[closed action]

[soupguy]

Who: Boober, Riz, Gobo, Shadowmaru, Mando (maybe others pending)
Where: Saffron and Olivine
When: A little after the Lost World event
Summary: The aftermath of dino-chaos
Warnings: Broken leg stuff

Threads below!

Comments

For Riz

[soupguy]

[In theory, this time spent looking after Riz would sound quite nice to Boober. This kind of caretaking is how he shows his loved ones he cares. The problem is the reason for all of this. It’s terrifying to Boober that Riz got hurt like that. The whole… Mess was terrifying, of course, but Riz breaking his leg was really the worst of it.

It’s also a lot of work, simply trying to get Riz to rest. It hasn’t been long and he’s already crawling out of his skin. But that part, the hard work, isn’t exactly bad. Boober likes to keep busy with work. And in a way, maybe all the taking care of Riz is helping him not think about the bigger picture.

But Boober is only aware of that in the vaguest sense. He’s trying to just stay focused on the task at hand: Bring Riz his dinner. He’s made a lovely salad, ruined (in Boober’s opinion) by some sliced deli meat laid on top for protein, and because Riz likes this stuff, for whatever reason. He brings the tray into their room, looking up to the top bunk on instinct before correcting himself and taking the tray to Riz on the bottom bunk.]

I’ve got food for you. Has the medicine helped?

Is this how pain meds work, we just don't know.

[nightyorb]

[Riz always likes making new discoveries, but he could seriously have done without discovering that pain meds apparently make him loopy as fuck. Maybe it is a metabolism thing. Maybe it is because he is not normally a human. Maybe it is just the fact that this world always likes to fuck with Riz whenever it can. Whatever the reason, the stuff he got from the hospital to take for the first few days is seriously doing a number on whatever coolness cred he had built up.

(None. He has none coolness cred)

When Boober comes in, Riz goes from staring at the glow in the dark stars above him, to looking at Boober, his face immediately breaking into a wide, goofy smile.]

Booper! [Squint.] Boober. Hiiii.

[Oh the medicine is helping so much.]

[soupguy]

That's a yes, then.

[Boober's been finding this rather amusing, he can't pretend otherwise. Sure, at first he'd been quite confused. It freaked him out. But once it became clear Riz was fine? It was hard not to laugh, as Boober does now, handing the tray off to Riz-- and kissing him on the forehead, for good measure.]

Whatever those doctors have you taking, it would sure come in handy to have for the fraggles. [He pulls the nearby desk chair over to the bedside, and takes a seat.] Well, Red, most of all. She's just as stubborn about staying still when she's hurt as you get.

[nightyorb]

[Riz goes momentarily cross-eyed, trying to track Boober when he leans in to kiss his forehead. But then, oh!! There is Food on his lap. What a discovery! There wasn't food on his lap before but now there is and that is great.]

Kristen's healing never feels like this. [Said around a very full mouth of salad.] It's just peeewwww fixed.

[soupguy]

[Boober rolls his eyes, but Riz talking with his mouthful isn't exactly unheard of normally, either. It is what is is.]

Boy, I wish we had that back at Fraggle Rock. [A soft snort.] I wish we had that now.

Although I'd miss it, too. Helping people heal.

For Gobo

[soupguy]

[In his own, quiet way, Boober’s very excited for Gobo to be back in the city. It’s not the first time Gobo’s stopped at the apartment between explorations, but it is the first time he’s been back since the Legendary Seekers’ gathering, and all that ensued, and after that… Well, Boober could use some of the lighthearted fun fraggles as a whole are known for, even if he’s not about to say that out loud.

It’s nice, just the two of them and some of their pokemon. Notably, Nylon seems to have gotten over some previous hesitation when it comes to Gobo, and now the Rotom is happily playful with him, which is sweet. Boober’s less happy to see that Nylon seems just as friendly with Clef - who is now bigger and much louder. Lovely. Boober does his best to pull his attention away from what kind of toxins his Rotom might be picking up, and with a sigh, looks over to Gobo.]

Have you been to any neat caves lately, Gobo?

[He misses caves, the ones that aren’t full of extra-vicious pokemon, anyway. He’s always interested to hear about such spots.]

[gobetween]

Nah, not this time.

