~Knight of the Wind~

As much as the King would have liked to relax, doing so was impossible when one ran a kingdom as large as Camelot. Worse was the fact that bandits, dragons, and other mystical creatures alike ran amok in the woods that the island coveted, and Sonic of all people wasn’t the kind to let civilians (or in this case, subjects) be in potential danger. 

So when there was a distressing call for help, from being attacked by Knights of the Underworld, he was already gone the moment he had heard word. 

He recognized her name. They must have met before. Perhaps this was the Sonic she had met back during those old tournament days. It had been so long, she didn’t realize it could have been him. But her dear friend wasn’t from that, she’d learned the fact quite early in their relationship. It was interesting, to meet another version of someone you knew. But it wasn’t all that unusual for someone who could traverse the streams of time.

“That is correct. New to this country, and you know my name. We must have met at some point.”

It was true, that he was someone different than the Sonic she knew so much better. But he still deserved the same respect. He was a different version of her dear friend, and possibly someone she competed with from time to time during the old days.

“In any case, I am happy that you are not too cold. If I may ask, why are you dressed in such a fashion? I have never seen you before in such an outfit, you look very nice.”

She also didn’t understand the floating sword going on, but she’d ask about that later. There must have been some extravagant story behind it. Maybe it was an enchanted sword, and that was why it didn’t have to rest on the hedgehog’s back. Either way, she was quite interested. Quite interested in any stories Sonic may have had to tell. 

“How have you been? It must have been a long, long time since we last saw each other. I do hope you have been alright.”

Her praise on his keen recollection has the Blur flustered, one of his metal-tipped fingers rising to scratch at his cheek sheepishly. “Ah-- Yeah, same t’ ya as well? You’ve gotta good memory.” As a princess, Zelda immediately received the same amount of respect she gave forth, though the chance that they had met once at a friendly joust made it all the easier.

...Ah. And that was what came with meeting people you once knew. Sonic didn’t choose to be rude, though his smile fell into a half-hearted sort of laugh. “Thanks.” A nudge from Caliburn’s hilt into his back and the King straightened, sigh in voice. “’s a long story, but I appreciate th’ compliment.”

If she were to ask, the Speedster certainly did have some tales he’d gained since they’d last interacted, all of which he’d happily explain; and ask she did. Or, respectfully imply in the guise of how he was doing? He wouldn’t want to bore her, and so responded with the easiest answer a cheerful but confident Hedgehog could give.

@flamebladed-knight

Really, she should have expected this question. Her chin rests in her palm as she looks up at him from some documents. Correspondence from her home Kingdom, no doubt. “No, I hast no “plans” as thou say it, why art thou… inquiring? Why doth I hast the feeling thou art to bid me to try some strange activity from thine own time..?”

“Don’t y’guys give out presents ‘n stuff around this time of year? Or decorate or somethin’?” Perhaps it wasn’t Christmas, but it had to be something similar, right? “Ya, need a break, honestly.” 

@windbladed-knight

“Good evening. Might I ask your name? You look like a dear friend of mine, but there are… some differences.”

If she didn’t know any better, she’d say she was looking at Sonic. But this one was different, if just a little. Better to be safe, and request his name first. Perhaps Sonic was dressing up to look better in the eyes of Castle Town’s residents. She couldn’t tell.

Maybe this was a different person altogether. The multiverse was a strange place, it wouldn’t be the first time she’d seen a double of one of her friends. Either way, this person was a guest in her kingdom, and as such, she would treat them with the utmost respect.

“I do hope you are not too cold, winter has come early this year, it seems.”

A kingdom that wasn’t his own. It wasn’t the first time, as it was required for the one they called ‘Pendragon’ to visit purely for diplomatic reasons, although this... Well, the hedgehog hadn’t really been ready to take one step from the forest and cobblestones to form under his feet.

A... portal?

Sure, the King expected confused glances from the citizens-- those that looked almost human save for those pointed ears. But for one to approach him? Especially with a face he recognized from a tournament that seemed like forever ago? No, he really hadn’t been ready for that either.

Calliburn floated by his side silently, finally catching up after Sonic had finally paused his wandering, breaking him from his seconds of surprised silence. “Er... It’s Sonic.” It wasn’t the first time he’d come across alternates of other people either. “...Princess?” What was her name? He’d had good-natured battles with that person before. “...Zelda?”

“ He threatened to cook me… i think if anyone is the bully its him….”

Yes! Glad you understood! Sil would have to look into figuring out how to speak in this form eventually, but for now his new friend seemed keen enough to pick up on his intentions. 

That doesn’t stop the dragon from being moderately surprised as the Hedgehog clambered onto his snout. Was that… really the safest place…? There’s a few blinks from the dragon, before he slowly raises his head above some parts of the tree line. This place had an aura he didn’t like, but maybe that was why the armored one found no issues with flight– even after witnessing the catastrophe that was his earlier landing. 

He’d just have to be careful, yeah. The serpent wriggles in place a bit, then takes a few literal steps into the air, raising them slowly off the ground. 

Don’t be nervous, don’t be nervous…!

Safest? 

Probably not, but since when had that ever stopped the Blur in the past? He let out a low whistle as their view topped the foliage, green eyes flicking over the umbrella of pine and needles to... “Over there!” A metal tipped finger pointed off to the right, to the slight clearing in the brush, well over a few miles away. “That’s Misty Lake!” 

He only shifted his attention to the second opening, gesturing to it lightly. “That’s the village, but it might be easier to get ya t’ the lake than me havin’ t’ explain your you, yeah?” And while the Knight didn’t necessarily mind speaking to his people, he doubted they’d be in the mood for listening with a giant bubble-blowing lizard.

How interesting. Sonic hadn’t really any idea of how they were going to take flight, but this wasn’t what he’d had in mind. Showing no fear, he leaped from the beasts snout to its head, hanging off one of the giant pearlescent horns curving from its skull so that he could see the expanse of his home, and the large spires of Castle Town in the distance.