How Not to Freeze to Death

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Alki hopped from foot to foot, whimpering as she shivered. Arceus, she really should have brought something warmer than this flimsy little cloak. It billowed in the wind, much to the balloon pokemon's frustration. Why wouldn't it just stay put? She needed the warmth the cloak was supposed to offer! At the very least, she reminded herself, she knew a fire type move. That was something, at least. The girl breathed out a steady puff of fire, much weaker than it had been even an hour ago. She was getting colder, and the colder she got, the harder it was to actually make the fire she needed.

But she couldn't back off! Not now. She had to be close to the ruins, according to every map she'd ever found... Well, they didn't tell her much. But they said the ruins she was looking for were near the top of the mountain, and she'd been climbing for hours! She couldn't be that far away from the top, and if she ran away from this, then what had been the point? She couldn't run away! Then she'd just prove herself right. If she ran away, she'd prove that she was weak and stupid, and not worthy of being on a team with Darcy, or being a thief, for that matter.

She needed these artifacts. It wasn't just a matter of want or pride. She needed to be stronger, and she needed to be smarter! If she wasn't, she could get someone hurt, or worse. She could get caught. She could hurt Darcy. A whole lot of bad things could happen if she didn't get her act together and get to the top.

Besides, what was the worst that cold could do to her? She began to half-walk, half-hop across the snow, trying her best to avoid the soreness and prickliness that the thick layer of it caused. Could snow burn? It was starting to feel like it could.

Russell's ears flattened, the pup looking a bit discouraged. "I really don't think that's safe..." He prodded gently, clearly searching for the words that would dissuade the two travelers. "I don't doubt that's it's important to you, but don't you think your lives are more valuable? Don't go throwing 'em away like this." He pushed, looking down at his paws. "If I can't convince ya to turn back, at least let us escort you. Where're you heading?"

"Snowcloak Ruins." Robin answered in that same flat, tired tone. As soon as the words left her mouth, the room fell silent. Even in her haze, she could sense the tension that her words had brought, could see the uncomfortable shift of the Lillipup's paws. An hour earlier, she would have smiled, offered her cover story, probably managed to convince the pup and his grandmother. "It's for a research project." She added, though Russell didn't look entirely convinced that this 'project' was worth the danger.

"At least take the time to warm up first." He could cut the ice fox a bit of slack. She wasn't going to freeze out there, and if the Froslass incident had proven anything... she could defend herself if push came to shove. Maybe a little bit too well. But the kid... she was so little. "You sure you wanna go there? It's a bit warmer, sure, but... Grandma's got a lotta stories to tell about the ruins. None of 'em were very nice." He mused, looking back up with a small smile as his grandmother walked back into the room, balancing a few cups of hot chocolate on her back. He sprung up to his feet, their conversation momentarily forgotten. He put one cup in front of Alki, another in front of Robin, and saving the last one for himself.

The Vulpix managed to nod her thanks, sipping silently from her mug. She only froze, statue still, when the Stoutland spoke next.

"Snowcloak Ruins, huh." The old Stoutland rumbled, her voice distant and quiet. "What business do you two have there?"

Robin's Energy: 1
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Venusian carried out 1 launched of one Mt. Frostmeer :

Alki's Energy: 1
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Alki could hear snippets of conversation going on around her, but she could hardly bring herself to focus on it. How could she? Less than ten minutes ago, she'd been dying. How could she be expected to hold a conversation, after that? The Lillipup was saying something, but it went in one ear, and out the other. He seemed distraught. Was it a bad idea? Maybe. But it was necessary! And it wasn't his decision to make anyways, for all his good intentions might mean. She appreciated it, of course. How could she not? She wouldn't be breathing if it weren't for his good intentions, as well as his grandmother's. But it was still their decision.

Alki's ears perked up as Robin spoke, betraying their destination. Snowcloak Ruins. So she had the same destination in mind as Alki did, huh? She figured as much. Robin's voice was flat, much less cheerful and emotional, but she figured it only made sense, after what Alki had put her through. The jigglypuff continued to stare at the fire, as the two spoke.