[Gobo was busy sorting through his different Pokemon items, which wow they sure got all mixed up in his backpack over the extension of a trip. Okay Pokeballs go in this pocket, potions and things go in that one...]

Did check out some pretty neat plains-y area, though! And it's not that far from here at Saffron City.

[Nearby, Clef was idly strumming, tongue occasionally lolling out for a bit before being slurrrrped back in.]

[soupguy]

Oh, I guess that sounds nice, too. Did you take any photos?

[Nylon is watching Clef with pure admiration - and a static "giggle" every time her tongue was hanging out - and okay, noticing the awed look in its eyes, Boober must admit to himself that this whole thing is a little cute. Even considering Clef's poison typing.]

[gobetween]

I did, yeah! Here lookit.

[His bag now forgotten, he slid closer to Boober and held his PokeGear, navigating after a minute or two of trying, and finally starting to scroll through the pictures.

Meanwhile Clef had noticed the attention, grinning lightly at Nylon. In response to the "giggle" she concentrated a moment and flared her electric crest, adding on a couple note plucks.]

[soupguy]

Oh, I don't think I've seen this spot...

[Boober watches the pictures scroll, nodding here and there, but he's quickly distracted by the loud and delighted crackle, accompanied by a flash from an electricity flare, that is Nylon's reaction to Clef's playing. Okay, no, he has to smile, nudging Gobo.]

They're getting along really well, huh?

For Shadowmaru

[soupguy]

[The more time Boober spends in Olivine, the more he’s growing fond of the place. It’s mostly the restaurants. He may have no interest in eating the city’s famous seafood, but there’s plenty of other good things at the many eateries.

But Olivine has another very good thing going for it, and that is Shadowmaru’s home on the beach. Sure, Boober doesn’t feel as close to Shadowmaru as he does to Mando, but to be fair, that’s a very high bar. Especially now that Boober has fully gone in on the idea of Mando as his dad. The fact of the matter, however, is that he still thinks Shadowmaru is pretty great. Does Boober understand his showiness and desire to stand out; be seen? No, not at all. But Boober’s no stranger to not understanding his friends. He likes them all just the same.

Besides, Shadowmaru’s extensive and varied wardrobe is a laundry dream come true, which has Boober a little distracted on this visit. He’s here to rest, to take a break from taking care of Riz and his broken leg… And frankly, nothing sounds more relaxing to him than doing some laundry, maybe he could even tackle it by hand. It’s been a while…

So at one point, when there’s a break in conversation between the two catching up, Boober decides to ask about it.]

Hey, Shadowmaru… Do you have any clothing that needs washing?

[sassymaru]

... Pardon?

[That. Was a surprising question. He'd been filling the kettle for tea - because it was that time of the day. And he was looking after a guest! One of Mando's children! One that Mando assured him considered him part of the family as well. It's something Shadowmaru is still adjusting to. This visit was unexpected, but not unwelcome.]

[An opportunity to get to know the children - or one of them - a little better. His pokemon have already taken to Boober, but, on the other hand, they're canine pokemon. Dogs tend to love everyone. But even Oberon the Type:Null has started venturing out of Shadowmaru's room to hang out.]

I'm sure that I do. Why do you ask?

[He's got a few different hampers in his enormous closet, for example.]

[soupguy]

[The reaction reminds Boober that, right, it's kind of a weird question he asked. At least, to ask someone who isn't used to his habits.]

Oh, uh, well... Doing laundry is my job back home, and I like it quite a bit, so it's very comfortable. And you-- Well, you have all those clothes. It'd be great for keeping up my skills. Besides, lately...

[He gives a little shrug and turns his attention to the nearest of Shadowmaru's pokemon, reaching out his hand to see if it seems agreeable to being pet. They've been friendly so far, but it never hurts to be careful in Boober's book.]

I've been stressed. [he scoffs] Of course I've been stressed... I mean, more than usual.

[He looks back over to Shadowmaru.]

Oh! But I didn't come here just to ask to do that. I didn't even think of it until I got here.

[sassymaru]

[It's Shadowmaru's Fidough who happens to be closest. She waddles over, and smashes her face up against the questioning hand, licking it in the process. Yes, pets please! So many pets! She would like every pet.]

Ahh, I see. Far be it from me to stand in the way of a talented launderer.

