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“Ah, Miss Calcifet, yes I would like to speak with you.” No nonsense, to the point. One of the first things to notice about Hazel is the efficiency he maintains both his classes and personal presence with. Polished with a proper Galarian accent that hasn’t worn down at the edges even after a near decade of living in Hoenn.[break][break]

Pushing himself up from his desk, Hazel peers at her curiously. A few slow blinks as he notes her nervous demeanor and internally flounders as he decides how best to approach that nervousness. Methodically, his hands tap together a stack of papers he’d been using for his lecture notes, then turns to switch the projector screen off with the click of a button.[break][break]

“Yes, well I- hm.” He sounds awfully terse, doesn’t he? “You are a new exchange student, yes?” He turns back toward her, tucking a loose strand of pin straight, lilac hair behind an ear. Then pulls off his reading glances and folds them neatly into his shirt pocket. “I like to make sure our Galarian transfers settle in nicely.”[break][break]

It feels like not so long ago that he himself was making the same shift in his own life. Though, of course, now it’s been years. He still remembers the feeling, however. How isolating it could often be. He offers Elise a careful, albeit somewhat awkward smile. “I should tend to my office hours. Walk with me?”

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Noting her nerves, he is quick to extend his hand in an offering to shake. “Obviously you know who I am as your professor, but even so– I’m Hazel Albrecht.” It’s by no means an excuse to negate the formality of professor given the nature of their connection, but it’s still at least personable, right? He offers her another smile. “I was in your shoes once, and it was always nice to find familiar faces. Though I don’t have any Johtonian influence in my own history. Did you spend more time there?” Despite his formal nature, curiosity often came easily for Hazel. Particularly when others were from regions he had less experience with in terms of study–Johto being on the list of curiosities he’s not quite managed to delve into yet.[break][break]

“Wonderful.” Without any remaining fanfare, he sets off for the lecture hall’s door so that they might step out onto campus grounds. “My office is the next building over–where the archival department is housed,” he clarifies. From under the desk where he’d been napping, Hazel’s espeon skitters out to trail after them. It blinks politely up at Elise before trotting up to pace himself alongside his trainer.[break][break]

“It is good to hear, though, that you’ve managed some connections already,” he says lightly as he glances over, “I was not as…ah, adept socially. As for Galarian interests specifically, do you have any? I’d be happy to answer any questions you have, though it’s been some time since I visited home.”

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“Likewise, Miss Calcifet.” Though an awkward sort of individual, his smile is still a warm, careful thing. Encouraging as best as he knows to convey it. When it comes to the students he teaches, there’s never a need to feel concern around the professor. His shadier affiliations or vocational ambitions and competitions cause none of his competitiveness here.[break][break]

A quiet ah of understanding escapes him as she elaborates. Though she would have no way of knowing his standing within Rocket, it doesn’t take much mental legwork for him to deduce what it might’ve been that pulled their family out of Kanto. Of course, he had not been there, either. Brute force has never been his area of talent. His expression gives nothing away, either, and Hazel only nods along before smiling mildly. “How did it compare? Ecruteak versus Hammerlocke?” Having grown up in the latter, he’d always found the place dreary and imposing–until he’d discovered the city library, and all of the history worn into the old city’s stone. A soft laugh rumbles in his throat. “That does sound entertaining. Do you often enjoy stories like these?” He figures she must if she’s taking courses such as the ones he offers.[break][break]

Nico’s ears twitch in her direction as she greets him, and then he is quick to follow alongside Hazel, close to his heels as ever. The most protective pokemon he has, in fact. More loyal than a poochyena. He perks at her question, gray eyes shifting toward her as they approach the building where his office is housed. “Yes! I think I may actually have some books on both topics on my shelves. Particularly the tapestry. Is there anything in particular you’re hoping to encounter in your study of the subject?”

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He nods in turn, a breath of light laughter escaping him. “I imagine it is. I can’t think of any place that might be as stuffy as Hammerlocke is. I would not mind visiting Ecruteak—Johto is one of the few places I’ve unfortunately not been able to visit yet.” It’s sounds like a culturally rich city, and from his sparse readings—full of history and local legends and traditions. Right up his alley. “How interesting,” he answers, genuinely so. “I wonder if there are any historical accounts written down.” Oral tradition was not something to dismiss, though, of course.[break][break]
“Ah, yes. That should be completely alright. We’ll touch on that later in the semester as well, if you’ve happened to see that on your syllabus.” Once they turn through the doors to the proper lecture hall, it doesn’t take long to navigate their way to his office. Producing his keys from his pockets, Hazel sifts until he finds the correct one and twists the knob. The door swings open, and he waits politely—allowing her to step through the threshold first. “Hm…let’s see…” The professor trails off, swiveling on his heels to scan through his books shelves. Of which there are many, they cover many of the walls in the modestly-sized office, in fact.[break][break]
He only pauses to glance at her shortly, eyes drifting between her and some softer seats placed in front of his desk. “Please, feel free to make yourself comfortable while I find these.” A small smile tugs at his mouth, “Or feel free to peruse. I do not mind.”

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Hazel's head tilts at the offer, a small smile slipping across his features. "That would be quite nice, Miss Calcifet, thank you. I appreciate the offer." His enthusiasm grows just a bit more as she continues. "Oh! that sounds most interesting. I would be very curious to learn more about your family's history. Especially after what you've already described."[break][break]
Johtonian history is a weak spot in his purview, after all. He should correct that.[break][break]
"Certainly." He watches her sit, and hands off the first book that was easy to find. Quietly, he works - sifting through his various shelves, plucking texts from confines until he comes away with a neat stack. Turning back toward her, Hazel holds them out. "Here you are - ah, let me get a back so they'll be secure."[break][break]
He pulls a soft fabric bag from his desk, and offers this as well. "I hope these suit your needs."