[attr="class","icon"]

It was probably unwise for Hazel to be out and about. He’d been feeling under the weather as of late– probably overworked and a bit worn through. Hugo Albrecht was always reminding him to relax for that very reason. Though maybe this wouldn’t be Hugo’s idea of relaxing, because it also sort of involved research.[break][break]

As a native of Galar, Hazel was only somewhat familiar with Hoennian custom and tradition as a result of his marriage. A local festival felt like the right opportunity to observe in a natural environment, rather just read about these practices. A soft smile was perched on his mouth as he watched the buzz of life moving around him. Lights strung up, and the smell of festival treats hung heavy in the air.[break][break]

For a while, he simply sat. Content to people watch and observe the games and performances without actually participating for himself. He was comfortable, perched neatly in traditional clothing that had been gifted to him early in his marriage to wear on dates to festivals like this one. The yukata was a nice shade of lavender with darker plum accents. Unfortunate, though, that Hugo wasn’t there with him–kept late at work.[break][break]

But then again, Hazel probably should’ve been home getting an early night of rest.[break][break]

He contemplated doing as much, going home to do so. As soon as he stood to move toward the takoyaki stand to get a carton to go, though, he was clumsily bumping into someone else. “Oh, sorry, uh–” he tilted sideways, stumbling before he was caught by a steady hand. ”I’m fine.” he replied primly, hands smoothing out his clothing and then the long strands of his loosely tied ponytail, before he looked up at the other man. “I apologize for my clumsiness. I was in a world of my own.”

[attr="class","icon"]

“Mm, you’re not wrong,” Hazel replied with a short bob of his head. The festival continued to move around them, vibrant as ever. “It’s understandable, if you’re not used these sorts of…things.” His hand waved around them vaguely. It was easy to put together that this friendly stranger was from elsewhere, of course. Not that it bothered Hazel all that much. He could relate.[break][break]

“Well…I suppose I’ve lived here long enough to qualify as local, but not in the traditional sense, no.” His expression was apologetic as he glanced over. “Galarian, by birth.” His shoulder lifted in a slight shrug. “I’m, for the most part, an observer, just the same as you.”[break][break]

At least in terms of social custom and interaction.[break][break]

But then his gaze followed the other’s point and his own hands clapped together. Older, more storied practices rooted in history were something he’d studied a bit more, fortunately.[break][break]

Expression brightening at the possible share and exchange of knowledge. “Oh! But this I do know about, and could assist with.” He stuck his hand out in polite offering, smile widening, “Professor Hazel Albrecht, pleased to make your acquaintance.”

[attr="class","icon"]

A soft laugh followed, as Hazel waved a hand dismissively, “You flatter me. It’s really only useful if I’m in proximity to something old, preferably crumbling.” In those cases he’d spout off a (most likely) unnecessary fountain of knowledge.[Break][break]

“Tosh, it’s still lovely to meet you, Frank.” Maybe it was a bit excessively polite on his part, but it was how he navigated his own social awkwardness.[break][break]

“Oh, well my educational path brought me here,” he said easily, finding social comfort in being able to speak to his academic profession. “I did my fellowship here in Slateport, and now I’m employed there.” Of course, he couldn’t add the lesser known reason of being there for Rocket’s purposes.[break][break]

But that was easily smoothed over as his expression softened, fondness creeping into the pale gray of his eyes. “But it could also be said affection helped me settle too, and my partner is Hoennian, hence, well,” he pointed up the steps they were now ascending, “my better understanding of this.”[break][break]

He had taken care to learn and study this custom, though it seemed far more important to Hugo’s parents and family than Hugo Albrecht himself. Still, it had felt essential to Hazel at the time.[break][break]

“Was there a particular reason you were interested in visiting the shrine for the new year?”