"Y-Yeah, we c-can warm up f-first," Alki managed, sniffling as she suppressed yet another series of sneezes. She hardly looked up as the Stoutland entered, or as the Lillipup placed a cup of hot cocoa in front of her, only mumbling a small word of thanks to him. She exhaled a small puff of fire, and felt more than a bit of relief as she actually saw fire. It wasn't smoke, and while it wasn't strong at all, and it only lingered in the air a moment, she could take solace in the fact that it was there.

"I-It's a r-research p-project. W-W-We're researchers," Alki said, interjecting in an attempt to help Robin. It was the least she could do, after... these events. "W-Well, I-I'm h-her apprentice, r-really, I j-just... d-draw things, f-for her, so we can, um..." Was Windrose supposed to be secret? She could hardly remember. While her body was still warming up, her mind felt more than a bit frozen. "P-Publish. W-What we find. W-We heard t-there were... Um... I-I-Interesting. Objects, t-there, s-so... W-We're gonna r-research them, is all..." Alki trailed off, devlolving into another series of sneezes, before she picked up her beverage, and began to drink as she waited for an answer. She didn't look up at the Stoutland. Was she upset about the ruins? At them?

Figures she'd upset someone who'd gone through all the trouble of saving her life.

Mada carried out 1 launched of one Mt. Frostmeer :

Robin nodded along with Alki's little speech. She stared at the Stoutland as she spoke, never taking her eyes off of the canine pokemon, even as she gave a mournful sigh. "You're looking for the treasures." She sighed. It wasn't a question. There was no anger in her voice, just... exhaustion, her head heavy with grief. Robin could almost feel it in the air, tensing as she waited for the Stoutland to pass judgement on them.

"I don't doubt that y'all do good work. Researchers are held in real high esteem for you city 'mon, aren't you?" Her voice was gentle but heavy. "But the things in there... I don't think it's for the best if you draw more attention to 'em. The fewer people know the truth about that place, the better." There was still no anger that Robin could detect, and that was what threw her off most of all. The only thing that brought her relief was that the old Stoutland hadn't realized that they'd come to claim those treasures for themselves. That was good, right...? That was good.

She shifted in her spot by the fire, choosing her words very, very carefully. "I don't doubt you city 'mon know a lot of things that we don't, out here. But I have learned a thing or two being born and raised here. The 'mon who walked out with one of those treasures... I know I sound like an old fool, but they weren't the same."

Robin fell deathly silent. Not being the same as she was didn't sound so bad at all. "How so?" She asked instead with the faintest gleam of interest. So they were real. The Stoutland was trying to deter her, but Robin considered this important information. This canine, at least, thought they were real.

The old woman didn't meet her gaze, only staring down at the flames. She only glanced up once, to check Alki's expression, trying to tell just how much detail would be appropriate for someone her age. "They wear away at you. Body or mind or both." She started, her voice falling quiet, and Robin had to strain to hear her over the crackling of the fire. "They make you stronger, or smarter, or faster. But there's always a price. Grabbing one's like making a deal with Giratina. You might think you came out on top, but he'll always win in the end."

Alki closed her eyes, letting the warmth of her drink soak into her body, both through her mouth and her hands. The Stoutland's voice was... A lot gentler than she imagined it would be. Listening to it, it reminded her of Darcy's mother, although... A bit older. Could voices sound old? She'd never really thought of it. Old or not, though, it was kindly, and wise. Was this just what a good parental figure sounded like? Alki glanced at Russell, meeting his attentive, curious eyes. He tilted his head, noticing her gaze, but Alki averted it just as quickly. It wasn't right to be jealous of him.

Besides, she'd feel... pretty guilty, if she didn't address the Stoutland at all. Alki wiggled her feet, ever so slightly, noting as some semblance of feeling returned to her limbs. It hurt. Pretty badly. But... that was to be expected she supposed? To go from cold to hot, so fast... She was lucky. She didn't have to recall the whole process for the umpteenth time.

"I... w-want to k-know t-too..." The girl stammered, her voice regaining some energy. At least, she didn't sound dead anymore. That had to count for something, right? "B-But... Y-You d-don't have t-to walk on g-glass... O-Or... w-was it eggshells...?" It seemed her memory was still a bit foggy. It'd come back. She was fairly sure she'd gotten it right the first time, but it made little difference. "A-About w-what... h-happens, I-I've... s-seen more bad t-things t-than I'd l-like. I'm... s-sure it's nothing..." Alki blinked back the memories of what, exactly, she had seen. She didn't have to relive more trauma, on top of her present one. She simply nodded at the Stoutland, offering what she hoped was a small smile up at her. It probably seemed more like a grimace. She grimaced a lot. But how couldn't she? Her life sucked a lot...

