In the quiet of the emerging dawn, Hau’oli City was still, but poised, the moment before a deep exhalation. The sunrise spilling over the ocean was reflected on the sides of the new steel and glass buildings, painting everything in a soft, golden light. It was definitely a new city. The few skyscrapers had sharp edges and hip, minimalist statues. Even the few bits of graffiti seemed charming instead of seedy.

Azophi couldn’t be bothered to care about any of this, and hoped that Hau didn’t take for-fucking-ever like last time. They kept scrolling through the same three photos on their InstaDitto feed, wishing in vain that there would be something new there to entertain them. Makani was staring out at the ocean, breathing deeply—appreciating the day. He had always said he was a morning person, but Azophi couldn’t help feeling just a little bit betrayed that it was true.

Their bag gave a shake and before that could percolate fully, red light burst out of it and formed into Nerium. The pudgy blue creature barked up at them with that tiring enthusiasm that was always pouring out.

“Can’t you just stay in your ball for a little while?” The dopey seal just barked again and dashed excitedly around the pavement. Azophi sighed. “This can’t be good for your flippers.”

Nerium paid absolutely no attention and called up to Makani’s owl instead, who hooted back primly. Azophi could feel Makani giving them that constipated little face that meant he didn’t like something but not enough to say anything about it. And really if he couldn’t be bothered Azophi sure as shit wasn’t going to, at least not until after the promised coffee and weird donuts.

Hau emerged from the malasada joint overladen with beverages and bags, perfect, gorgeous black cat at his heels. He bounced over, almost spilling the coffee, and a strong flowery aroma assailed Azophi’s nostrils. Not that it was bad. On second sniff, it was actually… quite good. It was sweet and almost musky with distinct fruity notes beneath the rich floral bouquet.

“Nanda? The fuck is in those?”

“Um,” said Hau, puzzled by their reaction, “I got a few different kinds…”

Makani was sniffing now too. “That’s not the Malasadas.”

They all sniffed for a moment and Azophi started to feel good. It was better than the coffee. “Whatever it is, it smells awesome and I want it! Is there a perfume store or something nearby?”

Hau looked around. “Wouldn’t carry this far,” he reasoned. Apparently he had switched over to his sensible mode. “That’s gotta be a Bounsweet.”

“A what?”

With an electric hum that Azophi had begun to dread, Dax zipped out of Makani’s bag and launched into the pokedex entry with their robotic voice. “Bounsweet, the mangosteen pokemon. Bounsweets are popular in Alola due to their ability to give off a sweet, calming scent. For this reason, they are often kept as pets and employed by Pokemon Centers to perfume their fountains.”

“Show me,” Azophi demanded, snatching them out of the air.

“Easy on the goods!” They complained, but promptly brought up several images of an adorable little plant-type that looked more like a fruit-shaped phone charm than a pokemon. It surpassed even Lisyan levels of inherent accessory appeal and Azophi couldn’t help the high noise that escaped their throat.

“It’s so cute! I need one! How do we track it down?”

“How about you creatures with noses follow the scent?” Dax replied with annoyance.

Azophi turned, trying to suss out the location of the wind, and noticed their starter walking off slowly, nose raised and twitching. “Have you got it, Nerium?” they asked him, releasing Dax.

Nerium looked back at them and cocked his head. He was so thick. Dax whistled and Nerium nodded vigorously before taking off down the street.

Azophi ran eagerly after him and the Kāhilis followed. There weren’t many people to dodge at this Arceus-forsaken hour, but Azophi weaved heedlessly around the few puttering tourists, business men in Alolan shirts, and some blonde in tennis whites and a huge-brimmed hat—which was actually pretty smart with how unrelenting the sun was this close to the equator. They made a mental note to get themselves something similar.

Nerium swerved down an alley and they followed it to the end to find… a dumpster. Nerium barked at it and Azophi grimaced. Why did they think this day was going to improve rather than get worse? They opened their mouth to tell Nerium to shut his when the lid of the dumpster lifted and the lovely scent wafted over them stronger than ever.

A pile of slime peered up over the side of the dumpster. Its two watery eyes shone out of its rainbow oil-slick body.

Azophi looked back to the others. Hau’s head was cocked at an angle, as Makani stared thoughtfully.

“Is that thing a Betbeter?” They asked. “It’s so colorful.”

“Grimer were imported to Alola for the express purpose of dealing with trash that washes up on beaches from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.” Dax explained, wiki tone engaged. “Through gene splicing and selective breeding, Aether Foundation scientists created a variant that could more readily break down plastics. The steady diet of colorful plastics, metals and other refuse caused even further divergence, resulting in the gaudy appearance and secondary dark-type of today’s recycler variant.” They paused as the Grimer mumbled. “This one says he doesn’t like eating trash.”

“Then why is he in a dumpster?”

Dax gurgled back, and the Grimer made another, somehow different goopy sound. An appendage rose out of the dumpster revealing a pale bar of soap with the numeral 5 emblazoned on its side.

“He likes soap,” said Dax. “This is the back of a fancy soap store, apparently.”

Despite themselves, Azophi felt their eyebrows raise. “Yo, that’s some expensive pìhuà. Good taste, Sludgeo.” The Grimer burbled and its mouth curved up into a lopsided smile. “Wanna chill with us while we eat lunch?”

The Grimer stretched up and slopped over the side of the dumpster, and they all made their way more slowly back out of the alley and around the corner to the picnic area of one of the beachfront takeout joints.

Hau went to order while they settled in. Azophi took a punch to the gut as Nerium jumped up into their lap. They groaned, but when they grabbed a flipper to move him, they noticed it felt rough and damp. They turned over his fins one by one to find all of them scraped raw. Azophi pulled a tube of ointment out of their bag with a sigh.

“This is why you shouldn’t be running around on pavement!”

Nerium burbled happily in response, totally oblivious to Azophi’s scolding tone, and they tried to ignore Makani’s stifled giggle. He was lucky he was so damn adorable.

Hau lay out quite a spread as usual and Azophi passed the wrappings and other unwanted bits to the Grimer under the table as they tucked in.