second draw (video)

[blue_ice]

[ Kaiba's sitting out by the lake in Violet City, his small Horsea swimming and playing with a Magikarp, an Alolan Raichu, and a Hisuian Goodra. It's a happy scene, but their Trainer's still frowning a little. ]

I'm getting ready to challenge my first gym once Mizuchi evolves, and I've been working and studying here in Violet for the last week or so. I believe I understand the basic strategy, and I'll give it a few days to scrape together enough to buy a TM or two, but I have a few questions:

[ He takes a deep breath. If you thought these questions would be about Pokémon training, you'd be mistaken. ]

Why am I still considered a minor by this world's labor laws? I run my own corporate empire at home, and I regularly work at least 60 hours a week. To suggest I can't handle more than 20 hours of fetching, filing, or cashiering is insulting.

[ A small Meowth bounds up and mugs for the camera. He sighs and gently skritches behind its ears. ]

So in search of alternatives, I've read about Pay Day. Sliver here hasn't mastered it yet, but it makes no sense. How does this cat magically summon legal currency, and how has it not cratered this world's economy by doing so? You can't just print money, it devalues it. Unless it somehow creates productivity by doing so...or the move somehow steals someone else's money. Does it?

Comments

[video]

[soupguy]

I don’t know about insulting, but that is weird. I do a full work week every week back home, and even though I’m not looking to get a job here right now… I don’t know, I just don’t see why it’s out of the question.

Although 60 hours is a lot more than I’m used to… Anyway, I don’t know much about this money stuff. I’m learning, but I can’t help with your Pay Day questions.

What I can say is that if you miss working itself, there’s ways to work with that. I’ve been cooking for the people I’m traveling with, and helping them with laundry. It keeps me feeling productive.

[video]

[blue_ice]

Thanks. It's not that I'm feeling bored, exactly. I've been training with my team and they're doing well, but not even trainer battles earn much money. I'd like to buy TMs to give them a competitive edge, but it's taking a long while to scrape the funds together.

I help my travel partner too, of course. I just wish I could buy a better quality of life for us.

[ He's used to living the life of luxury and being able to solve any problem with a big stack of cash....rip]

[crystalmaster]

[Radley is amused, but honestly, he wonders similar things.]

Yeah, they have kind of a funny idea on what minors can and can't do here, don't they? As if all the training and Gym battles wouldn't be as taxing or more than regular work!

On PayDay, that puzzles me too. I don't get how it's legal tender. But since it is ... I want a Pokemon who can use it too.

[He smirks.]

I'm sure it doesn't steal someone's money or there'd be a big stink about that.

[phoenixwiz]

I was wanting to ask the same questions too. I am currently 18 right now so I’m considered as an adult by my world’s standards, but I can’t even work for longer shifts at Pokémon Centres at this age, so I have to work with that on weekdays to the most of out of it.

This has to be the most bizarre employment situation I got myself into so far. As for the Pay Day move, I may get to teach my Eevees the move, but I’m not near Goldenrod City enough to buy two of them.

[blue_ice]

The TM's actually in the Goldenrod shop right now. This Meowth will learn it soon, but if I can save up for it, my Rapidash can participate in the economy-cratering too.

[ He briefly pauses to scan the dex info. ]

Your Eevees can learn it, but it'd be a lot of TMs if you wanted to teach them all.

[blue_ice]

It's annoying, isn't it?

The Goldenrod Department Store actually does mail orders, you just might have to wait around a bit for a delivery depending on how far you are.

[crystalmaster]

[Radley's eyes gleam.]

I had no idea that was a possible move for Eevees. I'll definitely see about that for at least one of them!

[phoenixwiz]

Yeah, it is a pain to deal with.

Oh, they also do mail orders? That is good to hear. I’m somewhere around Route 30 and heading towards Violet City within the next few days, so I might send in orders to them at Violet.

[blue_ice]

I suppose you could teach one, then have it bankroll the others?

[blue_ice]

Good plan. I'm in Violet preparing for a gym battle now, so I might see you when you arrive.

