Chapter Text
Hilda never really felt nervous around the Subway Bosses. Not when she was a fresh trainer, hitting the Subway for the first time with her Dewott. Not when she finally took Emmet and Ingo down with Hilbert at her side. She wasn’t even nervous when she was interviewing to be a Depot Agent on the Singles Line.
So when Emmet called her into the office at 8:30 on Friday evening, an hour after both the Singles Line and the Multi Line ended, she wasn’t worried. After all, she’s been serving as the interim Subway Boss for the last few months anyway, since Ingo has disappeared.
Ok, scratch that first thought. She had been nervous around Emmet when Ingo had originally disappeared. Most of the Agents had been. Suddenly the remaining Boss had been full of a mania that kept everyone on edge, where he kept up his workload like nothing had changed, and slowly picked up the slack left by his brother. The Battle Subway had even closed for almost 6 months while Emmet grieved, and while he adjusted to the responsibility of being Head of the Unovan Transportation Authority in his brother’s place. The trains still ran, that would never change. But their boss hadn’t for a time.
She passes the break room on the way to Emmet’s office, and she hears Jackie call out “Ahhhh she’s in trouble~” in a sing-song tone. Hilda lets out a laugh as she keeps walking, glancing at the cryptid of an Agent as she passes.
Thankfully, no one was on edge anymore. Emmet had eventually calmed down, and once he’d gotten his spark back, he had pulled Hilda, Isadore, Cloud, and Ramses aside for a night of battling. First was a round of Single Battles, then Doubles, then pairing up with the other Agents one by one for Multis, all so Emmet could judge their battle strategy and flexibility.
It was a fun night, and Hilda had won every battle she was a part of, except for the one match with Isadore. He was a hard ass on the best of days, overbearing and a stickler to the rules even more than the Bosses were. Which was surprising when he had pulled out a Paldean Pokemon for the Double battle that no one had ever seen before, a small group of mice. Both it and the Clefairy had the Friend Guard ability, and the clever bastard had thrown an Eviolite onto the Clefairy to make it even tankier.
The group had been told the next day in a small meeting that the purpose for the battles was to figure out who would be best suited for running the Singles line as the interim Subway Boss during Ingo’s absence. (No one had the heart to call him on saying it was an absence.) After a fantastic showing, Hilda was chosen over all of her seniors to take the spot, and though it was left unsaid, there was a lot to prove by taking the position. Ramses was happy for her, and Cloud, while disappointed she missed the spot, knew that the younger woman was the better trainer. Isadore, however, was very unhappy with the choice.
Standing in front of the door to Emmet’s office, though, Hilda had to fight off the nerves for the first time in years. Isadore was still often assigned to the Singles line with her, so she often had to hear his snark and feel his glare whenever she did something that wasn’t approved of by him. And to add to the pile, she had been struggling the last few weeks on the Afternoon Super Singles route. Where she was going strong on the standard Singles line, when it came to Supers, she was losing a vast majority of her fights. Closing her eyes, Hilda breathes in deep, and casts Isadore out of her mind before knocking.
“Come in,” comes the clipped call, and swallowing the last of her anxiety, Hilda opens the door and steps into the office.
Emmet was sitting behind his desk, hat and coat hanging on the hooks behind his desk as he worked on a small stack of paperwork in front of him. He doesn’t look up and gestures to the chair placed in front of his desk, indicating for her to sit down as he finishes up the sheet he’s filling out. Hilda glances to the other side of the room, where Ingo’s desk was, and was honestly a little surprised to see that it was freshly cleaned.
The paperwork had been cleared from it soon after his disappearance, but most of his personal effects had been left there initially. Now only a few were left, mostly just the Gear Station memorabilia that both twins had collected, with his Pokemon’s pictures moved instead to a shelf on the back wall of the room. The chair at the desk rattles slightly, being pushed out a little before being pushed back in by Eelektross, who waddles over and gently nudges Hilda to sit down.
