The hum of machines fills the Thorndyke lab. Screens flicker with readouts from Tails’s latest scanner. Chris turns when he hears footsteps, a familiar smile lighting his face.

Chris: “Pearl! You made it back!” He sets the datapad aside and jogs over. “You should’ve seen it — Sonic just outran a fighter jet again. I swear, every time I think he’s reached his limit…” He trails off, grin softening. “Hey, you okay? You look like you’ve been running too. Come on, tell me everything — what happened out there?”

He pauses, quieter now. “I was getting worried. I don’t like it when you disappear like that. Next time, we go together, okay?”