Waking up with someone in my arms is a feeling I don't think I'll ever forget. Eevee slept on my chest yet somehow, she ended up curled in my arms by morning. Her face was peaceful: eyes closed; mouth slightly parted with a bit of drool leaking out. Her fur was soft and warm against my skin and the soft beat of her heart against my chest was strangely comforting. The idea of waking her up was unacceptable to me, because she seemed so happy while she was sleeping, yet an even bigger part of me couldn't help but want to reach out and brush her curly little tuft from her face.

Apparently, I have horrible self-control because a few seconds later I was brushing my fingers through her curls and holding her tighter against my chest.

"Mmn...nyaa-Eev?" Eevee slowly opened her eyes, blinking. Her dark brown eyes found mine and widened. I assumed she wasn't going to be happy about this little arrangement, so I immediately loosened my hold on her.

Eevee jumped up and bolted away. "Eevee!" She demanded, glaring at me. I understood how Juliet was able to communicate with Angel so flawlessly now. Eevee was speaking a different language and yet I perfectly understood her dramatic accusation.

"I didn't do anything. You woke up in my arms like that. If I did do anything it wasn't on purpose and you can't get mad at me about it." A bit of a white lie as I did cuddle her closer when I woke up, but I wasn't the one who put her in my arms in the first place.

Eevee narrowed her eyes. Her tiny, fluffy-furred chest was heaving. She was clearly beyond embarrassed to wake up in my embrace. Should I be insulted?

Yawning slightly, I pushed myself up. I winced when my body practically screamed in protest, pain flooding my senses. I wasn't sure why until I looked down and saw the deep scratch marks all over my chest. Despite being in pain, I smiled a little. Juliet seriously did a number on my body... but I didn't hate it. Honestly, I kind of liked the fact that she marked me. With that being said, the scratches hurt ten times more today than they did yesterday... Juliet was more of an animal than Angel.

I groaned slightly as I threw my legs over the side of the bed. Then, I turned to my Starter. "Listen, brat." I pointed my finger at Eevee and narrowed my eyes. "If you didn't want to be held and loved by me then maybe you should've slept on the other side of the mattress. No use getting all pissy with me, especially when we both know you secretly loved it. Why else were you so comfortable and deep asleep? Hmm?"

Eevee scowled in response, pointedly turning away as if refusing to answer. I found her reaction impossibly adorable. It made me want to tease her more.

A sudden knock on the bedroom door interrupted our little banter. "Come in,' I called, standing up now. The door was pushed open, and Juliet smiled at Eevee and I from the doorway.

I couldn't stop my eyes from eating her up. Every outfit Juliet wore made her look more fuckable than the last. (Or maybe my attraction to her was growing?) Juliet was wearing a pair of black, leather pants that fit like a second skin and a mesh shirt with a simple black bra visible underneath. Knowing perfect breasts lay underneath that bra, not to mention Juliet's delicious pierced nipples, made me stiff as a Steelix. Juliet had no right being so slender and curvy in all the right places... And fuck, that red lipstick... It was seriously going to be the death of me. Now that I'd had her crimson lips wrapped around my cock it was all I could think about when I looked at them...

"Morning you two, breakfast is ready."

My stomach grumbled eagerly. Apparently, I was going to be all kinds of excited this morning.

Juliet laughed and glanced at me. I couldn't hide my erection, so I didn't bother trying but, surprisingly, she didn't react to it. Instead, she shook her head. "The breakfast isn't for us, Avery. It's for our Pokémon. I made a poffin and veggie meal that I think Eevee will really enjoy." Juliet focused her attention on Eevee. "Hey brat, why don't you go eat something with Angel?"

Eevee's suspicion was evident even as her belly rumbled.

Juliet giggled, shaking her head. "It's not a trap or anything. Just breakfast. I promise. Jeez, you're as distrustful as Avery..."

I sighed. "Maybe you're just hard to trust, blackmailer."

Juliet smirked. "You seemed to trust me last night... Well, what do you think, Eevee? Angel is already eating... If you don't hurry up, she might eat your portion too."

Eevee looked back at me, as if asking if it was safe to go. I rubbed the top of her head. "Go eat something. Juliet wouldn't hurt you. You can trust her even if she is a giant cunt." Juliet glared at me. "And don't start a fight with Angel, little missy. Remember, we're doing all this for Lady."

