A Nose for Treasure

The mid-day sun was high in the sky, overlooking the small town of Grassveil as the many Pokémon that lived there, that weren’t feral of course, went about their normal jobs and the like. One of these busy little Pokémon was Xavier, the zigzagoon seemed to move as his species suggested, in a zig zag pattern as he looked around, “Nothing yet, maybe I can find something in a dungeon?...naw…those places are supposed to be rough…grrr, I’m so conflicted!” He seemed to be looking for something, but by the look of it he has had no luck gaining anything of value, mostly trying to ‘pick-up’ something but with no real luck as he sniffed the ground, not paying attention to where he was going.

Cheshire had just arrived in Grassveil Town, a trader's pack on her back. It had been a gift from her parents, a small start toward her career as a trader. They were very supportive to her goal of opening a shop and believed in her. That was important to her. However, she had nothing to sell. She needed to gather stock, but the best places to do so were mystery dungeons. Cheshire wasn't one to fight, so she needed simple protection. She spotted a Zigzagoon scurrying all over and decided to approach him. "Hello friend. You look full of energy and with an abundance of free time. Perhaps you'd be interested in an escort job? I'll pay you for your trouble of course."

Xavier’s ears perked up a bit as he looked to the person talking to him, it was a Purrloin, around his height and seemed to be a traveler, this noted by the bag she had on her back. Smiling to her request it sounded very interesting so he nodded. “Uh sure, I don’t mind helping if I can, oh! I’m Xavier by the way, Xavier the zigzagoon. It’s nice to meet you, um…where exactly did you need to be escorted too? I know pecha forest a bit and also around town if you need a sorta tour guide haha” he said in a scruffy tone, smiling happily as introduced himself to Cheshire

The Purrloin smirked at Xavier. "Actually it would be escorting me as I gather items in a mystery dungeon. I plan to head to Pecha Forest so your familiarity with the area is a bonus. You can call me Cheshire, Chessie, or simply Chess if you please. Let me explain the job. I will pay one hundred poke for just protecting me from attack. I'll however give twenty poke more for each item I have upon my return. The more I get, the more I pay. I believe that is a fair payment, wouldn't you agree?"

Xavier had to take a moment to think it over but really it sounded like a good deal, especially for him, he could find items really easily in pecha forest. “Ok, sounds pretty simple, I’ll protect you from badies and help you get items, I can find a bunch actually. Oh yeah, nice to meet you Chess, oh can I ask…are you a traveler?” He said, gesturing to the bag on her back with his paw as he smiled.

Chess grinned and shrugged. "Of course I'm a traveller, how else did I get here? This bag is the starting asset of Cheshire's Worldwide Goods. I'm gathering goods to sell so I can open up a chain of shops. I'm starting small, but I'll get enough poke to be big someday. You are technically my first employee, abeit on commission. But if you do a good job, I'll keep hiring you and payinb you for your services. Sounds good?"

Xavier gave a small laugh at her grandeur, smiling back “Well you could have had a back pack for other thing but ok haha, and cool; my dad actually owned a shop. He let me help out by getting him goods and stuff, so sure! I’ll do my best Chess. You actually have a nice way of speaking, it’s really proper, I like it.” He said nicely, his tone scruffy sounding but clear as he looked around for a moment then back to her. “We should be back around sunset if this goes well…” He mentioned as he began to gesture too…”follow me please” Politely of course.

Chess nodded. "I may not have experience, but I've made sure to learn all I can by watching how others work in shops. Its good you have experience in shops, makes you all the more useful to me." Cheshire started walking, staying beside Xavier. "I play to first establish myself in this town. Once that is done, I'll branch out to other areas and place other employees in other shop locations. I hope to sell things from all over."

Xavier gave a small smirk with a poutful expression to how she spoke about him being of use to her, “Haha you make it sound like I’m a tool (>:3)” He said as he was more or less being playful, walking with her he nodded as he heard her goal’s and wishes. “Wow, sounds like you want to be well known, you mentioned a bit about your dad, was he a shop owner?” He asked, looking to her as they walked and talked.

Cheshire shook her head. "You aren't a tool. I prefer the term 'asset'. As for my father, he was a tracker for hire. He sometimes helped track down criminals. Mom was more stay at home. I just took an interest in shops myself. I was always good with money so I had that skill down. Plus I have a way with others. I like to think of myself as a generally well liked Purrloin."

Xavier nodded “I understand, my mom was the same way but generally helped my dad with money and stuff. He was a pretty good trader and I was sorta his way of getting items to sell, haha asset sounds better but really I would prefer ‘friend’. Though we just met it’s a better way to say it…um…in a way that is” he said as he took a moment to scratch his head before continuing on as they passed by a few odd looking buildings but he was used to it really. “So do you have a shop stand up already?” he asked.

"Friend it is Xavier. I don't see a problem with that. As for a stand, I haven't built one yet. I plan to build one in the center area of the town though, maybe closer to the guild so I can attract business from rescue teams as well." Cheshire thought for a bit, chin in her paw. "I did think of being right in the guild, but I want access to my shop to be easy for everyone, you know?"

Xavier’s expression brightened up when she said they could be friends, he blushed a little bit and moved over to give her a small nudge that was more like he was cuddling up to her but he only did one small nudge as he said “Thank you Chess, I don’t have to many friends, here, though I’m not the lonely type I appreciate you saying that, and I know what you mean. Dad always said ‘location, location, location’ it was odd but he at least explained that a location where everyone can benefit from it will let everyone benefit from it”

Cheshire nodded again. "Exactly. There are many things a customer puts into account when choosing where they make purchases. Where they can buy, what they can buy, and how much they can buy. Add in a pleasant staff and you have a popular store. The trick is finding out the correct balance depending on your clientele. A shop owner has a big job in making sure to get everything a customer can ask for."

“Ah I see, I never really put too much thought into jobs and what not related to the store, mostly because it’s so complex. You know a lot about shop owning and selling even if you haven’t had your own shop before, but that’s good, means you’ll get a lot more business and maybe make your dream come true much sooner” his tone was more hopeful towards her, he really wanted her to get somewhere in her life and her soon to be business would be it he hoped. Looking ahead they were leaving the town now and a forest was up ahead. “Were close to Pecha forest, um stay behind or beside me please, I don’t want you to get hurt or anything” He asked nicely as he looked to her with a caring gaze.