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Nacrene City didn't usually host large egg hunts. Most people preferred the larger-scale and more extravagent showings in cities like Castelia and Nimbasa. Even the likes of Striaton or Virbank could usually whip up a larger celebration. But some years Nacrene pitches in an effort, and some people do show up, perhaps aiming for a simpler atmosphere or attracted to the idle comforts of simple cafes and libraries once the egg hunt was done.
Lenora has a good spot to set it up, close to the star rock where fighting-types were known to train. It's out of the way of the forest and generally clear of tall grass, making it easy to keep an eye out for any wild Pokemon. It's simply grass and dirt and rock, peaceful and pleasant. Today, the sky is clear and blue, with the sun's light warm but not discomforting in the spring breeze. Petals and leaves drift by on the occasional gust, and it seems there's a kind of magic to the air, a promise of goodwill.
Between them, Hawes and Lenora hid a great many eggs, aided by some of the gym hands, and there's an affection palpable between husband and wife as they work. Hawes makes an idle joke or comment as he hides eggs, remarking often he would get flustered and mix up books and exhibits in the library's early days. Lenora chortles, remarking she actually rather enjoyed picking up after him, noting it gave her more time to see the goodness of his character. And maybe some enjoyment to the view. Hawes flushes a bit, but assures his wife he was always glad for her presence. Sometimes he wondered if he took longer than expected to get good at the gig because he just loved having Lenora always on hand to help him.
Some of the gym hands blush and giggle when Lenora practically picks up her shorter husband and grants him a tender kiss. Others laugh at his goofy expression when they part, still so easily befuddled by love for his wife. Lenora nuzzles Hawes and tells him simply and sweetly that she'll always want to be on hand to help him. Her Hawes deserved that and so much more. But for now, they were happy enough with the eggs, and once all were hidden away, now was the time for the children to come and play.
Some older trainers are on hand, including a nurse, setting up a perimeter and bantering cheerily among themselves as they keep watch for Pokemon and take amusement in the children's antics. There's not too many of them, a handful at best, but each child is exuberant and bright-eyed, laughing among themselves as they dart across pathes of grass and puddles, seeking out colourful eggs wherever they may be. There's an atmosphere of positivity buzzing in the air, aided by some of the trained Pokemon present, including Munnas and Stunfisks.
Sat close to the star rock, Lenora and Hawes share tea and biscuits, affectionate glances exchanged as they note it's not just the children enjoying themselves. Entertainingly, the small crowd are joined by none other than Skyla and Elesa, Lenora's fellow gym leaders and occasional female-to-female confidents in Caitlin's villa past league duties. It's an amusing sight to watch the pilot skip and twirl as frivolously as the children, accompanied by her more fancifully dressed girlfriend. The spring dress Elesa wears is a glamorous type of plain, not explicitly decorated but bright for how well she wears it.
Hawes chuckles, leaning over to make a note to his wife.
"I remember the dresses she bought for you last year. I couldn't honestly say which one you looked most wonderful. Simple and effective, absolutely fitting to your theme, you know? Never garish, yet always radiant."
Lenora does enjoy it when Hawes speaks eloquently for romance. She leans over herself, taking his hand in hers, and replies affectionately.
"And when you tried one on, dear, I have to say you looked so wonderful yourself. I think flowery flows really suits you."
Hawes chuckles again, squeezing her hand. He could wax poetic to Lenora all day if he could, a lifetime of bookworm behaviour giving him plenty of good words and phrases to use. But frankly, as with Lenora's preference for dresses, the simple way is most effective.
"For you, I'd aim to look wonderful in anything. Even half as wonderful as you."
Lenora's eyes are bright with affection, and she gifts Hawes another warm kiss. He wishes he could hold it for longer, hold Lenora for longer, but they do have a watch to keep, don't they? Lenora's Watchog seems to roll her eyes as she prods her trainer, coaxing Lenora and Hawes to return their gaze to the egg hunt. The children are loading their baskets quite well, laughing and chattering to each other, and Skyla seems to have done well herself, doubtlessly aided by her pilot's eyes. She had assured Lenora beforehand she wouldn't be taking any from the children and would hand them out when she was done. Skyla just loves a chance to show off her own fun side.
Part of that, Lenora suspects, is enjoying getting some reaction from Elesa. Elesa's words drift over, playfully admonishing.
"There'd better be a superb reason here, sweetie. I had to pick between this and the Nimbasa Easter Amusement Event. Manon had this dazzling rainbow dress set up for me, you know. It'll still get worn, but kind of a buzzkill when it's one of my associates flaunting it."
Skyla clicks her tongue in response, kissing her girlfriend on the cheek before dancing away. Elesa pursues her, maintaining her mock griping. Their Swoobat and Emolga twirl around them, sharing in the laughter as they dive in and out to dance around their trainers, and Lenora is struck by a pleasant memory.
"Do you remember that picnic we had in Pinwheel Forest all those years ago? Back when the libary was still small? And we ended up with a crowd of adorable little elemental monkeys sharing with us?"
Hawes is laughing louder now, making his wife's Watchog huff in bemusement. Patting her hand, he grins cheekily at Lenora, struck by pleasant thoughts.
"Yes, and they all nearly followed us home, begging for treats. Frankly I'm still amazed you didn't adopt them all there and then!"
"Ah, dear, sometimes I struggle to keep up with feeding just you, never mind some Pokemon kids."
"Heh, true. That's what happens when one's wife is such an amazing cook."
He's always got charm, Hawes does, and Lenora is blushing herself as she recalls plentiful times cooking in the kitchen, distracted by her husband's arms around her and his lips at her cheeks. She can't resist giving that cheeky smile another kiss, and it takes a sigh and a pat from her Watchog to disengage her from Hawes, who's now looking rather dazed.
Peering back at the egg hunt, Lenora chuckles as she watches Skyla guide Elesa to a certain hiding spot. It isn't a chocolate egg Elesa finds, but instead a big babbling Togepi, laughing happily as Elesa hoists it up. As the children and Skyla's Swoobat fawn at the sight of it, Skyla prances beside her girlfriend and whispers something to her.
Elesa seems starstruck.
"For me?"
"For you, sweetie! An Easter gift from my Togekiss, from her goodwill and from mine too!"
The Togepi chirps happily in Elesa's hands. Her Emolga drifts down to land on her shoulder, inspecting the new Pokemon curiously. Togepi giggles, bats at Emolga's nose, and she responds with a delighted squeak and hugs the smaller Pokemon. Elesa seems quite moved, giving staggered laughs as she hugs the Togepi too, and then sweeps Skyla up in her arms to kiss her. The kids laugh and mime wretching, some even shouting about cooties, but the display has Hawes and Lenora exchanging a loving smile.
"I remember leaving gifts for you like that. You really did adore the Audino in the garden, didn't you?"
Hawes speaks lowly, lovingly, gazes always fixated on Lenora's eyes. She remembers, laughing softly and keeping that gaze.
"After I got over the shock of her running up to glomp me? I truly did. You always had the best surprises for me, Hawes. Every year, any day, you always amaze me."
She speaks it clearly and adoringly, wanting more than words to make it known. Hawes seems a little moved now himself, and this time his wife's Watchog simply leaves them be as they share a deep kiss, the cheers of egg hunters resounding as Skyla spins Elesa and her new Togepi around.