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Guardian Without Direction Chapter 7: Driving a Hard Bargain

"Alex!"

Min nearly shouted at me. It didn`t sound like the scolding I was expecting from her, considering the fact that Cyn and me where wrongfully occupying the old Guardhouse that the diminutive Mienfoo was supposed to clean. Her outburst sounded more like a happy and a somehow suprised greeting.

"Nice meet... Uhh.. Nice to meet you too." She quickly added while putting down the oversized bucket she brought with her. All I managed to reply was an embarrassed nod as I buckled up my pants.

It would seem Min was completely oblivious of the situation. Or maybe, she just didn't care. She was a Pokemon after all.

While Cyn was delightfully licking his muzzle clean of my renaming cum, Min, without a care in the world, just unbuckled her signature cleaning mop from her back and started mopping the floor like she always did.

Did I mention that she started to hum while swishing her mop back and forth?

I just shook my head as I fasted my pants. Seams Ill never completely understand Pokemon, considering the fact that even my Typhlosion companion didnt startle her at all.

Taking a look on my Pokenav, I realized that I had absolutely no time left to spare, if I wanted to be right on time for the meeting. My artistic future was at stake here! The oversized troublemaker beside be however, could prove to be a problem. Normally I would have left him here while attending to the council meeting, expecting that the food I left would keep him calm. However, I hadn't considered the fact that someone else might show up. Luckily it was Min. I couldn't imagine what would have happened if I was found by a teacher or a fellow student.

But now that the trusty Mienfoo was here, I could as well take her to good use.

"Cyn, you stay here, together with Min!" I said, pointing my finger at the mopping Mienfoo. As if I had given her the command, Min stopped her cleaning and looked back at us, supporting a questioning look on her face while cooing a "Fooo...?" in our direction. Cyn looked like he was going to protest, but I cut him of by addressing the smaller Staff Pokemon. "Min, this large fellow here is Cyn, my..." I paused for a moment, collecting my thoughts.

"...My Pokemon. I have work to do, so he is going staying here for a short while. Please, can you take care of him for me?"

Right after I asked her, the usual playful look in her muzzle seemed to be replaced by a rather determined one. "Leave, ... l-leave to Min! Min always does good work!" she pridefully replied while making a pose. I chuckled. Letting a Pokemon take care of a Pokemon.

What could possibly go wrong?

Nevertheless, I had not the time, nor the alternatives to doubt my decision at this moment. Ignoring Cyns protesting pleas, I quickly left the two Pokemon to fend for themselves, making haste to reach the office in time.

My artistic future depended on this stipend. A chance for a piece of high society was presented to me right now, and I would be dammed to let that chanche go away.

Whatever the costs.

Finding the room wasn't difficult. The whole second floor of the eastern wing Building used for office rooms. An interesting fact was that the whole floor was in a better condition than the rest of the building. But considering that this is where most of teaching personal was spending their free time, it was hardly a surprise for me. As I reached the right nervousness got the better of me. Instead of politely knocking on the door, I bashed right in.

All heads in the room immediately turned to me.

"Way to blow the first impression, moron!" My own mind snipped at me. I still grabbed the door handle like it was the only anchor that kept me inside the office. I always estimated myself to be a rather confident person. If something wasn't working the way I liked it, I would rather find a way to make it my way, instead of compromising for a working outcome.

But this time I had no choice. I was on the wrong side of the bargain table. Whatever they said, I had to accept. Which in turn made me feel rather powerless. A feeling that I loathed.

The feeling that you can't influence the outcome.

No matter what you do.

I shook my head to clear my mind. I could see some of the council members raising an eyebrow. The room itself was ?sparsely furnished. Some office desks where put together to form a larger Table. Light was streaming in from a rather large window in the back of the room.

Looking back to the "roundtable", I noticed that nearly all of the eight council members looked nearly exactly the same. Old man in thick coats, whose hair seemed to have wandered of their heads down to their chin, forming rather impressive looking beards. The exception was of course, Professor Smith, whose coat was the only had a bright coloring. He was also the only person standing at the table, carrying a file which most likely contained my art portfolio.

