Sword Quest II - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Kilgamayan]

> "I will do my best. Hopefully I will make it to Eientei without meeting it; it would be unfortunate to lose track of the guide rocks. If I do come across it, however, how shall I alert you? It is your game, after all."

[Hello Purvis]

> "I will do my best. Hopefully I will make it to Eientei without meeting it; it would be unfortunate to lose track of the guide rocks. If I do come across it, however, how shall I alert you? It is your game, after all."

>"If I don't come running when you call, there's not much else to be done," she says. "I don't think it's heading toward Eientei, though."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Well, perhaps I could find you later, somewhere else?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Well, perhaps I could find you later, somewhere else?"

>"I suppose I'll be down by the lake later on," she says. "Unless I think I'm getting close to the little bugger, anyways."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Of course."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Of course."

>"Oh, and watch out for hills if you get lost," she adds. "They're what'll really get you around here."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Are there many on the path indicated by the guide rocks?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Are there many on the path indicated by the guide rocks?"

>"Not sure," she says, "I don't use the things."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Ah, so you can get there on your own? Impressive."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Ah, so you can get there on your own? Impressive."

>"I probably could, but I don't go to Eientei," she says. She flicks an ear. "The rabbits wouldn't like me much."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I suppose. Though, really, you never know until you try."

[Hello Purvis]

> "I suppose. Though, really, you never know until you try."

>"I know rabbits quite well," she says. "I bid you a safe journey."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Smile.
> "And you as well. Best of luck in finding your game."
> Reorient our direction based on our shaku, then pick it up and continue onward.

[Hello Purvis]

> Smile.
> "And you as well. Best of luck in finding your game."
> Reorient our direction based on our shaku, then pick it up and continue onward.

>You reorient yourself, and return to following the rocks' path.
>You follow the rocks, moving from one to another, following their blind directions as best you can. There are several of them, and they lead in strange path, zigzagging this way and that. You suspect it is likely leading you around hills or more thickly overgrown regions, but it's impossible to be sure.
>After some minutes, you suddenly see white walls a few yards ahead of you. Pushing forward, you find yourself before a comfortably familiar mansion, its walls and low roofs stirring many memories. Less nostalgic is the large horde of youkai rabbits gathered in front of a set of double doors, easily dozens of them. You quickly note a large trench has been dug around the front of the mansion as well, stretching all along the walls, and going around the corners. You note many of the rabbits are carrying signs of some sort; and a few of them seem to have noticed your presence and are alerting others in the group.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> No sudden movements; we don't need the rabbits thinking we are an enemy, however true or false that may be.
> Calmly make our way forward enough that we can read the signs. Look relatively impassive while doing so.

[Hello Purvis]

> No sudden movements; we don't need the rabbits thinking we are an enemy, however true or false that may be.
> Calmly make our way forward enough that we can read the signs. Look relatively impassive while doing so.

>You approach calmly and gracefully. The rabbits regard you curiously, and there is definitely a buzz going through the whole group. However, none of them seem to be taking hostile motions that you can see.
>Having a closer look at the signs, you note they seem to bear a number of slogans, such as "No Holes, No Peace!" and "We'll Dig Right Under Your Bed!"
>"You can't come in!" one of the rabbits cries, "It's off limits!" Other rabbits voice their approval of this sentiment.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Look curiously at the signs.
> "What is happening here?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Look curiously at the signs.
> "What is happening here?"

>"We're on strike!" calls one of the rabbits, met with a series of affirmative cries. You notice a fairly distinct-looking rabbit making her way through the crowd, easily a head taller than the rest, who are fairly short, with purple hair and a dark, silken jacket.
>"That about sums it up," says the purple-haired rabbit. "I'm afraid Eientei is closed for the time being."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Did anything like this happen in our time?

[Hello Purvis]

> Did anything like this happen in our time?

>There were certainly sieges and revolts, but they don't seem to be armed well enough for that. You suppose youkai wouldn't need such, though.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Frown.
> "I see..."

[Hello Purvis]

> Frown.
> "I see..."

>"Well, if there's someone sick, we'll make an exception," says the purple-haired rabbit.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Shake head.
> "No. I had heard of a mansion here in Gensokyo with architecture from my time, so I came to see it for myself. To find it in such a state is..."

[Hello Purvis]

> Shake head.
> "No. I had heard of a mansion here in Gensokyo with architecture from my time, so I came to see it for myself. To find it in such a state is..."

>"All their fault!" cries one of the rabbits, getting a chorus of "Yeahs!" in reply.
>"Well, if there's something you need, perhaps I can help with it?" says the tall rabbit. "I'm Reisen, but the way."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Ah! Where are my manners?"
> Given Reisen a slight bow.
> "My name is Miko, and I am but a simple Taoist hermit. It is a pleasure to meet you, Reisen."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Ah! Where are my manners?"
> Given Reisen a slight bow.
> "My name is Miko, and I am but a simple Taoist hermit. It is a pleasure to meet you, Reisen."

>"So is it just sight-seeing that brings you here?" she says, as she walks past you, and along the trench that runs around the mansion, beckoning you to follow.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Follow!
> "Partially. As I am relatively new to this land, I wish to learn as much as I can about its denizens."

[Hello Purvis]

> Follow!
> "Partially. As I am relatively new to this land, I wish to learn as much as I can about its denizens."

>You fall into step with the rabbit, quickly leaving the rest of the gathering behind.
>" Sorry about the timing, then. But this situation has been brewing for awhile and came to a head yesterday."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "What exactly is going on?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "What exactly is going on?"

>"Well, the simple version is that the rabbits are angry the aren't allowed to dig holes under Eientei," says Reisen.

>_