Kisume Quest VIII - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Kilgamayan]

> "Okay, so we should do that instead of blowing the cover and hoping she has faster reflexes than they do."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Okay, so we should do that instead of blowing the cover and hoping she has faster reflexes than they do."

>"I agree," says Kasen. "We'll just have to make sure that Yukari doesn't come off as too ferocious until after we've already gotten back."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Right. Would mentioning that she tends the border be too much, you think?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Right. Would mentioning that she tends the border be too much, you think?"

>"I suppose it comes down to how you portray her," says Kasen. "No one would worry much about her if you portray her something akin to a humble gardener."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Maybe someone a little nervously curious about recent weirdnesses in the barrier?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Maybe someone a little nervously curious about recent weirdnesses in the barrier?"

>"That sounds reasonable," says Kasen.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Okay, that should be workable. Any other loose ends we need to tie up?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Okay, that should be workable. Any other loose ends we need to tie up?"

>"Ideally, we should try to do this with as little untruth as possible," says Kasen. "It's less problematic to let him form his own conclusions than to directly feed him lies. And he's more likely to act if he thinks he's come up with his own ideas."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Yeah, that makes sense."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Yeah, that makes sense."

>"It's just better that way," says Kasen.
>The door leading to the hallway opens, and VIVIT enters with a cart that reminds you of the one that Ruukoto used to smuggle you out of the palace. Several covered plates rest atop it, clicking gently as she walks in without a word.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Hey, VIVIT. Uh, you are VIVIT, yeah?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Hey, VIVIT. Uh, you are VIVIT, yeah?"

>"Yes, I'm VIVIT," she says, as she takes one of the plates off the cart and places it in front of you. "I remember you both."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Well, the VIVIT that isn't VIVIT would also remember both of us, is why I'm asking."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Well, the VIVIT that isn't VIVIT would also remember both of us, is why I'm asking."

>"No, I'm the real VIVIT," she says. "I tended to Agent Sombraluz while he was scouting your world, and watched over the dimensional transporter"
>She removes the lid from your dish, revealing a number of unfamiliar but delicious-smelling foodstuffs.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Point at it.
> "So is that stuff gonna knock me out again? That'd be a real shame, because it smells great."

[Hello Purvis]

> Point at it.
> "So is that stuff gonna knock me out again? That'd be a real shame, because it smells great."

>"It probably shouldn't," says VIVIT as she places a tray in front of Kasen.  "I didn't put anything in it, at least."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Good to know."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Good to know."

>VIVIT removes the cover from Kasen's plate, revealing a similar meal. She places the covers on the cart, then looks at you again. "You should fix your hair, it looks very strange on you right now."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I actually agree, but I need to clean it to do that. Got a washbin or something?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "I actually agree, but I need to clean it to do that. Got a washbin or something?"

>VIVIT places the plate covers on top of the cart, then reaches under the sheet and produces a small basin. She sets it on the table close to your plate, but not too close.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Did Chiyuri say we needed water to clean the stuff out of our hair?
> Are there any obvious sources of water in here?

[Hello Purvis]

> Did Chiyuri say we needed water to clean the stuff out of our hair?
> Are there any obvious sources of water in here?

>She didn't say water was necessary, but you imagine it would help.
>You don't see any sources of water around.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Oh, well, okay. Do you happen to have water to go in it?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Oh, well, okay. Do you happen to have water to go in it?"

>VIVIT nods, and withdraws a silver pitcher from under the cart and places it near the basin.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "All right then. Thanks."

[Hello Purvis]

> "All right then. Thanks."

>"You're welcome," she says. "I'll be back to collect your plates later."
>As she departs, Kasen says, "I feel I something has passed me by."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I think that was the VIVIT that drugged us."

[Hello Purvis]

> "I think that was the VIVIT that drugged us."

>"The VIVIT?" she says. "Does she have a twin?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Apparently there's a whole lot of them. Something in the hundreds. I guess it's the benefit of being a machine person."

[Hanzo K.]

>"Way I see it, they're like ants. All identical, all pretty cold. Never liked ants really, reminds me too much of Higan."