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humming-pokemon-helpers · 9 months

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🎤 - An audio transcript from a recording

Recording Date: 7/26/2023

Recording Location: Nimbasa City Central Hospital

Parties: Vanilla & Tula (@plasmaapologist)

Thump, thump, thump... [There's a feeble knocking at the door of Vanilla's hospital room.]

[Vanilla sits up a little, glancing at Cross before responding.]

"Hey, Cross, any idea... oh, it's probably just the nurses, right? Yeah it's probably just the nurses. Come in!"

[Tula opens the door, shuffling into the doorway, but refusing to enter the room fully.]

"Vanilla...?"

"Oh, um, wow, Tula! I'm really glad to see you, um."

[Vanilla glances at Tula's stitched-up calf, before quickly looking away.]

"Is your leg...?"

"Huh? Leg? It's still there. I think?"

"... Yeah, it's still there... How's your... uhm... everything?"

"That's not... um, if it wasn't there that'd be pretty bad!"

"I just, ah... ...I'm... doing pretty good! Yeah, better than I figured! Probably not going to feel as great tomorrow because they don't want to keep me on this medicine, but hey, I'm at least otherwise healthy! Or, uh, going to be healthy? Oh, and I'm finally getting this cast off!"

"Ah, well... Human grade medicine probably isn't great for your, well, Zoroark half..."

[Tula turns, careful to still hide her splinted wrist behind her.]

"Yeah, I can't even have ibuprofen, or uhhh... fuck, what's the other one. But yeah, none of that normal shit and of course they don't just have Pokémon pain relievers lying around, so you have nurses standing there and debating whether they're supposed to use a fucking spray potion... sorry. Sorry. This stupid medicine..."

"Is this your chart here? Uhm... Okay, wow, I didn't understand half of that. Heh..."

[If this girl's conversation gets any more stilted, she'll be guaranteed a spot in the circus.]

"I guess no one really knew what being uh. Turned into colours does to you. Before this. That's what Rune said happened."

[Vanilla watches Tula try and flip through their chart, a slight smile crossing their face.]

"Yeah. Nobody's really... put a human into a Pokéball before? Since they're really really incompatible. Except I'm not, because I'm half-compatible, and half..."

[He gestures vaguely with jagged hand movements.]

"Not. But uh, really, I'm fine, just a few weird after-effects at first... I don't think I'm... you know... glitched."

"I'm just... happy I didn't have to really see that. Y'know, when the Masterball broke, I didn't even realize-"

[Tula pauses for a moment, looking as if she had an epiphany.]

"Oh, shit. Fuck. I should have taken it with me. What if that thing still has your data somehow?"

"Oh, arc, I wasn't even thinking about that-- fuck, that Master Ball..."

[Vanilla freezes up a few moments, before processing what she's heard and taking a few deep breaths.]

"Okay, no, it's broken. Okay. Thank Arc. That explains why I felt more... human again, fuck. Pokéballs are fucking wild, I swear... But if it's broken... I think you can't really fix that. It's fine. It's fine."

"That doesn't... I'll have to go back for it. There's no way we can just. Risk leaving it there, especially since he's..."

[She's shaking again.]

"He got away. I'm sorry. I-I was supposed to stop him.... I was supposed to fix this. I don't fucking... maybe it's a cruel fucking trick from Arceus. Or karma, or some woowoo ghost bullshit."

[The quivering woman attempts to hold back tears. She's not very good at this.]

"I was the one that said he wouldn't hurt you. I didn't think he would do... ANY of that shit! I thou- I really thought, maybe, it's innocent curiosity. He turned a lead. He's a weird guy. He was always like that. If I had just- just told you what he had done in the past, then this; none of this..."

"I don't-- Tula, you don't have to--"

[They look away, though their distress is palpable.]

"None of this was ever your fault, Tula, you were just... Just because you were in Plasma doesn't mean you're responsible for everything he does, fuck. If that's the case then I..."

