Nue Quest II: A Z-Machine Adventure

[Hello Purvis]

> "Hmm."
> Turn to Byakuren.
> "Should Shou be spoken to about this, maybe?"

>Byakuren nods. "I'm certain there has been a misunderstanding on her part."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

Got an idea for a deal proposal, give me 25 more minutes to get to lunch.

[Kilgamayan]

> "All right, then. I think I have an idea, but since I'm not any of you, this is obviously only a proposal. At the very least, though, we can use it as a starting point."
> Turn to the white-haired one.
> "First of all, do you still have the sword blade? I'd like you to show it to Byakuren, so that maybe she can read the glyphs that are on it."

[Hello Purvis]

> "All right, then. I think I have an idea, but since I'm not any of you, this is obviously only a proposal. At the very least, though, we can use it as a starting point."
> Turn to the white-haired one.
> "First of all, do you still have the sword blade? I'd like you to show it to Byakuren, so that maybe she can read the glyphs that are on it."

>"Read?" she says. "I thought they were just weird pictures..."
>She unwraps the cloth bundle and shows it to Bykauren. The big woman leans down to have a look at it, and frowns. "I am certain this is some kind of writing," she says, "But I have no idea what it is."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Yeah, I figured the same thing. Hell if I know what it says, though. Maybe the Circle could figure it out."
> "But that's getting ahead of ourselves. My idea for an exchange of services is thus."
> Look at and gesture to the poltergeist group in general.
> "The patrons of the Myouren Temple will repair your roof..."
> Gesture to the white-haired poltergeist specifically.
> "...and you will get an apology from the clothing store owner for making you play music you didn't like."
> Give another sideways look at Byakuren, then turn back to white-hair.
> "In exchange for this, you will let us borrow your sword blade there so that the Magician's Circle can try to decipher what it says. We can then tell you what it means, if you like. In addition, the three of you will play a concert at the Myouren Temple. One that will consist of music entirely of your choosing, of course."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Yeah, I figured the same thing. Hell if I know what it says, though. Maybe the Circle could figure it out."
> "But that's getting ahead of ourselves. My idea for an exchange of services is thus."
> Look at and gesture to the poltergeist group in general.
> "The patrons of the Myouren Temple will repair your roof..."
> Gesture to the white-haired poltergeist specifically.
> "...and you will get an apology from the clothing store owner for making you play music you didn't like."
> Give another sideways look at Byakuren, then turn back to white-hair.
> "In exchange for this, you will let us borrow your sword blade there so that the Magician's Circle can try to decipher what it says. We can then tell you what it means, if you like. In addition, the three of you will play a concert at the Myouren Temple. One that will consist of music entirely of your choosing, of course."

>"Patchouli would be the best to ask," says Byakuren.
>"Well...um..." says the white-haired poltergeist.
>"We'll take it." says Lunasa and the one in red at the same time.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Turn to Byakuren.
> "Is this acceptable?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Turn to Byakuren.
> "Is this acceptable?"

>She nods. "I think that'll be fine. I cannot imagine that Shou would refuse to apologize for the distress she caused."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Perfect. Now, do we have any spare hands to lend toward at least looking into what supplies will be needed for that roof repair? I know you want to keep a solid presence here in the village."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Perfect. Now, do we have any spare hands to lend toward at least looking into what supplies will be needed for that roof repair? I know you want to keep a solid presence here in the village."

>"Not at the moment," says Byakuren, shaking her head. "Nazrin and Shou are in the Ancient City, and the rest of us are here making sure things stay calm."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Huh. What about just names of sources? If Murasa's still nearby I guess she might know."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Huh. What about just names of sources? If Murasa's still nearby I guess she might know."

>"Sources?" says Byakuren. "If you're talking about their roof, I don't think anyone who deals in material would be interested in assessing the damage in most circumstances."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Well, no, I imagine not, but we can still assess pricing."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Well, no, I imagine not, but we can still assess pricing."

>Byakuren nods. "I suppose it could be done roughly, but I can't imagine they would be able to give you anything definite if they don't see the damage themselves."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Frown.
> "And they wouldn't want to take a look right now anyway."

