Bao's Behest

Bonnie grinned as she walked out of the office. With her new recipe card in hand, she felt like the whole world in front of her was just waiting to be discovered! Not only that - New Bao City was waiting for her up ahead! She was so excited to get going and see the sights - she’d heard many things about the city, and she wanted to see how many of them were true! Did it really never sleep? What about all the shops she’d heard of, all with the most delicious meal you’ll ever eat - at least, until you stop by the next shop on your journey! Or even the rumor that everyone who visits gets a free dumpling on their way out?

Before she could get too far in her journey, though, she figured that she should make sure all her paperwork was in order. She didn’t want to accidentally make a mistake and be stopped on the sidewalk! That would be so embarrassing! It was always better to be safe than sorry, in her opinion.

“Hello?” She hummed, opening the door to Bao’s office. “It’s me, Bonnie! From yesterday? I just wanted to make sure all my paperwork went through okay—”

But… oh, no! Instead of a chipper response that she was expecting, she saw Bao completely collapsed on their desk! Were they okay?!

“Ough… the pain…”

“Are you okay??”

Bonnie rolled Bao over, ready to start giving CPR if she needed to, but then Bao hummed again.

“So… hungry…”

Oh. So that’s what it was. Phew!

Bonnie let out a sigh of relief. “I thought you were really hurt! Don’t scare me like that!”

“You have to… help me…” Bao reached over, ignoring Bonnie’s small critique of their melodramatics. “Follow… me…”

With a lot more energy than she’d expect a starved half to death baobear to have, Bao jumped up off the desk, grabbing a map of the city in one paw, and her own paw in the other. “I know just the place!”

“W—woah!” Bonnie exclaimed as she began to be dragged off to who knows where. She knew there was a tour program, but she didn’t sign up for it - was she by mistake?? “Where are we going?”

“The best food in New Bao City, of course!” Bao said, bringing her right out the door. “You’ll see!”

Bonnie just nodded, allowing herself to be dragged around - at least she’ll get a good bite to eat, it seemed!