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Chapter VIII
Midnight Rendezvous

Part II: Connection

"Though I've been frightened many times, I've also enjoyed this adventure.
It allowed me to be something other than a Princess. I was able to be myself... a girl."
"It sounds like being a Princess isn't that easy."
"It isn't sometimes, but I love this country. Everyone in the castle, the children, all my citizens really...
The same love my late father and mother had..."

.

"Oh my gosh, Sonic! This place is amazing! It's so beautiful!" cheered Elise, letting out a silvery, almost childlike laugh. "I've never seen so many flowers before!"

A few meters behind her, almost covered up to his waist by the tall grass, stood Sonic, his arms folded in front of his chest. Smiling, he watched the princess enthusiastically dance up and down the lakeshore. He had to admit that this place was really quite appealing, and he had obviously been right in assuming that she would like it here, too.

He had taken her to a small, tranquil lake, hidden deep within the woods of Soleanna. It was surrounded by trees of all kinds, and in its center a narrow island rose from the water, on which an imposing cherry tree stood in full bloom. White cherry blossoms fell from its branches in a steady stream, and the wind whirled them through the air like snowflakes. Some of them landed on the gently rippling water, drifting along like tiny sailboats. The surface of the lake reflected the starry night sky, and the almost oversized looking full moon bathed the scenery in a white and cold, yet also somehow magical light.

They hadn't even really arrived when she was already wriggling in his arms like a fish on dry land with excitement, and no sooner had he finally set her on her feet than she had run to the lakeside. There she was now spinning in circles laughing as she tried to catch some of the flowers out of the air. But the feather-light petals kept slipping out of her hands as soon as she tried to close her fingers around them. It made her laugh even more.

He took a few steps towards her. "Glad you also like this spot!"

"And how I like it! I wasn't aware that such an enchanting place even existed in my kingdom." She giggled as the wind suddenly blew a whole bunch of the soft blossoms right past her face, causing some of them to get tangled in her short hair. "But I don't get around very much either, to be honest. At least not anywhere near as much as you do, that's for sure."

He just smiled knowingly.

"Sonic, you've visited many wonderful places before, haven't you?" she asked, tilting her head and running a hand through her hair to shake the intruders out of her mane.

His smirk grew wider. "You bet I have!"

Elise spotted the trunk of a fallen black alder, almost hidden under the rampant grass. Age and storms seemed to have knocked the tree over a long time ago. A bit out of breath from her romp, she took a seat on it. Smiling, she patted the spot next to her. "Why don't you sit with me?"

Yes, why not, he thought. He did as he was asked, not without making sure to leave some space between them. But she put a spoke in his wheel by immediately sliding up to him.

The cold moonlight made her fair skin appear even paler, while her scarlet hair looked almost black. "Sonic...?" For a second, a serious expression crossed her face, and it looked as if she was about to ask him something very important. But then she just blinked a few times and turned her gaze to the sky. "The stars are shining pretty bright tonight, aren't they? You can see them much better out here than in the city with all its lights."

The Mobian sensed that she had actually wanted to say something else and then, for some reason, had preferred to switch to that meaningless small talk. All right, then. He also had some urgent questions on his mind, and decided to get the ball rolling. He took a deep breath.

"I wanted-", they both suddenly began to speak simultaneously, saying the same thing at the same time, just as it had happened to them on the jetty the morning before. "...to ask you-", they tried to continue, but again with the same result. They had to laugh about it, and that got the conversation going much better than any small talk could have.

"We should stop doing that or it will become a habit," Elise said, still giggling.

Sonic chuckled. "If not worse! Okay, m'lady. Princesses first."

She became serious again and nodded. "Well, actually I was going to finally ask you why you were looking for me, although I'm not sure if that even matters to me anymore. Meanwhile, I'm just glad that you're here." That you're with me, she thought. "Sonic," she continued, "please don't call me crazy, but like I said, something strange happened to me this morning. When you carried me." When I was in your arms. "I was experiencing some kind of flashback or so." She glanced at him. "And I had the impression you noticed or felt something, too."

