Chapter 7 – The Christmas Party

Tails wearily entered the apartment room, where Alex was relaxing on the couch watching television. As he hung his coat, he made his way to the kitchen for a slice of pie.

"Welcome back, Tails," said Alex. "How was your day?"

"It was great, thanks for asking," replied Tails. "Blaze and I had a wonderful time."

Tails told Alex all about his day out with Blaze. Alex listened with great interest.

"…and within a few more weeks, Blaze is hosting a Christmas party, and I've been invited," finished Tails.

"Sounds splendid, my friend," said Alex. He paused for a moment. "About this Christmas party, can I come too?"

"Oh boy," said Tails as he thought real hard on the question. "I might have to check with Blaze if it's okay, I'm afraid."

"That's alright," said Alex. "I only wanted to know your friend. I could tell that you like her, and maybe she does feel something for you too."

"Blaze and I are only friends," snorted Tails. "I have never considered having a girlfriend for my college work comes first."

"Well, you cannot be so sure about that," replied Alex. "Love hits you before you realise it."

"And besides," went on Tails. "Blaze is a dragon trainer. She's got a career that takes up most of her life to even consider relationships."

"Not necessarily," said Alex.

"Look, can we talk about something else, please?" asked Tails as he yawned. "I'm really tired after such a long day."

"Okay then," said Alex. "I'm only suggesting you should take your time with your feelings. After all, you and Blaze are rekindling the friendship, and even after so many years, the both of you are getting closer to each other, and who knows, anything can happen. I may have known you for a couple of weeks, but a dragon could tell what's on a guy's mind and heart."

Alex turned around waiting for an answer, but Tails was already slumped on the couch soundly asleep. The dragon carried the fox all the way to the bedroom and laid him on the bed. Tails was snoring away. Alex could only smile while he watched Tails, feeling positive that he knows what the fox could possibly be dreaming about.

"Good night, Tails, and sweet dreams," whispered Alex as he switched the lights off before getting ready for his own sleep.

As the days passed, Tails continued meeting up with Blaze after classes. Occasionally, they will stop by at the local café for some coffee. They often joked about all the things that are currently happening around them, but most of all, they still talk about their plans on meeting up at the oncoming Christmas party.

However, as time went on, Tails is beginning to feel some strange emotions. Emotions he had never felt so strongly about before. Of course, he always saw Blaze as a good friend, and it was always nice to talk to someone he knew for so long while he is away from Sonic and the rest of his old friends, but he could feel a deep, strong connection building within him. He felt as if he could share with her anything.

Tails however reminds himself for the umpteenth time that he does need to complete his college as it is more important than relationships, but try as he might, he can't help but think of her whenever a chance came. He could only wonder if what Alex said was really true.

Blaze is going through conflicted emotions too. While she continues on with her dragon training sessions, sometimes she would start thinking about Tails. The memory of the near kiss kept returning to her. She never imagined how that shy and kind, handsome young fox would grow from the same sweet little pup she remembered all those years ago, and while they didn't interact with each other that often back then, they do feel a sense of trust and friendship, particularly due to their friendship with Sonic.

It feels good to meet an old friend again, and Blaze gets happier every time she sees Tails. And the more time she spends with him, the more she starts to feel something for him, and deep down inside she could sense that Tails must possibly feel the same way for her too. She could also tell that Tails is different to Sonic or any other male she met in her lifetime.

She tries to collect herself when she discovers that she is starting to get distracted, and she kept telling herself that she has no time for something like that as she must focus on her dragon training and Tails needs to complete his preparatory training for college. However, being firm didn't stop Blaze from having these feelings of emptiness inside, or feeling happy whenever Tails drops by at the Royal Cat Academy to see her, especially when he is always feeling cheerful.

And so, it was Christmas Eve. Everyone was excited for the holidays. While most of the students at the London Furry Campus have made plans for the two week break given for the occasion, Tails and Alex remained at the comfort of their apartment. Tails continued on studying while Alex was busying preparing the decorations.

"Well, this is a good tree," said Alex as he finished putting up and decorating the Christmas tree.

"You sure have beautiful trees here in England," said Tails. "I wish our trees in Australia could have been just as appealing."

"Christmas is different over there due to different weather conditions, isn't it?" asked Alex.

"Yes it is," replied Tails.

"You better get yourself ready," said Alex. "Blaze is due to arrive to pick us up for her party real soon."

"Not to worry," said Tails as he closed his textbook. "She has telephoned us not too long ago to confirm to us the time of her arrival. It was very kind of her to allow you over. She's usually shy around strangers."

