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Frank let Hazel go first to demonstrate the technique, watching closely to make sure he memorized the right sequence of gestures. But the act of praying the Hoennian way really could not be simpler. Confident, Frank stepped up next to Hazel as the other man finished and went through the same motions.[break][break]

He faced the statue of Arceus, clapped his hands, and kept his palms pressed together. He thought about a few things.[break][break]

His company raking in profits and expanding with every success.[break][break]

His two little children, still home in Black City with their mother, his ex-wife.[break][break]

His reason for choosing to move to Hoenn, and the object of his affection.[break][break]

When Frank finished, he lowered his hands and tossed some coins into the box in front of the shrine. Then he stepped away so another supplicant could take his place, while he rejoined Hazel to the side of the shrine.[break][break]

"I don't feel any different," Frank admitted to the professor in a hushed voice, his smile lopsided and skeptical.

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A laugh came easily to Frank after Ophelia's tease. He sipped from his glass as well, pleased she seemed to be in a good enough mood.[break][break]

"Now's a great time for business. After all, who knows what state we'll be in after dinner," he said with a cheeky grin. A beat later, he continued, "Full of pasta and wine! Who wants to talk business like that, eh?"[break][break]

Absently, Frank picked up the white cloth napkin folded elegantly in front of him and unfurled it.[break][break]

"So, as I mentioned in my email, Caffey Financial Group is just starting out here in Hoenn and we are looking to affiliate with larger companies. As a financial advisory firm, we can provide guidance to your customers for any large projects, investments, or trading they wish to undertake," he explained. "From my experience, such a partnership could benefit Jolt United greatly, as it typically does for banks."[break][break]

He paused, taking another sip of his wine so that Ophelia could consider his words and respond.

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"Hey, good health is important. How are you going to do anything in life if you don't have the health for it?" It was a question Frank had asked himself many times in recent years. He had no idea where he'd be, at thirty years old, if he hadn't gotten his shit together just before his life had really taken a turn for the worse.[break][break]

But he was content to let that conversation die as they stepped upon the threshold of the shrine. There, within the open doorway, they could gaze upon the building's interior in all its majesty. A great idol of Arceus stood by the far wall, positioned in the center. Smaller statues of other Legendary Pokémon — deities in their own right, some would say — flanked the main idol.[break][break]

In front of the beautiful display was a table bearing offerings of fruit, wine, and other delicacies arranged by the priests, all of which was cordoned off from visitors. However, a much smaller table held a collection box for coin offerings right by where the shrine's guests lined up to pray.[break][break]

On all sides, incense wafted from large pots bristling with slender stalks.[break][break]

Frank felt compelled to lower his voice, since no one else in the shrine seemed to be talking. "Not a clue," he murmured to Hazel, his eyes trained on some supplicants' motions in an effort to learn.

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"It's a financial advisory company," Frank said. "People come to us for guidance with large financial projects, or if they want to get into investing, stocks, mutual funds — that kind of thing."[break][break]

It was a simple enough explanation, perfect for small talk like theirs. Most people were intrigued by the mystery of Frank's work but found it too esoteric for prolonged conversation. Those who bothered to ask more questions inevitably became clients.[break][break]

"She is Hoennian so I guess the idea comes naturally to them. We don't have this kind of supernatural stuff back in Unova. We're just Arceusites like everyone else."[break][break]

Though there were definitely Unovans who were way more devoted to the religion than others. Frank himself barely thought about it. He was a man of material wealth and goods; prayers and hopes couldn't influence the stock market, no matter how many people wished otherwise.[break][break]

"Are you going to make any prayers for the new year, Professor?" Frank asked as they steadily inched toward the shrine's front doors, which stood wide open so that visitors could enter and exit unimpeded. At that distance, both men could glance inside, catching a peek of the gorgeous wooden interior.

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"What a coincidence! You've picked the perfect restaurant for dinner, then." Frank chuckled, pleased by the way all the puzzle pieces seemed to slot together. Thumbing through the menu, he eventually settled on a plate of pasta al tonno.[break][break]

As for his preference for wine…[break][break]

"Not really. Whatever you want works for me. White usually goes well with pasta, no?"[break][break]

It was one of the many lessons his grandmother had tried to impart upon him when he stood at the cusp of manhood.[break][break]

The pair placed their orders for food and a bottle of white wine to share. After a waiter poured the wine for them, Frank held his glass toward his companion for a toast.[break][break]

"Cheers, Ophelia. To your good health, good fortune, and exceptional beauty." He grinned and winked at her before taking a sip.

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Frank watched as the golf ball soared through the air in an expert arc. He passed Mars a grin as he took his place at the tee. "Great shot!"[break][break]

A light smack momentarily broke the serene atmosphere of the golf course as Frank hit his own ball with a practiced swing. It landed not far from Mars'. From where the two men stood, it was difficult to tell whose ball had landed closer to the hole.[break][break]

"That's excellent news," Frank said to Mars regarding the bank CEO's business success in the wake of the meteor. Together, the men strolled down the fairway toward their balls, the Indeedee caddie following at a hurried scramble.[break][break]

"Winter in Kalos sounds like a lot of fun. I've only gone during the summer, but I think I'd like to take a winter trip myself some time. Did you do any sightseeing around the region, or was it just a cozy getaway trip to one city or town?" Frank asked.[break][break]

He had visited the region only once, several years ago at his wife's behest. Jackie's grandparents were Kalosian and he'd humored her with the trip shortly after the birth of their second child.[break][break]

It had been, perhaps, the first of many hints that their marriage had started to unravel.

