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[worldisyours]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, RINDO KANADE. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 4.28.13.9 *** rindragon has joined 4.28.13.9

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[familyproblem]

[Gladion scoffs at the idea of Rindo not being up to the task. There's a flaw in that reasoning! He'll point it out shortly. For now, Silvally is here, jumping to its feet to get right up in their faces and bonk Gladion with its nose.]

Oomph. [But his arms come right up and give its head a hug, no protest needed. (And no risk of falling off Rindo's shoulder. Grippy!)] Thanks, buddy. [His voice is colored with relief. Silvally is eep peep peeping, having had to contain its relief until Gladion was out of danger. It licks Rindo's temple, too, and plops its butt back down and leans against both of them.]

I need a mirror. What I can see doesn't look like any species I've ever seen, but still...sort of familiar. Somehow. [Scratching Silvally's ears, slightly squished against Rindo's head by the beaft's affection.] Which makes it something I can live with if I have to, I guess. It could be a lot worse.

[Although as he thinks through all the practical implications of being this size and shape every day...the cons are racking up fast.

God he's glad to be back though.]

[worldisyours]

[No hair eating this time, huh? Rindo wraps an arm loosely around Silvally, welcoming its display of affection with a smile and returning it in kind by way of some well-deserved praise.]

Silvally did amazing. It was watching over you while you were in that pod. It warned me as soon as it noticed you were moving in there, then it took us to the patch way faster than I could have on my own. [Pat, pat.] When I had to go the other day, it went with me.

[Even if Rindo had been trying to hide his gratitude for that last part, he wouldn't have been able to. He owes Silvally and Gladion so, so much, and though his happiness isn't nearly as effusive as the Pokémon's, dulled as it is by Ryslig's constant blows, it's still evident in his expression. Frankly, he would hug Gladion, but with the size difference now it might feel more like trapping him, and he's not going to do that to him of all people. …The current arrangement is close enough anyway!

It sounds a bit like Gladion's trying to convince himself, there, but perhaps that's just Rindo's pessimistic streak speaking. Still, maybe that's the right attitude to have here. Just roll with the punches. What else can you do?

A mirror…]

We could stop by the stream for that.

[familyproblem]

[Gladion's hands slow as he listens.

If he had his own face right now, the warmth in his chest would show. The warmth isn't without bitterness, but...he's proud. Proud of them both, for stepping up, for staying together.

He pets Silvally between the ears again, with obvious tenderness.]

I can wait until we get back to the house.

[The thought of which ungently returns a memory to him, of an altercation with Ingo.

Suddenly, as if it's just occurred to him:]

Are the twins there? Or—out. Are they alright?

[worldisyours]

Sure, no problem. I was gonna ask if you wouldn't mind a quick detour for something else. It's not urgent or anything, so it's up to you.

[Then comes the question. It's no surprise, of course, but it makes Rindo's mood tank instantly. Not because the twins aren't all right, but, well. You know.]

I don't think they're home right now, but they're fine.

[No thanks to Rindo. He continues, his voice clearly strained and heavy with baggage. His eyes are fixed on Silvally as he idly scratches the side of its neck.]

A lot happened that I wasn't there to see, but everyone caught me up to speed.

[He lets out a huge sigh. He's not looking forward to it, but he isn't about to leave Gladion in the dark. He knows full well just how disorienting it is to wake up and get told you've missed an entire month, after all.]

…I'll tell you everything on the way back.

[Once both trainer and Pokémon are ready to go, he'll prepare for departure, picking up the tools and motioning to Silvally to let him get on its back.]