His eyes widened in bewilderment. He had a pretty good idea of what she was talking about and was quite surprised that she seemed to have had such a similar experience. He nodded at her, indicating her to proceed.

She realized that she had started to knead her hands with nervousness, and decided to rest them on her knees to keep them still. "I know how weird this must sound... but I have unsettling dreams that keep recurring."

That made him perk up his ears. "Dreams?"

"Yes. I've been having them for a about a year now. And since yesterday, it's like I'm finally able to see behind the veil. Well, so to speak. Anyway, I no longer think they're just dreams. I think they're fragmentary memories. Of things that have happened... or are yet to happen. Whatever. It's like I'm dreaming of memories from another life! I don't think I understand it completely, so let's leave it at that for now." She looked at him as if she was waiting for him to declare her insane. "But now I know that somehow you also play a part in those dreams, Sonic. I just wasn't aware of it before."

So she's really experiencing almost the same thing as I do! Unbelievable! What does this all mean? "Elise, you're right in your assumption. I felt something, too. And I truly still owe you an answer to your initial question. Why I sought you out." He returned her gaze, and his eyes got caught by hers. "I thought it would be a good idea to have a little chat with you. It may be hard to believe, but I also have strange dreams. About you and me. For quite a while now, to be honest."

"W-What? Really?" she asked with surprise. "About you and... me?"

He had expressed himself somewhat ambiguously, but was too tense and agitated to notice, even as she repeated his words. And he was far from being done expressing himself misleadingly. "Yeah! Always the same wild dream. Drives me nuts! It's so intense, sometimes I even wake up in my own body juices!"

The princess blushed all of a sudden. "What are you talking about? You make me feel embarrassed," she complained.

Sonic's cheeks instantly turned bright red. "Wow, wait a sec! Not what you may think!" He raised his hands defensively. "I'm talking about nightmares! About nights spent awake, lack of sleep, and waking up drenched in cold sweat!"

Well, anything else would have surprised me a lot, Elise thought, yet feeling a bit dissapointed. But he's so incredibly cute when he blushes! "This just keeps getting better and better," she moaned reproachfully. "So now it's nightmares you're having about me, huh?" She made a pout and turned away from him.

For a moment the Mobian was so dumbfounded that he could only stare at her.

But then she burst out laughing. "Just pulled your leg!" Holding her sides, she shook with laughter. "You should have seen your face!" She had to wipe tears of laughter from the corners of her eyes.

At least she seems to be in a great mood again, Sonic mused. Nice to see her crying with joy for a change. Still, he didn't quite know whether to be angry or relieved. "Glad you're having so much fun, Principessa! But it's actually not that jokey, ya know? I'm dealing with a real problem."

"Sorry, I simply couldn't resist." Slowly, Elise calmed down again. She seized one of the Hedgehog's large hands with both of hers and looked into his eyes. "Sonic. I don't know what this is all about. It's really a freaky situation. But it seems like we're in this together, and now that you're here, maybe we can also get to the bottom of this together. And I already have an idea where to start!"

"Uh... for real?" He looked at her dainty fingers. He could feel the warmth of her skin through the fabric of his gloves, and suddenly had to concentrate hard to continue understanding her words.

"Yes! Annie, one of our kitchen maids. She's my very best friend, and I plan to involve her in this. I think she might know someone who can help us when it comes to bad dreams and visions and all that sort of thing. Pretty sure!" She gently squeezed his hand, and all at once her voice sounded very timid. "Well... Of course, only in case you'd like to see me again tomorrow and join me in this thing."

This is developing even better than I dared to hope. Seems like it was the right decision to come to her after all. "I've never passed up an adventure." He smirked impishly. "And by the way, it's already tomorrow."

Beaming with joy, she let go of him and clapped her hands. "Blazing heart of Solaris! That makes me soo happy!" Suddenly, she blushed slightly and cleared her throat. "Um... I mean, I'm really happy we're going to tackle this together."

