Xinhai returned to the door of Room 1206 and took the keycard from his pocket to unlock it.
The room was silent. Only the small nightlight in the corner of the living room was on, casting a soft yellow glow.
Moonlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, spreading a layer of silvery-white light across the floor.
Blaziken was still leaning against the wall by the window with its eyes closed, resting. Hearing the movement, it opened its eyes, its blue gaze faintly gleaming in the darkness.
Krookodile lay in its bed in the corner of the living room, its massive dark-red body curled into a ball as it breathed heavily and steadily.
Mightyena lay by the door, its ears twitching. After confirming it was Xinhai, it closed its eyes again.
Grovyle sat cross-legged before the floor-to-ceiling window, its shadow stretched long by the moonlight.
It opened its eyes, its golden gaze lingering on Xinhai for a moment before closing again when it spotted Eevee in his arms.
Xinhai softened his footsteps and entered the bedroom first, gently placing Eevee beside the pillow.
The little one stirred as it was moved in its sleep, nuzzling its head into the pillow. Its fluffy tail covered its nose, and it gave a contented hum before sinking back into deep sleep.
Gardevoir followed behind him and used Confusion to gently lift a corner of the blanket over Eevee.
Xinhai left the bedroom, closed the door, and walked toward Blaziken, who was sitting by the living room window.
"Blaziken." He crouched before Blaziken, took out the exquisite wooden box from his backpack, and opened it.
The Charcoal gave off a restrained sheen beneath the nightlight. Its tree-ring-like patterns overlapped layer upon layer, while fine red sparks occasionally surfaced from deep within it like sleeping embers.