Graham's Voicemail.

[pun_king]

"Zoooounds! Does this device really let you talk to anyone, anywhere, and also record messages for later, be it audibly or textually? I guess we'll find out! So leave your messages here for me, Graham, future Knight of Daventry, and I'll try to get back to you when I can! Okay! Thanks! Hope this works! Bye!"

**BEEP!**

Comments

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Don't ask how a) Arden got into the dorms, or b) found out where Graham's room was, but the next time he came back, he'd find a toy left outside of it, an axe velcro'd to its hand. Both the axe and the velcroing seemed a very homemade oh-god-idk-what-I'm-doing-but-I-have-sewing-supplies-and-hope job.

It was sitting on top of a note that said, Hey Graham, I know you're going to be a knight and that means swords and maybe lances, but I figure that you'll need a squire one day to watch your back, so may I introduce you to Squire Axe O'Lotl. Hopefully you two will have a lot of fun adventures with weaponry together.

Totally unrelated, but thanks for being a great roommate and adventure buddy on the trip.

--Arden

[pun_king]

Graham had already been pretty over the moon with the Garrett the Guinea Pig that Gray had brought back for him, and when he uncovered Squire Axe O'Lotl? He gasped, thrilled to bits even at just the look at him (the velcro was fine! He could touch it up nicely, no worries there!), and when he read the letter attached, he was just giggling with his delight.

"Axe O'Lotl," he said, "oh, that's good."

He took a few more moments to admire his new squire and test his snuggability, and then got to wondering on what he could do to properly thank Arden for such a great, adorable, punny present!

Which was why Arden was then getting a text so excitable that it was practically radiating from the caps lock:

ARDEN WHAT IS YOR FAVRORITE FLAVOR OF JELLY BEAN.??.?????

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

oh wow I haven't had those in years. I don't even know. Ummm red maybe?

[pun_king]

Excuse Graham a moment while her utterly stared at his phone, jaw dropped, over this absolutely tragic revelation.

"I have been," he declared, obviously to no one but his phone and Garrett and Squire Axe A'lotl, "a horrible new friend."

cherry red? Strawberry red? Pomegranate? Cinnamon?? Red apple???

Wait no, nevermindz i'll jist get them all for you!

And then he pressed send and then he promptly facepalmed because that part was supposed to be a surprise.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

There are that many red flavors? Wow I didn't know. Is there something going on with the candy store?

That obviously was the reason behind getting candy for her, right?

[pun_king]

"Hey, Google," Graham said, into his phone, "how do I delete a sent text?"

"Okay!" the phone chimed back. "Here are some product suggestions for split ends."

"What? Wait, no, that's not--oh, well, I guess they have been looking a little fra--"

And that was when he was saved by the distraction of Arden's response.

Well, the bean was out of the basket now...

no, i was gonna bring you some to thank you for introducing me to the magnificient squire axe a'lotl! He's great!!! His axe is amazing! He will chop so many things with it!

No matter what the narrator had to say about it!

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

But he was a thank you gift! If you send me a thank you gift for a thank you gift, then I'll have to send you a thank you gift for a thank you gift to a thank you gift!

[pun_king]

well i can't not thank you for the thank you gift!

Hmmm. Graham could see how this could be leasing them into quite the gifting quandary!

besides you have nothing to thank me for! I was just doing what any good roommate would@ you having a great time on the trip is thanks enough!

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Yeah but the group chat and stuff. Like really above and beyond 10/10 no notes, 5 stars on yelp roommating. That looks weird idk if that's a word. Anyway you didn't have to do all that, you didn't have to do anything. But you did and I wanted to make sure you knew you were appreciated

[pun_king]

oh believe me, i am feeling very appreciated! I love him!

But also i really want to get you jellybeans now! Especially since you haven't had any in a while! I get jelly beans for all my friends!

My favorite is popcorn!

He was sure Arden would appreciate that vital bit of new information and peek into his psyche.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

They have popcorn flavored jellybeans?!? That's wild. What other flavors are there? I mean I guess it's no weirder than licorice flavored jellybeans or all the different reds but it still kinda blows my mind.

[pun_king]

arden. ARDEN. We are TOTALLY having a jelly bean party now, you have no IDEA!

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Say the word and I'm there.

Yay a social life!

[pun_king]

you know, i work at the maaaaaagpieeeee empoooor~rium tomorrow, i bet Steph would be okay with me using the gaming area for a party!

Thst settles it! Tomorrow night, jelly bean party at the emporium! Bring your best jelly beans! I can even tell everyone about it on radio tomorrow morning!

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Wait, if I'm bringing my best jellybeans, doesn't that mean I'll be trying them all before I show up? Maybe I'll just bring a bunch and figure out the rest when I get there.

Apologies for any substandard jellybeans that slip in due to jellybean inexperience. (⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠)

[pun_king]

i do not believe a substandard jelly bean exists!

But if it does, i guess maybe we'll find out tomrorrow!

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Boy would they! At least when Arden discovered 'toasted marshmallow' was a jellybean flavor!

For great jellybean justice!

[pun_king]

And, really, there was only one response to that:

Huzzah!!!

Okay, maybe two:

i'll see yoi there!