gobetween | IC Inbox | victory

[It's so rare for things to line up as nicely as they have with this shopping trip, and to someone like Boober, it means something is absolutely going to go wrong before he and Gobo get back to their apartment in Saffron tonight. There's no way things can go this smoothly for much longer. Gobo had some items to pick up that could be found at Celadon City's department store, and Boober rarely needed any push to visit the place. True, it could be overwhelming, but the wares were fantastic! And the selection went far beyond the rather limited range at the average PokeMart. There were things here that had nothing to do with Pokemon training.

Plus even Boober, after this long winter of mostly staying put in Saffron City, was starting to long for a change of scenery and some fresh air. And with Riz's friend Adaine arriving in the Pokemon world, Boober figured those two could use some time to themselves, to reconnect. Not to mention some space! It was really starting to get crowded in the apartment.

But the biggest factor, though Boober hadn't told Gobo this, was the approaching of springtime. Gobo had come to stay at the apartment because it was too cold out to keep camping while furless, and Boober figured he'd be moving on once things warmed up again. And that wasn't bad! They all needed more space - more than once during the winter Boober couldn't wait for winter to end and bring a bit of quiet back - and, well, surely Gobo rather explore than settle into the life Boober had here.

That was the brilliance of this shopping trip: It gave Boober some one-on-one time with his friend before he started traveling again, and going to a massive shopping center in another city was as close to an overlap between his passions (cooking, clothing care, and general hominess) and Gobo's (travel, discovery, and general silliness) you could easily find. And all just a warp away!

Still, Boober was struggling to shake that something was going to go wrong before long. He wasn't really stressing out over it, it was simply that he was sure it'd happen. He had his Pokemon and Gobo with him, and Mando, Riz and rest were just a call away, so Boober knew it had a good chance of ending well when that happened... But helping ensure that damage - of any kind - was minimized couldn't hurt. This was the thought process that lead to Boober piping up as he and Gobo exited the elevator, for the first time of no doubt a few on this trip, and walked into the clothing section on the third floor.]

Hey, Gobo... I know there's going to be a lot to see, but can you try to stay nearby today?

[Gobo had been pretty excited to be going to the department store with Boober. He hadn't really put it to words, but some one-on-one time with one of his best buds was great! Something he really felt like he'd needed. It'd been growing on him since the whole Christmas market, and while of course there'd been snippets of that here and there since, it hadn't really been the same.

Plus, Boober's thinking was right on the money; Gobo was planning to go back out and explore once the weather stayed warm enough. It'd been nice to experience the cold and snow and then go home to a warm apartment, but well. He missed the sky, and climbing over rocks, and interacting with Pokemon he didn't really know (but could get the chance to). But for his end, that thought was another reason he'd really wanted to do this. They'd always be able to talk, sure, but this was different. Wasn't much longer they'd be able to really see each other face to face.

For his part, Gobo's thoughts were certainly less dire, as they walked into the department store. In face he was just wondering if there was such a thing as Last Frost when Boober spoke up, and he had to look over at him with a blink before the words really sunk in.]

Huh? -Oh! Oh sure, of course Boober. [He gave him a smile.] We'll be joined at the hip all day, you can count on it.

[For Boober, Gobo's distraction didn't inspire much confidence. He shook his head with a scoff, equal parts amused and exasperated. Or... Okay, maybe it was more like a 30/70 split.]

I'll believe that when I see it, but here's hoping.

[He looked out ahead at the clothing selection, which helped buoy his spirits right away.]

Well, all I'm looking for is new socks, but you need some more warm weather clothing for the year in general, right?

[It's hard not to be familiar with someone's current wardrobe when you've been doing their laundry, especially when you do laundry as attentively as Boober does.]

[Sure he grumped a moment at first, but quickly pivoted into a happier mood once the actual question was asked.]

Sure do! At least a couple T-shirts, maybe a pair of shorts for swimming. Though not hiking; even when it's hot I'm gonna be out there in pants. [A short snicker.] Too many prickly bushes and scratchy twigs to really be doing anythin' else, eh?

[Boober's face lights up - albeit in his own quiet way - hearing his friend be so prepared for what he'll need. It's not truly surprising, because Gobo is good at being ready for anything while exploring, but it's still very nice to hear.]

Alright, then we know exactly what we're looking for! That's great.

[Starting off towards the t-shirts, Boober smiles over at Gobo.]

We should be able to find all of that here, even the swim shorts. Although I'm not sure about that, I don't think I've even been swimming once since I came here.

[It's a very off-hand statement. As much as fraggles as a whole adore swimming, Boober isn't nearly as quick to dive in as most.]

Well, there's not a lot of water around! Not like it is back at the Great Hall anyway.

[He started examining the shirts, picked up one that had EXPLORE in front of a mountainy background and some Pokemon silhouettes. Nodded, threw it over one arm.]

I guess that just is how it is up here. [He paused, then snickered.] But if there was as much water up here as there was at the Great Hall, I think I'd be tripping over it every route or so! That'd be too much water.

You're right about that. Although, I bet Red wouldn't agree there could ever be such a thing as too much water.

[He gives a halting little laugh of his own.]

Oh, but there are also places outside of Kanto with a lot more water, too. You went to Cinnabar with Riz, but there's also a bunch of other islands farther away. He and I visited them with Mando last year, and Mando went back recently with Bo. We'll have to get you out there, eventually.

Oh yeah! I remember hearing about those. I definitely wanna check out what kinda cool Pokemon there are to see out there.

