victory_road | video;

[So Shiro said he was heading up to Victory Road and the Elite 4 Challenge. That was ... just after December 25th. There has been very little contact since then. What happened? Did he die?]

[Well. Judging from the recording now? He looks like he wishes that’s what happened. He is very clearly in a Pokémon center. In bed, miraculously, wrapped up like a burrito with his Umbreon firmly draped over his shoulders like a scarf.]

Hey guys.

[He sounds like he has cotton shoved up his nose. And gargled gravel. This is the worst cold in the history of colds, clearly.]

Little detour happened. I’m... still up on Victory Road. I’m fi — [Umbreon growls. Shiro looks resigned.] I’m not hurt. Just. Underestimated the weather.

We’re safe. At the Pokémon center here. So uh.

Probably won’t be back until sometime next month. At this rate. Sorry — didn’t mean to worry anyone.

[But hey, this way he won’t be around for love day, right? Isn’t that the whole reason he ran off to fight the E4? Yep. But we’re not saying this out loud.]

So.

What’d I miss?

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No, you won't.

[A shake of his head, before he pauses, thoughtfully.]

Unless you want to get your badges. Then you could.

[From somewhere behind her Shiro will absolutely hear the sound of Rover perking up with interest. But Pidge herself is scrunching her nose up at the thought.]

I don't know about that. I know that's kind of the thing here, but I'm good.

[He does. And so does Nebula. One ear perking up as well.]

So... if I end up with a gym, you won't come by?

[Rover comes fluttering and hopping up into clear view, going from Pidge's shoulder to the top of her head and back again, over and over while hooting and trilling excitedly. Battle! Battle! Challenge!

But Pidge just keeps waving him off. She's far too used to him now.]

I didn't say that. I wouldn't challenge you, but for sure I'd hang out.

[Nebula tilts her head, regarding the hopping, hooting Rowlet. And then yawns.]

You wouldn't challenge other people? For me?

Gyms... usually have that before you get to the leader.

[Rover halts on one of Pidge's shoulders, head spinning all the way around to look at Nebula through the screen. And then puffs up all his feathers. CHALLENGE.]

I di- [Pidge stops herself, blinking.] ..Wait a minute. Are you... asking me to be a member of your gym?

[In response, Nebula just blinks, slowly - her tail flicks. Cool story, bud. She's fine.]

Well, yeah. Of course I am - [Too much talking. Cough time now.] - We're a team.

Aren't we?

[Rover resumes his hooting and hopping, then. How dare no one take his challenges seriously!!]

[Pidge blinks again, and her eyes dart to one side for a second, thoughtful. It's not like Shiro's wrong. They are a team. They're family. That's not the issue and it never has been.]

We are. Of course we are. I just didn't think you'd want me battling for your gym.

Why wouldn't I?

[Maybe it's the headcold talking, but he is... honestly confused about that answer.]

[Pidge gives him a little smile, eyes rolling a bit.]

You and I both know I'm not the greatest trainer. Besides Rover, most of my Pokémon are happy to help me build stuff at home.

I'm not saying I won't do it! Just that my battling team is pretty small.

You don't have to be. You just have to have ... some kind of fighting team.

[Or you know, fight them yourself, Pidge. Like you do.]

I can't think of who else I'd want. But family.

[She'd be better at that, honestly. But that's kind of... against the rules, isn't it?

Either way, her smile just grows a little as she nods.] Okay, you got me there. I'm in.

But you have to take care of yourself and stay healthy long enough to build this gym of yours.

I will, I will. This was just... really bad timing.

[Shiro you went up a mountain in January.]

And a blizzard.

[She raises an eyebrow at that. She doesn't point the January thing out, but only because she doesn't feel the need to. Her eyebrow should be speaking volumes.]

Uh-huh.

Just try to kick some Elite Four ass as soon as you can, okay? "Some time next month" is a super vague return date.

Middle of the month... maybe? End of the month?

[Safely after the holiday dies down, ahem.]

Depends on if I can fly out of here after.

[Pidge suspects nothing re: holidays. Why on earth would she? Her social awareness has only leveled up once in three years.]

Okay.

[And then, with a little bit of a mischievous grin, she adds-] We'll keep out of your room until you get back so it stays clean.

... why would you go into my room at all?

[Because he totally moved back into the closet room.]

... By accident? Getting carried away?

Carried... away with what?

[He has a fever, be gentle.]

[What is... "gentle"?]

You know how Lance is. He sees every empty room as a new opportunity.

[Processing.]

[Processing.]

[Oh, great, he just went paler.]

Nebula.

Bucket.

[Pidge has to fold her lips in to keep from laughing. Whoops.]

What? I promise it hasn't happened. [Yet.]

[ Please hold. We are suspending the video feed while someone is ... sick. Kudos to the Umbreon for grabbing that bucket. ]

[She's just gonna stay on the line while all that happens, totally unperturbed and still grinning even if it's mostly to herself.]

Nebula, you should probably give him some nice back rubs until he feels better.

[Nebula, who has seated herself in view of the camera, primly, just stares. Silently. Her fur may or may not have fluffed up like an irritated cat's.]

[ :| you little troll ]

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