Today was a nerve racking day for the gallade. Pras was due to give a speech to a group of pokemon and people that he felt he had a duty towards.
Despite having written the draft 2 weeks in advance and had the final draft of what he was going to say done a week after, the gallade was feeling some last minute nerves.
“You look shaky.”
Jolting straight and turning around and saw Leigh standing there carrying two cups of coffee. “Here you are. Figured you would need this.”
The human handed over the coffee cup that said ‘mocha-chino’, which was Pras’ favorite coffee to drink.
“Thanks. I just want to make sure I have this right,” Giving a concerned look, Pras took a big sip from the coffee. “I want to give my best impression to those who can benefit from this.”
Leigh was empathetic to the gallade’s stage fright. “Listen, you gave your case to the other members of the board on why a grant should be created to recruit and benefit more transgender people and pokemon. Those guys were far more critical to appeal to than a crowd of people who are on your side and want this. You carried on like a professional and even managed to convince two fence sitters to your cause.”
She was not kidding either. Pras had given his presentation on why it would be both a good investment and overall a moral thing to have money set aside for supporting trans workers and to allow the company’s health insurance cover both human and pokemon going through gender reassignment surgery be a default coverage feature, rather than one they would have to pay extra for. He managed to convince the board of 10 think tank members to support his plan by a vote of 7-3.
“That’s true. Still. Vonnegut voting against the plan still weighs in my head.” Vonnegut was one of those votes opposing him, not because he was transphobic, far from it. He wrote the book on how most pokemon could transition and that pokemon being trans was normal.
The malamar’s objection was more out of spite towards Pras, whom it was an open secret he despised. Leigh and David both called him out in the room over the hypocrisy and that Vonnegut only opposed it because he wanted that idea to be his. Another member pointed out the controversy that would happen if Vonnegut’s vote became public.
Due to these pressures Vonnegut changed his response so he was in favor of the plan publicly, but still doubted Pras’ plan. Because of this factor, Pras only considered the vote going 7-3, as opposed to the record vote of 8-2.
“Well he will always be a spiteful old-mon. Just think he is likely at the end of his rope health wise so just think you will outlive him. You technically convinced the board to vote for your plan 8-2. I wish I could convince the board to do that and I’m a member.” This comment caused Leigh and Pras to chuckle. Conveniently, this stopped Pras from pondering on the previous point of Leigh counting the days for Vonnegut to croak and die.
“Pras. You are living proof that this grant plan can work. You are one of our best workers and if the situation was less complicated you would be getting letters of recommendation from me regardless what you would do.”
There was a lot of Leigh’s statement that was true. After Pras ‘joined’ the company he worked his way up to a high ranking member that was widely respected among his peers. It was also due to support from Leigh and David, as well as his own savings, that he was able to transition as well as he had. With overwhelming support from members of the company, even Vonnegut for self-serving reasons.
“Leigh. That means a lot.” Kind words was all it took for Pras to get back into a good mood with a big confident smile. “I’m good to go on this!” The psychic began to make his way to where he was due to give the speech in 2 hours.
“Thanks again for the coffee!” Pras yelled down the hall, which caused Leigh to chuckle.
Did this after seeing this- https://prettyinaccurate.tumblr.com/post/177010954053/if-you-let-yourself-sink-youre-going-to-drown from @prettyinaccurate , love your art btw and thanks for giving me an idea on how to continue my plot! (PS if they looks similar it’s only because I didn’t know what I wanted exactly so this was how it came out don’t comment hateful things about it I know already)
“You see Garcia, we can’t have you going behind our backs. Your own parents back. Doing who knows what,” Isaac started. “So let’s make a deal, no more sneaking around to see girlfriends.”
She knew it wasn’t a question. And that something worse was to follow. So she slowly nods. “Just please... don’t hurt her.”
“Of course not.” Isaac taps Lilliths shoulder and she disappears. “But you should be worrying about yourself.”
And then she fell asleep. When she woke up it was in bed, the next morning. So she got out of bed, and went downstairs to join the others.
“Good morning Garcia, how did you sleep?” Pascoe asked.
“Tiiiiiiiqqqueee how am I supposed to draw you if you keep moving?”
Tique chuckles. “Sorry. But literally there is the guy that’s totally checking you out.”
“You know I could care less if there’s someone checking me out.” Tate gives the other a look.
Tique rolls their eyes. “Come on! You’re good at conversing and flirting go talk to him. Maybe you’ll be surprised.”
Tate groans. “Fine, but only for my sis. Not cause I’m interested.”
“Yay!”
Tique smiles at Tate who rolls their eyes again before going to talk to the guy with the guitar.
Tique was very much content to sit and make small observations of the two. For example Tate seemed to be genuinely having a good time. That was good enough for Tique.
End flashback
Tate had opted from drawing to reading a book. It was a historical fiction book that eventually made them grow bored.
This lead to them falling asleep at the base of the apple tree. It was peaceful a gentle breeze was present. Much better than the confusing and chaotic thoughts in their head.
Tate was attempting to go through their memories. To sort things out and make things clear. But nothing helped. No matter how long they thought about it. They let out a sigh.
Cacia raises an eyebrow at this from her desk. “You alright Tate?”
“Hm? Yeah, I was just thinking... Listen, I’m going to go for a walk.”
“Okay, take care and be safe now.”
Tate nods and exits the room. They head to their room and grab the sketchbook and pencils, a book, and water.
“Damn it... I don’t have anything to carry this.”
Tique knocks on the door. “Hello? I heard you were heading out.”
“Yeah... As soon as I get something to put this stuff in...”
Tique holds out a dark brown leather satchel. It was a bit worn out. Tate looks at it, as if trying to remember something. They shake their head and put their stuff in it.
“Thank you Tique.”
“Of course.”
After that Tate exited. They walked into the woods, eventually ending up at an apple tree. It seemed the apples were out of season and some of the leaves had begun to fall.
They decided to sit under the tree. They just sat there looking up for a long time. Then something compelled tate to pull out the sketchbook and they began to draw.
Ike was thrown to the ground and knocked unconscious by Kelly.
“Ike!” Wanda shouted from her desk.
Kelly stood up straight and dusted their hands off. “Ike never could match me in combat.”
“Oliver I know you’re in there! Just fight it!” Wanda shouted. Apparently Kane and Tetris were heavy sleepers. Kelly looked at Wanda summoning a knife and was about the throw it when they keeled over in pain.
Wanda quickly dashed over to them and pulled up a screen and began to type and continued until Kelly had fallen asleep.
“Nothing I can’t handle...”
She continued to type and try to sway the balance of power between Kelly and Oliver. It was an hour till Ike woke up with a groan.
“Wanda, where are- there you are. You aren’t hurt are you?”
“I’m fine. Just helping Oliver out here.” She gives a yawn and Oliver looks like themselves and yawned.
“Oh my god... what happened? No ones hurt right?”
Ike stand and joins the two on the floor by Oliver’s desk. “Not exactly.”
“Shit... well I’m back. And don’t worry I know what’s going on.”
“Are you sure Kelly is gone?” Wanda asked nervously.
Oliver shook their head. “No. But for now we’ll make it work.”
