Work Text:
StarHeart
Silver sprinted madly through the hallways and corridors of the castle. He was already late. As he ran, he frantically attempted to change. He pulled his loose, grey T-shirt over his head, which of course got stuck around his quills. He tried to slip it off gently, without having his quills rip his favourite shirt apart. The grey shirt had a dual purpose, if you were to ask Silver, which no one did, very few people in the castle chose to acknowledge the young hedgehog’s presence. But none the less he would have told you that the shirt was perfect for both casual everyday activities such as tending to the royal garden, which he often did. (Gardening was a personal hobby of his. Always dirty and in dirt, unlike his counterpart, always clean, pretty, and pristine at all times. She was a Princess after all.) But the shirt could also double as a pyjama. It was loose, too big for his slim frame, draping over him, almost like a dress almost covering the black shorts he wore with it. Which fit him far better. The V-neck shirt also allowed his chest fur to puff out rather than be crammed underneath, it was far more comfortable that way for him.
Anyway, he managed to pull it off. In haste he also regretfully kicked off his beloved Blaze-themed fluffy slippers. They literally had her face on them! It was so cute! And they were extremely comfy. But no matter now. His casual wear was now being replaced by the ceremonial Squire garb that Blaze gifted him months ago. He hit a wall hard as he attempted to make a turn down a corridor. He pushed himself off it and continued, keeping his momentum. The royal garb consisted of a lot of very ornate pieces of armour, a silvery pauldron for his right shoulder, which was connected to a long now wrinkled, unironed, violet cape which could’ve covered the rest of his body and would still droop on the floor. A leather tunic with an armour chestplate covering it, with the coat of arms of Blaze’s family. Which depicted the seven Sol Emeralds, a sceptre of some kind, a cat's paw, then some strange container with angel-like wings on it, which Silver did not recognise, but mused that it looked familiar. Reddish brown fabric pants with metal knee pads and shin guards. And metallic boots to top it off. To say that it was difficult to put all that on while sprinting madly was an understatement.
“Come on, come on, come on.” He murmured to himself as he ran, attempting to fit the metal gauntlets on his hands. But he was also attempting to negotiate with the universe as he often did, “Please don't let the east wing be-” he made the corner. Yep. His fear came true. His path was blocked. Literally hundreds of servants were moving through the corridors, carrying various platters, and serving trays with numerous delicacies produced from across the Sol Queendom. Not only that, but drinks, glassware, ice-sculptures and decorations. He was too late. The Sol Gala was already in full swing, and he was not anywhere near Blaze’s side like he was meant to be. He was her squire after all.
Though Silver originally didn't know what the title meant, Marine very quickly explained to him that it was like being your best friend's wing man. Silver gladly accepted, overjoyed. He beamed, his smile reached from ear to ear, so to speak. He quickly gave Blaze a big warm hug and thanked his friend, which brought a redness to the cat's cheeks, not that Silver noticed. He was very oblivious. The reason for the overjoyed reaction was because it was a life raft for him. A way to stay with Blaze, to stay at the castle, and not to be thrown out. He had a job, a purpose.
You see, Silver was allowed to live at the castle in a spare guest room near Blaze’s bedchambers ever since he was a little hedgehog, when a young Blaze found him washed up at shore near the castle, at a beach where she always snuck out to when feeling trapped by the walls and responsibilities of the castle. There, lying unconscious, was a young hedgehog boy, which she would come to know as Silver. She quickly rushed over to help the boy and carried him all the way back to the castle. The royal guards managed to awaken the boy and restart his heart. She had saved that boy's life, and from the moment he opened his eyes and laid them on her he was eternally grateful. She was his hero. Young Blaze, alone and trapped in a big empty castle devoid of other children of course immediately took a liking to the boy. She could finally have a friend. So, the young, innocent Blaze turned to her mother and asked, “Can we keep him?”
Queen Ember and King Sear simply exchanged a look and said, “No.”
Which lead Blaze to practically attach herself to the little hedgehog and refuse to part ways with him or stop complaining until they changed their minds. Ultimately, tired, Queen Ember agreed to allow the boy amnesty and shelter at the castle even though her distain of hedgehogs was great. Many of the rival kingdoms and tribes were hedgehog controlled or aligned. Ember theorised the boy came from one of those lands, but when questioned the young boy remarked that he had no recollection of anything before Blaze, she was the first thing he ever saw. He didn't know where he came from, or where his family was, or how old he was, or what his name was. He looked slightly younger than Blaze so they assumed that he was around seven years old. As for his name, Blaze remarked, “Well, you look shiny, and silver. So, I'll call you Silver.”
