· · ─────── Silver's POV ─────── · ·
After a long while of traveling, Silver found himself back in the original city he had shown up at when he first arrived in the past. He watched Sonic slow down to a jog once inside the city... They finally made it back to Central City.
"Hey, guys!" Sonic panted a little, wiping away the beads of sweat that were forming on his brow as he glanced over at the silvery-gray and the black and red hedgehog. "...Can we grab a bite to eat?"
Shadow scrunched his nose up in response, still seated on his motorcycle. "You just ate."
"Yeah, but that was like... several hours ago, Shad." Sonic quickly responds, frowning. "Aren't you hungry, Silver?"
Silver's face reddens a little as he slowly landed on his feet, feeling relief rush over him as he finally could power down for once... They had been traveling for a long while now, and he was growing tired... Using his psychokinetic powers for a long time without resting, did take a toll on him. His head felt light, and he was exhausted. "...I mean just a tad..." He answers honestly, his amber eyes locking with Sonic's emerald orbs.
"Then that solves it!" Sonic says with a smirk, snapping his fingers as they waited for Shadow to pull over... They wait for him to parallel park on the side of the busy street and once parked, Shadow turns it off and climbs off it, finally stretching his legs.
"Make it quick." Shadow orders, shoving a couple of rings into the parking meter nearby, eyeing the blue hedgehog beside Silver, not amused that they had to make a pit stop before Tails' workshop.
"It'll be really quick, Calm down!" Sonic says with a huff, waving a hand as he turns to face the building they were standing in front of. "Besides, I think this place will make do!" Sonic says happily, strolling up to the front door... Silver gazes past Sonic, his eyes scanning the inside of the building... He saw a busy restaurant with several people inside. Girls in long poodle skirts were waiting on tables and taking orders... But then it struck him. He recognized those outfits...
"W-wait..." Silver blurts out nervously, feeling a presence behind him to look over his shoulder nervously, locking eyes with Shadow who wore a bored expression.
"It's too late now, move." Shadow bluntly states before Silver was forced to follow Sonic, who had already opened the door and a sound of a little bell ringing alerted the hostess. Once in the diner, the three hedgehogs stood in line.
The diner was a cute little casual restaurant. It was one of those restaurants that were a hybrid of fast-food-to-go services and sit-ins. The menu usually primarily features burgers and hand-dipped milkshakes, through other entrees, side items and other drinks were also available for sale. The inside was themed after a retro time era, with vinyl records as decoration on the walls for customers to look at while they enjoyed their food at the many tables and booths throughout the restaurant. The place had a welcoming atmosphere and the food smelt great from the kitchen.
"I really like this place," Sonic says with a grin, turning to look over at a nervous Silver and annoyed Shadow. "It's got a retro feel to it and the waitresses here are always so nice."
"D-did it have to be this place?" Silver asks gently, his face burning hot when they walked up to the greeting booth.
The hostess, a round-faced pug, greets the three musketeers before she beams. "It's always a pleasure to serve you, Sonic!" The hostess says happily, her hazel eyes scanning the other two before she looks back at Sonic. "Table for three?"
"You betcha~," Sonic says with a wink, he then leans in a little, whispering something out of earshot of Silver, who was still scanning the diner for someone... He knew she worked her; he remembered the outfit she was wearing from earlier.
"Ohhh~" The pug giggles a little, nodding. "Right this way then~" She gathers three menus and leads the trio to the dining room... The diner was busy with several booths taken up... But eventually, she found an empty one and beckoned the three of them to take a seat... Sonic was the first to slide into the booth. Shadow took the seat across from Sonic, leaving Silver to be forced to sit with either of them... He decided he would sit next to Sonic. Once comfortable, the pug hands out the menus and places wrapped paper straws on the table in front of them. "Your waitress shall be with you in a moment, please enjoy your stay with us, boys!" She says gently, beaming at the triple s before she takes her to leave.
Shadow eyed the menu hard that still laid in front of him, he then glances up at Sonic who had already opened it up and began to browse for something to order. "...We're wasting time."
Sonic rolls his eyes a little, a smile forming on his face as he gazes over his menu at Shadow. "It's not like it's going anywhere... I promise~"
"..." Shadow's eye twitches a little, in response he suddenly kicks Sonic's leg from underneath the table... The table shakes with a thud Sonic grimaces in pain.
"You're a jerk." Sonic snaps back quickly, deciding to be the bigger person and not instigate the bickering further. He then glances over at Silver who was nervously fidgeting with the straw he was given. "Ever ate here before?"
"N-no never..." Silver answers. "...I don't go out to eat... It's too dangerous."
That comment raised some eyebrows. Shadow sits back, observing the gray hedgehog hard, more information about his past could mean breaking through with him... In a casual setting like this, it might work in his favor.
