The First Verse (Gauel and Chiyako's interviews)

Gauel pushed the door open slowly as he entered the inn. The sun hadn't even begun to peek over the horizon behind him. It seemed to be well before the inn's main crowd started, which actually made sense to the Grovyle. Better to get him ready to do his job before he'll actually need to start it. The inn was quite quiet, a few mutterings of a couple of Pokemon here and there, but other than that and the sound of waves outside, it was silent. He stood there at the entrance for a moment, unsure of where to go or who to talk to.

He didn't see Iva, nor anybody who looked like they worked here. With not much to go off of, The Grovyle approached the nearest Pokemon, a Gallade sitting at the bar. "Hey, uh, do ya know where Iva is?" he asked the Pokemon. The Psychic type turned his head at the Grovyle slowly, the cloak resting on his shoulders shifting slightly with his movement. "Mmm? Oh, Iva! Got another customer!" the Gallade called out. Gauel shook his head, "Nah, I'm here for an interview," he corrected the Gallade.

The Pokemon waved him off, "Fine, fine. Interview, not customer! Hey, what's your name?" Gauel blinked at the Gallade, "Um, Gauel Buidhe." "Hm, Gauel Buidhe," the Gallade responded, swirling the drink in his glass a bit. "Iva! Name this one Buidhe! Oi, make sure nobody but Iva gets this, kay?" The Gallade set a sack on the table, the clinging of money ringing out from inside. With that, the Pokemon made to leave, pulling the hood up on his cloak.

Iva had made it very clear that any money put forward towards her inn from outside parties was a donation. Not an investment. In order to retain integrity and a strong soul, it was best not to be indebted to any one person for monetary reasons. The mark of true character, forged hot in the furnace, was an iron loyalty earned only by those who had earned respect. A sort of respect that could never be bought.

Still, she did think some sort of reward for an individual's generosity was in order. As she heard the Gallade pick his drink's name, that reward was fulfilled. Iva was back in the kitchen checking through stock and taking inventory. The inn was not in full swing yet. She wanted to be completely prepared for when everything was ready to go.

She pushed her way through the doors at the back of the great hall. As she entered she saw the Gallade exit through the front doors opposite her. She hadn't said many words to him, but she'd let him sample whatever he wanted from the bar. She thought that was enough for now. They'd get chummy some other time, when there wasn't so much work to be done.

Looking over to the bar, she saw an extravagantly colored Grovyle. He certainly looked big enough for the job. She wasn't sure what all the polka dots were about, though. Maybe to disorient opponents. Just so long has he carried himself right, it was none of Iva's business, really.

"Oi oi oi!" she shouted across the hall. The place was mostly deserted. "You must be Gauel! Am I pronouncing that right? Gauel? Weird name you've got yourself there, buddy." She hopped up on one of the bar stools and eyed the sack Aki had left. Aki? Aku? Akui? She'd learn his name eventually. The sack looked heavy enough, nonetheless. "So, you want to bounce with Team Steamrise, huh? You must have some pretty big chops, huh? Tell me about'em. Let me see what you've got."

Gauel turned his head towards Iva once she entered the hall. At least he assumed it was, unless she had another Poocheyna working here for her. He was about to greet her until she acted as she didn't know him. "Um, yes, it's pronounced like gale. We met, back in Festivity Forest. It's how I knew how to get here and apply for a position. Ya told me," the Grovyle said. Did she really forget him so easily? It's not like he didn't stand out at all or anything, not with the dye he got over at Dandy's before he had met Iva. How many other yellow, black and orange spotted, black leaved Grovyle were there?

Then again, it didn't really matter, he was here for an interview. "Well, I have long background in fights. Back in my less... legal days, gettin' into fights happened just about twice a day."

He obviously did not understand that this was a job interview. Iva was going to need more than just that if she was expected to hire someone to protect her investment and to protect her customers. Just, 'I've been in a few dust-ups in my time,' wasn't going to cut it. She needed to know if this fella could really handle himself. She needed to know what he was made of. She needed to see what was in his heart.