The boy simply smiled warmly, “I like it. So, are you... purple? Or amethyst?”
She giggled, “No, my name is Blaze.”
“Why’s that?”
“Wanna see something cool?”
The boy nodded, eyes wide, mouth open and gape. The cat opened her palm and a small bright yellow flame ignited. “Wooow.” Was all the boy could say.
From that day on the boy was permitted to live in the castle in a spare guest room. Silver and Blaze grew up as neighbours under the same roof. Of course, Silver being the kind and insecure soul he was, he thought of himself as a freeloader. So, to remedy that he took it upon himself to help out around the castle wherever he could; Helping the servants with cleaning, going to stores getting produce, helping cooks prepare food, often bringing breakfast to Blaze in bed. And of course, tending to the garden. He always tried to be as useful as possible, trying to truly earn his place at the castle. Trying to get in Queen Ember's good graces. It never quite worked. Ember’s distain for Silver, among other things, drove a divide between Blaze and her mother. When Silver reached the age of eighteen the conversation arose that maybe Silver was now old enough to fend for himself and was no longer required to stay at the castle. Blaze, of course, wasn't happy about that. So, she concocted a scheme to keep her friend. She would knight him as her squire. Her personal servant. That way she could keep her best friend by her side.
She stood over him as he knelt down on one knee in his room. The ‘ceremony’ was rather informal as Blaze had already filled out all the necessary paperwork for the process to be considered official, the Queen would have normally presided over an official ceremony, but Ember claimed she was too busy. Clearly a lie. So, Blaze took it upon herself to complete the process. She gently placed a hand on his right shoulder mimicking a sword with her fingers, it looked as if she was about to karate chop him, he thought to himself. Of course, if she actually karate chopped him she would have split him in twain, she was that strong. She spoke with formal might, “Silver The Hedgehog, if you so accept, I place upon you the weight and responsibility of squire-hood. Your duties if you choose to accept them or to always stand by my side. To fight beside me. To shield me. To prosper with me. To always bring me breakfast in bed. To always allow me to play with and organise your quills. To sneak out to the Market Square to bring me trinkets when I'm not allowed to leave. And to never ever leave my side.”
“Where would I go?” He asked genuinely, with a smile, shrugging cutely, his wide puppy eyes on full display.
“Don't interrupt. Stop smiling.” She said smiling.
“I can't help it.” He remarked cheerfully, “It's involuntary.”
“Do you accept this burden? This role?”
There was not an ounce of doubt in Silver's voice, or his heart, “I do.”
Blaze smirked, “Then rise, my squire.” She moved her hand off of his right shoulder, over his head, to his left shoulder, and then raised her hand up beckoning him to stand up. Marine also present in the room at that moment, on cue threw two handfuls of confetti into the air over the hedgehog which gently sprinkled over Silver. It was clear she was loving it. It was her who knocked on his room’s door a few minutes ago to alert him of the Gala's happening. He opened, confused as to why the young raccoon was at his doorstep.
“What are you doing here, MarMar?”
“What am I doing here?! Dude, what are YOU doing here?!”
“This IS my room, isn't it?” He asked genuinely confused. The hedgehog had a history of memory problems, he hoped he wasn't napping in someone else’s room.
“The Sol Gala is happening right now! Blaze is waiting for you right now!” Silvers eyes (eye? singular?) widened, he forgot... how could he forget? His memory was truly terrible, he knew that, but this was an entirely new level of dumb. His object permanence, organising, planning and scheduling skills were definitely some of his worse qualities. He turned back to look at his room in shock and fear, only now did all of the dozens of coloured sticky notes reveal themselves to Silver. Each written by a past him to remind the absent-minded, forgetful hedgehog about today's event.
“It's today!?” He re-slammed the door, got his uniform, then a millisecond later decided there was no time and that he would change on the way. He practically launched out of the doors.
“What were you doing, man?” The young raccoon asked.
“I know, I know, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. I forgot.”
