empty chair next to her while Dr. Robotnik went back to his seat. "We would truly appreciate it if you were to join us tonight."

"I'd be more than happy to, Rouge," Silver accepted with a smile as he moved towards the mentioned seat. He then asked after he sat down, "Are you not going to take the seat next to Shadow, Sonic? You were invited to dine before I was, after all."

Ever since the conversation had started, Sonic had been standing behind the silver furred hedgehog unsure of what he was supposed to do. He simply allowed the other to do all the talking for him. And even after all of the half-truth explanations were over with, he still stood there like a dummy until he had heard his name being called.

"S-sorry about that!" he apologized as he tried to use his refined form of speech he had been practicing and feeling like he was failing at it before taking the seat next to Shadow. "I was just…simply admiring the dining room's décor."

"Now that we're all here as well as having one extra person, why don't we go ahead and start with the dinner?" Dr. Robotnik announced as cheerfully as he could before summoning a nearby server. "I'm quite eager to try out their seafood dishes. I've heard that they're simply the best and prepared by a four-star chef!"

And in the coming minutes that followed, everybody around the table enjoyed their dinner while engaging in small talk. Sonic had tried his best to be on his best behavior and keep his mouth in line while listening to what everybody was talking about. Actually, all he could do was listen since they were all talking mainly about things that sounded like they revolved around business, a topic that he was not privy to knowing anything about. Then again, he was content to simply just listening in on their conversation while calmly eating the seafood that he admitted was good but a bit too elegant and rich for his liking.

"And what is it that you do for a living, Mr. Sonic?" Rouge suddenly asked without warning and caught the cobalt hedgehog off-guard. "I would believe that you had a rather passable job to have afforded a ticket aboard this ship."

"Rouge!" Shadow quickly spoke up in defense to the female bat with a tone reflecting his disapproval. "I hardly think that's a proper question to be asking an invited dinner guest of ours right now if not at any time!"

"Well, I'm merely curious as to how he managed to acquire a ticket that's considered by all to be as rare as the elusive Chaos Emeralds," the bat responded with a nonchalant shrug of her shoulders as if she were doing nothing wrong. "If you don't mind me asking, just what kind of job did you leave behind?"

"Uh, I can't really say that I had any kind of job per se," Sonic slowly responded as if trying to carefully choose his words after putting the fork in his hand down in the bowl of seafood salad he was eating. Both Silver and Shadow noticed that he was struggling to try and come up with an explanation believable to both her and Shadow's father. After all, they both knew that he survived from scraps while Knuckles earned a living by illegally gambling, and those were two things that would definitely not go over well with everybody else at the table. "But if you really want to know, what I really did was just perform odd jobs here and there that most likely amount to nothing no matter how you look at it."

"I suppose that is to be expected what with how the current job situation in Robotropolis has been for the past couple of years," Dr. Robotnik replied with a small sigh before cutting up what looked to be a lobster tail and picking it up with his fork. Strangely enough, he was not as rude and judgmental as when he first met Sonic last night, but the presence of the food might have had a role in this. "If that's the case, however, then how did you manage to garner enough money in order to purchase a ticket aboard this wondrous cruise liner? I've heard that even a third-class ticket is expensive, although I suppose it isn't in comparison to first-class tickets."

"…Well, I was also living with a friend who just so happened to have a low-paying but steady job," the hedgehog answered after putting down the glass of water he had been taking a sip from in an attempt to stall for time. "While not by much, his pay was better than mines, and we pooled our money together in order to survive. Unfortunately, the job market had taken a turn for the worse, and he was ultimately laid off. Thankfully, he was laid off a few days after receiving a rather generous pay bonus for great workmanship. With that extra money combined with the money he and I saved, we had enough to purchase two tickets for this ship with a couple hundred dollars to spare. That's when we decided to board the Titanic and head to Mobius for a better job and ultimately a better life."

"Well, I guess you could consider that a lucky moment," Shadow said with a minute raise of his eyebrows at how quickly Sonic was able to come up with a believable story and not have any mention of the fact that he had won his ticket in an illegal poker game. He then added before putting a forkful of food in his mouth, "I can only hope then that your gamble with coming to Mobius for a better life pays off."

"Y-yes, I hope that's a gamble worth committing to," the third class teen responded with a smile despite mentally raising eyebrows at the ebon hedgehog's clever way of bringing up the truth without really giving anything away. "I mean, there are many others in my position back in Robotropolis who would most likely go so far as to kill in order to be allowed such an amazing opportunity. Of course, neither my friend nor I would ever think of stooping so low just to obtain some tickets!" he quickly added upon being on the receiving end of Rouge's eyes that were suddenly casted at him with suspicion.