"Dangerous?" Sonic asks, confused at the comment before he frowns a little, glancing back at the menu in his hands, eyeing a beautiful picture of a chilidog on a plate, slathered in the most amazing chili he is seen in a long time. "Man, I'm sorry that you have to deal with that..."
"It's alright." Silver quickly responds, turning his attention back towards the others at the table. "...I'm sorta used to it..." He adds gently before he sighs, finally putting down his straw and picking up the menu. "But I guess it doesn't hurt to try new things."
"Totally~" Sonic says with a cheeky grin, liking the new attitude coming from the new guy.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting~" A sweet voice comes from the right, gathering everyone's attention. "Welcome to Bean There Diner! First visit?" Silver then glances up at the waitress, his face becoming red upon locking eyes with the waitress who was pulling out wrapped up silverware from her apron. "Oh, hey you!" She coos happily, recognizing the flustered hedgehog closest to her. "Silver, right?" She asks gently.
"Y-yeah." Silver responds with a stammer, reading her nametag. It read Stephanie.
"I'm super glad that you took my offer on coming to see me here, Silver~" Stephanie coos gently. Stephanie stood before the trio of heroes. She was a yellow-furred hedgehog, with light blue eyes with peachy skin that covered her muzzle, her inner ears, and arms. She had a small black nose. Her quills were combed and tied back in a cute ponytail that curled back up at the tip behind her head. Her outfit was just like all the other waitresses within the diner. A long poodle powder blue skirt dress that came down to her ankles. She wore a pair of Mary jane shoes that were shined just that morning. Her top was tucked into the skirt, but it was a black button-up with puffed sleeves and had a white collar. On the top of her head, she wore a retro waitress hat that was the same powder blue color as her skirt.
Sonic places an elbow on the table, leaning over it a little to look at Stephanie, peering from behind Silver before he flashes her a smile. "He wouldn't have missed it for the world!" He coos gently, playing the wingman.
"Oh, gracious me~" Stephanie cannot help but blush faintly, locking eyes with Sonic before she laughs gently. "Well, I'm glad to see all of you actually!" She then places out the silverware in front of everyone, beaming. "You too, Mister Shadow." She says sweetly, only getting a tiny grunt from the Ultimate Lifeform. "But... What can I get you, boys, for a drink, and do you still need time to think over your orders?" She asks gently, pulling out her notepad to take down the orders.
"I got my order!" Sonic replies, grinning as he picks up his menu for the last time. "Can I get a Milkshake with a Chili dog on the side?" He asks, closing the menu as he glances back over at the blonde hedgehog.
"Absolutely, do you want that to be loaded?" She asks gently, looking up at Sonic.
"You know what... Sure~" He says with a grin, handing off the menu to her. She tucks Sonic's menu underneath her arm and turns to face Shadow.
"And for you, Mister Shadow?"
"Just a glass of water." He orders simply.
"Want a lemon slice?" She asks gently.
"...Make it two slices."
"Sure thing~" She jots it down gently before she takes Shadow's menu, turning her attention to the gray hedgehog before her.
"And for you, Mister Silver?"
"U-uh..." Silver panics a little before he quickly glances down at the menu in his hands, he felt his hands within his gloves become clammy, and his heart races in his chest... He did not exactly know why he felt this way towards this girl... He is never acted this way before with anyone like that in the past... But she was different, but he didn't know what was different about her to make him a nervous wreck like this. "C-can I just... get an order of..." He feels everyone's eyes on him, and he sighs in defeat. "An order of fries with a glass of water?" He slowly closes the menu, avoiding her gaze as he holds it towards her to take.
"Sure~," Stephanie says gently, taking the menu lightly. "Do you want any lemon slices, or anything added to that order?"
"No thank you..." Silver responds lightly finally turning his head to glance up at her, she beams at him before she turns a little on her heels.
"Alrighty, boys! I'll put in that order and be back with your drinks in no time~"
"Thanks, Steph!" Sonic says with a thumbs up, grinning like a fool when she takes her leave. He then glances at the flustered Silver, who looks mildly annoyed with him. "Whoa, what's with that sour look."
"Y-you're a jerk..." Silver grumbles, sinking in his seat a little, sighing in defeat. Shadow then scoffs a little from across the table.
"You're just now figuring that out?" The ebony hedgehog asks, lifting an eyebrow. "He's an egotistical idiot with the desire to constantly bug everyone around him, it's like some game to him."
"Ouch," Sonic says with a frown, eyeing Shadow hard. "I'm not an idiot." He retorts, trying to defend himself.
"...But you admit to the other stuff?" Silver asks, confused as he eyes the blue blur beside him, who was itching his cheek with a finger, chuckling lightly in response.
Within minutes Stephanie had returned with the drinks... She places the two glasses of water down before setting down a mini plate of lemon slices in front of Shadow... She lowers the tray she was holding carefully to place down the milkshake Sonic had ordered. She places it in front of Sonic who grins like a fool, eyeing the vanilla milkshake.