"Ah, Mister Wald! You are right on time. Come, take the seat!" he declared cheerfully while pointing on the small chair at the other end of the table. He soundly cleared his throat. I looked like he was tying to ease my tension, I silently thanked him for that.

Sitting down, I noticed that the office setup really looked like a bargain table. The large, improvised table as well as the smaller chair they gave me made me look rather small compared to the council members.

Did they do that on purpose?

Mister Smith took place next to the other members of the teacher council. I gulped, hoping that the "meeting", as they called it, wouldn`t drag on longer than neccecery.

"Mister Wald," one of the councilman spoke. "Before we inform you about the outcome regarding your stipend, I would like to say that we are deeply impressed by your work."

I put on a questioning look, but he just continued. "I think that I speak for all of us if I say that I haven't seen a talent like yours for ages, here at the Goldenroad School of Finest Arts."

A series of nods and muffled approval could be heard. He paused, and Mister Smith took over. I tried to hold a stern look, which was difficult, considering all the flattery which was given to me. Even trough I liked approval of my work, like everybody else, something just...

... felt off for some reason.

"However Alexander," I looked back at Professor Smith. "I regret to inform you that your stipend at the Goldenroad Central Academy was...

...unfortunately denied"

"No No No No No No No, that cant be right! This just cant be...

..wait, WHAT?!" My subconsciousness nearly screamed at me.

I continued trying to hold my poker-face. "What do you mean, denied?", I asked.

Mister Smith now had a rather remorseful look on his face. "L-look Alex." he said while raising from his chair, the other council members had fallen silent. "The GCA has a determined number of sponsored stipends they take on each year." I nodded. "Even trough we should receive privileges in sending students to the Central Academy, your place was taken by some student sponsored by the Silph Company from Kanto and..."

"They turning his honest art career into some sort of social media sponsoring event, that's what they do! Those Goons probably hadn't even taken a look in the file we send them!" One of the council members interrupted rather harshly.

"Calm down Seymour! And let me handle it, like we agreed to!" Mister Smith snapped back while walking in my direction motioned for me to get up.

They were up to something, that I could tell. But no matter what, it seemed that I got my hopes up for no reason, Thanks to Professor Smith. He stood beside me now as we silently looked trough the large window onto the trashed campus. None of the council members said anything

"Alex, boy. Look at our great school, tell me what you see."

I just did like he told. Without further thinking I let my eyes gaze over the Once Great Goldenroad Art Academy. The view I got was spectacular, but the sorry scene that I gazed on cushioned my euphemism.

"Decay."

I blurred out, hastily putting my hand over my mouth. The word fell out with ease, but I immediately wished I could have taken it back again. The Academy itself meant more to the councilman than it meant to me. Far more than it meant to anybody else.

In the corner of my eye I could see Mister Smith's eyes water.

"W-Well Alex, thank you for your blunt answer. It is not easy for me to say, but I agree with your opinion. This place has fallen into decay. We tried everything we could to stop it in the past decades. But ultimately, we failed." Muffled sounds came from the other councilman. "As I saw your works Alex, I honestly couldn't believe myself. Finally someone with a true talent showed up at these very halls. We did everything we could to get you a higher stipend. Trust me, we really did. But like the rest of the School, our credibility had also fallen into decay." I turned to Professor Smith as he wiped his tears away, it would seem that the whole discussion was taking a toll on him. I just listened to him in silence as he continued. "With the amount of students we still have, the aids we get, as well as our stock of... lets say... personal pieces, we could have kept running this place for maybe another five years. But we decided against it, for it would only prolong the outcome."

I brushed my hand trough my hair, trying to take it all in. Then I finally asked the question which burned on my tongue since he started his eloquent speech.

"What does that have to do with me?"

Mister Smith laughed. "Observant like always Mr. Wald!, Observant like always! We just didn't bring you here to inform you about the denied stipend, I could have told you about that sooner on the campus grounds. No, this is an entirely different matter." He said while he walked back to his chair and sat down. I did the same, obviously.

