Resignation Chapter 1
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“Shroomy! Where are you?”
PK stepped out from behind her sales stall after making her last exchange with a small Rescuer Pachirisu. Evening was approaching, which meant that it was time to close up shop for the day. “Shroomy, we need to count today’s profits!” she called out, stepping inside the Merchants’ HQ. He had to be in there somewhere! Unfortunately, the only one outside of the private quarters was Sandy, PK’s freely-hired Deino assistant, lying comfortably on the ground.
“Sandy! Have you seen Shroomsworth? He’s usually ready to count profits by now...” PK noted with minor concern.
Sandy lifted her head and peered toward Shroomsworth’s private quarters. “I saw him go in there a few hours ago.” She then let her head lazily droop back down, likely closing her eyes... if she had any. It was hard to tell.
PK reeled in shock. “A few HOURS?! Has he been slacking off in his room for that long?!” This wouldn’t do at all! She marched right up to that lazy Breloom’s door, raising a claw to knock at it loudly. “Shroomsworth! Get your butt out here! That sale raked in so much Poke from the Rescuers, there’s no way I’m counting this stuff myself!”
No answer. Odd. The chance to count a large sum of profits was usually pretty exciting for him.
“Shroomsworth!” The Kecleon called his name again with one last hard knock upon his door.
“The door is unlocked, madam.” the monocled Breloom’s voice finally sounded from behind the door. His tone was rather dejected, for some reason.
With that permission, PK grasped the handle and turned it, stepping into Shroomsworth’s quarters.
Despite his refined stature, he had rather humble living quarters. A bed just big enough for him, a desk to keep important things in, and a cabinet storing his various fancy items. Tea sets, monocles, the like. The gentleman Breloom was standing at his desk, facing away from the doorway as he overlooked something. “I am certain Sandy can help you tonight, madam.”
“What..? Shroomy, we made a fortune today! C’mon, don’t you wanna feel the crisp, thick wads of cash in your claws?” PK was already imagining this herself. Oh, the things she could buy! The Spinda Cafe would certainly be receiving some business from her soon... and Shroomsworth, surely he could do the same! They did serve his favorite tea, as she recalled.
“I... am feeling under the weather, Miss PK. Please just leave me be tonight. I will make up for it tomorrow with overtime,” Shroomsworth turned his head to look back at the Kecleon with a smile on his face, “I promise.”
This was... weird, to say the least. “What’re you lookin’ at, over there?” PK asked suspiciously.
Shroomsworth turned his head away from her again, looking down at some sort of documents on his desk. “Please do not meddle in my personal affairs, madam.”
PK steamed with anger at such a response! “Fine! See if I care!” she exclaimed, storming right out of the room and slamming the door behind her, grumbling as she stamped across the HQ lobby, “Self-righteous fancy-pants twit..! Sandy, help me count profits, since someone’s too busy!”
The Deino had already awoken abruptly to the sound of a slamming door. Noting that PK seemed so upset, she was quick to hop to her feet and help out!
The night went on as the Kecleon and Deino sorted out piles of Pokedollars within PK’s quarters. It was second nature for PK, but Sandy had a bit more trouble thanks to her flat feet. She would resort to simply forming a neat pile of dollars and gradually sliding them over into another pile under her forefoot, counting each one. This obviously wasn’t her strong suit.
“Sorry you have to do this...” PK broke the silence by apologizing. At least she seemed to have calmed down.
Sandy simply shook her head. “It’s okay. Why doesn’t Shroomsworth want to do it?” she asked curiously.
It was certainly a mystery! Even PK could only shrug as she sorted Pokedollars from one pile to another. “Beats me. All he did was make excuses. I bet he’s just being lazy!” she concluded.
There was brief silence as Sandy slid a few more Poke into a counted pile, then paused in thought. “Why would he do that if he likes counting money? Maybe there’s something wrong.”
The realization made PK pause too. Why WOULD he refuse to do this? Was he really sick? Maybe something else was wrong... she had to know! It was interfering with his duties as a Guild Leader! … Though, maybe she was a little worried. Maybe. Slightly.
“You’re right.” PK set the last Pokedollar she had picked up aside and stood up. “I’m gonna get to the bottom of this. Do you think that you could... um...”
Knowing what she was going to ask, Sandy simply sighed, resigned to a night of counting money instead of guarding it. “Yeah, yeah... don’t expect me to be done before you get back, though. This is hard.”
With an understanding nod, PK quietly exited into the lobby once more. It was now the dead of night, and she could easily sneak about.
The curious Kecleon tiptoed to Shroomsworth’s quarters once more, placing the side of her head against the door to listen. It was completely silent. Eerily so. Quietly, she reached down to test the knob, only to have it turn on its own!
