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heartofsol · 13 days ago

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Ohh this was really sweet 🤍💙🪽 Keep it up!

Hanging Out (When Off Duty)

With the doctor's orders, Princess Elise has taken some time off of being a princess and enjoy herself.

According to the doctor's vocal information, Elise was burnt out, and some days away from the kingdom will do some good. Also, no amount of lavender will calm down this type of burn out.

So, she dropped her royal attire and wears a tank top, pair of shorts with socks and shoes. Along with a sun hat and a messenger bag to complete the look.

Outside of the kingdom, is she not Princess Elise.

Just..Elise.

Nothing wrong with that at all.

As of now, Elise was walking amongst the crowd of people. Listening into the chatter every now and then, even witness some businesses people talk about deals or how to scam the next unfortunate people to make a deal with.

Oh, also something about cheating on their spouse.

What great stuff to hear...

Thankfully though, Elise didn't have to worry about that stuff. She is on vacation after all!

"It's a wonderful day, isn't it?" Elise murmurs to herself with a smile. "..I love it."

Couldn't agree more.." Sonic replied as a small smile formed on his face, taking note of how.. free Elise looked right now. Her being just Elise for once, which was a very welcome sight to the blue hedgehog.

She jumped a bit, turning to see Sonic appear beside her, making the princess hold her chest a bit. Her heart slowing the sudden fast-paced beating it gained.

Not out of admiration, just surprise.

"When did you get here?" Elise asked with her shock still in tact.

"Oh, just running through the crowd and spotted a certain lady." Sonic responded smoothly, "Figured why not I pop in and make myself know?"

Elise hummed to herself, her heart finally at ease as the two kept walking. It did make sense really, Sonic can be anywhere since he is pretty fast.

As they stopped for ice cream, Elise hummed to herself as she watched the clouds pass by, her blue eyes locked on the sky above her. She seemed deep in thought, lost in a world of her own, before she spoke again quietly, "You know...this feels nice. Just being me."

A odd feeling but, it very welcomed.

Sonic nodded in agreement, taking a moment to appreciate the peaceful moment before speaking, "Yeah, I can see that. You look happier this way." He replied, his voice soft.

He leaned back and rested his weight on his hands, still with a small smile on his face. "No more royal duties, no more expectations. Just..freedom."

Elise let out a soft sigh, her gaze still fixed on the sky. "Yeah, freedom... it's something I've longed for for a very long time." She paused for a few moments, her brow furrowed slightly as if lost in thought again, before continuing, her voice barely above a whisper now, "Sometimes, I feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders. Like being the princess isn't really.. me. But out here.. I can just be myself. No titles, no duties, no expectations."

Sonic's smile faded somewhat as he listened to Elise. He could see the burden that came with being royalty. The pressure to be perfect, the constant eyes on her, the responsibilities that came with leading a kingdom.

He couldn't imagine having to deal with that on a daily basis. "I can only imagine how heavy that burden must be," he said in a quiet tone. "But you don't have to carry it here. You can just be Elise. Just be you. No expectations, no judgement."

Elise turned her gaze away from the clouds to look at Sonic, her eyes softening with emotion. "Thank you," she said quietly, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I often feel like I have to be the perfect princess. Like I have to be strong and confident and put together all the time. But it gets exhausting, you know?"

"Sometimes I just want to be allowed to be vulnerable, to feel weak and uncertain, without the fear of disappointing everyone." Elise added after a moment of silence.

Sonic nodded, his expression sympathetic. "I get it. It can be exhausting, having to meet everyone's expectations. It's something that I struggle with too," he admitted with a small chuckle. "I'm supposed to be the hero. The one who always saves the day with a cheeky smile and a quick quip. But I'm also just a guy, y'know? Sometimes I can't help but feel like I'm wearing a mask, hiding my own fears and insecurities behind a confident smirk."

Elise nodded in understanding, feeling a sense of kinship in Sonic's words. "It's like we're both trapped by our own personas, expected to play a certain role," she said quietly. "I just want to be myself, flaws and all. But it's hard to let people see the real me when I'm constantly being watched and judged."

She paused for a moment, her eyes distant, before she added, "Sometimes I wonder if anyone would still like me if I wasn't... the princess."

Elise then mumbles, "Not a Princess Peach knock off either.." Elise added the lost part with a mumble. She still hated Sega for making her seem like that.

Sonic quirked a brow in response to Elise's mumbled addition, a hint of confusion in his expression. "Not a Princess Peach knock off?" he repeated curiously. He had never made the connection before, but he had to admit he could see a bit of resemblance.

