Much like Temp, Makoto lets out an exhale of their own as they step forward - taking a second to lean against the cool wall of these strange ruins. Trotting alongside them is their Alolan Ninetales, Tsukiko; similarly shiny, and similarly bearing glowing markings.

It is quiet in here. Still. A far-cry from the chaos outside. Makoto can actually hear themself think.

And they can also actually hear Temp's voice. As he addresses them, they glance in his direction and nod back. "Yeah," They confirm in a soft voice - as if to avoid disturbing the relative peace here. "How're you holding up?"

As Temp admits to his fear, Makoto blinks - perhaps a little... Surprised? They're not sure how to articulate it. Everyone has things that scare or unsettle them - things that get under their skin. But with how much of a ball of sunshine Temp always seems to be, it almost feels strange to hear that he's much the same.

But just as quickly as the surprise comes along, it shifts to sympathy as they nod in response. "Let's move quickly, then." They responded in suggestion. If the way out behind them wasn't an option - both due to the stone that had closed behind them, and due to the fighting going on beyond - then perhaps they could find a way out deeper in?

And the faster they went, then the sooner that they could get Temp out of here.

Tsukiko seemed to take sympathy in Temp's situation, as well - the fox striding closer, and nuzzling up alongside him like an affectionate feline in an attempt to comfort. Her fur was cool and soft, like freshly fallen snow.

Tsukiko didn't immediately notice anything amiss; but when she felt a sharp gaze on her back, and glanced over to see a Luxray and her flicking tail, well... The fox would take a second to put 2 and 2 together, before making a little foxlike laugh and sticking her tongue out at Mitten in a playful fashion. If the feline wasn't going to step up to comfort her sad human, then she would! And you snooze, you lose, if you're gonna be a slowpoke!

Makoto would cast a brief glance to the two pokemon - wondering briefly what was going on between them - but soon turned their attentions to Temp, nodding in response to his thanks. He was a coworker - both in the sense of being a fellow Rocket, and in the sense of them both having been chosen by Amor - so it only felt right to try and have his back in this.

But, they would be lying if they said they weren't also a little unsettled by the cave. By the absence of any immediate way in or out, of the only light present being that of their respective pokemon... Certainly not to the same degree as Tempest was, they were sure, but - they can absolutely see where some of the phobia comes from.

And thus, when he speaks, the distraction is a welcome one - even if they aren't immediately sure how to respond. "... Sweets, maybe, if we're talking snacks..? I've... always been a little bit fond of fruits, too." They suggested after a moment's thought - adding "My zorua, he - uhm - likes soft caramels as a treat. He's shy, but... He'd probably warm up to you, if you offered him some every once in awhile."

Glancing to Temp proper though, they'd ask "What about you? What do you like to eat?" May as well get to know him, right?

So, candy bars probably won't be brought along - unless Tempest brought one for his Eevee or Kuro. But fruits - and salty snacks like popcorn or chips... They could certainly be happy with that. "Pineapple is good - I don't think I've had mango before, though." They confess, thoughtfully.

Makoto's eyes did light up a bit in curiousty at the mention of Temp's Eevee, however. "Maybe. Like I said, he's shy, but... Some playmates for him that aren't my other pokemon would be nice." They'd agree - and even if it didn't warm up to the Eevee, they had a few other pokemon that... Maybe they could bring for a playdate, to play with Temp's smaller pokemon?

The idea felt strange to them, in a way. But, with how friendly and social Temp was - in contrast to the more all-business demeanor that the other parts of Rocket they were familiar with - it was one that also felt almost natural.

That would make for an easy lead-in, for other things to talk about. "What kind of pokemon do you usually like keeping?" They ask - thinking to other pokemon they knew he brought to the island, like Kabutops. The only ones that could possibly share a theme off the top of their head was his Luxray and the aforementioned Eevee, but...

The offer puts a gentle smile on Makoto's face - and they gently nod. "Thank you - I'd appreciate that." They speak softly. Getting to try new things... It wasn't a luxury that they got to indulge often, up 'til now.

But the conversation of one's pokemon was an interesting one. Temp having originally been a Gym Leader explained the Kabutops he had - but it seemed that he favored dog pokemon most of all. The mention of Hati was curious - that the Shadow quality wasn't passed down in genetics, and that said parents were interested in at least having a child in the first place.

"Perhaps one of my other pokemon would be a better fit for Hati then - but... I'm willing to try, at the very least." Given Kuro being a ghost, it'd likely be difficult for Hati to hurt him by accident - and at worst, he'll just decide Hati's a bit too much for him.

But as for what sort of pokemon they kept, well... It was something that they gave a bit of thought at first - thinking to the pokemon they have. "I'm decently flexible, but... I'm fond of fox and feline pokemon. And of dark, ghost, psychic, and fairy types... It's honestly a bit funny that I've ended up with a decent few steel-types, too, though." A bit of an accident, but they wouldn't deny that Matsu or Haguru haven't proven themselves plenty times over.

"Some of my pokemon are pets - like you said with your dog pokemon... But there are also some I mostly keep for work, and some that sort of go both ways." Tsukiko, for example. She was content being a spoilt lapfox that joins Makoto on their walks. But she also seemed to insist on joining them for work sometimes, too. Often to cause mischief and shenanigans for both them and their opponents.

"Tsume - my Zoroark - originally being a family pokemon before we left probably influenced my preferences a lot growing up, honestly, even if he's always been a bit of a grumpy old man." They concluded with a soft laugh.

... "... What's it like, having Shadow pokemon?" Whenever they thought of one - they can't help but think back to Cillian Quinn's Shadow Sandslash, that looked ready to tear out another pokemon's throat without remorse in the midst of combat - the blood that splattered the snow that Tsukiko had produced...

The way Temp describes Shadow pokemon... Certainly, on one hand, it confirms some of Makoto's anxieties over the sheer aggression that such Shadows seemed to display. But at the same time, that they were sort of reasonable helped put them equal parts at ease.

"Back during the battle in Dewford, I... Had teamed up with Underboss Quinn, in a fight against a few League trainers." Makoto spoke, thinking back to the entire situation. A funny coincidence of sorts, to have made what seemed like a positive impression upon one husband back then, and to end up working together with the other now. "Watching his shadow pokemon fight was... A bit intimidating? They're imposing..."

That seemed like the nicest way to say 'seeing one want to paint the snow red made my fight or flight begin hooting like an alarmed Mankey'. Even if League trainers were the enemy... They weren't sure if they were gonna be as keen to kill as Cillian's Sandslash had been anytime soon.

"I... don't know if I'd actively seek one out..." Would the power be worth it, or would they rather not deal with the trouble? "... But I imagine that I'll run into them again sometimes. So... Knowing more about them is probably a good idea." Makoto glanced to the two Illumina pokemon - Tsukiko and Mitten - who, by all means, seemed almost like opposites to Shadows. "Is... Their difficulty similar to working with, say, a dragon-type?"

They knew firsthand that a willful dragon could be difficult; and once provoked, dangerous. Ryuu was certainly an example of such. Perhaps, he'd work as a reference point?