Panicking, PK did the only thing she could think of at the time. She blended in with her surroundings, as Kecleons tend to do. Staying still against the wall next to the door, she was practically invisible. If she were moving, one might be able to spot the zig-zag pattern on her belly, but that was not the case here.
Out from his room came Shroomsworth. He was carrying documents of some sort as he looked about to see of the coast was clear, before quietly heading for the HQ exit. It was far too dark to make out what he was holding, but it had to have been what he was so focused on earlier.
“What is he up to..?” PK mused. She had never, ever seen her fellow leader sneaking around like this. She had to follow him!
Moving slowly, the Kecleon followed her teammate outside, taking care not to give herself away. Any time it seemed like Shroomsworth would turn around at all, she stopped in her tracks, nervously waiting for him to continue.
It was too late for any other Pokemon to be roaming about. Was Shroomsworth going to meet someone? Why would he meet someone so late at night? It was a strange route he took. Right around behind the HQ, into Creeping Forest. What a terrible place to go!
It did make it easier for PK to follow him, though. Each tree provided her cover as she slinked between them as nothing more than a faint, bobbling red zigzag. Not even that was noticed, thanks to her expert sneaking!
“Hah. You actually showed up!” a weaselly voice abruptly sounded out from the trees.
PK’s eyes widened as Slasher himself dropped down before Shroomsworth, who didn’t seem confused in the slightest. This must have been a planned meeting. Was he working with that vile gang?!
A few more Sneasels dropped down behind Slasher. His bodyguards, of course. He never went anywhere without at least a few. “You make good on our deal, or do things have to get ugly?”
The gentlemanly Breloom sighed, holding out the documents he had been carrying all this time. “Here,” he said with obvious venom in his voice, “a copy of the resignation papers I will present tomorrow. I hope you choke on them.”
“Resignation..?!” PK couldn’t believe what she’d heard. Why would he quit?! After all they’d been through? She almost revealed herself right then and there just to break the meeting up, but as they continued talking, the real picture became clear.
Slasher accepted the papers into his claws. It was dark, but Weaviles and Sneasels could see clearly in the forest at any time of day. It’s part of why they hang out there, after all. A grin came over his face as he gazed down at it. “Yes... perfect. You’ll never work in this village again, one way or another. We sure will, though.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Shroomsworth asked the Weavile angrily. “The deal was simply that I would relinquish my position if you do not reveal her whereabouts to Merlot.”
One of the Sneasels laughed heartily as Slasher held up the resignation letter he was handed. “That Kecleon’s getting this notice no matter what you think now, hand-signed by you.” He chuckled as he turned about, beginning to walk away, “Oh, and we’re telling Merlot anyway. With you and that stupid dog gone, we can raid the coffers and be rich!”
That was when Slasher bumped into something he couldn’t see right away. A Kecleon seemed to materialize in front of him. A very angry Kecleon.
“Madam..!” Shroomsworth called out in surprise. He had no idea he was being followed!
With a deft swipe of the tongue, PK took the resignation letter right out of the confused Weavile’s claws and into her mouth, where she immediately swallowed it. “Do you really think I’m that stupid?!”
As Slasher was focused on PK, he suddenly felt himself being grabbed by the headfeathers from behind. His entourage turned to see Shroomsworth’s arm having stretched several feet outward to grasp him!
“Have at you!” the Breloom shouted as the Weavile, taken by surprise, was pulled back toward him by the feathers. He twisted mid-air just in time to meet Shroomsworth’s other claw head-on with his cheek. Not a pretty sight at all. Slasher crashed from mid-air straight to the ground from the impact.
The two Sneasels that were with Slasher prepared to aid him, only to be reminded that they had turned away from a very angry PK.
One punch. Two punches. The Sneasels were out like a light in no time, and they never saw it coming. They, and their leader, had been knocked out!
With a proud sigh, PK dusted her claws off on each other, then looked up to Shroomsworth. He seemed a bit upset. Perhaps ashamed. She approached him, a mild look of annoyance on her face. “How could you even think of letting these idiots make you quit?! You’re better than that!”
It was true. He fell for something stupid, and he knew it. “Apparently not, madam...” was Shroomsworth’s only reply as he turned around, walking back in the direction he came. He sounded uncharacteristically sad, for once.
All of this was happening so fast. PK understood bits and pieces, but she had to get it straight. Quickly, she ran to catch up aside Shroomsworth. “Hey! We’re not done talking! Were you really gonna give everything up for Sandy? Do you really like her that much?”
Shroomsworth turned to PK slightly, just enough that the angle reflected moonlight off of his monocle, hiding the eye under it from view. “No. I was doing it for you.”
For her? How could it possibly be for her? PK ran out in front of Shroomsworth, forcing him to stop in his tracks. “What?! I’d never want you to resign!” she exclaimed. His motivations were so confusing to her!