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Frank nodded throughout Hazel's straightforward explanation of his academic pursuits. He was poised to ask about Hazel's area of study when the other man brought up having a significant other.[break][break]

"Oho, the real reason comes out," Frank said, his lighthearted tone and the grin that spread across his face clear indications that he was teasing. Though he was not going to admit it, affection was the primary reason he himself had chosen Hoenn as his new home.[break][break]

At the top of the stairs, the shrine loomed larger than it had first appeared from the bottom of the hill. Frank could see smaller side buildings, too, arranged to flank the main structure. A steady stream of supplicants flowed into the shrine, waiting their turn to pray to Hoenn's gods.[break][break]

Hazel's question drew Frank's attention away from their surroundings. Violet eyes glanced sidelong at the professor as the two men took their place in line.[break][break]

"Yeah, actually. I started a new company a couple months ago but we're only just getting our shit together, really. My secretary suggested praying for good fortune in the coming year." He shrugged. "I don't know if it will actually work, but I figured I could use a day off, so why not?"

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The first sensation of disappointment had started creeping into Frank as the long-haired man corrected him, indicating a Galarian citizenship instead of a Hoennian one. The quick affirmation that the man could, however, help Frank with temple customs dashed away that feeling.[break][break]

"Oh, a professor? I'll consider this my lucky day, then," he said, shaking the other man's — Hazel's — hand. "I'm Frank. Frank Caffey. I can't say I have a prestigious title quite like you do."[break][break]

Not that Frank had much interest in Hazel's choice of career or area of expertise, but a little small talk couldn't hurt.[break][break]

"So Galar's pretty far from here, isn't it? What brought you to Hoenn in the first place?"[break][break]

The walk toward the temple was not difficult, even with the many steps leading up the hill. Frank ate his taiyaki during the short trek; the grilled snack had such a bizarre, yet not unpleasant, taste and texture. He decided he liked it, though it would be a lot better filled with chocolate instead of sweet red bean.

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Her insistence that he call her by her first name only caused his smile to widen. "Ophelia, then. And you can just call me Frank."[break][break]

The hostess showed them to their table; Frank made sure to help Ophelia with her chair before taking his own seat opposite her. The table was intimate, designed for just two people, and lit with a single small candle. Overhead, the chandeliers were set to cast a low, cozy light over the entire dining area.[break][break]

Not the kind of person to jump straight to business, Frank perused the menu. "What sort of wine and food do you prefer, Ophelia? I'm a fan of Alto Maren cuisine, myself."[break][break]

His great-grandparents were originally from the island city, and he possessed fond childhood memories eating his grandmother's homemade pasta and risotto.

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"No, no, I get you," Frank insisted, smiling amicably. "It's all the lights and the color, huh? Kinda mesmerizing. I feel a little lost, if I'm honest."[break][break]

He laughed. The man opposite him, however, seemed far less lost — or so Frank thought, based on the traditional clothing he wore. Other men and women in the crowd wore similar clothing. Frank thought it looked both handsome and enticing.[break][break]

On the other hand, from his heavy Unovan accent to his mannerisms, Frank made it painfully obvious he was not from the region.[break][break]

"Say, are you a local? Do you know anything about the big temple up on that hill?" he askd, pointing with his free hand toward the noble-looking structure. "I hear it's good to say a prayer asking for things at the start of the year there, but I don't know how to go about doing it right. I don't want to offend, you know?"

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Three years.[break][break]

It had been three years since Frank had set foot in such a high-end restaurant that he had forgotten exactly how it felt. The stuffiness demanded a hushed tone and a reserved demeanor, but he felt like a kid in a candy store, and Arceus be damned if he wasn't going to enjoy being back in what he insisted was his natural environment.[break][break]

And so he met ophelia coin with a rakish smile, his hand extending to shake hers. She was beautiful, of course — gorgeous, even, the hint of tattoo he'd spied at the nape of her neck before she'd turned an enticing mystery. Frank wondered if he would ever unravel it.[break][break]

"Ms. Coin, what a pleasure," he greeted her, his accent making it plainly obvious he hailed from Black City, Unova. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me."[break][break]

Once the handshake was over, he looked around, clearly impressed by the interior of the restaurant. "I have to say, you picked a spectacular place for dinner. Love the décor."[break][break]

He couldn't give two shits about décor, but it was a nice thing to say, especially in front of the hostess. The very young, very pretty hostess.[break][break]

But Frank was a gentleman, and he kept his eyes and attention on Ophelia. "Should we take our seat?"

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Frank had only been in Hoenn for a month, but he had spent every waking hour of each day growing his company, making connections and meeting with clients. His secretary finally insisted that he take a day off to enjoy the experiences Hoenn had to offer, suggesting a local festival in Slateport City that celebrated the new year. Apparently, the residents believed praying at the shrine would bring good fortune for the year, something Caffey Financial Group could benefit from.[break][break]

As an Unovan, Frank did not believe in Hoennian superstition, but he had to agree: he was starting to feel the familiar stress of overwork and could use a break. The last three years had taken a different kind of toll on him, but part of the takeaway from the experience was a need to relax more, to slow down and appreciate the small things in life.[break][break]

So he went, dressed in attire more casual than what he usually wore. The festival was so peculiar and lively, with rows of stalls selling an assortment of street food, musical performances, games for children like Magikarp fishing, and lots of interesting trinkets to purchase. The streets were jammed with pedestrians and activities; above them loomed the shrine on a hill, a steady stream of people heading up the stairs toward it and coming back down.[break][break]

Frank had just finished paying for a snack filled with red bean paste called 'taiyaki' when, treat in hand, he turned and collided with someone passing by. Long pale hair flashed before him, and he briefly thought he recognized the person. But no, that was impossible.[break][break]

"Whoa! Sorry about that," Frank exclaimed, steadying the stranger with a hand before they could fall. "Are you all right?"

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