"Hmm, I wonder," she simply said in as casual a tone as possible in order to appear nonchalant. Unfortunately for her, Shadow caught wind of her true meaning and flashed a quick apologetic glance towards Sonic. She then continued on with a sense of faux interest after sipping some water, "Anyway, I must admit that this was a rather wonderful dinner. I don't believe I ever had anything this tasty served to me back home. I simply must meet the chef before we arrive at Mobius and ask how he made the lobster."

"The lobster they served is quite delicious," the ebon furred hedgehog confirmed with a nod while mentally taking note that she hardly ate anything tonight. He had a feeling it was Sonic's presence causing her lack of appetite, but he decided not to push the issue. He then said before taking another bite, "But I believe I'm more prone to their steak and sautéed shrimps. The steak seems nicely seasoned and the shrimps cooked just right. What do you feel was your favorite menu item tonight, Sonic?"

"Uh, I was kind of impressed with both the lobster bisque and seafood salad," Sonic responded as he honestly could not pick a favorite dish being that they were all quite good despite being a bit rich for his tastes. "Although I have to admit that the food served today is too good to simply choose a favorite."

"My, that's such a diplomatic answer for something so simple as a dish," Dr. Robotnik responded happily after finishing his lobster tail before pushing his plate away and moving for a plate of seafood salad. It was clear he was enjoying himself and more interested in the food rather than making small talk. "But I do have to agree with you that the food here is just too good to define a single favorite."

"I'm afraid that I must excuse myself for the time being," Mephiles spoke up after quietly eating his meal since the moment it started and rising up from his seat. "I don't mean to leave so abruptly, but there is something of importance that I must attend to before I forget. I thank you Dr. Robotnik for allowing me to eat alongside both you and your family."

"Oh, the pleasure was all mine, Mephiles," the portly man stated with an understanding smile as he picked up a fork and was ready to eat the salad. "I do hope that you'll be able to join up with us for dinner someday again."

"I'm sure that I'll be free for the next dinner evening that you might end up planning," the old hedgehog stated after pushing his chair in and nodding his head in farewell to the other occupants at the table. "I shall be taking my leave of you all now. I'm glad that you were able to join us for tonight's dinner, Mr. Silver. It was a pleasure to be in the presence of your beautiful self again, Ms. Rouge. I do hope that you can stay out of trouble this time while I'm not around to protect you, Shadow… And I hope that you have enjoyed your evening in our company, Mr. Sonic," he added with some slight hesitation and an unreadable look in his eyes before moving to leave the dining hall.

"N-nice to see you again, Mr. Mephiles," the cobalt hedgehog responded politely despite feeling the urge to call the man out on the obvious disdain against him he was holding back. He also felt the urge to give off a sarcastic remark of his own. Instead, he chose to hold himself back and keep his mouth busy with some water.

"Well, I believe thanks are in order for you inviting me to your dinner at the last minute, Dr. Robotnik," Silver said after being silent for a while as he picked up a nearby napkin and neatly wiped his mouth. "I truly hope I was not imposing or anything."

"Oh, we're always happy to be allowed the grace of your company, Silver!" Shadow happily replied with a genuinely warm smile. "There's no such thing as imposing when it comes to you. You know you're welcome anytime to spend time with us whenever you so choose to. Be it for business of pleasure, it matters not to us."

"Until the coming days after our marriage, of course," Rouge added with a smile as she placed her gaze lovingly at Shadow from the other side of the table. "I'm sure you wouldn't mind allowing us the privacy to engage in pleasure rather than business during our honeymoon session after our marriage."

"I may come from a family that fellow first class prefer to coin as 'new money', but even I know when privacy needs to be issued," the silver furred hedgehog said with a nod of his head that seemed to be out of habit more than anything else. "I have no intention in disrupting your honeymoon when you two do get married. And in case I get too busy and can't attend the fateful day, let me congratulate you on your union."

"Why, thank you!" the bat happily accepted the blessing with her smile growing even wider. "I truly hope that you'll be able to make it to our as-of-yet unconfirmed marriage day, Silver. Both you and…Blaze are more than welcome to be at our wedding party," she added with slight hesitation at the mention of Silver's best friend and her business rival. "Just make sure that she does not bring any of her business along with her. After all, a wedding day is a time to relax and enjoy the festivities."

