audio, backdated to during the Dragafloat Festival

[telewarped]

[Following a successful but taxing bounty quest, Shoka has been stuck in the Pokéclinic since the 15th—and judging by the way the clinic Pokémon look at her and the way her stupid, freak body keeps telling her it's somehow still on fire, even when it totally isn't, she's going to be stuck there for some time. She can still walk, kind of, and it doesn't hurt all the time, so if anyone were to ask her, she'd tell them that this amount of caution is entirely unnecessary... But no one did ask her.

The Grumpearl message comes in darkness; no visuals or even true audio—just pure thought:]

This bites. I wanna go to the festival!

Maybe I can sneak out...?

[This is almost definitely the Grumpearl version of a butt-dial. In Shoka's case, it's more of a head-dial, considering that her pearl is still stowed away inside the hollow of her disguise's false Pikachu head.]

Comments

[telewarped]

Sorry. It's a festival food where I'm from. It's a kind of dumpling, basically.

[She thinks really hard about it until an image solidifies in her mind: the anko dango skewer from Kyoto Sweets back in Shibuya.]

Ugh, I bet they have some out there right now... Or at least something like it! But I'm stuck here...

[quirkynote]

[Oh! Well, dumplings she understands, and she can definitely confirm there's dumplings at the festival. But...Shoka can't get any? How can this be???]

Stuck? Is someone holding you hostage? Do let me know, I can have them eliminated quickly. I was wondering where you've been...

[telewarped]

Pfft! Sort of... Thanks, but no need for eliminations this time. But since you're here... Maybe you wouldn't mind doing me another favor.

[She could really use a noble steed right now, after all.]

Think you can come by the clinic?

[quirkynote]

[The...the clinic?! Shoka was at the clinic this whole time?! Why didn't anyone report this to her, specifically?! A.B.A's mane bristles, but there's a look of worry in those big, blue eyes.]

Of course, I...

[Shoka visited her, after all, and now A.B.A feels like this is her first REAL test to pass friendship class. She HAS to visit Shoka, it'll prove to not only her, but everyone else that A.B.A's capable of Normal People Relations. ......does she have to bring something? Shoka brought something. Malasadas right? NO! Don't be stupid, be observant, Shoka clearly stated she wanted her danglings.

What else did Shoka bring? ...Right, of course, her Paracelsus proxy. But she can't possibly bring that...right? That's...HER creepy stand-in husband, even just the imaginary thought of Shoka requesting that skull makes her bristle even more. It's utterly unacceptable!! What sort of homewrecking, worthless woman would request such a thing-

...but then...would she fail friendship? Bringing that skull made A.B.A SO happy when she was ill, she only wants to return that favor, give Shoka that very same feeling. It's just...as far as she knows, Shoka isn't married.

A.B.A takes a second to walk away from the pearl, although it's still very clearly displaying...everything. She goes into the corner of everyone's shared Spire room and starts shaking her head, stomping her feet, tugging her hair. Eventually, she just starts full on screaming before finally returning, still quivering in an undefined rage.

But thanks to the psychic connection, it...feels like she's trying to push it down. Keyword try, it's like holding back a flood with a toothpick umbrella. But she is...GOING to be a good friend, or SO HELP HER.]

Would you... Unk. ...like me to bring... Paracelsus with?!

1/2

[telewarped]

[Woah. What is even going on over there? Shoka watches in bewildered silence, at first unsure what to make of what she's seeing. Did she say something wrong? She didn't think so, but A.B.A does tend to take things pretty literally (and personally)...

Eventually, however, when A.B.A returns and asks her that, of all things, she... thinks she understands. A.B.A said once that her biggest fear was someone taking Paracelsus from her. To offer to bring him (it!) to Shoka...]

[telewarped]

[Shoka's first-thought response would be a hearty, Ugh, what? Hell no!

Instead, she gives an amused snort and says,] No thanks. Just bring yourself.

I want you to know I got this icon with this reply in mind

[quirkynote]

[A.B.A proceeds to vibrate anxiously before Shoka finally answers her, and the massive Pokémon nearly collapses with how intensely she drops her shoulders in alleviation. The sigh that follows is almost comical.]

Ohthat'ssucharelief—

[But!! Let it be known!! She offered!! Clearing her throat, A.B.A straightens herself up, trying to regain the authoritative aura she never had. She gives Shoka a small nod, hearing her loud and clear.]

Very well, if that's what you desire.

[BUT JUST KIDDING! A.B.A isn't out of the woods yet, there's more to being a good friend than just offering to bring your skull husband proxy. A.B.A was...listening and...remembering...two things that are actually quite difficult for her. But A.B.A remembers how much it meant to her when Paracelsus showed her how much he actually listens to her rambles, perhaps...Shoka will feel the same?

So when she does arrive, there's a wrapped up package in her beak as she approaches the bedbound Shoka. Looks like a box some other Pokémon must've tied together for her, to make it easier to carry in her beak. She places the box down on Shoka's bed and nudges it towards her.]

I was able to hunt down your dango.