So Iron Bundle was cheeky, placing all of Rika's presents on her trusty Clodsire's back before flying off for their next delivery! Inside the present bag were the following:
Snacks and treats made with ground-type pokemon nutritional needs in mind.
A family sized electric blanket for snuggling under.
A basket full of winter themed drinks and treats.
A card with one more thing-
The card would read:
"Happy Holidays, Rika!
I hope these gifts are to you and your pokemon's liking! Got to keep the energy up to keep making everyone's world shake like you always do! Speaking of shaking, I believe you'll enjoy your newest friend here! He's pretty Adamant natured but Loves to Fight. I'm sure in your hands he'll get plenty of those!
Warm Well Wishes,
Turo"
Rika received a Larvitar!
Clodsire had a new hat! He loved his hat and the funny little delibird that brought it. He scoots toward where Rika was, only for her to reach down and take it from him, sifting through the contents, only to jump in surprise when the pokeball tumbled from the package. Picking it up gently, she hastily set the bags down, throwing Clodsire a few of the treats before reading the card.
"Turo... You spoil me... Thank you." She hums, tossing the ball properly now as the little Larvitar appeared, looking around slowly, but happy to receive headpats from its new trainer.
"Well, the least I can do is do right by you, little guy. You'll get plenty of training with us.... Hm... What to call you... What about Fafnir? You like that?"
The Larvitar cheers, and Rika smiles and stands, going back to what she was doing before the gifts were delivered- Albeit now with more snacks, and Clodsire quietly adopting the new baby.
Hate (affectionate) how it's made so clear from the very beginning of part 1 just how loved Paul is by his family and household. Both his parents, Duncan, Gurney, Thufir, even Dr Yueh all clearly care so deeply for this kid, and we're shown that time and time again.
Cut to the end of part two, and almost every one of those people is gone. The only ones who remain are a weird, came-back-wrong version of Jessica, and Gurney who has gone from mentor to worshipper. Paul goes from someone deeply loved and valued for who he is by a small but caring group of people - to someone followed and worshipped and feared by thousands. They're obsessed with him in a way, as a leader and "messiah", but nobody loves him.
The only one remaining who loves him for who he is is Chani, who leaves him because in the end that love isn't enough to bring who he is back.
I will never forget the time Max Verstappen, geography nerd, the guy that memorized flags as a kid, asked Charles if Singapore’s flag was Monaco’s flag
He literally just faked not knowing something so he would have an excuse to talk to his crush and that’s so funny he’s such a loser