Rocky and Eirwen looked at the arriving Dally as if he were a ghost himself. Marking out the "paleness" — since he's obviously covered with bleach-looking fur — he had hollow and bloodshot eyes carving his whole emotional upfront.

          "Did Everest say anything to you?" the snow fox interrogates, genuinely concerned that they might have fought, considering how their relationship is, but the Dalmatian himself could only smile painfully at them and admits he doesn't deserve her kindness. But what no one knew or could pinpoint to, was that he was taking advantage of his pearly grins as he knew himself that if anything had happened, it went South.

          The duo shared agitated glances at each other; even though he was presenting himself as someone silly and idiotic with an assuring smile, the truth would always seep out of him as his reddened eyes say otherwise.

          Offering him if he'd like to talk about i1t, he just told them that all was told, and needing to elaborate more was unnecessary. Actually, he had a lot to hide from them, including his sour heart that inconveniently now bellows her name in confusion, sourness and longingness — things that delight him upon discovery but groan of agony as this was the least he wanted to feel. Of course, he can't say that. Not in front of him..

          "Chase?" he began, lifting his head upon sensing his presence gone "Off to investigate something. Not sure when they'll be back, but he'll be back to have dinner later by seven. With all the PAW Patrol I mean." responds of the Mongrel, to which he nodded in return.

          After that, he decided to condition himself for an upcoming dinner — him tidying himself away from the bitter stains and getting the vehicles ready.

          Within the bathroom, as he splashed a cool rush of water to his face, he could see the scars of mistakes that made its embarkment on him, to memories that either are golden or rotten, and the lies he tailored himself that blackened his bruises the more he ignored this; they were all prevalent there and created a distorted face of a young Dalmatian.

          Youth was soon bidding its farewell with all its luggage and conversations and its in-betweens; its dusk train have arrived and whistled of its arrival, a reminder that not forever will he remain as what he is today, nor will he have the power to obtain what once was his.

          A reflection of his true self had reflected in front of him and made him realize how childish, selfish and hypocritical he has been acting. From the bursting anger and obnoxious mirth episodes, up until to his deadly ignorance, he could only cringe at the thought of it and wished he had thought rationally at least ninety percent more and took a moment to look back at those who were behind and had a much worse situation than him.

          He wanted to protect of what's left of the PAW Patrol after that incident — and that is to be everyone's glimmer of hope and happiness, perhaps that's why he couldn't let go of his constant need of tripping purposefully for a comic relief, he thought that everyone probably needed it. But he soon came to realization at how annoying and repetitive the ritual he does best became; no one complained, but he knows well it's an old tale now.

          Looking at the ghost in front of him — taunting him of what he had created — through sharply piercing his blue irises, he realized how messed up he had become and there's so many things he needed to improve. One thing's for sure, is make it up to Everest and shove away these feelings for her in order to not make things even complicated between them.

          Tears that had been held back had streamed down his cheeks and those emotions he had bottled had gone away within one river. As it made its way to the river beds, it had washed away his former skin that he tailored ever since that incident — a worn-out smile, a scarred face, hollow and fabricated cheerful eyes — they now were gone.

          Slowly, it unveiled him his true self. Though faulty, he had white fur with nothing but mere memories he chooses to remember, windows that he can choose whether it spills in the daylight, the cloudiness, or the monsoon, and a mouth that bends on his own will. What he realized was.. He is no clown for anyone's entertainment nor is he an utterly barbaric canine for people to fear, neither was he a PAW Patrol member worthy of praise and even more damaging praise.

          ..He's just Marshall. Someone's son that she loved so profoundly and protected and raised him at all cost and expected him to be no less than be himself. Someone who's just like any other that's worthy to break every so and then despite the contradictions. It's just him. Not a monster that he assumed so himself that deserves nothing but melancholy devouring him wholly. It's only him. Nothing else. And only then, had he accepted for who he came to be along with his shortcomings.

»»––⍟––««

          Both the Dally and Mongrel have arrived at the venue. It was a restaurant in Ashmont that prepared greasy food with bursting flavors of different spices. Indeed the place looked as though it was plucked out from the mainlands of Mydune – which includes several towns including Adventure Bay and Foggy Bottom – and was to be placed in the midst of an island that's known for serving light dishes and seafood with a side of hot beverage.

          The place itself felt like it'd been anticipating for them all its life, it having an evident sign that it's been established fifty years ago, and now those who really crave their cuisine have finally arrived.

          Upon the arrival of the two canines, the cozy pizzeria had greeted them with a flavorful burst of mozzarella and bell pepper, tables emitted a warm garlicky scent that just enraptures both of their noses, though had to halt themselves from being dragged along with its current.