Taking the hint, Hilda sits down just as Emmet puts his paperwork aside, seemingly finished with it for now. “I am Emmet,” he starts, quickly following with “but you know that. You do not know why I called you here.” He looks over the table for a few seconds as he taps the pen he was using against the edge of his desk rapidly. “Tiny, have you seen the paper I needed her to sign? I thought I had left it on my keyboard.”
Eelektross crackles slightly and slides behind Emmet’s desk, opening a drawer and tugging Emmet’s arm with his mouth. “Ah yes, thank you!” Emmet reaches down and pulls out a few papers and puts them on the desk, then grabs a treat from the jar on his desk with his other hand and tosses it into Eelektross’ mouth without looking. The tapping continues for a moment as he looks at the papers and nods to himself.
Hilda however felt like she was about to explode after the extended silence. “So, what did you need me for, Boss?”
“No need to call me Boss. I’m not your boss anymore,” is the immediate reply. There is no hesitation, no argument, just a simple fact. The statement hits Hilda like a bucket of ice water, sending her mind into shock. Emmet still hasn’t even looked up from his desk, though she could see his trademark smile across his face as he signs two lines at the bottom of the third sheet in front of him.
“Not my boss?” Hilda asks, disbelief heavy in her voice. “Is this about my win/loss record from the last few weeks, Emmet? Has Isadore been complaining?” Hilda knew how to keep herself calm and not to panic in situations, but that didn’t stop her mind from running faster than her attempts to stay calm. Rather than breathing slowly, she found her breaths a little too fast, and this catches Emmet’s attention as he looks up from the papers finally.
“Isadore likes to complain. And we all experience losses,” he says, his smile falling to a flat line for a few moments. “Safety checks, Hilda. Breathe.” Safety checks, yes. Slow the breathing down, like you learned from mom. As her breathing comes back under control, Emmet taps Eelektross on the head and points to the other desk. The large eel crackles again and slithers away behind Hilda.
Once he is sure that she is capable of continuing the conversation, Emmet turns the papers around to face Hilda. “I am Emmet. I’m not your boss anymore. Not because you’re fired. You do your job fantastically.” He taps the papers in front of him with the pen to direct her attention. “I am a Subway Boss, Emmet. And the woman across from me is also a Subway Boss, Hilda.”
Wait. Also a Subway Boss?
Taking a look at the papers in front of her, Hilda sees that the first page details the job requirements, expectations, and salary of the Subway Boss position. “Oh Zekrom, I never realized you guys made that kind of money,” she blurted out, catching the 6 figure salary she was being offered. Emmet’s smile just widens as she continues to read, giving her the silence to continue reading. Insurance unchanged, additional vacation time, and contingencies on how to support her fellow (fellow!) Subway Boss. Assignment…
“I’m taking over the Singles Line…?” Hilda asks quietly, looking up at Emmet with unsure eyes. The Depot Agents had been assuming that Emmet would eventually take the line and hire someone for Doubles, rather than replace his brother with someone else. “Are you sure?” It was the logical step from interim Subway Boss to proper Subway Boss, since she’d mostly covered that Line already. But even then, that was Ingo’s position, and she wasn’t sure if it was… Right to replace him, even a year later. It would be an honor, but it doesn’t feel like she should.
Emmet closes his eyes and breathes in deep before blowing it out sharply. “Yup. I need to move forward.” He purses his lips in thought, his expression shifting as he begins tapping his pen against the desk again. “We need to get the Lines running at full steam again. I cannot run both on my own. I need another Subway Boss, and you are the best choice.”
Eelektross slithers up around Hilda at this point and drops a coat and hat onto her lap. A lighter black than Ingo’s coat and hat were, with white stripes instead of red. Her coat, not his. She strokes Eelektross on the head as it crackles happily, then stands to unbutton the coat on her green Depot uniform, her white dress shirt underneath being exposed as she drapes the coat over the back of the chair before putting the Boss Coat on with a smile.
