Chapter 21: Invitation

Location: Government House

That afternoon…

As the lunch hour arrived, Chris and his Mobian companions entered the dining room and found that a cornucopia had been prepared for them. Immediately they noticed that the room was vacant of any people, which was unusual.

"I wonder where everybody is?" Chris asked, glancing over in Sonic's direction.

"Donno," Sonic replied with a shrug, "Guess we're eating alone today."

"Everybody's just busy," Leon explained, wandering into the room.

The boy had neither combed his hair nor changed out of his pajamas, having been bedridden for the majority of the morning. Seemingly feeling much better, he promptly took a seat at the table and began filling his plate.

"Mom had to leave for some fundraiser thing, and Molly's headed up to the raceway. Dad's been in a teleconference since early this morning."

"How do you know that?" Amy asked.

"Cause my bedroom's right next to his office and he's not as quite as he seems to think," Leon replied with a yawn.

"Say Chris, where's Chuck?" Tails asked.

"He found some old radio programs in the library," the Human replied, "He's been spending his free time there."

The group fell silent, with Leon being too groggy to engage in idle conversation at that moment. Eventually needing to break the silence, it was the Acorn Princess who finally spoke.

"Any plans for the day?" she asked.

"Not a clue," Sonic admitted, "I've explored everywhere I can by land."

That didn't come as a surprise, especially considering that Sonic didn't like remaining in one place for too long. While the Hedgehog might have explored the majority of the Terran Republic, Tyrador was an archipelago that he incapable of reaching by foot.

"I'm back," a voice announced.

The group turned in the direction of the doorway, watching as Miranda Carmichael entered the dining room.

"Oh! Good afternoon," she greeted, "I apologize for being away."

"There's no need," Sally said, "Leon said you were involved in some sort of fundraiser."

"That's correct. I'm on the committee along with Valerian Mengsk that helped raise funds for the reopening of the National Museum," Miranda explained.

"Reopening?" Amy questioned.

"Yes. There was a fire a few months back and the east wing of the building was damaged," she explained, "But due to a lack of funds they were forced into closure."

"Such a shame," Sally said with a shake of her head.

"The grand reopening is actually tomorrow night. You and your friends are more then welcome to attend."

"First the Anniversary Celebrations, now a museum reopening. No rest for us, I guess," Sonic commented.

"It would allow us to rub shoulders with some important people," Sally said, "That would be wonderful, thank you."

"Can't make it," Sticks declared.

"Sticks...are you afraid to go?" Amy asked, looking in the badger's direction.

"Afraid? No! Of course not! No way. Nuh-uh. Nope!...A little."

"Sticks, there's nothing to fear,"

"Look at me. I'm a feral badger! I'll embarrass myself!"

"Don't worry. You'll be fine. I'll teach you to be a lady." Amy said.

"A...lady? That's the thing that holds garbage, right?"

"No! Ah lady is a polite, sophisticated member of society," Bunnie explained.

Growing up in the Southern Baronies, Bunnie knew a thing or two about behaving like a Southern Belle.

"You can be that!" Amy encouraged, "Lesson one: Don't discuss garbage."

"I'm out."

"Come on! You can do this."

"Okay. I'll try," the Badger said with a sigh.

Sonic immediately realized that Amy was staring at him, filling the Hedgehog with unease.

"What's with the look?" he asked.

"Sonic, I'm gonna need your help getting Sticks ready for the dinner party."

The Hedgehog exhaled in annoyance, as he had more important things to spend his free time on. Seeing that Amy wouldn't take no for an answer, Sonic exhaled audibly, letting his disapproval be known.

"Fine, I'll help."

"Excellent," Miranda said, pleased, "It's a black-tie affair, starts a seven and is expected to be done by ten."

Her invitation accepted, the Prime Minister's wife turned around and promptly exited the room.

"We've got a lot of work to do?" the Hedgehog said, glancing at Bunnie.

"This is gonna be my whole day isn't it?" Sonic groaned, slapping a palm into his face.