Rarely Affectionate (I)

Rarely Affectionate (I) is the first mission in Clara's Companion Mission chain. It is part of the Slices of Life Before the Furnace chapter that takes place on Jarilo-VI.
==Acquisition==
After reaching Trailblaze Level 30 and completing Trailblaze Missions Silent Galaxy and Trial of the Equilibrium: Part Two, read the message from Clara.
==Steps==
# Ask Clara about the trouble in the Robot Settlement
# Question the witness of the theft cases involving mechanical parts
# Search for clues regarding the culprit
# Follow the clues and search onward
# Continue to look for clues of the culprit
# Find the source of the odd sounds
# Follow Clara back to Svarog's base
# Find Toby near the gates of the base
# Follow Toby
# Keep following Toby
# Report back to Clara
==Dialogue==
===Receive a message from Clara===
:
===Ask Clara about the trouble in the Robot Settlement===
;(Talk to Clara)
:Clara: The thief has stolen parts again? How am I going to track down this crook?
: Clara, what's wrong?
:Clara: Oh, it's you!
:Clara: There have been a few unusual thefts in the dwelling over the past few days.
:Clara: The vagrants say that the parts they worked so hard to obtain have completely vanished. They're worried that there's a thief in the camp...
:Clara: Despite our investigations, no one has been able to track down the thief. What's even stranger is that the thief appears to be only interested in stealing parts, and doesn't care about other valuable items...
:Clara: The vagrants had no choice but to ask Mr. Svarog to look into it, but he still hasn't found anything... I investigated the matter myself, but I came up empty-handed...
:Clara: Jeez... I'm baffled. What a strange thief...
: Don't worry. We can go over the clues together.
::Clara: Are you also here to look into this case, ? Perhaps if we work together we can uncover some clues that I missed...
::Clara: It's just... I haven't found enough clues yet. The thief is really tricky. They haven't left any traces in the dwelling...
: Why don't we go back to the crime scene and start from there?
::Clara: Are you also here to look into this case, ? Perhaps if we work together we can uncover some clues that I missed...
: Mmm! The smell of crime... How exciting!
::Clara: ...Th—That look on your face is a bit scary...
::Clara: But if you're willing to help look into this case, perhaps we can uncover some clues that I missed.
:Clara: Oh! I heard the vagrants on patrol last night ran across the thief again, but I haven't had time to look into it... Should we go ask them?
: Witnesses' firsthand accounts are crucial.
::Clara: You sound so cool, ... You're like one of the characters from Mr. Svarog's movies. Aren't they called detectives?
::Clara: Seeing you so fired up has me excited, too. Now, let's get started.
: Genius detective girl, move out!
::Clara: That sounds kinda weird...
::Clara: But actually... I think it's cool, too! Now, let's get started, !
===Question the witness of the theft cases involving mechanical parts===
;(Talk to the Vagrant)
:Clara: Sir, how are you? I heard you saw the thief who stole the parts last night. Can you tell us what happened?
:Shivering Vagrant: Ah, wh—who's there!?
:Shivering Vagrant: Oh! Clara, it's you! I thought it was... You scared the living daylights out of me!
:Shivering Vagrant: I—I did see the thief last night, but... who is this person next to you?
: I'm just a passionate trailblazer.
::Shivering Vagrant: Trailblazer... Oh, I know. You're the outsider who's made a name for themself around town, right?
::Shivering Vagrant: Oh, wow. I feel way better knowing that a big shot like you is here to catch the thief... H—Hold on, I'll explain what happened last night. Just let me gather my thoughts first...
: The Wildfire has assigned me to solve the case.
::Shivering Vagrant: Oh! W—Wildfire has sent someone... That's fantastic!
::Shivering Vagrant: H—Hold on... I'll explain what happened last night. Just let me gather my thoughts first...
: I'm the brilliant sidekick of this genius detective.
::Clara: Em... This nickname is a bit embarrassing...
::Shivering Vagrant: D—Detective? I see. You're here to help catch the thief, right?
::Shivering Vagrant: It's great that there are more people here to solve this case... H—Hold on, I'll explain what happened last night. Just let me gather my thoughts first...
:Shivering Vagrant: O—Okay. So... Last night, I was on patrol when I bumped into the thief stealing the parts! Then... then... I—I just...
: Why do you sound so terrified?
