Sword Quest VII - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Hello Purvis]

> Youmu: Look to Reimu with an uncertain expression. "This...is not quite my area of expertise. But it does seem that anyone possessing the life force of the Saigyou Ayakashi would be a truly dangerous individual."

>"That's what I gathered," says Reimu.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Miko: "It sounds as though Meira will be making her way to the Human Village in several hours. Whatever preparations need to be made, that is the time we have to make them."
> Miko: Look to Reimu. "A curiosity, if I may. You mentioned Meira in the context of 'marrying into power'. Does she have a history of attempting such?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Miko: "It sounds as though Meira will be making her way to the Human Village in several hours. Whatever preparations need to be made, that is the time we have to make them."
> Miko: Look to Reimu. "A curiosity, if I may. You mentioned Meira in the context of 'marrying into power'. Does she have a history of attempting such?"

>"Old story," says Reimu. "Not the time."
>Youmu: Reimu looks toward you. "So, what's the plan?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Miko: Kneel down next to Futo and give her a gentle smile while listening.
> Youmu: "I'm not sure. If they're gunning for both of us specifically, then I guess I cannot ask you to not get involved. Mmm...it would not do to bring combat to the village. Perhaps we should head to the Sanzu River and attempt to cut them off before they get very far."

[Hello Purvis]

> Miko: Kneel down next to Futo and give her a gentle smile while listening.
> Youmu: "I'm not sure. If they're gunning for both of us specifically, then I guess I cannot ask you to not get involved. Mmm...it would not do to bring combat to the village. Perhaps we should head to the Sanzu River and attempt to cut them off before they get very far."

>Youmu: Reimu nods and smiles. "Exactly; keep her from getting there to start with. You have you head start, put it to use."
>Miko: You kneel down by Futo. "Ah, do not worry about me, Crown Prince. The shrine maiden insisted on these accommodations, and Tojiko would not let me refuse."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Youmu: "Precisely what I was thinking, yes." Gesture back to Kotohime. "Even if Meira is enjoying a boost in power from the Saigyou Ayakashi, the three of us should be able to put a stop to the two of them. Perhaps four of us, if Komachi is available to help; surely Higan will not appreciate Meira's actions."
> Miko: Take on a gentle tone, both to show our compassion and to avoid talking over the strategic conversation. "That is because they know what is best for you, dear. It pleases me to see you have at least acquiesced, if not agreed with them."

[Hello Purvis]

> Youmu: "Precisely what I was thinking, yes." Gesture back to Kotohime. "Even if Meira is enjoying a boost in power from the Saigyou Ayakashi, the three of us should be able to put a stop to the two of them. Perhaps four of us, if Komachi is available to help; surely Higan will not appreciate Meira's actions."
> Miko: Take on a gentle tone, both to show our compassion and to avoid talking over the strategic conversation. "That is because they know what is best for you, dear. It pleases me to see you have at least acquiesced, if not agreed with them."

>"I'd try to stop them before Higan gets involved," says Reimu. "It's easier."
>Kotohime just nods. "I'll do my best."
>Miko: Futo gets a rueful smile. "As you say, Crown Prince."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Miko: Look up at Reimu and Youmu. "Ah, that may not be possible, as I cannot guarantee that Meira has not already made her way there."
> Youmu: Frown. "Wonderful. Although, Komachi was fine when I visited her earlier..."
> Miko: Shrug lightly. "Perhaps Meira needed her help and avoided harming her, or perhaps Meira was able to avoid her entirely. You will forgive me if the detailed workings of Higan are not the focus of my studies."
> Youmu: "Right, right."
> Youmu: Would a live human be able to get to Higan on their own?

[Hello Purvis]

> Miko: Look up at Reimu and Youmu. "Ah, that may not be possible, as I cannot guarantee that Meira has not already made her way there."
> Youmu: Frown. "Wonderful. Although, Komachi was fine when I visited her earlier..."
> Miko: Shrug lightly. "Perhaps Meira needed her help and avoided harming her, or perhaps Meira was able to avoid her entirely. You will forgive me if the detailed workings of Higan are not the focus of my studies."
> Youmu: "Right, right."
> Youmu: Would a live human be able to get to Higan on their own?