[She takes a breath, like she's about to say something important, then cuts herself off.]

"I'm the one who followed him there! I should've known what I was getting into, and instead I just... I just hurt people who weren't even involved in this, I got you hurt, look at yourself! You're hurt, why are you acting like you needed to do more for me? I never wanted him dead! I never wanted anyone dead! I'm sure he's done shit. Fucking all of those higher-ups have. But... it's not your responsibility. I brought this on myself."

[The foxperson lays back in their bed with a dull thump, rubbing their hands into their face.]

[Slowly, barely noticeably even, Tula approaches the hybrid's bedside, an uncharacteristically serious look on her face.]

"Vanilla..."

[She leans in close, no longer caring to hide her hand, or perhaps forgetting to. A few seconds of stagnation pass before she begins to whisper, barely audible over the humdrum of the hospital.]

"I chose to go out there. I didn't expect anyone else to."

"You may not have wanted him dead. But I did. If he comes back, he's going to be upset. Very, very upset. At you, and at me. This is our problem now. I- I put myself here, Vanilla."

[At the sound of Tula’s whispered voice, Vanilla turns his head, lowering his hands from over his eyes. There’s the huff of a held breath he didn’t even realize he was holding before the hybrid whispers back.]

"I… you’re right, you’re right. We’re both stuck if he comes back. There’s nothing else to do for that. …Hopefully you don’t mind being stuck with me, Tula."

[There’s the slightest of smiles on Vanilla’s face as they place their own hand over Tula’s splinted wrist. She avoids the temptation to pick up the nurse’s hand and look at the injury for herself, but her gaze is fixed on it.]

"…I guess my question is… why? It’s stupid, I know, we’re already here, but I still… it’s still not your fault. You didn’t have to."

"Ah. Uhm... Well..."

[Tula turns her head, partially to think, partially to hide the subtle flush that had come to her face.]

"I guess. Two reasons? People tend to just... tolerate me? I mean, when they learn about my past. And probably also because I'm loud, but uh, mostly the first one. And y'know, I'm used to it, I brought that upon myself. Any close acquaintances I made were also ex-team members. But- There was a handful of people that just... never seemed to hesitate when speaking to me. Which I'm not... used to...? And you were one of them, so. The thought of my- my friend being hurt by, of all people, that bastard-"

[She stopped, clearly sensing herself getting worked up again.]

"I owe you, in particular, a lot of explanations, I think. Things I can't just... discuss in a hospital. No, things that I don't want to. But when I..."

[Her voice fell low again, words sputtering out between her heavy breaths.]

"I wasn't just attacking him, Vanilla. I was attacking all of Plasma. It was my retribution."

...

"...Oh, Fuck. I made it about me, didn't I?"

"I'm sorry. I'm not really good at this sort of thing."

"Hey, no, Tula, I asked you, so of course it's about you! I wanted to hear about it. I mean, you're, ah, you've done a lot more for me than I could ever repay anyways... I mean I could repay you, but that's kind of beside the point--shit. What was I..."

[He shakes his head briefly to clear it, ear twitching.]

"...Right. I'm... really glad to have you as a friend. Plasma history or not, I can tell you really care about the people close to you. And Pokémon! I mean, I'm not exactly normal either, ha. Not that you're not normal, I just... we're two outsiders, you know? And I've... probably got a lot to say too. ...Also probably not here."

[Vanilla laughed nervously, before lowering her own voice in turn.]

"Honestly, I get it. Wanting to get back at Plasma like that. They've pulled so much shit. Hurt so many people. Who wouldn't...?"

[Tula, who had by now sat herself at the end of the hospital bed, listened silently as her friend(?)s speech trailed off. And there she sat; 10, 20, 30 seconds. Until suddenly, she whipped her head around; the first time she had dared to make eye contact.]

