#3915

GT: holy shit, look at these glittering space riches! AG: Yeah. I was really into treasure hunting for a while.

Which is weird, because I don’t think an Alternian troll has any reason to treasure-hunt.

We don’t know anything about Alternian economics, but I’m not sure we really need to. Alternia functions under an extremely rigid caste system, where your social class is determined exclusively by the biology that you’re born with. Eridan isn’t rich because daddy made some nice investments; he’s rich because he has violet blood, and that’s that.

It’s not like a rustblood can win big at the races, and purchase a hive of Vriska’s caliber – and similarly, it’s not like Vriska will ever be able to purchase indigo status. No matter what treasure she obtains, she can’t actually trade it for a meaningful upgrade to her quality of life, the way you'd be able to on Earth.

Now, I know why Vriska collects it – it’s a status symbol, and serves as proof that she’s a winner – but still, it’s an interesting aside.

GT: is that a rocket car stuck in the web over there? GT: what's that about? AG: Don't worry a8out it! Man, this would 8e such an awkward moment on a d8. Again, if it was one. GT: there's something really familiar about that rocket…

I'm pretty sure John never saw that rocket, but he does own a jetpack with the same theming, thanks to Terezi’s machinations and Sollux’s leet hax.