Inspired by the last ask:
What made Tangerine want to get closer to Bonnie? They spent years holding the town at arm's length, so what made them let Bonnie get closer than that?
Do you know how long It took me to properly answer this, Cactus? So long. I was going to wait until I was SURE that I’ve got the early bonnerine dynamic nailed down, so I could give a long detailed explanation, but I’mmmmm taking too long lol. First I'll say that I could have worded it better in the last ask, because Yes Tangerine has been keeping superficial relationships for years, but it wasn't quite a conscious choice on their part.
Tangerine doesn't like thinking about themself. No introspection whatsoever, 0, none. So whatever it is they want or need or feel, they are not talking about it. I think of them as "lukewarm" in the sense that they are fine to talk to but you don't really get much from them as a person. You'd always see them around chatting, or bringing back stuff from their walks; always seeking out something to do. Helping out the town with daily tasks is the perfect activity, it gives them social interaction, activities to keep them busy and some emotional fulfillment.
Rine cares about the world, and feels pretty confident in their abilities to impact it. The recent surge in rescue teams due to the natural disasters gave them the idea of registering one themself, but going solo wasn't an option.*
Fortunately, they find Bonnie. She's lost but surprisingly skilled and she learns fast. With a bit of persuasion she accepts to form a team. The way Tangerine framed this in their mind was something like "I am helping this human find her place in this world and helping with the disasters at the same time."
And Bonnie is exactly what Tangerine needs in a partner (at least during this low-stakes period). Yeah she's a bit snappy and reluctant at the beginning, but she doesn't intrude and in the moments when she allows herself to enjoy the dungeons, she excels. Under all that insecurity there’s someone brave and compassionate. And perhaps the way she shies away from them hurts a little, but it’s nothing Rine can’t handle. Plus like, she’s not going anywhere. Tangerine doesn’t realize but a fuck ton of their approach to their goals includes keeping Bonnie close. It's been so long since they had a friend... they get attached FAST.
In short: Tangerine's brain said "I have to help this eevee", somewhere deeper it said "I want a friend" and then gripped Bonnie's paw so hardddd
*I was very unsure about this at first, because there is a solo rescuer (Lucario). The game never calls attention on it, but explorers does mention how Dusknoir being a solo explorer is outside of the norm. Can you legally become a rescuer/explorer without a team, though? I have no idea… so for my convenience I made it obligatory to start off as a team (if given the chance Tangerine would have 100% gone solo. which I also considered but uuhhh I wasn’t happy with it).