Clockwork: Poseman

Clockwork: Poseman is an Adventure Mission on Penacony. It is part of the Clockwork chapter.
==Start Location==
To start this mission, activate Clockwork and submit to Poseman in Golden Hour:
==Steps==
# Talk to Poseman
# Speak to the "enlightened" Poseman.
==Dialogue==
:Poseman: Just look! Look at the kinds of people that come here.
:Poseman: There are daydreamers escaping from reality, liars and hypocrites, and tantrums from squabblers desperate for comfort... That's right. What kind of dependable person would ever venture into a dream?
:Poseman: By my reckoning, Penacony is a huge trashcan filled with losers from all over the universe — who turned into babies the second they come across the slightest setback.
:Poseman: Spent too long in a place like this, and you'll start to degenerate without realizing... Do you understand? Your thoughts, your emotions — everything is blunted by over-indulgent and in the end you'll become useless!
: So what should we do, then?
: Everything you said was true...
::Poseman: Don't think I can't tell that's biting sarcasm. You've already started to endorse this kind of lifestyle from the bottom of your heart, haven't you?
: (Remain silent)
:Poseman: Entertainment is a grand waste of the universe's resources, and disrespectful to the hard work of everyday people! Places like Penacony should've been shut down a long time ago!
:Poseman: Think about it: How many civilizations has this universe spawned? And how many have star-faring capabilities? How many actually make the pivotal choice to set out on an intergalactic journey?
:Poseman: Anyone with a chance to leave their homeworld behind and explore the universe has either one-in-a-billion luck, or has paid a price unfathomable to ordinary people. I am one of the latter.
:Poseman: I studied painstakingly for decades to leave my home system before finally entering the hallowed realm of the Intelligentsia Guild — and just looked at the people here. What have they done with this hard-earned opportunity of theirs? Live out a life of debauchery!
:Poseman: Your home planets puts all these efforts into raising you out of hope that you can build it up — not for your wanton pleasure!
:Poseman: ...How can these people not understand such simple truths!?
: I'm different. I don't have a home planet.
::Poseman: ...
::The man fall silent before shooting you a complicated look with his eyes. It is impossible to tell whether it is a look of pity, or wonder.
::Poseman: Notwithstanding that being the case... Let's stop bickering about it. Go, do whatever you want to do.
: Your life must be very unhappy indeed.
::Poseman: You, I... that's a personal attack!
::His hair and brow knitted together in a rage, taking quite some time before they unfurl.
::Poseman: ...Hmm, I'm not stooping to your level! I'm a member of the Intelligentsia Guild and ought to maintain self-discipline...
::Poseman: Youngster, there's always a pathway back... That's all I can say to you.
: Ah yes, hmm, I see.
::Poseman: ...
::The man sank into a long silence and could only reply to you with a look.
::That look seemed to be saying: I'm afraid you've lost your mind.
===Talk to Poseman.===
;(After unlocking the Emo Dial)
:Poseman: ...
:The man suddenly clams up, like a pair of headphones that just had its cable ripped out. His expression and body both stiffens up.
:Poseman: ...Strange, I feel... suddenly very calm.
:Poseman: Thinking carefully about it — what's wrong with having fun? The pursuit of leisure SHOULD be a part of our lives.
: You're finally starting to sound normal.
::Poseman: Indeed, I used to lose my cool whenever I saw someone looking happy, as though voidrangers were crawling all over me — and that is not normal behavior.
: Have you got everything figured out now?
::Poseman: No, I can't quite say that.
::Poseman: But, I have to admit I used to lose my cool whenever I saw someone looking happy, as though voidrangers were crawling all over me — and that is not normal behavior.
: Ironic.
::Poseman: ...What is that supposed to mean?
::Poseman: But I do have to admit I used to lose my cool whenever I saw someone looking happy, as though voidrangers were crawling all over me — and that is not normal behavior.
:Poseman: I think that this rage of mine... probably stems from envy.
:Poseman: My home planet was brought into the universal market by IPC, but was never really very developed. Ever since I was born, I've grown up among a great disparity of wealth...
:Poseman: The only local work available on-planet is mining of farming, with no hope whatsoever any career advancement. So the youth all hunger to break out and search for opportunity in this vast universe.
:Poseman: But the pathways out are few and far between: Either become an IPC worker or join the Intelligentsia Guild. As the latter's salary is higher, competition is naturally more intense.
: And so you became an IPC worker?
::Poseman: Er, no? IPC workers might have access to space travel but the pay is hardly better than staying on-planet. Very few of those youth brimming with enthusiasm ever get to achieve their dreams in the end.
: And so you joined the Intelligentsia Guild?
::Poseman: Correct. I had to pass a dozen rounds of testing and an oral defense. It was far more difficult than I anticipated, and almost completely exhausted me.
: Sounds better to just quit.
::Poseman: Ha, that might be an option on some planets, but my home planet isn't one of them — where I'm from, if you don't work, then you don't eat.
:Poseman: Back then I was still young, and had my hobbies such as Auberval's quark chess, trailblaze cards from the Nameless, and video games from the Interastral Network... So, so many games.
:Poseman: But I knew that if I ever got addicted to those things, I'd be consigning my future to ruin for the sake of temporary pleasure.
:Poseman: To join the Intelligentsia Guild, I had to rein in tightly any desire to have fun, and devote all of my brain to study and rote learning... It was an enriching time, but also a stifling time.
:Poseman: I thought that as long as I became an academic, this powerful desire of mine for entertainment would naturally subside... But now it looks like it's better to clear it away rather than bottle it all up.
:Poseman: After I calmed down, I felt as though this almighty knot was untying inside me. And I'm not sure why, but I can't seem to arouse any interest in anything...
: You bottled everything up for too long.
: Just game for eight hours a day and you'll be fine.
:Poseman: Indeed, I first came to Penacony for relax. But when it comes to gaming... I'm completely clueless.
:Poseman: Just look — I've saved up this many Aideen Tokens but haven't had any chance whatsoever to use them...
: Let's play together.
:Poseman: What!? I mean, are you sure?
:Poseman: After all, I haven't touched those things since I was little. I'm not sure I'm good enough to be your playmate...
:Poseman: But if you say so, then I'll give it my best.
:Poseman: Oh yes, here are some of those tokens for you... It'd be too hard for me to use them all by myself.
:Poseman: If you have time, come and find me in .
;(Obtain )
===Speak to the "enlightened" Poseman.===
:Poseman: Hey, buddy! I have to admit, gaming really does have a soothing magic to it. I feel like I'm getting better and better!
: Have you played the Dreamy Slots before?
:Poseman: It's pretty interesting! It's a simple game, but once you start, you just can't stop! Every time I get two out of three, I feel like I'm actually covered in True Stings!
: Have you played the Lucky Wheel before?
:Poseman: I have. It's so exciting! The way my heart races and drops as the pointer goes past the grand prize, it's like a real roller-coaster ride!
: Have you played the Golden Capsule Machine before?
:Poseman: I have. I was so surprise! It feels like an out-of-control shopping machine... But huge!
:Poseman: Haha! I was under the impression that if you want to grasp the secrets of entertainment, you have to work and really study...
:Poseman: Eventually, I realized that once you start playing, they're really not that complicated. They're just challenge I've never taken on!
:Poseman: Thanks to your guidance, I can enjoy Penacony to its fullest. What more could I ask for!
: How about a SoulGlad to celebrate?
:Poseman: You really helped me think things through. I should be treating you.
:Poseman: Take this. It's a symbol of the beginning of my new life.
:Congrats on fixing Poseman's Emo Dial, tick-tock!
;(Obtain )
==Other Languages==
==Change History==