Having both hands free again, Sonic stretched extensively and yawned. "Yeah, but we better catch up on some sleep first," he suggested. When was the last time I actually slept? Feels like it's been ages.

"But I don't want to go home already," Elise objected. "It's so nice here." So nice to be with you.

I actually also don't wanna go back yet, Sonic thought. There's still something important I'd like to talk about. Searching his mind for the right words, he stared at the damp grass at his feet. The night was already beginning to change into morning, and a light haze, which would soon turn into a thick morning fog, had settled over the meadow. The gentle breeze bundled the silken mist into isolated wafts and made them wander across the clearing like pale ghosts. "Say, Elise, you're going to be sorta the star at that big party tomorrow night the whole town's getting ready for, aren't ya? Looking forward to it?" Well, that wasn't exactly what I would call my most pressing question, but at least it'll keep the conversation going.

"Oh, just don't remind me." She heaved a frustrated sigh. "It really bugs me that father is making such a big deal out of it this year. The fact that I'm supposed to be the center of attention in all of that doesn't make it any easier for me. Sometimes I wish I had the whole thing behind me already."

He smirked and waved his hand. "Sounds like being a princess isn't that easy sometimes."

"It isn't, I can tell you. And not only sometimes." She returned his smile. "But I'm taking my responsibilities very seriously. I love this country! All my citizens, really. The children, everyone in the castle... uh, wait. Forget about that again. Not everyone. I don't like Susi." She laughed.

He chuckled. "Susi?"

"Susanna. My lady-in-waiting. She's such a beast! I don't think she likes me either," she explained.

"Doesn't she have to obey you?" he asked in wonder.

She had to laugh again. "Well, most of the time she does the opposite of what I want. Besides, she spies on me and then tells everything to my father. Honestly, I'm happiest when I'm not having her around."

"I see," he said. "And what about that creepy prince you told me of? What was his name... Bull-Frost?"

Her high spirits dropped a few degrees. "I don't want to talk about that guy."

"But what if your father really demands you to marry him?" he asked anxiously. The idea was horrifying and disheartening, and the matter was driving him almost insane ever since she had told him of her father's clear hints in that regard.

"I no longer give a flying shit what my father says," she suddenly burst out. But the thought filled her with fear, too. Her father's words had been practically unmistakable. And if she refused, he might try to force her. There were ways and means, for a ruler as well as for a father. Or he could disempower her, dishonor her, take away what little authority she had and deprive her of her title as princess and her rights as heir to the throne of Soleanna. Then Hector and the council would vote on a successor from another line of blood. It would cause a lot of confusion and bring a bunch of bad publicity to the kingdom of Soleanna, but it was feasible. She put all her hope in the possibility that there was some last vestige of paternal love in her father's heart that would keep him from going that far.

She noticed that Sonic was staring at her as stunned as if she had just turned into a unicorn, and suddenly she realized how she had expressed herself a moment ago. Usually, she never cursed. Her courtly upbringing forbade it. "Sorry," she apologized for her verbal faux pas and blushed. "It just slipped out!"

The Hedgehog snickered. "No worries. Once it's out and in the fresh air, it can cool off, I guess."

After a moment of stillness, Elise continued, and this time her voice sounded kind of husky, as if something was constricting her throat. "Sonic... Once we sort out this dream thing... you'll leave, won't you?"

Even though he had already made his decision to stand by his feelings, he suddenly realized that he had not really dealt with this particular aspect of his plan until now. If she reciprocated his feelings, would he, could he, stay here with her? On this side of the rift? Far away from his friends, far away from his former life? Maybe even forever? He wanted to say something, if only to break the tense silence that now seemed to spread between them, but he just couldn't find the proper words right then.

The quiet of the night densed around the two of them, interrupted only by the rustle of the wind in the treetops. Sitting side by side, they watched the falling petals and the softly rippling surface of the lake for a while. When the wind picked up and blew a gust across the lake, the little flower sailboats started to race a regatta.