And it fits like a charm! The cuffs are rolled and stitched into place, and they fall right at her wrists, meaning that they won’t get in the way of her hands during work or battle. The shoulders are snug, loose enough to give her mobility to throw a Pokeball or to just stretch her shoulders out. And it ends right at her knees, though the back flares a bit more and drapes slightly lower to give a different profile from Emmet’s coat. Hm, guess she can rock it.
“It fits so well! Though I might need to color coordinate with this, cause I don’t think green goes with it,” Hilda says with a laugh, tugging at her pants lightly. “Do you think I’ll need a tie, Emmet? I feel like I should get a tie.” She fiddles with her collar slightly, pursing her lips in thought.
As Emmet is about to answer, a knock comes from the door, and Isadore’s voice is heard through it. “You called for me, Boss Emmet?”
Emmet points Hilda to her hat, then beckons her around the desk as she quickly swaps out her green hat for her new black one. “Yes Isadore, please come in.” He takes Hilda’s papers and puts them to the side and pulls out another set of papers, only two sheets.
Isadore opens the door and steps in, his face going from his standard soft scowl into a full one as he sees Hilda standing there, somewhat nervous and in full Boss attire, though his eyes quickly train onto her conspicuous green pants before focusing back on Emmet. “This is a new low, Boss, calling me in just to rub in my lack of a promotion.”
At least he’s not objecting to Hilda’s promotion.
“I am Emmet,” Emmet says with a sigh, motioning for Isadore to sit. “I am tired of people jumping to conclusions today. I would think someone who has worked with me and my brother since we started at the Subway would be able to read a room better than I can. But apparently I can be wrong.” Emmet shrugs and shakes his head. “Guess I am not perfect. I am only human, after all.”
Hilda clears her throat to pull Emmet back on track, though it also grabs Isadore’s attention. “While I don’t know why you called him in, Emmet, there is a reason. Could you explain to him, at the very least, what is going on?” Hilda was honestly curious, because she could see that the papers in front of Emmet on the desk were pertaining to the Singles Line, which was now under her purview, as weird as that was to think about.
Isadore also had caught on to the papers, and was reading them while Emmet rambled, so he decided to cut in as Hilda had asked her question. “We don’t have a Team Lead position, Boss. What is this job write-up for?”
“It’s a job offer, similar to the one that I gave Hilda a few minutes ago. Though hers was for a different position, obviously.” Emmet brings the pen back out, and signs the second page in two spots, like he had on Hilda’s paperwork. “Insurance unchanged, because you’re full time, and you’ll get slightly longer hours, as well as a 15% pay increase.”
Isadore furrows his eyebrows for a moment before grabbing the paper to read through the description. “‘Work alongside your direct Subway Boss to inform them of issues with both employees and the train itself. Ensure that workers have the supplies they need and delegate tasks in accordance with the plan of the Subway Boss. Act as a stand in for when your direct Subway Boss is unable to work.’ This is mostly managerial work, Boss,” He says, putting the paper back. “Are you moving me from battling?”
Emmet shakes his head, then pauses and hums slightly in though, tapping his desk with the pen. “Not completely. It’s true that this position would have less battling, yup. But most managerial work would be done at the beginning and end of each run, and if there is nothing keeping you busy, you will always be able to join the Multi Line while Hilda is there. Plus, you can easily station yourself midway through Singles. Only 34% of Trainers are good enough to get through 10 battles, and only 16% are good enough to get 25.”
Hilda cringes slightly as Isadore crosses his arms and leans back, frowning at Emmet. Subway Boss was a coveted promotion for several reasons, least of all that you were given free reign to still battle during your managerial duties. The twins had installed three teleporters into their office, linked to three cars per Line, so that they could properly balance battling with managing. And, despite Isadore always trying to act like being the big boss was all he wanted, he still greatly enjoyed Pokemon battling.
