Chapter 8:

"An Interview with a Vampire"

Part 3 of 3

…Sonic felt a little tense and unsure, whether to tell them how old he is. But he had to answer it one way or another.

Sonic sighed, wary of what their reactions might be. They'll freak out no matter he tells them.

"If I tell you, can you not try to freak out as much."

I looked around at everyone, they nodded, approving with him. "We'll try our best."

He tried relaxing a little before giving them his answer.

"16"

All of us had bewildered and dumbstruck stunned looks on our faces.

Cassandra almost did a spit take on her tea but managed to hold it back.

"Ehe, I-I'm sorry, y-you're old?!"

While Aurora in the meantime almost choked on her tea when it went down the wrong way.

"T…that's impossible!"

"Yeah! I agree with her on this one! There's no way you can still be at that age!" Cassandra said back

"Ehe, well am I, so be it" Sonic said with crossed arms, his eyes slightly facing another direction.

"Well, there are some theories, facts, and stories about vampires that age and not age." Theo stated. "But in this case, since Sonic has immortality, he cannot die whatsoever, being exempted from death and will remain ageless, and will not grow old or become withered."

"Mhm, you maybe right on this Theo."

"Y..yeah, that's why I kinda did it in the first place, because of, that…"

The thought of him growing and looking all old and, wrinkly…it both disgusted and creeped him out. It scared him almost, making him cringe.

"Uh well, anyway! Moving on…" I said, changing the subject quickly.

"…Now Sonic about that favour, you were going to ask?"

"Oh, right! Uh, well, its kinda complicated but I'll make this quick…"

We were trying absorb what he was saying.

He was briefly explaining his backstory.

He was on his daily nightly routine, when he heard voices coming from a distance, he followed the voices and that's when he soon came across a tan middle aged hedgehog, which was me, talking to the girls, dropping them off at the hotel while saying goodbye to them, and reminding them about the party on Thursday. That's when he decided to follow me back to the house without me knowing, but already got there before I even showed up.

"I see, but what does this have to do with the favour you wanted to ask?"

"One of those girls I saw back there with you, I saw her in a dream just recently, she was laying unconscious on the ground after tripping over a tree branch. I didn't want to leave her there so I took her with me back to my castle, cleaned her up a little and put her in a safe place until she woke up."

'I didn't mention the whole changing her out of her clothes thing, cause that would've easily disturbed and creeped them out, so I kept it clean and simple.'

"As soon as she woke, I went to go make sure she was ok. That's when I officially met her. I knew that she was scared and hesitant, but knew I was offering to help, so she let me. We then chatted for a little bit, and after a little while, I've gotten to know her a little bit, and for her to trust me a little bit."

"Do you know which one of them it was? Can you describe her if you can?"

"Well, she was a lilac purple cat with brown hair, tied up in bun, had dark brown eyes, looked really young too."

I was slightly panicking thinking he was talking about Vanessa, but exhaled in relief when he wasn't. 'Phew, good to hear that, cause knowing one thing for sure, is that she does not have brown hair like Kristina does, or else they would've been almost identical.'

"Mhm? Cassandra, would you be a dear and go a fetch a photo of the girls for me please?"

She nodded then got up and walked towards the upstairs of the main hallway.

Not even 5 minutes, she came back down with a photo in hand.

"Will this do?"

She handed me the small photo that was in the silver frame. I looked at it. This was taken back on June 30th 2011, 3 years ago, Vanessa's sweet sixteen. The girls posing together for a photo before heading out to dinner that evening.

Everyone and I cherished that moment on that day. Ah, how they grow so fast.

"Its perfect dear, thank you." I squeezed her hand. She returned the favour back, giving a sweet smile.

"Here, this might help" I handed Sonic the photo.

He grabbed the photo to look at it.

"Just tell me which one of the girls you're describing"

Sonic briefly examined the photo.

'It was a really nice picture of them, they must admire and care for each other a lot since they're all best friends, not to mention that they were all pretty cute too.'

His eyes slightly more widened and expanded as soon as he found where Kristina was laying in the photo.

"First one to the right" He looked up and handed the photo back to me.