“Dude, your room is a post-it crime scene, it looks like you’re numbering evidence. How did you forget?”
He sighed, annoyed with himself, “I don't know.” Silver often had his head in the clouds, most of the time. Often forgetting reality in favour of his fictitious dreamscape. He'd often get absorbed in his more artistic hobbies, like drawing or painting. His room was littered with sketches of whatever came to mind, mostly science fiction-y type stuff; Post-apocalyptic landscapes, some dark sketchy creatures, today in particular he was preoccupied with the drawing of a strange ornate canister of purple and orange. He didn't know what it was. He didn't know what many of the things he drew were. He didn't know where it was all coming from. It just came naturally to his mind. Some of the drawings were rather macabre, Blaze expressed her worries over this to Silver, often asking if he was taking his pills. He always said yes. That was one thing he never forgot.
None the less, the two continued forward. Marine went her separate way, saying she wasn't actually invited to the actual Gala taking place in the castle. Said it was very exclusive. That made Silver feel both more honoured that he was allowed to partake in it. And simultaneously, felt even worse for forgetting such a prestigious honour. He was such an idiot. He said farewell to the raccoon, who rendezvoused with a group of her friends at the Market Square to celebrate the holiday.
And so, now the flood of castle servants blocked the path forward to the ballroom. In that moment the hedgehog thanked the universe for his telekinesis powers. He surrounded himself with his blueish-green aura and lifted himself up and place his feet on the ceiling and ran across the corridor upside down. He didn't really know how he was doing what he was doing. Where his powers came from, if he had them since birth, or if the incident that brought him to the shores of the Sol Queendom was related. The Queen had no answers, neither did the royal library, or archive. They had never seen anything like what Silver could do. He was one-of-a-kind.
To cut through more of the path in front of him. He flew out of the window and across the garden which he tended to often, and aimed at a window one floor down, few metres away. He re-entered through the window startling some of the staff, who attempted to balance the various glassware they were carrying on the silver plate.
“Sorry, excuse me. Sorry. Coming through.” He regained his speed and on his way he passed the large portrait depicting Blaze’s family. Young Blaze at the bottom a stern cold expression on her face, the very same one she wore most of the time. That was the Blaze most of the world knew. But Silver knew the real Blaze. The soft, the cute, the real her. The her that saved his life, that cuddled with him at night whenever he was cold and struggling to fall asleep. The Blaze that would help him garden, help him train and teach him how to fight, how to defend himself. The girl who brightened his day every time she smiled at him, even when at his lowest. Simply her presence was enough to bring colour back into the world. But in the portrait, there was no smile, no light in her eyes, no joy on her face. They talked about it. Silver's eyes were always drawn to the portrait, Blaze noticed. As they hang out at her balcony like they always did, leaning against the marble railing, she brought it up. Silver admitted his interest but tried to play it off as a joke. He awkwardly remarked, “What's a guy gotta do to get in the family portrait?” He didn't know why he said that. He was so stupid. He didn't even know what he expected her to say in return.
“It's- ugh- it's not how it that works- i- if it was up to me-“
“No, I know, I know. I was just joking.” He turned away from her to face the landscape over the Queendom. His voice faded in volume as that sentence went on.
Above Blaze loomed her parents, with the same noble expressions; King Sear, now passed. It was clear that he was the parent Blaze was closer to. But she didn't like to talk about it. Silver never pushed. He just listened. And what he listened to was a lot of complaining about her mother. How unfair she was, how strict she was. Blaze never of course confronted her mother. She was brave, the bravest soul Silver knew, but the Princess never had the strength to stand up to her mother. There she was; Queen Ember looming over Blaze in the portrait, hands placed on her daughter's shoulders. At times the woman made Silver feel unwelcome and unwell. He tried everything in his power to make her like him; Help with cleaning, organising royal dinners, painting murals in her honour (he heard she liked tributes in her image). None of it worked. Which saddened him to no end. Blaze just patted him on the shoulder and told him not to take it too personally. Her mother liked very few people.