“It would also be a great help, Isadore,” Hilda says after a moment, smiling at him. “I know you and I have clashed before, but you’ve done a lot to help mentor me since I’ve been hired on, and while I am studying civil engineering to better help run the show, you have the sheer experience of working the Subway that I don’t. I’m gonna be relying on you to help me where I fall short.” She hopes that the sentiment comes across, and lets out a sigh of relief when Isadore nods.
“Is there a Team Lead for the other lines?” Isadore asks. “Will I need to work alongside them for consistency across the lines?”
“I am going to offer the positions to Cloud and Ramses as well. See which of them want it for Doubles,” Emmet says, gesturing for Isadore to sign the paper. “You’ll work alongside them for Multi Lines. It’s up to you whether you discuss consistency between Singles and Doubles. It’d be nice, but it depends on how you work together. It’s all behind the scenes.”
Isadore pauses for a moment before signing the job offer. “I recommend Cloud for the position,” he says as he sets the pen down. “Ramses told me he was glad he didn’t get the Boss position, so he may not want to be in management.” Emmet nods in acknowledgment of the tip, then motions for Isadore to continue. “There… Isn’t really anything else to that, Boss. Just an observation I thought you might want to know.”
This was probably the first time that Hilda has seen Isadore not immediately second guess or attempt to countermand something from the Bosses, especially Emmet, in her 4 years working at the Subway. After a moment of further silence, Hilda clears her throat to grab both of the men’s attention. “I’m sorry to ruin what I’m sure is a rare moment, but Isadore, I would like to request that you don’t act like a complete hardass to the others while on the Singles line. I remember hearing about the Watchog Incident from Furze and Cameron, I don’t want anything like that going on.” She purposely ignores the sneer on Isadore’s as she raises a hand and continues. “I trust you to manage the team well, just don’t be too hard on everyone. That’s all I’m saying.”
Isadore lets out a huff, then smirks. “Glad to hear that you see my ability to run things, at least.” He pushes the chair back and stands, tipping his hat to Emmet and Hilda. “If there’s nothing else, I need to go do my maintenance check before going home. Would you like me to seek out Cloud or Ramses?”
Emmet shakes his head and Isadore leaves the room without another word. After a moment, he spins in his chair and claps gently for Hilda. “Verrrry good, handling him. I was worried he’d be angrier about you being promoted over him. You certainly know how to play to his ego.”
“You were stroking his ego just as much, Emmet,” Hilda says, rolling her eyes as she steps around the desk. “You and Ingo had been playing him like a fiddle since before I started my journey. Might need some tips from you on that.” She takes her paperwork and signs her job offer, finally, and Emmet just smiles wider.
“Well, now that we are officially equals, Boss Hilda,” Emmet says, standing and extending his hand, “I would like to congratulate you. As a Subway Boss, and as Head of the Authority. You’ve done wonderful, yup.” He shakes her hand, his grip firm enough to almost squeeze the blood from her hand. “We have a few hires in the morning. I ask that you be here at 6:45am prompt in the morning. That will give you time to organize your desk and work on some paperwork.”
Hilda inwardly groans, trying not to show it on her face. She hated getting morning shifts already, and now Emmet wants her in at 6:45 in the morning for hiring? No, it’s ok, she’s getting a strong fucking raise for this. She’s salary now! “Wait, shit, I’m going to be working a lot of hours, aren’t I?”
“A metric fuck ton,” Emmet says with a nod and a smug smile. “Ingo and I ran 50 hour weeks on average. Sometimes as much as 60 during various school breaks, yup. But the salary accounts for that. Holidays and breaks give bonuses. That was a union request, verrrry good choice in my opinion.”
Both Bosses were staunch union folk, instilled in them from youth by their father and uncle, and heavily encouraged everyone to join the Transport Workers Collective. Jackie had been the chapter leader since Hilda had joined, and was the main reason that Subway workers were all comfortably earning above a living wage in Nimbasa, even as inflation kept rising. And with this new promotion, Hilda would have to step down as treasurer to follow the rule of management not being allowed leadership positions. She’s gonna have to let Jackie know before she leaves.
