Clockwork: Forla

Clockwork: Forla is an Adventure Mission on Penacony. It is part of the Clockwork chapter.
==Start Location==
To start this mission, activate Clockwork and submit to Forla in Golden Hour:
==Steps==
# Talk to Forla
# Head to Golden Central Station to look for Popott.
# Report your finding to Forla.
==Dialogue==
:Forla: This is simply too much! Seriously, please grant these artists some empathy, !
: What's wrong?
:Forla: Oh, thank you for your concern, dear guest. I've been having some trouble with my work...
:Forla: Wait, you seem promising! Have you ever thought about getting into the entertainment industry?
: My dream is to become a star!
::Forla: Well, if that's the case, the Iris Family is always open to you. You might become the next superstar.
: I'm not interested.
::Forla: Ohh, what a shame. You've got great potential, you know? Just think about it again.
: I'm already a cosmic superstar.
::Forla: Ugh? Sorry, I didn't realize there were stars in the universe I hadn't heard of.
:Forla: Please allow me to introduce myself. I'm Forla, an agent working for the Iris Family. Specifically, I'm a celebrity agent.
:Forla: My job is to train and manage artists for The Family, helping them shine like diamonds in the spotlight and spread the message of Harmony.
:Forla: But artists nowadays are just too spoiled. A kid name Popott demanded the termination of his contract with the Iris Family, whining about how we're holding him back from his full potential...
:Forla: Can you believe the audacity? If it weren't for the Iris Family, he'd still be out there handing out flyers in front of Clock Studios Theme Park!
:Forla: Ah, forget about that drama. We'll just let him leave and find someone else! The Iris Family needs fresh blood, people who are reliable and grateful!
===Talk to Forla===
;(After unlocking the Emo Dial)
:Forla: What a bunch of slackers! This is really... ugh...
:Forla's irritated rant gradually fades, replaced by a sigh. The anger on her face gives way to despondency. 
:Forla: ...They are just like how I used to be back in the day.
: You were a star, too?
:Forla: A star? No way. I was just a small-time actor for a while.
:Forla: Back then, I was like any other young person entering the industry, believing that I'd shine like a unique star in the whole universe.
:Forla: But there can't be that many stars out there. I had no outstanding talent, no special background, and no supreme luck. After ten years of struggles, I still ended up being a cheap extra, forgotten in the corner of the Dreamscape.
:Forla: My youth was wasted on unrealistic dreams, but there is something worse — so many other young folks like me are going down the same path of failure. They're like moths that the Self-Annihilators love so much, diving headfirst into the purgatory called "dreams."
:Forla: That's why I became a manager. I will force these kids to adapt to the cruel rules in this industry and make them indomitable before their dreams.
:Forla: That's right! I want to motivate them to chase their dreams, and never want to be a roadblock!
:Forla: No, I can't just let Popott give up on his acting career. He's got so much potential! Please, 
: No problem!
::Forla: Thank you so much, kind soul! May the Great One gaze upon you for your kindness!
: Go do it yourself.
::Forla: I... I'm sorry... I haven't figured out how to apologize to him face-to-face.
::Forla: But I'll start working on a training program that aligns with his ideas right away. I'll show him how sincere I am. Please, help me out!
:Forla: Popott said he would leave the Golden Hour... He might be at the by now. Please, bring him back to me. Look for a ! He's standing out in the crowd!
===Head to Golden Central Station to look for Popott.===
;(Talk to Forla again, optional)
:Forla: Comedies... Himemia Films... Tsk, that's not our strong suit. How can I get Popott an opportunity in that area...?
:Forla: Please, kind guest. Please help me find Popott. I'll make sure he's satisfied.
;(Approach marked location)
:At the entrance of the station, there are a bunch of aggressive IPC employees surrounding a Pepeshi boy.
:Popott: H—Hold up! I haven't thought this through yet...
:IPC Executive: Stop hesitating, Mr. Popott. This is the best opportunity in the whole universe for you! Do you want to control your fate at Interastral Peace Entertainment, or do you want to remain as a Family puppet for the rest of your life?
:Popott: I...
:IPC Security Guard: Let's go and stop wasting the leader's time! His hourly rate is much higher than the price of your show ticket!
: Wait!
::IPC Executive: I can't afford to wait anymore. I have a meeting coming up in four and a half system hours...