::Shivering Vagrant: Goodness, I was so scared! It was dreadful!
: Relax, explain it slowly.
::Shivering Vagrant: Goodness... Okay. I'll explain slowly...
: Don't panic. We're only getting started...
::Shivering Vagrant: I... you... I—I'm sorry... Last night was just so terrifying... I—I'll continue!
:Shivering Vagrant: I was cold and hungry while on patrol last night, so I decided to return to the dwelling and heat up some leftover canned food for a snack.
:Shivering Vagrant: But when I entered the tent... the thief's silhouette scurried across my vision!
:Shivering Vagrant: I couldn't see the thief's face because the tent was so dark, but I could tell he wasn't a nice guy...
:Shivering Vagrant: B—Because when he turned to flee, he swung a knife right across my face! In that moment, I really thought I was going to die...
:Shivering Vagrant: I could feel the blade's chill on my cheeks, and smell its rusty scent... The weapon that fella had was definitely a metal one! That's the only thing I'm certain of!
:Shivering Vagrant: Also, I saw the outline of him in the dark... That fella's head was absolutely square! Yes, you heard me, square!
:Shivering Vagrant: Can you believe that? Someone with a square head! It was truly terrifying...
: A square head? Oh my gosh!
::Clara: It sounds bizarre, but it could be a clue. I'll jot it down.
: Please, I can't carry on. I'm too terrified...
::Clara: I—I'm also terrified! But I still have to jot down the important clues...
: Uh, I guess that could be a clue...
::Clara: Oh, you're right, ! I see! I'll jot it down...
:Clara: Sir, please take a deep breath... So, the thief was armed with a metal weapon and had a... um, square head... correct?
:Shivering Vagrant: Yes, that's correct.
:Clara: Hmm... I'm struggling to make sense of these clues. Do you have any thoughts, ?
: Not really... Is there anything else you noticed?
::Shivering Vagrant: I'm sorry... I was too scared! When a shadow leaps out at you, who could possibly pay attention to such tiny details?
::Clara: It seems that's everything... We now know one of the culprit's physical traits and that he is extremely violent. But how can we track him down?
: Why are you being so evasive? Are you an accomplice?
::Shivering Vagrant: How can you just accuse me like that!? I was terrified, how could I be an accomplice!? *sob* ...
::Clara: I'm sorry! was just joking... Please don't take seriously!
: We've cracked the case! The culprit has a square head!
::Clara: Oh! You've figured it out. But how are we going to track down someone with such an unusual appearance?
:Shivering Vagrant: Ah, yes, I remember something! While the culprit was hurrying to escape, he knocked something over... He may have left some clues or something.
:Clara: This is a crucial clue! , Let's go investigate the crime scene together!
:Shivering Vagrant: I think he ran that way. No one has touched the crime scene, so any traces he left behind should still be there... P—Please catch the thief for us.
===Search for clues regarding the culprit===
;(Investigate the first clue)
:Some abrupt scratches left on the mountain which seem to be done by a metal weapon. The end of the scratches points to a distant place.
:Clara: Take a look at these marks... These are very suspicious. Could they have been left by the culprit?
:Clara: They point in that direction... Let's go take a look.
===Follow the clues and search onward===
;(Investigate the second clue)
:Few people would come to this place, but you can see some scratches on the ground, snaking their way forward.
:Clara: And look at these! How unusual... They don't appear to have been left by a human...
===Continue to look for clues of the culprit===
;(Investigate the third clue)
:Clara: The tracks stop here... I guess we'll have to look around for other clues.
:Clara: This is where the mechanical waste is disposed of though. Could it be...
: Be careful. We don't want to alert the culprit.
::Clara: O—Okay! I'll follow you, .
: I didn't expect our thief to like waste heaps...
::Clara: Um, I don't think the culprit actually likes waste heaps. He probably uses them as a hiding spot... Oh, maybe he hid the stolen parts here too!
: Come out and face me now, thief!
::Clara: Hey! You're being too loud... If the culprit is nearby, he'll just run away!
:Clara: Let's split up... Wait, what's that noise?
===Find the source of the odd sounds===
;(Approach the source of the sounds)
:Clara: It's a... tiny robot? Is it searching for something? But... I don't remember Mr. Svarog issuing an order like this recently...
:Clara: It looks like it's carrying the vagrants' missing parts...
