17th Spell: [Video/Action for Ponies] (Forward dated to Saturday morning)

[friendyousohard]

[The gear clicks on in the middle of a room in the Pokemon Center. Someone's clearly using it, since the sheets are rumpled and the monitoring gear seems to have seen recent use, but no one's in the bed at the moment.

There's a splashing sound nearby, muffled by a door. The gear is moving very, very slowly towards that door.]

Mmmmmmffff... huh?

[Someone appears to have just woken up behind said door, as well.]

A-AJ...?

Um... h-hey there, Sugarcube. You sure had one crazy sleep, didn't ya?

I did...? Where am I? What's going on...?

[The gear is about halfway to the door at this point.]

You passed out on us right 'bout the time we got into Celadon. We were all real worried about you.

Passed out...? The comas!

[Twilight's voice suddenly gets much stronger and there's the sound of a sudden splash, as though she's just moving around in a pool of water.]

I had one! I went back home! Well... sort of. You know what I mean, right?

I... think so?

I saw so much... My brother, and Cadence, the Crystal Empire, even Discord, there's so much to... Um, AJ?

Discord? What in tarnation's he doin' back? We sealed him up for good!

I'll explain that in a moment, but first... what were you doing just before I woke up?

... Givin' you a bath.

[The gear has almost reached the door, when suddenly a large yellow foot slams down in front of it. It wobbles and falls to the ground, showing an Alakazam glaring down at a Slowpoke, which was carrying the gear.]

And what do you think you're doing?

[The gear floats up into Starswirl's hand...]

Apologies to any who saw this and wanted to speak to my trainer. She is currently occupied, but will be with you shortly.

[And clicks off.]

A few moments later...

[The gear clicks on to show a wet haired and slightly bedraggled Twilight.]

Ah, hello everyone. It seems I've encountered one of those week-long sleeps that we go into on occasion, and gotten some new memories of home. Honestly, it feels a bit strange to be back here... but I'll adjust soon enough. If anything important has happened in the past week, I'd appreciate it if somepo- someone could let me know.

... Also, if anyone has any ideas as to how to curb the tendencies of some Pokemon to abscond with peoples' gear and pull, or try to pull, obnoxious pranks on their trainers and others, I'd love to hear them.

Comments

[buckyouup]

I swear, one of these days one a' these "pranks" is gonna be the end of that slowpoke.

[friendyousohard]

I just don't understand why a slowpoke of all things would find an interest in that sort of thing. They're supposed to be slow-witted and dull, not pranksters. I'd expect that more out of your Zorua or the like.

... Where are Fluttershy and Rainbow, by the way?

[buckyouup]

...If Rascal wanted th'world t'see me naked, she'd just transform into me an' run about town. [She sighs. Please don't give her any ideas.]

Rainbow's out trainin' somewhere, an' Fluttershy's waitin' for me to finish bathin' you so she can get you dressed an' brush your hair.

[friendyousohard]

You raise an excellent point. [And she will never bring it up where the Zoroark can hear, she promises.]

Oh, so you guys have divvied up the work of caring for me while I was asleep, I see.

[buckyouup]

We all wanted t'make sure you were as happy as healthy as can be while you were asleep.

[friendyousohard]

You girls do realize that the nurses tend to take care of that sort of thing, don't you? I mean, not that I don't appreciate waking up with you watching over me, it's just...

[buckyouup]

I... reckon we could have let them take care of you.

[friendyousohard]

I do appreciate your thought, AJ. Really I do. But I mean... even as ponies you never did this sort of thing for me.

[Kind of embarrassing, actually. She feels like a foal again.]

[buckyouup]

You also never passed out for a week straight before.

[friendyousohard]

... Okay, that's a fair point.

I'm sorry for worrying you.

[buckyouup]

We're just happy t'have you among the livin' again, Sugarcube. You're feelin' alright, aren't you?

[friendyousohard]

Well, I'm going to have one heck of a time adjusting to being here instead of back home again, but thankfully my memories from here are pretty recent, so it shouldn't take that long.

... Am I clean yet?

[buckyouup]

...I haven't washed your back yet, but you're more than welcome t'take over.

[3_butterflies]

[Sometime after Twi is properly cleaned and dressed - Fluttershy had been wondering what was taikng so long, and in worry, left her room. And thus she sees...]

Twilight!

[And here comes the tackle hug!]

[friendyousohard]

Y-yeah. I can take care of it from here.

... Do you want to lay out my clothes for me? I shouldn't be too long.

[friendyousohard]

Shy- ack!

[She's not bowled over, but she does stagger a bit before returning the hug.]

I'm glad to see you too. Sorry if I worried you at all.

[Pulling back, she looks down at the green dress she's wearing.]

So, you've been picking out my clothes while I slept, according to AJ?

[buckyouup]

Sure thing, Twilight. Just give me a second, an' I'll be right back with somethin' for you t'wear.

[She lays the washcloth she was using to clean her on the edge of the bath, standing up and leaving the room to organize some clothes.]

[3_butterflies]

[She nuzzles her friend for a little bit before pulling back as well.]

Oh, yes, that's right... We all had our own duties in taking care of you. I couldn't just leave you out in the cold!

[friendyousohard]

I appreciate the effort you made to keep me from being trapped in hospital gowns. Though I'm surprised the Joys let you take over my care so much...

[3_butterflies]

All I did was ask them nicely.

[And who can say no to this face?]

[friendyousohard]

I appreciate that.

[A few moments after AJ leaves, the door opens and Twi, wrapped up in a towel with another around her hair, exits.]

That was almost comfortable enough for me to just drift right back off again. How did you know the perfect temperature for the water, AJ?

[friendyousohard]

... And suddenly it all makes sense.

[The entire Pokeworld infrastructure would collapse before Fluttershy's charm.]

Really though, thank you... where did you even find these things, by the way? Did you guys go shopping while I was out or something? I mean, I guess you could have, Celadon and all...

[buckyouup]

A lot of testin'. I had t'make sure the water was perfect for you. Too hot an' you'd get scalded, too cold an' you'd get th'shivers.

[She smiles, holding out to her the set of undergarments and a lightweight green dress Fluttershy had left out for her.]

[3_butterflies]

We took shopping shifts, so you were never alone in case you woke up. But how was your sleep anyway? Did you get to see Ponyville?

[friendyousohard]

Yes, I did. I went through my brother's wedding, and beyond... that was the last thing you remember, right?