: Don't touch him!
::IPC Executive: I didn't lay a finger on him. Please don't question my professionalism...
: How high is your hourly rate, exactly?
::IPC Executive: That's confidential. The employee handbook strictly prohibits the disclosure of our salary...
:IPC Executive: Wait a minute. Who are you?
:IPC Security Guard: Mr. Popott, do you know this person?
:Popott: Nope. I've never met ...
: Your manager asked me to find you.
: Forla has something to say to you.
:Popott: Madam Forla? Hmph, I've got nothing to say to her!
:IPC Executive: Looks like our future artist isn't too keen to talk to you. Please leave.
: Let me have a few more words with him...
::IPC Security Guard: What's wrong with you? Can't you understand the leader?
::IPC Executive: Hey, don't make a spectacle out of yourself on The Family's turf! The Interastral Peace Entertainment represent IPC's reputation!
::IPC Security Guard: Yes...
::IPC Executive: , please tell me more about you. I'll see whether your title is worth my time.
:: I'm a Trailblazer from the Astral Express.
:::IPC Executive: Oh? This is the first time I've met someone from the Astral Express.
:::IPC Executive: I know the Nameless are famous for meddling in other people's businesses... but as your "trailblazing" is crucial for IPC's prosperity, I respect what you do.
:: I'm the hero who saved Jarilo-VI.
:::IPC Executive: Jarilo... I see! Were you the Nameless who helped that icy planet to end the Eternal Freeze?
:::IPC Executive: I heard that place is protected by the Architects. In this case, you can count as a friend who had contributed to Preservation.
:: I'm a good friend of Clockie!
:::IPC Security Guard: Um, leader, I think there's something wrong with this person's head.
:::IPC Executive: Hahaha, this is interesting. I wonder why the Iris Family sent a nutcase here to deliver their message.
::IPC Executive: Spill it now. My rude subordinate here will take the rap for my subpar work efficiency today.
::IPC Security Guard: Huh!?
: I won't leave until everything is sorted!
::IPC Executive: Tsk, I didn't expect there would be such brusque and unreasonable people like you on this extravagant planet of dreams.
::IPC Executive: Hey, you. Stop from bothering me and Mr. Popott, and be careful not to turn this into a scene. I don't want to draw The Family's attention.
::IPC Security Guard: No problem! Just leave it to me!
:;(Begin battle against , )
:;(After the battle)
::IPC Security Guard: Whoa... Leader, this one here is a tough nut to crack!
::IPC Executive: What a useless piece of crap! I must deduct your salary to compensate for my wasted time!
::IPC Security Guard: Oh no, I've lost all my travel allowance...
::IPC Executive: , since you're so persistent, I'll give you three minutes to present your case. Let's see how The Family is going to get their employee back.
: Sorry, I'll get going.
::IPC Security Guard: That's more like it! You know how to read the room!
::IPC Executive: Hey, mind your manners! Misunderstandings are prone to happen in this confusing dreamland.
::IPC Executive: Sorry for my subordinate's rude behavior. Here are some credits... I mean, Alfalfa credits... courtesy of Interastral Peace Entertainment.
::The well-dressed man takes out a ward of Alfalfa credits and presses it in your hands.
::IPC Security Guard: I expected no less generosity from you, leader!
::IPC Executive: Spare me your flattery. I'll deduct the compensation from your pay.
::IPC Security Guard: Huh!?
::IPC Executive: Let's go, Popott. Don't waste your time on this meaningless conversation.
::Popott: ...I'm sorry, sir. Please let me hear her our first.
::IPC Executive: What? *sigh* You folks from Penacony are a real pain. I'll give you three minutes, so make it snappy!
:Popott: ...
:Popott: Well, speak up now. What did Madam Forla want you to say?
: She admits that she's wrong.
::Popott: She's wrong? Hahaha, no. I don't think she is.
::Popott: I think she's right. I'm indeed better off being an adorable mascot who enjoys the cheers of my fans onstage during variety shows. That's an easier path to stardom for me...
::Popott: However, she's never thought that... maybe that's not the kind of star I want to be.
: She made a new career plan for you.
::Popott: New career plan... She still likes to promise people the moon, doesn't she?