:Clara: And those tracks and metal scratches we noticed earlier...
: The thief doesn't appear to be a human.
::Clara: Hmm, it appears we're thinking the same thing...
: Remotely controlling a robot to steal parts... What an ingenious criminal!
::Clara: Hmm... That would be quite strange, yet such a scenario can't be ruled out.
: It does have a square head, but it doesn't look like a criminal...
::Clara: Yes... This robot model probably doesn't have any kind of metal weapon.
:Clara: This small robot... doesn't appear to be a Belobog creation. It looks like it's been welded together from random scrap metal materials... Huh, it appears to have a small mechanical arm...
:Clara: Ah, it's noticed us!
----
;(Immediately after)
:Gear-Stealing Robot: █I███human. ██injured? ██no████hurt! ██please don't██.
: ...Clara, do you speak robot?
::Clara: I—I don't understand what it's saying... but it doesn't appear to be trying to flee or attack us...
: Anyway, hand over the stolen parts, right now!
::Clara: Ah, wait, ! Look! It doesn't appear to be trying to flee or attack us...
: Don't hit me. I surrender! Please have mercy!
::Clara: Don't be scared! Look! It doesn't seem like it wants to hurt us...
:Clara: It appears to be trying to say something: I, human, please, don't hurt...
:Clara: ...Is it trying to say: "Please don't hurt me, humans"?
:Gear-Stealing Robot: █Human███! Parts██Rivet██need████repair██need██! Town.
:Gear-Stealing Robot: █ Parts███ need██? █ █Need █ ███ need! ██ need██! Hurt██ don't.
:Clara: It appears to have a malfunction, but I think I can understand it...
:Clara: It seems that it needs these parts, and it's begging us not to hurt it...
:Clara: I—I've never seen a robot with this kind of malfunction before... What happened to it...?
: We won't hurt this robot, but it must return the parts first.
::Clara: Although this small robot appears to want to communicate, its speech is all scrambled...
::Clara: Perhaps there's an issue with its language module. This little guy probably can't understand what we're saying either...
: My patience is limited...
: Chaaaaarge! Prepare to fight!
:Gear-Stealing Robot: █Run███escape! Open██fire██workshop████chase██don't██!
:Clara: Ah! It's running away!
:Clara: No! We can't let it escape! It still has the vagrants' parts!
:Clara: What should we do? We gotta stop it! But, please don't be too rough on it! I'll figure out a way to repair it later...
;(Enter battle)
----
;(During battle)
:Gear-Stealing Robot: █ Hurt██pain█ no██hurt █ █don't █ █pain█suffer█ sorry ██ parts██sorry.
:Gear-Stealing Robot: █ Sorry██hurt███pain█ no█pain█sorry █ █sorry █ ██pain█ sorry ██ sorry██suffer██sorry██████sorry!
:Clara: ...
:Gear-Stealing Robot: █Sorry█hurt███suffer█pain█no█pain█sorry██so█████rry███pain█████████hurt█sorry suffer sorry sorry pain sorry ouch pain sorry████████████!
:Clara: Why?
;(Battle ends)
----
;(Immediately after battle)
:Little Robot: Sorry██pain███suffer██sorry████████...
:Little Robot: ...
:Clara: It seems to have stopped working...
: I don't understand what just happened.
::Clara: Was it begging for mercy? I'm not sure what happened either.
: Was it saying...
::Clara: Yes, but why?
:Clara: I... feel bad about this...
:Clara: I guess we should return this little fella and the parts. I think I can... I'll repair it.
:Clara: And if I can't, I'll ask Mr. Svarog for help. He always knows what to do...
===Follow Clara back to Svarog's base===
;(Talk to Clara)
:Svarog: Initiating assessment of the robot's condition. Please wait, Clara.
:Clara: While Mr. Svarog is assessing this little fella, let's give it a quick checkup ourselves.
:Clara: Huh? This paint job and these custom parts. And the way the parts are attached... It's all quite strange.
:Clara: But one thing is for certain... This little fella is not under remote control. He's operating entirely of his own accord...
:Clara: Its design is, well, unique. I've never seen a robot with a design like this before.
:Clara: It really seems like something that was thrown together rather quickly. Its creator most likely didn't consider whether the system would function properly or not...
:Clara: Is it a failed robot pet creation that has been abandoned...?