He chuckled softly at the irony of the situation before his expression softened. "Nah, you're more than that, Elise. You're your own person. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Elise smiled faintly at Sonic's words, feeling a sense of gratitude towards him for his support. "Thanks, Sonic," she said softly.

Sometimes it's hard to remember that I'm more than just the princess. I feel like I've been defined by that role for so long, it's like I've lost sight of who I am beyond it." Was also admitted by said off-duty princess.

Sonic nodded again, his expression understanding. "That's understandable. It's easy to get lost in the role you play, especially when it's one you didn't choose yourself." He paused for a moment before adding, "But remember, Elise, you are more than just a princess. You're a person. You have your own thoughts, feelings, and desires. And that's just as important as any title or role."

Sonic then decided to change the subject.

Seeing that the conversation was taking a bit of a heavy turn, Sonic decided it was best to change the subject. "So," he said lightly, a hint of a smirk creeping onto his face, "since we're both not on duty, how about we do something fun to take our minds off of things?"

Elise raised an eyebrow at Sonic's suggestion, a hint of curiosity in her gaze. "Like what?" she asked, her tone tinged with a hint of playfulness. "What do you have in mind?"

Sonic shrugged, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "Oh, I dunno. Maybe something a bit reckless and adventurous. You know, something that'll get your heart racing and make you forget about everything else for a while."

Elise's eyes widened slightly at Sonic's words, a mix of excitement and nervousness coursing through her. "That sounds... intriguing," she admitted, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "But also a little bit terrifying. What exactly did you have in mind?"

Sonic chuckled at her response, his smirk growing wider. "Trust me, it's nothing you can't handle," he reassured her. "I was thinking something like a race. You versus me. No holding back, just a good old-fashioned competition to see who's the faster one."

Well now her interest was lost.

"Nevermind then." Elise walked on ahead.

Now, don't get her wrong, she wasn't surprised that Sonic suggested racing but, Sonic is gonna win by default since he basically has those running legs.

So, what advantage does she have?

Sonic's ears flattened slightly in surprise at her sudden change in attitude. "Wait, what's wrong?" he called out after her. "Did I say something wrong?"

Elise stopped and sighed, turning around to face Sonic again. "No, it's not you," she said, her tone more apologetic than frustrated. "It's just... I'm just not really into the whole 'who's faster' competition thing. I've heard it so many times, it kinda loses its appeal after a while, you know?"

Besides, she isn't Shadow or any of his rivals who can keep up.

The princess has seen Shadow and Sonic run through Soleanna many times. Which resulted her of hearing about it and after a while, it does get pretty annoying.

Sonic nodded in understanding, his smirk fading a bit. "Yeah, I can see how that would get old pretty quickly," he admitted. "I'm just so used to competitions and racing that it's kinda the first thing that pops into my mind. Sorry 'bout that."

Elise shook her head, waving off his apology. "No, don't be sorry. It's not your fault. It's just... sometimes I feel like people only see me as a princess, and not as an individual with my interests and preferences. And racing is kinda low on that list, unfortunately."

Sonic's smile returned, albeit a bit more genuine this time. "I hear you. It can be tough when you feel like people only see you for one aspect of who you are. You're not just a princess, you're a person with your own interests and hobbies."

He paused for a moment, before adding, "So, what kind of stuff do you like to do in your free time?"

Elise thought for a moment, her gaze drifting away again. "Well... I really enjoy reading," she said after a moment, her expression brightening a bit. "I know it might sound cliché for a princess, but I love getting lost in a good book. It's my escape from the world, you know? I also like to paint and draw, but I'm no artist."

She chuckled softly, adding, "What about you? What do you do in your spare time when you're not off saving the world?"

Sonic's smile widened as he listened to Elise talk about her interests. It was refreshing to hear about her as just a person. "Reading and art, huh?" he said thoughtfully. "Those are definitely things you don't hear princesses doing often. Pretty cool."

He leaned back against the wall, "As for me, when I'm not saving the world, I like to explore new places and just...run. Sometimes I even throw in some sick tricks like grinding on rails or doing backflips for the thrill of it."

Elise raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her eye. "So you're a thrill seeker, huh?" she said lightly. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised, considering your speed. But backflips and grinds sound pretty dangerous. Don't you ever worry about getting hurt?"

Sonic let out a short laugh, his smirk returning to his face. "Nah, I'm too fast to get hurt," he replied confidently. "When you move as fast as I do, danger is just an afterthought. Besides, nothing compares to the rush of adrenaline I feel when I'm zooming through the air, pulling off a flawless backflip or grinding on a rail. It's like... pure ecstasy."

