The Espeon fled and before Temp could call out, another Phione was on his face. He made a muffled noise before reaching up slowly and patting the smaller pokemon with a free hand. He wasn't bothered, at least, which Alexei Ivanov might appreciate. It did take a few tugs before he was free. His own Phione gave a yawn, blinking eyes open slowly.

"Lost a fight with that Shadowed Lugia. You know. Same old, same old." He tried to give a sheepish laugh at the injury; his battle with Cillian Quinn in front of dahlia goode hadn't ended that well for either of them thanks to Lugia and her Storm move. But, Alexei was probably used to him showing up with all kinds of weird injuries. Temp had still gotten into a lot of fistfights with strangers back when they dated.

Temp feels awkward for all of one second longer...

But then Alexei Ivanov starts to fret over him like old times. He can't help it and laughs, a real one, allowing himself to be dragged and tugged around as he's forced to take a seat. It's so familiar. Temp is still fond of Alex, he probably always would be, but for some reason this normally just reassures him. He could be friends with Alex and someday it wouldn't be weird anymore. Maybe they could even joke about it.

"Well... yeah! You know that tea room thing? I did that with a group, and it turns out one of the guys was that Cillian Quinn person all disguised. We got to the top with @goode and he was revealed, so I tried to stall him to someone else could get there and apprehend him... didn't end up too good for me." Was explained. That was more or less what happened. Even if it was all an act.

"Juice is good!" Temp was happy to move past the incident with another subject. He was never a heavy drinker and now just seemed like a good time for something simple.

Slipping off the pack, he puts it down and starts to rummage around in it.

"Thanks again for helping with this, by the way. I'm sorry it's so short notice."

Temp helped himself to the Pineapple juice. The Mango juice also looked delicious, but he was a sucker for old favorites. he took a sip and nodded.

"Yeah! I was in a group with, well, I didn't know it was Merlino." False, but a guy did what he could to protect his fiance. "Also my buddy Mars and... I guess his boyfriend? New piece? I don't know, but he was really nice." Poor Barnaby reduced to 'new piece'. At least Martín del Mar was recognized as his friend. "Did, uh... did a lot of weird stuff happen to you in there when it was dark?"

As he spoke, Temp took out an already completed outfit. This one was older, so Temp would be sad if it was destroyed, but also clearly needed some love before it could be worn. He also took out some books with different dog ears and sticky notes, plus a stack of fading black and white folders in a sandwich bag.

"I was hoping you could help me make some traditional Hoyeon outfits... I'm going to host a festival in Lilycove soon. I also think some of my tribe's elders would like to have outfits."

Temp nodded in agreement. The whole thing had been weird as hell. It didn't help that Cillian Quinn and Martín del Mar had actually started to lose their damned minds at one point. There was also the point where he tried to punch what he assumed was that "Father Winter" guy for existing. Details best kept to himself.

"One for me, one for dad, and then maybe... five or six? Not all the elders want to dress up." The outfits were simple enough, since they had been made with what materials they had available in ancient times, but it was still an art lost on Temp. The elders knew how to make them but their old hands were too shaky nowadays to do more than pass on the knowledge. "I think they'll be okay with that. This is more for the show and for fun than anything ceremonial." His own tribe used a lot of whites and blues in their designs, with wave and seashell designs. Alexei Ivanov would also see seashell tiaras in a few of the pictures provided, placed on top of people's head in celebration.

"Dad's going with! He's going to help with some stuff. You want to stop in and say 'hi'?" He was sure that Tulio would be more than happy to see Alex again. Tulio had always enjoyed the other; he thought Alex was silly.

He paused and sat up, glancing over what Alex was doing. His gaze inevitably fell on Zelle when she came over, though, and Temp offered her a smile.

"It's fine!" He reassured the other man, offering his hand to the Phione. When he saw what she was interested in, he just smiled wider and gently started to take Stardrop out of the baby carrier on his chest. The Phione gave another sleepy yawn before perking up, chirping softly at seeing another of her kind.

"Dad still asks about you sometimes. Well, since I told him we talk again sometimes." He sipped his juice, hoping that wasn't too weird to bring up. Tulio was a good man and most of the reason Temp was the person he was today. He'd worked so hard to raise him after Temp's mom and sister passed away.

Temp took Alexei Ivanov's designs and gave them a look over. He made impressed noises with each one, noting things he liked in each of them. He handed them back when he was done, smiling lightly. "It's not for another few weeks. Would have been rude to only give you a few days with this." Temp perked up, though, in particular with the crowns. "You're going to make those, too?" He seemed more eager than before at that. "I can bring you some shells, if you want."

Meanwhile, with Temp's coaxing, Stardrop had left his arms and inched towards her copy. Stardrop gave a little hum and a twirl but followed. She was much smaller than Zelle for now; still a hatchling with some growing to do. Kind of like how a newborn and a toddler were two sizes but both still babies. She was eager to get into trouble with the other Phione.

"Yeah! Dad always liked you, you know?" He gave another grin, idly picking up the last of the designs Alexei Ivanov was showing him. He glanced down, then paused, eyes widening at the design. It was like he was taken back in time. Modern, sure, but it reminded him of what she had been wearing. His nameless ancestor, connected only by the tattoos they shared on their arms. Her, fighting for her village and her people on the shores against a foul enemy. All honor and hard edged grace.

If he could even look a bit like her, he knew people would remember the Festival.

"I'll make sure to get everything." He half mumbled, clearly not paying attention. The stupidest urge took him. After gently placing the paper down, he staggered up and tried to grab Alex. To force him into a bone crushing hug. Temp couldn't verbally express how much this all meant to him- but maybe Alex would know from this.

After a moment he would let the other go and flop back down.

"Thanks, man."

While the Umbreon swatted at Zelle, Stardrop had another idea in mind. See, Temp had his own small army of Eeveelutions. Temp had always loved dogs and they were close enough to dogs for him. That meant Temp had his own Umbreon. A little lady he had nicknamed Lil Lulu. She was kind of a grump but mostly gentle with the other pokemon. So, when Stardrop saw the Umbreon, instead of doing the smart thing and running, she squeaked and tried to launch herself at the other pokemon for a big hug. Just like she did with Lil Lulu.