Let it be known that I adored writing this chapter. I hope you all have as much fun reading it as I did writing it!

Chapter 4: A Brisk November

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Amelie hopped off Latios's back with a harsh clang on the cement below and went upon her merry way. It was at that moment that Steven realized that he still hadn't taken his father's Rhyhorn or the other pokemon out yet.

He cursed under his breath as he slid off of Latios. Well, it isn't like the massive creature would fit on Latias or Latios's back, anyway, he thought to try and alleviate some of his guilt, and besides, I need to take my own Pokemon out, too.

"Thank you, Latios!" he called after him, but Steven didn't turn around to see where he went. He didn't want to know.

Oh, but he did.

Steven suddenly got a brilliant idea. On this perfectly sunny (albeit a bit chilly) November's Saturday, what better thing was there to do than to take a nice walk in the park? All he'd have to do was round up his Pokemon and he would have another thing checked off his long, long list.

Unbeknownst to him, he, apparently, had another thing coming when he walked through those insanely tall double doors. Mrs. Tuffette was pacing back and forth angrily in the large, gold ornamented room, her plump face several shades redder than usual. She caught his eye and looked daggers into him with her piercing blue eyes. "Mr. Stone! You skipped breakfast again!"

Uh oh. "Oh, dear me, did I? I'm sorry Mrs. Tuffette, time really got away from me this morning! You see, I had a meeting, and I'm afraid to say I didn't wake up in-"

"Oh, posh! You need your breakfast more than anything else in the morning! Those scientists should be smart enough to understand it, so they can wait!" She clicked her tongue and put her hands on her wide hips, covered with a long blue skirt and a blue polka-dotted apron. Steven always thought she resembled a pin cushion. "I even poured you that extra glass of milk that you wanted! Now it's all going to go to waste." She looked genuinely hurt.

Mrs. Tuffette was an extremely motherly old woman who lived in the mansion for most of the year, save for the very few days when her husband was home from the sea, though Steven could never remember his name. Mrs. Tuffette kept her hair in a neat grey bun atop her head that was rarely seen under her frilled bonnet. She had many of these bonnets, and many aprons to match, and she always wore different colors but was always color-coordinated. Steven had known her since she was Ms. Tuffette, when her hair was curly, long, and and light blonde, her back was a little straighter, and she was much less stout.

"Oh, I'm sorry Mrs. Tuffette," Steven said and put a hand on her back. "I'll come in for breakfast tomorrow, alright?"

"You'd better!" she commanded.

He laughed light-heartedly. "Yes, ma'am. Now, please excuse me..."

"Oh, you!" she slapped him in the same place Seitan jabbed him. He flinched a little. He was sure there would be a nice purple bruise there. "Always off somewhere between your meetings and your geology and scientists and..."

Steven was slowly climbing the stairs backwards, still smiling and nodding appropriately, until Mrs. Tuffette finally looked over and noticed he was half-way up and yelled, "Hey, get back here! I wasn't finished with you yet!" and Steven bolted. It seemed like he was running from most things these days.

He was almost to his room when a wet-faced, red-eyed woman attacked him from nowhere. "Mr. Stone, how could you!?" she wailed.

Uh-oh. "Oh-uh-um Morgan, hey," he stammered, suddenly unsure of himself.

"Mr. Stone, why do I have to leave? That terrible assistant of yours just gave me the notice. I can't believe her! But I don't really have to leave... right?" Morgan persuaded and sniffled.

"Oh Arceus, Morgan..." Steven was not expecting this at all. But he knew he should have been. He felt like a fool. "I... Morgan you... you have to go. I'm sorry."

She wiped her face. Steven didn't even realize how young she was until just then, maybe fifteen or sixteen years old, and with those big eyes staring up at him, it almost reminded him of... Nope. Never mind.

Suddenly, her whole demeanor changed. She lidded her eyelids heavily and her stance became... not-so-helpless seeming. She put one finger on his chest and inched it down slowly. He put up his hands instinctively and bristled. "Come on now, Mr. Steel... I thought we had something special..." her voice was a low purr.

Nope. Nope, nope, nope. Every inch of his skin was screaming no. Steven stood up straight and regained himself. "There is no negotiation. You will be off the premises in thirty days," he hesitated, "and our relationship is, and always has been, strictly business, Morgan."

Steven instantly regretted the words the moment they came out of his mouth. Now the girl took on an entirely different persona. Arceus, what a rollercoaster, he thought.

"Strictly business, Steven?! I've been working here for nine months and we talk every time I see you! And remember that one time, Steven..." The seductress was back.

Oh, he remembered alright. "You attacked my face with yours when I was walking down the hall."

