Chapter 5
This was all becoming annoying for the poor Bat. Rouge was put into work straight away as the dog, which she found out her name was Pyjamas from the customers, ordered her to collect the dirty dishes from the tables.
Carrying the heavy washing up basin full of dirty cups and plates, Rouge was at least able to survey her surroundings. The café downstairs was quite big, but mainly consisted of the counter, serving area, entertainment area, the kitchen at the back as well as customer and staff toilets. She did see the door labelled "STAFF ONLY" in bold red letters.
If there was any place where the stone would be hidden, it will be there.
However, her thoughts were distracted as the feline and the hedgehog walked out through the door in a hurry. Rouge quickly dashed around and tried to make herself look busy, as she placed the basin down to collect more dishes.
From behind, Pyjamas walked towards them. Trying to stretch her ear out, Rouge tried to hear their conversation. But the commotion of the customers made it difficult for her to understand what they were saying. Suddenly the group separated, with the feline heading towards the exit, while the hedgehog headed towards the office.
Even though she carried on with her duties, she could feel their eyes scorching her from behind. No funny business, eh? She thought to herself. As she collected the last few cups, she watched the hedgehog return with the shoulder bag and sunglasses and then watching them both leave.
Calculating her "captures" and their behaviour, she placed a diagram in her head. As quickly as thoughts processed, they visioned in her mind's eye. The staff door was a strong location where the stone could be, but also was the office. Pyjamas was with her most of the time, so those two were the only ones who did have time to hide it. And with Ebony being a mage, who knows what protective spells she could have placed on it. That problem will be dealt with it later. Next was the office. Shouldn't take too long to find something odd in that room, especially with the boring colours. If they wanted to hide something precious like the stone, it will defiantly be somewhere big.
But then a sudden surge of panic overcame her.
"No, they aren't stupid to RETURN the stone?" Knowing that option was the worst scenario to come, the bat felt annoyed and worried; mumbling to herself of the possible theory.
"Come on. They aren't going to wash themselves" the dog smiled.
Because she was so much in her thoughts, only then did she realise Pyjamas had come back. Startled, she accidently dropped one of the cups, as it landed with a crash. Broken pieces scattered across the floor. Rouge cursed as she carefully picked them up.
"Don't worry, an occupational hazard working here"; The dog smiled, walking away to retrieve a brush and shovel.
"And where are those two heading in such a hurry?" She asked, as she sweep the last bits of pottery.
"Just a business trip. Now if you do a good job, I can give you a fifteen-minute break."
Groaning, the Bat continued on with her new tasks. Sure, enough however, she was started to get the hang of it. But as soon as Pyjamas called in a coffee break, the Bat was relieved to finally rest her feet; her wing was aching and throbbing. Also, she was starting to get fed up from the constant smell of coffee. At least she thought, it was better getting her hands ruined by the constant cleaning.
But her eyes kept staring towards the office, where her bag was still placed in. Inside, was the small laptop. Like a compulsion, she desperately needed to communicate to the boss of the delay, but fearing his reaction, it maybe best to wait a little longer. As she looked at the coffee clock, it had already been a few hours since her last communication with him. What was she to do?
Sitting down on a vacant green table, she was surprised to be presented with a cup of tea. However, looking inside, it was a mixture of green leaves and yellow fruits. Pyjamas sat opposite of her with her own brew.
"The leaves will help with the inflammation and quick recover of the wing. The fruits? Well, that's just to make it sweeter for the taste buds."
First smelling it, she could detect the sweetness. Blowing it gently, it was a good thing there was any sweetener as the leaves had made such a sour taste.
"Well, I don't think I'll be ordering another one of those again." Rouge joked as her face looked disgusted.
"You'll get used to the taste in time." Pyjamas smiled as she sipped on hers.
"So, this place. Attracts quite a few characters I guess?" Rouge asked.
"Well, you aren't certainly the first." The dog smiled.
