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I need to make sure I don't wind up running up any debts. But it turns out I've been in debt for so long that I don't really remember what it's like not to be in it! Much less how to keep myself out of it.

I figured you might have some ideas, just some tips or something to help a guy out.

Of course. I'm very familiar with budgeting! Fortunately, I find that making an income in this place has been pretty easy, but it's always good to have a cushion just in case something happens.

Let's see. Do you want to talk in person or like this?

Uhhh, well. Is this gonna be like lecture? Should I take notes?

Oh no, nothing like that. I can even just make a list of suggestions and send it to you so you can review them!

Hah, all right! Not that I'd be opposed to attending a class of yours or anything! But that sounds pretty convenient, sure.

I appreciate that. I don't think I'd do a great job, but that's okay.

All right, so here's what I've done:
- I got a part-time job, which has been fairly convenient. So maybe find something that works for you.
- Shop somewhere that's both affordable and has quality. There are a lot of places that are useful, like thrift stores! They're second-hand items, but they're usually pretty okay if you know what you're looking for.
- Make a general estimate of what certain things cost, like money or clothes, things like that. After you figure out what the essentials cost, you should set aside what money you can use for the month to spend as you'd like and the rest should be saved up.
- You very easily make money with people if you Synchronize with them. This is where I ended up making the most money. And it doesn't have to be intimate if you don't want it to.

That being said, don't be afraid to Synchronize with your friends. If you don't Synchronize, you'll go into a chrysalis state, which is pretty dangerous.

Hmmmmmmmmmm. Actually, you bring up a good point — about this whole Synchrony thing.

Does it ever, uh, bother you? Knowing you're getting paid for stuff like that?

I think it depends. Mostly, I felt bad the first time I Synchronized. It was with the Professor and I ended up overwhelming them with a lot of memories and emotions. But over time, I've really warmed up to it.

I try to think of it less as making money and more like finding ways to connect with people. I can understand them in ways I never could before! I feel like I've really learned a lot about the people I care about. But I can also see how it might intimidating for people who aren't so open. I've definitely learned that emotions can be more intimate to certain people than sex is.

Oh, so THAT'S why it does that. Feeling what other people feel, that's something these gemstones do, huh...

So it's not really about the money, then. That's just an afterthought, next to the real point of understanding somebody better?

Right. And sometimes memories can leak through so that's something to remember.

For me, that's true. I'm sure someone else would say something different for their motivations. But for me, it's never about the money.

Yeah. If you look at it a certain way, it can get to feeling like you're using people. And sure, that kind of thing happens all the time, especially back in Fódlan — people making the choices they've got to make to survive. They aren't always pretty ones.

It just leaves a man feeling strange. That around here the most honest way of making money looks an awful lot like the ways people don't like to talk about, back home.

...

I don't suppose you'd, uh. Be willing to help a guy get used to it?

Sounds like you're pretty worried about how it looks to be with your friends with Synchrony.

[Ah, Balthus has such a big heart. It's impossible to not be endeared.]

Not at all. Would you like me to stop by?

Well, gold and friendships don't mix, y'know. I'd never bother a friend with my money troubles.

...Uh, except for the part where I bothered you with my money troubles, but that's different! You know that's different, right?

[god bless you balthus you tried]

Sure! It's an awful nice place they gave me, here. You know you can get hot water without even having to boil it?

It's okay, I know it's different. Asking for advice and asking for a loan are two different things!

Right? And you don't ever have to use candles in this place! It's incredible. I'll come over in a minute, just send me your location.

Right! No loans here, pal. Any coin either of us makes off of this Synchrony stuff, that's just something that happens on the side. We're just going to form some bonds, that's all!

[That...actually does make it a little easier to think about, if he can just wrap his head around it fully. Forming BONDS BETWEEN MEN is obviously familiar; the trick is just not thinking about getting paid for it.]

Haha, I can do that! Look, I'm pressing the green button and everything. I've got this down pat!

Great! I'll be on my way. I'll bring some snacks, all right?

[He doesn't even ask for permission. He's going to bring you food, Balthus.]

I sure won't say no to that — especially not at my favorite price!

[And indeed, Ashe will probably see Balthus before he even makes it into the apartment complex, since the man of the hour is sitting out on his apartment's little balcony overlooking the street, watching for his little buddy's arrival.]

[As Ashe makes his way over, he has a bag in his hand which no doubt has his snacks inside. He glances up and sees Balthus on the balcony, then beams and waves to him. Honestly, it's nice to see the other man again; he's so genuine that there's no real question about where anyone stands with him. It's pretty refreshing.]

Hey, Balthus!

Heyyyy, there he is! Good to see you, Ashe!

[He waves back, getting up and leaning casually over the balcony rail to look down at him as he approaches.]

C'mon up, I'll get the door open for you. Oh, uh, the elevator works! So you don't have to take all the stairs, it'll just do it for you.

Will do! I'll be right up.

[Elevators are still a little strange in how they work here, but it's not as terrifying as a train in his opinion. So up he goes, and he heads to Balthus' apartment!]

So I made something called potstickers! I don't know if you've ever had them before, but they're really delicious. I think you'll like them.

Mm, it already smells great!

[He lets Ashe in, motioning him toward the little kitchen off the main room of his apartment, which is done up in a lot of exposed brick and dull metal, giving the room warmth while also kind of making it feel a little bit like a basement. Not surprising that it's a good pick for Balthus, all things considered.]

C'mon in, make yourself at home. It's good to see you. You, ah, talked to the professor or anybody lately?

Good! They should be piping hot still. They make these great containers that keeps food warm for awhile. It's really handy.

[The apartment actually makes him feel a little nostalgic, much in the way that Byleth's manor does. Whereas the manor makes him feel like he's closer to Garreg Mach, this makes him think of Abyss. Both places he doesn't mind remembering.]

It's good to see you too, Balthus. Oh, I live with the Professor now since he has that farm, that's why I was packing up. Which is convenient since my horse is here.

Otherwise, I talk to almost everyone else regularly. [Almost.]

Right, right. And your cat, yeah? Loog?

[He was paying attention! Also, he heads over to one of the cabinets to retrieve some plates and such, because they are all on a shelf sized to the reach of a 6'6" man, and Ashe really doesn't stand a chance unless he wants to literally climb the furniture.]

Hey, listen. I'm not in any rush or anything, but I figure if there's anything you want to clear the air about before we try this Synchrony business, I'm listening, all right? Like you said, I know it can get kind of personal.

Yeah, and him.

[Ashe is pleased that Balthus remembers! But the mention of clearing the air... hm. He understands that. He hesitates, but eventually he nods reluctantly.]

I had a... I don't know, disagreement? Argument? I don't even know what you'd call it, but Claude and I are at odds right now. So I guess... that's the biggest thing I can think of.

[When your biggest personal problem is Claude and not Edelgard, well, that's kind of concerning. What can you do.]

Hm. I'm sorry about that, but I guess it's not too surprising. He's an interesting guy, that Claude. I dunno how much you know about Alliance politics, but I'll tell you something — he's a slippery one even by those standards.

[But he hands over the plates and utensils to Ashe, then lets his free hand clap down onto his shoulder.]

I met his mom a couple times when I was younger. Whew! What a lady. You could look a hundred years and not find another woman like that, I tell you.

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