[Hello Purvis]

> Frown.
> "And they wouldn't want to take a look right now anyway."

>She nods. "It's dangerous for a normal person to go to the north. When the time allows, I'll have someone from the temple look at it."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Turn back to the poltergeists.
> "How about that, then? I'll get back to work on getting your money back to being money, and once the town has had a chance to calm down, we'll send someone out to look at that hole proper."

[Hello Purvis]

> Turn back to the poltergeists.
> "How about that, then? I'll get back to work on getting your money back to being money, and once the town has had a chance to calm down, we'll send someone out to look at that hole proper."

>"Yeah, that's fine," says the poltergeist in red.

>_

[Suwako Moriya]

? ?Okay then.?
? Turn to the white-hair.
? ?Could I borrow your blade now, or would you prefer to wait and give it to Byakuren later??

[Hello Purvis]

? ?Okay then.?
? Turn to the white-hair.
? ?Could I borrow your blade now, or would you prefer to wait and give it to Byakuren later??

>"I suppose you can use it now," says the white-haired poltergeist, as she hands you the bundle
>You obtain: Broken Sword Blade

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Nod.
> "Thanks."
> Look to Byakuren, then back to the poltergeists.
> "I'll head out, then. I think what I can contribute to your arrangement has finished regardless."

[Hello Purvis]

> Nod.
> "Thanks."
> Look to Byakuren, then back to the poltergeists.
> "I'll head out, then. I think what I can contribute to your arrangement has finished regardless."

>"I wish you luck, Nue," says Byakuren.
>"Um, thank you," says Lunasa. The other two poltergeists seem distracted.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Distracted by what?

[Hello Purvis]

> Distracted by what?

>You're not really sure. They're looking at the crowd, but it doesn't seem like there's anything especially interesting or out of place.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Stow the blade package into our purse.
> "No probs. Back later."
> Take flight and head toward Renko and Maribel's house.

[Hello Purvis]

> Stow the blade package into our purse.
> "No probs. Back later."
> Take flight and head toward Renko and Maribel's house.

>"Be careful!" says Byakuren.
>You stow away the blade, and head southward, toward Renko and Maribel's home. You know the route well, after having visited there several times. Following along the road to the forest, you edge a little west after the passing the crossroads and the pond. Soon your goal comes into sight; you land nearby.
>The house is...largely how you remember it. The turtle painted on the side now seems to have puppy ears, and it seems a few bubbles have been painted on the front over the door. There is a sizable garden in front now, where there was a large scorch mark in the ground. You see Renko hunched over in the garden, among a crop of soy beans, apparently in the process of weeding. She hasn't noticed you yet. Just to the south a few yards, you can see the outskirts of the Forest of Magic. It seems to be a bit more calm than it was. Obvious exists are East, West, North, and South.

[Kilgamayan]

> "Hoy."
> Wave when Renko looks up.

[Hello Purvis]

> "Hoy."
> Wave when Renko looks up.

>Renko looks up from the soy bean plants, seeming a bit confused at first. You note she's wearing a dress that's a riot of different colors.
>"Oh, hello Nue! Mary told me she ran into you."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> That's different from her usual outfit, isn't it?
> "Yeah. Found her on the mountain with a crowd of kappa, angry with their not-money. Lissen, I've been talking with Byakuren, and she's a bit worried that the Magic Club might not have everyone present tonight, given the circumstance. I'm here to make sure you two know not to no-show. I'm looking into it myself, but it sounds like you lot are our best bet at finding out why this happened."

[Hello Purvis]

> That's different from her usual outfit, isn't it?
> "Yeah. Found her on the mountain with a crowd of kappa, angry with their not-money. Lissen, I've been talking with Byakuren, and she's a bit worried that the Magic Club might not have everyone present tonight, given the circumstance. I'm here to make sure you two know not to no-show. I'm looking into it myself, but it sounds like you lot are our best bet at finding out why this happened."

>The last time you saw her, she was wearing something more sedate. It kind of reminded you of Reisen's clothing.
>"Ummm, alright," says Renko. "We'll try to be there. I was kinda thinking I would skip it, since it was at Alice's house..."

>_