The swing creaked as the two of them snuggled, staring up at the stars. The emotions they were feeling right now were indescribable, however, they both knew how they felt.
"So, how are we going to explain this to the residents?" Isabelle asked, looking up at the mayor, her eyes almost glowing in the moonlight. He shrugged, looking down at her.
"I don't know. I mean, we'll come to it eventually when they start questioning us being together a lot." Isabelle leaned forward, checking the sidewalk leading up to the house, making sure no one could see them.
"Probably, but for no-" Isabelle stopped herself when she heard the sound of someone or something climbing up the stairs, being pretty loud at that. The mayor was hoping it was a villager that had broken in and not who he thought it was.
Looking over his shoulder, his fear was confirmed. The only light in the darkness, he could make out the two red lights emanating from Sonic's eyes.
"Wh-What is that?!" Isabelle cried out, grabbing onto and getting closer to the mayor; he could tell she was scared.
"I'm assuming I was not meant to see this." Echoed Sonic from the staircase, taking a few steps further onto the top, allowing them to see him better. "Oh well, I managed to figure out why that i9 was malfunctioning, something went wrong with the processor."
Isabelle was slightly relieved with the apparent friendship between this machine and the mayor, as well as the being's short stature, dare she say competing with Marshal in terms of height.
"Sonic," The mayor began, standing up and taking a step towards him, slightly angered by the animatronic's poor timing, "While I am glad you helped fix it, I am going to ask why on earth you, having likely heard Isabelle come in, and us having a conversation, you still decided to come upstairs, especially since you are not to be seen yet."
Sonic's eyes seemed to dim with this in disappointment, looking down, remembering just now what he had heard earlier. "Sorry, father."
"Father?!" Isabelle jumped up. "Wha-What do you mean fathe-" Isabelle was suddenly hushed by the mayor, rushing towards her to cover her mouth, bringing her inside and shutting the door. "Alright, let me explain to you who this is," the mayor began, picking up what was left of his alcohol, and sipping it down before continuing.
"This is Sonic. He was an audio-animatronic from some closing down pizza restaurant in Main Street, who I rescued from being scrapped. He's been repaired since then, obviously, and has been upgraded a lot along the way, with his sentience as well as having some new coverings."
Isabelle took a step towards the robot before getting on her knees, allowing her to get a better look at him. There were scratches here and there, showing reminders of time. "Has he been here the entire time you've been mayor?"
"Yes, however, you are the first person I know that has become aware of him. Similarly to our relationship, I'm not sure how to break it to the villagers that there is a 10th resident on the island, and that that resident is a robotic hedgehog." The mayor said, putting down his now-empty glass. Sonic was examining Isabelle, as although he was told there were others on this island, he had never seen them.
"I'm assuming this is the Isabelle you've talked about before?" Sonic asked, "If so, good to meet you finally." He extended his claw outwards. Isabelle, like many would, seemed hesitant to shake it, seeing the almost knife-like fingers that made up his hand.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to scratch you." She grabbed his hand, shaking it, still however with slight fear.
"So now we have two things we have to break to the residents, both of which will affect the town forever?" The mayor nodded, pouring himself some water.
"We shouldn't worry too hard, I imagine most will probably be accepting of both, we don't need to worry just as long as Ankha doesn't try to kidnap Sonic and use him as a servant."
This captured the attention of the animatronic, who had been heading back downstairs, however, now was immediately heading back. "Who will try to kidnap me now?"
"Sonic, it's alright, you'll be fine. Just go to sleep for the night." The mayor reassured him, motioning for him to go downstairs.
"I should probably get home myself, it's getting late," Isabelle said, zipping back up her jacket. Stepping outside, she was immediately greeted with a blast of cold air on her face. Fall was coming, and it made itself incredibly obvious. Jumping back inside, she was visibly shaking.
"I'm assuming it's rather cold out there?" The mayor inquired, hugging her in an attempt to warm her up. Isabelle nodded, not wanting to escape the warmth of his embrace.
"WAIT FOR IT!" They could both hear Sonic yelling from the basement, "IT'S GOING TO GO LIKE EVERY MALLHARK MOVIE!"
Isabelle rolled her eyes, hearing the mayor's slight chuckle. He was right, it seemed as if it were a story. "Maybe...I could stay the night here?" She asked, looking up into the mayor's eyes. His cheeks grew a slight red, knowing if she slept with him he'd be having that swimsuit next to him all night. "Sure...I guess so."
Isabelle then remembered that she only had her swimsuit and jacket with her, matching her cheeks with the mayor's red. "I-I must ask, Mr. Mayor, do you have any spare pajamas?"