#askwornhearts

"These are Psychic Gems. They're not that common around this area, so I hired Violet to fetch these for me during her scavenging." "I need these gems to conduct a study on them to see how much psychic energy is in these gems. Plus, it would help out other psychic Pokémon enhance their abilities with these gems." "Now about these gems getting into the wrong hands, don't worry. I have these gems enclosed in a secret location that anyone can't get into."

Honey gently sets Sunset down on the ground. The Zorua gives the Hydreigon a death glare before running off into the bushes to dig a hole.

Honey watches her go, and when she's presumably out of earshot, he lets out a shaky breath. Tears prick the corners of his eyes. "It's a frightening amount of hope you're giving me, stranger. Fuse would have some cross words for you, were she here, for offering such a thing so easily." It doesn't surprise him, hearing his mate had threatened death upon some random human. He doesn't comment on it.

"That...isn't to say both of us wouldn't be thrilled, euphoric, even, beyond words, were you able to fulfill this...offer. But...I...feel as though the humans who have our kids would be reluctant to give them up."

He clears his throat, sitting up a little straighter. "I know this is something all parents feel, but...our children were special. Different, from most other kids. Fuse and I were surprised to learn this about each other, because it was something else we had in common, but..."

"In the wild, it's...a setback, a lot of the time. Being a single parent of a shiny kid is something that takes a lot of work. But humans...." He lets out a ghost of a laugh. "Neither of us knew this, until Cream and Cheese joined us. But humans cherish shinies to an elevated degree. Humans put effort into bringing shinies into the world on purpose. To a wild Pokemon, it sounds like madness."

He shakes his head. "Yogurt was my most precious thing. To lose her was heartbreaking. But...I feel like, wherever she is now, she is being treated well. The human who caught her must love her almost as much as I did." He wipes a tear from his eye. "I....can't know that for certain, but it's a thought that brings me closure."

"Granted, that happened after she inflicted horrible burns upon that trainer. Life-altering ones, she claims." He sighs. "Suffice to say, no one left that encounter on good terms. It's...even less likely, I would assume, that Smokebomb's trainer would willingly give him back after Fuse nearly killed him."

A laugh. "I'd...have to talk to her about it. But neither of us would like to get our hopes up, I'm sure you must understand. And...you're shiny, too, I'm realizing. Surely you must know how humans feel about that kind of thing. But....it's a very kind offer, nonetheless. We should keep in touch. After Fuse hears...I'm sure we'll have some kind of answer for you."

“Sorry about that…! We are not in any hurry, as a matter of fact. I just enjoy the feeling of the bright moonlight against my fur. It has been some time since I have felt the moon over the Paldean skies, so I cannot help but feel a little excited." Maria's smile beams bright, despite her nervous demeanor. She scratches her head and continues, "Either way, we are not going anywhere in particular...! We are simply out-”

“We’re headed to the Fortune Teller’s!” Prince pipes up, nearly jumping over Maria’s head to speak.

“Prince! My dear, that’s supposed to be a secret…!”

“It is? But we used to see Madame S. all the time. Besides, it could help bring her business, too! I'm sure she would be really happy to meet new people.”