Work Text:
Your vacation in Lumiose sure has been eventful so far. From climbing the ranks in the Z-A Royale, to calming Rouge Mega Pokémon, to clearing Team MZ’s debt to the Rust Syndicate, you feel like you’ve barely had a moment to rest since you stepped off the train. Your Pokémon haven’t had it easy either, faithfully by your side through the work. You decide you all deserve a slow morning for a change. So with your mind made up you wish AZ and the team a good day before whisking yourself out the door. Cafe Introversion down the street sounds like a perfect place to relax.
*Ring ring! Ring ring!*
The sound of your Rotom phone stops you in your tracks, barely past the front steps of the hotel. You answer.
-click-
“Hello, hello. It’s been a while. I hope I’ve caught you at a good time, I would like to discuss a job with you.”
Corbeau’s faux polite smile greets you. He’s sitting at the large desk in his office, presumably alone since Phillipe isn’t in frame. You frown.
“Discuss a job? I thought you said the debt was waved. Didn’t take you for the type of man to go back on your word.” You know you probably shouldn’t be sassing the boss of the scary loan sharks, but Corbeau always seemed more amused by your snark than offended. This time is no different as his business smile slips into a smirk. He huffs a laugh.
“Don’t get smart with me kid, your debt is settled. No, today I come to you with a request for your help. Compensated of course.”
For a moment you think about refusing, but only for a moment. Despite his questionable business practices and habit of layering threats into his speech, you like him. He cares about Lumiose, and if this job is anything like the past ones he sent you on, then you know it’ll be for a good cause. So you agree to help, silently kissing your lazy morning goodbye.
“There’s an unwanted gathering in the gardens near the Magenta Plaza. I need you to… disperse the crowd, by whatever means you see fit.”
Somehow Corbeau always makes his jobs sound like a contracted hit piece. But at this point you know better- he’s calling you because this is a problem to be solved by a strong trainer. You feel a little flattered that even with all his underlings he’d still hire you to get it done right. Guess he wasn’t exaggerating when he said he found you impressive after the Promotion Match.
“Just a tip before you go, I suggest you bring a fire type. Maybe that pesky Charizard of yours. I’ll be in touch. Good luck.”
And with that he hangs up. Never a moment wasted with that man. You sigh before heading out to hail a Lumi Cab, better not to keep the poor groundskeeper waiting.
The problem is apparent the moment you set foot in the gardens. In the middle of the circular hedges stands a group of wild Roselia, rose buds lifted towards the sun and pollen floating gently with the breeze. It’s a beautiful sight, but a problem none the less. Roselia are very territorial Pokémon and have a nasty habit of stun sporing anything that gets too close before attacking it. They really can’t stay here in the public gardens. You take a moment to snap a few photos, a little sad that you have to disturb their sunbathing, before summoning your Charizard as suggested. You can take on 5 at once, no problem.
The battle goes as expected. The Roselia were no match for Charizard’s flamethrower, and after they recover from fainting you’re able to usher them back to Wild Zone 7 where they had probably wandered off from. You weren’t able to avoid getting stun spored though, the tingly pollen sticking annoyingly to your clothes and hair even as the effects wore off. You’ll have to shower later.
*Ring ring! Ring ring!*
It’s Corbeau, right on time.
-click-
“I’ve received word from the groundskeeper that the job is done. Good work out there kid, I wish I had the time to watch the battle myself. I love when I get to observe competent trainers.” You flush at the honey dripping from his tone, a pleased expression settled over his face. You’ve noticed before that for all the scary boss act he puts on, he’s quite generous with his praise.
“Come to my office to receive your pay. I’ll be waiting.”
Once again he hangs up. You contemplate returning to the hotel to shower before meeting Corbeau, but decide against it. He’s praised you in the past for being punctual and reliable and you’d hate to prove him wrong. So you detour only to heal your Pokémon up at a Pokémon Center along the way before heading for the intimidating Rust Syndicate headquarters.
Corbeau’s office is as pristine and expensive looking as always. You can’t help but feel underdressed whenever you visit, especially as you stand there dusted in pollen. Corbeau looks up from the papers he’s checking over when you enter, smiling that same pleased smile. You feel warm.
“Punctual as usual, I always appreciate that about you.” He stands as you approach his desk and slides you the money; 10,000 pokedollars. Too much for the scale of the job, but he said before he’s known to be a generous tipper. As you finish counting Corbeau gestures to the couches, a custom tea set laid out as if he’s been anticipating a guest. He flashes you his faux business smile once again, his eyes letting you in on the joke.