:Clara: But if it's a pet... then why would it gather parts itself?
: What is a "robot pet"?
: I think I've heard the term "robot pet" before.
: This place has a somewhat lax definition of pets...
:Clara: I've heard that some vagrants in the dwelling keep the little robots they find as pets.
:Clara: Some vagrants also make modifications to their pets, which they call... pet upgrades.
:Clara: Pets like that are pretty rare, but some of the folks who have them have formed a small community to share ideas. Some are interested in nurturing robots. Others... force them into battle.
:Clara: If my memory serves me right, the parts this little fella stole were originally designed for that kind of pet upgrade.
: Battle each other!? That's awful!
::Clara: The vagrants... or, to be more accurate, the majority of people in the Underworld regard robots as nothing more than tools.
::Clara: But I disagree. Robots have their own thoughts and feelings...
::Clara: It's great that you understand what I'm saying...
: That sounds pretty interesting.
::Clara: That's not the word I'd use.
::Clara: I guess most people only see robots as tools. I'll try not to hold it against you.
: I've learned some unusual things...
::Clara: *sigh*... This robot pet phenomenon really gets to me.
:Clara: Erm... I'm sorry, I just suddenly felt some strong emotions. Let's get back to work on repairing the small robot.
:Clara: This jack's placement is... odd. The chip is buried deep inside. If you don't look closely enough, you won't even find it...
:Svarog: Assessment of the robot's condition is complete. The shell damage is estimated to be 98.2%.
:Svarog: The assessment concludes that a total recovery is impossible. It is recommended that the robot's external shell be removed and replaced while keeping the outer circuitry and related transmission devices.
:Clara: You can always rely on Mr. Svarog to come up with a brilliant idea! So, I guess we'll have to go find a new robot shell to fix it, right?
: Where can we buy one?
::Clara: Hmm... I'm not sure if anyone sells this kind of thing, however...
: I'll go and strip them from the other robots!
::Clara: Please don't use violent methods to solve this issue. There are other options...
:Clara: There must be some robot shells lying around the machine graveyard. Everyone calls it a graveyard, but there are actually lots of useful parts buried there.
:Clara: I'm gonna return the parts to the vagrants first, then I'll check on the little fella. Can I trust you to find a shell in the machine graveyard, (Trailblazer)?
: I'm an expert at scavenging...
::Clara: Really? You could have what it takes to be a prospector, .
: I can always go grab one from another robot if needed...
::Clara: Please, please don't say things like that. You'll upset me...
:Clara: Then I'll entrust this task to you, (Trailblazer).
:Clara: Look for Toby at the front entrance. His appearance is... crude, but he's the robot most familiar with the machine graveyard. Just follow Toby.
===Find Toby near the gates of the base===
;(Approach Toby)
:Toby: Hello, guest of Miss Clara. Please do as you wish! It's my honor to serve you.
: Toby, can you show me the way?
: Clara described you as primitive...
::Toby: Allow me to share a fun fact: Toby is not a primitive robot.
:Toby: Miss Clara has assigned me the task of planning your sightseeing route in the machine graveyard. I will guide you down the path.
===Follow Toby===
;(While following Toby)
:Toby: Would you like to engage in Super Speed mode? If so, please confirm by spinning counterclockwise 10 times, then clockwise by 270 degrees.
;(Investigate first robot)
:Toby: We have arrived at our first destination. This model is known as the Direwolf, and was scrapped after it sustained piercing damage during a battle with another robot pet, which caused the chainsaw's fuel tank to burst.
:(Trailblazer): (Robot pet battles sound a little frightening...)
:(Trailblazer): (The inside of the armor is a total mess due to being melted by the heat. Unfortunately, it appears to be useless.)
:Toby: We are on our way to the second destination. Please take a seat, buckle up, and hold tight.
===Keep following Toby===
;(While following Toby)
:Toby: CAUTION: You have exceeded the speed limit. Please obey Belobog traffic laws. On the road, safety is the top priority.
;(Investigate second robot)
:Toby: We have arrived at our second destination. This module is called the Beetle, which is the same as mine.
:Toby: This machine was scrapped because it accelerated erratically for 7.1 kilometers after it incorrectly interpreted a command, causing the engine to catch fire and the core module to melt down.
:(Trailblazer): (That is such an odd reason to be scrapped...)