"I believe you have seen the ongoing construction on the top floors of the northern Building. We renovated and re-purposed them with the majority funds we had remaining. We let most of the walls remove and turned the two upper floors into an exhibition room coupled with a small, multi-purpose Atelier. This Atelier Alex, will be given to you!"

My heart skipped a beat as I heard it. Did he really mean it?

My own Atelier!

Who needs a stipend if I can create what I want in my own Space!? I was visibly rocking back and forth on my chair now. "Calm yourself Alex, there is more to come!" Mister Smith chuckled. "We will, of course, employ you with a small fee, so you can concentrate on your work. We plan on opening an Exhibition in the end of the next year. It will be one final effort for The Goldenroad Academy of Fine Arts to shine again! And even if we fail, we might as well end it with a bright spark, rather than falling into decay! What do you think Alex, boy!

I blinked, speechless.

Why? Why didn't I understand it sooner? It all made sense now. The missed stippend, the anticipation Professor Smith created in me, the meeting, this...

...this whole scripted arrangement!

I took a deep breath, sorting my thoughts. Pushing my flat hands demonstrably on the table I raised myself while trying to hide my pissed of look behind an angry but soft looking expression.

"You played me well, Professor Smith." I said in a calm and appreciated manner. The Professor and the other councilmen still had smiles pasted onto their faces.

"Beg your pardon, Alex?" The Professor absently asked back, the was still in a light conversation with one of his colleagues. As he looked up to me, I simply repeated my question and the room fell instantly silent as I continued. "It was never your intention on getting me a stipend on the GCA was it?" I harshly asked, now towering slightly over the sitting council. "Alex B-Boy, we j-ust wanted to..." I hushed him and continued my rant.

"You planned this from the beginning.The Construction side was here since I came to this school, which means all you did was to look up some talented artist to finally fill the gap for your, oh so great, final effort, didn`t you?!" Was was nearly shouting now, one of the council members visibly flinched.

"M-Mister W-Wald, you have to understand, we had no choice but to..." On of the councilmen spoke back, but was silenced by Mister Smith. He bore a stoic expression, but I could also see the strain in his eyes. The light of the midday sun was now illuminating his bald head again, like it did in his classes It would seem he was still the Sun god of this Art school...

...an ancient and broken one.

I calmed down and slumped back on my chair, a position I used to sit in class. My expression softened. I finally understood why he had try to trick me. This Artschool meant more to him than to anybody else. I believe he would sacrifice anybody and anything just to keep the place open for aspiring Artists like me.

And I admired him for this very act.

I cleared my throat and took a deep breath to calm myself. It was time to drive the hardest bargain I ever made in my entire life. My position was now the better one, but I still need to choose my words carefully here. The eyes of the entire council where on me again.

"Let me ask you a question. How could you trick one of your own students to sell his talents for your needs?"

I didn't wait for an answer and continued my elaborate proposal. "The things you did. The things you said to me where not out of generosity but of desperation! However, I can also understand the reason why you did it. So let me get this straight. I am not going to be your Artist on demand. Not on these terms, anyway!" I finished, sitting back in my chair, waiting for the expected reply.

"What are your terms then?" One of the Councilman asked. I didn't care who it was exactly at this point.

"Simple." I answered. "Let me take charge of the Art Schools final exhibition. Get free reign and veto in every aspect, concerning planning, decision making and execution of the complete event. Then I am willing to do whatever is necessary to save this School from closing"

To say the council-members, including Professor Smith looked shocked would be a mildly understated assumption. They just stared at me for what felt like a minute. Some with open mouths, others pulling hardly on their beards and the rest just stared in bewilderment at me. I just put a slight smile, otherwise holding up my poker-face. Professor Smith was the first person that spoke. "Mister Wald, I think you overstep your boundaries here by far. We offer you our hand, desperate for help, offering you what most of the artists your age would kill for. And all you do is just demanding even more! Show us some modesty, will you." he finished. I could clearly see the sweat dripping from every pore of his face. I had no intention to back down now. "Professor Smith. I know my position. You need my talent for your exhibition. Otherwise, it will fail and these holy halls will just decay further. But let me tell you this. My talent alone will not help you to save this School!"

