Nasrin Quartz Universe had lived on Litore her entire life.
It was the realm of the Universe Family, where the Crystal Gems made their home, and she had only ever looked past its shores as her brothers and sisters slowly left to travel the regions.
Sprawled across her bed, fluffy white comforter rumpled and pillows askew, the pink-haired girl only half-watched her cartoon as Ariel sat on her chest, juggling a trio of colorful little balls in her flippers, tongue sticking out in concentration.
"Hey, Nazz!" Amethyst called from the opening temple door, Mimikyu swaying on her head as she crossed onto hardwood. "Wanna spar?"
"Nah." Nasrin answered tiredly, tapping the remote to change channels to a movie that was already halfway done. "Maybe later."
Pearl fumbled a bowl she was rinsing off in the kitchen sink, light eyes snapping up to the loft bedroom, and Ariel could only shrug, similarly unmotivated.
"You sure?" Amethyst prodded, brow furrowing as her Tauros clopped up, nudging Bellossom in hello. "I was thinking we could use the sky arena."
"No thanks." Nasrin repeated, flipping to an old sitcom. "Don't really want to."
The pair of Gems shared a look at that, Lilligant shuffling anxiously, and Amethyst's next words were a whisper.
"When's Garnet getting back?"
"I don't know." Pearl admitted in the same hushed tone. "She should've been home yesterday…"
"Do you think they said no?"
"Of course not! Why would they-?"
A WHOOSH from the warp pad cut off their quiet conversation, and Nasrin rolled over to watch as a Krookodile stepped down onto stone floor, offering a clawed hand to the misty-eyed Xatu behind him, Garnet following with neutral calm.
"Hey." The rosy-haired girl greeted listlessly, flopping back onto the bed, and Ariel squeaked as she was nearly unseated by the water-filled mattress.
The Fusion tilted her head towards the others, silent, and both shrugged.
"She's been like this all day." Pearl confessed softly. "Ever since the radio mentioned that enrollment ends today."
"That's a shame." Garnet stated, purposefully making her voice carry. "I brought back a present, but if she's not feeling well…"
Mussed ringlets and dark eyes peered out then, alight with curiosity, and it made Mimikyu coo in relief.
"A present?"
"Yes, a present." Garnet confirmed, mouth twitching into the slightest of smiles. "But if you don't want it-"
"Wait!" Nasrin yelped, almost tripping with how quickly she scrambled out of bed and down the stairs, Ariel leaping after with excited bwarks. "I do want it! Honest!"
Holding in laughter as the eleven-year-old bounced excitedly in place, hands clasped at her back and lower lip held firmly in her teeth, Garnet reached into a water-proof bag-
Nasrin went still, dark eyes wide with stars, as the Pokedex was revealed to her.
Unlike the standard, sleek red plastic, this one was a rosy pink with raised silver lines that spread out like veins, cracking into each other to make beautiful stained-glass-inspired roses that blossomed on the back panel, deep red and green.
"For me?" She breathed, disbelieving, and Krookodile grunted with a nod.
"You'll need it." Garnet agreed, handing over the device easily. "All of Hogwarts' textbooks are digital now."
Ariel squealed, nearly toppling off her shoulder, as Nasrin stared up at her guardian in stunned amazement.
"Hogwarts?"
The Fusion nodded, and a grin blossomed across her face, brighter than sunshine on a clear day, as half-Gem and Pokemon cheered.
"Hogwarts! We're going to Hogwarts! I have to tell mom!"
"NASRIN, SHOES!"