::Popott: That's how she lured me into signing for her company back then. She told me to take the roles in those cheesy teen movies first while waiting for better opportunities to come along.
::Popott: But I'm a Pepeshi, not a long-life species. I don't have much time to wait.
: She's doing it for your career and your own good.
::Popott: I know.
::Popott: I've never felt that she doesn't care about my future. On the contrary, she really wants me to have a successful career and make her proud.
::Popott: But she doesn't understand that some things matter to me than my career.
:Popott: The sole reason that I joined the Iris Family is to be a comedian. I enjoy making people laugh, not making them blush and scream for me... I've told her this many times.
:Popott: Now, the Interastral Peace Entertainment has offered me a chance in Epsilon to act in a movie that I truly love. Please tell Madam Forla that I'll no longer subject myself to the whims of the Iris Family. I want to be the director of my own life!
:IPC Executive: Well said! Everyone should be the director of their own life!
:IPC Executive: The manager from The Family is so unkind... I believe Mr. Popott will make it big with his determination to achieve his dream, regardless of compensation. His dreamchasing spirit is why I picked him!
: You're such a good person.
::IPC Executive: Thanks for your compliment. Respecting talents is our fundamental value at the IPC.
::IPC Security Guard: Are you sure? How come I'm getting either a pay cut or a KPI deduction every other day...?
: You really think that?
::IPC Executive: Of course! Mr. Popott looks a tad cute, but who said you can't be a comedian when you're cute?
::IPC Executive: If you ask me, I'd say Madam Forla is only treating her talents as tools. She only cares about how much she can earn from her employees, instead of listening to what her employees really want. That saddening!
::IPC Security Guard: Can somebody listen to what I really want, too? I joined this company to be a martial art actor...
: The key is "regardless of compensation," no?
::IPC Executive: Th—This shows Mr. Popott's determination and perseverance! Even if he says so, can the esteemed Interastral Peace Entertainment really mistreat him?
::IPC Security Guard: That's hard to say...
:IPC Executive: Ahem!
:IPC Executive: Mr. Popott, are you ready to come with me?
:Popott: Yes, I've thought it all through. I'm ready to get on board!
:IPC Executive: Look, this Pepeshi has made his decision — and what a brilliant decision. Don't worry, I'll make sure he has a bright future ahead of him.
:IPC Executive: Since we're leaving Penacony, you can keep these as compensation for poaching your talent. Don't let an artist with such great potential go next time.
;(Obtain )
===Report your finding to Forla.===
;(Talk to Forla)
:Forla: P—Popott! I'm sorry for my harsh remark earlier. Please take a look at this new proposal...
:Forla: ...Eh? Dear guest, where's Popott?
: He's gone.
::Forla: I see... Well, it was me who drove him away.
: I'm sorry for failing to make him stay.
::Forla: There's no need to feel bad... It's kind enough of you to offer your help.
: It's all right!
::Forla: You... Fine, I get it. Seems like my effort to make amends has gone down the drain.
:Forla: Alas, Popott, if only I could understand you earlier. My arrogance has deprived a young man of a bright future and the universe of a future superstar.
:Forla: I've messed up too badly to continue calling myself a celebrity agent. Perhaps I really should give up in this career...
: He'll still be an actor.
: He's just joined Interastral Peace Entertainment.
:Forla: R—Really? That's great!
:Forla: I'm happy as long as he keeps pursuing his dream. If he gave up because of me, my fluff ball would be filled with guilt forever.
:Forla: It's a shame that I can no longer help him in his pursuit. I'll probably regret it for the rest of my life.
:Forla: However, there are still many other artists under my management. Some aspire to become models despite having average looks, some are good-looking but dream of becoming idols with an unconventional style, while some compose niche music but yearn to be worldwide popular singers...
:Forla: From now on, I'll stop dampening other people's dreams! *Pepeshi vulgar word*! I'll forget about the target audience, The Family's benefits, or making universal superstars! Instead, I'll become the firewood that nurtures the first sparks of their dreams to atone for my past arrogance!
:Congrats on fixing Forla's Emo Dial, tick-tock!
;(Talk to Forla again, optional)
:Forla: It turns out that none of these things actually mattered to him... Everything I've done became the reason he ran away from me.
:Forla: Perhaps I should learn how to understand the hearts of my talents instead of management skills and market knowledge...
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