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"So, what's the plan? Just go door-to-door and ask, or..."

Orion trails off, frowning as he looks at the Phantump clutching its pumpkin-shaped prize.

"Ceibo, where did you get that?" His expression contorts with sympathy when the spirit lets out a soft wail and clutches it tighter with her spectral limbs. "No, I'm not going to take it away," he assures, soft, and says to Tam, "Hope some kid's not missing their basket, too." He couldn't possibly rob the Phantump of her fleeting joy.

He shrugs at mention of the Skitty. "Might be used to it. This neighbourhood does have a lot of kids."

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"It's a kind of tree. It doesn't really look like her tree, but it sounded nice. I got the name from a book about the stars."

Though it had never been something he'd thought to pursue as a career, having hated the school experience, he'd had a passing interest in astronomy since he was young. It was another reason he liked Verdanturf over Lilycove; the stars were brighter in the countryside.

"That's where I got my name, too."

He doesn't normally talk about that, but he doesn't mind with Tam.

Speaking of Tam, the suggestion that they split up and he'd be forced to go door-to-door and confront strangers alone is mortifying. His eyes widen, lips parted on an objection when it occurs to him that Tam would probably hate that idea just as much as he does.

"Together. Please."

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Orion chuckles; it's a fair question.

"Why do we name stars at all? No idea!"

Cheeks flush when Tam continues to speak, complimenting the thought Orion puts into his names. He did spend a lot of time and effort on them, and it was nice to have that effort appreciated. (Especially by Tam.)

"Thanks," he says shyly, smiling.

"Do you like stargazing?"

His eyes light up at the question, the answer evident even though it never makes it past his lips on account of the door opening. Altair dutifully trots up to the threshold to let Ceibo hold out her pumpkin basket, delight in the ordinarily sad eyes of the Phantump as she receives candy in return. It's the cutest thing Orion's ever seen.

Shame there's no news about the Skitty. They move on.

On the short walk to the next house, he says, "I love stargazing. Have you ever been to the Space Center in Mossdeep? They have telescopes you can use! I have my own telescope, too, out back."

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There's no hesitation in Orion's answer, only a raw and somewhat embarrassing eagerness.

"Oh, I'd love to."

Only then does it occur to him that there's a couple things Tam could be asking. Sheepishly, he asks, "I mean. I'd love to do either, but which...?"

He'll be made to wait in suspense for an answer, as the children who'd been in front of them rush eagerly away and the man who'd answered the door squints at his much older guests. He doesn't say anything, at least.

It's Orion who fills him in about the missing Skitty, this time, desperate for something to distract from his anxiety. Though familiar with the animal, as it belonged to a neighbour, he shakes his head when asked if it'd been seen.

Orion's suspense is killing him by the time the door closes.

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"I've never liked crowds, either," he admits, shy. It's not as if he does an excellent job of hiding his social anxiety, so Tam's probably already figured it out, but the admission comes nevertheless. "That's why I have my own telescope. The stars are different in Verdanturf than in Mossdeep, but that's OK."

Stars were beautiful no matter what patterns they formed. He adored space and all its wonders.

"Living in the countryside is really nice for it," he says, tipping his head back to look at the more muted palette of Slateport's skies. The smog of the city impacted the view. "Have you ever noticed the difference?"

He was surprised how little some people paid attention to things like that.

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"Yeah!" He's pleased that Tam knows; even if it's not the most uncommon knowledge, it's the engagement that counts. "You can see them a little better if you use a telescope but even then..."

Nothing beat the countryside.

He's daydreaming about space, only half paying attention as the teenager who answers the door to Tam gives them their first real lead. He almost reflexively starts moving toward the next house before it registers, and he laughs softly at his own mistake before reaching around to unlatch the small gate that led into the backyard.

"I've always liked camping. Been years since I did it for fun and not for a job, though."

In the backyard, a Skitty's eyes gleam in the dusk.

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