"Ah! I see. Kristina, quite the girl, such a sweetheart, and like you, very kind hearted but also very shy, nice, and quiet. But why the interest in her though?"

"S-she just reminds of…someone" He sounded downhearted when he said that.

"Her name wouldn't happen to be Amy, would it?"

Sonic felt wretched and distraught when he heard the name. He felt this every time she'd pop up either into his dreams or out of nowhere, or if he's just in one of his gloomy moods.

"D..Do you remember that other ability I didn't mention before?"

"Yes?"

"Its Necromancy"

…Everyone was slightly shocked at the remark, but not as much. They pretty much already knew he was gonna say something like that.

"You, use it to talk to her, don't you?" I almost didn't ask this as I obviously knew enough.

He nodded. "And the rest of my family and friends, but only in my dreams I do that."

"I see, and often do you use it?" I asked.

"Before, all the time but now, not as much, I'll use it frequently when I have those kinds of days. Just when I'm sleeping and need someone to talk to though."

I briefly absorbed the information he was saying, and bundling it all up easily, I quickly came to a conclusion.

"This favour you want, it involves Kristina, doesn't it?"

Sonic inferiorly mumbled but loud enough for them to hear.

He gulped. "Yes"

…This made all of us seem stern, agitation arising. We knew that he was gonna say something like that.

"Look, Sonic, I'm sorry to disappoint you on this but-"

"Do you know why I'm called the Lonely Vampire Prince?" He crossed his arms, started sounding serious a little, but kept it professional and calm.

Nobody decided to say anything until he was finished with what he was saying.

"I'm called it for a reason, and I'll put this on short terms, I'm a former prince, who's been a vampire for the past not even 600 years yet and, I…I've just been so lonely for a long time, that all I want is just to be with someone who'll keep me company, talk to, possibly spend the rest of my life with, and by that, I mean and actual being like me. No offence to Midnight, who I adore, and love very much, but, you get what I'm saying."

"…And by someone you mean Kristina?"

"Yes"

"Look, I don't want you to get this the wrong way but…"

I sighed, feeling slightly frustrated.

"I'm glad you're expressing a sense of interest and liking in her but, to put this nicely…"

He panicked for a minute thinking that she was already with someone.

"But you have to understand that she's a normal being, she already has a life back at home with her family and friends, and it'd be ashamed and regretful that you'd be taking that away from her."

Sonic felt down and somewhat dejected, but was mostly relieved to hear that she wasn't. It was sightly unfair for him, but, as much as he didn't want admit it, he had a point. If she stayed here with him, then he'd just be taking away everything that she currently has right now, especially her friends. If he did,
then he'd feel really guilty, greedy and selfish himself for forcing someone to stay with them against their will all because you love them so much.

I sighed. Great, now I'm starting to feel guilty and regretful myself for telling him that.

Cassandra on the other hand, started to feel guilty for herself too. Despite that little insult from him early, which made her resentful, but she knew he was just being funny. But now seeing him like this, especially in this state, she felt sincerely repentant and sorry for him. Maybe she was a little too harsh on him. Just then an idea popped in her head which made her sit up.

Everyone turned to look at her. "What is it dear?" I asked.

"I have an idea that just might work" She sat got up form the edge of the couch and walked over to whisper it to me.

My eyes slightly widened a little, absorbed what she was saying. "That, actually doesn't sound like a bad idea."

"What is it?" Theo asked.

"Here I'll whisper it to you." Theo leaned in to listen, intrigued by this idea. He then did the same thing to Aurora, who then also seemed interested in the idea.

"Mhm, I like it."

Sonic had a confused look on his face, not knowing what they where talking about.

"Uh, what's going on?"

We turned to look at him.

"Sonic, how familiar are you with masquerade balls?"

His ears perked up. "I..I've gone to few of them of before, last one I went to was…"

Sonic slightly turned his head in different direction, stuttering his last words, feeling a little rigid and troubled.

"…m-my 16th birthday…but I know how the rules and occasion work out at those events, why do you ask?"

I turned to look at Theo, who then looked at Aurora. He nodded at her.

