usedacrobatics | Dick Grayson 002 Ⓡ video

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Dick Grayson 002 Ⓡ video

[The Pokegear snaps on, and Dick, in a nice waiter's shirt, slumps down against a wall and sighs.]

So this is, uh, ridiculously embarrassing.

[His hair's slicked back, too, and he's loosening a little bow tie with his other hand. Tugging at it with a little more force than strictly necessary.]

Exactly, um. Does anyone have any tips for how to... like, not go broke? How do people keep track of money? How do you not run out?

I plead lack of maturity, lack of understanding of the value of a... whatever the unit of currency is here, I don't even know.

And yeah, okay, if you all want a good laugh at my expense, my foster father is a billionaire, both through inheritance and being the CEO of a worldwide corporation. Go ahead, I've heard all the rich kid jokes and I don't really care, I'd just be grateful, in return, for a little--

[There's a voice yelling in the distance, something about not being paid to take breaks; Dick jumps up and shuts off the feed immediately. He does have a work ethic, okay, he was a circus performer until he was nine, but that money was all put in the bank.]

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That depends. Do you like cats?

[GDI Carmen stop doing Selina Kyle impressions.]

[...he's about to invoke her, but refrains.]

What're you peddling and how much am I paying?

[She'd be flattered by the comparison, if she knew. And had the frame of reference to appreciate it, obviously.]

Advice, and nothing at all — in that order. On the contrary, I was considering making you a gift in exchange for the excellent conversation we had the other day.

Keeping a Meowth or a Persian on hand can be a useful safety net when it comes to money; look up the move Pay Day, if you haven't already.

[Oh, is that a short cut you're telling him about. He's already thinking he'll name the cat -- Talia. If he gets a dog, he'll name it Selina.

These thoughts cheer him up immeasurably.]

The one about not listening to strangers who tell you wonderful things? :)

[It's talent and preparation that make things happen, bb!detective. And reading the guidebook cover to cover never hurts.]

The one that made me decide it'd be a shame to see that mind of yours going to waste on menial drudgery instead of being put to good use.

[See, money is really boring, actually. Common criminals think about money. Life is so much better when that's all just taken care of, so you can focus on the thrill of the intellectual challenge instead.]

Which brings me back to my question. DO you like cats?

[There are two kinds of adults that openly recognize his intelligence, he's found: his mentors and his enemies. Most adults either don't think anything of it because they think everyone is on their same level, or else they don't think anything of it because they don't actually care.

People like Bruce and Alfred recognize it because they want to help him be better. People like Dr. Desmond or the Joker recognize it because it's a threat to them.

It's something to think about.]

I'm fond. Am I going to dedicate my awesome mental ability to the study of cat Pokemon, do you think?

I think you'll dedicate enough of it to make sure that once it hatches, it's as well cared-for as one of Bastet's. What you do with the rest of it is up to you.

Though if you're offering to perform a study, I wouldn't mind hearing about the results.

Offering, no. Available to be commissioned, yes. For the right price.

I'll do my best. Most of my Pokemon I bought as eggs, so I think I've been getting in some good experience.

I like a man who sets priorities and keeps to them. What's your usual commission?

The usual hatching time on a Meowth is about a week. You'll have to make do for the time being, but the sooner I know where I'm sending this, the sooner you can stop drudging.

Negotiable, if you've got your expert performing similar tasks.

Violet City. And as regards drudgery, I've been told there's an ability called Pickup that'll increase the profitability of the Meowth. What're my odds of this Meowth having it?

Then let's forget the study and stick with simply, you owe me a favor in exchange for the cat. It'll be waiting at the Violet City Pokemon Center; you can pick it up under the name...Hatshepsut.

Meowth come with one of two natures — Pickup or Technician. This one's parents will have had one of each; as a Meowth, its mother's ability was Pickup. Whether that makes a difference in the breeding itself, I can't say — that sort of question would be better directed to a breeder who's had some practice with manipulating those odds.

[He giggles to himself at that. That's doable.

He does, however, deliberately diminish himself. Lowered expectations means a better chance of seeming more impressive in the long run. If she believes him, great-- if she doesn't, she'll either think he's humble or hedging his bets.]

Acceptable, with my sincere gratitude. I don't know what favors you can get out of a 14-year-old, but I'm willing to try.

Including hedging my bets there. If not, I can always track down someone who does has it.

One of the most brilliant people I've ever met also happens to be fifteen. You might say I have a wide breadth of experience with precocious children.

As far as I know, Phanpy are guaranteed to have Pickup as an ability, if your cat doesn't pan out the way you're hoping. Technician isn't a bad alternative, though — particularly not if you find yourself someday using it in battle as well as an economic resource.

And let me know what you name it, won't you?

[Dammit, her refusal to underestimate him only raises his esteem. Not as planned!]

Hatshepsut for a girl, obviously. Thutmose for a boy is on the list, but not as appealing.

How does Technician work? I kinda admire multitasking.

Then may you find yourself the proud owner of a baby girl, when she hatches.

Some moves are inherently more powerful than others; there's a range of how much damage a battling Pokemon can do, depending both on the attack it's using and on other circumstantial factors like type advantage or immunity. Technician...you could say it's the ability of a creature who knows how to make even its weakest attacks have the greatest effect against its foe. Lower-powered moves are made stronger simply because it's perfected how best to use them.

essentially, there's no loss, then. No wrong answer, I mean, and if I get one, I might be able to breed for the other.

Gotta admit, Technician sounds incredible for actual battling. Like an opening to subvert expectations.

Already making the best of whatever hand you're dealt, hm? I'm impressed.

In my experience, Technician is the sort of skill that tends to be the signature of a smart fighter, not just a forceful one. And fighting intelligently does come with its advantages around here; the gym leaders will often agree to modified rules or unorthodox forms of battle if you ask for it during your challenge. That's a good way of maximizing your own chances of victory — particularly if you've trained a team good at working together in innovative ways.

I can't exactly call Mulligan and start over, you know? It just seems the most pragmatic strategy.

Great. I'll challenge them all to a buyout. Whoever spends the most money in least amount of time, wins. Double points for accessorizing with Pokemon.

Be careful what you wish for. Whitney in Goldenrod City, for example, might actually take you up on that bet — and give you a run for your money, besides.

Well, by the time I get to her, I'd have to change strategies anyway. I assume the Gym Leaders talk to each other, I saw some at the Prom. You don't think they gossip about challengers?

I'm sure they do. A few of them certainly have no qualms about gossiping about each other.

People who say things like that and then don't elaborate are not good people at all.

Someone hasn't been watching the news lately. Gym Leader Clair, it seems, is quite the wealth of sordid information about her fellow Gym Leaders, and at least one of them has some sort of secret he's holding over her head right back.

Gossip isn't news, but that's splitting hairs.

I bet it's her cousin.

Tell that to our resident newscasters.

I'm sure he has some kind of leverage over her, too, but in this case, I think it was the Ecruteak City Gym Leader with something she doesn't want revealed to the public.

Dick Grayson 002 Ⓡ video

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