Saying Lady's name triggered something. A memory from last night. That dark, lonely place and Lady... Calling out to me. I remembered the promise I made her, and my arousal and happy mood fled me just like that. I was sitting here, joking around and aroused, while Lady was waiting for me. I needed to stop messing around and focus on the difficult task ahead of me. I watched Eevee trot out of the room after giving me one last glance. Juliet crossed her arms and stared at me. Her smile slipped from her face.

"So... I have news. About the Fanclub."

I appreciated the fact that Juliet put on a happy mask while Eevee was around. I didn't need Eevee feeling anxious again. I told her everything was fine, and I told Lady everything would be fine, so I hoped the news Juliet had for me was good. Though, her dark expression made it obvious it wasn't. I crossed my arms. "Were you able to put in a good word for me?"

Juliet sighed, shaking her head. "No, not really. I don't have good news, I'm afraid."

Her words and solemn tone terrified me. She couldn't convince them? None of them? Even so, I tried not to panic. "What happened?"

Juliet's dark eyes met mine. "That interview with Dawn and Cynthia yesterday caused a massive panic, especially in Sinnoh. People are all up in arms about it, demanding they resign and or be jailed, all kinds of bad stuff...You'd think the Champions of Sinnoh speaking up would be a sign that maybe the legal system could be wrong but... Anyways, Anton Pine won't be at the club for at least a week. He's trying to help fix the messy situation. Anton Pine is the "softie" of the club. He's the one who likes my sister and I despite our "bad attitudes" and he's the one who seemed to like you. Because he's gone the Board is in charge. So, getting you in now will be a lot tougher."

I withered. "It can never be easy, can it? What shitty timing."

Juliet grasped my hands in hers, squeezing lightly. "Don't feel too down... You can still join the club. I'm just saying it'll be extremely hard now. I just want to be realistic about this, so that you can do what you need to and be prepared for it."

I sighed. "And I assume just apologizing won't do the trick?"

"I'm afraid not. I don't know what you said or did, but Stu does not like you. At all. And my opinion about you is apparently worthless. Amara and I have had our own fair share of problems with him, but Anton is usually there to back us up when we have problems or things we need to talk about. Because he's not there the "vote" has shifted, and Stu is pretty much the one in charge right now. You're going to have to do a lot more than apologize."

I scowled. "What kind of corrupt bullshit is this? The other two won't even consider letting me in because of that fat, disgusting fuck?"

"Neither are interested in you because they don't think you will bring about any positive changes."

My promise to Lady echoed in my mind. I was a fool to make a promise I wasn't sure I could keep. I clenched my fists. If only I hadn't been such an aggressive asshole. If only I'd treated the Fanclub members with respect, damn it! I gnashed my teeth. "I doubt Stu brings anything positive, that disgusting pig. This... This is horrible. I'm screwed. Lady is screwed and it's all my fault." I buried my face in my hands.

The feeling of Juliet's fingers gently brushing through my hair knocked me out of my enraged, miserable stupor. Her dark eyes met mine, a slight smile on her lips.

"Try to stay calm. It's not all bad and getting angry like that is exactly why you're in this position in the first place..." I tried to calm down. Juliet's gentle, comforting ministrations made it... Strangely easy to do. A lot of the tension left my body and I forced myself to continue thinking logically, and not let my desperation and guilt get the best of me.

Juliet nodded when she saw that I was relaxed.

"Good boy. So, like I said, it's not all bad. It'll be hard, but we can do this, Avery. We need a way to prove that you're an asset to the Fanclub, because they think of you as a liability."

I snorted. "That's more than hard, that's impossible. I don't have good things to offer. I bring nothing to the table, Juliet. "

Juliet shook her head. "You do have something... Or… Well, you could..."

I didn't like that grim tone. I furrowed my brows and gazed at her. "Huh? What do you mean?"

Juliet crossed her arms. "The Fanclub is considering adding another board member soon, and they have a specific person in mind. She's done a lot for the club and is considered "invaluable."... It just so happens she likes you. Vanessa. She is your way in. If anyone can change the board members minds... It's her, considering they all owe her."

