victory_road | video;

[It's been a while since Shiro made a video post. A really long time. And, it's likely, this one was meant to be something informative. Like his usual posts are. Or something trying to ask a question.]

[Literally anything but what shows up.]

[What shows up is a Furret. Wrapped liberally around someone's head like some kind of sentient scarf. It's... sort of unclear who exactly this is, except for the eyes peering through the Furret's coils.]

[One of them is twitching.]

[This probably wouldn't be recorded if it weren't for Shiro's Gallade, who takes this opportunity to peek on camera, laughing and pointing. Can you get a load of this? Blue seems to ask. He's so busy giggling, he doesn't notice his trainer starting to firmly (and gently) unwind the creature from around his face. Attempting to set it down. He gets one loop off, another tightens up. ... None of them are aware of the yellow eyes watching from a nearby tree.]

[Finally, Shiro manages to get it off, trying to st it on the ground yet again. The Furret just jumps back up. Wraps around his face.]

[And Shiro's yell of frustration is muffled by the very, very pleased Furret coils.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Heading back to the island on the ferry.

[DON'T SCARE HIM LIKE THAT.]

[Yeah this is why you're not hearing about the Noibat.]

Don't hit any of Armin's whales on your way back.

[Shiro that's not funny.]

I'm sorry about Blue, by the way.

He's not the most annoying thing I've had to deal with before. [Boy all those Garrison cadets he was with.]

I should be back in a day or two.

Less annoying than your kids, huh?

If I'm not there, I'm in Olivine hitting the gym. But I'll be back.

My what.

[He sputters a little, rubbing a hand down his face.]

Yeah. Yeah, sure.

Your kids. The new friends you made.

Hey, come on. Can't expect me to let you show me up in badges, right?

[He'll assume Shiro's talking about the pokemon and not the actual kids he got stuck looking after for a week.]

They're fine, thanks.

And please. Just because you've been here longer? Come on.

Still want me to meet your purple cat?

[Sure, let's go with that.]

I've got three, going on four.

I do. Got the plant you could meet too.

Looks like I've got some catching up to do then.

Ah, right. The mini-Blue.

You're on, buddy.

[There's a pause.]

Thanks, by the way. For listening to Haunter.

I'm not naming her that.

[He breathes, and his tone softens immediately.]

Of course. I-- figured if he asked me to call, it must've been important.

You don't have to. In fact, I wouldn't either.

It was. You really helped us out.

I'll figure out a name.

[There's some nagging thought at the back of his mind, one he won't come close to voicing. But he's ...not entirely happy with this, considering their conversation before he left for the mainland.]

I'm glad I could, whatever it was.

Did you ever figure out one for your starter?

[He really is grateful. Running into something like a Noibat when you're oxygen deprived and haven't seen one before? Not fun.]

Remember when I said you do more than you know? It's like that.