Sword Quest II - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Kilgamayan]

> Are Hakugyokurou's ghosts even capable of that?

[Hello Purvis]

> Are Hakugyokurou's ghosts even capable of that?

>They might be, but being the properly passed on, by and large they wouldn't entertain the thought let alone have an interest in such.

>_

[Suwako Moriya]

> Shake head.
> "It is exceedingly unlikely they would even think of it, never mind wanting to do it. Please, follow me."
> Head toward the southernmost tower.

[Hello Purvis]

> Shake head.
> "It is exceedingly unlikely they would even think of it, never mind wanting to do it. Please, follow me."
> Head toward the southernmost tower.

>You make your way toward the southernmost tower, the others following. Utsuho excitedly points out the gardens that you fly over, which even Parsee seems to appreciate and leaves you with a little smile that no one sees as you lead the way.  Koishi, though ever wearing a smirk, seems to grow cagey again as the ghosts become numerous. Some of the ghosts fly along with your group, quietly observing before moving on. A few call out greetings to you that the rest of the group likely cannot hear.
>Landing at the foot of the southernmost tower, you lead the others in, and have to pause for a moment as they boggle at the red walls, decorated with elaborate golden filigrees set out in geometric designs, and at the brass statues of various animals that line the front room.  Heading into the halls, you start to prowl about, looking for Yuyuko, but find it is unnecessary, as you round a corner and find her floating down the hall in your general direction.
>"Ah, fast as ever I see," says Yuyuko, smiling at you. Then she frowns slightly. "Oh, no no no. I needed five people, Youmu, not three."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Give Yuyuko a bow.
> "Apologies, Yuyuko-sama, but that task is still in progress. My guests are here for a different matter for which I was hoping to consult you."

[Hello Purvis]

> Give Yuyuko a bow.
> "Apologies, Yuyuko-sama, but that task is still in progress. My guests are here for a different matter for which I was hoping to consult you."

>"Oh, that's a shame," says Yuyuko. "The one with the wings would do a good job!"
>"Huh?" says Utsuho.
>"Wait, this is who we're looking for?" Parsee says.

>_

[Suwako Moriya]

> Is Koishi still visible?

[Hello Purvis]

> Is Koishi still visible?

>You can still see her; and Yuyuko did say three.

>_

[Suwako Moriya]

> "I have not yet had the chance to ask. But yes, I believe some introductions are in order."
> Gesture to the raven woman, the blonde woman, and the satori, in that order.
> "Yuyuko-sama, this is Utsuho, Parsee, and Koishi. It is my understanding that they hail from underground."

[Hello Purvis]

> "I have not yet had the chance to ask. But yes, I believe some introductions are in order."
> Gesture to the raven woman, the blonde woman, and the satori, in that order.
> "Yuyuko-sama, this is Utsuho, Parsee, and Koishi. It is my understanding that they hail from underground."

>"Why hello there," says Yuyuko, beaming at them. "I do hope you enjoy your stay."
>"Thank you," says Utsuho.
>"Yeah," Parsee says, "This place is kind of ridiculously ornate."
>"Isn't it?" says Yuyuko.

>_

[Suwako Moriya]

> Turn to the other three and indicate Yuyuko in whatever manner is befitting of introducing someone of her position.
> "Honored guests, this is indeed Lady Yuyuko Saigyouji, Ruler of the Netherworld."

[Hello Purvis]

> Turn to the other three and indicate Yuyuko in whatever manner is befitting of introducing someone of her position.
> "Honored guests, this is indeed Lady Yuyuko Saigyouji, Ruler of the Netherworld."

>"Thank you for having us," says Utsuho.
>"And seeing us," Parsee adds.
>"Oh, think nothing of it," says Yuyuko. "But you've come too early, I'm afraid I haven't separated out the scripts yet."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Actually, Yuyuko-sama, there is a different problem."
> Gesture to Koishi.
> "To make a long story short, in my trip to the Human Village, I came across Koishi, and I noticed that she seems to have an aura of death. None of us can determine why this might be, however."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Actually, Yuyuko-sama, there is a different problem."
> Gesture to Koishi.
> "To make a long story short, in my trip to the Human Village, I came across Koishi, and I noticed that she seems to have an aura of death. None of us can determine why this might be, however."

>"Why, because she is dying," says Yuyuko.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Well, yes. But we could not determine why she is dying. She appears to be in proper physical condition."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Well, yes. But we could not determine why she is dying. She appears to be in proper physical condition."

>"I suppose so," says Yuyuko. "Mmm."
>She gives Koishi a look, which the satori meets with a grin that doesn't seem to quite reach her eyes.
>"Has there been anything weird?" asks Yuyuko.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "She seems to be experiencing some memory loss, which is new to her and her friends."

[Hello Purvis]

> "She seems to be experiencing some memory loss, which is new to her and her friends."

>"Oho," says Yuyuko, as she starts to float around Kosihi. "My my my... Do tell me, dear, when was the last time you can remember being alone?"
>"Just this morning," says Koishi.
>"And what happened?" Yuyuko prompts.
>"I...don't remember."
>"Mmm, and when is the last time you do remember with some details?"
>Koishi runs her fingers along the mask she has been carrying. "I'm not really sure..."
>"Aha."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Brighten a little.
> "Do you have an idea of what is wrong, Yuyuko-sama?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Brighten a little.
> "Do you have an idea of what is wrong, Yuyuko-sama?"

>"Oh, I think so," says Yuyuko. "Tell me, dear. I bet your every other memory after some point is when you're around other people, isn't it?"
>"...I don't know," Koishi says.
>"I'd gamble on it, wouldn't you, Youmu?"

>_

[Yaersulf]

>"I would if you were going to, but I'm still not sure what the cause is."

[Hello Purvis]

>"I would if you were going to, but I'm still not sure what the cause is."

>Yuyuko chuckles. You want to believe it's in appreciation of your reply.
>"I would think the answer is obvious," she says. "You're borrowing, dear."
>Koishi raises an eyebrow. "I'm what?"
>"Borrowing from us," Yuyuko says. "And you know it, don't you?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Do you mean, like...borrowing memories?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Do you mean, like...borrowing memories?"

>"Oh, so much more than that," says Yuyuko. "Borrowing memories is one thing, but she's let herself go so much further. She's borrowing thoughts."
>"That doesn't make any sense," Parsee says.
>"Oh, doesn't it, though? Koishi's let herself go so far that without people around for her to borrow from, there's not really a whole lot left to be Koishi. Why, I imagine you drift about like a seed in the wind, most of the time."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "...But...how does that even work?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "...But...how does that even work?"

>"Why don't you ask her?" says Yuyuko.
>"Actually, I think I understand," says Utsuho. "Koishi, you didn't just stop at trying to close your third eye, right? You've been trying to stop everything, and it's hurt you. Am I right?"
>"I don't know..." says Koishi.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Let's watch a little bit of this. We might be a bit over our head right now.

[Hello Purvis]

> Let's watch a little bit of this. We might be a bit over our head right now.

>"I guess it does make sense," says Parsee. "I mean, if tried to stop reading minds, and that just caused a new problem, then I suppose you'd try to stop the new problem."
>"And you took out too much, am I right?"
>"I don't know..." Koishi repeats.

>_

[Yaersulf]

>"If I understand correctly, then I don't think Koishi would be able to remember it."

[Hello Purvis]

>"If I understand correctly, then I don't think Koishi would be able to remember it."

>"You might be right," says Utsuho.
>"So what do we do about it?" Parsee says.
>"My, isn't that a question?" says Yuyuko.

>_