          Ryder's already at the table along with Zuma – their hands and paws deserted of menu boards. A smile appeared on the boy's face, but his windows knew better. The canine beside him could only sigh and look down at the table and fidget.

          Gesturing his head to tilt forth them, he and Rocky walked over there and took their seats from the vacant ones.

          The first moment they shared was silence and a side of suffocating tension. Truly, it has been a while since they were able to seat together like this, closely knit together. Up until now were they able to indulge with all that's happening. They have yet to recover, well.. Ryder, so it seemed, and that Zuma had only been plagued by his aura - feeling disheartened at the sight of him being crestfallen.

          Everyone seemed better these days. Marshall could say he's part of it now. Everything seems that everything's been said and been talked out clearly, perhaps why previously, everyone seemed normally conversing with bright grins as they immerse themselves with Apollo.

          It's crazy to think that when you're so.. Chained to His businessman grasp, it feels like everything's tainted in black and anything you come across would leave you of such a negative outlook nevertheless.

          But as the Dally is now free, he truly had been shaded away from the illusory - a point of view where he's the only one feeling gloomy and all and hadn't realized the one who truly had it the worst.

          Ryder – a fourteen-year-old boy – at a ripe age, was expected to make a living out of nothing but all the resources his parents left of him. He was entrusted to keep up with taxes, keeping them alive, managing and directing them to the right way, make negotiations, ensure that they are a progressive team with the latest tech to ensure a higher efficiency rate of saving lives, and basically.. Everything.

          Compared to him, he could only move on and forgive himself and accept his mistakes, as this is the only thing he could kindly gift himself. He realized how selfish he looked for only noticing his own sentiments when he could've looked around, and seen not only himself but the people who loved him so dearly and someone who nurtured him when Turbot had to give him up.

          Daring to look at him in the eyes "How are you, Ryder?" He blurts out, not spontaneous, yet it was. He caught him off guard and had startled eyes and evidently had his shoulders flinched at the sudden query. The two other canines that have sat with them had either raised their brows or had their eyes widened too in surprise.

          "It's been.. Quite a hectic week so far, huh? So we've never had the prospect to hear your side about your week." He says as a matter of factly, though delicately as he conducts himself an observation relating to him.

          Despite having his bottom half-submerged into oblivion, his lone eyes gave away his unvarnished self right before them. Fingers made their way to knot themselves into a conundrum and sent a soft and faint thumping underneath the table.

          It was clearly written as the daylight in June's solstice; as bare as the summer nights that had decided to manifest its precious cabochon – parting its elegant and delicate veil - tinted in a midnight azure.

          "I don't think now's the time. Were having dinner to forget all the bitter and wounded happenstance. We'll discuss this another time. I promise." then flashed them the most unconvincing grins ever. Mentally, everyone who was present in the narrative had taken note of it.

          Like on prompt, the other half of the team arrived. Not behind schedule though, but most definitely not early either. Their overtone though are not as grim as theirs, but rather had a look of confusion and star-stricken. Not certain why though, but things are bound to be said in the end anyway, that's what the Dally assumed.

          "I hope we aren't too late," The Shepherd smiles politely, hoping that whatever situation they may land on, it'll just be nothing and worth something to simply shrug it off.

          Those who had arrived earlier than the trio caught on quickly and found how he switched discs that rapidly, attempting to be in-tune with everyone else and banishing his own lament.

          An unspoken agreement was commenced on behalf of saving everyone from the chill tension that may bring forth them when they do question him in the midst of this supposed warm place.

          Quietly slipping onto their seats. Conveniently, the ordered meal has arrived, and soon, the table naturally was to be filled with conversations, smiles, and most importantly, emptied tummies.

          Amidst that, the Dally occasionally somewhat threw in witty and hilarious responses, but it seemed that he preferred to inspect his dish more closely despite knowing that the conclusion would be pointless to be established in the very first place.

          Try as he might, he was unable to shake that feeling of regret and guilt that's been looming above his shoulders for quite some time now. For some reason, he suddenly found himself questioning if she were alright, or have she eaten yet; would she feel lonely that she missed her chance to eat with the team from a different setting than the tower itself?

          "Marshall, buddy?" Whispered his best friend, looking at him with an indistinct expression glazed all over his features. He responded with a soft hum as a signal that he may so express his internal thoughts to him.

          As that unraveled, bit by bit came his emotions true and visible. He looked hesitant as he bit his lower lip subtly, and brushed his paw to tuck away his brown overgrown crown. His eyes looked to the Cockapoo situated beside him, and for some reason, she detected the growing worry that's feeding inside him and encouraged him to push further.

