Sonic: ATBK

[unequivalent]

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[caringmaiden]

She really was in another world, wasn't she? Her friends were now part of the a story or maybe this was some weird dream of hers. She began feeling like Alice in Wonderland or Dorothy in Oz. "Can you take me to see them then?" The girl was about to figure out what kind of magic Nautilus was pulling this time.

[ex_predetermined775]

He shook his head. "I apologize, but the Knights have been away from the city for some time now." Them and many of the guards had gone to calm trouble with mythical beasts in a neighboring Kingdom. It left their own Kingdom with very few soldiers, and thus he'd taken to paroling on his own.

Not something he should concern a stranger with, though.

"My father has assured me that they would be returning within a few fortnights. I can see to it that you have a place to stay within the city if you'd like to wait for their return."

[caringmaiden]

She sighed before looking disappointed, especially since she didn't know how long she'd be in this world. Though her curiosity was getting at her too when he mentions his father. "I see, but that's okay... Though if I can ask, who is your father?"

[ex_predetermined775]

"My Father's name is Sir Lancelot of the Lake. He's the leader of the Knights in the city." Even he called his father by a title, it had become so habitual by that time. "He's a black hedgehog with red eyes."

[caringmaiden]

... What. WHAT?! She looks over Galahad quickly as if in complete shock. Shadow in this world had a son?! Did that mean he was married too?! Wait wait wait! If Shadow and Knuckles were in this world, a version of her had to be here too. Would she be human though? Or would she be an elf or another type of creature? What if she was an in fact a hedgehog or a different animal in this world? Ah the questions running in her mind was endless and it was clear by her expression she was thinking way too hard and almost in agony. Yet if she was a hedgehog or different animal, that would mean... They were married and had a baby. No way, it couldn't be true. It couldn't be. Her and Shadow had a baby and were husband and wife... It was too good to be true yet that had to be it. She suddenly looks excited and super cheerful instead of how she looked previously, she even was giggling happily with a faint color of pink on her face.

"Your father sounds like a really amazing and handsome man. I'm sure your mother is a very beautiful woman too."

[ex_predetermined775]

It took some time for the girl to say anything else. Galahad had to stand politely--somewhat awkwardly--as her face changed expressions and turned a light shade of red. Eventually he just glanced off in fear that he'd begun to stare.

But his own expression turned solemn as she continued. "I.. never knew her." And he never dared ask. His father had to be rather young when they met considering the age difference between himself and his Father. "My Father never speaks about my Mother, but I like to imagine her as a kind and thoughtful person."

[caringmaiden]

Oh. Oh no, did something happened between them in this world or... Oh. She knew too well what might have happened to her other self now in this world. She then turns to Galahad and kneels down to take one of his hands into hers. "Galahad, I'm sure your mother was as you think of her. Just trust me on that, okay? She probably loved your father very much with all of heart and he the same as her. But, I can also tell you he has his reasons for not speaking about her to you. I'm sure your father is hurting deep down, yet he doesn't want to upset you. So don't be too hard on him, all right?"

[ex_predetermined775]

"..." It was probably obvious from his waning expression and tears that threated to fill his eyes that discussing the matter still was a sensitive subject. Galahad nodded and turned, taking his hand back and running it across his face in order to better compose himself.

"I'm sure he knows what's best." He answered in an even tone. "You seem to understand him well for someone who he has never met."

[caringmaiden]

Could Maria tell him the truth? Part of her didn't want to, because she might sound insane. Yet, she had to try. "This might sound a little hard to believe, but your dad and Sir Gawain exist in my world as different people. Their names where I come from are Shadow and Knuckles. They're both even my good friends! Well to be more exact, your dad is my best friend who has been with me for a long time and cares about me deeply. I guess even in this world, it's the same with the me in this world and your dad."

[ex_predetermined775]

It did sound..strange. Far-fetched. but much too polite to outright call tell her either of those things, he didn't say anything to the contrary. "If they're different people where you are from, then perhaps you'll want to judge them here as different people here." He could scarcely imagine. "Though, I hope that anyone here would be as much of a friend to you as you expect."

[caringmaiden]

The girl smiled at Galahad and nodded. "I'd like to hope I can be friends with them here too. I'm sure both of them are very nice people." She wanted to be hopeful at the very least that Lancelot and Gawain were close in personalities to Shadow and Knuckles respectively. Though, she did want to say one other thing. "But hey Galahad, I just thought of something." She hadn't just thought of it, but she was pretending like she did. "If the me in this world and your dad were truly together, wouldn't that make me your mother?"

