Chapter Text
Sonic let out a short laugh. "Seriously, we'll figure it out. Sooner or later I gotta return back home, no doubt there's a spell or some highly questionable ritual for that somewhere," He looked up to Merlina, who walked some steps behind him. The Knights of The Roundtable at their tail, silently observing as they made their way back towards the castle.
"You do not understand, that was the perfect reversal of the spell that brought you here. There is nary a stronger spell-type in the world," She gripped her staff anxiously. "Relax, Merlina. I bet by next week we'll already have a solution, if not solid then at least on the way!" He gave a thumbs-up, then rubbed his chin. "Mm, if Tails was here he could probably conjure up some kind of time machine..." He mumbled, mind jumping back to the blacksmith... but no, not the same thing.
"But My Liege," She began, seeing his brows furrow a bit. "-Uhh, who's Liege? 'Cause my name is Sonic," He scratched the back of his head. "Seriously, I'm not a King! I just helped with the Kingdom, why not appoint one of these guys?" He motioned to the Knights. "You all practically run the place anyway, you don't need me posing as King!" He could hardly see the surprise in their body-language, Merlina managed to open her mouth before them.
"My Li- Sonic, Caliburn chooses who is worthy of the King's crown. It chose you, the man who... saved the Kingdom," She was reluctant in her words. "There is no one else fitting to stand the position and take over his duty. Please, understand the Kingdom needs you," With pleading eyes she saw his squinted gaze. His indifference had turned to confusion, in form or another.
"She is right, My Liege," Sir Percival managed in. "The Kingdom, powerful as may be, is nothing without a commanding hand. We Knights of the Roundtable live to serve, there must be a strong, stable leader to lay order, grant us rights to action," She received an agreeing nod from the other two. "We need a King, a strong figure to protect the people, to choose which wars to fight, to guide us when conflicts arise," Sir Gawain followed near-immediately. "The hope you've established for your people in such short notice, a crucial and most proving factor to your ability of leadership, My Liege. That hope must keep alive, the hope for peace, for joy, for safety. You, the King, are much more than what you believe," Sir Lancelot couldn't help joining, the three equally desperate in making their point.
Sonic clicked his tongue, sighing deeply. "Alright alright, I get it... You all need a King around here, okay," He rubbed around his quills a smidge. "Look I can take up the role for now, but a freedom fighter never stays still! I'm not gonna sit on a throne and do, uh, King stuff. You can make decisions yourself! I'll be out there seeing if I can help someone, not in there telling someone else to do it," He huffed out.
"Sonic... being King hardly means you can't go outside, but you cannot neglect your duties either," Merlina did her best to get through. "If you'd allow us to explain, maybe your perspective could take turn?" Though he looked at her with clear disinterest he let out a long exhale. "Fine, when in Rome I suppose," He shrugged. "We're in England, my Liege," The Wizard tilted her head, he raised a finger. "It's a sayi- you know what, never mind. Just... tell me the ins n' outs, how it works n' such,"
~ . . . ~
Evening was fast-approaching, the group had arrived to the castle a while back. Sonic, he was as good as soul-less after the explanation- oh, no, it was still going as he was led towards the bedchambers.
"... And thus is why you must move with a guard, no matter in or out the castle," Sir Percival concluded yet another section of explanation. She saw a glimpse of the King's face, noting the obvious frustration arising in his brow. "... There is not much left, my Liege," She assured, meanwhile he could only sigh.
"And you're telling me I have to follow all these rules AND more?" He glanced back. "It is simply the proper Royal etiquette, to ensure your safety and well-being. For you and the people, my Liege," Sir Lancelot took over a moment, a slight nod of thanks from his colleague. "Lastly we must familiarize you with the Royal Court. Our trusted allies, who assist in upholding our Kingdom and Castle,"
"Could you please make this one fast?" The short blue figure threw his head back with a little huff. A subtle following silence alerted him of his tone of voice, he quickly turned around. "-I mean, don't get me wrong! I'm really thankful you bunch are teaching me how stuff works and all, but... well, it just isn't how I live," He made sure to sound more understanding. "I think I'm physically incapable of sitting on a throne and listening to people in trouble without doing ANYTHING but saying words and lifting my fingers! Can't I just go and get it done?" He turned back around, a deep sigh. He did his best, but he just didn't get it.
"I'm the fastest thing alive, I'd think I'm capable of solving problems with a spin and a snap- oh wait, I know I am," He crossed his arms. "This whole thing, it isn't for me. I literally can't, I would explode!" He finally fell quiet, though the others left an amount speechless there was a mutual thought between their passed glances and stares at their King. They didn't take anything personally, they couldn't, but just as he tried to understand so did they.