          He raised his white-furred eyes in interrogation and confusion, but it needn't to wait any longer as Chase began to part his lips and share.

          Recounting the events, he mentioned their earlier activity at the crime scene. Before they were to leave for the announced dinner, Rubble so happen to discover a photo of his younger version, and then he passed the evidence to him across the table silently.

          Clasping the flimsy sooted image in between his two paws, he inspected it if it were him.

          "No, this isn't me." He replied all too rapidly, to which the Shepherd flinch in surprise.

          "Are you a hundred percent certain? If not looking at both sides, you'll be slammed both ways with unexpected realities that you aren't ready for, making it harder for you."

           The Dally took a huge sigh and passed the image and gestured to take a closer look at the image again. "A reminder: it's been years since that incident happened to my young self. If she however did have a photo of me, it'd be.. With her.."

          Quickly dismissing his heeds, he reverted his attention back to his meal again and attempted to wipe the tears that sent him a mail of its possible arrival. He didn't need another memory that contained of another guilt, that only continuously seasons his heart with salt right on his wound that has yet to be patched up.

          "Oh, I'm sorry about that.. I shouldn't have brought it up." Chase quietly tells the spotted canine, tucking in the photo that's been their topic. A solemn look appeared on his chocolate-hazel features and wished that he didn't revive the past he longs to forget. Something that he thought of, in the gist of seeing that photo, made him hope for something and Disneyfy his messed-up actuality.

          An hour later, Rubble was seen glancing at the time and suddenly excused himself. He asked for permission if it is alright if he were to be someplace elsewhere. He didn't include clear details of his whereabouts, but everyone had already guessed where.

          After taking his leave, Zuma left a remark that he's off in pursuit of the princess' heart and everyone laughed and wished him good luck. They know that he would take quite a while there, so returning to Adventure Bay may or may not take him hours to return – so at most, he'll return by morning.

»»––⍟––««

          The rest of the night was left for them to do what they pleased. At a time like this, so many secrets can be established, it's such a liberating feeling like that of midnight breeze rushing past you – pumping you with adrenaline that keeps you awake at night, knowing what stays at night remains curtained in the murk. People plan illicit trysts and dare to forget that the world is turning, further getting lost in this wonderland called "prod and eyes" and creating more regrets that are out of wedlock – the one that punishes them with a scourge called "day".

          Marshall though had a lot of remorse of his own that he has yet to get knocked with amnesia badly. Slowly but surely, he was attempting to ease the raging storm that flurries in his head. For some reason, his first instinct to fix - out of all the list he could've chosen - he decided to return once more to that same place he had left hours ago.

          Knocking quietly, a faint response from the Husky was heard on the other side of the door. He took this as a cue for him to enter. Upon twisting the metal knob, he found her in front of an over-bed table. On top, it was obviously adorned with the usuals, a bowl of water, her meal, and a "treat". He knew right away that the sight of it all made her appetite flee out of her. He knew so that hospital (or vet) food was never exactly a luxurious taste, but rather an on-budget thing to feed the patients so they'd get away from being pinpointed as someone who starves patients.

          "I felt bad you didn't get to attend your potential first night out with the PAW Patrol. So I bought some take-out and a bottle of water." he laid the plastic on the floor before assembling the meal in front of her.

          The Husky could only look at him in confusion due to this foreign kindness. She was sure that Marshall wanted nothing but to cut ties off with her as so far it seemed, their friendship does nothing but exhaust and stress him out. Ironically, the one who at the very start disliked their paths crossing, is now the one making an effort to reach out and fix what's broken. Roles were switched - the optimistic that used to be Everest became the tired and hopeless canine, while Marshall took her place.

          "I know you're supposed to eat something healthy like the one that's previously in front of you, but I couldn't help but let you eat something tastier." He chuckles to himself, to which she remained to have a stoic expression.

          Marshall knew that she grew skeptic of his intentions; who wouldn't? He knew that he was in the wrong, so he should embody it, accept it and overcome it. As his grin vanishes, he took a seat on the provided couch and began to talk.

          "I've been thinking a lot lately.. I finally realized how you were right at how foolish I had been. Instead of being a role model by embracing my mistakes, I continued to play the victim card and pass the blame. I shouldn't have taken your forgiveness for granted by letting my uncontrolled anger go on a rampage, instead, had been a better person to you and understand that everything's new and confusing for you, and that I'm not the only one struggling with the past and the present. I know mere apologies mean nothing now with how I severed our friendship, but I still want to serve you the justice you deserve. So to make that possible, I'll let Ryder know this and embrace whatever punishment I'll have for hurting a friend, a colleague and a family."

