Maribel Quest - A Z-Machine Adventure

[DracoOmega]

>Are we hungry?
>Do we have any idea if that's even something we'd like if we WERE hungry?

>Point west
>"The village is that way, right?"
>"And I 'shouldn't wander around outside of it'? Are you going to tell me about how everything around here is potentially dangerous, too? That seems to be something of a pattern, lately..."

[Hello Purvis]

>"That would be very generous of you, but I'm afraid I don't have any money on me. Right now, I mostly want to get to the village and talk to Keine. Which way is it to the road?"

>"Oh, that's a problem. But I can at least give you directions for free. Just head west until you hit the road, or head north until you make your way out of the forest, and it should be pretty obvious.

>Are we hungry?
>Do we have any idea if that's even something we'd like if we WERE hungry?

>Point west
>"The village is that way, right?"
>"And I 'shouldn't wander around outside of it'? Are you going to tell me about how everything around here is potentially dangerous, too? That seems to be something of a pattern, lately..."

>Yeah, that bread from before is wearing thing.
>"The road, actually."
>"Well, if you're worried enough to be avoiding faeries, it's probably a good idea not to go wandering. Although, maybe that's smart, keeping away from the faeries."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Yeah, I don't really know the lay of the land. I'm, uh, kinda new around here...."

[E-Nazrin]

>"About how long of a walk would it be to the village from here?"
>Hope that doesn't make her suspicious about flight ability.

[Hello Purvis]

>"Yeah, I don't really know the lay of the land. I'm, uh, kinda new around here...."

>"The forest is a little tricky, but once you get out it shouldn't be too far to the fields you know."

>"About how long of a walk would it be to the village from here?"
>Hope that doesn't make her suspicious about flight ability.

>"I don't walk it, but it shouldn't be long."

>_

[E-Nazrin]

>"Tricky? What do you mean by that?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Tricky? What do you mean by that?"

>"Easy to get lost if you don't know it. Sometimes unsafe. Don't worry about it too much, just find the road and you'll be fine."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Ok, well thank you for being friendly and helpful. I'll try making my way back, now. Sorry I didn't have any money on me to buy something."

>Wave goodbye
>Head west

[E-Nazrin]

>Keeping in mind Mystia's directions, favor north if you have to veer off course to avoid obstacles.

[Hello Purvis]

>"Ok, well thank you for being friendly and helpful. I'll try making my way back, now. Sorry I didn't have any money on me to buy something."

>Wave goodbye
>Head west

>"Bring some next time!" She says as you depart, you don't know if it's in jest or not.
>You wave, and she returns the gesture.
>Heading west, you find the forest thinning out. Soon, you can see a round ahead.

>Keeping in mind Mystia's directions, favor north if you have to veer off course to avoid obstacles.

>This doesn't seem to be particularly necessary.

>_

[E-Nazrin]

>follow round road northerlyish. Watch for fairies or whatever.

[Hello Purvis]

>follow round road northerlyish. Watch for fairies or whatever.

>You reach the road. It's almost shocking to have a range of sight again. Looking north, you see that the forest soon comes to an end, giving way to open fields. To the south, you see a building that looks like someone's house, made of wood, with a lot of junk out front.
>Heading North, you leave the forest, and come to open fields. Up ahead is a crossroad with a pond near it. To the north, so distance away, you can see a town. Far to the west, you see what looks like a mansion.

>_

[E-Nazrin]

>Town. We need to know what's going on, and to avoid being humiliated by a knee-high fairy in addition to mugged by a girl in a bucket.

[Hello Purvis]

>Town. We need to know what's going on, and to avoid being humiliated by a knee-high fairy in addition to mugged by a girl in a bucket.

>You might luck out and be humiliated by a waist-high faerie.
>Soon enough, you approach the outskirts. The buildings here are much like those of the oni city, but less brightly painted, and with fewer lanterns. As well, the homes are more spaced out. There is no hint of electricity or phone line, or any sort of modern convenience. There is a timeless quality to the village. You feel yourself passing through another sphere of influence. Up ahead, you can see what much be a tavern, given the sign with the sake bottle and dish.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>Well, taverns are the typical place to get information in old-style villages, aren't they? Step inside and look around

[Hello Purvis]

>Well, taverns are the typical place to get information in old-style villages, aren't they? Step inside and look around

>You walk into the tavern. It is...pretty empty, at the moment. Given it's still fairly early in the morning, this isn't terribly surprising. There is a bored-looking woman with blue hair, a matching dress, and an apron with a rainbow colored hem. She looks up at you and gives a pretty smile. "Come on in!"

>_

[DracoOmega]

>Go on in
>"Hello, there. I'm, uh, looking for someone named Keine. I don't suppose you know her?"

[Hello Purvis]

>Go on in
>"Hello, there. I'm, uh, looking for someone named Keine. I don't suppose you know her?"

>She laughs. "Oh, is this a new game? Okay. Keine's at the schoolhouse, probably, getting ready for today's lessons."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"A game? What do you mean?"
>"And where exactly is this schoolhouse?"

[E-Nazrin]

>"Is the schoolhouse easily identifiable? I'm from... out of town."
>The human village should be safe, if others like us live here. There are fewer secrets to keep now. Hopefully.

[Hello Purvis]

>"A game? What do you mean?"
>"And where exactly is this schoolhouse?"

>She chuckles. "I'm losing, aren't I? Okay. Just go down the street. It's the one with the playground."

>"Is the schoolhouse easily identifiable? I'm from... out of town."
>The human village should be safe, if others like us live here. There are fewer secrets to keep now. Hopefully.

>"Of course you are! It's the only one with a playground."
>You hope so. But this girl makes you a little antsy.

>_

[E-Nazrin]

>"Alright. Thanks."
>Head for the playground!... er, the schoolhouse!

[Hello Purvis]

>"Alright. Thanks."
>Head for the playground!... er, the schoolhouse!

>"You're welcome!" says the barkeeper brightly.
>You follow the blue-haired woman's directions, and sturdy-looking building, painted white, with a playground beside it. A few children are playing in it.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>Look around for any potential Keine.
>Otherwise, walk inside and do the same

[E-Nazrin]

>Do any of the kids look unusual?

[Hello Purvis]

>Do any of the kids look unusual?

>You think one of them has a tail. It's hard to see when they're all running around.

>Look around for any potential Keine.
>Otherwise, walk inside and do the same

>You don't see anyone who looks like they would be running a school, so you head inside. There, you find a mid-sized woman with long silvery hair, writing on a blackboard. She wears a very curious hat, which makes you think of the top of a pagoda. She looks over her shoulder and says, "Oh, Chen should be outside if you-"
>Then she pauses and turns around to face you.
>"Wait, who are you?" she asks, frowning.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Hi, are you Keine? I'm Maribel."

[E-Nazrin]

>"I heard you might know why I woke up in Satori's palace."

[Serela]

>"Just out of curiosity, who did you think I was?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Hi, are you Keine? I'm Maribel."

>She nods. "Have a seat, Maribel." she says.
>Having a bit more time to look around, you see the room is filled with old tables and chairs of varying sizes. Childish drawings cover the walls. The windows catch the sunlight well, leaving the room light nearly as well as outside.

>"I heard you might know why I woke up in Satori's palace."

>"I am not sure why you would exp-Hmmm. No, never mind. I think I understand. Who sent you to me? Utsuho? Parsee?"

>"Just out of curiosity, who did you think I was?"

>"It's not important right now."

>_