Eventually, Silver made it to the doors leading to the main ballroom. Through a nearby window he could see the numerous guests beginning to funnel into the room from the outside. The guests were different royal families from across the isles, rich benefactors, land barons, celebrities, scholars. Silver paused before the door, he adjusted the uniform, he didn't know if it made any difference, didn't know what it was supposed to look like or what looked proper. He was really bad at this. He opened the doors and entered the ballroom. It was loud. A hundred different conversations happening at the same time all over the room. It overstimulated him a little. The room had ornate marble walls and pillars, a floor so clean you could see your reflection in it, and high ceiling with murals of the Sol Emeralds.
The guests were conversing at the sides, leaving the centre of the room barren, it would soon become a dance floor. At the far end of the ballroom sat the two thrones, sat upon them were Queen Ember and, to her right, Blaze. Silver quickly noticed her from across the room, and his face lit up. He had that big goofy smile he was always chastised for by Blaze when he was around her. He raised his hand and waved to her, “Blaze! Blaze!” She couldn't hear him over the music being played by the band on the other side of the room. She was also preoccupied with greeting the various guests that approached them. Silver attempted to get closer. Passing a row of royal guards on his way, each cat was at least three times his size, clad in a suit of armour, none of them paid him any mind as he passed by, “Greg. Terry. George. Looking good you guys!” He remarked goofily as he waved to them as if they were friends. He was so naive. This was what normal people did, right? Suddenly his face collided with something. He turned around to see another tall guard stand before him.
“And where do you think you're going pipsqueak?”
“Oh, hi, sir, actually I'm just supposed to be here with these guys!” Silver pointed at the huge guards who wore similar uniforms to his own. The Captain of the Guard just ‘um hmm’ed with a raised brow. The guard began to walk towards Silver, who backed up awkwardly. “No, really, sir. I'm Silver. Silver The Hedgehog. I'm a friend of the Princess, Princess Blaze. She's my best friend in the whole wide world.”
“Uh-huh, sure.”
“No, really-“
“Can you come over here for a second?” The captain asked matter-of-factly as he placed a hand around Silver's shoulder and pushed him towards a door leading outside, into the castle gardens.
“Oh, yeah, sure.” Silver remarked gullibly, following along.
“You know trespassing on castle grounds is a serious offence. You're a kid, so I'll let it slip, this one time.”
“Right, thank you, but sir, I DO live here.”
“Uh-huh, sure. Could you wait out here for me please?”
“Uh, sure.”
“Great.” The large cat slammed the doors on the small hedgehog leaving him outside. Silver's face quickly faded from cheerful optimism to sorrowful disappointment. He tried to combat the frown invading his face.
“Alright, sure, no problem... Big fan!... of you guys…” doors locked. Evening approaching. It began to rain. Because of course it did. But soon he shook it off, and determination return to his face. He wasn't going to give up that easily. Silver's target was the window to the right of the door, it was open. He dismantled a nearby white picket fence from around his garden, using his telekinetic powers to impale two posts into the ground. He stole a dirty curtain off a pile of laundry left by a servant in a hurry, tide it around the posts and pulled it back by leaning on it. The boy had built an improv slingshot. And he was readying for liftoff. “Ha! I always wanted to do this.” With an inkling of his power he pulled back the curtain and then let go, launching himself high into the ballroom through the window. It worked! Only… he misjudged his strength and the ark of fire. He sailed high across the ballroom flailing over Blaze’s head which did not turn as she conversed with a guest. The captain, ready, unlocked the opposing window and opened it, allowing Silver to fly out the other side. Landing face first in mucky dirt.
His second attempt at infiltrating the ballroom was far sneakier. The young hedgehog had attached themselves to the undercarriage of a waggon of food being carted into the ballroom. He giggled to himself, perhaps too loudly. The captain's head appeared facing Silver as the cat bend down to investigate the poorly suppressed laughter. “Gergins. Get the broom.”
“Ah! No! Sir, please! I'm not trying to rob you! I live here!”
THWAP. THWAP. THWAP.
The captain chased Silver off, getting him a few good times. After a solid fifteen minutes of zigzagging and strafing, and all ’n’ all chaotic running about, Silver managed to give the guards the slip, hiding behind some hedges. The two guards tasked with chasing Silver out, stopped only a few feet away from him, “Damn, now we'll never find him.”
“What? Sure we will. It's just a few bushes.”
“Shush. I'm lazy.”
“Oh, right, yeah, let's go get something to eat.”