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"Oh, kid." The Stoutland breathed a heavy sigh at that, sorrow in her eyes as she looked at Alki. Russell, for his part, was looking up at her with morbid curiosity. He'd never heard his grandma talk about the ruins in this much detail before. He'd been warned not to go in there, but she'd never gone into the specifics of what she'd seen. She tucked her paws under her fur, only giving a thoughtful hum as she tried to figure out where to start.

"I remember a guild 'mon." She started tersely. "He was the first I met. Xander. Came here when I was just a pup. Me and my father escorted him to the ruins after the poor guy almost froze. We warmed him up and sent him on his way. I met him months later, and he was... different." Her voice was heavy, never once looking up at either of her two guests, or her grandson. She only stared absently into the campfire.

"He jumped at shadows. Almost killed me thinking I was something in his mind. Scratches appeared on him when there was... nothing there to hurt him. But I saw it. Saw his body cut itself open all on it's own." She fell very, very quiet, then, swallowing hard before she continued. "I can't explain what I saw that day. I understand if you think I'm just a crazy old woman. But I do know that he cried in relief for days when we finally got those damned glasses on him. We couldn't take it off that easily, it was... like it was stuck to his skin."

She laughed, just once, dry and bitter. "But maybe I'm the madman. That would be easier to explain than the things I've seen come from that place." She mused, casting a distant glance through Robin and Alki each in turn. "I can tell you more stories. Sonya and Luna, Brighton and Talith." She breathed each long-forgotten name into the frozen air with an almost reverence.

The world had forgotten them, but she hadn't. She never could.

"Nothing good will come from that place." She sighed very, very softly. "Please, you two. Just let it stay forgotten."

Alki stirred as the Stoutland spoke, something in her tone of voice reminding her of a horror story, the kind that she imagined was told around a campfire, late at night. Kind of like this, come to think of it. Despite her earlier show of bravery, a trace of unease crossed the girl's face. Cursed items just... did that? His body cut itself open? Just like that? Alki's mind found itself recalling that Darcy's body had also been cut open, albeit, not on it's own. She'd healed, she'd healed just fine in the end. It hadn't even scarred. But the blood, pouring out...

Were these items like that? They just did that to you, without any external cruelty or malice? Alki shivered, setting her drink down, as she brought her blanket back up to her eyes. Her ears flattened against her head as the balloon pokemon seemed almost to deflate, as the Stoutland finished her shpiel.

"A-A-All t-those others, S-Sonya, a-and Luna, a-and... Um... W-Were... all their items... l-like that? C-Cutting them... Er... open...? " Alki winced at the words, before retreating back under her blanket, only her eyes peering out above it. Her eyes were fixed on the Stoutland, expectant and ready for her next stories. She had to know. As scary as it was, if they made her stronger or smarter, then it'd be worth it, for her. All she did was cause trouble for people, getting them hurt... She had to fix that. Regardless of whatever pain it might inflict on her, or whatever suffering she might wind up experiencing. She wasn't the important one, everyone else was. Darcy, or Robin, or Synd'r... Everyone was more important than her, she just had to make sure she wouldn't hurt them. She had to fix herself...

The Stoutland looked uncomfortable at that question, staring up at those wide blue eyes peering up at her. It hurt her heart, seeing the girl scared like this. But if she had to be intense to drive the point home, that was just her own curse, wasn't it? She gathered her thoughts once more. "No." She finally answered. "Each one was different. Can't tell what they're going to do until you touch one."

"Sonya was my first love. Thought she was, anyways. Ran off into the night one day, left me a letter saying that it was all fake. That I was... brainwashed by this ring that she couldn't take off. And thinking back on it? I would've killed and died for the girl if it meant she'd smile at me. Never saw her after she left that day." Her voice was quiet again, and if one looked very closely, they might have caught the old woman blinking back tears.

"See. I was still a skeptic for a long time after, didn't want to believe it was fake. Then came Luna with a bow. Had colors unlike any other Swinub I've seen before, an' I've met a lot of them on this mountain. Bless her, she just wanted to feel special. But she said it burned like there were ants under her skin."

