Ran Quest: A Z-Machine Sidestory

[Hello Purvis]

> Continue flying towards the seal, watching closly for danmaku.
> Hope that whoever broke the seal is friendly to us and to Hijiri.

>You continue onwards. The land grows darker and more shadowy, but at the same time, the light ahead becomes stronger. You can sense the emanations of an magical activity around you, now. Something big happened here, not too long ago.
>You see some movement in the darkness below.

>_

[E-Nazrin]

>look for the movement; if it's similar to the light orb's antics from earlier, sigh and move on

[Hello Purvis]

>look for the movement; if it's similar to the light orb's antics from earlier, sigh and move on

>You look downward. It's dark down there, but you think it's a person dressed in back, wearing a wide-brimmed hat. It's hard to tell, but you think she's blond, as well.

>_

[E-Nazrin]

>Rumia?
>No, Marisa?
>Greet.

[Serela]

>Or Yuki

[Hello Purvis]

>Rumia?
>No, Marisa?
>Greet.

>You can't imagine Rumia would be here. ...Alright, you could. She has a way of turning up. But you don't think it's her.
>It could be Marisa, it's a little hard to tell.
>You greet the person. "Who's there?" she calls back, in a voice that isn't familiar to you.

>_

[MysTeariousYukari]

> "Is that you Marisa? It's me, Ran. Lady Yukari's Shikigami."
> Slowly/calmly approach the person in black.

[Hello Purvis]

> "Is that you Marisa? It's me, Ran. Lady Yukari's Shikigami."
> Slowly/calmly approach the person in black.

>You call out to the person, and start to approach.
>"Sounds like you know something," says the person as she approaches as well. Quickly can determine this person isn't Marisa, she's far too petite. "I think maybe you should start explaining, eh?"

[Kasu]

> "Explain what?  And who are you anyway?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Explain what?  And who are you anyway?"

>"What's going on here, that's what. And don't worry about who I am."

>_

[E-Nazrin]

>"I'm here from Gensokyo. A few others came as well in a ship of sorts, to unseal a friend of theirs that was trapped in Makai. I'm investigating an orb of light that appeared on the ship, and looking for a way back so that we won't have to bother Makai further."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Well shit," says the blond woman, as she brings her fingers to her lips and gives a piercing whistle.

>_

[MysTeariousYukari]

> "Huh?"
> Be ready for anything.

[E-Nazrin]

>Especially a fight. Damnit.
>keep an eye out every which way, if possible, try not to get surrounded or blindsided

[Hello Purvis]

> "Huh?"
> Be ready for anything.

>"I was afraid you were with them," says the blond woman.
>She isn't doing anything yet, but she is watching you warily.

>Especially a fight. Damnit.
>keep an eye out every which way, if possible, try not to get surrounded or blindsided

>You don't like the look in her eyes, that's for certain.
>You look around, and don't see anything yet. The blond makes a small but distinct gesture with her left hand as you do.

>_

[Kasu]

> "In all honesty I wouldn't have been involved with them i my Master hadn't decided to sleep-gap all over the place today.  I wouldn't even be here in Makai if it weren't for that."

[Hello Purvis]

> "In all honesty I wouldn't have been involved with them i my Master hadn't decided to sleep-gap all over the place today.  I wouldn't even be here in Makai if it weren't for that."

>"And what's your master's interest in all this, then?" asks the blond woman.

>_

[Seian Verian]

> "Her whims are all but incomprehensible, and I doubt they make any more sense when she is asleep. ...Of course, beyond that, I honestly have no idea. It wasn't as if I was able to have a meaningful conversation with her while she was sleepwalking."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Her whims are all but incomprehensible, and I doubt they make any more sense when she is asleep. ...Of course, beyond that, I honestly have no idea. It wasn't as if I was able to have a meaningful conversation with her while she was sleepwalking."

>The blond woman nods, and you suspect there is some actual sympathy in it. Huh.
>"What about those people up yonder?" she asks, gesturing in the direction you were flying. "They mean anything to you?"

>_

[Kasu]

> "Well I just met them a couple hours ago, so I wouldn't say they're anything but acquaintances that are trying to help me out a bit while they look for this Hijiri person."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Well I just met them a couple hours ago, so I wouldn't say they're anything but acquaintances that are trying to help me out a bit while they look for this Hijiri person."

>"I mean the Red White and Black White," she corrects. "And that other one, too, I guess."

>_

[Kasu]

> "Oh those two?  I haven't seen them since I was back in Gensokyo."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Oh those two?  I haven't seen them since I was back in Gensokyo."

>"It's them up ahead," she says. "I'd know their like anywhere."

>_

[Seian Verian]

> "I see.  That black-white witch has a tendency to cause more trouble than she fixes, even if most is harmless... Emphasis on 'most.'  So I care little about her. However, the shrine maiden is rather necessary for the survival of Gensokyo, and my master is rather fond of her."

[Hello Purvis]

> "I see.  That black-white witch has a tendency to cause more trouble than she fixes, even if most is harmless... Emphasis on 'most.'  So I care little about her. However, the shrine maiden is rather necessary for the survival of Gensokyo, and my master is rather fond of her."

>"Oh. You'll probably have to do something about that," says the blond woman. "She's going to be unavailable for awhile."

>_

[Kasu]

> "What?  Why?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "What?  Why?"

>"Mostly because she's going down. Black White, too."

[Kasu]

> "I'd be careful.  They are a couple of the most adept fighters around."

[Hello Purvis]

> "I'd be careful.  They are a couple of the most adept fighters around."

>"Oh, I know." says the blond woman. "Trust me, I know. But you see, they've been getting into a lot of fights lately. That tiger youkai, the orb of light you were talking about. Pretty sure they're having a go at that woman who got sealed here. So once they let their guard down afterwards..." She chuckles grimly.

>_

[Solais]

>"That, I cannot allow."
>Ready to rumble!