Her eyes narrowed. "You don't have the authority to fire me."

"I have complete authority over the household whenever my father is gone on business. That includes staff," he said completely emotionless. He hated having to fire people. They had lives, they didn't need the bad news of the axe that he often had to bear. Sometimes the only way he could bear it was to just shut off his feelings completely at put on a persona.

She sniffled once, then starting wailing, pieces of her long, dark red hair sticking to her face with the wetness. This went on for a good minute and a half before she finally spoke again. "Fine! I don't need you, I don't need this place, I don't need ANYTHING!" Morgan near screamed.

Steven stared blankly, despite the emotional turmoil.

She screamed and stomped away. Steven had just turned to leave when he was immediately yanked back and pulled downwards by the tie, the crazed maiden pulling him into a tight kiss. He flailed and struggled to break free, protesting in gargled noises the whole time. She tongued his lips, which were kept tight against the assault. Finally, after what seemed like ten minutes (though it really could've been just a few seconds) she released him. Steven stood, slightly slumped, trying best to maintain his composure through gasps and coughs.

"I FUCKING HATE YOU!" she screamed and ran out.

He wiped his mouth. "Dear fucking Arceus..." he breathed. "This is why I drink."

Cautiously, Steven moved toward his room, He grabbed his bag full of Pokeballs and looked at the clock on his wall. Three o'clock was hardly time for lunch, but his stomach was roaring at this point and he wasn't about to go downstairs to be lectured by Mrs. Tuffette again.

Steven set the Eon Flute down on his bedside table, deciding its removal would take is his mind off... things. He then equally cautiously descended the staircase, hoping the door hinges had been recently oiled so he could slip by undetected, and to his relief they were.

"Go, Rhyhorn!" he said, opening the Pokeball, deciding that his father's Pokemon were best to get out of the way first. Aron was already done, but he wasn't around anyway. Probably found himself a nice comfy place to take a nap. Steven smiled at the thought. "Come on, buddy. We're going for a walk.

The autumn leaves were all near gone, but the ones that were still there were deep red and gorgeous. It was nearing his favorite season quickly. He could've taken his Skarmory, but he liked to see the leaves from the below.

Rustboro Hills was mostly composed of houses, with a high-brow finishing school where he spent many of his days, and a few restaurants here and there. There was a bakery that was good, but not as good as Mrs. Tuffette's cooking and a few high-class five-star restaurants that were booked months in advance. He was headed toward the city of Rustboro, which had all of the things that Rustboro Hills did not.

It didn't take more than twenty minutes to descend down the steep path and into the city. Once he reached it, he switched Rhyhorn for Metagross. Most people were finished with lunch at this time so he didn't think he'd have a problem finding a table... All he needed was a restaurant that was open between lunch and dinner.

He could go the elegant path and try for that new Kalosian restaurant down the street or... he could go to Pizza Jim's. Pizza Jim's was by far the best place to get pizza in town, but also the most run down. But who really cared, right? And another plus, there would definitely be nobody he knew there.

Pizza Jim's was only a short walk. The streets weren't very busy, but there were a few people around; mostly younger kids and older folks. The younger people would be out later at night, when Chinch-U, the nightclub opened. Of course, they called it a nightclub, but it was a school dance compared to Dustoxic in Mossdeep City.

Steven looked up at the big red and white sign in front of the green building that said "Pizza Jim's!" on it. He returned his Metagross to her pokeball and pushed through the glass door, a little bell on the handle jingling to make his presence known.

Inside there were a few red diner tables with metal chairs matching the red and white tile. The room was about the size of his bedroom at home, which would tell anyone that the place was mostly takeout and delivery if they missed the signs in the big windows outside. Despite the size of the restaurant, there were three tables inside and two outside and only one of them was filled. It was perfect.

"Heeey, Steven!" Pizza Jim called to him from the black counter. Light up menu signs hung on the wall behind the tall, tan man with long, blonde, spiked hair. He was big and jolly like a beach bum Santa Claus and had an infectious grin that made you wonder if he could've been Santa's little brother.

"Jim! Long time no see, buddy!" Steven beamed.

"Dad made ya come back again, did 'e?" His voice was naturally low and always laid back.

"Yeah," he chuckled.

"Man, that sucks. But at least I'll be seeing you more often, am I right? Well, until..." Suddenly Pizza Jim's face lost a bit of glow.

"What?"

He scratched the back of his head. "Just got the notice from the bank. We haven't been getting business we used to, y'know? Sixty days and I'm out."

"What?! No!" There was no way that Steven's favorite pizza place in the world closing down. "There has to be another way! You can get a lawyer, somehow there has to be a way you can convince them..."

