Chapter Text
Another email. Another thing to do.
Larry was just about to pass out right at his desk from all the work he had been doing for the past few hours, but made it a goal to get everything done in one day, so that the moment he was home, he could sleep. That included reading the most recent email from his totally amazing and incredible boss. Geeta.
Larry,
In regard to the Official Galar Pokémon League, the Paldea League has been asked to participate in helping coordinate the upcoming tournament for the year. I will not be able to help as I have other mandatory work to attend to, and so I ask you kindly to take over my place, and assist with what they need done. Necessary arrangements will be made regarding your current schedule. Please let me know if anything is to get in the way of this.
Sincerely,
Geeta
A feeling of dread washed over him like a tsunami. Just as he thought he would get the weekend off, it’s gone. Taken from him, like the discount off of the sweet and spicy sandwiches he likes to get that he was too late for. Larry sighed quietly, looking over at the clock hung up on the wall to his left. 10:45 pm, it read. He might as well get a move on and head home, knowing he wasn’t going to be able to gain anymore sleep just by sulking.
Only being partially satisfied with his work for the day, Larry packed up his suitcase, checked to make sure he wasn’t missing anything, and left to go home. Being the only one left in the office had its perks; no one could stop you with small talk or the occasional, “how am I supposed to do this?”
Larry went to turn off the last few lights of the office before heading out fully, saying goodbye to the night guard that stood watch of the building. He wondered if being a security guard had more pros than cons, but with his introversion and how little sleep he gets, he knew the answer wasn’t a good one. Snapping out of his thoughts, he trudged his way home, heading down to the gate connecting the league to Mesagoza, and calling a flying taxi. He knew certain Squakabilly didn’t have good vision at night, and he didn’t want to risk an injury he could avoid, so he was grateful that they had a Noctowl to help lead them. (Even though he did wish something would give him PTO). Only after giving the taxi man the directions to Medali did Larry begin to let the night settle in. The taxi’s seating wasn’t the comfiest, but it was a good change from the chair he was in for almost a full day straight.
Arriving at Medali felt like someone giving Larry a lifetime supply of onigiri, without the onigiri and instead the comfort of a familiar place. He paid the taxi man, waved him and the pokemon goodbye, and finally, finally, was he actually feeling content. He could almost feel the softness of his bed like it was real. Making his way through the now quiet city made him feel at ease, knowing he was able to go home without being stopped by any ‘fans.’ He still never understood why people liked him for, well, him. He was normal, and that was it, nothing interesting. It was almost like people actually admired the fact he was so normal, but that still didn’t make sense to him.
Once arriving at his apartment door, he made haste by unlocking it and setting his stuff down. Larry finally let out his Staraptor after staying in its pokeball for a majority of the day, having defeated all trainers that came by before he could let the pokemon out. The bird pokemon stretched its wings with a small noise, chirping excitedly when seeing its trainer.
“Hello Staraptor, it’s been a long day, huh?” Larry spoke as he went to his room to change into his pajamas. Staraptor agreed with a low chirp, already flying up to its specially-made perch by the window of the bedroom. Larry smiled ever so slightly at the comfort his pokemon was feeling, happy to feel the same.
“We have a big day as always tomorrow, so make sure you get some good rest,” he got under the blanket of his bed, turning off the lamp in his bedside table, causing the room to go pitch black. Staraptor squeaked out a noise of pretend surprise, acting as if the sudden darkness startled it.
“Yeah yeah,” Larry shook his head. “Good night, bud.”
——————
“Ah, Larry. Good to see you. I assume you’ve seen the email I sent you?”
The man nodded, already tired from the work he’s been put through. It was only midday, and his back was already aching. Sitting in Geeta’s office didn’t help, and the pressure of being the center of attention at the moment slowly seeping into himself.
“Good. To make better sense, the Galar league needs help in running the tournament, and asked that all champions help participate if able to do so” Geeta took a sip of her coffee. “While I’m not going to be able, it would look terrible if we were not there to help, and so I do ask if you could help out instead.”
‘Help out.’ Larry knew that was just her way of saying, ‘Here’s another task and if you don’t do it I’ll threaten to cut your pay.’ He bit back a sigh and gave it some thought. While having yet another thing to worry about wouldn’t be a wish he’d want granted, it would be nice to get away from the constant stream of paperwork. That is, unless he was required to fill out other paperwork for the tournament. After thinking, Larry responded in his monotone voice.
“Yeah. I’ll be alright to help.” He paused. “I do have a question if you don’t mind me asking.” Geeta gave him the go-ahead.
“Will I be required to continue with the work given to me currently, or will it be put on hold?” His heartbeat started to race slightly. If only it would be put on hold if only-
“Of course. I understand that it wouldn’t be possible for you to do your best work when focused on something as big as the tournament. While you are in Galar, Rika will take over what work she is capable of doing,” Her smile intimidated the everyman, but the smile was genuine, and that calmed Larry down.
“Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?”
Nothing that Larry was needing an answer for, no.
“Very well. Your flight is in a few days, so that you’re able to prepare and pack. Reach out if you need any assistance in your traveling.”