Elise chuckled softly at Sonic's bravado. "You're definitely living up to your name, that's for sure," she said, shaking her head slightly. "But I have to admit, I can see the appeal in pushing your limits like that. The adrenaline rush sounds pretty exciting, even if it's a bit too much for my taste."

Sonic shrugged, his smirk never faltering. "Hey, to each their own," he said. "But I'll tell you, there's nothing quite like the feeling of defying gravity and pushing yourself to the limit. It's like... feeling alive in the most intense moment possible. But I get it's not everyone's cup of tea."

He paused for a moment , before a mischievous glint shone in his eyes. "Though I dare you to try it..."

Elise's eyes widened slightly at Sonic's challenging look, a mix of intrigue and fear in her gaze. "You're daring me to try?" she repeated, her voice a bit uncertain. "I don't know, Sonic. I'm not exactly known for my acrobatic skills."

Sonic chuckled softly, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Come on, Elise. Where's your sense of adventure?" he goaded. "You won't know if you like it unless you try, right? And hey, I could always give you some pointers. I'm a pro at this stuff, remember?"

Elise paused a bit, hesitating, but she couldn't deny that a small part of her was tempted to try. She wasn't one to back down from a challenge, even if it was something wildly out of her comfort zone. "Alright, fine," she finally relented, a determined look in her eye. "But if I end up falling flat on my face, I'm blaming you."

Sonic's smirk widened into a grin as she agreed to his challenge. "Hey, no one said anything about falling flat on your face!" he joked. "I'll be there to catch you if you do."

He leaned forward, pointing towards a ledge nearby. "Alright, there's a small jump you can practice on. Just a few feet off the ground. Give it a try."

Elise looked over at the ledge with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. "Alright, this shouldn't be too big of a deal," she muttered to herself. She took a hesitant step forward, trying to ignore the nervous fluttering in her stomach. "If Sonic can do this all the time, surely I can handle a small jump."

Sonic was right beside her, watching as she psyched herself up for the jump. "That's the spirit!" he encouraged. "Just focus on the landing. Bend your knees, absorb the shock, and you'll be fine."

He gave her a small nod, a confident smile on his face. "You can do this, Elise. I believe in you."

Elise took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Alright, here goes nothing," she muttered, before taking a few steps back to get a running start. With a small leap, she leapt off the edge, feeling her stomach drop as gravity pulled her towards the ground.

To her surprise, the landing wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. She stumbled a bit, but managed to keep her balance.

Sonic clapped his hands together, a proud smirk on his face. "See, I told you that you could do it!" he said, his voice filled with obvious pride. "That was a solid first attempt. You even stuck the landing better than I did my first time!"

He chuckled softly, crossing his arms. "You still up for another go? Because trust me, it gets a lot more thrilling once you get the hang of it."

Elise was still recovering from the adrenaline rush of her first successful jump, her heart pounding in her chest. But she couldn't deny that there was a sense of satisfaction at having accomplished something she thought she could never do. "Yeah," she said, a hint of excitement in her voice. "I'm up for it. Let's try something bigger this time."

Sonic's smile widened, clearly pleased with her enthusiasm. "That's the spirit!" he said, a hint of mischief in his voice. "I got just the thing. There's a bigger ledge a few feet away. Think you're ready for that one?"

Elise took a moment to catch her breath and steady herself once more. She could feel the excitement and nervousness coursing through her, but there was something else there too - a sense of determination to prove to herself that she could do this. "Yeah, I'm ready," she said firmly. "Let's do this."

Sonic led her over to the bigger ledge, eyeing it with anticipation. "Okay, this one's a bit higher, so you'll want to put a little more power into your jump," he instructed. "But remember, same landing technique as before. Bend your knees, absorb the shock, and you'll be fine. You got this."

He watched as she positioned herself for the jump, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Well, Sonic wasn't joking. After a few times of failing and speedy blue over there catching her like the hero he is.

Elise did eventually get it. Though, she did fall flat on her face once or twice. So now, she can blame Sonic.

Just as she said she would.

Elise dusted herself off, a mixture of pride and amusement written across her face. "You know what, Sonic?" she said, her voice tinged with a hint of playful annoyance. "I told you I'd blame you if I fell flat on my face, and lo and behold, look at me now."

She chuckled softly, her gaze meeting his. "But I have to admit, that was kind of fun. Even if I do have a few bruises to show for it."

