“Do you think Dexter knows what taxes are?”

Sophie asked her husband, casually sauntering along the sand path of Paniola Ranch. They had agreed on a ranch date! Not entirely sure what she was in for, but excited nonetheless, Burnet had agreed to go. Not like she’d turn down a date with her Cookie, of course!

“Like, I wonder if we could get him to do them for us...”

It would surely save some time in their already busy lives. Burnet grinned at one of the Tauros standing in the fields, before proceeding to (very poorly) imitate its cry at her hubby. 

It seemed to be another one of those nights. 

Not even Primarina managed to lull Hau off to sleep, even with Sing. Whenever he felt his eyes droop another thought or worry shot through his mind, leaving him utterly and awfully awake again. Neptune eventually decided that he needed his beauty sleep, and with that Hau decided to leave the diva alone so he could nap in his Pokéball. 

His restless legs seemed to have dragged him off to the the same place they’d always take him; the beach. Whether it was the one in Hau’oli city, or the one near Moon’s home (maybe she’d send another card soon!) he always ended up with his feet in the sand. 

A sleepy Flareon trodding after him, he made his way towards the water, using Flareon’s faint light to search the sand for something in particular. “Pyukumukeeee....”  Hau launched the small Pokémon back into the sea. It wasn’t dawn quite yet, but he might as well help the Pyukumuku out. Don’t want them to shrivel up, after all. 

Once he couldn’t spot any more of the critters, he parked his butt in the sand, and allowed Flareon to crawl into his lap. With a yawn the Fire-type curled up, and Hau basked in the warmth Loihi produced with a grateful smile on his face. Even Alola could get chilly at night time, so he was glad he had a partner like Loihi to help keep him warm. 

Suddenly he noticed a sound other than the waves hitting the sand. It sounded... Like footsteps in the sand? Why was there anyone else out on the beach in the dead of night? Hopefully it wouldn’t be some jackass trying to rob him or anything, he’d feel bad for waking his team up from their slumber.