[He finishes filling the kettle with a little flourish, settling it down to heat up.]

But I understand. Because of Riz, I take it? Is he doing all right? [He'd been concerned, but hadn't wanted to bother the little family. Holding himself apart unconsciously.] I have a chamomile tea, if you'd prefer. That tends to be calming, for stress.

[A shake of his head. It's okay little buddy, he didn't think you came over just for laundry.]

[soupguy]

[Boober smiles for a moment, charmed by Fidough's affecionate nature. What a sweet little pokemon! His Fidough was a grumpy fellow right out of of the egg. And fortunately, Boober's Hisuian Growlithe has de-sensitized him to the whole "being licked" thing. But the smile fades as he nods with a sigh.]

Yup. He's improving, I think. He's been resting so he can heal. He doesn't want to rest, but I've been doing my best to look after him. [He slumps in the chair.] Chamomile tea would be nice, thank you.

You know, if you can, it might also be nice if you visited the apartment while Riz is hurt. [There's nothing in Boober's tone that indicates judgement for Shadowmaru not having done so, rather, he sound pleased to have had the idea.] He really misses working, and-- You know about that stuff from the work you've done, right? Maybe you two could talk about things.

For Mando

[soupguy]

Oh wow!

[As long as he's been in Saffron by now, Boober's never visited the largest housewares store the city has to offer before today. Most of his shopping is done at thrift stores, after all, and that's not a bad thing. Those are a great place to find the kind of things he loves to collect, but when it comes to devices for work around the apartment? There's something to be said for new stuff. These more modern gadgets are strange and exciting to him.

Mando had offered him a trip here, and though Boober had been reluctant to leave Riz and his broken leg - even in Luckstone the Indeedee's care - he needed a break. As much from his own fussiness as anything else. Boober wouldn't be surprised at all if that was why Mando had brought him here, and he's very grateful for that.

The store - like most buildings in Saffron City - is big. Like, really big; there are employees up on ladders to reach the highest shelves of products. Boober has to avoid looking up at them or he feels like he's the one up there. But the sheer amount of neat and (debatably) useful things he's seeing for the apartment is delightful.

He's just picked up the box for an immersion blender, and after reading the presented information with scrutiny, he breaks into a beaming grin and shows it to Mando. He knows Mando is no chef, but he cannot contain his excitement.]

Look at this! Look, you can blend things right in the bowl or pot!

[singlespacedad]

[Mando is keeping a very watchful eye on the tensions in their apartment. He knows that Boober means well, and that Riz is grateful for all his help, but he also knows how too much together time and too much fussing can make things boil over. Hell, he's had to get along with Paz Viszla enough times to recognise when everyone needs a break. So, with Riz under the watchful eye of an Indeedee, he's whisked Boober away to a giant household supplies store. Everyone gets a break, everyone gets something they enjoy: he'd slipped Riz some new notecards and string for his conspiracy boards before they left, so he'll have the privacy to do some speculating; Boober gets to be impressed by kitchen supplies; and Mando gets to spend some time with Boober.]

[Everyone wins.]

[Mando is currently tasked with pushing the shopping cart, and he's just following Boober up and down the aisles. This place is completely out of his wheel house, but he's enjoying watching Boober have fun.]

Impressive.

[That's a good thing, right? He's guessing it is, based on Boober's reaction.]

That'd be good for your soups, right?

[soupguy]

It would be wonderful! A revelation, even!

[One can tell Boober's particularly passionate about something when he goes hard with over-enunciating words. This is one such time. He looks at the box a moment longer, just smiling, before he setting it back down.]

Someday, maybe. For now, I need a new whisk. [Shadow, his easily-disgruntled Furfrou, got mad and used his current one as a chew toy.] That should be in this section too, I think.

[singlespacedad]

We can get it if you want it, Boober.

[Mando leans over to get a look at the mixer's price tag. Expensive, but not outside the realm of possibility.]

If it's something that would be a revelation for your cooking, I don't know how we can not pick it up.

[soupguy]

Oh. [Boober hesitates, in part simply because this wasn't what he most needs, and he is certainly the practical sort. But he has got most of a handle on money's value, by now, and he knows this isn't cheap. But he also trusts, very much, that Mando won't say what he doesn't mean, so he nods and picks the box back up again, to place in the cart.] Thanks, dad, that's really nice.

