Liam’s smile brightened. “Oh, I’ve been traveling a while,” he said easily. “Long enough to know that arriving somewhere exhausted and in a terrible mood does absolutely nothing for one’s battle performance.”

“And honestly, if a place looks this lovely, I think it would be rude not to appreciate it. I may be headed toward a high-tier competition, but I’m not dead inside.”

At his side, Boo gave a tiny wobble.

Liam laughed softly. “Boo, at least, has been very clear that flower fields are acceptable so long as nothing in them starts moving unexpectedly.”

His expression softened before returning to Maeve. “Though I suppose you’re right. Most trainers invited to something like this are too busy charging dramatically toward their destiny to stop and admire the scenery. Very intense. Very exhausting to imagine.”

His gaze flicked to the envelope in her hand, then back to her. “You don’t strike me as that sort either. Not entirely, anyway.”

“I was on my way in from Galar. Wyndon, specifically. And you?”

He tilted his head slightly. “Also, for the record, I’m choosing to take your comment as a compliment. It’s much nicer than saying, ‘You look suspiciously well-dressed for someone who’s about to go throw Pokémon at elite competitors for a week.’”