Sword Quest II - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Hello Purvis]

> "Really? How fascinating. What are they usually doing, then?"

>"Usually housework and such," says Reisen.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I see. I wonder if my companions unintentionally caused some alarm here...shall we investigate?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "I see. I wonder if my companions unintentionally caused some alarm here...shall we investigate?"

>"Yeah," says Reisen.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Investigate!

[Hello Purvis]

> Investigate!

>You descend and draw closer to the house. As you do, the doll patrol rushes out to meet you, carrying an array of weapons. They don't seem to be leveling the weapons at you as they approach, but it's hard to get any kind of intent from the dolls. You do not hear any desires from them, either.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Hold our open hands out in front of us non-threateningly.
> "We do not desire conflict."

[Hello Purvis]

>You hold your hands out and declare you are there peacefully. They continue to approach, stopping about three yards away, and watch you. While they do not have their weapons raised, they do have them ready.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Has there been trouble here?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Has there been trouble here?"

>The dolls continue to watch you with their glass eyes.
>"They can't speak," says Reisen. "I am not sure what governors their attempts to communicate, when they make them."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Frown.
> "I wonder how one is supposed to pass, then. If one even is."

[Hello Purvis]

> Frown.
> "I wonder how one is supposed to pass, then. If one even is."

>"I'm not sure," says Reisen. "I've never had to deal with them being aggressive like this."

>_

[Yaersulf]

>Call down to the house: "Hello, is anybody home? I am being accosted by your dolls!"

[Hello Purvis]

>Call down to the house: "Hello, is anybody home? I am being accosted by your dolls!"

>You call out, and recieve no immediate answer. The dolls continue to watch you.
>After a few moments, the front door of the cabin opens, and you hear someone call out: "Who's there?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "My name is Miko. I am but a simple hermit, from an era long past."

[Hello Purvis]

> "My name is Miko. I am but a simple hermit, from an era long past."

>"And it's me, Reisen!" your companion calls out.
>You hear the sound of clapping, and the dolls draw back. "Why didn't you say so, Reisen?" the speaker says, "Come in, come in!"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Give Reisen a curious look before heading down to the door and stepping inside.

[Hello Purvis]

> Give Reisen a curious look before heading down to the door and stepping inside.

>"That's Alice," she says softly before heading for the door.
>The house itself is a simple cabin, painted white. A fairly sizable porch dominates the front of it, its railings lined with planters bearing various herbs. Around the back, not far from the tree line, you can see a decent-sized garden. Heading through the front door, you find yourself in a small, comfortable front room. Several shelves line the walls, holding books, personal trinkets, and various dolls. A small wood table with a two chairs, one that matches and a metal outdoor chair, catches your eye in the middle of the room. Sitting there is a fairly tall woman with short blonde hair, wearing a blue dress with with sleeves and a pink sash around her waist. She regards you curiously, then says, "It's been some time Reisen. Please, make yourself comfortable on the couch. You too, Miko was it? I seem to recall Marisa mentioning something like that not too long ago."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Thank you for your hospitality. And yes, I believe my arrival here caused a little consternation, and introduced me quite directly to Marisa."
> Have a seat on the couch after Reisen does.

[Hello Purvis]

> "Thank you for your hospitality. And yes, I believe my arrival here caused a little consternation, and introduced me quite directly to Marisa."
> Have a seat on the couch after Reisen does.

>Reisen sits down, and you take a seat next to her.
>"What brings you here?" says the woman, presumably Alice.
>As she speaks, several dolls toddle out of an adjoining room, some carrying cups, another carrying a teapot, another carrying a bowl of sugar cubes, and so on.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I am in pursuit of two companions of mine. Unfortunately, I have largely lost track of where they might be, and am now simply searching wherever I can."

[Hello Purvis]

> "I am in pursuit of two companions of mine. Unfortunately, I have largely lost track of where they might be, and am now simply searching wherever I can."

>"Do go on," says Alice. "And what brings you, Reisen? One seldom sees you come down this way."
>"Making my way toward the Underground," says Reisen. "We need an architect at Eientei to help resolve a dispute. In the meantime, I've been going in the same direction as Miko."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Yes, and she was most helpful in subduing an enraged boar back in the Bamboo Forest."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Yes, and she was most helpful in subduing an enraged boar back in the Bamboo Forest."

>"Nasty beasts," Alice says. "You're lucky to have one of Reisen's potential with you."
>"How have you been, lately?" Reisen asks, as the dolls pour Alice a cup of tea, then march toward Reisen.
>"Ever busy," says Alice. "Research consumes my time, as it always does. And as always, there's never enough money to fund all the things I'd like. Of course, it doesn't help that there are spies lurking about these days."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Ah, is that the reason for the patrol around this house?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Ah, is that the reason for the patrol around this house?"

>"Just so," says Alice. "I was well underway on a project when they came."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Frown.
> "Who and when was this?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Frown.
> "Who and when was this?"

>"This morning," says Alice. "I have no idea who they were."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Can you describe them?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Can you describe them?"

>"Certainly," says Alice. "One was a ghost who wore green, and threw lightning bolts at my dolls when they rushed after her. She seemed to have quite the terrible temper. The other was a short woman in white, who seemed to be more interest in running then sticking around."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Give a deep sigh.
> "As I feared. Those are indeed my companions. I must apologize for their behaviour. I hope not too much damage was done?"