...So, "revelation" is the magic word. I'll remember that.

[He's joking! Mostly.]

For Boober;

[nightyorb]

[Stuck on the couch, with his leg in a cast, Riz has been forced to do the single worst thing in the entire world, the one thing he normally avoids as diligently as Fig avoids her Bard classes; he's taking a break.

If it was entirely up to Riz, he'd be out there, of course, tracking down new clues and turning in results, but the doctor (thankfully not another Joy) wants him off his leg for at least another week, and between Mando and Boober, he's been forced to follow doctor's orders.

It does leave him more time for other things though. Like, for instance, read up on certain websites on the internet, websites that he has known the existence of but was always too busy to check out.

Though, if Riz is entirely honest, it's not a lack of time that has kept him from reading those websites. What he really lacked was a willingness to confront his own weirdness in yet another subject, especially one that seemed too basic to everybody else. Which is weird, because if there is one thing Riz should be it's used to being weird! But maybe it was just the final weird straw that broke the camel's freaky back. Maybe it was because when he was weird before, it was at least a weirdness he saw reflected back to him in his mom and dad. But this was one thing in which he was very different from them -- would maybe always be different from them?

But things had changed over the last few weeks -- the last few months, really. Ever since he started dating Boober. Maybe because he started dating Boober. If nothing else, it had forced him to confront the subject rather than bury it deep under work. And maybe... maybe he was finally ready to start accepting those weird parts about himself too?]

[soupguy]

[From the very start of this, Boober struggled with his worries and fears overriding anything else, things like sympathy for Riz having to not take a break from his work. After all, Boober knows it's important to him; it's a sentiment they share. But he was just so shaken by seeing Riz hurt in the first place. It felt awful, and he now understood better Riz's reaction to his own injury not long ago.

Boober's answer had been to make sure nothing got worse, and that came in the form of watching Riz like an anxious hawk. And he still doesn't think that was totally unjustified, but... Well, it wasn't always working out so well.

He's been trying to relax a little, by this point. He wants Riz to be safe, but he also wants Riz to be not be miserable. Not everyone else kind of likes feeling down, after all. And he hopes he's doing okay, he's not sure. They've found some crime-related things to watch together, and thankfully for Boober's sake, also a baking competition from another region. There's also been sharing stories between them, and he's tried finding puzzle books when he goes out that will actually entertain and challenge Riz, though they mostly are more focused on small child-level hidden pictures.

All in all, he's just trying to remember that Riz isn't just his patient, or really, his patient at all. He's still Riz, his best friend and boyfriend! And that's the part where he's coming from as he comes over to the couch, leaning down with his hands on the sofa arm near Riz's head and looking down at him.]

Hey, I'm going to make myself some tea. Do you want any?

[nightyorb]

Only if you can make mine coffee.

[Tea is for quitters. And for people like Adaine and Boober.

Riz hesitates for a moment. His laptop screen is angled enough that he knows Boober won't be able to see what he is looking at from where he is standing. He could just close it and put it away, and keep this thing to himself. But while he isn't really sure if he is ready to talk about this kind of stuff to other folks, showing Boober would be different.

After all, Boober is the same way, right?]

And after, if you want, there is something I wanna show you. Promise it's not another crime show!

[Boober has truly been a trooper watching all these various crime shows with Riz, and listening to him either info-dump about certain forensic techniques or ways of finding clues or, more commonly, ranting because it doesn't work like that.]

[soupguy]

I do not understand how you like coffee better than tea. Then again, I don't understand how you like it at all.. [But he's smirking as he says that, tossing his head in that way he does because rolling your eyes doesn't really get noticed when your eyes are obscured. (That's not always a bad thing, though.)] But yes, I'll make yours coffee. That just means more tea for me.

[With a nod, he straightens up his stance.]

I'll be back in a minute, and then you can show me whatever it is, alright?

[nightyorb]

[Riz settles back against the couch cushions, getting comfortable (or as comfortable as he can get when he's been sitting here for hours, with his leg stretched out on a footstool). He clicks back to the main page of the website he's on, the one where Boober will be able to get the main gist rather than whatever more detailed niche thing Riz had been reading before.]

You should just microwave it. It goes a lot quicker!