*Chapter 3: Crazy Old Gerald/New Friends*

Myrin is in a bar, drinking his beer by the fireplace. He is angry that Maria rejected him.

"Who does she think she is? That girl has tangled with the wrong man!" He growled. "No one says no to Myrin! The most handsome man in town!" He grabbed another round of beer, taking a big gulp. "Dismissed, rejected, humiliated! That is more than I can bare." He went over to the fire place, glaring at the flames. His thoughts are broken when someone barges in the bar, crying out in panic. Everyone turned to see Gerald with his grandchildren, Ivo and Isabella.

"Gramps, calm down! You're not making any sense!" Isabella said, grabbing Gerald's arm.

"Professor, kids?" A bartender asks, recognizing them. Gerald rush up to the men, grabbing their shirts like crazy.

"You have to help me! My granddaughter, Maria, is captured!" He said. "He's got my granddaughter!"

"Who?" One of the men asked. Myrin turned to see the scene, hearing Maria got his attention.

"A hedgehog! A black and red hedgehog!" Gerald exclaimed. Everyone turned to each other in silent before bursting out laughter. They think the whole thing is a joke. Gerald lowers his arms, looking at everyone. Ivo and Isabella are embarrassed by Gerald's act in the bar. Myrin came over to the old man.

"A hedgehog, you say? How could a tiny little creature capture a beautiful girl?" He asked, raising his eyebrow.

"It's no ordinary hedgehog. He's...different! He's about 3 feet, and 3 inches tall! He is on two legs like us, speaks in human speech, and-"

"Gramps, you're crazy!" Ivo said. "Nobody's gonna-"

"Whoa, whoa." Myrin said, silencing the boy. "Now, Gerald, we'll find that hedgehog you are talking about. Maria will be home safely." Gerald looked at him.

"You will? Oh thank you so much!" He says.
The men threw Gerald and his grandkids out in the snow. The men laughed and shut the door. Isabella got her head out of the snow, shaking it off of her. She slowly turned to Ivo and Gerald who got up from the snow.

"Great. They think we're insane. Geez, why Maria must leave the house?" She says.
Myrin taps his chin, thinking about something. He hears the men in the bar, saying that Gerald is crazy. They call him Crazy Old Gerald. Myrin formed a smirk.

"Crazy old Gerald? Hmm..." He said. "Now that gives me an idea..." He grabbed his dark blue cape. "Maria is a type of girl who will do anything for her family. If she wants her beloved grandpa around, she will have to marry me. Once she returns to town, she will be in for a surprise! Hahaha, I am such a genius!"

Back in the castle, Maria is still in the room, down and heartbroken. She dried her tears with the back of her hand. The knock was heard, making her jump a bit.

"Who is it?" She asked, getting up.

"Vanilla, dear." A female voice answered. Maria went over to the door, opened it. She doesn't see anyone until she looks down at the teapot and the other tea servants. "I thought you like a spot of tea." Vanilla spoke in a kind voice. Maria backed away in surprise, but she bumped into a white wardrobe. It had pointy ears on top, and the eyes have heavy light blue eyeshadows.

"Oh, careful." It said, laughing a little.

"This is impossible." Maria said. "How can you all talk and...walk?" She sat on the bed, trying to sink this situation in. First, the angry hedgehog and now talking and walking objects in the castle.

"I know it is." A wardrobe said. "But, here we are. Oh, and where are my manners? I am Rouge. I keep your clothing and nice jewels." She said by fluttering her eyelids. Maria smiled a little at her.

"I told you she's pretty, mother." Cream said to her mother who pours tea on her.

"All right, Cream that would do." Vanilla said. Cream hopped over to Maria who got down to the floor. "Slowly now, don't spill."

"Thank you." Maria said, picking up the cup. She took a sip, but moved away as Cream spoke.

"Wanna see me do a trick?" She asked, bubbling in her cup.

"Cream!" Vanilla said.

"Oops. Sorry." The young rabbit cup said, blushing a little.

"That was a very brave you did back there." Vanilla said to Maria who frowned a little.

"We all think so." Rouge said.

"But I still lost my grandfather, my cousins, my dreams, everything." Maria said.

"Cheer up, child." Vanilla said softly. "It will turn out alright in the end. You'll see." Maria looked at her. "Oh, I've got to get supper ready for you and the master. Come Cream." The little cup hopped out of Maria's hand and the tea servants left the room. Rouge turned to the girl who got up from the floor.

"Well now, what should we dress you for dinner? Let's see what I got in my drawers." She said, opening the white drawers, and the moths came out. The wardrobe quickly closes the drawers. "Oh, how embarrassing." She said, laughing nervously. She opened the drawers again. "Ah, here we are." She took out a pink dress, handing it over to Maria. "You'll look so ravishing in this."

"Oh, that's very kind of you, but..." Maria paused, placing the dress on the bed. "I'm not going to dinner."

"But you must!" Rouge said, gasping. "The master won't be happy if you don't." Coming by the doorway, there is Knuckles. Maria turned to see a clock echidna.

"Ahem. Dinner is served." He said, smiling at the girl. Maria looked at him, biting her lip.