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Tails had planned a really nice date with Zoey. The only thing he was worried about was how fancy it was. Definitely the kind of vibes that meant he had to be the best gentleman he could be. She’d surely be expecting it, he couldn’t disappoint her.
Although he could think of what a gentleman would do. He really needed to be sure to settle his nerves. A list of his friends began in his mind. Sonic, Knuckles, Amy and Sticks. He could get all their help to teach him how to be a gentleman.
Rethinking, he took Sonic out of the list. He was nice, obviously, but far from a gentleman. He’d seen how he was with Amy over the years. “Alright, time to practice for my date.” Tails messaged the three of them to set up a meeting at Amy’s house.
Once he’d made it to her door he noticed that both Knuckles and Sticks were already there. He knocked on the door preparing for the likely burst of excitement from his friends.
“Tails! Come on in.” Amy brightly greeted him. Seemingly holding back from saying ‘aww’ the moment she saw him. It was impressive that she could hold herself back. She’d always acted so overjoyed whenever dates were the topic.
“Thanks for the help with this everyone. By the way, don’t tell Sonic. I didn’t think he’d be good at helping with this and I don’t want to hurt his feelings.”
They all nodded as they gestured for him to sit on the sofa’s empty space. Knuckles spoke up. “Alright my turn first! Step one to being a gentleman is to show your strong. It will easily impress her and show how manly you are.”
Sticks rolled her eyes at her muscular friend. “That’s great Knux, anyway my turn. Show her you aren’t stuffy or stuck up. Bring her something shiny you found while rummaging through garbage. She’ll definitely find that awesome!”
Amy sighed accepting that she had to be the voice of reason here. “You’re both wrong. Ever heard of open doors and pull out chairs? That’s all you have to do. It’s really not that hard.”
Tails could feel a fight begging to build as he looked at their angry expressions pointed towards each other. “Umm, that’s what I was thinking. I just wanted to make sure there wasn’t anything I was missing.”
He got up and walked to the door hearing the three behind him begin there squabbling about who gave him the best advice. As he left the house he came face to face with Sonic.
“Hey buddy. What’s up?” Sonic gestured to the arguing house behind him.
“Oh, well I wanted advice and they all had different opinions.”
Sonic laughed. “Sounds about right. What did you need advice for?”
“Being a gentleman.” Tails gave the answer and tried to walk off immediately afterwards.
“Hold on, what… did you think I couldn’t help with that?… Actually I probably couldn’t in front of them.” He sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck.
Sonic grabbed tails’ arm and took him to his beach side shack.
“I’ll teach you all you need to know.” Sonic set up a table with candle light int he blink of eye.
“Alright so theres obviously the famous part. ‘hold doors and pull out chairs’. You’ve more than likely heard it before. But did you know that’s just the immediate basics of being a gentleman. There’s more to it than just that, set up, tone of voice, meaningful gestures, you know stuff like that.”
Sonic looked to the table he’d just set up in a date like style and continued. “This table is missing a fundamental component for a date. What is it?” The table had plates cutlery and a candle in the middle. It looked fine.
“Umm, doesn’t it have everything?” Sonic shook his head. “Wrong, this table is missing napkins. And the chairs have no cushions. Set up for a date has to be something she’ll look at and immediately know that she was considered when you set it up.”
“So no cushions and napkins would mean you didn’t think about her comfort. I didn’t think of that. Luckily I’ve booked a nice restaurant so the set up is done for me.”
“You think, but you can also prepare further than the restaurant. Take an umbrella with you. If you know it’s gonna rain go with a big umbrella if it probably won’t then you can get away with just bringing a small one. And of course, don’t forget the flowers. It’s your first fancy date so they’re a must.”
“Okay. What else?” Tails wasn’t prepared for the best advice to come from the guy who sprints from his crush when emotions get too high.
“Alright so, don’t ever order for her. Ever! It’s a very old style thing that no one likes anymore, I’m not even sure anyone ever did. If she tells you what she wants and you order it that’s fine. But always let her decide. Some people get impatient and just order but trust me she’ll hate it.”
Sonic shuddered shaking off a bad memory. “If she asked you what she should pick offer two or three suggestions. Phrase them like, I personally like these dishes. Not, you should get one of these.”
“What’s the difference exactly?” Tails had begun to take notes at this point.
Sonic thought back to what he’d previously learnt on his days out with Amy. “Well when you say those two sentences the first is easier to say with a softer tone. Where as the other sounds overly excited or bossy.”
Tails nodded as Sonic continued further. “Now you will learn that each girl has her own thoughts on what a gentleman should do. You’ll learn Zoey’s with time. I think I’ve given you enough to start you off.”
“Where did you learn all of this?” Tails questioned with curiosity.
Sonic smiled. “Get chased with a giant hammer enough and you learn. Haha, but seriously. I’ve annoyed Amy enough to know how to make her happy. Nothing makes her happier than when I’m a gentleman to her. Even if it is just for a little while.”
“Aww! That’s so cute.”
Sonic blushed in embarrassment. “Y-yeah, well just don’t tell her. I don’t think she’s realised how good I’ve gotten at being a gentleman. If she knew, she might expect me to make the first move to inviting her on a date. Not gonna happen.”
Tails checked the time and panicked. Sadly he didn’t have the time to tease Sonic about his obvious crush. “Ahh, I’m gonna be late!”
Sonic waved him goodbye as he yelled out. “By the way a gentleman’s never late!” He laughed as his fox friend ran out the doorway. “Of course I haven’t mastered that one myself yet.” He spoke to himself.
Sonic’s communicator beeped. “Sonic where are you?! You’re late again!” Amy’s annoyed voice came through.
“On my way.” He responded, speeding out of his house for another picnic with Amy.
Late again, no flowers and he didn’t prepare any of the food. Maybe one day he’d take his own advice actually treat Amy to a proper date. But for now he prepared his apology in his head. He could already picture her cute pouting face. Followed by her mildly angry lecture on how to be a gentlemen.