Yukari Quest VI - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Kilgamayan]

> How tiring would it be to carry Mary?
> "I am, yes. There are shimmers of light in the distance, from a massive crystalline structure. Can you make them out?"

[Hello Purvis]

> How tiring would it be to carry Mary?
> "I am, yes. There are shimmers of light in the distance, from a massive crystalline structure. Can you make them out?"

>You don't think she should be that hard to carry around for a little while. Ideally, you could do it til your arms got sore from staying in the same position, but it's been a hard couple days.
>"I can't see anything," she says. "Maybe they're too weak?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "It is possible. Regardless, that is our destination. If you still cannot see, how would you like to get around when we get there?"
> What about carrying her on our back or shoulders?

[Hello Purvis]

> "It is possible. Regardless, that is our destination. If you still cannot see, how would you like to get around when we get there?"
> What about carrying her on our back or shoulders?

>"I guess you could lead me?" says Maribel. "Unless you think there's a change of tripping?"
>Neither of those should be a problem, though possibly less comfortable for Maribel, particularly the latter.

>_

[Yaersulf]

>The 'ground' here is essentially a flat plane right?

[Hello Purvis]

>The 'ground' here is essentially a flat plane right?

>Essentially. However, you can also "climb" it to reach different heights. But as far as walking is concerned, it is perfectly smooth.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "That can be done. Here."
> Take her hand.

[Hello Purvis]

> "That can be done. Here."
> Take her hand.

>You take her hand.
>"Lead the way," she says.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Set off back toward that unexplored gap.

[Hello Purvis]

> Set off back toward that unexplored gap.

>Leading Maribel by the hand, you trek toward the ruins of the crystal palace. It is easy enough to pick out where you want to go; if nothing else, destroying that barrier did much to make the place more easily navigable. You are pleased to see that Maribel has no trouble following you as you begin to walk downward toward the corridor leading to the stalactite chamber.
>Soon, however, you note it will be difficult for Maribel to follow like this. While the emptiness is quite cooperatively and smooth, the actual crystal tunnel is less so. The rough, melted-wax nature of it provide ample opportunities for her to trip or twist an ankle if she cannot see.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Hmm. We are approaching much rougher terrain. I think we may need to resort to me carrying you, unless you have an alternate idea."
> Alternatively, do we have any hands-free methods of carrying Mary around at our disposal?

[Hello Purvis]

> "Hmm. We are approaching much rougher terrain. I think we may need to resort to me carrying you, unless you have an alternate idea."
> Alternatively, do we have any hands-free methods of carrying Mary around at our disposal?

>"Well, I guess there are worse fates," she says.
>You suppose you could just gap directly to your goal. But given that it is in the middle of the stalactite lattice, this might create more problems than it solves if she missteps.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Could we rig up a system of gaps to keep her suspended in mid-air, or otherwise stick her somewhere portable?
> Could we add her to our inventory?

[Hello Purvis]

> Could we rig up a system of gaps to keep her suspended in mid-air, or otherwise stick her somewhere portable?
> Could we add her to our inventory?

>You could theoretically have her fall between two gaps  infinitely, but that would introduce the problem of stopping her afterward.
>At this point should be able to enlarge your inventory gap large enough for her to fit inside comfortably. However, she would only have a couple minutes before the air runs out.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> And there's no way to create an airflow into our inventory space?

[Hello Purvis]

> And there's no way to create an airflow into our inventory space?

>Leaving the gap open and moving it along is normally an option. That could be a little concentration intensive, even with the proper tool, given how slipshod the borders here are.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Well, there is another option, where I could place you in the storage gap with my belongings."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Well, there is another option, where I could place you in the storage gap with my belongings."

>"That doesn't sound any safer than being carried," Maribel says.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I should be able to keep it open so you don't suffocate, at least. But it is entirely up to you."

[Hello Purvis]

> "I should be able to keep it open so you don't suffocate, at least. But it is entirely up to you."

>"Sounds like more things that can go wrong if you ask me, given how weird everything here is," Maribel says. "I trust you not to bang my head on something."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Very well. Would you prefer a bridal carry, a piggy-back, or to sit on my shoulders?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Very well. Would you prefer a bridal carry, a piggy-back, or to sit on my shoulders?"

>She shrugs. "Whichever works best."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> If we rode Mary on our shoulders, how much would she be in danger of smacking her head against a stalactite or part of the ceiling?

[Hello Purvis]

> If we rode Mary on our shoulders, how much would she be in danger of smacking her head against a stalactite or part of the ceiling?

>Fairly high.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "All right. If I may?"
> Gently pick Mary up in a bridal carry.

[Hello Purvis]

> "All right. If I may?"
> Gently pick Mary up in a bridal carry.

>You scoop Maribel up into a bridal carry. A small part of you knows you ought to be enjoying this scenario, but really you're too hungry, unwashed, and strung out to really manage more than a rueful mental chuckle. She leans against you and says, "Okay, when you're ready."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Onward to that gap! Try not to trip over anything ourselves, though.

[Hello Purvis]

> Onward to that gap! Try not to trip over anything ourselves, though.

>You proceed onward!
>Making your way through the crystalline tunnels, you find it's rather a shame that Maribel can't see what is around her, she would likely be fascinated by this. As it stands, she comments on the echos that your footsteps make, now that there is something substantial to walk on and make echoes. The sound of dripping water soon comes; Maribel notices shortly after you do, when she cocks her head at the sound.
>Before long, you arrive at the stalactite chamber again. The immense network of intertwined crystal stalactites hands silently overhead, large enough that a small mansion could conceivably be built among its framework. Save for the odd drop of water falling into the poor of clear water that takes up much of the floor, the chamber is quiet. Looking upward, you can see where the gap is, among a trio of stalactites near the leftmost edge of the structure, some dozens of feet up, forming a kind of natural balcony.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Did we establish earlier that this water is drinkable?
> Could we reasonably gap a blind Mary up to the balcony safely?

[Hello Purvis]

> Did we establish earlier that this water is drinkable?
> Could we reasonably gap a blind Mary up to the balcony safely?

>Yes, it was in fact the first drink you've had here, and by far the best.
>Perhaps. The problem is it is difficult to control how she would step out. or how much she would. And you can't really see the floor from here, so you do not know how treacherous it would be.
>"The echoes are different," Maribel says. "We're in a room of some kind, aren't we?"

>_