The two walked off, leaving the hedgehog to sigh and deflate. “Ugh, so that didn't work.” He was starting to think this was hopeless. He peeked his large head outside to see if the guards were really gone. It was then that he noticed something that gave him a brand new idea, that lifted his spirits up. Silver observed the line of rich, fancy-dressed guests funnelling into the ballroom. “Of course, you gotta dress for the part!”
There were so many guests flooding into the ballroom that the Captain of the Guard could barely keep up with the greetings. He knew the guests got agitated when stopped to be checked, and he didn't want to get in trouble with his superiors, so he just stood to the side and allowed them to pour in. For a second, he thought he saw a strangely familiar star-like shape in the river of people, but it disappeared quickly. And he didn't care to push through, it would surely cost him his pay check, maybe neck too. And so, Silver made it through.
He held a fan in front of his face to hide his identity. As he entered, he closed the fan revealing his smirk. He was in. He giggled as he scampered off in search of his friend. The ‘disguise’ Silver was sporting was a long black glittery, sparkling dress which looked like a cloth cut from the night sky itself. Held up by two thin lace straps over his shoulders. With a long slit up the left leg, revealing his cyan circuitry-like markings, which often lit up when feeling strong emotions, they were glowing bright in the moment. His puffy chest fur was on full display peeking out the dress. A pair of high heels on his feet, a gold anklet on his left leg. And a pair of golden star shaped earrings hanging low against the sides of his head. And to top it all off he reorganised his quills. His large back two quills were tied back into a ponytail, while his front five quills were side swept to his left resembling the look of dreadlocks. He also had fancy white fur draped over his shoulders. He flung it around his head to conceal his face. And so, he practically skipped and frolicked onward. “Blaze! Blaze! Where are you? I snuck in. I mean I didn't sneak in, I live here.”
Suddenly, the room went dark, and all the overhead lights converged at the centre of the ballroom, transforming it into a dance floor. He noticed that the people were giving him looks, like never before, he couldn't say he didn't like it. It made him blush a little. People were slowly making their way to the centre of the room, in pairs, the music slowed down. There, his eyes finally found her, at the other side of the dance floor. She was… with someone else? Silver squinted as he moved closer. He couldn't look away, it was as if he was in a trance, being pulled in by some strange gravitational field. Someone walked up to him, he didn't even see what they looked like. They spoke, “Hey, I just saw you across the room and I just knew I had to dance with y-“
Silver just raised his hand up, his pointing finger silencing them, “Sorry, I can't, I’m busy.” He moved closer, and the closer he got the more about the scene was revealed. Blaze wasn't with someone. She was trying to get away from someone. Someone was badgering her. The guy clearly had no concept of personal space. Blaze’s expression spoke volumes; exhaustion and annoyance. The guy pestering her had a smirk that was practically asking to be kicked in. Whoever he was, he seemed snarky, he just irradiated annoyance. He kept trying to take hold of Blaze’s hand. She wasn't having any of it. Silver approached them. He stepped between the two, placed a hand against the guy’s chest, creating some distance between them. “Excuse me, Her Majesty, has other affairs to attend to.” Silver and Blaze departed together. Squire to the rescue.
They made it halfway across the dance floor when a spotlight landed on them. His golden eyes lit up as he turned to face her, he awkwardly fidgeted with his fingers for a little bit before he reached out his hand to Blaze, “May I have this dance?” She gave him a once over, she was sceptical, but she conceded. She placed her hand in his. And they began to waltz. Slow dancing in circles in brief bliss.
“Thank you for the rescue, that guy was unbearable. But may I know your name, ma’am?”
Wait. She didn't recognise him? Silver quickly removed the fur concealing his face, revealing his big dorky smile to her, “Psst, Blaze it's me!” He half whispered, half exclaimed as he winked, “Your trusty squire! Don't be too loud because the guards are gonna throw me out.”
Blaze’s eyes widened and redness flooded her cheeks, “Silver?! W- What are you doing here!?” They were holding hands, she just realised. Are golden yellow irises lit up in a fiery orange colour in embarrassment.
“Yeah, it's me! I snuck in! I mean I didn't sneak in, I live here. Hey, whoa, your eyes, they lit up. Are you okay? They only light up when you're nervous. Do you want me to bring you a glass of water?” He asked genuinely worried.