"After that came-"

"That's enough, ma'am. We understand."

Robin had been silently taking notes all the while. Her notepad was... grim, to put it mildly. Sure, there was enough information here for a stellar Windrose report, but... staring at the damage written out on the sheet of paper, she began to entertain the thought that the Stoutland had a point. Maybe there was nothing to be found here except tragedy.

Native inhabitants encountered:
Froslass
Stoutland
Lillipup
Stufful (Frozen)
Cryogonal (Frozen)
Magneton (Frozen), Cubchoo x2 (Frozen), Snowrunt, Drampa, Stantler x2, Bergmite, Glalie (Frozen)

The stark contrast made her pause, breathing a light sigh. She knew what she had to do, crossing out the final paragraph of her report. These stories weren't hers to tell. Making Alki hear them, making the old Stoutland recall them... it just felt cruel.

Treasures:
- Glasses
- Ring
- Bow

She'd destroy her notes after she'd written her paper, just to be thorough. Couldn't have anyone else making her same stupid mistake. "I was more interested in the history of the ruins than the treasures they held." She reassured her, hoping her lie was more convincing than she felt like it was. "I'm more than satisfied to study that. I won't write anything down about the items, I promise."

It was only half a lie. Still, the old Stoutland slouched in relief, her voice soft as she looked over to Alki. "I want you to promise me that you'll keep them secret too." She confessed. Suddenly her face, flickering by the firelight, seemed much, much older. "I've seen them be the end of too many good people, Alki."

Alki exhaled a breath she didn't realize she was holding as Robin interjected, preventing any further examples from being brought to light. Alki's imagination raced, picturing these pokemon with their items, Xander, and Sonya, and Luna, each suffering in different ways, but no less painful, regardless of their differences. The girl's hands were trembling now, and although she felt her body heat rising, the cold gradually fading from her body, her limbs, and her mind, shivers still ran down her spine.

She stared down at her blanket, reaching for her drink once more, gulping down the last of its contents, before resuming her blank, pensive stare. Robin's voice made itself heard, reassuring the Stoutland, but Alki could only remain within the confines of her own imagination. What did that feel like, to be cut open by nothing, or to have things crawling under your skin, all the time, or that... knowing every relationship you'd ever have would be... tampered with?

Alki pictured Darcy, then Synd'r, and Robin, and... everyone she'd ever known. Sure, she wanted to be liked, but the best part was knowing that they tolerated her with no strings attached... To play with someone's mind like that...

Her thoughts were interrupted by the Stoutland, staring down at her, expectantly, her eyes filled with a sorrow that Alki wasn't quite sure she could comprehend. She wasn't broken, but her voice certainly carried a sense of... damage... That Alki felt too familiar with. She wiggled her feet back and forth as the Stoutland spoke, just like she always did when she felt nervous. Her hand began to shake as her ear quivered, before giving the Stoutland a small nod.

"I p-promise," Alki spoke softly, too nervous and spooked to meet the stoutland's eyes, but her voice carried a certain sense of sincerity, and she more than meant it. She wouldn't tell anyone, and she'd do her best to make sure no one found out. But she still needed it for herself...

"C-Can't... I-Is i-it possible t-to... d-destroy them, or... No way to... m-make sure no one finds them, again? I m-mean..." Alki trailed off, her mind racing as she considered the possibilities. Her and Robin were going there anyways, weren't they? Maybe, once they were done... They could find some way to prevent more people from suffering like the Stoutland had said...

Poor kid. Maybe she had gone too far, but... scaring her straight was better than letting word of them get out. "Thank you." The Stoutland hummed, her voice breaking as she tried to speak, and Robin could tell she meant it. "Thank you." She echoed again, more quietly, staring into the flames as she weighed the child's question.

"Once you touch one, it bonds to you. You can't take it off by ordinary means." She explained, her voice regaining some of it's former confidence now that ghosts of the past had lifted their haunt of her. "There might be other people capable of removing 'em out there, but the only one I've met is Sonnet. She's the only reason we were able to save some of them. The materials she needs to do it cost a pretty penny, and it can be hard to find her. But if you touch one of the treasures, call for her in Snowcloak. Say that Shepherd sent you, and she'll know why you're there."

