Kisume Quest VII - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Kilgamayan]

> Look over to Kasen, then back to Yumemi.
> "A former employee of Higan."

[Hello Purvis]

> Look over to Kasen, then back to Yumemi.
> "A former employee of Higan."

>"What is Higan?" says Yumemi, "One of those towns on the mountain? Ah, no, towns would not have employees...would they?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Shake head.
> "Have you seen the river with all the souls floating around it? It's across that river."

[Hello Purvis]

> Shake head.
> "Have you seen the river with all the souls floating around it? It's across that river."

>"Ah," says Yumemi. "Mmm, does this suggest this person used to work with these souls?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "She did. She used to ferry them across it so they could have their afterlife destination judged by the Yama."

[Hello Purvis]

> "She did. She used to ferry them across it so they could have their afterlife destination judged by the Yama."

>"Then why is she here?" says Yumemi.

>_

[Hanzo K.]

>"Well, to sum things up, she got a taste of power from a promotion, went a more than a little crazy with it, and got the boot for it. Needless to say, it was a real mess. Total scandal and disaster."

[Kilgamayan]

> Wait, hold up.

How do we know that? o_O

[Hanzo K.]

It was laid out for us when we reviewed what we know about the Sariel Scandal.

[Kilgamayan]

Link to informative post?

[Hanzo K.]

Gimme a bit. I think you've used it yourself.
EDIT: Oh hey, it pretty much says right there in the summary that we knew she was exiled, and we pretty much knew the gist of it. Which is what I gave 'em.

[Kilgamayan]

As far as I knew, we were aware she was "reassigned", but we were never privy to the details as to why. I don't remember anything about a promotion or most of the rest of what you said.

[Hanzo K.]

Strange, I remember you saying something about that. I'll have to look for that once I finish with this little update I'm working on.
Y'know what? I think we can just clear this up with purv's help.

>Let's mentally review what we know about the Sariel Incident.

[Kilgamayan]

Or we can do this the easy way. :V

> Recall known (if any) details of the Sariel Scandal.

[Hello Purvis]

>Let's mentally review what we know about the Sariel Incident.

> Recall known (if any) details of the Sariel Scandal.

>You are not quite certain what happened with Sariel, the details were kept very quiet. What you do know is that she was sent to oversee Makai, after being removed from her position as a shinigami. As Makai is under the control of the goddess who created it, it is well known this is a nigh useless position and practically a form of exile. While the true basis behind the scandal was never told to the public, there have been many rumors, and none of them were good. No one seemed to believe that Sariel had crossed the wrong person, but rather that she had brought it on herself in some manner.

>_

[Hanzo K.]

So it looks like what I said can be altered to tag on that it's just our guess at the big picture. How about this?

>"Well, she used to be one of the big cheeses who guided those souls, but took a major demotion when she went postal, likely got a promotion or something and it went to her head. And got the boot out to Makai for it. Needless to say, it was a real mess. Total scandal and disaster. Makai's pretty much a backwoods as far as Higan was concerned, so getting sent to work there's pretty much a death sentence to your job, and is more like gettin' exiled."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Well, she used to be one of the big cheeses who guided those souls, but took a major demotion when she went postal, likely got a promotion or something and it went to her head. And got the boot out to Makai for it. Needless to say, it was a real mess. Total scandal and disaster. Makai's pretty much a backwoods as far as Higan was concerned, so getting sent to work there's pretty much a death sentence to your job, and is more like gettin' exiled."

>"Mmm, well, I expect that explains why she is here," says Yumemi.

>_

[Hanzo K.]

>"Beats me as to how she got here though."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Beats me as to how she got here though."

>"Well, I certainly didn't bring her here! It's the first I've heard of this person," says Yumemi.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Shrug.
> "I'll tell you something else, though. She's been here since before there was an Empire."

[Hello Purvis]

> Shrug.
> "I'll tell you something else, though. She's been here since before there was an Empire."

>Yumemi takes her eyes from the corridor and looks at you. "What!? That is impossible, surely!"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "She said so herself in Canus's presence, and he didn't correct her."

[Hello Purvis]

> "She said so herself in Canus's presence, and he didn't correct her."

>"Astounding," says Yumemi, as she turns her eyes back toward an intersection ahead. "Well, we've at least gotten back together. Once we meet with Chiyuri, we can plan our next move. But should you have suggestions, then by all means share them ahead of time."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I do have suggestions, but I suspect they'll go over as well with you as similar suggestions did or will do with the Empire."

[Hello Purvis]

> "I do have suggestions, but I suspect they'll go over as well with you as similar suggestions did or will do with the Empire."

>"And those are?" says Yumemi, as she slows a little while heading toward the intersection, and moving closer to the wall.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Based on more theorizing than I like admitting. But given the circumstances of her getting deposed, I'd be willing to bet Sariel's salty about what happened to her in Higan. So she shows up here, and then suddenly there's an Empire. And she's been lying to Canus about Higan, claiming it's the capital of Gensokyo, a place he now wants to conquer. All of that combined, doesn't that seem like a little more than mere coincidence to you?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Based on more theorizing than I like admitting. But given the circumstances of her getting deposed, I'd be willing to bet Sariel's salty about what happened to her in Higan. So she shows up here, and then suddenly there's an Empire. And she's been lying to Canus about Higan, claiming it's the capital of Gensokyo, a place he now wants to conquer. All of that combined, doesn't that seem like a little more than mere coincidence to you?"

>"Mmm," says Yumemi. "Ah, I think I see what you are saying."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Yeah. Which is why I think the best course of action for everyone is for the Empire and the rebels to put their back-and-forth on hold for a while until Sariel is dealt with. And which is also why I said I think Canus will want to see me specifically some time soon."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Yeah. Which is why I think the best course of action for everyone is for the Empire and the rebels to put their back-and-forth on hold for a while until Sariel is dealt with. And which is also why I said I think Canus will want to see me specifically some time soon."

>"I am not sure why their mistakes would require us to stay our hand," says Yumemi.
>Before you can answer, she holds up a hand, and approaches the intersection, staring hard toward the west while keeping close to the eastern wall. Then she reaches into a pocket and produces a small, silvery square of glass; you think it is a mirror. She holds it close to the eastern corner and shifts it around a little, apparently trying to see around. After a moment, she gestures for you to join her. 
>"As you were saying?" she says, as she starts around the corner.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Someone's gotta be willing to make the first move. Otherwise you're both stuck trying to off each other while someone you both know is lying gets away scot free."