The absence of an answer confirmed the young noblewoman in her assumption, and she had to suppress a sad sigh. But she decided to put her worries aside for now and enjoy the time with Sonic as much as she could, even if it was to be limited. She supported herself with both hands on the wooden trunk, lifted her feet, and began to playfully bob back and forth. "At least we finally have a moment to ourselves out here. Without anyone bothering us. That's also something, isn't it?"

The Mobian resolved to stop thinking about everything possible and impossible and finally take action. He couldn't and wouldn't put it off any longer. His heart suddenly felt heavy like a stone and light like a feather at the same time. "Please listen to me, Elise. There's something else I need to talk to you about."

A little irritated by his sudden seriousness, she turned to him and looked at him questioningly. "Hmm?"

"Yesterday morning, when I made such a mess, you immediately forgave me," the Hedgehog began his speech. "You weren't angry with me, although I even hurt you with my thoughtless action."

She seemed to want to say something about it, but he raised his hand to let her know he wasn't finished.

"Then, yesterday noon, you came to my defense from your father and told him we were friends, even though you know how... difficult he can be, and that there would probably be consequences for you." He looked at her. "And when I was overcome by my own worries shortly afterwards, you even managed to comfort me and cheer me up, and that even though you yourself had just been scolded in the cruelest way I have ever experienced."

"Ah, that goes without saying," she took advantage of his brief pause for breath to downplay the matter, but was visibly moved by his flattering summary of yesterday's events. A little sheepishly, she fiddled with a strand of her hair and wrapped it around her index finger.

Sonic shook his head. "I don't see it that way. I don't take things like that for granted. And I'm not bringing this up just out of gratitude."

"What do you mean?" she asked, slightly bewildered.

She's cute as a button. "Well, as you know by now, I initially came here with the intention of finding out what it is about those disturbing dreams. But in the meantime, some things have changed." For a few seconds, he desperately searched for words again. Not wanting the resulting pause to become too long, he decided to simply let his heart do the talking. "Elise, I... I've always known what I want. Who I am. And where I belong. But then all at once you show up, and suddenly everything's kinda messy and confusing!"

"Did I do anything wrong?" What is he getting at? What is he trying to tell me? That almost sounds like the prelude to a love confession... But that's absolutely impossible! I must still be in bed and dreaming. It can't be any other way! All of a sudden, there didn't seem to be enough space in her chest for her wildly beating heart, because it was throbbing all the way up into her throat.

Is she trying to pull my leg again? Or am I really that lousy with words? "Elise! I-"

But suddenly something behind his back caught her attention. All excited, she put one hand to her mouth and pointed behind him with the other. "Sonic! Look!"

He turned around, and his eyes widened in amazement at the sight before him. A huge swarm of fireflies was emerging from the darkness of the forest and heading towards the cherry tree on the small island in the lake. Sonic estimated that there had to be several hundreds of them. Each of them was glowing faintly in a greenish-yellow hue, and their gathering bathed the tree and its surroundings in an arcane, almost supernatural light. The shine of the tiny flying beetles reflected on the surface of the water, doubling the number of swarming little lanterns.

Some of the insects also flew past the dissimilar couple sitting on the old trunk, orbiting them a few times before moving on and joining their fellows in the branches of the tree. The human and the Mobian watched the event in wonder and awe. They instinctively tried to move as little as possible, and even flattened their breathing so as not to scare away their fairy-like visitors and destroy the magic of that unique moment.

"This is just incredible," Elise whispered.

"What are they?" he asked her as quietly as he could. "Lightning bugs?"

"Fireflies, yes," she breathed, "a very special subspecies found only in Soleanna! They are extremely rare, and the places where they breed are virtually unknown. Until today I've only ever seen them on television, but from all I know about them... they seem to be on their mating flight! Look!"

