(Around 5 pm)
Loki brought Keqing, Ningguang, Yelan and Zhongli to the Pokemon Studio. As for the 6 teens, they seperated from the group and went to Wanmin Restaurant.
After instructing Charge to show their 3 new guests a documentary about pokemon and teach them how to use the pokedex, Loki left the lounge and went to their homeworld.
It wasn't until an hour later that Loki returned. He didn't waste any time as he handed a pokeball each to Ningguang, Yelan and Zhongli.
A Nosepass for Ningguang.
A Sneasel (Hisuian) for Yelan.
Finally a special Meowth for Zhongli.
Ningguang and Yelan immediately began to interact with their pokemon. They were able to understand each other, despite the language barrier.
On the other hand, Zhongli silently stood before Meowth and observed him. They stared at each other for nearly a minute until Meowth lost his patience and spoke.
"How long are you going to look at me? At least say something."
"Oh." Zhongli finally reacted. "You can talk?"
"Of course I can. Loki once said that all Meowth should speak in human language so he taught us personally. But only a few managed to talk so I am quite special." Meowth boasted with a smug smile.
"I see." Zhongli nodded to show his understanding.
"Anyway, you are my owner, right? Nice to meet you. I am Meowth."
"I am not exactly your owner but-" Zhongli paused. When he considered the relation between him and Meowth, owner indeed seemed like the right word. But he had no interest in raising a pet.
Seeing his dillemma, Meowth calmly spoke. "Loki has already told me so I understand my role. I am to accompany you as your friend or as your pet. Anything goes really."
Zhongli turned to Loki who nodded at him. He also nodded back and looked at Meowth. "Then you can call me Zhongli, new friend."
Meowth jumped up in response. "Cool. I will be in your care, Zhongli."
With their introductions over and their role established, Meowth began to share the story about his home and his brethen. Zhongli also shared the story about Liyue in return.
In this way, a talking pokemon became the friend of a certain god in disguise.
Behind the gaming setup, Loki was looking at Zhongli and Meowth as he mused.
Knowing that an ancient old grandpa like Zhongli will not be able to bond properly with a young pokemon, Loki had broken the rule he made and sought out Meowth, who was already 6 years old.
Of course, a 6 years old was not even a fetus before the 6000+ years old god, but Meowth was mature and understood the world for what it is. Loki was confident he could get along with Zhongli.
And judging by their current conversation, he was correct in choosing Meowth for Zhongli.
_____
After making sure Zhongli and Meowth were getting along, Loki decided to approach Yelan for a conversation.
Yelan was currently on the sofa, looking at the various moves and abilities of her pokemon on the pokedex. Sneasel was quitely sitting on her right.
Loki sat beside her ignoring any sense of distance. "Are you satisfied with your Sneasel?" He asked.
Yelan turned to him with a grateful look in her eyes. "I am. Thank you, Mr. Loki."
Then her eyes suddenly became sharp. "By any chance, are you already aware about my profession?"
"Today is our first meeting, right? How can I know your profession?" Loki smiled mysteriously to her question.
Yelan looked at him with certainty as she began to list her reasons to suspect Loki.
"On the harbor, you singled me out in the crowd and winked at me. You also didn't manipulate me into leaving, like you did to the others. And now, you have given Sneasel to me. All of his abilities are completely in line with my profession."
"It is hard to believe all of it is a coincidence."
Loki listened to her reasoning with an amused smile. He stood up from the sofa as he reassured her.
"You are overthinking, Yelan. Everything that happened is really just a coincidence."
Saying those words, Loki walked away, leaving Yelan in suspense.
_____
After his conversation with Yelan, Loki approached Ningguang. She and Keqing were currently conversing with Charge, and learning more about the various features of pokedex.
The Liyue Qixing was really obssessed with this gadget.
"Ningguang, we have to talk, right now."
Loki called out with misleading words. Ningguang didn't react to his subtle teasing as she calmly stood up from the sofa and looked at him.
"Indeed, there is something I want to talk with you as well."
"Should we talk in private then?" He teased.
Ningguang maintained a poker face as she looked around the lounge. "The lounge should do just fine."
"Is that so?" Loki faked his disappointment as he walked back to his recliner. Ningguang followed behind him and the two soon sat across his table.
