Nue Quest Vth Vanguard: A Z-Machine Adventure

[Kilgamayan]

> "Huh. Do I get to know what those items are, or is this another one of those things I'm not certain I want to know, with things as they are?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Huh. Do I get to know what those items are, or is this another one of those things I'm not certain I want to know, with things as they are?"

>"I imagine you're well aware," says Rinnosuke.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I have a reasonable guess as to what they might be, but you seem to be suggesting she didn't actually fail, which wouldn't line up with my guess."

[Hello Purvis]

> "I have a reasonable guess as to what they might be, but you seem to be suggesting she didn't actually fail, which wouldn't line up with my guess."

>"As I said," says Rinnosuke, "She didn't fail. She merely didn't perform optimally. I obtained what I desired this morning."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I guess my guess is wrong, then. But that doesn't really matter now. I don't suppose you'd be willing to tell me who traded you the sword handle?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "I guess my guess is wrong, then. But that doesn't really matter now. I don't suppose you'd be willing to tell me who traded you the sword handle?"

>"That would be improper," he says.

>_

[Rin Kagamine]

> "What kind of youkai are you anyway?"

[Kilgamayan]

> "But knowing who traded the sword hilt to you could be a major clue as to who's behind the missing money!"

[Hello Purvis]

> "What kind of youkai are you anyway?"

>"Only half of one," says Rinnosuke. "I have no idea who I descended from."

> "But knowing who traded the sword hilt to you could be a major clue as to who's behind the missing money!"

>He chuckles. "If nothing else, I must say I do not regret conversing with you, Miss Houjuu."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Grin and bow.
> "Thank you. I'll be here as long you demand I be."
> "But since I can't get any closer to you to help, uh, teach you about all what's over here that you're missing over there, I suppose the time has come. Yes, I am certain I would like the answers to the questions I've asked, even with things as they are."

[Hello Purvis]

> Grin and bow.
> "Thank you. I'll be here as long you demand I be."
> "But since I can't get any closer to you to help, uh, teach you about all what's over here that you're missing over there, I suppose the time has come. Yes, I am certain I would like the answers to the questions I've asked, even with things as they are."

>"Haven't you been getting answers already? But, ask to your heart's content."

>_

[Rin Kagamine]

> "If you didn't want to use me for my, erm, skills, then why did you target my cards personally?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "If you didn't want to use me for my, erm, skills, then why did you target my cards personally?"

>"Two reasons," he says. "Firstly, because something with the essence of a shape changer would be useful for me. And I am certain we both agree that spellcards infused with your nature are much preferable to taking a vial of blood, or your heart and liver. Secondly, because it was obvious that you would be the one to find me, so disarming you a little makes a nice bonus."

>_

[Rin Kagamine]

> "So you wanted my essence but not me personally, even though your project was theft on a scale that defies measurement?  I must say that I'm hurt."

[Hello Purvis]

> "So you wanted my essence but not me personally, even though your project was theft on a scale that defies measurement?  I must say that I'm hurt."

>"Would you have readily agreed to forsaking your currency forever?" says Rinnosuke.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "If you had made a convincing argument for it, maybe. You seem pretty dead set on whatever it is you're doing, after all."

[Hello Purvis]

> "If you had made a convincing argument for it, maybe. You seem pretty dead set on whatever it is you're doing, after all."

>"I find it hard to believe you would accept that money is a debased and terrible thing that is best removed entirely," says Rinnosuke, "Given how you've devoted yourself to accruing it."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> When did we open that bar, anyway?

> Chuckle.
> "I've been around the block a few times. There's more to me that you might think."

[Rin Kagamine]

> "A true thief considers all options for action, provided the reward is sufficient."

[GuyYouMetOnline]

> "A true thief considers all options for action, provided the reward is sufficient."

>Let's not say this.

[Hello Purvis]

> When did we open that bar, anyway?

> Chuckle.
> "I've been around the block a few times. There's more to me that you might think."

>Some time ago; you quickly figured out that slinging liquor is a good way to part oni from their money without getting punched in the face...typically.
>"Then why do you accept it at all?" he asks. "Why did you not move away from it, as I have? Instead, you embrace its false standards and turn your back on the beauty of true exchange. If there is any indication you could see the truth, it is not very evident." Despite his words, his tone doesn't seem to be accusing or angry, rather it is matter of factly.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Before we owned a bar, what did we do for money, if anything?

[Hello Purvis]

> Before we owned a bar, what did we do for money, if anything?

>Largely, you made jewelry, and took odd jobs. The former was profitable, but it took up so much of your time that it just wasn't worth it.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Well, for me, it's less about the exchange, and more about the disruption. I could have been convinced with a number of the different effects this would have on Gensokyo, it's just that the forced bartering system wouldn't have been one of them."

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"You see, there's a reason money came into use. Bartering can work, but matching objects against something with agreed-upon set value is a lot less complicated. Avoids a lot of nasty disputes, too. Sure, there are issues, but those are because of people, not the money itself. Taking money away won't change those people."

[Rin Kagamine]

> "You'd be surprised.  After the initial change I adapted a new barter system immediately and was the first bar to reopen.  The oni weren't exactly keen on learning a new system of payment, but with time they could easily improve.  Unlike many of the other youkai, I am not defined by the money I am worth."
> "What will you do with this money?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Well, for me, it's less about the exchange, and more about the disruption. I could have been convinced with a number of the different effects this would have on Gensokyo, it's just that the forced bartering system wouldn't have been one of them."

>"The exchange, Miss Houjuu, is everything," says Rinnosuke.

>"You see, there's a reason money came into use. Bartering can work, but matching objects against something with agreed-upon set value is a lot less complicated. Avoids a lot of nasty disputes, too. Sure, there are issues, but those are because of people, not the money itself. Taking money away won't change those people."

>"Precisely," he says. "It's about the exchange."

> "You'd be surprised.  After the initial change I adapted a new barter system immediately and was the first bar to reopen.  The oni weren't exactly keen on learning a new system of payment, but with time they could easily improve.  Unlike many of the other youkai, I am not defined by the money I am worth."
> "What will you do with this money?"

>"They will adjust," he says. "But would you, beforehand? Would you have accepted it before the alternative was removed?"
>"I have an economy in my hands," he says. "And I will exchange it."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "For what?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "For what?"

>"A better reality," says Rinnosuke.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Just to be clear, your definition of a better reality."