          Baffled, Everest expected a measly apology or a guilt-tripping. But his voice was firm, heck even more confident and brave amidst his apprehension, that it somehow gave her relief and satisfaction after all the pitiful scenes she had witnessed from him. Though he may be accepting defeat and the consequences he deserved, it felt as though she was a villain for anything bad that would happen to him regarding his position in the team – despite knowing full well that's not Marshall's intentions.

          "It's nice to know I've given you a new perspective, but won't you suffer badly?"

          Marshall broke into a small smile as he looked at her "You shouldn't be worrying about me. Plus, it's just a position or job that I can regain by faithfully working. Friendships on the other hand, aren't easily obtained, especially when trust is toyed. I know that now."

          For what it seemed years, Everest smiled with creases around her eyes. The Dally returned the grin as his heart swelled and raced; his mind on the other hand, yelled of blasphemies to chill. All sorts of emotions came rushing to him that he was overwhelmed by all of it, that he couldn't help but shed a tear and sniff here and there.

          "I don't deserve your kindness," he laughed amidst tears.

          To Everest, it felt like he was still a child – the way he'd cry so easily and rub his eyes with the back of his paw, his shoulders hitching up and down as he struggled to stop himself from crying.. From anyone's perspective, it indeed would look childish and foolish, but to her, it somehow comforted. It was as if it was a reminder at how everyone is still a child – still learning and still would look for their parents' embrace – including her.

          "Thank you, Marshall."

          "Thank you too, Everest."

          Clueless of what to do next, they were left to stare at each other. None of the two had realized of this until someone from the outside sneezed loudly that it felt as though their lungs were emptied of air, only then had the two blinked their eyes and break that slither of connection.

          "Ah, right! Thank you for food, I couldn't really stand the abundance of meat when there clearly isn't liver." she then caught a whiff of the said preferred viand and immediately opened the styrofoam lid. There, the liver steamed beautifully and called her name, and so she devoured it.

          "Want some?" Asked the Husky with mouthful, though Marshall politely declined as he watched her eat on the provided couch. Right now, it felt like she was a hungry lion that hadn't been eating for weeks, and the sight of it all unconsciously made him smile in delight and amusement. But something hit him; he bolted and straightened his back and darted his eyes around the room.

          A few glances later and noticed Eirwen's lack of presence in the room. "Where's Eirwen?" he questioned, unknowingly checking if he was under the couch. She responded that he was out searching for his pack and hopefully teach them a lesson and turn in those who led the disastrous operation.

          Sitting there baffled, he shut his mouth and knew right away that he'll only hurt her if he dared to utter these words "You're sick and need of special attention; you've just reunited after years and he couldn't even stay longer until you're better?" he scoffed at this thought, to which the Husky had only raised her brow in confusion.

          "Ah," she began, as she tried to swallow the bolus "You can go now. It's getting pretty late, and I know for a fact that you're tired. Your eyes don't lie." she snickered. He smiled in return and declined her request politely "You don't have anyone with you as of the moment, and it might get a little too lonely. I promise I'll leave once he returns. At least you won't have to be scouted by your thoughts."

          Before she could even decline, he began to tell her one of his archived stories that he has yet to tell. "One time, we attended this Halloween party at the town hall. There was this apple bobbing contest-"

          "What's apple bobbing? Do you somehow make apples bob?"

          "Nah, they bob on their own! What you do in that game is that you try to get an apple by only using your mouth. To make things harder, the apples are suspended on water!"

          "What? That's crazy! Won't you drown from it?"

          "Eh, kind of. That's why you gotta hold your breath and have a good control over it. After that, you grab the apples."

          "Did you win?"

          Marshall scoffed and began to laugh "Me? Of course not! But can you guess who won?"

          "Don't tell me, it's Zuma, wasn't it?" and he affirmed her response, and then they began to joke that Rubble might've only gone for one to three apples to munch on, to which she guessed right as it did happen. After that, he told her they played Truth or Dare and got some shocking truths and juicy dares. Either way, the night ended with them smiling and laughing.

»»––⍟––««

          "Good morning Ev–" as the door swung open, there laid in the bright morning light is the patient and a Dalmatian who has his head and forelimbs on the side of her mattress, sleeping soundly as he sat on the seat he seemed to drag across from the other side of the room.

          Despite being somewhat disheartened by this, he didn't have the heart to wake either of them. Instead, let that moment persist. What's he got to lose? 'Tis but a mere weary upshot.