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fgo: sieg

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Who: Sieg, You
When: August
Where: Aefenglom, The Underground
What: Some quests, some magic practice
Warnings: None

I. Magic practice
[Sieg's sitting outside of a cafe, with about a dozen rocks that he must've just picked off the ground. They don't even look vaguely similar. On the other side of him are four hand-sized black dragon figurines.

One of them stretches out its wings and looks over at you. It seems to be the only one that's been charmed in any way, because it's brothers aren't moving.

Sieg's also so focused on making another one of these little dragons that he seems to have missed that this one is moving.]

II. Hazard at the Harbor

[These... are children. There's nothing in the factory but children and he feels completely out of his depth. The only child he knows is a bunch of spirits masquerading as a little girl. It cannot possibly be the same thing.

The harbor masters want them to work... The children say they need the money, so it's not as though he can completely tear this place down. But he's pretty sure kids are supposed to be doing things other than working.

But they don't all want to leave.

Which means the only option left is some kind of negotiation. Which is painfully out of Sieg's ability.]

Okay, what are your demands? Um... what do you want to change here?

[Maybe they can forge some kind of deal?]

III. Cavern Cowboys

[Worm steeds... There are giant worms and things like that, but he doesn't think they've ever had projectile weapons. And definitely not goo. But the Underground wants their transportation back and Sieg can understand that much. Now it's just a matter of finding them.]

I have some of the algae. Which direction do you think they went?

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[ Sougo had discovered the fact that child labor was being used in these factories earlier this month when he'd gone to explore the area with Mikasa. He'd been pretty taken aback by the whole situation at the time, and even more surprised that many of the kids did want their jobs, even if they wanted better conditions to work in.

He's not entirely sure how he feels about this still, but he can't exactly stand by and not at least try to get the kids what they're asking for, even if he can't imagine living the kind of life where you're doing hard manual labor by age twelve.

The problem is he's never had to make these kinds of negotiations either, which is how he ended up teaming up with Sieg, who also seemed pretty concerned with getting things resolved in a way that was best for the kids here. He kind of figured Sieg might do alright with this, not knowing the other guy, but he's thinking... maybe... not.

He smiles awkwardly at Sieg's attempts though, nodding his head encouragingly as he looks at the assembled groups. Smiling just a little more hopefully as the kids begin to mutter among themselves.

In a quiet voice he'll mutter his uncertainties to Sieg though. ]

Is this actually going to work?

[ He barely pays attention in school, and can hardly be expected to know how impromptu labor unions work. ]

It might. We have to try.

[He's done this once before, but he at least had leverage. One group wanted power, and Sieg could provide that much, at least. Here...

Well, maybe collectively the kids have enough power. The people in power definitely don't want to do this work themselves- and there wouldn't be enough of them anyway if they wanted to keep productivity the same.

The workers deserve rights! And there should be some concessions when the workers are kids.

He'll address one of the groups.]

Are you getting breaks during your work hours?

[ There's no disagreement from Sougo about that, but he does look uneasy as he turns back to the assembled groups. Though he does try to help out after Sieg's question, chipping in with an extra-- ]

Ones long enough to eat during.

[ A glance at Sieg. ]

Right?

[ He has never been gainfully employed in his life...

Though he hopes he's right, because from the way the kids are reacting it's very clear that if they get anything like breaks at all (doubtful from the responses), they certainly don't get ones long enough to have proper meals. ]

Right.

[His time on Earth was very short, but he's pretty sure that's something that kids need. That any worker needs.

The kids shake their heads.]

So you're not getting breaks at all? How long are you working here?

["8 to 8".]

... I see... You should be getting at least three meal breaks in that case.

[ Sougo stands up a bit straighter at that confession, crossing his arms as he considers those times. It's not that unusual to hear about office workers going in at eight and not leaving until much later in the day when they're forced to put in overtime hours, but those are adults.

Kids shouldn't have to go through that, especially when they should have some time to play and learn. It's not exactly safe for most kids to be out late either. ]

You shouldn't be working that long at all.

