Sword Quest IX - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Kilgamayan]

> Youmu: Give a deep bow. "Thank you, truly. And, for what it is worth, I do believe Miss Keine is currently patrolling this village from the air."

[Hello Purvis]

> Youmu: Give a deep bow. "Thank you, truly. And, for what it is worth, I do believe Miss Keine is currently patrolling this village from the air."

>"I would expect no less of her," says Byakuren, as she stands. "Have you noticed anything else?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Youmu: "Nothing that I can think of. I was not here for very long before the main group arrived from the Hakurei Shrine."

[Hello Purvis]

> Youmu: "Nothing that I can think of. I was not here for very long before the main group arrived from the Hakurei Shrine."

>She nods, then makes her way toward the door. "I'll still check with Murasa, if you don't mind. Where shall we be meeting?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Youmu: Follow. "I understand. It is only sensible. We will be waiting outside the tavern. You do have a little bit of time if you wish; Reimu went back to her Shrine to obtain some blank talismans for use in returning the Saigyou Ayakashi's life force to its proper place."

[Hello Purvis]

> Youmu: Follow. "I understand. It is only sensible. We will be waiting outside the tavern. You do have a little bit of time if you wish; Reimu went back to her Shrine to obtain some blank talismans for use in returning the Saigyou Ayakashi's life force to its proper place."

>The monk nods as she makes her way to the vestibule, and slips her shoes back on. "I will do my best to be quick."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Youmu: Put our own shoes back on. "Very well. Please do not feel obligated to rush and risk forgetting to check on something important, however."

[Hello Purvis]

> Youmu: Put our own shoes back on. "Very well. Please do not feel obligated to rush and risk forgetting to check on something important, however."

>"It would not do to be careless," says Byakuren, as she steps outside. "Still, I'll do my best to keep you from waiting."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Youmu: "Understood. And thank you, again, very much."
> Youmu: Return to the tavern entrance.

[Hello Purvis]

> Youmu: "Understood. And thank you, again, very much."
> Youmu: Return to the tavern entrance.

>Youmu: You head out and backtrack to the tavern.
>Miko: Looking over Meira, you can see that Youmu has definitely done a number on her. Frankly, it's amazing she hasn't gone into a coma from all the damage; to normally get a person like this, you would have to focus danmaku on them for some time after they've been knocked out. It takes you a bit of time, but you can suss out the presence of another entity within her, not quite possessing her, but more like imprisoned within her. This prison, so to speak, is not particularly stable. But rather than escape, it seems this entity is integrating with her. You aren't certain quite what this means, whether she is absorbing it's power, or if it's trying to possess her or worse, but it seems to be losing its cohesiveness and melting into her being. It's a strange kind of thing, it doesn't seem to really have a will, but it does seem to have a kind of primitive desire that you cannot quite understand; something about attracting others? You don't know. While pondering this and getting nowhere, as Kotohime just sort of mills about, bored, you see Youmu making her way down the road again.
>You now possess control of both Youmu and Miko. Please preface all actions and sentences with the name of the relevant character. You may summarize interactions between them as briefly or thoroughly as you please. Keep in mind that they cannot read each others' minds (Youmu lacks a desire, which throws things), so coordination will have to be arranged verbally or through gestures or the like. Also please keep in mind that both have their own goals and motivations, and may not perfectly align with every action. You may freely split them up when you please, upon which things shall continue as before.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Miko: Given the current state of their integration, how difficult will it be to separate this entity from Meira?
> Miko: Can we tell how much longer we have before this integration is irreversible?
> Miko: Is this entity's presence and integration presenting an active threat to Meira's well-being?
> Miko: Is this sort of integration the sort of 'very bad thing' we had considered when mulling over the possibility of moving the life force into another person?
> Miko: If 'emergency surgery', as it were, were necessary to get the entity out of Meira, would we be able to recreate this prison-of-sorts in someone else?

[Hello Purvis]

> Miko: Given the current state of their integration, how difficult will it be to separate this entity from Meira?
> Miko: Can we tell how much longer we have before this integration is irreversible?
> Miko: Is this entity's presence and integration presenting an active threat to Meira's well-being?
> Miko: Is this sort of integration the sort of 'very bad thing' we had considered when mulling over the possibility of moving the life force into another person?
> Miko: If 'emergency surgery', as it were, were necessary to get the entity out of Meira, would we be able to recreate this prison-of-sorts in someone else?

