The Helper

The Helper is a quest in .
==Steps==
# Ask Katheryne for help
# Chat with the astrology enthusiast
#*If Layla gets nervous to answer Azzam's questions, ... 
#**Encourage her, and proceed to Thesis Defense Practice
#** Warn her not to mess with his questions. This step will cause Layla's consciousness to be fully-awakened (since her Stress Value is maxed out), and leads the player to The Remaining Problem
==Dialogue==
===The Helper===
;(Talk to Katheryne)
: Katheryne: Ad astra abyssosque! Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild. How can I help you today?
: Layla: I'd like to... Uh, I have a commission... Hmm, it's kinda strange. How should I put this...
: We would like to borrow a high-precision celestial globe.
: Layla: R—Right! Equipment at the Akademiya is in very high demand, and we aren't able to borrow one now. We were hoping someone else might have something similar that we could use...
: Katheryne: I don't know anything about astrology, so I'm afraid I'm unfamiliar with the device you are looking for.
: Katheryne: However, one of our requesters happens to be an astrology enthusiast. I hear that he's a collector of all sorts of specialized astrology equipment.
: Katheryne: After the Adventurers' Guild helped him out, he indicated that he'd be happy to return the favor if the adventurers ever need it.
: Katheryne: Perhaps we could arrange a meeting between you two, that should help solve your problem.
: Layla: R—Really!?
: Thank you so much.
: Katheryne: You're welcome. It's my job to provide adventurers with the necessary support.
: Katheryne: The man's name is Azzam. Here is his address. You can go ahead and pay him a visit.
;(Continue to Remedial Measures)
===Remedial Measures===
;(Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Azzam, optional)
: Azzam: (I wonder if I'll be able to go out and look at the stars tonight...)
: Layla: H—Hello, are you Azzam?
: Azzam: Yes, I am. How may I help you?
:
: Azzam: Ah, I see. Well, if it's a request from an adventurer, then I'll be happy to help you. I just so happen to have the device that you're looking for. Let me fetch it and show you, just to be sure.
: Layla: Yes, this is it! Thank you so much!
: Layla: Ah sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you... I just got a little excited. Uh, please, go ahead.
: Azzam: To be honest, judging by what stands before me, I find it very hard to believe that you're an astute Rtawahist student.
: Layla: Uh, w—well...
: Azzam: Astrology is a hobby of mine and these devices have cost me both time and Mora to collect. I cherish them as if they were members of my own family.
: Azzam: Which is why I don't let just anyone borrow them on a whim. These devices are delicate and can easily be damaged if used inappropriately.
: Layla: Oh, th—that's completely understandable. What can I do to better gain your trust?
: Azzam: How about this — I don't need a deposit or anything, but I'd like you to share the contents of your research with me. I'll ask you some questions.
: Azzam: If your explanation proves satisfactory, then I'll lend you the device.
: Layla: Sh—Share the contents of my research... and answer questions? Uh oh...
:
::;(Stress Value +1)
:
:: Layla: Alright, I'll try. But I can't disclose the actual details to you... How about a general overview of the research, would that suffice?
:: Azzam: Yes, that would be fine.
:: Layla: You're probably aware that astrologists rely on the movements of celestial bodies to calculate the past and the future, as well as attempt to summarize the correlating principles, correct?
:: Azzam: Mhm, of course. This is the basic principle of astrology.
:: Layla: Ahem... My current research is about a certain phenomenon called "Astral Shift."
:: Azzam: Interesting. That's not a topic any ordinary person would be familiar with. I have a basic understanding of the concept, but I'd like to hear you explain it.
:: Layla: O—Okay. Well, in short, it means that the results derived from astrology are prone to change...
:: Layla: As time continues to flow, the stars change and everything else becomes affected by this change. However, what's actually driving the change is what's worth investigating.
:: Azzam: I think that it might just be another law of nature.
:: Layla: If the changes follow a certain pattern or routine, then it could be explained as some law. But, the changes are manifold, even when considering just a single star.
:: Layla: The changes could be resulting from a simple single-orbit shift, or it could be a more complex double-orbit or even a triple or quadruple-orbit shift. These phenomena have a dramatic effect on astrological conclusions.
:: Layla: What I'm working on now is the research and prediction of the triple-orbit shift phenomenon.
:: Azzam: Triple-orbit? By yourself?
:: Layla: Uh, yes. That's right...
:: Azzam: You do know that adding an extra star to the equation increases the computational workload by more than tenfold, right...?
:: Layla: It does get a little complicated... But it's still manageable with the use of a few self-invented techniques and a large number of starlogs and star charts...
:: Layla: Which leads us to why I'm in need of a high-precision celestial globe.
:: Azzam: Hmm...
:: Azzam: Amazing. I suppose I should never have judged a book by its cover. I thought you were just trying to halfheartedly deal with some school assignment.
:: Layla: Do I really look like that sort of person...?
:: Azzam: Haha, don't worry, I'm just joking. I was a little cautious at first, but now I trust you completely.
:: Azzam: It would make me extremely happy if my collection could assist a researcher in achieving tangible results.
:: Azzam: Just make sure you return it to me once you're done.
:: Layla: Oh, thank you so much. I really needed this.
:: Layla: Whew, good thing Azzam was willing to hear me out...