That was certainly true, Rouge thought. Trying her best to take another sip, she was still in shock to see the yellow hedgehog had an actual job at this place. Looking back at her records, she knew her data mentioned he had disappeared. But working in a café? Bet no one expected that.
"When I saw Super Sonic, I thought he was going to kill me right there and then." Rouge joked.
"Maybe once upon a time, he would have." The dog coldly stated.
"So, what changed?"
"This place. Me and Ebony. He was given the chance to make a better life and he took it. Not like everyone here has a clean slate?" Pyjamas stated, looking towards the Bat.
"Does that include you too?" Rouge replied back, trying her best to not show another disgusted face sipping on the tea.
There, something stirred within the Dog. Even though she couldn't see her eyes through her big shaggy hair, she could feel the death stare directly at her. The Bat could feel a whelp in her throat, almost as two hands had reached her shoulders from behind her, giving her a cold shiver. Then it suddenly stopped as the Dog continued on with her drink. Think it was time to change subject.
"So, what kind of magic do you do?" Rouge smiled.
"I have the power to predict the future…well sort of."
"What do you mean sort of?" She asked, smirking.
"It comes in blurs and may not be accurate as I want to be. But eventually they do come true, one way or another."
"So…go on then. What do you see in my future?" The Bat mocked her as she swigged down the last sour taste of her tea.
"Doesn't work like that I'm afraid. They come whenever they please."
"Ah, well that's a disappointment." Rouge said in annoyance.
"But then again, you'll be quite difficult to read unfortunately."
"Well, I am a closed book." Rouge winked, but was surprised to see the dog shake her head.
"Not that. I see layers with you. And even those layers have layers; that I wouldn't even make a dent on the surface. But overall, I sense an overwhelming feeling of…loneliness within you."
Well, that wasn't something Rouge was expecting. She went quiet as the dog finished her drink and informed her fifteen-minute break was over; it was time to clean the tables ready for new customers.
For once, the Bat didn't know how to reply to that. As she continued on with her jobs, her eyes kept returning to the "STAFF ONLY" door. Whenever the opportunity took, she had to find that stone soon. Or the stench of coffee will never get rid of her fur…
"This sucks", the old man clearly stated under his breath, tapping his foot on the ground impatiently.
Surrounding him, the passengers on the train were starting to overcrowd. There were no seats around, with him having no choice but to stand up. Ebony could see he was getting uncomfortable of the tight space as her friend constantly adjusted his sunglasses and beard. Even though she thought she did a good job on his disguise, she could see he was still pretty much paranoid of being recognised.
"I could have run it and be there right now." Super muttered under his breath.
"Well, I think that would cause some stirs; not like you see an old man sprinting down the streets with a Sonic boom. Don't think you'll get away with it twice in one day." She joked, trying her best to lighten the mood.
She did however feel better, when Super finally stopped tapping his foot.
"Do you think it will be alright? Leaving Pyjamas with her?" Super asked.
"Don't worry, she can easily take care of herself."
"I don't know, she isn't exactly battle ready at times." He replied with sarcasm.
Ebony smiled and laughed.
"Well, she can surprise you." The feline replied with a smirk.
"Well, after finding about you and everything else going on today, happy to have no more surprises." He tutted under his breath.
Suddenly someone tapped him from behind. Super turned around in a fluster and saw that a young man had offered his chair to him. Only just realising his disguise, Ebony sniggered under her breath as her friend took the offer with some embarrassing curtesy and folding his arms in a tantrum, continuing the annoying tapping of his foot….
Meanwhile back at the Groovy Train, the Bat tirelessly worked under the pressure of Pyjamas gaze. However, she was able to move her wing a bit easier, was the tea helping? She kindly asked the Dog if she could have more tea to help. The Dog was convinced and made her a new batch.
This was the opportunity she needed. Knowing very well her bag was in her office, she concentrated towards the staff room. It would take about a few minutes to make the tea, she needed something longer to distract Pyjamas. Suddenly there was some nearby customers helping themselves to the table. The Bat smiled and came up with a quick plan.