She quickly yanked him away from the spotlight away from the attention. People were already looking, pondering who the person dancing with the Princess was. Silver wasn't very good at reading people or their emotions, but as he analysed Blaze’s face he could swear she was panicking. Was she angry at him? Did he do something wrong? “We need to get you out of here. Hide you.” She claimed.
“What? Why?”
“Just come along.” On their way, Douchbag reappeared, Silver didn't know his name, nor did he care to know it so that was what he called him in his head. His sudden appearance startled Blaze, “Ah!” He grinned a grin that made Silver feel queasy.
He gave Blaze a bow, “Your majesty, departing so soon? But we haven't even got a chance to dance yet. I bet we could set the dancefloor ablaze, ay?” She just groaned, rolled her eyes and pushed past them. “Hey now, I meant it, hot stuff.” He winked as he reached to stop her by grabbing her wrist.
Blaze was about to disintegrate him. But Silver got to him first. Silver wasn't an overly aggressive person, he didn't feel jealousy normally, but something in him snapped, maybe it was how he was making Blaze feel, maybe that was what sent him over the edge. He tapped the guy on the shoulder, he turned around. “Hey, do you know how heavy the compacted heart of a dead star is?” Silver asked in a semi-deranged sort of way, eyes wide open, forced smile. He took the Douchbag’s hand, opened it, and placed something shiny in his palm.
“What?” Douchbag practically sank into the floor, crashing several floors down, weighed down by the said star.
“Silver!”
“What?” He asked innocently.
She smiled, “I wanted to do that.” They both chuckled a little. “Is he still falling? Is he gonna be fine?”
“He's all right.” The grey hedgehog assured as he opened his palm and the star returned to it. “So, uh, why did you want me to leave so soon?” It was only then that the two noticed something peculiar. The music had stopped. The guests had stopped dancing. And now everyone was looking at... them? Blaze and Silver both began to feel conscious and unnerved. Heat present on both of their faces. Blaze stiffened up. Silver slouched and slinked down, rubbing his left arm. Then they realised, people weren't staring at them. They were staring at something behind them. They turned to see a very unamused Queen Ember looking down at them. Blaze’s ghost almost left her body on the spot. The Queen always somehow managed to look menacing whether it was on the battlefield covered in blood screaming a war cry with a soul banner in hand, or casually cloaked in shadow like right now. Her eyes a glow in the dark.
“What is he doing here?” She asked coldly.
“H- Hi, your majesty, or- um- er- Queen Ember. Sorry, I was late, but trusty squire always persists. The cap wouldn't let me in, so I stuck in. I- I mean I didn't sneak in, I live here.”
“Enough. Quiet. Shut up.” She turned to her daughter, “Blaze, was this your doing?”
“No mother.”
“It wasn't her ma’am. Please don't be angry at her. It was me.”
“I said quiet boy!”
“Mother, please do not be angry with Silver. He is my squire, he simply wished to be by my side for this special occasion.”
“He's making a scene. As always. He is not supposed to be here. You knew that Blaze.”
Silver was confused by that statement. He turned back to face Blaze, a sad and sickly look on his face. “Wait, I wasn't supposed to be here?... The guards... they were ordered to keep me out?” He sounded heartbroken. Blaze couldn't muster the strength to look up at him. “You didn't want me here?” The question broke her heart.
“That was Prince Ryan you just sunk into the floor, a valuable benefactor. Do you know how long it'll take to rebuild that trade route?”
“... I’m sure you'll tell me, mother.”
“... Ungrateful... Captain!”
The captain approached sweating, “Y- Yes, ma'am?”
“Escort the hedgehog away to his room, and make sure they do not leave. I shall attempt to salvage this gathering.”
“Yes, your solarness.” He took hold of Silver's shoulders and began to guide him out of the room.
Ember turned to Silver one last time, “And you, I don't want to see you anywhere near her.” Silver just hung his head low in contemplation. Blaze already missed that goofy smile.
