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!”
=========
An excerpt of a different, separate story written by
YEAH!! I'll draw some more to it, and eventually stop [uploading the art], like I did for the story my sister wrote
I wanted to say that this is my favorite of all of them, so far. His expression perfectly captures the sort of half-hearted smile one can manage while they're feeling worn down, but don't want to show it. It's exactly the sort of thing I was thinking of when I was writing it.