The Master/Familiar Love Meme - Alicia & Sonic

[queen_of_mean]

Prompts :

Getting to Know You: Magic/power isn't all fun and games. You need to find out how to work together so you don't accidentally blow everything up in your faces.

Danger Zone: Your feelings for each other are blurring, which is a big no-no. Do you even realize that the bond is deepening to a new level?

~*~

Things had been... tense in the castle as of late. The last battle with the arrogant Scourge had done major damage to Alicia's territory, and she'd lost many a good soldier just to fend off the green menace. Alicia and her powerful familiar had finally manage to ward Scourge off, but even her enemy could tell she hadn't fully mastered his power. Yet none of this was the reason behind the 'tension' vibrating off every brick in her home.

In giving Sonic a stronger physical form, Alicia had helped construct how he would look. She had said she was merely making it up as she went along, trying to at least make him less of an eye sore. But the truth had emerged from combat with just one look - Sonic's form was nearly identical to that of Scourge, save for a few battle scars and the color of his fur. Which implied...

... Something.

On this day, she inhaled deeply through her nose. "Quit skulking and come out already." She sneered to the shadows. "You and I need to practice our abilities. Now get out here."

Comments

[quickster]

He could swear that being out there in the middle of the forest looking for trouble was just what he was meant to be doing. He didn't feel as unsure and on the spot like when they tried to train back at the castle. Nope! Out here he felt perfectly in his element. So Sonic relentlessly tugged her onward. "You said we should train, what better way to train then to look for bad guys to beat?"

And just on cue his ear twitched to the sound of something moving in the nearby forest. Sonic squinted, and just through the brush he could see something that looked like a Mobian, but it was wearing a uniform he recognized from the battle some time back. It must've meant that it was one of their enemies, right?

"Hey, you! You're tresspassin'!"

[queen_of_mean]

But being a ruler meant more than just picking fights on whoever you pleased. There was a matter of diplomacy and reputation. She gave Sonic a curt look, and then stepped forward, putting herself in a position of regal power.

"He is, technically, correct. You are an enemy soldier in my territory. You can surrender peacefully and live, albeit in my prison cells. I would think very carefully before doing something foolish." She couldn't tell offhand if this would work or not, but she had to make the effort.

[quickster]

"You---" Before Sonic could get the sentence out, a gust of wind filled the area and the Mobian's form began to twist. It's once normal features turned black and shadowy and it's eyes were stained a bright yellow color.

"Uh." Sonic whispered to his 'Mistress'. "Isn't that the same kind of creatures from the other day?" The were in the battle fighting on the opposite side--one of the reasons they had come so close to not making it out. What were they doing so close to the castle?

[queen_of_mean]

Alicia let out a gasp, and even took a step back in fright. These things could disguise themselves that well? Where had they learned it? What were they? How many could have infiltrated the kingdom without their knowledge?

"... Yes, it is... the very same." She breathed sharply. "Well, Sonic, you craved a battle... and now we've got one."

[quickster]

Sonic gave a comforting smile despite her appearing apprehensive over the creature. "Don't worry 'bout it, Lady. I've got you covered." Though.. he wasn't one hundred percent how he was going to do that.. He'd sure give it his best shot!

He dashed forward and circled the creature, doing his best to duck and roll on the ground as it swung at him. He nimbly used his natural agility, as well as some striking amount of speed, to finally rid them of the creature. It took a good few hits (as did Sonic himself) before finally disappearing in a wisp of black.

Sonic wiped the back of his face with his hand. "See? What'd I tell ya?" Though he didn't look as though he could take on many more of them.

[queen_of_mean]

Alicia was amazed at how little she had to do when it came to the battle. She could feel Sonic's agility and endurance beat through her skin, and the wind picked up harshly in response. Despite how much the battle had exhausted him, Sonic had proven to be impressive. With the right training and time, he'd be extremely useful. Potential was there.

When it was all said and done, Alicia was also sweating, feeling his same weariness. "We should leave. We have no idea how many more of those... things... could be out here."

[quickster]

A grimace on Sonic's face illustrated his thoughts about the idea of going back inside. But even as he gave her that look, his physical form started to fade away. He glanced at his hands worriedly before shooting a glance to his summoner.

"Did I tucker you out?" He only seemed to fade away when he ran out of energy.. but he didn't feel all that tired. Maybe she was too tired to help him maintain his form any longer. It could've been something else too since he wasn't sure about the rules of how it all worked yet.

But whatever the case, he didn't like the idea of being.. nothing. So he hopped to his feet. "We can head back."

[queen_of_mean]

Alicia eyed him silently. As loath as she was to admit it, since they were connected, her weaknesses were his weaknesses. In order to build up his stamina, she'd have to build up her own. She held onto his hand, looking back from whence they came.

"... We'll walk the way back. I trust you have some idea of where we are."

She didn't wait for an answer, and began walking, 'dragging' him along, making sure he stayed as close to her as physically possible.

[quickster]

That wasn't exactly an answer, but he didn't have much of a choice in the matter. Sonic stumbled along for the first few steps and then trotted along for the steps after.

He glanced at her hand in his and gave a little smile.

"I know where I ran from." Though he could see the castle in the distance and that was the direction he assumed they would head he didn't know where they were. "But you've never taken me outside this castle before, remember?"

[queen_of_mean]

Alicia felt her cheeks grow hot as he pointed that little fact out. She chose to ignore it, and change the subject. She even refused to look at him, eyes ahead, hand tightly in his.

"... I've never needed to stray too far from the castle." She explained slowly. "I have intelligence report to me... And I have everything I need inside of there. The world is a dangerous place."

[quickster]

"Aw, come on. You don't wanna stay cooped up inside your entire life. Not when you have a place like this just outside your walls." He motioned to the trees around them, granted he almost tripped in the process. "It might be dangerous outside, but you've got me to keep you safe now."

Though with getting tired after one fight and half fading as it was..perhaps he didn't look like he was capable of upholding that promise. "We'll just need a little more practice."

[queen_of_mean]

"... I don't know how you can be so carefree." It was both annoying and... she didn't want to use the word charming, but... Ugh. She tugged on his arm, hoping to keep his balance and trying to make sure he didn't trip again. "Maybe it's because you don't remember anything. If you had any actual knowledge of how the real world works, maybe you'd understand how my mind works too."

[quickster]

"I remember some stuff. Like my name and.." He glanced around as he mentally searched for some other things that he could use as an example. "..and.. some vague things." A sigh. "All right, I don't remember all that much. But we headed out today and we're fine."

[queen_of_mean]

After a painful beat of silence, Alicia said something she really wished she didn't have to. But it had to be said, and she had to make herself face him in order to say it. He'd better listen, because it would only be said once, and maybe never again.

"... Thank you."

[quickster]

The silence wasn't shocking, but what followed after it was. Sonic's eyes widened. He'd never gotten gratitude from her before. Judging how he was having to defend his reasoning for going outside, he certainly wasn't expecting to get thanks for what he'd done.

But he soon brushed it aside. He looked off and gave a demure smile. "..No prob. Any time."

[queen_of_mean]

All she gave in return as a "hmph". She focused ahead, wanting to get back... but she wasn't racing or jogging to do so. Perhaps it wouldn't kill them to take in the scenery as they headed for home. Exhaustion needed time to wear off, after all. She wouldn't dignify saying this was some kind of break or relaxation.

Her muscles in her face began to soften, and she held onto the whole of his arm instead of just his hand.