---
Silver was forcefully returned by the guards to his room. Guards posted outside his door. To keep him inside. Blaze was forced to stay behind longer, and to apologise to Duchbag, whose name she had already forgotten. She did so, of course. She was a Princess, she had to keep up appearences. She represented her nation; she needed to preach peace and unite. She had not forgotten her manners that Gardon taught to her when she was a little girl. But it didn't mean she had to like it. Luckily enough the guy lost all interest in her after Silver’s appearance. Nonetheless, the Princess was forced to stay the extra five hours that the ball ran for. But fortunately, after a while all the guests were too drunk to make conversation with her, it got louder, but she was left alone. Eventually, she too was escorted to her bedroom, guards posted outside her door. Ember proclaimed that they would discuss what had transpired tomorrow. She herself was too drunk to talk to her daughter as well.
Once the fire Princess was back in her own room, with no one around to observe or judge her, her posture loosened up, her shoulders slouching. Then she practically flopped face first onto her bed. Groaning with annoyance into the bed sheets. She was annoyed, frustrated, irritated, and all the other ‘ed’s. She wanted to be angry, but she knew she couldn't be, she had to keep control over her powers, because she already felt her temperature rising. The Princess had a tendency to burst into flames and set her surroundings on fire, when her emotions went into overdrive, whether it be happiness or fear or rage. Of course, that hadn't occurred in a long time, not since she was a child, but dear old mom always had a talent to push her buttons. Just when the young Princess thought nothing could cheer her up, she felt a hand on her shoulder, it was a gentle touch. The girl turned to see a kind elderly koala stand over her, his kind eyes giving a sorrowful look. “I'm sorry, young one, about today.”
All the anger left the cat’s body. “Thank you, Gardon. It's not your fault. You don't have to apologise...” She lingered on her next thought, not really sure if she should say it, but did anyway, “You're just a prisoner here, just like me.” That remark really cut the koala to the core. He retracted his hand. He didn't know how to help. It was true; He held no real power, he couldn't over rule the Queen’s judgement or behaviour, all he could do was smooth things over afterwards.
“Goodnight, little star.”
Blaze took a moment to reply, “Goodnight, Gardon.” The old man just gave a small smile, and exited the room. Blaze turned over so she could stared at the ceiling. She huffed and hugged her knees. Before her thoughts could consume her a knock on her balcony door attracted her attention. Did she hear something? Again; Knock. Knock. No there was definitely someone on the balcony, and she knew it could’ve been only one person. They did that often. Often snuck into her room for sleepovers, or just to talk. It was often the highlight of her day when trapped in her room, which was unfortunately a common occurrence.
She rose from her bed and walked, no, rushed over to the curtains of the balcony doors. She hoped he wasn't upset with her. She took hold of the curtains and pulled them apart, revealing the glass doors, beyond which was Silver, already facing away, ready to leave. He turned around. Their eyes locked. Panic overcame both of them. She opened the doors to let him in. He spoke first, “Hi, can I... come in?” She grabbed him and pulled him in.
“Stay quiet. And get in, it's cold. Did anyone see you?”
“They never do.” He replied. She closed the doors behind him. And closed the curtains as well. They once again locked eyes, and just stared at each other for a moment.
They spoke simultaneously, “Are you mad at me?” “…” “What? No-“
Silver spoke out of sync, “Sorry, you talk first. Heh.”
“Why would I be angry at you?” Blaze asked confused.
“B- Because you looked... I don't know... upset? You tried to drag me out of the ball. And your mom was angry, you know more than usual. Your mom was angry at you because of me. I'm sorry, Blaze.”
Blaze just smiled. She reached up to his face and cupped his cheek, “Oh, Silver, you're so naive.” Silver's cheeks grew pinker, he bowed his head, almost attempting to hide his face in his chest fur, unfortunately to Blaze’s dismay it wasn't big enough. “Of course, I'm not angry at you. I was just trying to hide you from... you know. I look out for you, that's what I do. I thought you'd be the one who would be… upset.”
Her hand left Silver’s face, his cheek had never felt colder. She moved back to sit down on her bed. “What? Blaze, I- I think I'm literally incapable of disliking you. You're my best friend.” He flung his arms in the air.
“That's nice to hear.”
“I'm just confused. I know I was late. I’m your squire, I'm supposed to be by your side - stand with you in battle and in these formal events. I forgot. I failed you. Guess I'm a lousy squire.”
“You're the best squire, the only one I’d ever want. Kind, compassionate, sweet, so on, so on. I honestly hoped you wouldn't come because I didn't want you to suffer through all the boredom, all those greedy thieves wearing fake smiles trying to line their pockets with anything they can. And to spare you from dealing with mom.”