Pizza Jim shook his head. "Not that simple, kiddo. There's no convincing these guys even if I had the money for a lawyer." Steven glanced behind him, just noticing the moving boxes stacked up.

"Pizza Jim," Steven changed his tone into a more serious one and looked Pizza Jim straight in the eyes. "I would like ten extra-large pizzas."

Jim through his head back into a loud, hearty laugh. "Steven, man, I appreciate what you're trying to do for me here, but ten pizzas isn't really going to make a huge difference-"

"Then make it fifteen. Give me three Unovans with extra garlic and bacon, six Omanyte Deluxes, two Groudon Face-Melters, three Rustboro specials, and..." His steely gaze was unwavering.

"Ste-"

"One pepperoni pineapple with jalepenos."

"You can't-"

"I most certainly can and I most certainly will." Being a businessman did at times come with it's perks. He could convince a person that they were a duck if he had the time. In fact, he did once, though neither of them completely... had their wits about them. "How long?"

"I-um, two hours tops? But-"

"Wonderful. And when the first pizza's done will you bring it outside? I'm starved. Thaaanks," he sang and left before Jim had the chance to argue.

He exhaled loudly as he sat in a metal chair just outside, beginning to warm his hands by rubbing them together.

"That's a hell of a lot of pizzas," the person sitting at the other table behind him said, making him jump. He turned his head so fast it almost gave him whiplash, but there was nobody there.

Steven turned back and blew out slowly.

"...especially for just one guy." Steven jumped again. The person was now in front of him.

Steven laughed nervously. "Oh, hey Selenium." He put on a sort of guilty grin.

She waited.

"Er, s-sorry about the other day, you see and I was a bit under the weather-"

"You mean drunk off your ass."

"-eeyeah that and I wasn't quite myself so yeah, I'm really sorry Selenium."

She took a bite of her pizza and waited for more.

"And I'm an adult with the angst of a fifteen year-old who has no respect for himself or others?"

She chewed.

"I'll... buy you pizza...?"

"I don't want your money," she quickly snapped. "This pizza has already been paid for with your money. I work for you."

"You know Selenium, you're right. I didn't want to give you money anyway. I wanted to give you something more special, more personal, but I haven't quite gotten it yet. But I will," he assured her.

"Sure."

They both looked at each other, Steven sheepishly and awkwardly, Selenium with clear coldness.

After a bit of this staring contest, Selenium got up. "I'm late," was all she said, took her black and gold brand name purse and left.

Only seconds after, Jim came out carrying what smelled like the Omanyte Deluxe. "Man, who was that chick?"

"An... acquaintance," Steven answered.

"She looked so mad at you, bro. Whatever you did, you're in deep."

"Can I also order a tall glass of wine to go with these?"

"ID?"

Steven just looked at him.

"I have to ask!" he defended.

Steven groaned and handed him his wallet. "Also I forgot to pay, so just take the credit card with you when you go, please."

Pizza Jim chuckled. "Alright, man, whatever you say."

"What?" Steven demanded.

"You're just pretty loose about your credit card into a bank with hundreds of millions of poke in it."

"I trust you," he said.

Pizza Jim just shrugged and went back inside.

Steven opened the box and the smell of delicious hot pizza wafted into the air. He took a bite of the fantastic smelling white sauce, garlic, mushroom, and calamari slice. Who needed fancy? Pizza Jim's was heart and soul. Also delicious beyond words.

Jim was out with his wine in about a minute. He turned to leave, but Steven caught him before he left. He downed the glass in less than ten seconds. "More?" he asked.

Pizza Jim shook his head, chuckled, and left.

Steven had another hour and twenty minutes to kill after he stuffed himself and had two more glasses of wine. By that time, he was feeling pretty good about himself and decided it was best to check some things off his list that was lengthening, he was sure, by the minute.

He pulled his Pokenav Plus 4 (a new, unreleased version of the Pokenav Plus) from his pocket and scrolled through it. Martinov was scheduled to pick up a suit that had been partially eaten by Dustoxes later today, but why did Martinov need to come all the way down here when Steven was just across from the tailor?

He pulled a pen from his bag and wrote on the pizza box in big letters 'WENT TO DO ERRANDS, BE BACK SOON' and made his way toward the tailor.

Mr. Wiggins, the awkward, extremely tall tailor with little round glasses had his suit, but Steven didn't have his credit card. He groaned and recrossed the street to get it back from Pizza Jim.

On his way back he encountered a tall girl with black hair in a green outfit from his school. She snickered. "Look! It's the prince." she said nastily. "Oh please, sir! Don't take my job!" she whined venomously and laughed. "And he's eating at this dump. Good thing it's shutting down soon, I'll probably get Parases by just walking by it."