"I know," said Alex understandingly. "I just wanted to come in case any of my colleagues are there."

After bathing in the showers and getting dressed, Tails and Alex were all set for the night out. Just then, the doorbell rang. Tails opened the door and there was Blaze standing in front.

"Good evening, boys," she greeted. "You look splendid."

"Thank you, Blaze," smiled Tails. "Alex and I did a little shopping yesterday and we helped ourselves to buying these clothes for the night."

Blaze giggled. "Sounds like you two had fun," she said.

"Yeah, pretty much," said Tails and he gives Blaze a present. "Here, this is for you."

"Why, thank you, Tails," said Blaze happily and she kissed him on the cheek. "I'll open it later on when we're at the Christmas party."

"You'll really love what I got you for Christmas," assured Tails.

"I'm sure I will," smiled Blaze.

"So, what's happening for the party?" asked Tails.

"Oh, you're going to enjoy it very much," said Blaze. "Aside from meeting most of my students, there's going to be a lot of food, music to listen to, and so many games to play."

"If chili dogs were on the menu, Sonic would love this party," laughed Tails.

"I'm sorry to say that there are no chili dogs," said Blaze.

"That's alright, Blaze," said Tails. "I was only saying what could have been that would delight Sonic."

"You and Alex are in for a real treat," said Blaze. "I don't think you have tried the food before, but I think you will love it." She paused impressively. "I don't think you have tried Scandinavian food, Tails."

"Um, no, I don't think so," said Tails.

"Well, this will be your first time," said Blaze. "I learnt the recipes from my dragon students. You see, Twilight Storms and Night Furies are dragons that originate from up north, you know, in countries like Norway and Sweden."

"Oh, right," said Tails. "This should be interesting."

"Curious, how I train my dragons on mastering their powers, and they teach me on cooking the finest meals in Nordic cuisine," laughed Blaze.

"Well, I guess all of us learn something from others," smiled Tails.

"So, are we all ready to go?" asked Blaze.

"I am," said Tails eagerly.

"So am I, Ms Felini," called Alex.

Tails was confused, he never heard anyone call Blaze that before. "Ms Felini?" he asked Blaze.

"Yes, my full name is Blaze Felini," replied Blaze. "If you must know, I am of Italian descent."

"Oh, I see," said Tails.

"Actually, I am quarter Italian," said Blaze. "See, my grandfather was Italian, and he met a British cat."

Tails never imagined that there was more to Blaze's upbringing, especially when he used to remember how she was the princess of the Sol Dimension all those years back.

"If you don't mind," went on Blaze. "You can tell your friend Alex to just call me Blaze."

"Sure, if that's how you want it, Blaze," said Alex before Tails could answer.

"Guess we're all set, so let's go, boys," said Blaze.

That evening, Tails, Blaze, and Alex arrived at Blaze's apartment, where a group of dragons were waiting outside. Tails could see that all of them are Night Furies and Twilight Storms.

"Evening, friends," greeted Blaze as the dragons bowed to her. "Thank you all for coming."

One dragon noticed Tails and Alex. "Who are those two?" he asked.

"Class, I'd like you all to meet my two friends who I have allowed to come for this occasion," said Blaze. "The fox here is Miles Prower, better known as Tails, and the dragon Alex Brimstone."

"Hello," greeted Tails and Alex in unison.

"Well, now that we're all here," continued Blaze. "Let's go inside and enjoy the Christmas party."

Inside the apartment, the party was lively. Some dragons snacked on the appetisers while others danced and sang to karaoke songs. Tails and Alex took the time getting to know Blaze's students and they got to know them. Alex particularly had no problem getting to know them as he already knew some of them. Everyone was having a wonderful time.

At last, the main course was ready. Blaze brought in two dishes. On one plate laid strange looking fish fillets soaked in butter, the other plate held delicious pork ribs.

While everyone was helping themselves to the food, Tails couldn't figure what he would like to have.

"Need any help, Tails?" asked Blaze as she sat next to him.

"Blaze, what are those fish fillets?" Tails asked as he pointed at the plate of fish.

"That is my specialty when it comes to Christmas food," replied Blaze. "It's called lutefisk."

"Lutefisk?" asked Tails.

"Yes, it's a Scandinavian delicacy often eaten during the Christmas season, very much the Nordic alternative to stuffed turkey," said Blaze. "My students from Norway taught me how to prepare this dish. It is made by soaking dried codfish in a solution of lye, which causes the fish to develop a gelatinous texture. Then it is soaked in water which must be changed daily until up to six days, which by then is finally ready to be cooked."

Blaze took a piece of lutefisk and ate a bite. "This is delicious," she relished. "Go ahead and try it, Tails."