:(Trailblazer): (However, the shell appears to be in good condition, so I'll bring it with me.)
:Toby: Your trip has concluded. Please keep an eye out for vehicles approaching from the back or sides, as well as enemies and automatons.
;(Obtain )
:Toby: Your trip has concluded. I appreciate you putting your trust in Toby.
:Toby: A five-star review for this trip has been automatically generated for you. You're welcome!
===Report back to Clara===
;(Talk to Clara)
:Svarog: Clara, it's time for a break. You shouldn't repair machines when you have negative emotions. It's bad for your physical and mental health.
:Clara: Don't worry, Mr. Svarog. I'm fine.
:Clara: Oh, (Trailblazer), you're back already? How did it go? Did Toby help you find a shell?
: (Hand the new shell to Clara)
:Clara: This shell... Hmm... It doesn't appear to be the same design as this little fella's...
:Clara: But it shouldn't matter. The structures of these small robots are nearly identical. Thank you for bringing this to me, (Trailblazer).
:Clara: I've finished extracting that chip from the small robot. Now all that's left to do is move all of this circuitry into the new shell...
:Clara transferred the robot's Core Module into the new Robot Shell...
:Clara: Although its appearance has changed a lot, I think we did a good job.
:Clara: Hmm, but what I just did... Is it any different from those pet upgrades that the vagrants perform...?
:Gear-Stealing Robot: ███████not██compatible██in-██compatible██!?
:Clara: Huh? It's making a strange sound.
:Gear-Stealing Robot: █████Incompatible████in-████!
:Clara: Wh-What's going on? Is it malfunctioning?
:Gear-Stealing Robot: ██Incompatible██in█com██incomatiblein█incompatibleincompatibleincompatibleincompatible██████—
:Svarog: Risk level: high. Clara, get away, now!
:Clara: (Trailblazer), watch out! It's out of control!
;(Enter battle)
----
;(During battle)
:Gear-Stealing Robot: ██Incompatible██in█com██incomatiblein█incompatibleincompatibleincompatibleincompatible██████—
----
;(Immediately after battle)
:Little Robot: █████Termi█nate███terminate██████.
:Little Robot: ...
:Clara: Phew... that was close. Fortunately, Mr. Svarog and (Trailblazer) acted fast...
:Clara: Why did the little fella... Was there a compatibility issue?
:Svarog: Troubleshooting...
:Svarog: Assessment: The system on the chip and the new hardware are incompatible, causing the robot to behave erratically.
:Svarog: The current issue has been resolved. Risk level: low. Alert lifted.
:Clara: It appears to have adjusted to its new shell after the battle. That's great...
:Clara: But... I'd like to keep a closer eye on it for a while. Compatibility tests should take a few days. Hopefully, it will be all back to normal by then.
:Clara: I'm also curious about where this little fella came from. Could you please come back later, (Trailblazer)?
:Clara: I need to look into something... I may require your assistance.
: Okay.
: See you tomorrow, Clara.
:Clara: Thank you, (Trailblazer)! I'll text you when this little fella is fixed.
:Clara: Mr. Svarog, I'd like to give this little fella a name. Any ideas for a good name?
:Svarog: Accessing name database. Search results: Abby, Abigail, Ada, Addison...
:(Trailblazer): (I should come back to Clara later.)
;(Complete)
----
;(Obtained )
===Post-Mission===
;(Talk to Little Robot)
:Little Robot: ...
:(Trailblazer): (Looks like it hasn't gone back to normal yet... I should come back later.)
----
;(Talk to Clara)
: How's the Little Robot doing?
:Clara: According to Mr. Svarog, this little fella's malfunction can only be fixed with a suitable casing...
:Clara: But, I think... it's hard to find a good one, so I'm trying to think of something else.
:Clara: But... it's not going well at the moment. I haven't thought of any bright ideas...
: Don't worry. You'll think of something.
::Clara: Mmm... Thank you (Mister/Miss) (Trailblazer). I will try my best,
: Just change the casing if there's no other way. I'll help you.
::Clara: Ooh... Thank you (Mister/Miss) (Trailblazer)!
::Clara: But before that, I still have to think of some other ways...
: Why don't you just give up...
::Clara: Th—That won't do...! That poor little fella...
::Clara: Anyway, I will do my best to fix it up...
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