Elise gazed out over her city of Soleanna, the city of water, a beautiful island-city that was known for its tourism and its industry in precision mechanics. A smile, a genuine one, was on her face for the first time in her entire life. After all, she was no longer burned with the need to stifle her tears. Not anymore. Not after meeting Sonic and his friends...

"Sonic..."

Elise sighed, wistfully. She had it all to thank to Sonic the Hedgehog. When blowing out the flame of Solaris, she was devastated, nearly torn at the thought that she may never meet him again, but his words, the affirmation to keep her chin up and smile despite the sadness, it kept her going and motivated her to be a great leader to her people. Still, a selfish part of her still wanted to see the hedgehog again and spend time with him. After all, they had very little time to actually interact, in-between Elise being kidnapped by Dr. Eggman multiple times and all.

"...Even then, I've never recalled a moment where I was happier in my life," she spoke to herself softly, her mind retracing the tale, from the Festival of the Sun, being saved by Sonic, and so, so much more. "I don't know if I was making up for all the times I should've, or if it simply feels good to do. It's foreign." She sighs, glancing at the sun from a safe angle. "More than sometimes, I wish I could see him again. That thrill of adventure, when he would carry me in his arms, the wind blowing through my hair..."

It was peculiar to her. She felt quite selfish for these thoughts, too. Before Sonic, Elise was always confined to royal rule, or law and order, upholding a pretty and optimistic facade, never to cry, lest she release Solaris from within her. Then, Sonic came along, he broke down all the structure that she had known, and yet also helped mold her into a more true version of herself. Was it selfish to have a taste for something like that more often?

"...Well, the country must come first, as always...but." Elise paused, a small, impish smile working onto her face. "I do wonder if I could sneak out of the palace without being spotted. The thrill of adventure fails to allude me, even after my time with Sonic is over..."

Just as she was about to enact on her slightly mischievous plans, she is interrupted by the sound of two guards abruptly entering her bedroom after a brief knock. Their chestplates were adorned with the Soleanna symbol of the sun, and they held themselves upright and proper.

"Ahem. Princess." One guard spoke, an arm gracefully held behind his back. "The Festival of the Sun is due in just a few days, now. Some of the officials, however, were just concerned about your preparation for the event..."

Elise sighed, before standing up straight, her back posture prim and proper as she walked over to the guards and nodded gently. "I do assure you that I am adequately prepared. After all, I wouldn't be an exemplary queen if I was not." Elise chuckled to herself quietly. Her reassurance seemed to put the guards at ease, their trust visible, and they left Elise to her own devices.

Elise thought about the Festival of the Sun. It was one she was familiar with - she would stand on a yacht, surrounded by dancers dressed in yellow to symbolize the sun, and the yacht would float throughout all of Soleanna as she smiled and waved, before lighting the Altar of Flames with a torch given by the bishop.

Still, she didn't want to worry too much about it, and thought that perhaps she should go outside after all. So, with no regard to change out the royal, pure white, off-the shoulder dress, she descended from her castle to walk upon the streets of Soleanna. Many people were surprised but nonetheless graved by her presence, bowing as she passed by. She even stopped for a sweet treat, and was now looking out into the ocean's horizon as she leaned against a railing.

As she ate, she sees someone else also leaning on the railing.. Curious about them, she decided to speak up cheerful and kindly.

"Greetings! I've never seen you around! Are you new? I am Princess Elise. Who're you?"