Asta/Dialogue

==Visitor Verification==
After completing , Asta will periodically appear in the Astral Express' Parlor Car.
===If a space telescope were deployed...===
;(Idle quote)
:Asta: I should be able to observe...
;(Initial interaction)
: Asta: If a space telescope were deployed at this location on the Express, it would almost certainly be possible to observe shorter wavelengths...
: Asta: Mm, feels like a good angle.
: Have you got a new thesis topic?
:: Asta: Sure do! Y'know, I was racking my brains before I boarded the Express, but now I've got more ideas than I know what to do with. Inspiration is a fickle mistress.
:: Asta: My thesis might just be related to the Express... I hope you'll agree to be interviewed later — I need first-hand information.
: Here for work?
:: Asta: Of course not — I'm here on your invitation. Isn't that right?
:: Asta: That's why I went into vacation mode the second I boarded the Express — thesis topics don't unearth themselves y'know.
: Asta: ...Of course, there are other things in life too.
: Why not just soak in the Express for today.
: Asta: That's not a bad idea.
: Asta: I've been on the Express before, but this is my first visit with (Trailblazer) on board.
: Asta: Looking forward to it!
;(Obtain )
----
;(Subsequent interactions)
: Asta: If shorter wavelengths could be observed, it'd make for a good thesis... But that's not the focus of today.
: Why not just soak in the Express for now.
: Asta: That's not a bad idea.
: Asta: I've been on the Express before, but this is my first visit with (Trailblazer) on board.
: Asta: Looking forward to it!
===There are quite a few curios...===
;(Idle quote)
:Asta: There are a lot of Curios on the Express...
;(Initial interaction)
: Asta: There are quite a few curios on the Express that I've only seen in the catalogs, though I'll need to see them up close before I believe them...
: Omni-Synthesizer?
:: Asta: I'm guessing that's one of the prototype synthesizers. There may be a curio code on its base.
:: Asta: "Omni" makes it sound pretty capable, but the Corporation released other models onto the market first. Know why?
:: Asta: Well, why make "omni" money when you can make ordinary money first~?
: Phonograph?
:: Asta: Oh, I don't think that's a curio.
:: Asta: It's amazing how many songs are stored in its library. Someone must have paid big money to get all the copyright issues sorted.
: Asta: Hmm... there's something weird about that sofa over there...
: Asta: (Trailblazer), how come it lets you sit on it, but not me?
: Asta: Perhaps it has its own set of authorization mechanisms, and only those it recognizes are permitted to sit on it.
: Asta: Interesting... I'll have to have a closer look some time.
----
;(Subsequent interactions)
: Asta: Huh... there's something strange about that sofa.
: Asta: (Trailblazer), how come it lets you sit on it, but not me?
: Asta: Perhaps it has its own set of authorization mechanisms, and only those it recognizes are permitted to sit on it.
: Asta: Interesting... I'll have to have a closer look some time.
===This must be ancient...===
;(Idle quote)
:Asta: That thing is ancient...
;(Initial interaction)
: Asta: This must be ancient... Is the Express crew still using it?
: It's aged well.
:: Asta: Indeed it has.
: Yeah, why?
:: Asta: Oh, nothing. It's just you don't see things like this every day.
: Asta: Phonographs...They use vinyl records, right? There's only a handful of folks on the space station who collect those things.
: Asta: I think they're more popular with the older crowd — I bet Gunn would know how to use them. Still, if I remember correctly, Gunn only listens to audio tapes...
: How do you listen to music?
:: Asta: Same as you guys — on terminals.
: You seem to know a lot.
:: Asta: About music? I'd say I'm more of a casual listener than a hardcore enthusiast.
: Asta: Huh... What with them being so big and heavy, I used to wonder why anyone would ever buy a Phonograph. Think I'm starting to get it now.
: Asta: It's hard to find the music you want on the streaming platforms managed by the IPC. I, for one, had to subscribe to at least a dozen of them.
: Asta: It's not like they're expensive or anything. It's just a hassle to switch between them to find the song you like. With a Phonograph, it's essentially just plug-and-play. It also scratches the itch to collect things I guess.
----
;(Subsequent interactions)
: Asta: That thing is ancient... It's amazing you guys are still using it.
: Asta: Huh... What with them being so big and heavy, I used to wonder why anyone would ever buy a Phonograph. Think I'm starting to get it now.
: Asta: It's hard to find the music you want on the streaming platforms managed by the IPC. I, for one, had to subscribe to at least a dozen of them.
: Asta: It's not like they're expensive or anything. It's just a hassle to switch between them to find the song you like. With a Phonograph, it's essentially just plug-and-play. It also scratches the itch to collect things I guess.
===If I get the chance...===
;(Idle quote)
:Asta: I really want to move the telescope here...
;(Initial interaction)
: Asta: If I get the chance, I'd love to bring my telescope onto the Express.
: Are you sure it'd fit?
:: Asta: Not an observatory-sized one, haha. I've got a portable one — it can be disassembled and reassembled super easily.
:: Asta: It's got a small base, but it's stable enough to get the job done. I used to love stargazing with it when I was a child.
: To stargaze?
:: Asta: Yes, and no.
:: Asta: There are all kinds of wonders in the universe — you never know what you might find with a telescope.
: Asta: The lighting on the Express is perfect for observations. Great views at the windows too.
: Asta: When you find a moment, sit here and turn off the lights. You'll be amazed by what you can see.
: Asta: And if you're feeling a little tired, lie down on the seats instead. The universe is fascinating from every angle.
: Asta: There's no better place for looking out into the stars than the Express. I envy you guys.