Mister Smith blinked, "What do you mean, Alex?"

"The reason why the Goldenroad School of Finest Art has been going downhill in the past years is not the lack of talent, but the lack of innovation. To save this School, we need new ways and new ideas, not polished, mediocre standards. Thus, I am only giving you all that I have if the teachers council a willing to take on new ways and paradigms for the sake of everyone who loves this dammed place!" Finishing my statement has left the room quiet again. I just continued to stare directly into Professor Smiths eyes. Waiting for his reply.

"You won`t back down your terms, Alex?" He finally asked.

"No, I won`t. Nothing will change that." I simply replied

"Honestly Alex. You surprised me, and everyone else." He sighed. "I meant no ill by hooking you with that stipend. I merely hoped that with you in the basket, we could finally save the School after all the failed attempts we made." He looked at his colleagues, than back to me. "We will need to discuss your proposal with the other teachers. You are dismissed for today, Alex. Please come back tomorrow at the same time."

I blinked, guess that was his way of saying to get the hell out of here.

As soon as I closed the door, a myriad of loud voices nearly exploded in that office. I chuckled, maybe this time I had taken a larger bite than I could chew on, but that remains yet to be seen.

My mind was working haywire now, I even passed the guardhouse where I had left Cyn and Min to fend for themselves, heading straight back to the bus station. I managed to cover half of the way, till I remembered that I had forgotten something. Or rather, someone. Turning back the way I came from while cursing that I would probably miss the next bus.

Opening the heavy door of the guardhouse rewarded me with probably the strangest sight that I had ever laid my eyes on. Cyn was sprawled out in the small corner where he had sucked my dick this morning, the dusty floor seemed to have been mobbed clean. On top of the heavy moaning Cyn was a crouching Mienfoo, happily and fast lapping at Cyns vulva. Seems they hadn't noticed me yet.

Good.

I tried go get as close as possible getting a good look on Cyns blushing face. He had his eyes closed, and was heavily breathing and moaning. It would seem that he was close to loosing himself. His large rear legs helplessly kicking out now and then. This thighs looked like they where about to strangle the smaller Min, keeping her in place. The Mienfoo on the other hand didn't seem to mind her treatment much, as she was dutifully licking at the Typhlosions neither regions. She didn't look like she was moaning or rubbing herself at Cyns body. Her sole focus seemed on 'taking care' of Cyn. I chuckled, seems that she had taken my orders quite literally. Cyn looked like he was seconds away from exploding into Mins cute muzzle. And with one final

"TYYYYYPH!!" he finally let loose. His hind legs tightened around Min, keeping her close as he was rocking back and forth. His eyes snapped open must have been a surprise for him to seem standing here.

"Typhh... M-Master.." He moaned again "W-What? H-How? Ahhh.." I just laughed at him. I couldn`t contain myself anymore.

After his orgasm finally subsided in untangled Min from his rear legs. To my surprise, she was even lighter than she looked I picked her up and cradled her in my lap without any problems. The small Mienfoo was gasping for air, but otherwise seemed just fine.

"You sure did a number on her." I addressed Cyn, who had started to clean himself. He looked up to me with the most apologetic look he could muster "S-Sorry Master. After you left I-I well, I was in need pretty badly. A-And I let Min take care of me, just like you said!"

I just facepalmed.

Feeling a wet slurp on my chin, I noticed that Min seemed to be breathing normal again. Yawning, she looked at me with her eyes wide open, expecting praise and attention. "Did Min good Job? Did, Did Min good care?"

I ruffled her fur, letting her rest in my lap. She yawned again and dozed of quickly.

We just sat for a while letting Cyn to catch his breath. After all, I had all the time I want till tomorrow.

The sound of an engine stopping could be heard just outside the guardhouse. Curious I lifted the dusty curtain of the panorama window and looked outside. A small white van seemed to have parked right before the Art Schools entrance. I was about to step back when I noticed the large logo plastered on the van. A large, rose colored star. It was adored with a lettering around it nearly forming a full circle around the star. It was the same lettering that I found on Cyn`s uniform.

Lake Star Retirement Resort

This can't be good.