"The laptop. I sto-ahem, borrowed his laptop. I don't know what's on it, if anything. It could be his fucking Minecraft machine for all I know. And I- I certainly wont be able to get into it but. I know people that can. Well, a person. Probably. I imagine he's got insane security on that thing."

[The nurse dropped her head, her anxiety clearly catching back up to her.]

"Well, y'know. If you want me to. I don't want to cause more trouble for you..."

"Oh."

[The thought sinks in, and the injured hybrid nearly leaps down the length of their hospital bed before they remember their arm's still tethered to an IV and there's a monitor clipped on their finger. They settle, instead, for sitting up.]

"Oh, wait, you actually got his laptop? Tula, that could be huge! I mean, at least I figure if he brought it to some run-down lab in the Dreamyard, there's got to be some reason for that, right? I don't really know exactly what yet, but I'm sure there's something. Is it really okay if... it wouldn't be too much trouble to try and get into it, right?"

"Wh- Easy, Vanilla. You do not want to accidentally rip out that IV. Shit hurts."

[Tula sighs, placing her chin in her hand.]

"Honestly, I don't know. Calli could probably get into it. She's a whizz with that kind of stuff. Like, it's slightly scary. But it's a matter if you trust her, I guess. That's your data, after all. And, now that I think about it, I'm definitely going back for that Masterball. We have no idea if it's still readable or not. Once I get it, I can take it to the Center and check it. That way if there's anything on it, I can wipe it."

"Yeah, yeah, okay... sorry. Think I was just a little too excited--that might be some of the best news I've gotten today. That might be the only thing that made me charging in like a fucking idiot worth something. Even that's a 'maybe', but... what's it, think positive? Something like that. Shit, I'm the therapist here."

"But I think... ugh, it's far too high-value to not. If you want, tell Callisto I'll pay her more than enough to keep it confidential. Seriously though, Tula..."

[She trails off, watching Tula again. The nurse looks exhausted, not to mention their wrist and leg. Was she limping earlier...? Does that still hurt? After about a 15-second pause, though, their eyes meet, and Vanilla freezes, forcing her gaze to the floor. Fuck, they definitely looked like they were staring.]

"Y-you should really take a break, first. Long day, and... you're hurt too, right? Besides, it's a long trip without flying. ...What am I saying, you obviously didn't mean now. But... thanks for looking out for me."

"Of course I'm looking out for you, Vanilla. I-"

[She never finishes that thought.]

"...You don't know Callisto well, but I do, and I have full faith that you wouldn't need to pay her for that. I mean, I stayed about it, but, you saw how she was with that Team Calm or whatever garbage. She's got an odd moral compass, but it's a strong one."

[For a few minutes, the two sit in slightly tense silence. The tiny TV hanging on the wall is playing some sort of scripted tournament battle. The round ends, and Tula once again turns towards the hybrid.]

"Vanilla... Are you still going on your Gym Challenge? Uh, when you're better, I mean."

"Alright. I'll trust you on that, Tula. Though... um... isn't she kind of unemployed right now? Maybe I should send something anyways... She really is doing me... us? a favor, at least."

...

"I... probably am. I figure that not much else can go wrong at this point, right? And besides, I really love battling with all of my teammates. I think Dolly and Shuu would be really upset if I just stopped, ha."

[For the second time today, Tula raised her head, locking gaze with her friend(?).]

"I want to go with you."

"...Uh, if you're okay with it, that is. I don't want you to be going anywhere alone. Especially some of the more isolated towns."

[Her face turns red again as she takes a sudden interest in whatever is outside the window.]

"...Oh, and don't worry about Calli. She's been holding back something. Nudge-nudge wink-wink, y'know?"

"Go... with me."

[The blank look in their eyes is pretty quickly blinked away, ears standing tall. He must have missed something.]

"...Wait, Tula, do you mean the whole way? To every last gym? Are you sure? That could be months! These aren't all day trips like Driftveil, not to mention all the training time in between... I couldn't ask you to do all of that! I-I mean, you'd probably get bored... Or, uh, did you mean doing that together...?"