"That's all you have to say? Here I thought I was talking to someone who might have been worth my time. Do you have any idea how many applicant's I have coming through here every day?"

She gave a laugh that could have been interpreted as unimpressed.

"You start most of your fights?"

Given that this was his first time in an interview, it made sense that he didn't know exactly how to speak in one. He clenched his fist at Iva's words. What gave her reason to be smart with someone applying to a job? If she was this much of a smartass to all applicants, it was no wonder she appeared to be the only one working here.

"No, but I'll start one if you keep talkin like that. It's obvious why nobody works here yet with that kinda attitude. And don't you forget that you advertised to me, I ain't comin here on my claws and knees beggin for a job." He was not happy at all, the Grovyle definitely ready to start a fight now with the Poochyena.

Iva smirked a big smirk. He thought he was soo tough.

"I advertised for someone tough, who could handle him or herself. I advertised for someone who could protect my bar, my investment, and my customers. Also, maybe pick that wax out of your big leafy ears, because I've got something to lay on you so you might want to just pay a bit of attention. If you're working for me, I'll talk to you however I want. I'll tell you to do whatever I want. You'll listen, you'll nod. You'll say, "Yes, Miss Iva," and you'll do what you're told."

She pounded her paws on the table, enough to make the wood rattle a bit, and leaned in close to Gauel.

"You got it, wise guy? Or are you gonna go "on your claws and knees" right out that door behind you?"

She stared him directly in the eyes. Her gaze was invasive and challenging.

Gauel growled loudly as Iva spoke, his fist shaking. That smartass mouth of her's easily got on his last nerve. Sorry, Peckers, but someone needs to learn some respect, he thought to himself. "Oh, I got it, bitch, I definitely got it." The Grovyle threw his fist forward, a green light bursting between his claws. His punch slammed right into the Poochyena's face, and once Gauel uncurled his fingers, the green light created a small explosion, sending the Dark type backwards. "You wanted someone tough, eh? Well congrats, ya just got someone."

Gauel then began to walk towards Iva. He clasped his hand around his fist, popping his knuckles as he approached her. As he walked towards her, the rest of the guests watched, a few hurriedly walking from their seats to the front door. He then turned his fist upwrds, uncurling it once more as a ball of green light formed just above it. "Let's just see if ya truly wanted someone strong."

Iva slumped against the wall next to the front door. Her face felt like it just got hit by the ass end of an Onyx. She spat out the blood that was pooling in her mouth. She couldn't quite tell if a tooth came out or not. She looked down. Yep. That was a tooth. Great.

She chuckled and looked up at Gauel. "You really think that's strength? You don't know the half of what it means to be strong, buddy. You just proved that to me."

She stood up and looked at his big, stupid, glowing fingers. All flash, no substance.

"I can't hire someone who's spirit is so weak. You just hit me because I boo-booed your oh so sensitive ego. What's going to happen when I put you in a room full of belligerent drunks, hm? You have no self control, no humility, no sense of respect or control.

"That's what makes you weak..."

She glared and spat out more blood.

"But... I give second chances. I beleive people can change. That even someone like you can light a fire in their soul and make something worthwhile of themselves! If you want that chance, you can stay. But if not...

"The door's right here."

There was fire in her eyes and blood in her teeth.

Chiyako looked at the building and instantly felt her smallness hit her face. Good. Lord. There were Pokemon this size? Actually she knew very well that there pokemon this size, she had seen the red Gyrados around town. He was a massive pokemon. Still, it was quite intimidating. Chi was more acclimated to being around pokemon close to her size, or pokemon of Izumi's size. Still, that wasn't enough to deter her from having a place where she could live her work.

She pushed herself up into her preferred bi-pedal position, and strode up to the door. She hadn't confirmed exactly what time her interview would be happening, but certainly there would be somebody who could tell her what she needed to do, or where she needed to wait...