[attr="class","icon"]

A soft laugh followed the other man’s tease, and Hazel inclined his head in a relenting manner. “Well, it’s the more sentimental reason, isn’t it? But he insists that he isn’t romantic, even now.” He scoffed in amusement, “but if wooing someone so easily they wish to stay isn’t romantic, I’m not sure what is.”[break][break]

Hazel certainly wasn’t offended by the remark– it was the truer reason, after all. He could practice his studies anywhere, if he put forth the effort to. Even with all of the fascinating anomalies that seemed to crop up in Hoenn itself, and he was an obvious workaholic…he’d stayed for Hugo, not his job.[break][break]

He considered asking Frank if he could share the sentiment, but hesitated with it on the tip of his tongue. Casual and amiable discussion or not, it felt like broaching too personal of a subject.[break][break]

“Oh, what sort of business are you practicing?” That was a safer discussion, he figured. “You may be able to cater your prayers more specifically to it.” Hazel smiled, gray eyes drifting back toward the shrine up ahead. “Your secretary is wise. At least in the traditional sense. It can’t hurt anything to at least try.”[break][break]

Though, admittedly, Hazel was more intrigued by the practice in its technical and historical form than anything truly transcendent or existential. “It’s a beautiful structure, really.” Something he had murmured more to himself, glance bouncing over the numerous, ornate details of the architecture.

[attr="class","icon"]

“Ah, well. Better you than me,” Hazel admits with a short laugh. “I don’t have much of a mind for business.” That was why he was firmly in the realm of academia.[break][break]

“That makes sense. Galar definitely isn’t really at this level all that much, either.” It was interesting, though, to note the differences. Even after living there in Hoenn for an extended period of time. He simply enjoyed observing.[break][break]

Hazel hummed quietly in thought. Idly, his fingers twined through the strands of his ponytail. He was more the sort to believe in his own efforts than any imparted blessing. He’d much rather put in his own work to earn a favorable result than banking on something far more celestial to come through for him.[break][break]

Still… “Good health, probably,” he answered, glancing over at Frank for a moment and then back toward the interior of the shrine. The scent of incense wafted up around them. “Probably just seems like a trivial thing, but.” He shrugged. Health had always been a fickle thing for him.[break][break]

They drew steadily closer, and Hazel allowed his attention to return to his companion. “Alright, so do you have even a vague idea about all…this?” He aimlessly waved a hand where some other visitors were bowed at the face of the shrine, hands pressed together.

[attr="class","icon"]

“It is, you’re not wrong,” Hazel relented, smile turning a bit rueful, “but there is plenty done in poor health too. When it’s not much of an option.” Probably not the best mindset, and he knew Hugo Albrecht would likely scold him for it if he heard Hazel speak it. But there had been times in his past when he knew he wouldn’t get anything done if he didn’t muster up the momentum or energy. Even if he’d had to do them from bed.[break][break]

Still, it wasn’t very proper advice to give, was it? “You'll have to take my words with a grain of salt, I’m afraid. I’m poor at putting off work and at leaving it at work.” At least he was able to laugh about it—an amused huff followed as his glance moved sideways from Frank back to the shrine ahead.[break][break]

A hush quickly fell over them, as was respectful to the space they entered. It was still a practice that felt a bit foreign to him even after years of occasionally making trips and visits during specific periods. But this wasn’t about his own personal reflections so much as it was a teaching experience.[break][break]

“It is not difficult in the least,” he murmured back, and really, Frank could have probably pieced it together from observation alone, without his assistance. But he was there now, and at least could provide direct example without feeling awkward for eyeing the practiced movements of others. “Just keep in mind what you wanted to seek blessing for.”[break][break]

Facing the shrine, and the statue of Arceus, he clapped his hands softly before leaving them together in front of him. Respect was silently attributed to the deity, and due supplication as he sought that blessing for good health. After some time spent in place like so, he broke composure—if only to find some coins in his coin purse for the box.[break][break]

Easy peasy.

[attr="class","icon"]

Frank followed along with ease, as to be expected. As Hazel suspected, a repetition of the process was not difficult in the least. Having finished first, he retreated toward the back of the shrine to wait as the other man finished up.[break][break]

A short, single-note laugh followed the confession as they backtracked the way they had come. Quiet enough so as to not disturb the more devout shrine-goers. He shook his head side to side, long, silvery lilac hair catching on his shoulder. “No, neither do I.”[break][break]

His head tilted in consideration, though the gesture was almost playfully teasing as he added, “I suspect that in order to feel something, we might be required to experience Folie à deux.”[break][break]

He shrugged, unbothered. Though not particularly ascribed to this particular following, there was still a certain historical reverence to it. He simply didn’t genuinely expect to come away with a true and real blessing.