[ex_predetermined775]

Though the gesture could be a seen as a.. nice one, it didn't receive a positive response. "..." To him 'friends' meant just that, so jumping from that to a Mother figure--one he'd never known--seemed very sudden. Especially when it was a subject he had such a hard time dealing with.

"Would you like me to take you to Camelot to find place to stay?" He said softly as he turned back to the city.

[caringmaiden]

Maria tilts her head, but then she realizes oh. She said something bad, huh? Something that upset his feelings. Usually most people told her or make it clear, but Galahad didn't seem that type. Nevertheless, she nodded at him. "Of course and... I'm sorry, about what I said. I hope you can forgive me."

[ex_predetermined775]

He didn't say anything more either way. Saying that she'd be forgiven would give the assumption that she had done something wrong in the first place. With her agreeing to follow him into the city, Galahad started to lead the way.

"Perhaps you could tell me more about my Father from.. your world." He looked ahead. "He keeps many things to himself."

[caringmaiden]

"You want to know more about Shadow? Well, for one thing he and I lived together on a space colony known as the ARK with my grandfather." Oh wait. He wouldn't what a space colony is. So she continued and explained. "Um, a space colony is a type of village in space. Your dad, erm, Shadow was also born there too." Then she went on a bit more. "As I said as well, he was my best friend and we did almost everything together. He was quiet, a bit serious, but also curious and always asking me questions. Not that I minded, I liked it. Eventually our bond of friendship grew so strong that he always there for me no matter what and without any questions. He seemed happy taking care of me and being at my side. I suppose I say that because the few times I saw it, he'd smile and say he was happy to be at my side."

[ex_predetermined775]

Most of the details went right over his head. Space? Having a village in space? It all sounded impossibly strange. Though there were a few commonalities that he understood from what he knew of his father: quiet, aloof, having few who he associated with. "It sounds like you were very important to him." Though there was one large difference. "My Father.. rarely seems happy. I don't know anyone that he would call friend, but many that he would call comrade."

[caringmaiden]

The girl only smiled a little at Galahad then looked up at the sky. "I am and always will me. Everything he does is for me, at least that's what he always says. Sometimes I feel a bit selfish and think that I'm keeping him all to myself when he says those things, but it makes me happy and I like it. I love Shadow a lot more than he realizes, I'd do anything for his happiness." She then turns to look at Galahad again. "I'm sure at one point, your father called someone his friend. He might have even loved that friend as much as she loved him."

[ex_predetermined775]

"Perhaps." There was a clear difference between comrades and friends, one could be trusted to fight with, the other could be trusted to share with. Given that he had to ask a stranger more details about his Father's life..

"I wish the times when he were happy like that were not so far in the past. I'm more concerned for the future." Maybe if this girl talked to him, that could make him happy?

[caringmaiden]

"I could talk to him if you'd like me to, Galahad. I don't mind. Maybe he might feel some comfort having someone he cared about at his side." She could only hope that was the case.

[ex_predetermined775]

I was an offer he could accept with.. some hesitation. "Though you may have been friends at one time, He may not know you in this place." Galahad looked up to the castle wall which they drew ever closer to. They'd be entering the front gates soon enough.

"If you talk to him, please remember that and don't take what he says personally."

[caringmaiden]

She nodded at the silver hedgehog and looked up at the castle wall that he was staring at. Wow, it was way more impressive than any illustration could produce! She was now in complete awe of the scene in front of her.

[ex_predetermined775]

Now that they were heading there, he supposed an introduction was in order. "This is the city of Camelot." He motioned a hand towards it. "It's ruled by King Uther Pendragon and protected by the Knights of the city." That was it in a nutshell. "The city is large and there are many things to explore, but I imagine you'll be staying in a room in the castle as a guest until my Father returns."

[caringmaiden]

"Oh I know this city! But I thought it was ruled by King Arthur not King Uther." She hadn't reach the Arthurian Legends in so long, though she tilt her head little when he mentions about her being a guest at the castle. "Actually, I was hoping to stay with you if that's all right. Unless you think I should stay at the castle."

[ex_predetermined775]

Galahad was about ready to continue his explanation of the royal family when Maria made her suggestion. He about choked in spite of it, and stopped in step as he began coughing. Once he was able to catch his breath he explained"Y-you couldn't possibly."

Perhaps she didn't know what that implicated? "As a Knights Son, I have my own room in the castle." He looked off. "A Lady, such as yourself, should have your own room. You couldn't stay in mine. There's no place for you to sleep."

[caringmaiden]

"Oh!" Well, that caught her by surprise and she then started laughing a little. "I thought you had a your own house. I'm sorry, I didn't know you lived in the castle. I'll stay in my own room in the castle then."