She pushed the door open. She stuck her head in.

A Poochyena was flying at her.

NOPE.

She shut the door.

She head a loud sound on the other side of the door, and assumed that the Poochyena had hit the wall. She opened the door, gently this time, assuring that she wasn't going to hit anyone in the head as she did. She stepped in, and the door slowly shut behind her as she took a moment to absorb the scene. A fairly pissed-off looking Grovyle poised to zap a Poochyena with some Green energy. Great. She was clearly earliy.

"Uh. I didn't mean to arrive this early," Chi stated, looking from one pokemon to the other. "Is there something going that I'm interrupting...? Or do you need help calming your disgruntled familiar?" Chi's first instinct was to get the hell out of there, but... another part of her said to stay, and so she instantly started preparing to Charm. She really had no context into the situation, so she had no clue what kind of violence this was. She started weaving plans in her mind, letting the Poochyena distract the Grovyle and then going in with the Thunderwave taze if the Grovyle couldn't be calmed down..... She found herself thinking she wouldn't be unhappy about the situation if he didn't look about ready to start a slaughterfest. She was curious about his personal dye job.

Gauel grabbed the downed Poochyena by the throat once he was close enough, completely enraged at her words. "Ya can tell me how weak I am once you're dead," the Grass type said as he prepared to smash the second Energy Ball right into the Poochyena's face.

Just as he was about to do it, as well, the door next to them opened and in stepped a red-furred Purrloin. The Grovyle's attacked stopped as he stared at the smaller Pokemon, unsure of what to do now. "I'm just teaching a certain innkeep some manners, seeing as how the first thing she wants to do is insult someone she's interviewing." He shot a glare at the Poochyena in his claws, growling a bit under his voice as he spoke. He certainly wasn't going to go as far as to kill the dark type in front of the Purrloin. Granted, he didn't want to kill her at all, yet. He was very close to it, but not quite over that edge.

Iva glared at the yellow booger in front of her. He could kill her. Sure. But the dirt they threw over her casket would be worth more than he ever would be if he did. If he did that, he would never really be worth anything. Killing over something so trite as a bruised ego.

Iva was about to stick her tongue out at him and say just that when the Purrlion walked in. She'd met Chi before. She liked her, and not just that pretty look she had in her eyes. Seeing her gave Iva an idea.

"Let me down, change of plans!" Iva coughed out. "Let me down and you're hired."

The yellow booger dropped her.

As she coughed, she looked up and smirked Gauel. "You're hired, but she's your boss. I'm putting a leash on you, hot-head, and the reins are in that girls hands..."

Chiyako looked at the Grovyle and Iva with uncertainty. On one hand, the Grovyle seemed about ready to commit murder, which was... unnerving to the say the least. The thought made Chiyako's face seemingly pale and her stomach churn..... no, no, keep it together Chi. There are more important things at stake here. Deep breaths.....

A bit of deep breathing could be heard from the Purrloin as she calmed herself. Flashbacks in this situation would be detrimental to everything. She just had to keep calm...

Chiyako didn't throw the Grovyle the blame, however, as she knew the Poochyena could be.... unpredictable? Eccentric? Over-the-top? All of those. All of those and more. She could totally see the Iva giving the Grovyle some kind of... test or challenge that provoked him over his edge. The Poochyena was a rebel, an instigator, and it was kind of no surprise to see her get in trouble. Chi found herself having a difficult time taking a particular side here. She rubbed the back of her head with her paw.

"......Ok," Chi tried to intervene softly, "I know that Miss Iva can be a bit.... uh, you know. Iva-ish." The Purrloin failed to find a better description than that for the Poochyena. "....Okay she's very Iva-ish. I don't really have the details of the situation, but I have enough experience to.... reasonably infer that you were provoked. That's fair. This has gone a bit too far though-"

Chi got cut off as the Poochyena started demanding for release, offering a secured job in exchange. To Chiyako's relief, the Grovyle set her down. She sighed and nodded approvingly to herself. ....Or maybe, upon further inspection of the Poochyena's face, Apparently the wheels had finished turning in that dog's head, because she now had a smirk that unnerved even Chiyako.

