CHAPTER XXVIII
Shadow walked with Blaze toward the flat area that was being used as a dance floor. He sincerely wanted to kill himself. The Ultimate Life-Form does not dance. Still, for some bizarre reason, he placed his hand in the small of her back and began to do just that.
For the next few minutes, Shadow and Blaze whirled around the varnished floor. Halfway through, Amy somehow convinced Sonic to dance with her. Shadow had to stifle a small laugh at the look on Sonic's face; somewhere between disgust and hopelessness. Sonic proved he could not dance to save his life.
When the song ended, Shadow led Blaze back to their table and sat down. It had been a while since he had last danced. He pondered it for a moment. The last time he had danced was…
He cringed; He had last danced with Maria, three days before she had died. He shook his head to clear it of those thoughts. Maria was gone; no amount of remembering could bring her back.
Rouge slid something brown and drizzling with cream toward him, and Shadow stared into the bowl in surprise. "What is this?"
"Sucre a la crème," replied Rouge, "it is fudge with a brown sugar and cream topping. Try it – you'll like it."
Shadow tentatively cut off a small piece, placing it in his mouth and chewing thoughtfully. He instantly decided it was delicious, and had to keep himself from downing the rest in one bite.
Pierre came back to the table, smiling at them. "Are you finished, or would you like something else?"
Shadow, on a spur of the moment, piped up. "I'd like some Crème Brulee, please."
Blaze looked at him with an odd look. "Crème Brulee?"
"You'll see," he replied, a hint of a smile on his face. Pierre nodded and walked back into the kitchen. Blaze wanted to hit Shadow for keeping a secret, but contented herself with watching Rouge try to convince Knuckles to dance.
"I told you Rouge," he was saying, "I can't dance! I'm about as graceful as a boulder!"
"You can say that again Knucklehead," piped up Sonic, who had to dodge a punch at his head, "Have you ever seen him try to even tie his shoes?"
Knuckles mumbled something, but found Rouge was smiling at him; exposing her fangs. "Come on Knuckles," she said, "Just one dance… for me?"
Knuckles was instantly glad that his red fur hid his blush. His mind wandered back to Tikal, saying she liked him. Almost involuntarily, he nodded his head in defeat. "Fine."
At that moment, the Crème Brulee arrived, and Shadow made a comment to Pierre about putting it on a separate bill. Instead of taking a bite, however, he placed the Crème Brulee in front of Blaze.
"Bon appetit," he said, flatly.
Blaze looked incredulously. Had the so-called Ultimate Life-Form just bought her the most expensive dessert on the menu? She looked from the treat to the hedgehog sitting next to her, and then decided it was better to begin eating, rather than stare.
It was heavenly. Blaze decided that from the first bite. She had, however, noticed something. Shadow had broken off a small piece and was holding it in his hand. Why, she doubted she would ever know. Her curiosity was piqued, however, so she had to ask.
"I'm going to try to replicate it back aboard the ARK," he stated simply. "I'm not that bad of a chef."
Blaze had to concur, and then busied herself watching Knuckles trip over Rouge on the dance floor while she ate her delicious Crème Brulee.
All in all… she thought …not a bad night.