[She holds her head a moment, covering her own face's redness. Now's not the time to catch a fever... Or at least, to look like it...]

"I, um, sorry, I just wasn't expecting you to follow up with that... I'm not saying it wouldn't be nice... or, ah, helpful! Not to sound like a broken record, but, is that okay? Seriously? I'm sure you've got stuff going on too, right?"

"I'm a trauma nurse, Vanilla. It's already an unpopular field with people, but with Pokémon? I can get work at damn near any Pokémon Center in this region. Or any other regions. I'm used to being on the road, so..."

[She shifts a bit, trying to think before speaking for once in her life.]

"It wouldn't really be anything different for me, is what I'm saying. Actually, it would be nice to, y'know, have some... company..."

"Ahem. I'm saying, yes, it's okay. Actually, I wasn't even expecting you to agree. I mean, when you said you wanted to talk, I thought for sure you were gonna be pissed at me... Not that I was planning this or anything! That would, uh, probably be weird, yeah? I mean, this is really our first time meeting in person. Wanting to travel with you would be like, suuuuper creepy. Haha."

"…Tula. You know… you can just stop talking. I mean, I know I’m talking waaaaay too much too but maybe we can both take a moment? I mean, gosh…"

"Also, what was that about me…? I didn’t say anything like that. I think? Arc, I hope I’m not that overmedicated. That I’m texting you without thinking. I mean I’m happy to talk! I’m also really happy to meet you and all! It was nice to talk online, after all, and I mean, I wanted to ask about that book you found anyways, and, well… wow, I should take my own advice! But… I have no idea what happened there? I thought you came over on your own, honest! Even though I was happy to see you."

[Finally, the foxperson manages to shut themself up, stopping just short of slapping their hands over their mouth.]

"But, if you say it’s fine… I guess I’m not opposed. I mean… yes! Yeah! That sounds great."

[For the first time, Tula smiled, giggling a little at the others rambling.]

"Hehe... I can show you the messsge later, maybe that'll jog your memory a bit, eh? Buy anyways... I'll have to sort some things out, and we have to find something to do with Kli-"

[She stops mid-word, her face turning pale.]

"Oh, fuck. I left that Klinklang alone with Motom."

"Klinklang."

"Wait, did that motherfucker seriously leave behind one of his Pokémon??? Arceus above, it keeps getting worse."

[She shakes her head in disbelief.]

"So, um, I guess... you probably need to go handle that? I'm sure Motom's great, but who knows how Colress trained that poor thing."

"I guess he was actively bleeding out. But yeah, sure as shit he left it. Things been following me like a lost puppy."

[She stands to leave, wincing a bit as she puts weight on her leg, talking as she walks to the door.]

"Though honestly, its the Klinklang I'm worried about. I do not need Motom teaching that thing crimes... It's actually quite well trained, from what I can tell so far."

[She places her hand on the doorknob, hesitating for a second.]

"Uhm. Message me when you get out, alright? So uh. So we can work out our plans. Obviously."

"...I have to go figure out what you feed a steel type with no real mouth. And probably get yelled at by a nurse for leaving my room. It was... nice. Talking to you, I mean. Not getting hospitalized."

"Oh... poor little thing. ...The Klinklang. To be clear. Absolutely not Colress."

"...Just go before I say something stupid, okay?"

[He chuckles a little to himself.]

"Alright. Stay safe out there. ...On the... walk down the hallway."

#pkmn irl #pokeblogging #long post #//this is actually a text transcript of a discord convo! didn't feel like cutting out only the visual cues so... it's video now.#//anyways it's long. but it *does* have some important notes. that i will try to get the point of across elsewhere #//as always kudos to cassini for their writing of tula; i love tula sm & can't wait to do more with her & vanilla ^^#//italics used here to indicate tula speaking!#tw injury #tw hospital

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