[Blue perks up immediately, his little mouth open in a look of pokemon-shaped shock. He didn't expect to hear this. Any of this. He knows his trainer is proud of him, sure, but his hero? That's on another level.]

[He's never washing his head again.]

I think you just made his entire life. [There's a beat, and Shiro's attention shifts from the Gallade to Lance again.] Thank you.

[No one else could, not really. Look, Blue's a good pokemon, deep down. He trusts and follows his trainer, but? For someone else to say that? To see it? It probably means as much to Blue as it would to Lance. Blue's eyes are practically sparkling.]

[So... Shiro takes that opportunity to reach out, and put his hand on Lance's shoulder. Like an unconscious imitation of what his teammate just did for his Gallade.]

You know that goes for you too. Right? Maybe you don't see it yet, but you've done a lot to be proud of.

I am, anyway.