I raised an eyebrow. "I didn't get a "powerful" vibe from Vanessa. She just seemed like kind of a..."

Juliet chuckled. "A slut?"

I nodded.

"Mhm, and I guess you could say that's where her power lies."

I was getting more confused by the second. "I... Don't get it. She's a slut so she can change the minds of all the board members? And they all owe her? What, did she fuck all of them?"

Juliet sighed. "There's a reason I don't like her, beyond the fact that Red Ebony is a basic ass Pokémon yet is at the top of the PokePornstar charts. She's disgusting. Vanessa essentially runs a brothel out of her own home. She has all kinds of rare Pokémon, and for a price, she'll let anyone fuck them. Stu, Bernard, and Gene have all taken her up on that offer multiple times. Even Amara has. If she threatens to take that away they'll be on their knees, begging, in seconds. That's how she makes her money, and can afford those stupid, fake G-cup tits."

My mind was blown. That really was power... But wow, Vanessa had a Pokémon brothel!? What in the world!? I never even considered something like that existing.

Juliet laughed when she saw my mildly horrified expression. "On top of that, it's pretty much always a party at her house, except for Friday's which she calls "Fanclub Friday." She invites guests over, and she lets them use all the rooms in her house for sex. She's a real freak, Avery."

I frowned. "I mean... I don't see how that parts bad. She essentially just has a house for people to fuck in?"

"You'll see. Or at least, I think you will."

I raised a brow. "Wait, what?"

"Outwardly... Vanessa is somewhat nice and very powerful, but she never does anything for free. She's going to ask you for a favor. Probably a big one."

I sighed. "I'm gonna have to fuck her and Red, aren't I?"

Juliet pondered for a second, then frowned. "Honestly? You'll probably have to do a lot more than that..."

That definitely wasn't what I wanted to hear.

"Don't worry, Avery. I have a plan. Well... Sort of."

"Juliet, we don't have time for this... Can't you just hurry up and take me to Vanessa's?"

The dark-haired girl scowled up at me, currently crouched between my legs. "Oh, quit your bitching, Avery."

I sighed.

For the last hour or so Juliet had been dragging me all over Hearthome. Pulling me into stores, picking out new clothes for me, lecturing me about the proper way to behave in a formal setting. I honestly could die happy if I never had to wear clothes like this ever again. Or wear my hair like this. Or wear contact lenses... Everything about this situation was uncomfortable.

Looking in the mirror was like looking at a completely different person. More specifically, it was like looking at Jack. My long, dark hair was swept back and styled. Juliet did it herself and that was an experience I never, ever wanted to relive. On top of that, Juliet forced me to wear a pink polo shirt and white boat shorts which looked fucking ridiculous. I couldn't believe how douchey I looked, and I honestly wanted to die. I couldn't stop myself from whining.

"Juliet, I really don't think all this is necessary!"

Lady was waiting for me, and I was letting Juliet give me a fucking make-over? I felt so irritated and guilty.

Juliet sighed, probably for the millionth time today, and glared at me like I was a misbehaving child. "Ugh, could you stop whining for two seconds? You think I'm spending such a ridiculous amount of money for fun? I'm serious, Avery. Just trust me- I'm doing this for a reason. You can't walk around everywhere in nothing but a t-shirt and jeans, with messy hair, and expect to make a good impression. We're "fixing you up", not just for Vanessa, but for the Fanclub itself. It's all about your presentation, and proving you cleaned up your act. Now, seriously, shut up and just let me pick out some damn outfits for you."

She was right, and that aggravated me. But I kept my mouth shut. I was going to be around rich folk. It couldn't hurt to try and clean myself up, so they didn't think poorly of me because of presentation alone. I was just impatient, anxious about Lady, and honestly- I felt judged. Clothes were something I regarded practically. All these polos, dress shirts, and preppy clothes were completely opposite what I was. It felt like Juliet was trying to force me to be someone I'm not.

Juliet stood up and gave me a once-over. "Hmm…"

I stood there, scratching the back of my head.

"Can you force a smile, Avery? Jeez, you'd think you want your Pokémon to be taken away from you."

I grit my teeth. "Why does "smiling" matter?"