----
;(Subsequent interaction)
: Asta: (Trailblazer), if you get any time, you can sit here in the window seat, turn off the lights, and have a nice long gaze out the window.
: Asta: And if you're feeling a little tired, lie down on the seats instead. The universe is fascinating from every angle.
: Asta: There's no better place for looking out into the stars than the Express. I envy you guys.
===Oh, fancy seeing you here...===
;(Idle quote)
:Asta: Oh, fancy seeing you here!
;(Initial interaction)
: Asta: Oh, fancy seeing you here, (Trailblazer)!
: Asta: I finally managed to get some time off work and thought I'd hop on the Express for a chat with Himeko. I had no idea I'd bump into you...
: Should I... leave you to it?
:: Asta: That's not what I'm saying! I just thought you'd be on an adventure somewhere, that's all.
: Travel with us!
:: Asta: Sadly, I can't. Too much work on the space station.
: Asta: Y'know, whenever the Express stops at the station platform, I make a point of getting a few visits in.
: Asta: I will say, the train feels a little different now...
: Asta: It's almost as if you joining the crew has given everyone an extra boost of energy...
: Asta: ...And this might sound a little strange, but that's how I felt when I first met you, hehe. Anyway, whichever way you slice it, it's always nice to bump into a friend.
----
;(Subsequent interactions)
: Asta: I didn't expect to bump into you...
: Asta: Y'know, whenever the Express stops at the station platform, I make a point of getting a few visits in.
: Asta: I will say, the train feels a little different now...
: Asta: It's almost as if you joining the crew has given everyone an extra boost of energy...
: Asta: ...And this might sound a little strange, but that's how I felt when I first met you, hehe. Anyway, whichever way you slice it, it's always nice to bump into a friend.
===Hey, (Trailblazer)! I was looking...===
;(Idle quote)
:Asta: Here's a little gift for you.
;(Initial interaction)
: Asta: Hey, (Trailblazer)! I was looking for you.
: Asta: Don't look so worried! I'm not throwing you another mission.
: Asta: You were a great help to folks on the space station — my job was so much easier with you around.
: Asta: I was due a visit, so I thought I'd bring you a gift. Nothing too precious, just my way of saying thank you!
: Asta: If you're ever free to visit the space station, please come check in on us. We all miss you.
;(Obtain )
----
;(Subsequent interactions)
: Asta: You were a great help to folks on the space station — my job was so much easier with you around.
: Asta: Now that things have settled down, I finally have time to pay the Express a visit.
: Asta: If you're ever free to visit the space station, please come check in on us. We all miss you.
==Open-World==
After completing , Asta will appear in the Master Control Zone:
===Voice Lines===
;(Version 1)
:: "Think of the Space Station as your home!"
;(Version 2)
:: "What's next on the agenda..."
===Dialogue===
;(Regular dialogue, prior to completing )
:Asta: It's you! Thanks for helping out on the station.
:Asta: Did you encounter some problems?
: Can we talk...?
::Asta: Of course. What do you want to talk about?
:: About your job...
:::Asta: My job? I keep things running on Madam Herta's behalf. It's not that difficult really.
::: Why aren't you staying in your office?
::::Asta: My office? Oh, the station gave me a suite, but I like to stay around here and hang out with everybody.
::: Are you busy most of the time?
::::Asta: The workload is alright. Been having some crunch time lately, but nothing I can't handle!
::: I see.
:: About the space station...
:::Asta: You've come to the right person. I'm the lead researcher at the station.
:::Asta: Ask me anything!
::: How are the researchers doing?
::::Asta: Sadly, some didn't make it. But thanks to your help and the effort of the Medical Department, most of them are fine now.
::::Asta: However, I'm still worried that people may be traumatized by the invasion of the Antimatter Legion... I'll have to monitor people's mental health more closely.
::: Has Herta returned to the station?
::::Asta: Yes, but strictly speaking I'd say she's "online" now. The Madam Herta you see here is a remote-controlled puppet.
::::Asta: Don't be offended if she ignores you when you talk to her. Chances are she's just logged off.
::::Asta: After all, she only pursues what interests her and as soon as that interest is lost, she abandons it and moves on.
::: I see.
:: I don't have any other questions.
:::Asta: All right, till next time then!
: I better leave you alone.
::Asta: All right, till next time then!
----
;(Subsequent interactions, upon completing )
:Asta: It's you! Thanks for helping out on the station.
:Asta: Did you encounter some problems?
: Um... about the starnought...
::Asta: Oh, of course I remember that. But I'm afraid you'll have to be more patient...
::Asta: They only made limited copies of it, you see... and I haven't been able to get my hands on them. I've sent out the word that I'm willing to buy them even at a high price, but so far I haven't heard back from anybody.
::Asta: Now that I think about it, it's understandable that people are not willing to sell theirs. After all, who doesn't love a starnought?
::Asta: This is no ordinary film cross-over... It's about passion and taste. I wouldn't sell mine if I got one.
: Can we talk?
::Asta: Of course. What do you want to talk about?
:: Are there other anonymous group chats on the station?
:::Asta: There are... but none of them are as big as the one we dealt with. Most of them are just for people who share the same hobbies to exchange ideas.
:: Were you in the group chat we busted?
:::Asta: Take a guess~
:: What happened to Richard from the Department of Galactic Geopolitics?
:::Asta: Ah, he was sacked.
:::Asta: There are reports from other researchers saying that he had a history of slandering other people. I did some fact checking and that turned out to be the case. Some even think he deserves worse than getting sacked.
:: I don't have any other questions.
:::Asta: All right, till next time then!
: I better leave you alone.
::Asta: All right, till next time then!
==Navigation==