>Separating it will be troublesome, and you are not certain when it will become irreversible, but you imagine you have little more than a day. As far a threat to her well-being, you aren't sure. You don't think it will explicitly kill her, but it may well erase her mind and soul. This is indeed one of the many bad possibilities you foresaw, and you suppose that you could, though it would just be passing the issue around.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Miko: It may not be a permanent solution, but would transferrence to another at least reset the metaphorical timer on how long it would take for the two entities to integrate into one?

[Hello Purvis]

> Miko: It may not be a permanent solution, but would transferrence to another at least reset the metaphorical timer on how long it would take for the two entities to integrate into one?

>In theory, but it might also end up giving the invader a helping hand and allowing it to integrate more quickly. Or so something else entirely that could potentially be worse.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Miko: Does all this mean that, in theory, we could extract the life force of one humanoid and place it within the body of another with one of these rituals, and they would slowly meld into a single entity again? Ignoring the cruelty of doing so to unwilling parties, of course, as this is only theory.

> Miko: Wait for Youmu to get into reasonable conversation range.
> Miko: "You did quite a number on your friend here. Were it not for her...enhancement, shall we say, I dare say she would be comatose at present."
> Youmu: Grimace. "I am not looking forward to my next conversation with her. How is she now, then?"
> Miko: Frown. "Not great. There is definitely something inside her, an entity I can only assume is your youkai tree. It is slowly integrating with her, and whomever would have control over her body once that process is complete is something I cannot discern."
> Youmu: Stiffen. "I will not allow that to pass. Can you reverse the process?"
> Miko: "It will not be trivial by any stretch, but it is possible, yes. Once Reimu returns with the necessary equipment."

[Hello Purvis]

> Miko: Does all this mean that, in theory, we could extract the life force of one humanoid and place it within the body of another with one of these rituals, and they would slowly meld into a single entity again? Ignoring the cruelty of doing so to unwilling parties, of course, as this is only theory.

> Miko: Wait for Youmu to get into reasonable conversation range.
> Miko: "You did quite a number on your friend here. Were it not for her...enhancement, shall we say, I dare say she would be comatose at present."
> Youmu: Grimace. "I am not looking forward to my next conversation with her. How is she now, then?"
> Miko: Frown. "Not great. There is definitely something inside her, an entity I can only assume is your youkai tree. It is slowly integrating with her, and whomever would have control over her body once that process is complete is something I cannot discern."
> Youmu: Stiffen. "I will not allow that to pass. Can you reverse the process?"
> Miko: "It will not be trivial by any stretch, but it is possible, yes. Once Reimu returns with the necessary equipment."

>Miko: Yes, assuming the person that it is transferred to reacts the same way to it. Which you cannot say would be a certain thing.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Youmu: "You said you could transfer the Saigyou Ayakashi from one person to another, yes? Would that help her at all?"
> Miko: "Only at great risk to the recipient. I would not recommend doing so if it is at all avoidable."
> Youmu: "We'll see. But if Meira takes a turn for the worse, I want you to take it out of her and put it in me instead."
> Miko: Would Youmu's status as a half-human half-ghost influence such a process in any way?

[Hello Purvis]

> Youmu: "You said you could transfer the Saigyou Ayakashi from one person to another, yes? Would that help her at all?"
> Miko: "Only at great risk to the recipient. I would not recommend doing so if it is at all avoidable."
> Youmu: "We'll see. But if Meira takes a turn for the worse, I want you to take it out of her and put it in me instead."
> Miko: Would Youmu's status as a half-human half-ghost influence such a process in any way?

>Probably, and unpredictably. Perhaps she'll be better able to resist, or perhaps her dual nature will be a thing it can exploit.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Miko: "Before you make such a dangerous request, you should know that the nature of your being makes it even less predictable as to how you will be affected."
> Youmu: "I will take that risk. The Saigyou Ayakashi is my responsibility. I will not allow anyone else to place themselves in that level of danger."
> Miko: Frown in silence, then sigh. "I shall hope it does not come to that."
> Youmu: About how long does it take to get to the Hakurei Shrine from here? Assume travel that is a bit slower than our top speed.
> Youmu: Repeat above question, but for the gate to the Netherworld instead of the Shrine.