"My Liege..." Merlina softly began. "We know this is nothing like the life you've lived. But no one is trying to make it hard for you by intent. It simply is... how it has to be here," She was careful yet confident in her speech, seemingly striking a chord in the man. He nodded, small, nearly nonexistent. "I know. Sorry guys, I just don't see the logic in it," He admitted, but did put on a smile some moments later. "Well I guess it's just another challenge to try at, yeah? I'll do my best, but I make NO promises I'll be some poster kid Royal!" He gave a look back as well, the group delighted to hear his compliance. Eyes back ahead; "So, about that 'Court' thing...", he inquired.
A short walk more, filled by speech and explanation, just in time they stood in front of the bedchambers.
"That is all you must know for now, my Liege," Sir Lancelot wrapped up his explanation. Out of their King's sight the Knights exchanged looks, unspoken questions, a couple nods, shakes in communication. All while blue looked up at the... well, rather tall doors.
"Holy Chaos..." He mumbled, flicking himself out of it. "Err, thanks for the lesson in 'How to Not Completely Fail my Job for The Week', I'll try to remember it," He chuckled a little, receiving a smile from Merlina. "If you require assistance or a refresher on anything please summon me or any of the Knights," She lowered her head a little. "I shall take my leave, if you'd please excuse me," She bowed down properly, a pair of green eyes staring at her. "Oh, uh, right... uhh... yeah, go ahead," He looked at the three, racking his brain until it clicked. "I mean- You, eh... You are excused," He nodded, finally the woman stood. "Thank you, my Liege," With a graceful turn away she disappeared. He watched her leave, exhaling long, deep, kind of weirded out.
"And I have to say that every time someone wants to leave?" He raised a brow. "That, and if you wish someone escorted out, my Liege," Sir Gawain confirmed, and of course the armor-less hedgehog huffed. "Oooof course," He turned to the door, before laying hands on it he was brought pause by voice.
"My Liege, if you'd please spare a moment," Sir Lancelot waited until the shortest man faced them. "Sure, what's up?" He bit his tongue. "Uh, I mean... You may speak- look, you get it," He flapped his hand subtly. "Before you enter your chambers we must establish whom guards you at what time," The black hedgehog reminded, just as he spoke the King remembered. "Right. That," He took in a deep breath. "You three do know I don't need guarding, right?" Audibly growing tired of pushing, pulling, doing it over again, he tried to get his way even once.
"We are very aware of your great capabilities and incredible strengths, my Liege. But we must ensure your safety throughout day and night," Sir Gawain, once again, confirmed his inability to make it what he wanted. He just shook his head, shrugging. "Fine. So how did it go with the last King?"
"I stood guard by evening to dawn," Sir Lancelot stood tall. "My duty to guard passed from dawn to mid-day," Sir Percival straightened up further. "My time to guard was mid-day to evening," Sir Gawain nodded.
"Great! Then let's do that," He clapped his hands. "Wonderful, finally something I don't have to tinker with, that's more of Tails' thing," He chuckled, once again turning for the door. "Very well, I shall stand guard for the night," The deep voice affirmed, all three Knights kneeling after. Once again the man's actions were prevented, he was confused a long while. "Uhh... what are you-" Then it hit him. Again. "-Oh, uh... Sir Percival, Sir Gawain, you are excused," He scratched the back of his head, the two got on their feet. "Thank you, my Liege," Their voices rang, shortly after they were gone.
"If you require anything throughout the night I am at your service. The servants will be honored to fulfill your every need," Sir Lancelot finally stood, observing how the shorter pushed the door open. "Yeah, alright... I don't get how you pass the time-" He immediately noticed the absolutely massive bed in the middle of the room. His eyes as good as popped out, he pointed at it almost accusingly. "-Waitwaitwait, I'm supposed to sleep on that?!" He connected gaze with Lancelot, or at least he assumed he did. It was kind of hard to tell. The Knight immediately looked in, remaining calm, standing back at the sight of the room's normalcy.
"Is the bed not to your liking, my Liege? Any changes shall be applied right away," He was slightly confused as the other darted his head in a hurried shake. "Oh no, that's not the problem. You're telling me I need to sleep on a bed??"
"... Was that... not what you were expecting, my Liege?-"
"-Not really, no! Can I go sleep on the hills instead?" He pointed out the windows. "M, My Liege, that would be dangerous, not to mention cold. May I please suggest you stay inside?" Hesitant in speech, Sonic slowed a bit once he saw it. He scanned over the bed, squinting his eyes, he... he got shivers. Not good ones, it was so big, so damn pillowy-looking. How was he supposed to get any sleep on that?
"... Fine, alright," He caved in. Just when he took a few steps he as good as froze, growing annoyance on his face at the constant voices. Sir Lancelot kept his head partially down; "Please excuse my brash interruption... but I wish to remind you of earlier discussed guarding etiquette,", he earned a huff and a pair of furrowed brows. "You don't seriously expect me to not open my own doors, do you?" That squint held much more than sparking frustration by now, he noticed it himself when the taller held quiet a longer while than expected.