Smiling towards the customers, she spoke in a delighted voice.
"Just to let you know ladies and gentleman, there is a very special offer available this afternoon. Up to 70 percent off food and drinks. If you are interested, please may you speak to the lady over there." She finished, pointing towards Pyjamas.
Suddenly more customers overheard and suddenly, the poor Dog was caught in a crowd. Distracted, Rouge quickly removed the apron around her waist and dashed for the staff door. This burrowed her important time.
Ignoring the throbbing pain from her wing, she took each step quickly upstairs to look for her treasure. Now if I were a Sorcerer or a lunatic demon, where would I hide it? Quickly scanning each room upstairs, she took the first one on her left.
The bedroom inside was full of paper work scattered around the room. It was a sheer mess and to her annoyance, it would take her too much time for her to look for the stone. No, it would be placed somewhere easier to access it themselves.
The storage cupboard? Even through it was neat and tidy, no sign of any suspicious stones. Her eyes glazed to the kitchen. As she quickly opened each cupboard and opened each jar, her patience was wearing thin. Even ducking under the sofa, there was no sign of it at all. Peeping through the bathroom, lotions and potions were scattered all over. No stone there. She was started to get desperate. But then she turned and guess the only place she hadn't checked.
Peeping quietly inside the monster's lair, she was suddenly surprised to see such a neat and tidy room. Everything was in its place and organised. It even took her a second to see the place so spotless.
"Guess you are full of surprises golden boy." She tutted to herself.
And where would someone hide something precious? Well under the bed; rookie mistake. And there and behold, she found the box under the bed.
"Like taking a Chaos Emerald." She smirked to herself.
Not even looking down, her hand went straight to it as she opened the lid. But felt something smaller than a rock. Looking down, she was angered to see instead, a small written note of a smiley face, with its tongue sticking out.
"You've got to be kidding me!?" Rouge cried in denial, shouting out her frustration.
She knew it was too good to be true. If the stone wasn't here, then those two idiots must have it. And if she knew those two, they would be walking straight back to the gallery! How can she be so foolish? Cursing, her anger was being mixed with her desperation. Time was still ticking; she needed the stone at all costs.
No longer caring about being stealthy, she stormed downstairs and ignoring the cries and shouts from the customers and staff, who were still demanding their discounts. She raced towards the office and scanned to find her bag. It was located near to a chair. Forcing her arm through, she pulled out the small laptop. Everything from before was all there.
Storming up her next plan, she knew she had to catch up with Super Sonic and the mage. Again, her calculations started to form in her mind; Plan A, all the way to Plan Z. But then suddenly she stood frozen as someone came through the door.
Pyjamas tried to compose herself, looking like she had been dragged through a mad crowd; which she actually had endured.
"Clever move there. But I'm afraid playtime is over. I think we need a heart-to-heart chat."
Finally coming off the train station, Ebony and Super Sonic made their way through the large crowds towards their destination. It was still a sunny day, but Ebony couldn't enjoy the heat as much as before. She then turned to Super, only thinking what state he was in, under the disguise.
Pointing down the busy road, Ebony led the way to the large gallery. Animal folk passed them by as if nothing was happening. The Gallery itself was a large pillar building, decorated with banners of upcoming exhibitions. The place itself was thriving with activity; children being led into the building by their teachers, older folk sitting outside having a refreshing cup of tea and cake. Even the nearby park was thriving with creative activities.
"Hmm maybe with you, we can get an Oldies discount." Ebony joked as she swung her arm under his; as if assisting his walking.
"Don't push your luck." Super snarled back.
"Well come on Grandpa, let's see what's so special about this rock." The feline smiled.
Adjusting his beard and sunglasses, Super took his stick forward and moved onwards…
TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT PART "The Mystery of the Stone REVEALED"
