*Chapter 8: Beauty and the Hedgehog*
Night came upon the castle, the ballroom was cleaned for a special occasion for Maria and their master. This whole day between the two are better, but tonight will be the best. For the first time, they will have dinner and dance together.
Shadow was in the bathtub getting bathed and cleaned up for the night. He is washing his fur and spikes with a sponge. Sonic hopped on the stool, smiling at his master.
"Tonight is the night." He said. Shadow uses a bucket of water to rinse off the soap. Sonic can see that he is very nervous.
"I don't know about this, Sonic." Shadow admitted.
"You don't have time, master. Look at the rose. You realize it has a few pedals left. It's been years since...you know." Sonic said. "Look, you must be bold, daring."
"Bold...daring..." Shadow said. He started to shake his head to shake the water off of his spikes. "Brrrr!" He grunted. He stepped out of the tub and grab a towel to dry himself. Sonic was soaked from the water, he blows the candle hands of his.
"There will be music and romantic candle lights, provided by myself." Sonic says, grinning to himself. "When the time is right, you'll confess your love." Shadow finished drying his fur, and use a comb to brush his fur that is fluffy and sticking out from drying. He looks at himself in the mirror.
"Yes, I can. I-I-I... No, I can't." Shadow hesitates. A purple chameleon coat hanger hands him a suit for him to wear.
"You care about this girl, don't you?" Sonic asks.
"More than anything." Shadow replied, finishing brushing his fur to make it all soft and smooth. The chameleon coat hanger helps his master put on the red suit, black pants and boots on.
"My, master!" Sonic said. "You look so dashing! Maria will fall for you when she sees you!" Shadow looks at his reflection. He grins at himself. His ears perk up when he hears Knuckles coming in, clearing his throat.
"Ahem. Your lady awaits." He said, bowing to his master, grinning. Shadow took a deep breath and head out of the door.
Maria was upstairs at the lobby of the castle. She is dressed in a beautiful gown that is blue with light blue trim, her hair is up in curls, and she is wearing light blue long gloves. This new look of her makes her look more beautiful for a young girl. Behind her was Rouge who helped her pick the dress, and few lady servants who did her hair, watching her with smiles.
"Have a nice evening, darling." Rouge said in a gentle voice. Maria smiled as she walked downstairs to see Shadow in a red suit with gold trim, black pants, and boots.
Shadow cleared his throat and proceeds, going downstairs to see the lovely girl smiling down at him. Shadow can feel his heart beating very fast to see Maria in the dress. He smiled at her and made bow to her like a gentleman, and Maria curtsied to him. Shadow extends his hand for her to take. They both walk down the stairs to get to the dining room where dinner awaits.
Tale as old as time,
True as it can be,
Barely even friends,
Then somebody bends,
Unexpectedly...
Shadow and Maria are at the dining room having dinner together while the chameleon coat hanger plays a violin plays in romance for the two of them. Shadow eats like a gentleman by sipping some soup quietly. Maria was having a good time with him and she can tell that Shadow is changing from ruthless to kindness.
Just a little change,
Small to say the least,
Both a little scared,
Neither one prepared,
Beauty and the Hedgehog.
Maria got up from her seat, offering the black hedgehog to dance with her. She took his gloved hands to get him off of the chair. Shadow was nervous to dance for a first time. They walked in the ballroom, holding hands. Shadow looked up at the girl who held his hands. Maria smiled at him and start a slow dance for him. Sonic and Knuckles watched the two with smiles.
Ever just the same,
Ever a surprise,
Ever as before and ever just as sure as the sun will rise.
Shadow smiled as he danced with Maria. He took her hand so he could lead her. They spin around, tip side to side, and waltz moves. Maria bends over to give Shadow a kiss on a head. The black hedgehog blushed at this, but smiled back at her and continue to dance with her.
Tale as old as time,
Tune as old as song,
Bitter sweet and strange,
Finding you can change,
Learning you were wrong.
Certain as the sun,
Rising in the east,
Tale as old as time,
Song as old as rhyme,
Beauty and the Hedgehog.
Shadow looked over to see Sonic and Knuckles, smiling at them. Sonic silently clapped for him as Knuckles gave him a thumbs up. Sonic makes the candles grow dim for the final moment. Shadow and Maria finished dancing and went outside to the balcony. Sonic crossed his arms.
"Perfect. Now, the master will confess his love." He said.
"When they return inside, we will hear it from him." Knuckles said. The two left the ballroom.
Tale as old as time,
Song as old as rhyme,
Beauty and the Hedgehog.
Outside the entrance of the ballroom, Vanilla was watching from the beginning. Cream and Tails are by her. She told the two that it's time for them to go to bed. The two little cups left the rabbit teapot to get to the kitchen's cupboard.
"Think the spell will be broken tonight?" Cream asked.
"Hope so." Tails said. "We'll find out soon enough."
On the balcony, Maria and Shadow are sitting on the bench, looking up at the night sky and a full moon. Shadow looks over at Maria. He scoots over to get close to her.
"Thank you for...joining me for dinner." He said. Maria turned to him and see that her nose slightly touches his. They're both frozen at this action. They look at each other's eyes. Sapphire and ruby met. Shadow turned away, clearing his throat. His cheeks are burning. Maria watches him stand from the bench. He turned back to her. "Maria, are you...happy here?" He asked.
"Well, yes. Vanilla, Sonic, Knuckles, I mean everyone is so kind and-"
"With me?" Shadow interrupted. Maria turned to face him.
"Oh. I...well..." She paused when she stares at him. "...Yes." She said in all honesty. After a whole day they spend together, Maria is happy in the castle with him. She's grown to like it here as a new home. Yet, she is thinking about her old home. She frowned a little and turn back to the view. Shadow went over to her, grabbing her hand gently.
"What is it?" He asked. Maria turned back to him.
"I was thinking about my grandfather and cousins. If only I could see them again, just once...I miss them so much." She said. Shadow's ears lower a little, but perk them up again when an idea came to him.
"There is a way." He said. "Come with me."