"You're hired-" oh well, that was good. Chi wasn't sure that she... "-but she's your boss." ......completely........understood....... "I'm putting a leash on you, hot-head, and the reins are in that girls hands..."

What. Wuh.

"Uh.... not that I'm objecting, but.... where is this coming from?" Chiyako questioned. "We haven't even interviewed yet." She looked over at the Grovyle, pondering whether or not this was really fair to him. Or effective. "I didn't really sign up with and managerial skills. Or.... therapy skills, for that matter. I just make instruments and clothes and write music and stories. You sure you don't want somebody.... more experienced? Or more qualified? 'Specially since he's not really getting a say here?"

Gauel blinked in shock at the idea that a Purrloin he hadn't even learned the name of was just named his boss.  Was this Poochyena just toying with him again?! It didn't help that the Purrloin herself seemee just as unsure about the situation as him. However, the Grovyle knew he'd have a hard time finding a job elsewhere. He leaned down towards the Poochyena as an idea popped into his head.

"Ey, boss, can I punch Iva in the face again?" the Grovyle asked, glancing over at the Purrloin. His claws were already curled into a fist in preparation, a low growl sounding from his throat as he glared at Iva.

Chi replied, "She's still my boss, so no."

Iva grinned at the Grovyle. "Alright, you heard her Night Light. Finger lamps off."

Iva just smiled that big, confident, doofy smile of her's at all Chiyako's protests. Of course she was concerned, but Iva had complete and total faith in her. "Sure," she said. "Why not? You're smart. Level headed. Spunky. You won't let Leaf-y over here push you around, or anyone else.

"I'm sure you two will get along fine. More importantly, I'm sure putting you two together won't destroy my inn. Besides, the interview was only a formality. I already liked you. I've got faith in you, Chi-Chi!" Her grin grew wider and her fangs glinted brightly.

She turned back to the wannabe flappy bird.

"That alright with you, bub? Not afraid to work under a girl, are you?"

Well, the Grovyle seemed to be taking this... well. Accepting it in his own, strange way. She let out a little snort at his joke, but honestly she was not in the position to be to be pushing too many buttons. There was potential death at every turn here. That didn't mean she couldn't take part in the picking apart of the situation, however. A little joke might even help making things less death-y.

"Well, she's still my boss, so no," Chi responded with a light-hearted smirk. This was still not quite her element, but things seemed to be defusing well enough. She really kind of wished that Iva would stop saying things to provoke the guy, though. Then again, she supposed it was just in the dog's nature to be forward and blunt. Now that she had sensed a weakness in the pack, she was instinctively trying to put it back in it's place.

Chi was glad she wasn't a dog.

Iva seemed to be quite confident in the situation despite what Chi had revealed in Festivity Forest, and that was for whatever reason enough credibility to turn the Purrloin into a partial staff manager. That was fine, though. Chi's entire angle of self defense was centered in convincing people not to hit her, so she could probably convince this guy to not hit other people. Hopefully.

"...Chi-chi....?" Chiyako quietly wondered at the introduction of apparently her new nickname. When that nickname was followed by more provocative words, however, the nickname was quickly forgotten. "I don't think that'll be a problem Miss Iva, I'm not incredibly girly. I think the bigger issue is we don't know each other's names, nor do we know anything about each other." Chi hurriedly walked over and placed herself directly in front of the Grovyle, becoming a direct obstacle in his path to Iva so that Iva was out of die's reach. "My name's Chiyako. I make instruments. And play instruments. I also make clothes. I don't have much of a life beyond that," she joked with a smirk. She offered out a red fuzzy paw to shake and added, "Looking forward to working with you."