:: I didn't really understand what you were talking about, but I thought you did great.
:: Layla: Really? I was just explaining what it is I'm trying to do.
:: You're starting to show signs of becoming a great researcher.
:: Layla: Really? Hehe, I don't know if you really mean it, but I'm happy to hear that.
:: Layla: I guess even the hardest problems can be solved as long as I'm willing to try...
:: Layla: Recording and comparing data will be much easier now that we have this device. I can do it all on my own, too.
:: Layla: Let's continue with the plan. Can you help me with a rehearsal of my thesis defense? We can do that at the House of Daena.
:;(Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Azzam, optional)
:: Azzam: (There's nothing to worry about... right?)
:;(Talk to Azzam again)
:: Azzam: You're quite welcome. It makes me happy to see my equipment being used to its potential.
:;(Proceed to Thesis Defense Practice)
:
:;(Stress Value +1)
:: Layla: Uh... Y—You're starting to make me feel nervous...
:: Layla: I'm sorry... I feel a little dizzy. Ugh... I...
:: Are you okay!?
:;(Stress Value +1)
:: Layla: Ugh... Hm?
:: Layla: I'm okay, my mind just decided to stray elsewhere for a moment. Give me a second to gather myself... Oh, is this the celestial globe that I needed to borrow?
:: (Why is she asking?)
:: Azzam: Correct. I was about to test you with a few questions, but you suddenly started looking very uncomfortable.
:: Layla: Oh, don't worry about it. I don't sleep very well, so I tend to get a little dizzy from time to time. I'm fine now.
:: Azzam: (Hmm? She seems a little different all of a sudden...)
:: Azzam: Oh, *ahem* I see. Well then, can you briefly summarize your area of research for me?
:: Layla: With pleasure. I'll give you a general overview. *ahem* You're probably aware that astrologists rely on the movements of the celestial bodies to calculate the past and the future.
:: Layla: Due to the difficulty of designing an experiment and the challenges of validating theories about the past, astrological research is usually based on an immense foundation of experience.
:: Layla: And therein lies the largest complexity. Derived and validated conclusions may vary due to subtle changes caused by the flow of time and shifts in the stars.
:: Azzam: I've heard about this before. I believe it's known as Astral Shift.
:: Layla: One of the most classic challenges is to use three stars with shifting orbits to predict the overall changes that may have occurred.
:: Azzam: Ah, are you referring to the triple-orbit problem? Yes, that really is a classic problem, and a very difficult one to tackle...
:: Layla: I came up with a set of prediction methods that encompass more than half of the triple-orbit problems. However, there are quite a few limitations and requirements.
:: Layla: This set of methods is already being put into practice at the Rtawahist Darshan by my adviser, drastically simplifying the difficulty of calculations involved in the triple-orbit problem.
:: Azzam: Yes, I've heard about that! The announcement made big waves in the astrology enthusiast community. So, you were the one who came up with that...?
:: Layla: Hehe, you mustn't judge a book by its cover, you know.
:: Layla: The thesis I'm working on this time aims to address the remaining triple-orbit problems, as well as eliminate a portion of the methodology's limitations, which will make it easier to use.
:: Azzam: I see... In that case, perhaps there is no one more fitting to operate this device than you.
:: Azzam: I just keep it as part of a collection. I can't use it to its full potential like you can.
:: Layla: Thank you for understanding. I'll return it in perfect working order once I'm finished with it.
:: Layla: Okay, we should be going now.
:: Layla: What did we plan to do after this...? I kinda forgot.
:: You aren't Layla, are you?
:: Layla: Huh? What makes you say that? Is there something off about me?
:: Your personality changed.
:: The real Layla wouldn't forget what to do next.
:: Layla: *sigh* Fine, looks like I can't keep the act up any longer. I even tried to look a little panicky to emulate her behavior.
:: You're the "blessing from the stars," aren't you?
:: Layla: Hehe, I suppose that is what she's been calling me.
:: Layla: With her long-term sleep deprivation, whenever her anxiety peaks, she loses consciousness and I take over.
:: Layla: However, her unpredictable and variable sleep patterns are completely out of my control, so I have to make every second count.
:: Layla: There's no one willing to help her here, so I have to step in.
:: Layla: I am rather curious about you, though. Why are you trying to help her?
:: Well, she's finally decided to face the problems with her thesis head-on, and she's working very hard on it.
:: Layla: Really? That's great. You're helping with all the things that I used to do for her.
:: Layla: Seems like you've given her a boost of confidence with your encouragement.
:: Layla: She's only steps away from the finish line... She's already made a lot of progress, so there's no need to push too hard now.
:: Layla: Anyway, what's the plan from here?
:: She said that she wanted to practice for her thesis defense...
:: Layla: I see. Well, it wouldn't be of any help if I practiced for her, but I'll leave some notes that should come in handy.
:: Layla: Come on, let's go back to the House of Daena to make preparations. You'll have to tell her later when she wakes up.
:;(Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Azzam, optional)
:: Azzam: (There's probably nothing to worry about.)
:;(Talk to Azzam again)
:: Azzam: You're quite welcome. It makes me happy to see my equipment being used to its potential.
:;(Proceed to The Remaining Problem)
==Other Languages==
==Change History==