good arceus almighty...

it could be considered a miracle that silverio had not succumbed to airi'a witty antics in the long days that they've been comrades and friends. or at least...not yet? in fact, it was clear to that she could potentially render any man pleading on their knees for attention if she would so desire. somehow, she was able to see straight through silverio's bluff like a poker player making the right read on an opponent and forcing them to a decision to fold before the last card played on the 'river' is to be revealed. but the paldean will not fold under the mercy of her charm, not yet...or would he!?

she dared to accentuate her teasing even more with a tug at his collar, prompting him to hold a breath he didn't know he had. the clothes can absolutely stay on and not risk indecent exposure, especially between fellow rangers, and even more so while both were still on the clock. or at least, they could stay worn on for now. he return-fires with a snarky remark of his own through his mind battling an array of impulses. "me without clothes, oh...sure! i'll bet you would like the sight of that, huh..." or maybe not - everyone has their own tastes. suppose it'd be wrong to 'yuck other people's yum'.

jokes aside, there was still a job to do here.

the flames on the infernape's head intensified, inciting fumes from the bottom of the hive he sought to interrupt. and within seconds, as quickly as the insects buzzed into the hive, they zoom out of there in disarray. distraught by their home potentially overheating. meanwhile, silverio turns to airi once more, whom apparently sought refuge behind a tree. was she, by chance, not a fan of these innocent-looking creatures? but at the mention of...

"the queen bee...!?"

where was she through all of this? admittedly, silv had pondered much the same. but! as if she were waiting for a cue, here comes the royal bug slowly steadily buzzes forward, behind airi, soliciting a mouth agape from the paldean, stricken with surpise. visibly triggered by humans and their animals disturbing the peace within her queendom. "airi...whatever you do...do not turn around..." he warns his friend, the blazing monkey moving to another nearby hive all the while.