“I try my best, but she just doesn't like me. I don't know why.”
Blaze beckoned him to sit down on her bed with her by padding the bed sheets next to her, as she shuffled backwards to give him space. Silver gladly sat down, folding his legs up. “None of it is your fault. She's always been like that. She doesn't trust people, especially hedgehogs, apparently the cats have a... tumultuous history with them. I don't know. It seems naive to me. I think she still thinks you're some sort of spy or something, for one of her old enemies.”
“Why would she think that?”
“Because she's delusional.” She proclaimed angrily, as she folded her arms.
“Ugh, Blaze?” Silver awkwardly pointed at her. Blaze simply raised her brow in confusion. “Your hair is on fire.”
“Oh.” She quickly grabbed a pillow and snuffed out the flaming ponytail with it. All of Blaze’s bedsheets, pillows, and mattresses were fireproof, a holdover from her childhood when little Blaze would set her bed on fire during nightmares. It didn’t happen anymore, but they kept it just to be sure. Not to mention all the fire extinguishers all across her room. She huffed; she was tired.
Silver rubbed his right arm, slightly nervous, “You okay?” He asked softly.
“Yeah, peachy.”
“Well, I hope this might brighten your mood. I have a gift for you.”
“R- Really?”
He nodded excitingly, “Yep, here you go!” Silver pulled the gift out from seemingly nowhere. It was beautiful shimmering and radiant, every colour of the rainbow swirling around in a gas-like form, all contained in a teal spherical container made of hexagonal patterns. “It's the heart of a dead star contained in a quantum field, adjusted its density and weight to our environment. I came across it when I was fighting sun-eater parasites four solar systems away, three centuries ago, yesterday.” Silver recounted that as if it was a normal thing to say, a beaming smile back on his face.
Blaze just looked on; her chin held up by her hand, her eyes half lidded and dreamy. “Mm Hmm.” She was smirking.
“So... Here you go! I hope you like it.” He awkwardly handed the star heart to Blaze, who gave it a once over. A smirk still plastered across her face. She was able to hold the star between her thumb and forefinger.
“Thank you, Silvy. I love it.” She remarked mundanely. She shuffled back. Blaze reached for and opened her nightstand drawer, revealing a drawer shelf full of star hearts. Blaze kept every single one, each placed upon a silky purple cushion. This was nothing new for her. “As always you spoil me.” She turned to the hedgehog only to see that goofy smile had only doubled. “Every day is an adventure with you, Silver The Hedgehog. Although, you know, people normally gift each other chocolates or whatnot.” She remarked offhandedly as she waved her hand around giving an example to him.
“I can do that too!” He happily exclaimed.
She placed a finger against his lips silencing him in one motion, “Keep it down.”
“Sorry... But I can go get some for you if you want.”
“That seems unlikely as there are guards posted outside our doors. There's no way into the kitchen.”
“Yeah, not NOW.” He held his chin up with both his palms.
“I don't know... is it safe?”
“Of course, I’d never suggest something to you if it wasn't safe. I'd never hurt you.” That smile. That damn smile.
“... Just for some chocolates?”
“Anything you like.”
“The guards might check up on us. We’ll need to be quick.”
“Don't worry, every moment with me is an eternity.”
“Yes, it is.” Silver’s irises lit up in a neon teal and a doorway of the same colour opened up behind him. She loved when his eyes lit up like that, same as he loved it when it happened to her.
“Ready?”
“One second.” Blaze re-open the drawer one more time. Grabbed the star heart Silver just gifted her. And using her powers she super-heated her golden necklace and fused the star into it. She extended it to Silver, who in turn extended his hand. The teal outline of a clock appeared around his palm; he turned his hand anticlockwise shifting time around the necklace backwards back to a point in time when it was solid and cold to the touch. It was safe to wear again. Blaze hung it around her neck proudly, “Alright let's go.” She took Silver's hand and lead him forward, but avoiding eye contact, chin up.
“Hey?”
“Yeah?”
“Did you like the dress?”
She was red once again, “It... fit you. Where did you get it?”
“Oh, I explained the whole situation to a lovely lady called Linda, super sweet, we're having dinner later.”
They stepped in.