"Thank you for your congratulations, Silver," the ebon furred hedgehog said with a smile yet spoke in a tone that sounded slightly stressed yet went unnoticed by all at the table except Sonic and Silver. "I, too, also hope that you will be able to make it to our wedding day. I dare say it would not be the same without you there."

"Congratulations, Shadow!" Sonic said since he did not know what else to say and did not want to seem like a silent idiot. And even though he remembered the ebon hedgehog talking to his fiancée at the time he was being accused by them for attempted murder in a not-so-loving fashion, it was at least to be in a polite gesture. "I wish both you and Ms. Rouge many years of happiness after the marriage day."

Instead of vocally thanking the teen for his congratulations, the white bat merely smiled at him and gave him a happy nod. While it was clear that she was silently thanking him, it was also noted that she was not happy at receiving such blessings from a person she considered to be beneath her. The hedgehogs had noticed this, but Silver merely placed his napkin neatly on the table while the other two simultaneously took a sip of water in order to hide the suspicious glances that they wanted to shoot at the woman.

"Well, I must say that this was a rather enjoyable evening," Dr. Robotnik suddenly said as he was finished with his salad in a rather quick fashion and dabbed the corners of his mouth with his napkin. "I must admit that it was quite a wonderful dinner experience with you. Perhaps we should try something like this some other time. Besides, I'm looking forward to trying out some of their other dishes that they say are inspired by the spicy cuisine best known from the region of Soleanna."

"Um, I would have to see if I can be free once more like today," the cobalt hedgehog said in a cautiously slow tone so as to not offend the man by mistake. That and he had a feeling he was only invited once more simply because it was out of kindness and more over because of his stomach. "Although I do greatly appreciate the offer and will consider it for the next chance we get to meet again."

"Then it's settled!" the portly man responded happily as he got up from his chair. "Until then, I believe I've had my fill. I shall be heading back to my room now and conduct some business. Do you care to join me, my son?"

"I believe I will stay behind and catch up a bit with Silver," Shadow simply said as he took a slice of decadent cheesecake with raspberry sauce that was just brought out by a waiter and passed around to those still at the table. He then added with a smile that seemed more eager than anything else, "And besides, I don't think I could pass up a dessert as wonderful as this that was no doubt carefully prepared by the chef."

"My, you always have a weak spot when it comes to cheesecakes," Rouge stated in a tone of adoration and a chuckle before politely declining the dessert that was about to be placed in front of her. She then said as she got up from her chair, "Well, I also have some paperwork that needs my attention before the night is over. A pleasure to meet you again, Silver." She then left with Dr. Robotnik without saying goodbye to Sonic.

"Ugh, I'm so sorry for the way she's been acting tonight, Sonic," the ebon hedgehog apologized once both his father and fiancée had left the dining hall and immediately dropped his formal attitude. "I know that she doesn't think too much of you, but I was kind of hoping that she would at least try to hold back a bit."

"Oh, it's alright, Shadow," Sonic blew off with a shrug of his shoulders before reaching for a fork and cutting into the cake. "I'm way beyond used to that from when I was living on the streets. "If it ain't being ignored by people, it's being insulted by them. Either way, it's something I've learned to take with a grain of salt, but I really had a hard time doing that what with having to sound all proper."

"I'm amazed that you were able to keep up with the act," Silver stated with an amused smile that earned him a glare from the cobalt hedgehog who had since took a bite of the dessert and immediately lost his harsh glare. "I was seriously just waiting for the moment when you blew the whole thing and needed me to jump in."

"I'm more surprised over the fact that he's actually wearing a suit. I was already surprised enough that you came in wearing one, but just imagine how I was feeling when I saw Sonic with you looking like that."

"You don't know how much I'm suffering in this suit," the cobalt hedgehog said after swallowing the delicious dessert and immediately moving to take another bite. "But this piece of dessert is definitely worth it! It's the best thing I've had all night. I'm so going to rub this in Knuckles' face when I get back."

"Oh no, I got a feeling I'm going to be contending with two guys both going crazy over cheesecake," the silver furred hedgehog said with a light groan before taking a bite himself. He then said after swallowing it, "Just promise me Shadow that you won't OD on the stuff this time. I don't want a repeat of last time where you had to go to the university infirmary because you got a bad stomach ache from eating two large slices after a filling meal."

Instead of answering to the recollection, Shadow seemed content enough to just shoot a harsh glare while looking somewhat embarrassed. And since he had nothing else to say or do, he just took a bite of the cheesecake that he was admittedly a big sucker for. At least that was a good way to shift his mood from sour to happy despite his outer appearance looking stoic and saying otherwise. Soon after, the three teens were talking happily with each other while enjoying their dessert.