[Pepper has taken this time to rest her chin on her hands, and she looks like she's taking in something utterly precious, because she is.]

Yeah. [She reaches off-screen, like she's about to cut the connection, and pauses.] You two look good together. I'm glad he's back.

[Even for a little while.

Sure enough, about twenty minutes after she cuts the feed, she's bounding into the shelter, smiling from ear to ear. She doesn't wait to say anything before locating Hopeless and hugging him.]

There. One down. Hi! [Pepper turns to Erskine, beaming, and mouths he's super cute behind a hand before pulling something out of her bag.] I brought candles. Not enough, obviously, but actually using the right number would be a serious fire hazard. This is why I don't use candles on Bakura's, either; I don't think there are actually enough in the city. What are we making?

[Enthusiastic? No, really.]