Giving It Away

## Dialogue

*"Good morning, Cross. To think I'd run into you here, of all places!"*
*"I've actually just completed a mission."*
**Support** – "Kindly ask Hope if the mission went well."
*"Oh, it was fine, thank you. It wasn't a very challenging task at all."*
*"I performed guard duty for someone performing early-morning maintenance on the outer wall."*
*"Fortunately, we didn't encounter any indigens, and the work was completed without incident."*
*"I just stood there like a scarecrow the entire time, so I didn't even accept the reward."*
**Inquire** – "Bluntly ask Hope how much she earned."
*"I didn't accept any compensation."*
*"I performed guard duty for someone performing early-morning maintenance on the outer wall."*
*"But we didn't encounter any indigens, so I merely stood there like a scarecrow the entire time."*
*"Once I've earned enough money to pay the next month's expenses, I decline additional rewards."*
*"Previously, I would only save an amount equal to a week's expenses, but Ornella convinced me to save more in case of emergencies."*
*"I pursue missions to help others—not for material gain."*
*"And for that reason, I prefer to refuse rewards whenever possible."*
**Praise** – "Laud Hope's selflessness."
*"Thank you for saying so. Honestly, I haven't met many people who approve of my stance on this matter."*
*"While it hasn't caused me to waiver in my beliefs, it's always encouraging to have someone's support."*
*"As a gardener, I've always been fond of this quote: "Money is like manure. It does no good unless you spread it around.""*
*"And extra money just stinks! …That's not actually part of the quote, but I think the spirit is there, at least."*
*"Money can do wonderful things to help people, but only if you let it find its way to those who need it."*
*"I'd encourage you to try doing a mission without accepting the reward."*
*"Needless to say, I'd be honored to be on your team when that happens!"*
(END)
**Convince** – "Persuade Hope to accept the rewards and save up a little bit of money."
*"Ornella said much the same thing."*
*"I agree that it's a good idea to save some money for emergencies."*
*"After all, money can solve a lot of problems. It is, as they say, a grand servant and terrible master."*
*"As a gardener, I've always been fond of this quote: "Money is like manure. It does no good unless you spread it around.""*
*"And extra money just stinks! …That's not actually part of the quote, but I think the spirit is there, at least."*
*"Do you know where the reward money for BLADE missions comes from? In many cases, it's from the pocket of someone who needs help."*
*"Once they spend all their money to pay the first reward, what will become of them next time?"*
*"What if they can't afford to pay a reward the next time they're in trouble?"*
*"That's one of the reasons I refuse rewards. So that the people I've helped will be able to afford help again."*
*"But forgive me for blathering on like this. I do not mean to preach."*
*"I'm going back to the residential district. I promised Ada I'd meet her there."*
(END)
**Lecture** – "Tell Hope to honor the terms of her BLADE contract and take the money."
*"Ah. So you're concerned that if we BLADEs do not accept rewards for our work, our clients will expect such assistance for free?"*
*"Is that the gist of your problem?"*
*"Interesting. I've never heard of anyone being reluctant to pay a reward for a BLADE mission. Have you?"*
*"I believe that everyone in New LA is a good person."*
*"They understand how hard it is to work as a BLADE."*
*"And that's why they offer to pay reasonable compensation for the work that we do."*
*"But I don't mean to dismiss your concerns. They're not entirely baseless."*
*"It is certainly not my intention to devalue the work that other BLADE members do."*
*"If I ever felt that the people of New LA were at risk of somehow losing respect for the BLADEs they employ, I would have to draw the line."*
*"But I prefer to believe that we live in a just world where that sort of thing wouldn't happen."*
(END)