>Youmu: Generally not, unless they were summoned for some reason.
>Youmu: Reimu looks toward you. "Aren't you supposed to be fast? In fact, shouldn't you be going already? You know what to do."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Youmu: "Right. Are you ready, then?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Youmu: "Right. Are you ready, then?"

>"Two hours," says Reimu. "Well, one hour and about...fifty eight minutes, now."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Miko: Raise an eyebrow, but say nothing.
> Youmu: Blink. "Oh. I, um, thought you were kidding."

[Hello Purvis]

> Miko: Raise an eyebrow, but say nothing.
> Youmu: Blink. "Oh. I, um, thought you were kidding."

>"You said you wanted to handle it yourself," says Reimu. "I wasn't kidding when I said I was leaving it your hands. So don't disappoint me."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Youmu: Look to Kotohime. "Shall we?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Youmu: Look to Kotohime. "Shall we?"

>Kotohime nods. "Sounds like we need to be fast. I'll catch up if you leave me behind."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Youmu: "Very well."
> Youmu: Turn to Miko and give her a slight bow. "Thank you for your assistance, Miss Miko. May I return your sword the next time we meet."
> Miko: Inventory

[Hello Purvis]

> Youmu: "Very well."
> Youmu: Turn to Miko and give her a slight bow. "Thank you for your assistance, Miss Miko. May I return your sword the next time we meet."
> Miko: Inventory

>Miko: You inventory contains:
>Regal Clothing
>Strong enough for a monarch, simple enough for a hermit.
>Shaku
>A ritual baton that is part of any ruler?s regalia. You keep it as a symbol of your old office.
>Harmony Earmuffs
>This does much to cut down the babble of voices you can hear from other people. Particularly strong desires can still get through.
>Travel Bag
>A sack for keeping your things in.
>Used Clothing
>Regal, but in need of a wash
>Bag of Konpeito
>Apparently it is regarded as good manners these days for a royal to give these guests and such, they didn't have such things in your day!
>Bag of Curry Powder
>A donation from a potential follower. Quite fresh!
>Iron Key
>A simple ring-handled key made of iron.
>Steel Trap
>This trap features steel jaws and a powerful spring mechanism with a plate trigger. A bit of chain extends from it, ending in a long metal stake.
>Regal Cloak
>A high-collared cloak gifted to you by Tojiko and Futo.
>60☼
>This is 60☼

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Miko: Nod with a slight frown. "I wish you the best of luck."

[Hello Purvis]

> Miko: Nod with a slight frown. "I wish you the best of luck."

>Tojiko nods. "I barely understand what is happening, but I wish you luck as well.
>"Yes, very much so," says Futo.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Youmu: Nod to the other Taoists. "Thank you, both of you."
> Youmu: Become to Kotohime. "Let's go. Komachi may need us."
> Youmu: Take off toward the Sanzu River.

[Hello Purvis]

> Youmu: Nod to the other Taoists. "Thank you, both of you."
> Youmu: Become to Kotohime. "Let's go. Komachi may need us."
> Youmu: Take off toward the Sanzu River.

>"I'll be right behind you," says Kotohime.
>YOUMU.
>You fly off toward the Sanzu river at top speed. It doesn't take you long to note that Kotohime isn't keeping up.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> How long is the trip to the Sanzu from here?

[Hello Purvis]

> How long is the trip to the Sanzu from here?

>It's something of a trip.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Wait a bit for her to catch up.

[Hello Purvis]

> Wait a bit for her to catch up.

>You wait a little bit for her to catch up.
>"Just go on ahead!" she shouts.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Could we fly faster than her apparent top speed if we were carrying her?

[Hello Purvis]

> Could we fly faster than her apparent top speed if we were carrying her?

>You doubt it, honestly.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Frown for a moment, then nod and shout back.
> "All right! Remember what you promised Komachi!"
> Speed on ahead to the Sanzu River.

[Hello Purvis]

> Frown for a moment, then nod and shout back.
> "All right! Remember what you promised Komachi!"
> Speed on ahead to the Sanzu River.

>"Got it!" she says.
>You speed toward the Sanzu river, leaving the more inhabited lands behind. The faeries are growing worse here, but you manage to avoid them thus far.
>Then, as you pass over the northernmost forest in Gensokyo, and the banks of the river stretch ahead, you see a horse on the road, bearing a rider.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Has she reached the river yet?