Tails hesitantly leaned forward to have a whiff of the lutefisk. It had a rather pungent smell, very strong for his liking. Tails felt the urge to gag, but he managed to hold it in. "I'm sorry, Blaze," he said. "This stuff doesn't agree with me. I think I'll settle for the pork ribs."

"Go ahead and help yourself," said Blaze as she continued eating her portion. "I understand, not everyone is into lutefisk due to its odour, and it's also an acquired taste, too. I like it, though."

"There sure are a lot of Scandinavian dragons in London, aren't there?" asked Tails as he got himself a couple of ribs.

"Yes indeed," said Blaze. "As you remember, Night Fury dragons are Scandinavian by origin, with Twilight Storms, while they're descended from Night Furies, they're Norwegian. Because they look so much like cats, many of them are admitted to the Royal Cat Academy, oddly enough, that doesn't happen anywhere else in the world."

"I believe it may be because of their characteristics," said Tails. "Even if anyone can tell that they're dragons, they behave very much like cats."

"And they look like panthers in dragon form," said Blaze. "Anyway, most of my class, especially the Twilight Storm dragons, love lutefisk, but I did consider cooking an alternative in case others like you get put off by the smell."

"Yeah," replied Tails. "Surely this is something completely new for me since I was always used to having turkey for Christmas dinner."

Blaze smiled. "It's always good to try new things," she said.

Tails nodded as he munched away at the ribs.

"Go easy on the ribs in the case you want to remain hungry for some dessert," said Blaze as she finished her lutefisk. "The Christmas pudding will be coming up soon."

"Sounds good," said Tails. "I'm always looking forward to something to indulge my sweet tooth."

Shortly enough, the Christmas pudding came. Some of the dragons who were still hungry helped themselves to the pudding. Others who have been satisfied by the dinner resumed to their fun activities.

While Alex went to dance with some of the dragonesses, Tails remained at the dining table with Blaze and several other dragons.

"So, Blaze," said Tails. "You have never told me before that your full name is Blaze Felini."

"I know," said Blaze. "But I would like you to promise not to reveal it to anyone else yet, not until the time is right."

"I promise," said Tails.

"Say, Tails," said Blaze. "Do you have anything on for Boxing Day?"

"No, I don't think so," replied Tails. "Why?"

"Well, I was wondering if you would be interested in going out with me," said Blaze. "I have two tickets to a Rhapsody of Fire concert, and I was thinking of offering you one."

"That sounds like fun," said Tails. "Alright, I'll come!"

"Thank you," smiled Blaze.

Later on, Tails and Blaze relaxed by the television with some dragons as they watched a movie. It was nearly a few minutes before midnight, and everyone was enjoying the party. Finally, they heard the Big Ben clock tower ringing after it struck midnight. Christmas has finally come.

"Merry Christmas!" everyone cheered as they happily embraced each other. Tails, Blaze, and Alex joined in too. The party rejoiced as they celebrated with drinks, dancing, and singing more Christmas carols.

Soon, after all the excitement, it was time for everyone to go. As the dragons went their separate ways home, Blaze offered to take Tails and Alex back to their apartment. On the way, they could see the fireworks exploding. The night sky was a spectacle of bright colours. Finally, they arrived at the Kensington Hotel, weary and longing for a good long rest.

"Thank you for inviting us to the party," said Tails. "We sure had a great time."

"I'm glad that you did," smiled Blaze. "Thank you for coming."

"It's too bad that this is the only time we'll celebrate Christmas together."

"Yeah, pretty much," said Blaze. "But being with family and friends is all that counts and part of the most important values of Christmas."

"Looks like Alex had quite a night," said Tails as he saw his dragon friend stumbling around giddily. "Too much to drink, I must say."

Blaze chuckled in agreement. "Well, I better get back home. I'll be seeing you on Boxing Day. Merry Christmas, Tails."

"Merry Christmas to you too, Blaze," smiled Tails.

Shortly after Blaze left, Tails helped Alex upstairs to their apartment. While Alex relaxed on the sofa, Tails prepared some glasses of water for them to drink before they could head to sleep.

"Oh, my head hurts," groaned Alex as he drank his water.

"Yeah, you had partied yourself back there, buddy," said Tails.

"We sure had a good time, didn't we?" asked Alex.

Tails nodded in agreement. "Try not to do that again, alright?"

"No, not anymore," said Alex. "Now I know how it feels, and I sure don't want to feel that again."

"Merry Christmas, Alex," smiled Tails.

Alex smiled back as he hugged his fox friend. "Merry Christmas to you too, mate."