"Okay, here goes nothing." Tails' clone took in a deep breath of air and then exhaled. He had to act just like the original Tails would normally. Even though all of that had been programmed into his memory, it was still a nerve-wrecking experience. He reached out and opened the door which led to the dining room. Everyone, including Zachary, was sitting around a large table, eloquently decorated with candles and fine china. Everyone turned to look at him at once, making him feel uncomfortable.
"Why, Tails," Zachary exclaimed, "So nice of you to join us. Please," he motioned to the chair to the right of him, "Sit."
The clone calmed down. *At least there's someone who knows who I really am* He sat down just as dinner was served.
The main course was cooked trout and salmon. A salad was also served, which Sally took to like a hawk. Everyone dug in except Sonic, who just sat and stared at the seafood with disgust.
"Oh, for God's sake, Sonic, just eat it!" Sally stared at him scornfully.
"I will," Sonic snapped, "I'm just…waiting for it to cool, that's all."
At this time Zachary spoke up. "Is there something else you would rather have?"
Sonic perked up. "A chili dog would be nice." Sally sighed and mumbled something about eating like a child. Sonic disregarded the remark and waited for Zachary's reply.
"Of course! Don!!" A large, oversized man popped out from the kitchen. He wore the regular chef attire. "Can you prepare a chili dog for our guest?"
"If you say so," Don said as he walked beck into the kitchen to prepare it. He came out about five minutes later with the chili dog, which Sonic joyously consumed.
After everyone had finished their meal, Zachary bid them adieu and retired to his room. Sally and Julie-Su also went to their rooms, while Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails, or rather his clone, went to the game room for a round of billiards.
"I don't know what it is about this guy," Knuckles said as he aimed and shot, "But something tells me not to trust him. He's being way too considerate."
"You say that like it's a bad thing," Sonic replied, "I say we take advantage of his hospitality and enjoy ourselves."
"You're too relaxed," Knuckles said sternly, "We should keep our guard up."
"I don't know," Sonic said, "What do you think, Tails?"
Tails jumped up in surprise. Then he remembered to not arouse suspicion, so he tried to hide his fear. "Um, I don't know," he said as calmly as possible, "He seems alright, I guess." Both Sonic and Knuckles were silent for a moment, then shrugged and went back to their game. Tails sighed and sat back down in his chair. "You know what," he said, "I'm just gonna…go to bed."
"What," Sonic said surprised, "It's only 8:30!"
"I know," Tails said quickly, "I just, feel tired all of a sudden."
"Fine," Sonic replied calmly, "You'll just miss out on all the fun." Right now that didn't matter to Tails' clone. All he wanted to do right now was try not to get into any confrontations. As he was about to open the door to his room, Julie-Su walked by.
"Hey, kiddo, how's it going," Lara said cheerfully. Tails just walked into his room and shut the door behind him.
*That's odd. He's usually always in high spirits* Lara just shrugged and went to go see Knuckles.
"Did you guys notice anything unusual about Tails," Lara asked Sonic and Knuckles. Both of them thought for a while.
"Well," Sonic spoke up, "He was a little high strung. But it's probably just the mountain air."
"We're not in the mountains," Julie-Su replied, and then sighed in discouragement as Sonic just shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I'm going to bed. I'll see you guys in the morning."
Sonic and Knuckles said "See ya" in unison and returned to their game