A performance, huh? Neat! Hazel's already looking forward to seeing it! She loves watching people throw themselves into their work. Maybe that's just because she loves her own work, but still. And while his wink doesn't quite fluster her, her cheeks do look a little pinker than they did before, though that could just be from the warmth from the tea.

Either way, Hazel finds herself fighting back a wave of disappointment when Pluto announces that it's time for him to head back to Mossdeep. Where had the time gone? Oh well, maybe next time she can convince him to do a reading for her (because there will be a next time, right? She really hopes there will). It's been years since someone has done a pull for her. She does pulls for herself and her pokemon from time to time, of course, to keep her skills sharp, but it isn't quite the same.

If she's being honest with herself, she misses the days when her Nana would read for her. Lilliana Klein had a way of making each reading feel like a secret truth, a mystery that unraveled itself right before your eyes and declared itself true, that resonated. Hazel feels like her own readings pale in comparison. 

"I'm glad you stopped by today," she tells him, ever one to wear her feelings out in the open, "hope you do it again soon. And you'll have to tell me when your next performance is so I can stop by and see you in your element!" It's official, despite the very obvious hints, Hazel still has absolutely no idea what Pluto does for a living. 

Hazel's gaze drifts to the two pokemon turned would be statues. Had they moved? "I think don't so. I almost feel bad breaking it up before they're done, but..." She trails off as she makes her way over to one of the shelves and plucks a vibrant purple crystal off of it. She doesn't want Pluto to miss his ferry.

"Hey little guy, look at this nice shiny crystal! Do you wanna take it home?" She waves the crystal back and forth in front of Smudge, trying to draw the Sableye's attention away from Carmen. 

Pluto Fürst

☉

Victory! Carmen looks entirely too smug with herself as Smudge's gaze follows the crystal in Hazel's hand, greedy little fingers reaching out for it. Would the abra have preferred an unaided victory? Sure, but she's also entirely too practical not to call a win a win, regardless of who had to intervene to make it possible.

With a knowing smile, Hazel hands the purple crystal over to Smudge for munching. "It might taste a little funny. That one's been up there gathering dust for a while," she warns, not that she expects her warning to stop the sableye from popping it in his mouth as soon as he can, and it's not like the dusty will hurt him. 

"Oh, hey, before you go, would you be alright with exchanging numbers? It'd make it a lot easier to figure out when to visit."

Pluto Fürst

☉