"Ladies first." He gestured for Ningguang to begin. She didn't refuse as she asked the question that has been bugging her for a while.
"Your speech at the harbor. Are you really going to give pokemon to the populace?"
"To a select few, Yes." Loki answered in a calm voice. "But even if I do give them pokemon, I am not planning on giving them a pokedex, at least not for free."
"May I ask why? You have given the pokedex to us without asking for any mora."
"Well." Loki smiled. "All of you are paying me by keeping me entertained. In comparison, the people that will come to my Studio from now on will not be able to offer me anything of value. I can give them a pokemon but if they want a pokedex, they have to pay me with mora."
Ningguang listened to his reasoning with a strange smile.
"In other words, as long as someone piques your interest, you are willing to provide the pokedex for free. While the others need to pay."
Loki nodded amusedly. "That is one way to look at it."
Ningguang could only shake her head in disbelief. After a while, she decided to continue on with the main topic.
"How much are you going to sell the pokedex for? I can help you judge the correct price."
"Hmmm." Loki hummed as he randomly chose a price. "I am thinking of... 50 million mora."
"50 million?" Ninguang placed a hand on her chin as she began to think. Loki didn't disturb her and patiently waited for her reponse.
"Considering the various features that pokedex provides to their user, I believe the price should be no less than 100 million mora."
"The most appropriate price would be 1 billion mora but only a handful of wealthy merchants and business tycoons can afford that price. It will only be counter productive since nobody will be willing to buy the pokedex despite its unique features."
"Thank you for your insight." Loki nodded in gratitude.
"You are welcome." Ningguang responded calmly. Then she finally revealed her real interest.
"Loki, why don't we become business partners? You will provide the pokedex and I will deal with the marketing."
Hearing her sudden proposal, Loki immediately knew why she volunteered to help him with the pricing.
"I can sell the pokedex myself. Thank you for the offer though." He spoke with an amused smile.
Ningguang was not disappointed to hear his refusal. After all, why would Loki agree to share his profit with her when he had no need to?
"Instead of a deal about pokedex, why don't we make a deal about some other products?"
His words immediately managed to pique her interest. "What products exactly?" She asked.
"Products for Pokemon. Medicines, Foods, Pokeblocks, Pokeballs and others." He began.
"The number of pokemon in Liyue will increase exponentially from tomorrow on. My small store will not be able to cater to the increasing demands."
"If Liyue begins to manufacture pokemon products by themselves, the demand and supply can be maintained. They will be most effective when pokemon begins to descend onto Tevyat in a few months."
Ningguang listened to his speech with deep interest. She could already see the profits fall onto her lap. Was there even a need to consider?
"I can arrange a few factories to begin the manufacturing process. You can also leave the logistics and manpower to me." She spoke.
Loki smiled. "Then I will provide the formula for those products. I am sure you have begun to plant the berries from my world. I will provide a few more seeds and bring a friend to help nurture them. As for the other materials, I can supply them until you have found an alternative from this world."
The two looked at each other with a bright smile.
"As for the share-" Ningguang began but she was cut off mid sentence.
"I consider haggling a chore so let's just do a 50-50 split of share and be done with it." Loki spoke with finality.
Ningguang was immediately shocked when she heard him. She was hoping to receive at least 40% share but Loki didn't even listen to her and gave her a higher amount.
She thanked his carefree nature in her mind as she nodded with a calm expression, without showing her inner joy.
"Let's draft a contract then."
The contract was soon established and Loki brought up another topic.
"There is also the matter of treatment facility for Pokemon. I will provide the personnel so could you arrange a few hospitals and clinics? Of course, this organization is non-profitable."
"Alright." Ningguang agreed, quickly realizing this was the reason Loki gave her a higher share.
"I recommend training a few people from Liyue to help in the hospital." She added.
Loki nodded his head in response. "That's my intention. I hope you will help with the recruitment."
"You can leave it to me."
"Awesome."
A while later, Keqing joined them in their business talk and the roles of each person was further cemented.
Liyue was going to see a huge change from tomorrow on.
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PS: [Please comment and review on my fanfic. I want to have some interactions with my readers.
I also appreciate any advice or ideas to improve this story.]