Sonic laughed at her response, his smirk softening into a genuine smile. "Hey, a few bruises are just a sign of a job well done," he said, a hint of teasing in his tone. "And besides, I caught you every time. You never actually face-planted on the ground, thanks to me."

He crossed his arms, a slightly smug expression on his face. "So, I'd say you owe me a thank you, princess."

Elise rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help but smile at his playful demeanor. "Oh, I'm so grateful, my heroic savior," she said sarcastically, her tone dripping with feigned gratitude. "Thank you so much for catching me every time I fell flat on my face. I don't know what I would do without you."

She chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You know, you're pretty full of yourself. Has anyone ever told you that?"

Sonic feigned mock offense at her comment, placing a hand theatrically over his heart. "Me? Full of myself?" he replied dramatically. "Why, I am deeply hurt by your accusations, princess."

He broke into a grin, unable to maintain the act. "But hey, can you blame me? I’m the fastest thing alive, a hero who saves the day, and now I can add 'master acrobat instructor' to the list."

Elise rolled her eyes again, but she couldn't help but laugh at Sonic's dramatic display. "Yes, yes, you're the ultimate jack of all trades," she said, her tone tinged with playful sarcasm. "Next thing I know, you'll be telling me you've also mastered the art of cooking. Or maybe you're secretly a talented artist as well."

Sonic shrugged, the smirk on his face growing bigger. "Well, I wouldn't say 'master' just yet, but I have been known to whip up a mean chili dog or two," he said with a wink. "And as for my artistic skills, well... let's just say I've got a few hidden talents up my sleeve."

He chuckled, clearly enjoying the banter between them. "You might be surprised at what else I'm capable of, princess."

Elise raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity in her gaze. "Hidden talents, huh?" she said, her tone slightly skeptical. "Do tell, Mr. Hedgehog. What else do you have up your sleeve?"

She leaned back on a tree, crossing her arms as she watched him with a mixture of amusement and interest. "I can't wait to be impressed."

Sonic tapped his chin thoughtfully, pretending to contemplate his answer. "Well, let's see..." he said, his smirk never faltering. "I could play the drums, I once managed to beat Knuckles at arm wrestling, and I can solve a Rubik's cube in under a minute. Oh, and don't get me started on my dance skills."

He winked again, clearly proud of himself. "But that's just a taste of my many talents, princess. I don't want to overwhelm you with my awesomeness."

Despite herself, Elise couldn't help but be mildly impressed by Sonic's list of accomplishments. "Okay, I have to admit, that's a pretty impressive roster of skills," she said, her tone slightly amused. "But drums? Really?"

She looked at him with a teasing glint in her eye. "You don't look like the drumming type to me, Sonic. I'd love to see proof of that one."

Sonic laughed at her comment, his hands going to his hips. "Oh, you underestimate me, princess," he said, his tone confident. "I'm a hedgehog of many surprises. I bet you didn't know I can also sing."

He started to hum a little tune, a classic Sonic song, and then started to sing. But it was bad. Really, really bad.

Despite herself, Elise couldn't help but laugh as Sonic started "singing" the classic Sonic tune. It was so bad that it was almost surreal, but she found herself unable to stop.

"Oh, my goodness," she managed to say, between fits of laughter. "That might be the worst singing I've ever heard in my life! Seriously, do you actually think you can carry a tune?"

Sonic feigned offense again, clutching his heart once more. "Excuse me, princess, but I'll have you know that I'm a singer of unparalleled skill," he said dramatically, trying to keep a straight face.

He then couldn't help but crack a grin, his own laughter joining hers. "Alright, alright, I admit it. I'm not exactly an American Idol contender. But I give it an A-plus in enthusiasm, right?"

Elise managed to compose herself, still giggling slightly as she shook her head. "Enthusiasm is great and all, but it doesn't make up for the fact that you'd make a cat run away in horror if you sang near it," she teased, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Next thing I know, you'll be telling me you can play the piano," she added, raising an eyebrow, daring him to prove her wrong.

Sonic rolled his eyes playfully, his smirk returning. "Oh, ye of little faith," he said, crossing his arms. "I'll have you know, I can play the piano. Not well, mind you, but I can play it."

Elise just snorted playfully at his proclaiming of his piano skills. At least he is honest, she can give him that much.

This wasn't how she imagined how her

day would go but, is thankful none the less.

Specially with great company of a speedy blue hedgehog.

Who can deny that?

Not either of them, that is for sure.

Oh, they never did get to ordered ice cream that day.

#sonic the hedgehog #princess elise #sonelise #Sth

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heartofsol · 18 days ago

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I was thinking it was a cherry blossom tree, but I didn't know for sure. Thanks for clarifying! I loved your explanation of what the trees symbolize. The fact that both meanings apply to this scene is so cool.