Shepherd. Was that the Stoutland's name? How fitting, Robin mused with a grim hint of amusement. "I understand." She confirmed with a nod, mostly to let the Stoutland know she was listening. With those words, she quietly closed her notebook. There was nothing else to write.

Russell finally spoke again, his perked ears flattening. "That's why I was never allowed in, huh..." It was all a bit hard to believe. He didn't know if he believed it, but from the deathly seriousness in his grandmother, it was clear that she did. She believed she'd seen these horrors with all her heart. He was too old to be scared by ghost stories, but this was something else. There was a sincerity to this that... well, it scared him.

The smile was offered was apologetic and hollow. "Forgive me, Russell. I remember how headstrong I was at your age. I was worried you'd think I was just a crazy old loon." She answered, considering Alki's question once more.

"To answer your question properly... If there's a way to seal them off, we don't know it." She finished, thoughts whirling in her mind to no avail. "Some of the treasures are destroyed after Sonnet does her work, but most just bond to the next person who touches them. Some of the Pokemon in those ruins try to guard them, but they can only do so much. The best solution we have for now is keeping them secret from the world."

Robin mulled that over silently. It felt a bit self-important, to think that she could come up with a solution that the Stoutland hadn't - but that didn't stop her mind from spinning, even though she couldn't land on any answer that seemed like it would help.

Her voice sounded so pained, as she stared into the fire, and if it weren't for the fact that she still found herself too weak to do much besides sit up, she would've gone up to the Stoutland and give her a hug. She needed one, but as time passed, and as she stared at the fire in silence for some time, Alki could feel a certain energy in the room shift. She'd believed them, and Alki, for her part, meant it. She wouldn't tell a soul...

Alki shifted in place, taking in every word the Stoutland had to offer, and doing her best to internalize her words. A girl named Sonnet was willing to help those afflicted by the treasures. That'd be useful to know. Her eyes drifted off as Russell spoke, and only refocused as Shepherd - That was her name - addressed her again.

And that was that. There was nothing they could do. Nothing to prevent others from finding them... Alki racked her brain for a few seconds, but nothing came to mind, and she knew that if anyone would know a way to destroy them, it'd be Shepherd or Sonnet. Not her. Alki nodded, hands still quivering as she lowered the blanket from her face, ever so slightly.

A silence filled the room, as Robin had that far off, the distant gaze she always did when her mind was busy at work. Shepherd gazed into the fire once more, occasionally glancing at Alki to make sure she was doing alright. Russell fidgeted, readjusting himself constantly in an effort to make himself more comfortable. Alki's feet wiggled back and forth, back and forth, before finally, she managed the bravery to speak.

"S-Shepherd...? N-Not t-to change t-the topic, b-but... Um... There's... W-Well, I..." Her feet wiggled faster the more she spoke, keenly feeling Russell's eyes focus in on her, as well as Robin's presence within the room. She began to grow red, but swallowed, before continuing. "I... Um. K-Know I nearly d-died on your d-doorstep, pretty m-much, s-so you don't have to answer if you d-don't want to, b-but... Um. It'd mean a lot."

The girl took a second to steel herself, closing her eyes, while exhaling a steady stream of air. "D-Do you have any advice for, Um. R-Relationships? I-If. T-That's ok. There's just this really cute girl at my school and I don't know... What to do... "

"S-Sorry..."

"I. Well." Shepherd blinked, visibly confused. "I don't think I'm the right person to ask about something like that..." The Stoutland looked... maybe a little bashful? She cleared her throat, offering a sheepish smile to Alki.

"No, grandma." The Lillipup piped in with a mischievous smile. "I wanna hear, too."

She breathed a very, very heavy sigh. She cast a very tired glance at her grandson, shaking her head with an exhausted glance in his direction. "I..." She glanced back towards the Jigglypuff somewhat helplessly. She gave it some very serious thought - her expression seemed grave to Robin, at least. "When you like someone... Er, maybe ask what she likes and give her that? Take her to a place she likes?" She offered somewhat helplessly, watching as Russell tried not to laugh.

The Stoutland did her best. She was a bit of a hermit living in a single mystery dungeon all her life, cut her some slack.

Alki shuffled in place, readjusting her blankets on her lap before letting out a sigh. Her ears twitched slightly before flattening on her head, as she offered a bashful smile, first to Russell who chimed in his curiosity as well, then to Robin, before finally looking up at Shepherd once more. The balloon Pokemon exhaled softly as the Stoutland offered her best advice. The girl hummed softly before shaking her head, deflating slightly.