“No, but you enjoy Sandy’s company. I did not want her to be taken away from you. Unfortunately, I was going to be swindled, either way. You were there to set things right. Let us leave it at that.” Shroomsworth explained, promptly walking around a surprised PK afterwards and out into the clearing leading back to Tao Village..
He had her best interests in mind above all else. It never seemed like that before. Something about it made her feel... strange. Sure, it was always fun to tease Shroomy, and he was always a fairly good sport about it. This case was different, though. This was a genuinely good thing he was trying to do. For her. Yet, right now, he felt terrible about it. He didn’t deserve that at all!
Back at the HQ, Shroomsworth was just arriving ahead of PK. He trudged into the lobby, not at all keeping his usual dignified posture. With an exhausted groan, he opened his door and stepped back into his private quarters for the night, shutting the door with not a creak to break the silence.
The room was only lit by the moonlight showing through the window. It was calming, at least. It always helped Shroomsworth manage to sleep when he had a stressful day.
Leaning his body back onto the bed, he turned and then laid back as he usually did, pulling his sheets over himself. Though he had a rather... generous lower body, his bedding had enough to cover it comfortably. Once he reached up to remove and set aside his monocle on the nearby end table, he was ready to drift off.
He was almost there, to the sweet, restful embrace of sleep, when one of those feelings hit him. The subtle changes in the air, the tiniest of noises. Someone was in his room. He opened an eye to a blurry visage of his partner standing at his desk, looking over the original resignation form he had made.
Noticing that Shroomsworth was stirring, PK turned to look at him, setting the paper down on his desk. “Hey... sorry. I know you were trying to sleep. I just... had to see it for myself.” she explained, heading for the door.
“Wait,” the Breloom stopped her, tossing his sheets off and sitting up. “We should talk.” Shroomsworth patted the spot on his bed next to him, inviting his teammate to sit there.
It was hard not to be in agreement of that, after what happened tonight! It was also hard to just wait until tomorrow, with so many things on both her mind and his.
PK approached the bed and climbed up onto it, seating herself next to Shroomsworth with her legs casually dangling off the side. She looked down at the floor as she twiddled her claws together bashfully. “I really don’t want you to leave. You’re not gonna, right?”
A red claw gently settled itself on PK’s chin, coaxing her to look up and to the side, directly up to the gentleman it belonged to. His monocle, the only thing he wore to really visually live up to that title, wasn’t even being worn at the moment, and yet this air of dignity persisted around him, in his gentle expression and movements.
“I will not, madam. I am sorry to have worried you.” Shroomsworth was politely apologetic even now, after his pride had taken such a hit.
It was just bright enough for PK to notice Shroomsworth leaning in closer to her. Something about the way he was looking at her was very warm and kind. He really enjoyed her presence right now.
Yet... he stopped leaning in, averting his eyes all of a sudden. “I... was foolish not to tell you what was going on. We should have dealt with this together from the beginning.”
PK frantically shook her head. “Look, I like Sandy a lot, okay? I definitely don’t want Merlot taking her back or anything. But you... um...” she stuttered a bit. If there was one thing that could make her feel really shy, it was admitting things like this.
“I... really really like you, okay? You’re my partner, and I don’t want any scumbag Slasher gangers to take you away. There, I said it!”
Luckily, the darkness hid any sort of blush fairly well as the two sat in brief silence, letting the admittance soak in.
PK had looked away after what she said. She’d never felt more embarrassed in as long as she could remember... and then something happened that made her heart jump.
A soft feeling right on her smooth, purple cheek. A kiss.
She turned her head to see Shroomsworth closer than ever, smiling down at her while she reached up and held the spot that he had kissed as though she had to hold the feeling on there.
As though he knew exactly what she was thinking, Shroomsworth whispered quietly to her, “I’ll not tell a soul what we’ve said or done tonight, madam. Please, show me how you feel, and I will reciprocate.”
The statement left PK speechless, to mention the least of it. Her body felt frozen with intense feelings. She was 100% sure she did not want to turn this offer away. It was just so... unexpected. Too good to be true... and yet, here it was. She could look up to him. She could lean toward him. She could... press her lips to his.
For all the complications one could think of with a Kecleon kissing a Breloom, not one surfaced in this special moment. It was soft, tender and heartfelt. Both were reluctant to break off such a thing, but Shroomsworth was eventually the one to do it.
“Madam...” Shroomsworth began, slipping off of the soft bed to stand up next to it. He approached PK’s front, coaxing her to lay back. “Allow me,” he insisted as he coaxed her back. His bed was just big enough for her to lay across from the side.
As PK leaned herself back until she was laying down, she couldn’t help feeling a little vulnerable. This wasn’t a position she often found herself in. She looked down her body, over her belly, to see the Breloom gentleman standing tall over her. At least, he was for that moment.