"Can I get you guys anything else?" She asks gently, checking in with her guests. Shadow picks up a slice before squeezing it into his water.
"No thank you, ma'am," Shadow replies lightly.
"I think we're all set..." Sonic says with a grin, pulling the paper away from his straw before he plops it into the whipped cream of his milkshake. "Unless Silver here needs anything~"
"W-which I don't." Silver elbows Sonic hard, trying to get him to knock it off. "T-thank you though." Silver says with a shaky sigh, turning to face Stephanie who gives another sweet smile.
"Alrighty then. ~" She then gently tucks the tray underneath her arm. "Your food should be out any moment now~" She explains lightly before she glances up, noticing her other guests needed some service. "E-excuse me~" She dismisses herself lightly before taking her to leave again... Silver watches her leave, and he cannot help but stare... Something was different with this girl. Yet he couldn't seem to put his finger on it... Did she have the ability to just make anyone this nervous where they wanted to throw up? Why was so she so perfect? She looked like she barely wore any makeup, unlike the batgirl they ran into earlier... She was naturally beautiful, and she was able to make Silver feel like he was floating on air when he spoke to her...
"Man... ~" Sonic's voice interrupts his thoughts. "Why not ask for her phone number or something if you're gonna stare like that, bud?" He asks with a chuckle, taking a sip of his milkshake.
"P-phone number?" Silver asks, confused. "What's that?"
"..." Shadow deadpans. "...Don't play dumb.
"N-no seriously. I have no idea what that is." Silver explains lightly. "It some device?"
"You're strange," Sonic says with a chuckle. "Do you mind if I ask where you're really from?" He asks gently, grinning with an amused expression. "Or would you rather just say nothing?"
"Again, I apologize but I cannot discuss that with you..." Silver says with a sigh, kinda annoyed that he must keep explaining that. "It's best I keep that information hidden for now until I figure out the full scale of the consequences of telling you guys that..." He says with a frown. "Which is why it's super important we hurry and figure it out."
"No worries!" Sonic says with a shake of a finger, beaming like a fool. "We'll figure out your issue and then you can tell us everything, yeah? ~"
"...Depends." Silver answers quietly. Avoiding the stares coming from Shadow... Within a few more minutes, the food was brought out and the waitress happily refilled the glasses of water with a pitcher.
"Enjoying your visit with us so far?" She asks gently, required to ask such questions for her job.
"Very much!" Sonic says with a mouthful of chilidog, so happy to finally get his all-time favorite meal in his grasp. With the happy responses from the other two, Stephanie leaves to tend to her other customers... Sonic takes a huge bite before he chews, glancing over at Silver who was picking at his fries. Swallowing before he comments.
"Hey wanna use my milkshake for those fries?"
"...Tch... Disgusting." Shadow comments as he stays seated across, watching Sonic slide the half drank milkshake over to Silver, who looks mildly confused.
"W-wait... What?"
Sonic rolls his eyes, reaching over to grab a fry. "Look, when you mix the saltiness of a warm fry with the sweet embrace of a milkshake, it's like a party for your taste buds," Sonic explains, grinning as he dips the fry in his shake. "Try it!" He coos happily, popping the fry into his mouth. Silver was hesitant at first but gives in, carefully dipping a long fry into the milkshake, he then takes a bite and was impressed.
"...That's...not bad." Silver comments surprised a little.
"Told cha'~" Sonic hums happily, turning back to the rest of his food.
After their snack break, paying and tipping their lovely waitress, they step outside... Silver nervously waves goodbye to Stephanie as he steps out the door before he turns back to face the others.
"So... we're going to your friend Tails', right?" He asks Sonic, who was busy stretching nearby.
Sonic glances over at Silver and flashes him a friendly smile. "Actually. I gotta make a quick stop at the Hero Agency, but I figured Shadow knew where it was at, So I'll actually meet you guys there in a few minutes."
Shadow dug through his jacket pocket for a few seconds before he pulls out the keys to his motorcycle. "...I'm not even going to comment on the fact you're ditching us." He approaches his motorcycle and throws one leg over it. "Just make it quick, hedgehog." Shadow snaps curtly over his shoulder, annoyed with his blue rival once again.
"Well, I have a job, Shadow... It's not my fault that I gotta follow up with the agency." Sonic explains lightly before he turns back towards the gray hedgehog. "Shadow will take you to Tails' workshop, I'll be there in a flash, I promise~," He says happily before he gives a thumbs up. "I'll see ya!" He says, trotting off in the opposite direction before suddenly blasting off, the trees that dotted the sides of the streets rustled by his sudden rush of wind... And like that, he was gone in a blink of an eye.
Silver frowns a little, glancing nervously over at Shadow, who had turned his motorcycle back on.
"Ready?" He asks, glancing over his shoulder at Silver, who only replies with a firm nod...
To Be Continued...