“The night is young. Hilda, I am going to leave,” Emmet says, turning and grabbing his coat and hat. “I would recommend completing the outfit before hiring tomorrow. But otherwise, go drink, have fun with friends, be merry!” He throws a scarf around his neck and gives her a short wave before reciting his usual farewell. “Remember your safety checks!”
Hilda smiles, taking her coat off and putting her old coat on, hanging her Boss uniform on the coat hooks behind In- her desk. She has to stop herself from dancing in place before she leaves the office with the paperwork that Emmet left to the HR office, and deposits it in their overnight slot, and leaves the station herself. She doesn’t go out drinking or being merry like Emmet implied, not yet anyway, since Hilbert and N wouldn’t be free until the next night. She also didn’t work Sunday, so getting blitzed with the besties was the plan!
The next morning, Hilda arrives at Gear Station bleary-eyed and deflated at a nice and punctual 6:52am. For every bit of decorum she lost by being late and barely functioning, she looks much more the part, having found black slacks to wear with her white dress-shirt, and a light blue tie to mirror Emmet’s. She pulls her black satin gloves, a last minute find, tighter onto her hands as she enters the break room, trudging to the coffee pot and pouring the last dredges of the cooled liquid into a cup and drinking it in one gulp.
As she cleans out the pot and begins preparing a fresh pot for the morning crew, she hears footsteps enter the breakroom. “Day off and out of uniform, Hildy?” Furze says as he hangs his winter coat up. “Did you make Team Lead like Isadore did, and now you gotta work an extra day, or something?” Furze pulls a chair out from a table and sits down to make sure his shoes are tied.
Hilda smirks and leans back against the counter. “Not quite. Definitely got a promotion and had to come in, though. Helping Emmet with the hiring process today” When Furze quirks an eyebrow at her, she can’t help but giggle and hopes to put an evil grin on her face. “He wants me in while he hires for Doubles so I’ll know the process to hire for Singles. It’s simple.”
Furze raises a hand to say something, his mouth hanging open for a few moments before lowering his hand and leaning forward. “Wait, did you make Boss?” Hilda’s smile widens and she nods excitedly as Furze leaps up and runs to hug her, squeezing her tight. “My little sis is making her way up!”
Hilda squeezes back, managing to pop Furze’s back before she steps away from the hug. “Glad to make you proud, ‘old man’,” she teases as she starts to head for the door. “If you see the others, let them know Singles is gonna be getting wild soon! I gotta head to the office.” Furze gives her a quick salute, and leans back on his table, smiling in pride as he waits for the coffee to brew.
She enters the office, where Emmet is already doing paperwork, at 7am sharp. Emmet glances up and pouts softly as she goes around her desk. “No coffee?”
“Sorry, it’s being brewed. I drained what was left before Furze stopped me for a chat,” she says, sitting down to leaf through her paperwork. Looks like it was simple stuff, mostly schedule changes and requests off from work for various reasons. Oh, Cameron was requesting a week off next month for a vacation.
“I am Emmet,” he says with an exaggerated sigh. “I’ll get coffee in a minute. How do you like it?” He doesn’t look up from his paperwork, quickly reading each sheet before moving to the next.
“Either black or a little creamer and sugar if it’s fresh brewed,” Hilda says as she cross-references Cameron’s request with the expected schedule for the lines during his request. “I also had the last of the old pot, I think I should be good.”
Emmet shakes his head silently as the pair do their paperwork, Hilda doing much more double checking of schedules, procedures, and every other facet of the job. So when Emmet returns with two cups of coffee and sets one down on her desk, she doesn’t even mind it, giving him a smile in thanks as she keeps working.
The pair quietly do their paperwork for the remainder of the hour until it comes time for the hiring interviews.