[Going to a different rack, he removed a short-sleeved plaid shirt, considered it a moment, then put it back. Nah, he's a stripes guy.]

And there's probably a bunch of water types out there, right? Clef can help protect me from any'a those, so you wouldn't even have to worry!

I always worry, Gobo.

[But it's a light and even fond remark, made without any upset feelings as Boober inspects the opposite side of the same rack.]

But I must admit, Clef has been a pleasant surprise. She may be a poisonous pokemon, but she's not so bad-- Oh.

[His smile grows as he takes a hanger off the rack and comes around to show Gobo the shirt hanging off of it, a yellow t-shirt with a simplified design of a group of palm trees growing in front of a very vibrant setting sun. It is, of course, far too colorful for Boober's liking, but it's reminiscent enough of Wembley's banana tree shirt that there's no question of showing it to Gobo or not.]

Look at that.

Yeah, she's great! Real cornerstone of my team.

[He continued browsing himself, glancing up when Boober came back over. The sight of the shirt got a delighted laugh out of him, as he took the hanger from him.]

Oh that's great! I think I gotta get this one too, for sure.

[It definitely did remind him of Wembley, which was one reason. But while the colors may have been too much for Boober, they absolutely weren't for Gobo, who honestly kinda missed being that colorful all the time.]

[Boober nodded, and his smile widened with pride at having found something Gobo liked.]

Do you think Clef will like it when you start traveling again?

[When, not if, because it's Gobo. As much as Boober will miss him being around, he knows Gobo needs to see more of this strange place. And, in all truth, he knows that for every moment he's felt like this - like he wishes Gobo would stay with him and the others - there has been at least one other moment where he was very ready for the apartment to be less full. Speaking of which...]

I'm sorry there hasn't been all that much space for anyone's pokemon to be out a lot, the past few months.

That's alright! I know it's been a squeeze, especially lately. I know I've been doing what I can for my team in the meantime, but I think everybody's gonna be happy when we start travelling again.

[He was quiet, idly toying with the fabric of one sleeve on a hanging shirt.]

And- and I mean it's gonna be exciting, but...! But I'm gonna miss ya, too.

[Maybe he shouldn't be surprised to hear that. After all, he remembers - back when he was getting ready for the Christmas Market, in the days leading up to Night of the Lights - how much emphasis Gobo had put on them spending the holiday together. That Boober shouldn't feel bad that it was him and not one of the others Gobo was with right now.

And, really, it's not that Boober is surprised to hear that Gobo will miss him, he's just surprised to hear it now, when Gobo's getting ready to head off. He's seen him get so excited about preparing to go explore so many times, after all. So while there's a moment where Boober looks up in surprise, that doesn't last long before he nods, with a tiny smile.]

I'll miss you too, Gobo. I'm glad we got to spend a lot of time together again, it's been really nice.

[He smiles at that; not really relieved that Boober said that, because of course he did! He knew he and Boober were great friends. But it was still something nice to hear, that you were wanted and fun to spend time with. It definitely had him feeling warm, even if it had a bit of a bitter twist to it, too.]

Yeah! Me too. Just like old times in its own way, right? [A little chuckle that wasn't at all forced.] You even got to make your root cake.

Yes, that's true. I think we brought a little bit of Night of the Lights to this place, last year.

[Boober gives a rusty-sounding chuckle of his own.]

And we... we should talk more when you're traveling, this time. I mean, postcards are all well and good too. But the Pokegear is faster, and you can tell me what you've been getting up to. That way, I'll know what kind of laundry to be ready for, and how much of it.

[It's a playful, teasing comment, but it's also not like he doesn't mean that part, too.]

[He gives him a warm smile at the mention of the holiday. Boober himself may have no memory of celebrating it back home, but bringing it here sure did have a wonderful magic all its own.]

Oh, that sounds great! I can definitely keep you updated with the PokeGear, show you all the different Pokemon I'll have met. [He snickered after a moment, good-naturedly.] And what kind of mud I've been going through.

It'll be interesting to hear about the ones you're meeting. I'm not complaining about sticking to cities, not one bit! Still, it has been a while since I've seen what pokemon an unfamiliar area has to offer. This way, I can find out more about them without having to go anywhere.

Just don't forget about the mud, too. Preparation is crucial to proper laundry care, Gobo. Crucial.

You bet! It'll be like my Uncle Matt's postcards.

[Wait that's actually a really cute idea. HMM.]

And awwh, I was kidding Boober. I try to avoid mud when I can, you know that. As soon as it soaks through your clothes you're sunk for the day. [A small little scoff.] Good luck keeping warm! And the Rock help you if it gets tracked into your sleeping gear.

[At first, Boober just kind of... Looks at Gobo, after that talk about mud. It's not that Gobo's points are bad, not at all, it's only-- Well-- Knowing all that much about mud? Just general mud?

But then, Boober figures that's probably how others - fraggles or otherwise - see his laundry knowledge; it's not that they doubt his expertise, but the appeal is lost. He may be brave and heroic, but Gobo is also a bit of a weird guy, himself. It's nice to remember that.]

And yet you still want to go around out there, where rain could turn any place muddy.

[A pleasant reminder doesn't mean Gobo is spared any sass, of course.]

You say that like I'm gonna be outside in the rain!

[He had to laugh at that, giving Boober a light smirk.]

Which okay, that may be fair. I'm not one to let a little rain stop me, and some of my Pokemon really enjoy it! But that doesn't mean I'm seeking out the mud that makes, either.

IC Inbox | victory_road

[action, late february - backdated]

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