[Hello Purvis]

> Miko: "Before you make such a dangerous request, you should know that the nature of your being makes it even less predictable as to how you will be affected."
> Youmu: "I will take that risk. The Saigyou Ayakashi is my responsibility. I will not allow anyone else to place themselves in that level of danger."
> Miko: Frown in silence, then sigh. "I shall hope it does not come to that."
> Youmu: About how long does it take to get to the Hakurei Shrine from here? Assume travel that is a bit slower than our top speed.
> Youmu: Repeat above question, but for the gate to the Netherworld instead of the Shrine.

>The Hakurei Shrine isn't terribly far away, it should only be a few minutes. Presuming faeries don't turn out to be a problem.
>Hakugyokurou is further away, it is about a half hour trip, you estimate.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Youmu: "Well, it most likely won't take us all more than an hour from now to get to the Saigyou Ayakashi, barring unforeseen delays. Will that be too long for her?"
> Miko: Would Meira suffer terribly from an extra hour before the ritual begins?

[Hello Purvis]

> Youmu: "Well, it most likely won't take us all more than an hour from now to get to the Saigyou Ayakashi, barring unforeseen delays. Will that be too long for her?"
> Miko: Would Meira suffer terribly from an extra hour before the ritual begins?

>Miko: As unpredictable as this is, you don't think it would do grievous harm. Probably.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Miko: "Mmm...I cannot be completely sure of anything, but that will most likely not be enough time to cause further complications."
> Youmu: "Then it seems all we need do is wait, and trust in those we are waiting for."
> Miko: Take a look around. Are the three of us the only ones here?

[Hello Purvis]

> Miko: "Mmm...I cannot be completely sure of anything, but that will most likely not be enough time to cause further complications."
> Youmu: "Then it seems all we need do is wait, and trust in those we are waiting for."
> Miko: Take a look around. Are the three of us the only ones here?

>Miko: As it stands, it's just you three...oh, there's Byakuren approaching by foot.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Miko: Well, we knew this was coming...not a lot we can do about it, though, if it means restoring things to normal.
> Miko: "Ah, it seems we have company."
> Youmu: Look over.

[Hello Purvis]

> Miko: Well, we knew this was coming...not a lot we can do about it, though, if it means restoring things to normal.
> Miko: "Ah, it seems we have company."
> Youmu: Look over.

>"Hello,"  says Byakuren with a smile, as she approaches the group and bows. "I believe you needed my assistance?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Miko: Nod our head in Byakuren's direction. "Good afternoon."
> Youmu: Return the bow. "Yes, hello again. We will be departing for the Netherworld once Reimu returns with the necessary supplies to help save our unconscious friend here. Immediate problem notwithstanding, Yuyuko-sama will be delighted to meet her cast."

[Hello Purvis]

> Miko: Nod our head in Byakuren's direction. "Good afternoon."
> Youmu: Return the bow. "Yes, hello again. We will be departing for the Netherworld once Reimu returns with the necessary supplies to help save our unconscious friend here. Immediate problem notwithstanding, Yuyuko-sama will be delighted to meet her cast."

>Byakuren nods toward Miko. "As much of one as we can salvage, anyways."
>She gives a little chuckle. "I imagine so. In the meantime, what would you have me do?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Youmu: "I suppose you may inspect Meira for yourself, if you like. To be honest, I was suggesting you not rush here at least partially because I did not know for sure when Reimu would return."
> Miko: Gesture toward Meira. "There is currently a second entity inside this woman, presumably the life force of the Netherworld's youkai tree. The situation is a result of a transference ritual. It seems the entity has begun integrating with the woman, though the process is not yet irreversible."

[Hello Purvis]

> Youmu: "I suppose you may inspect Meira for yourself, if you like. To be honest, I was suggesting you not rush here at least partially because I did not know for sure when Reimu would return."
> Miko: Gesture toward Meira. "There is currently a second entity inside this woman, presumably the life force of the Netherworld's youkai tree. The situation is a result of a transference ritual. It seems the entity has begun integrating with the woman, though the process is not yet irreversible."

>Byakuren nods toward Miko. "How dire. Is she otherwise well, aside from being unconscious?"

>_