"S-She's really cool though! And so confident, and collected, and smart... I'm... Um. R-Really not..." Alki trailed off, closing her eyes in thought before shaking her head. "I m-mean, someone who's just... g-great in every way, w-why would she like me...? I... d-don't know how I'd impress her, I m-mean. I could get her something, but... W-What if she just... Erm. D-Doesn't...? Like me...?" Alki trailed off, floundering under her thoughts. She hadn't quite said what she wanted to say, but now she found herself tripping over her own thoughts. Frankly, she was out of her league. Most girls were out of her league though...

When was the last time Robin had a crush? She never had one that she... actually confessed, though, so all this made her a bit of a hypocrite. It was almost nice to think of something else for a little while. Her mind still felt foggy, but a genuine smile crept through, despite herself. She didn't have the energy to offer advice of her own, sure, but listening in on their conversation? It was just a little bit entertaining.

"I'll tell you a secret." The Stoutland murmured, "And it might not make sense to you yet, but by the time you're old as me, I think you'll get it. The most important thing isn't being confident or collected or smart. All those are well are good, but what you really want to be is kind."

Maybe that was her point of failure, Robin mused. There was a difference between 'kind' and 'nice', and she was solely the latter. She lowered her head, deep in thought as Shepherd continued speaking. "And this girl... she's kind, isn't she?" Shepherd asked gently. "I'm sure she'll understand."

"Yeah." Robin managed softly. "Even if she doesn't feel the same way, she might still want to be friends, right?"

"And besides." Their rescuer chimed in with an amused smile. "It's not about trying to impress her, exactly. Just spend time with her. Let her learn about who are you. And maybe, you'll learn more about her, too."

Alki giggled as her ears twitched up, her limbs beginning to feel, if not alright, at the very least, much better. Her brain was working over time, trying to figure out just what Shepherd meant. Of course, being kind was important! At least... she could recognize that it was, even if she herself didn't quite live up to it. The jigglypuff nodded, accidentally knocking over the empty cup as she wiggled her feet. She jumped at the clatter, gingerly bending forward to pick it up, mumbling apologies before she relaxed once more, turning over the other girls' words in her mind.

"S-She is! She's... r-real kind. She... Um. H-Helps me with homework, s-sometimes, a-and... A-Ah, s-she's really pretty, a-and... Um. Ah, s-she's pretty, " Alki stammered, seeming to melt at the thought of the girl. Her ears had flattened, and by this point, her blush was plainly visible as she sat on the ground, practically motionless. She stared at the fire, a small, content smile on her face. She wasn't quite sure if she'd ever be brave enough to really talk to the girl about this sort of thing, but at the very least, it was nice to imagine! "D-Do y-y'all think I am?" She stammered, before falling silent once more, eyes blinking as her mind turned to daydreaming. Perhaps the mood shift was a bit intense, after what had previously occurred, but it was nice to spend time thinking about something a bit more... pleasant. Take her mind off of it. Maybe it'd even help her feel better sooner! ...And maybe it'd take Robin's mind off of all of it too.

How had they ended up here? Robin wasn't really sure. Maybe this had all been a weird dream. That would explain a few things, frankly. She didn't feel much of anything right now except exhausted, after that flicker of fondness had passed. She sipped from her hot chocolate, pleasantly surprised that it was still warm. "Yeah." She managed quietly. "You are. After all... nice people keep wanting to spend time with you, right? I don't think that would happen if you were bad." Robin didn't really believe her own logic. People tolerated her just fine. But she was better at pretending than Alki was. How couldn't she be? She was so small.

But it was the kind of simple logic that she hoped would make the girl feel better. It would be nice, if it did. She hoped so. Robin laid her head down, utterly exhausted in every sense of the world. Her body ached, her mind felt blank, and emotionally she was running on fumes. She wasn't sure she had anything more to give. She just wanted to sleep.

"My boyfriend tried to kill me when we first met, so I think you're doing fine." Russell chimed in helpfully. Shepherd rolled her eyes, heaving a very, very heavy sigh.

"I still don't like that punk."

"He was just defending his territory, grandma."

"Kids these days."