Most of the winged beetles had by now come together in pairs in the crown of the tree and began to light up in turn.

"In search for a suitable partner, they try to form a connection with each other by synchronizing their flashing intervals," the princess elaborated.

"A connection?" Sonic repeated thoughtfully.

"Yep. If they can manage to flash in perfect alternation, they know they're a match. Here with us, that's why we call them twinkleworms. Because in the dark, the couples look like glowing eyes that... twinkle, you know?"

He nodded. "Think I get it."

"The males and females are very different in appearance, as the males are much smaller and also have another body shape. Nevertheless, they belong to the same species. They live only a few months, but once they find the right partner, they stay together for the rest of their lives." Elise shook her head in disbelief and looked around. "It's more than astounding to see so many of them in one place at one time. Annie won't believe a word I say!"

Suddenly, one of the errant fireflies circled Sonic's head a few times before it surprisingly landed on his long, soft nose, as if it had mistaken it for a plant stalk. The Hedgehog squinted his eyes as he tried to fix his gaze on the small creature in front of his face.

Elise had to hold back a giggle at that sight. Grinning broadly, she watched the faintly glowing, flickering animal for a moment. Then she slowly raised her hand and attempted to touch the creature very carefully with her index finger. But as soon as she had come within a few centimeters of it, it flapped its wings and fluttered away.

Sonic rubbed his nose and chuckled. "Didn't see that coming. Tickled like crazy!"

The princess laughed. "You seem to have quite an attraction to women when they literally come flying at you like that," she joked without thinking much about it.

He was not able to follow her train of thought. "Huh? What? Why?"

"Well, because that was a female twinkleworm," she declared in a faked snooty tone of voice, making fun of playing the know-it-all.

This time the Mobian realized that she was teasing him and decided to strike back. "And you, Princess? Flying at me, too?"

The question came as a complete surprise to her and sent her searching for words. What kind of question is that? What am I supposed to answer? That I've had a crush on him since I was seven? Her face turned first chalky white and then fiery red.

He could see that he had caught her off guard and had to laugh. "Just pulled your leg," he imitated her, repeating her words from before. "You should have seen your face!"

She still said nothing and was only getting redder and redder. He almost got the impression that she was angry or disappointed.

"Oh, come on, Elise. That wasn't such a bad joke." Then he gathered all his courage and decided to seize the opportunity. Nothing starts until you take action! "But you know what? It wasn't really a joke at all."

"That's enough now, you hear? Stop making fun of me!" Does he even know what he's talking about? She clenched her hands into fists. Of course, he can't know how much he's hurting me by teasing me about this. Still, he shouldn't make fun of something like that. Because dreams like this don't come true. Not even for a princess.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to upset ya." Sonic pointed to the tree, where countless fireflies were still passionately busy blinking at each other. "Maybe with the help of these little glowworms I can make you understand better what I tried to explain to you so awkwardly earlier."

I wonder what's next! Elise waited for him to continue, and for some reason her hands became sweaty.

"Look, I'm in a situation like this for the first time in my life, and I've absolutely zero experience in how to deal with it. And it seems that I'm also terribly bad at expressing myself and explaining what I feel." He paused for breath. Such long speeches are really not my thing. And then this tricky subject! But I want to get this right. I may not get a second chance. "Elise, remember what you told me about those fireflies a minute ago? That the males and females are very different, at least in appearance? And that they're nevertheless attracted to each other, looking for a connection with each other, wanting to form a bond for the rest of their lives?" He had to swallow as a lump was forming in his throat.

Just like I thought, I must still be in bed, dreaming. Now he's starting again with something that sounds like a weird declaration of love! Paralyzed and speechless, Elise could do nothing but stare at the Hedgehog in disbelief. This can't be true!? Is he really serious?!