“You came just in time, I was about to take a break. I hope you can spare a moment, I have some rumors to share that Team MZ may find useful.”
So you join him for tea. Who would you be to turn down such an offer? The rumors he shares are interesting; general public opinions on the implementation of wild zones, how much people know of the Rouge Mega Pokémon problem, and the downward trend of people’s trust in Quasartico Inc.’s stated mission. You find yourself distracted though, because as he talks you notice Corbeau start to fidget in a way you’ve never observed of him before.
Corbeau is the kind of man who works to appear professional and authoritative at almost all times, and is usually adept at keeping his hands calm and still. But you notice he keeps adjusting his glasses, and occasionally his expression pinches in a way that doesn’t match his words. For a moment you can’t figure it out. Is this simply what Corbeau is like under more casual circumstances, or is something wrong? It isn’t long before your question is answered.
“More civilians are considering joining the Lumiose Safety Group a-as theyhh…” Corbeau’s words stutter over a breathy gasp, his eyebrows furrowing and his hand jumping up to his face once again. But this time it doesn’t touch his glasses, instead rubbing his nose as it twitches slightly. It’s noticeably pink against his pale fingers.
“hh-h…”
Another shuddery breath has him reaching for the handkerchief in his pocket, a deep purple and embroidered with the poison motif Corbeau is fond of. It makes his nose look even more pink as he tucks it under his flaring nostrils and attempts to excuse himself.
“P-pahhrdon mehh…heh! eh-!”
“K’Tchh- ‘TCHhhu!! hh- heH’K’tchhu!!”
Corbeau snaps to the side, gritting his teeth to keep the sneezes polite. For moment he doesn’t move as if he isn’t sure he’s done.
"à tes souhaits.”
He manages only a weak glance in your direction before his expression crumples and he shudders into his expensive handkerchief with more restrained sneezes. You have to bite your lip to keep from giggling at his ticklish expression.
“A’Tchh- a’khh- hhhH…hH! AK’Tchhuh!!”
A strong sneeze breaks through and leaves him sniffling. As he recovers you can see a tear slip down his cheek, his eyes looking a little red. You start to grow concerned.
"à tes souhaits, à tes amours, à ta santé! Are you ok? You’re not working sick, are you?”
You watch Corbeau carefully wipe the tears from under his glasses before turning to you. With his pink nose and watery eyes, he’s starting to look like he has a cold. You can’t tell whether the color dusting his cheeks could be from the potential illness or embarrassment, his neutral expression not giving away any clues. You personally believe it’s the latter.
“No, I’m not sick- snf! I’ve been fine until…”
He stops short, and his eyes suddenly rake over you from head to toe. Heat touches your own cheeks as his sharp gaze takes you in.
“You’re covered in pollen.”
The simple statement makes you blink. The status effect had worn off so you’d forgotten about the light dusting of yellow that settled over you. You raised your eyebrow in confusion.
“Yes? I got hit by a stun spore or two during the battle. Those Roselia are feisty little things.” You offer as an explanation, still confused. Is he changing the subject to avoid your concern?
“I’m allergic to pollen.”
Corbeau’s admission stuns you for a second, no Pokémon move needed. Allergic? But that’s ridiculous, doesn’t he…?
“You’re allergic to Roselia pollen? But you have a Roserade.”
Corbeau sniffles, rubbing his nose and leaning back in his seat. He shoots you an amused smile.
“Yes, it was quite the challenge to train it. Roserade’s pollen is much less potent so I don’t have much trouble now, but as a Budew it was a menace.”
There’s a moment of silence before a giggle escapes you. After that you can’t help but laugh at the mental image. Corbeau struggling to give commands through sneezes as his Budew looks on in confusion- it’s strangely charming to imagine. You smile teasingly at him.
“Anything for the poison types huh?”
“Of course, poison types are the behhH- huh! NG’tchh!!”
Corbeau stifles the surprise sneeze, not getting his handkerchief up in time to cover. Something about his expression makes you feel flustered, and you decide that now’s probably a good time to leave.
“I should get going. I wouldn’t want to ruin the rest of your day.”
“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. You couldn’t ruin my day if you tried. Snf! I look forward to our next collaboration. I’ll be in touch.”
His honeyed words and promising smile run through your mind on repeat as you make your way back to Hotel Z. With your heart beating fast and your face hot, you wonder if poison is supposed to taste this sweet.