The Arceus pair exchange a silent glance. Alburune makes no indication that he has any intention of talking, so Ark does in his stead.
"We're....ok. Yes." He says, slowly. But he literally can't say anything else before the Eevees dash around them towards the Silvally.
Paleo's feathers puff out, startled, but the sisters pay no mind, too busy running around him excitedly. "You're so tall!!"
"I-" He starts, but Cheese and Cream are too excited to stop.
"You must be, uh, their dad!" Exclaims Cheese.
All three fugitives turn visibly uncomfortable at the words. Cream notices, but Cheese doesn't, and continues.
"Is it weird to be a dad and kids together? Me n Cream never met our dad and we only saw our mom once I think-"
"Cheese, I don't-" Cream cuts her off softly, but she in turn is cut off by Paleo clearing his throat.
"I'm...no one's father. I am...their guardian. I keep them safe." Paleo explained. "Like....like Honey and Fuse are to you all. Does that make sense?"
Luckily, this seems to appease Cheese, and she calms. "Oooohhh, yeah, that makes sense! It's nice to meet you mister....uh...."
"Paleo." Says Ark, and attention turns to him. "He's mister Paleo."
Paleo looks down at the Riolu, but the child is deliberately not making eye contact. Paleo gets the feeling he's, once again, doing something wrong.
It's a very awkward silence, but it's brief.
The Riolu's tone is hard to parse. Paleo is quiet, not fully knowing if he was meant to believe Ark. But he lacks the confidence to say anything on the contrary.
"I....guess I'll go then. Try to have fun, ok?"
Ark nods, turning to Alburune, who nods too. Alburune is looking at him, at least.
He turns to leave, but Cream speaks up. "Mister Paleo? Um...has Sunset been bothering you?"
Paleo's face scrunches up. "Sunset? Is that the Zorua's name?"
"Yeah. She's always really weird when new grownups are here. You smell like her so she must be bothering you."
"Oh, it's....fine. She's just been glaring at me."
"She thinks she's bigger than she is, I think. She wants to bully you so don't let her!" Cheese exclaims, puffing out her tail.
Paleo laughs a little. "Thank you for the advice, then." Then, he clears his throat and turns back in the direction of the other adults.
Paleo takes a moment to curb the jealousy in his gut, and the pair depart to rejoin the group they'd came from.