The Mobian cleared his throat before continuing. "You and I, we also have some sort of connection, if you ask me. After all, we see each other in our dreams! At least that's what I do and how I see things. For all we know and have experienced so far, those dreams could even be memories from a past life, or visions from a future still ahead! Hopefully we'll find out with the help of your friend today." He was so nervous that he started plucking at his gloves. "But it's clearly a connection! So maybe we're a bit like those twinkleworms. Different in appearance, but trying to connect, to synchronize! A bit far-fetched, I know... But since yesterday, I... I can think of nothing else but you! I'm attracted to you!"

No, I was wrong. I'm not dreaming. I'm obviously hallucinating! Elise's heart almost flipped over, and all of a sudden she got circulatory problems from all the tension and excitement. The stress and the troubles she had been through in the last couple of hours, as well as the fact that she had eaten practically nothing all day, didn't make things any better. She became alternately hot and cold, and all color drained from her face. Great Solaris! I think I'm going to faint!

But Sonic was struggling way too much with himself at that moment to notice the change in her condition. "Now that I've revealed to you, more or less, what's going on inside me, I have a pressing question, and I want you to be absolutely honest with me, even if you think I might not like the answer."

Here it comes! I'm going crazy! Elise tried to swallow, but suddenly her mouth was dry and her throat choked up. Her hands went numb, and she began to tremble.

The Hedgehog's face flushed so violently with excitement and agitation that he could literally feel the heat. He took one more deep breath. "I think I've fallen in love with you, Elise! Head over heels! You've enchanted me, both with your captivating beauty and with your adorable nature. And that's why I want to ask you... I must know if... if you can imagine me becoming your twinkleworm! And if you can imagine to become my twinkleworm, too!"

Oh loving mother! Oh kind Solaris! Yes! Yes, Sonic! I do! Of course I do! More than everything else! She desperately tried to say it, to say something, anything, give him the answer that every fiber of her heart so longingly wished to scream out into the night. But her body no longer obeyed her. The world around her suddenly began to spin wildly as her circulation finally failed completely and she broke out in a cold sweat. Her stomach turned.

Deeply shocked, Sonic watched as she suddenly hid her face in her hands and made a noise that almost sounded as if she was choking. What the...?! Is she going to puke?! Stunned, he stared at her. He had expected everything possible, had thought to be prepared for everything imaginable, but this reaction hit him like a punch in the gut. I can't believe it! After all that happened in the last few hours, and judging by the way she behaved towards me all this time, I never expected that the thought of being with a Mobian would repulse her that much. But what do I know, the fool that I am! Again he blushed fiercely, but this time with embarrassment. "I-I'm sorry, Miss Elise. I didn't mean to make you sick. Need a hand?"

Close to fainting, the princess bent forward, burying her face in her hands. Her circulation was running wild, her stomach was cramping, and she was afraid she would have to gag as soon as she opened her mouth. Why did this have to happen to her? Now of all times? This might be the moment when her greatest dream, her most ardent wish, could come true. But if this continued, it would become the worst moment of her life. And maybe his, too. She was on the verge of tears. Full of despair, she shook her head, trying to shake off the nausea.

Again he misinterpreted her behavior, and took it as a renewed rejection. I'm such an idiot! I've made a complete idiot of myself! What was I thinking? I was completely wrong about her! He would have liked to slap himself. "Please forget what I said, Miss Elise." His voice sounded as bitter as if he had bitten into a lemon. He had actually firmly resolved to accept her answer, her reaction, whatever it would turn out to be, and yet her demeanor hurt him terribly. "I made a stupid mistake, Your Highness. We'll fix that thing with the nightmares, and then I'll be gone again! You'll never see me again. Promise!"

Elise could hardly believe how awful the situation was developing, how badly he was misunderstanding her behavior. His words pierced her like spears and almost tore her heart apart. Holy Solaris! Sonic! Please don't! Please don't leave me! She gathered all strength she had left in her, straightened up and turned to him. She wanted to explain herself, to make him understand the embarrassing situation, to apologize to him. But that last effort was too much for her overtaxed heart. She blacked out.

