Rouge and the Rogue (Knuxouge)

Espio's Escape

Espio shifted out of the visible spectrum and walked calmly away from the diversion while his friends made a commotion and ran away dramatically. The fire was impressive, but it did worry him— if the royal guards knew that Blaze had fire powers it would be easy for them to put two and two together, and they would soon realize that the bandits were there.

While Espio was invisible, he could hide anywhere he wanted. He decided against staying with any of his friends. It would be too easy to capture them all at once if they stuck together. He decided the best course of action was to find a secluded place and meditate until night. He strolled around the grounds for a while until he found a lovely bench in the gardens. He figured this was as good a place as any, so he sat down. He crossed his legs and closed his eyes, ready to start meditating, when the topiary behind him sighed. That didn't seem right. Bushes didn't generally sigh.

Cautiously he whispered, "Who's there?"

The bush rustled violently, then Silver poked his head out from it.

"Espio?" Silver looked around. "I could have sworn I heard.."

"You did hear me. I'm invisible. What are you doing in a topiary? Weren't there any better places to hide?"

"Oh, well, sure. There were other options..." Silver trailed off, then pushed some branches to the side, opening the hollow sculpture as an invitation for Espio to enter with him.

Espio considered this. He wasn't sure about staying with Silver, but he looked a little restless and besides, Espio WAS invisible. So he climbed into the sculpture as invited.

All the light that filtered into the bush was green, giving Silver a strange new color scheme. The sculpture was a simple swan shape which allowed the two boys to sit across from each other in the body of the bird. One couldn't call the interior of twigs and leaves comfortable, but they were used to it from living in the woods.

"I'm kinda relieved you showed up," Silver sighed to Espio, "I know I'm the emergency backup and shouldn't be around the others, but I was already getting bored by myself... and a little lonely," he mumbled the last bit.

"I can't promise I'll be much for company," Espio replied. "I was going to meditate."

Silver nodded and pantomimed locking his lips and throwing away the key. Espio smiled to himself. He usually hung out with Vector and Charmy, but he genuinely liked the other bandits, and he had to admit that Silver's boundless energy and willingness to be vulnerable was admirable. Not that he had ever said that.

After a few moments of silence, Silver began fidgeting and looking around.

Espio fizzled back into being visible. "I'm still here," he said.

"Oh! I knew that. It's just strange being around so few people, I guess."

"...Do you want to meditate with me?"

Silver looked surprised, then smiled. "If you'll teach me!"

Espio showed him the meditation position and told him how to focus his mind and what to focus on. At first he had trouble with his thoughts wandering, but with some patience, Silver was soon able to sit still and calm. The two meditated for an hour or so. Then they talked to each other in hushed tones. It had been a while since just the two of them were together.

Eventually, Espio noticed that it had gotten dark. "Do you think the others have already left their hiding places?" He asked.

"I'm sure they have. I can't, though... I have to stay here just in case."