Steven turned, and without skipping a beat he said pleasantly, "You probably already have Parases. Aren't you a cheap whore that works at that snooze of a nightclub?" Steven despised that place. He had better things to do than hang out with wine-cooler sipping high schoolers.

She stopped walking, mouth hanging open, dumbfounded. He ought to have launched something into it, but he thought better of it.

It was an uneventful saunter to the dry cleaners. He paid for the suits from Mr. Wiggins and checked the time. Forty-five minutes left. "Damn," he cursed at his watch.

A little jingle came from the door as Steven reentered the restaurant. "Hey, Jim," Steven sang. "How's the pizza coming?" Steven asked when he returned.

"Just one left, actually. It should be done in a few minutes here."

"Grand!" he said and noticed Jim's daughter boxing pizzas in the back. She was much darker in complexion with bright blue eyes unlike her father's dark brown ones. "Kashvi! How is everything?" he asked.

She turned toward him and gave him a quizzical look. "Fine, I suppose."

"That's great!" he said. "How's your mom doing?"

"She's... good."

"That's wonderful. I miss her," Steven said. He'd known Pizza Jan ever since he started coming to Pizza Jim's. She had to stop working at the restaurant when she contracted an illness about a year back.

"All finished," Kashvi said.

"Receipt?" Pizza Jim asked.

Steven rocked back and forth on his heels. "No, thank you," he said, grinning internally.

The two piled up the pizzas in front of him. Steven quickly realized he didn't know how he was going to get them all home.

"Do you... Perchance have a dolly I could use to get these home? I'll get it back to you tonight, promise."

Kashvi looked worriedly at her dad, as if trying to warn him. She went to the finishing school as well and always tried to stay as far away from Steven as possible.

"Ah, why not." Jim wheeled a rusty blue one from behind the boxes and helped Steven load them up.

"Thanks so much!" he said to them and waved goodbye. Jim waved back, but Kashvi only crossed her arms and pouted.

Steven set Skarmory free to stretch his wings and meet him back at the house and let out both of his Aggrons to walk up with him.

If the icy wind that bit Steven's nose didn't warn of the frigid season that was about to come, everything else did. The spindly, crooked fingers of naked branches raked the sky. The few leaves that littered the ground were no longer in crisp, inviting mounds, but brown and soggy from the recent rains. Steven imagined that pop-up ice skating rinks would soon litter every nook and cranny of the town. He thought of the smell of warm drinks wafting through the air and the soft yellow fairy lights mingling with icicles on every eave.

The nice thoughts distracted Steven for a time from how woefully underdressed he was coming to realize he was. By the time he reached the house, most of the effects of the wine he'd had at Pizza Jim's had worn off completely, leaving him not only freezing but exhausted from pushing the dolly up all of those hills.

He practically slumped against the double doors, using his body to take the weight of them.

He called for Martinov, and his butler was there in under a minute. "Martinov, will you help me take these pizzas to the kitchen?" he asked a bit raggedly, and scratched the back of his head.

Between the two of them they got all of those fifteen pizzas into the kitchen in a single trip and to Steven's great relief, Mrs. Tuffette was not in the kitchen to yell at him.

"I have to return this dolly to Pizza Jim..." said Steven, not looking forward to the journey back.

"No sir, please, let me," said Martinov valiantly.

Steven waved him away. "No, no. This is my problem."

"Sir, you look exhausted. I insist."

Steven brightened up a bit. "Thank you, Martinov, you really have no idea how much that means to me," he added, "Oh, and you don't have to get my suit, by the way, I got it for you." He pointed to his shoulder on which it was draped.

"Thank you, sir. That was very gracious of you."

"Aw, don't thank me," he replied bashfully. Martinov was actually pretty buff for an older guy, so he doubted he'd have any issue.

Martinov bowed and took the dolly out the door. The sun had almost set.

Steven dragged himself up the stairs sluggishly and threw his room door open, beginning to undress. He had all of his top clothes entirely off when he heard a harsh noise coming from the balcony.

Curiously but cautiously he unlatched the immaculate glass doors. To his surprise, his unexpected visitor was none other than Latios, scratching his talons against the wall.

"Latios!" he exclaimed. "What is it? You have to go home!" he tried to shoo him away, but he would not budge. "Latios, go! Go on! Lati-"

"Steven?" came a familiar voice from behind him.

Steven froze in his tracks. An electric shock went through his body and left the hair on the back of his neck on end.

"May?"

Oooooh we gettin' spicy in here! Don't forget to follow, review, and sub! As always, love you guys!