Another thing I like about Sonic and Elise's relationship is how they're both well-respected figures with responsibilities and social obligations, as you said. People rely on Sonic to save the world whenever it's in danger and prevent Eggman's tyranny. Elise is the ruler of a country and must remain strong, repress her emotions, and make sacrifices for her people at the cost of her own freedom. She's also the vessel for Iblis, which adds another layer of responsibility since Iblis being released would cause the end of the world.

In a way, they both hold the world in their hands.

Sonic and Elise, in the forest

If you were to ask me what my favorite scene in Sonic 06 was, It would have to be Sonic and Elise spending time together in the forest. The CGI is breathtaking and still holds up today, and it has my favorite track in the game (titled "In The Forest"). But above all else, I love what it symbolizes about their relationship.

A couple of days ago, I talked about how Sonic sees Elise as more than just her title. How he sees her as a person first and a princess second. This scene is a prime example of that. Sonic suggests that Elise return to the castle, to which she responds "ok" with a sad tone and despondent look. He then decides to take a detour and stop by a lake. In the center sits a large tree with blossoming white flowers.

Seeing that glint of sadness in Elise reminded Sonic that his goal wasn't just to keep her safe but to make her happy. Would it have been more logical to drop Elise off at the castle right away and have her hide there after escaping Eggman's robots? Probably, but it was also important that they slow down for a bit and appreciate the beauty of nature - for Elise's sake. For her whole life up until now, she was sheltered and had no friends. The last thing she wants is to be treated like a little princess who should stay cooped up in a castle; safe from the horrors of the outside world. A gilded cage, if you will.

This is her adventure, too. Not just Sonic's. It's about her growth. Sonic made the right call because upon witnessing such a beautiful sight, Elise is overjoyed.

Another thing this scene has going for it? My favorite line in the game.

I suppose I should talk about the foreshadowing, huh?

Sonic, being the adventurous, free-spirit he is, doesn't tend to stay in one place for long. Elise is aware that they'll part ways once their adventure is over. Sonic will leave the country of Soleanna, and Elise will go back to living a quiet, mundane life in her castle. But Elise tries to remain positive, stating how much fun she's had and that she was able to express herself like a regular 17-year-old girl. Besides, even if Sonic is gone, she'll still be able to cherish the memories of the time they spent together.

Right...?

Nope! She can't even have that. In the end, Elise blows out Solaris' flame for the sake of the world, thus resetting the timeline and erasing her and Sonic's memories of each other.

(Sonic Team is so mean, lowkey... That line from Elise hurts me, but in a good way! Sonelise is peak tragic romance, I tell you.)

Despite trying to contain her sadness, Elise is brought to the verge of tears at the thought of losing her only friend.

By the way, I just love these shots in particular. Elise looks so pretty, yet badass, staring at Sonic with a bold and serious expression. The animators did a great job on her facial animations (I might start using the middle picture as a reaction image because it looks like she's staring into the camera lol).

Another interesting detail is how the wind suddenly picks up speed from behind Elise, and she turns away for a few seconds. Sonic has always been compared to the wind. Wind is often used to symbolize freedom in the games. Freedom is a big part of Sonic's character (he has been said to embody it many times) and Elise's arc, since she was forced into the role of a ruler at a young age (eight years old) due to her father's death and repressed her emotions to honor his wishes. I've talked about Elise's relationship with her father in this post, so check that out if you'd like. I think this sudden gust of wind reminded Elise of how free she feels with Sonic, and she fears that she'll no longer have freedom once he's gone.

This also ties into the final cutscene, where Sonic runs past Elise at the festival, leaving another gust of wind. Even though she has forgotten about Sonic by this point due to the timeline reset, Elise feels a sense of familiarity.

I honestly wish this was a small hub area that you could run around in after the cutscene concludes. But unlike the others, this area would become permanently inaccessible once you leave.

The scene closes out on Sonic and Elise, hugging each other gently.

I hope I've adequately explained why this scene means so much to me. The presentation is almost dreamlike, as if you're trying to visualize a distant memory (I think the brightness and soft blur used in the scene has this effect on me). It's bittersweet, much like the ending of the game. Plus, they never got to meet again. Silver and Blaze did, but Sonic and Elise? This is the one thing from 06 that stuck after 18 years.

Thanks for reading, and have a great day. 🤍

#sonic the hedgehog #princess elise #sonelise #sonic analysis #sonic series #sonic 06 #sonic 2006

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