[ Everyone looks kind of surprised at that. ]

Since they're kids it should be shorter hours.

[Sieg is also caught off guard.]

... It's different for children?

[He really needs to meet more children, because that seems so strange to him.]

Mm...

[ At least he thought it was... it probably is? ]

I'm not sure most children are supposed to be working at all, but if they do then it has to be less time.

[ Probably. ]

Usually... after school...

[Sieg sure doesn't know.

Time to poll the children]

... Do any of you go to school? Do you want to?

[ The choruses of uncertainties and "no"s is somewhat alarming. Sougo barely managed to pass high school himself, but he still finished up before going on to have no normal ambitions that would actually get him anywhere in life. It's hard to tell if they really want to go to school, but it's clear that none of them do. ]

You guys should be going to school during the day though...

[ No one, not the kids, and certainly not the factory owners look happy with that comment. ]

[The concept of school is something Sieg is aware of, but that's the absolute extent of it. Homunculi made for war don't have that kind of time.

Hmm... hmm....]

What if they split their time between the factory and school? Since it's not safe to have them working from 8 to 8.

[ Sougo snaps his fingers, and nods almost cartoonishly at Sieg's suggestion. ]

They'd get a chance to have proper lunches during that time too.

[ However, while this seems like a great solution to Sougo, it's clear from the immediate protest of the factory owners this is not such a great solution to them. Turns out people that profit off of child labor are mostly interested in keeping the profits up more than they are interested in the education of the youth. ]

[It also seems like a good solution to Sieg, and the idea that the factory owners are not pleased doesn't really matter much to Sieg.]

What do the kids think?

[He addresses the harbor owners first.] What you've got right now clearly isn't working. You were the ones who asked for help.

[ And there's so much enthusiastic nodding coming from Sougo that it looks like he might hurt his neck this way. Still, Sieg's managing to sound a lot more stern right now, and Sougo's absolutely down with playing support. ]

Plus there are more breaks in school too.

[ Not a lot, but more than it sounds like they get at work. ]

[The owners mumble among themselves, not looking particularly enthusiastic about these ideas.]

You can't work these docks yourselves. There aren't enough of you.

[ More enthusiastic nodding from Sougo at that. ]

And it's not good for these kids to work like they are right now, but this way they do get to keep working for you.

[He's made his points, now he's just staring down the owners, waiting for them to make a decision.

They're incredibly reluctant to give one.]

[ There does seem to be a lot of hesitation here, so Sougo will try something. ]

If you guys need time to think about it, you can. But if you don't agree to something like this then you're probably not going to have workers at all.

[There's some rumbling from the owners.

They'll at least consider it, and Sieg turns to look at Sougo once they're gone.]

... Do you think they'll agree...?

[ He sighs and crosses his arms as he considers this. It's a good question, but... ]

It'll probably depend on if the kids decide they like our plan too, right?

Yeah... Is school a lot of work? I don't know much about it.

Mm, it depends on the classes. Some are really easy, but others...

[ Sougo sighs a little too dramatically at the thought. ]

But it's probably useful to know the things they teach there?

[Thancred wriggles his fingers back at the dragon, stepping a little closer to investigate. If they're small, they're probably not a problem, especially with someone close by. Who- appears to be working on them?

He watches to a moment, head tilted, before clearing his throat.]

Is this your charmwork? It's very impressive.

[The tiny figurine watches his fingers, head moving back and forth, wings flapping slightly.]

Yes, it is. Thank you. [He can't quite manage his own wings just yet, but he figures a little practice into each of the fields isn't a bad idea.]

The movement doesn't last for very long, but the shape always holds.

[That's rather charming, and Thancred moves his hand around a little, watching before he turns his attention to Sieg.]

You're welcome.

Ah, that makes sense… I imagine it would take a lot to make sure they could move for longer periods. Do you have a particular interest in dragons, then?

[The figurine approaches his hand and brings up one of its claws up to grip lightly around a finger.]

Ah... you could say that. It's something I'm associated with back home.

[He is a dragon back home.]

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