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Oh dear, oh dear. She's late, running late because the baby Budew had cried so plaintively to be left alone for the night. Not even her Gardevoir could still their cries.[break][break]

So when Avery does finally arrive she feels untidy and rushed, and her cheeks are flushed with colour as she smoothes her pink hair and brushes a speck of dust from her dress. Despite looking lovely, Avery feels undeniably drab compared to how beautiful everyone else looked.[break][break]

But kim cole-essam's voice seems to creep up in the back of her mind, assuring her she's more beautiful than she thinks she is, and confidence forces its way out of her chest as she takes a deep breath.[break][break]

The ticket or bracelet or note she'd been given to indicate her first table is checked briefly as she makes her way over, and she immediately and unsurprisingly notices the woman's Toxel first.[break][break]

"Oh my goodness, aren't you just the sweetest!"[break][break]

Avery's blush deepens as she realises how unbelievably rude she was to completely override greeting her date. The woman bends herself into a forlorn apology and laughs nervously.[break][break]

"I'm so sorry, miss. It's been a while since I've been on a formal date, please forgive me."[break][break]

Curiosity keeps tickling her peripheral, however, as she hastily finds her seat and continues to gaze fondly at the purple child. She'd never seen anything like it and she's beyond curious.[break][break]

"My name is Avery, by the way."[break][break]

In her arms a very chubby and well-groomed Munchlax sits, who seems to already be eyeballing the bread set out on the table.[break][break]

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Avery smiles warmly at Kaida's calm reaction to her outburst. It comforts her to know that her temporary date for the evening wasn't at all put off by her awkwardness.[break][break]

"Hello, Bragi."[break][break]

She giggles softly as she returns her hand to her lap from tickling underneath the purple Pokemon's chin. At the mention of Kaida's two serpents, she glances their direction as well, but doesn't really linger.[break][break]

Instead, she's looking down and gently correcting her grabby-handed Munchlax who plaintively voices his desire for food by grabbing across the table.[break][break]

Her partner reaches for the bread and Avery stays her hand, instead opting to sip at her glass of water.[break][break]

"That's a very pretty name."[break][break]

At the mention of her Munchlax, Avery glances at him fondly, offering another smile.[break][break]

"Yes! He hatched a few months ago. I have a fond spot for the younglings."[break][break]

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Avery blushes. The other woman's compliment is clunky but it's sweet, and she feels her cheeks redden at the mere thought that someone, anyone, might think her name 'rings nicely.'[break][break]

She takes another sip of her drink while shifting Munchlax's weight to her other knee. Rhythmically, she seems to bounce him as if she would an actual child, and the young Pokemon starts to drift off to sleep.[break][break]

"Oh, I see."[break][break]

There's a note of sadness as she says this, and her eyes steal away from Bragi and back to Kaida. [break][break]

"No, no. I run a daycare, so I don't encourage my Pokemon to fight or something. They're happier without the violence."[break][break]

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[break]

Kaida's expression changes and Avery is unsure what it means. It gives her a queasy feeling in her stomach, not being able to understand, but she remains quiet while the timer goes off.[break][break]

They had barely sat down for more than a minute, it seemed. These dates would go by quick![break][break]

"O-oh, okay. That's good."[break][break]

Awkward, right? Avery was suddenly unsure what to make of their sudden mood change. Regardless, her temporary date offers her a napkin with her number written on it and Avery blushes deeper, misinterpreting the intention despite Kaida's explanation.[break][break]

She does, however, tuck the napkin away and move onto her next table while everyone begins to get up and move around in unison.[break][break]