"... It is simply for safety, a crucial part of upholding it," Deep voice, confident yet yielding. Green eyes softened, he pressed his lips together. Even in displease he couldn't help the feeling, a quick glance at his hands left him thinking.
"Hey, uh, I know," He fidgeted with his fingers a tad. "That's normal here, I know," He was directed back at the rest of the room. "I don't wanna just spit on your home and traditions and culture and... well, you get it," He walked further in, unease in each limb, as good as dripping with unfamiliarity. Though it all felt a little too familiar, in a sense. A long breath in, he sighed it out.
"I'm gonna try. But with all this fancy language and stuff, no, I just can't do that. Doesn't come to me," He took a much more final stance. "I'm gonna be King for the time it takes to get me back. That's it, I'll get right to blowing up bad guys, pummeling Egg-head, sleeping under palms and chomping chili dogs after. Mmm... chili dogs..." He drooped, mouth as good as drooling. "I could really go for a chili dog... they don't have chili dogs here, that's crazy! Can you even believe that?" He shook his head, hands on his hips. "Tsk tsk... I could never stay here. Not without my beloved chili dogs. Not without my beloved-" He almost felt a chill run up his spine. He uncomfortably shifted; "-friends. Not without my friends,", he cracked his knuckles, pulling at his fingers.
Sir Lancelot saw it, tried to grasp it, even if it played around like a cruel twist of life. Sonic wasn't quiet for long, the way he carried himself exuded certainty. That neutrality morphed to grin.
"Besides I belong in my own world. I'm sure if I stay I'd meet some freako-double of me who tried to ruin my life, which like, not very original, they should come up with better plans these days," A shrug. "Anyway, enough talking, if I want even a blink of shut-eye I need to start trying," He rubbed the back of his head, head tilting all ways with each new angle of the unbelievably massive bed. He was circling it like a shark, the older observed silently. Though very glad he had his visor down, that slight amusement, oh he'd rather die than admit to it.
"If I may say, we are most grateful for your efforts my Liege. They shan't be in vain," He fell to a bow, immediately catching the man's eyes again. He chuckled. "Thanks, I appreciate you bunch trying to put up with me. Amy tells me I get pretty funky off my meds- OH NO! MY MEDS!" The violent surprise pulled the taller out of his bow, soon enough to see him ruffle his head. "Oh Chaos, I REALLY need to get back ASAP! How didn't I think about that this whole time?-" He paused. "Oh. I guess that's why," His head darted to see the Knight a smidge hesitant.
"... Err, nothing you'd get. Just know it's gonna be a great week, everything's fine, all according to plan, fun and games," His voice carried as he walked to him, gripping his arms and leaning almost against his visor. "We're in the deep end now, in sickness and in health," He stared the wildly confused man down for a long while. Then suddenly he let go, spun around, making distance. "Nah, I'm kidding. Anyway, talk to you later, I've got some mental preparing to do!" He joked, approaching the bed.
Sir Lancelot had seen a lot in his years, by the King he had seen a lot. But somehow he hardly remembered a time when something flustered him so off-balance. In a matter of seconds he pulled himself together, so much information yet none at all. While staring he came to conclusion, crafted a plan, all while the blue hedgehog kept walking around.
In time the older had to clear his throat, finally attracting his eyes. "Yeah, what's up?"
. . . stare.
. . . s t a a a a r e .
. . .
"Oh!" Sonic cleared his throat. "Yes, you are, you are excused," He nodded.
"Thank you, my Liege," Sir Lancelot returned it. "Sir Percival shall wake you by eight. Please, have a restful night," He went ahead to close the door, sealing two worlds separate with a 'thump'. He settled in front, keeping eyes around each crevice.
The man in the room kept staring at the closed entrance, then smirked as he balled up, jumped high and landed on the bed with a bounce. It took a while for him to settle, yeah it was real comfortable alright... but finding position wasn't. He rolled to the side, no it wasn't good. On his back, but it didn't feel right. Stomach? No, he felt like trying to hug a big, solid cloud. He fumbled around, every time he thought he found paradise reality set in again. In no time at all the covers were messed up, he hadn't even opened them.
"Mrgh, you know what?" He pushed himself off the bed. "You're not worth the trouble, almighty human bed. At least your brother knows how to be a solid choice!" He made a spot on the ground, half-on some draped carpet. "Ahh, the good ol' floor... still not as good as the hills, but oh well," He curled up, immediately finding some position that felt natural enough. He sighed deeply, eyes still open for a long moment. He saw things from another perspective, how could he not look? A glance here, a gaze there...
... Yeah. It would all be alright. He knew it would.