[crystalmaster]

That is an interesting thought!

[Evie warbles happily. She would love to learn Pay Day and be able to help Radley earn more money!]

[phoenixwiz]

Yeah, that’s where I’m heading to. We will see each other in there real soon.

I have been meaning to take part of the Gym Battles too but I want my Pokémon to grow stronger first before I jump in.

video;

[amaure]

I fear you will find much more solace in abandoning all attempts of viewing this world through a lens of logical persuasion. The economy, much like the ledges, make little to no sense. It is merely stable because it needs to be, simple as that.

[Most likely not the explanation that Kaiba wants to hear, but it's...true.]

As for being a minor, each culture—generous as it is for me name it so—has its own customs on such distinctions I'm afraid. While I'm sure your claims are those rooted in truth, if you've no proof, then I do not think this world much cares. It will operate regardless of your proclaimed personal accomplishments.

video;

[blue_ice]

...the ledges. Right. I never made sense of that either.

[ He exhales sharply, and sensing distress, the Goodra wades out of the water and plops next to his trainer, clinging to him and dripping slime. Judging by Kaiba's lack of reaction, he's pretty used to this. ]

I'm not in a position to start my own business now, but do you know if those laws will still apply to me if I try to?

[blue_ice]

Good plan. I've heard the Leaders are tough, and I don't want to make a bad impression. The school here in town can help if you want to study some more.

[blue_ice]

[ Oh, there's Evie again. He smiles a little as he sees her. ]

My Eevee egg's been vibrating harder lately. I'll make sure it grows up healthy and strong.

[phoenixwiz]

Now that sounds like a good idea to me already. I don’t want to come into a gym battle unprepared and not knowing what to expect. Maybe we can meet up at the school once I arrive at Violet City.

[blue_ice]

Mm. Maybe I can quiz you after my battle, once I have a better idea how it all works.

[crystalmaster]

[Radley pets her. He is definitely thinking he'll let her be the one.]

That's great to hear! I'm sure you will.

[All the Eevees happily chorus at that. It's quite a sound.]

[phoenixwiz]

Of course, that would be a good opportunity to learn some new things from other Trainers. I’m still learning a ton about Trainer Battles as well.

Video

[dreamsofahero]

You know, the age of majority does tend to vary from place to place even within a single world...

*or even be different for different things in the same country--you can marry at 16 in Roland, but you can't legally drink alcohol until 20, go figure!*

But as for Pay Day, I've never had reason to make much use of it myself, but as far as I'm aware the locals don't seem to question it, at least.

Video

[blue_ice]

I've legally been responsible for myself for almost three years. It just feels strange, when 10 year olds are allowed to manage their affairs in so many other things here.

And that's good to know. I'm still not sure how I feel about 'earning' money this way, but I'd like a proper hotel room the night before the battle at least.

action;

[thetombkeeper]

[Marik slowly glances over. (Chen's busy trying to teach Duel Monsters to Usi and failing miserably. It's just kind of turned into Go Fish at this point.)

He normally tries to give Kaiba privacy when he's on his device, and while he personally doesn't care about the child labor law issue, the fact that he's inquiring about Pay Day publicly has him concerned. Other people don't need to know about their scheme...!]

... Did you need to ask about Pay Day?

video;

[amaure]

[By all means the ledges should be climbable! And yet...]

Now that's a question, isn't it? I honestly have no idea, I know there isn't exactly the usual bureaucratic process when forming a business here, most of everything is rather unregulated by my measure, unless it specifically involves a native. You will of course need to own the property and all that, but otherwise... Perhaps it would simply slide under the radar unless someone reported you to the authorities, but I cannot imagine anyone would care enough to do that.

Unless you have enemies, of course. You don't have any of those, do you?

action;

[blue_ice]

[ Kaiba looks a little apologetic. ]

I didn't want to get my hopes up too high if it didn't work. I'm still working at the Center, but the last time the Chanseys tried to push me into bed after my shift.