"Well, in that case, how would you like to attend a masquerade party this upcoming Thursday night?"

A spark of curiosity and interest hit Sonic. "W…what's it for exactly?"

"Were throwing it for Kristina, her birthday's that day. You know, this would be a great opportunity for you to met her, and engage with her a little bit."

A hint of glee and joy filled his eyes.

"I-I…"

"I know that she isn't going to be here long but think about, it'll at least give you a chance to get to know her, spend time with her, and maybe even have a little dance with her."

I was starting to get a little cocky and bold there myself.

"I guess your right, but…count me in!"

'Unless I convince her to stay somehow…'

"Alright then, its official! You're courteously invited!" Aurora said.

Sonic's eyes lit up blissfully.

"I-I, thank you! I don't know what to say?!"

"Well, this is just us saying thank you for being very cooperative tonight, for coming to us on this matter anyway." Theo said graciously.

'Looks like I won their trust, even Cassandra's'

"Well, I've got to say Sonic, I might've misjudged you. You're actually quite the catch for someone who's a mythical bloodsucking creature."

"Yeah, I must admit, he's quite the young fellow who could catch the eye of any girl in this case." Aurora said

Sonic felt flattered and somewhat awkward at the last few words Cassandra said.

"Uhhh, thanks"

I chucked a little. "Well in this case, that's just about it, looks were done here for tonight."

'Phew' Sonic felt relieved at this point, he made it threw without getting attacked or thrown off again.

"But before we turn in for the night, I need to give Sonic here some of the details for Thursday."

The next few minutes were normal. Briefly talking to Sonic of how the plans are going to go down for Thursday night and also a bit sternly that we keep our eyes on him just to be sure nothing happens.

"So Sonic, do you agree to do this?"

"For her, yes"

Even though Sonic knew that she wasn't going to be here for a while, he was was willing to take this opportunity to get to spend some time her, even its just for a few hours at least. It's her birthday anyway so why not make even more special for her by having a nice little dance with a prince. She'll thank him later for that. This made Sonic thrilled and jubilant.

~~~
1:18am

I walking him back to the front door, about to escort him out.

"I gotta say Sonic, you were being very, attentive and courteous tonight. You being very intriguing but honest with your answers. I..I'm very impressed."

"Uu, thanks, it was very interesting for me too tonight."

He was about to turn and leave when I stopped him.

"Oh Sonic! One more thing before I forget…"

He stopped and turned around to face me.

"…as you already know, since it is going to be a masquerade party, it's required that you have to wear a mask, but you probably already know that."

"Yeah, I already have one so, no need to give me one. Oh and one more thing…"

"What is it?"

"…Thank you, for doing this, after for so long, I'm glad I could finally trust someone like you to help me with this."

I gave him a humble smile, I extended my hand to him. "It's been a pleasure, Sonic, you did well tonight."

Sonic extended his hand back and shook mine . "You too, Pierre."

"See you Thursday"

Sonic nodded and with that, he let go of my hand and watched as he went for the front door and left for the night.

I went to go lock the door. I leaned back against the door, taking a breath of relief. I can believe this just happened, that was even more stressful then I anticipated.

This has got to been one of the most strangest nights that I've ever had. But the most interesting one I've had so far. After all this, maybe I don't need to investigate on him after all, unless we do it privately in his home, where now one can suspect anything, hopefully. I'll have to talk with the team and figure something out.

Outside…

I can't believe it, this actually worked out better than I imagined. I was relieved. Is this actually happening right now? It is. I'm going to meet this girl for real this time. I was really excited but anxious at the same time. Now all I have to do is just keep it cool and collected while I'm there out presenting myself to the public and try not to cause a scene. While, also introducing myself to this girl is going to be a challenge as well, I'll have to do it in way where I won't scare her, make her run off and tell on me. Well, she won't recognize me anyway as I'll have a mask on, covering most of my face, so it probably won't make a huge difference. Again, I'll have to keep it simple and mysterious. But still, overall, I'm really happy that I'm going to meet her in person.

Now, I just have to get her a present…and I know exactly what to get her.