Juliet crossed her arms. "Can you please just stop fighting me on everything, Avery? If you're going to make a good impression on the board members you need to go in there with a changed attitude. Which means clean clothes that look great, and a smile. Or at least don't scowl. It's seriously ridiculous how much you frown, Avery."

Again, she was mostly right but did she have to be such a damn cunt about it? Apparently, my hurt showed on my face because Juliet frowned and stepped closer. In the dressing room, we were pressed right up against each other. She rested her cheek on my chest. "I'm sorry if I seem bitchy... It's just..." Juliet sighed, biting her lip. "I'm not ready to see you fuck another girl, but I know I'm gonna have to soon. Knowing Vanessa's going to get her filthy hands all over you... It leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It feels like... like she's taking you away even though we only just "got together." That can't be good for us."

I blinked, wide-eyed. I really didn't expect that emotional confession. That was what'd been racing through Juliet's head all morning? I didn't know how to respond. But I wanted to comfort her. "I... I'm stressed out about all this, too. This stupid makeover and having to sleep with Vanessa even though I just broke up with Mabel and just got together with you. I feel like my life has been completely out of control, lately. And every time I think I'm going to get that control back everything goes wrong again."

Juliet smiled sadly. "Yeah..."

I frowned. That wasn't what Juliet wanted me to say. She obviously wanted me to say I didn't want to do it either, or that I'd rather just be with her or something, but honestly, that wasn't true. I'm still not even sure what Juliet and I have. It's chaotic and messy, and I'm certainly not sentimental about it yet.

Plus, I'm extremely attracted to Vanessa and Red Ebony. Sleeping with either of them wasn't the problem. I cleared my throat. "Listen, Juliet. Whatever I do with Vanessa... She'll have to see the marks you left all over my body. She'll know what we have. That's probably not comforting to you but-"

Juliet shook her head, grinning ear to ear. Her dark eyes glittered. "No. You're right. Anyone that fucks you can clearly see you're mine."

I guess that was one way to put it.

"Alright. You look great, and you look just as amazing in the other outfits we bought, so I think we're done here."

Thank Arceus... I don't think I could handle shopping with Juliet for even a minute longer. Even if it was for a good cause.

We bought more than 28,000 PokeBucks worth of clothes. Both our hands were stuffed with bags, all of it for me. I was incredibly grateful, but I wasn't sure how to show it. We left Eevee and Angel at home while we went out shopping so (Wait- Did I just call Juliet's apartment home? Interesting.) Anyways, I was a little worried I was about to return to an apartment splattered with blood. Thankfully, the opposite was the case.

Eevee and Angel were cuddled up watching television. It was so fucking cute it nearly brought a tear to my eye. Angel was resting her head on top of Eevee's. The second we walked in Eevee basically leapt away as if trying to hide the evidence. Obviously, I'd seen it. Sadly, I didn't have any time to tease her about it.

I felt guilty about it, but I sadly informed Eevee that my plan to carry her around and spend time with her all day had to be put on hold. I was being truthful when I explained that I needed to do something for Lady first. Once the situation was explained, Juliet and I went into her room and focused on her plan.

Juliet wanted me to show up to Vanessa's on my own. She claimed it'd "look better." They had some beef between them, so she thought Vanessa would assume Juliet influenced me if she was there with me. If I showed up in my new clothes, with a new attitude, on my own, and behaved I would make a better case than if she was at my side obviously pulling my strings. I actually agreed with her, so I just got directions to Vanessa's house and headed out.

Walking there took about an hour and a half. I had Eevee in her Pokeball so thankfully I wasn't too nervous going through the woods. I was panting, out of breath and sweating by the end of it. It was super out of the way and buried in the woods, more near Eterna City than Hearthome. No wonder Vanessa only went to the Fanclub once a week, it was a fucking trek. It was an extremely beautiful house, albeit simple. Made of solid gray stone, with two huge gardens out in the front. It also had a massive gray wall surrounding it and a big front gate made of what seemed to be some sort of silver metal. A gated, walled in house in the middle of the woods, huh? I wondered what Juliet meant when she said the way Vanessa kept people at her house was freaky. What was I gonna walk into?

'I really wish Juliet came with me...'

I approached the front gate nervously. Part of me wanted to run away, but I knew I had to do this...

I swallowed, squeezed my eyes shut, and pushed the buzzer.