Nue Quest 9 - Ascension: A Z-Machine Adventure

[Hello Purvis]

> "You should have a little bit of time for that one. I'm not sure how long we'll be at the Temple, though I'd like it to not be an in-and-out affair. You gonna wait for us here, or you gonna come with?"

>"I'll be here," says Tenshi.
>"Food's up," says Mokou, as she approaches with a tray in hand. "Where're you sitting?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Is the booth next to Iku still unoccupied?

[Hello Purvis]

> Is the booth next to Iku still unoccupied?

>It is still unoccupied.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Nod to Tenshi, then turn to Mokou and point to said unoccupied booth.
> "We'll be heading over there. Perfect timing, really. I think I'm done here for the time being."
> Head over to said table and have a seat on the side that better faces the door.

[Hello Purvis]

> Nod to Tenshi, then turn to Mokou and point to said unoccupied booth.
> "We'll be heading over there. Perfect timing, really. I think I'm done here for the time being."
> Head over to said table and have a seat on the side that better faces the door.

>You have a seat, putting your back toward Iku and Shuuei's booth, while Mokou sets your plate in front of you, and a cup of water with it. You note that you can almost but not quite make out what Shuuei is saying over the general noise of the pub.
>Mamizou has a seat opposite of you, a moment later, as Mokou sets her order in front of her. "So, those celestials really follow that brat?" says the tanuki.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Grin.
> "The universe is full of many grand mysteries we mortals weren't meant to comprehend."
> Jerk a thumb to point behind us "through" the booth.  Our hand shouldn't be so high as to be seen by those in said booth.
> "I'd wager there's some outside influence at play, though."

[Hello Purvis]

> Grin.
> "The universe is full of many grand mysteries we mortals weren't meant to comprehend."
> Jerk a thumb to point behind us "through" the booth.  Our hand shouldn't be so high as to be seen by those in said booth.
> "I'd wager there's some outside influence at play, though."

>"Ah," says Mamizou, giving an understanding nod.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Take a crack at the food.

[Hello Purvis]

> Take a crack at the food.

>You dig in!
>The food is simple fare, but the rice has been steamed well, and the vegetables are crisp and flavorful, you imagine they might be from early harvests this year. But just as importantly, it's nice and warm, which is pleasant after spending much too much time in the rain lately. Mamizou nibbles at her eggplant slices, clearly intending to take her time with them. "Ah, they didn't have proper eggplants in Avalon, either..."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "It looked like they didn't have a whole lot of silk, either."

[Hello Purvis]

> "It looked like they didn't have a whole lot of silk, either."

>She shakes her head. "No, they had to make do with other things."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "And what was up with those houses? There wasn't any paper anywhere."

[Hello Purvis]

> "And what was up with those houses? There wasn't any paper anywhere."

>"They don't have it," says Mamizou. "There's so much wood and such that it's easy for them to make as many boards and bricks as they like."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Wow. What a strange place."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Wow. What a strange place."

>She nods. "Quite so. And if I may, why have you taken it upon yourself to help out that lout in the rainbow dress?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Is Tenshi in earshot? Lower voice if so.
> "She'll probably never admit this while I'm around, but she looks up to me."
> Grab the water glass.
> "And who am I to disappoint my admiring public?"
> Take a drink.

[Hello Purvis]

> Is Tenshi in earshot? Lower voice if so.
> "She'll probably never admit this while I'm around, but she looks up to me."
> Grab the water glass.
> "And who am I to disappoint my admiring public?"
> Take a drink.

>You lower your voice, just in case.
>Mamizou chuckles, as you have a drink. "So, I am to understand that she is so low that she would even see someone like you if she looked up? I find it hard to suspend my disbelief."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Smirk.
> "Hey, don't hate, appreciate. Some of us are just that damn good."

[Hello Purvis]

> Smirk.
> "Hey, don't hate, appreciate. Some of us are just that damn good."

>She chuckles. "As you like. You've gained the appreciation of a brat. Well done."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "A celestial, thank you very much. You think she'd still be a celestial if she didn't have some redeeming qualities? Ones besides knowing who the best is, I mean."

[Hello Purvis]

> "A celestial, thank you very much. You think she'd still be a celestial if she didn't have some redeeming qualities? Ones besides knowing who the best is, I mean."

>"I suppose you have a point," says Mamizou, as she nibbles on another slice of steamed eggplant. "Regardless, I am not sure if you should be flattered or offended."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "It just means she has a good eye for mischief. Besides, having everyone admire you is preferable to having everyone but one person admire you."

[Hello Purvis]

> "It just means she has a good eye for mischief. Besides, having everyone admire you is preferable to having everyone but one person admire you."

>"I suppose, I suppose," says Mamizou.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Keep poking at that dish.

[Hello Purvis]

> Keep poking at that dish.

>You keep at your meal. It's not particularly difficult to inspire yourself to do this, it's been awhile since you last had anything to eat, even if not that much time has passed on Gensokyo.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I'll grant that there is a tiny bit more to the sword story. I think you'll find it amusing. It's not fit for anything outside of private consumption, though."

[Hello Purvis]

> "I'll grant that there is a tiny bit more to the sword story. I think you'll find it amusing. It's not fit for anything outside of private consumption, though."

>"Oh?" says Mamizou.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Drink some more water.
> "I'll let you know on our way to the Temple."

[Hello Purvis]

> Drink some more water.
> "I'll let you know on our way to the Temple."

>She nods, and returns to nibbling on her eggplant slices.
>You return to your meal, watching as more and more villagers drift in, the occasional one announcing some variant of "you're not going to believe the news!" The Tavern quickly gets quite loud and boisterous. Soon enough, you've finished, and Mamizou likely can finish the rest of the road.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Is it customary to tip? If so, how much?
> "You about ready to head out? I want to leave one last message, and then I'll be set to leave, and you could probably take what you have left to the Temple."