Horrified and confused, he saw her collapse and caught her at the last second before she toppled off the tree trunk. He took her in his arms and carefully lifted her up, like he had done when he had brought her here. Time to take her home. Or maybe to a hospital instead? He looked at the fragile human girl in his arms. Only now did he notice how ashen her face actually was. The pale moonlight made it hard to tell. Did my confession give her a heart attack?

Her eyelids fluttered, and she moaned quietly. Then she opened her eyes and slowly focused her gaze on him. "Sonic..." she whispered in a weak voice.

"I'm here, Miss Elise. Don't worry. I'll take you home," he said softly. "I'm sorry to have caused you so much trouble. First at the jetty, then with your father, and now this. Trust me, it will never happen again. Like I said, you'll be rid of me soon." He briefly met her glance and immediately threatened to drown in her eyes again. The feelings he had for her painfully flared up inside him, and he turned away to not have to look at her any longer.

But suddenly she laid her hands on his cheeks and gently turned his face back to her. She was still shaking slightly and weak like a lamb, but he did not resist and let it happen. "Oh Sonic! You haven't done anything wrong! Quite the opposite. All the commotion and excitement on an empty stomach was just a bit too much for me today, you know? Please believe me." She caressed his cheeks with her thumbs. "I'm sorry! I behaved pretty much out of line, didn't I?" The princess giggled sheepishly and blushed. "And it's just Elise. I thought we'd already worked that out."

Once again, Sonic was confused and first had to process the sudden turn of events. "W-What? What does that mean now?"

"It means yes."

"Yes what?" he asked, puzzled. While his heart started doing piecework again, his brain seemed to have shut down in the meantime.

Elise rested her hands on his shoulders. "Though I'm going through a particularly difficult time at the moment, or maybe even because of that, I'm enjoying this... what did you call it earlier... this adventure with you! It allows me to be something other than a princess. I'm able to be myself. A girl!" She looked into his eyes and smiled. "Annie keeps saying that my mother would always be with me, always watching over me. And that Solaris would always protect me. And maybe that's even true somehow, in some ways. I want to believe in that. But since yesterday, it's you who's always there for me when I need someone, someone who's protecting me, and who's comforting me when I'm not doing well."

"No sweat..." was all he managed to stammer out, feeling like a fool.

The moonlight reflected in her eyes and made them sparkle mysteriously. "For more than half my life, I've been fascinated by you, Sonic, and even attracted to you. Believe it or not. It even earned me a rather questionable reputation at court by now, can you imagine?" She rolled her eyes and had to giggle again. "I've wanted so much to meet you in person one day. And now that you're actually here, it feels like my heart has just been waiting for this moment. It feels so good to be with you, so right!" She was all smiles and looked very happy. "So if I could wish for one thing, only one thing in the world, then I would wish to have you in my life, to have you by my side. As my partner. No matter what anyone else thinks or says."

The Mobian could hardly believe his luck. Such a confession was more than he had ever expected, way more than he was even able to comprehend at the moment. He didn't know what to say, so he kept silent.

"So, yes!" she repeated. "Yes, I want this... connection, as you put it. I want to be your twinkleworm. Because, Sonic, I love you too! That's what I've been trying to say. All the time!" With those words, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself towards him, very close to his face.

Sonic's legs suddenly felt as if they were made of rubber, and everything around him began to spin as he became quite dizzy. He had to close his eyes. "Elise..."

"Shhh," she made, and also closed her eyes. "Enough talk."

The Hedgehog's heart turned into a hummingbird, throbbing faster than ever before. The wind seemed to die down, every sound fell silent, and he almost had the impression that heaven was holding its breath. The world around him, the whole universe, dissolved, vanished, and sank into insignificance. All that remained was the girl in his arms. Her warmth. Her breath. Her lips. He held her tightly against him as they, surrounded by glowing, flashing fireflies, shared their first kiss.

How right Annie was, Elise thought, melting in Sonic's embrace. Today really turned out to become the greatest day of my life!

...