Kisume Quest IX - A Z-Machine Adventure

[O4rfish]

I just realized, Yukari is The Door. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaCCkfjPm0o&t=2m28s

[Hello Purvis]

> A lovable oaf to the end, that one is.
> We saw how Kasen was in bad shape after that trip. Keep our eyes closed, keep moving forward.

>In retrospect, you aren't surprised.
>"You can both stop now," says Yukari.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Stop, open our eyes, and take a look around.

[Hello Purvis]

> Stop, open our eyes, and take a look around.

>You stop and look around. You stand on a old,faded road, flanked by a number of carnival booths. You can see ghosts flitting between them, as well as people in the garb of Higan functionaries. Faeries in similar clothing. Here and there, you think you can pick out a more mundane human among them. The booths are full of various games, with an occasional food stall among them. To the north, a short distance, you can see the Sanzu River through the crowds. A babble of voices fills the air, periodically pierced by a nearby booth owner haranguing people to come see their stalls.
>You hadn't really expected this, the Ministry of Observances must have declared it a fair day. When you were younger, you used to always look forward to fair days. Parts of Higan close down and a carnival springs up on both sides of the river. Ironically enough, it also tends to be one of the busiest times for your mother, since she is expected to ferry people both ways and there's so many people around she can't find time to take a break.
>"Wish you woulda told me about this," says Yamame, looking around. "Wouldn't have filled up on breakfast!"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> So we're on the Gensokyo side instead of the Higan side?
> Did we ever redo the bobbles in our hair?
> Shrug.
> "Didn't know today was a fair day."
> Find Yukari.
> "Can I assume our cargo is ready to deposit at any time? I guess it'd be a bit awkward to dump it out here with all these people around."

[Hello Purvis]

> So we're on the Gensokyo side instead of the Higan side?
> Did we ever redo the bobbles in our hair?
> Shrug.
> "Didn't know today was a fair day."
> Find Yukari.
> "Can I assume our cargo is ready to deposit at any time? I guess it'd be a bit awkward to dump it out here with all these people around."

>You should be, the Sanzu River is on the south side of Higan.
>Your hair has been restored to its former glory.
>"Oh well, buddy, there's always room for a treat," says Yameme, as she looks around.
>You find Yukari standing behind you. Upon hearing your question, she says, "I would prefer to leave them here and let you handle the rest."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Nod, then point to the north.
> "All right. Then let's make our way to the river proper and drop it off there."

[Hello Purvis]

> Nod, then point to the north.
> "All right. Then let's make our way to the river proper and drop it off there."

>"I suppose," says Yukari.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Head through the crowd to the shores of the river.

[Hello Purvis]

> Head through the crowd to the shores of the river.

>You make your way through the crowds, dodging around the occasional faerie or functionary.  As you approach the shores, you see the the booths stretch and fan out away from the road and along the the banks of the river.  A lone, aged pier extends out into the river itself, with a number of people gathered around it waiting patiently. In the distance, you can see the boat is coming in. It's hard not to feel nervous, you know it has to be here.
>"Where would you like them?" says Yukari.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Gesture to some open land near the pier. It will probably be near some people, but whatever.
> "Over by the pier is fine. That'll get noticed by the right people."

[Hello Purvis]

> Gesture to some open land near the pier. It will probably be near some people, but whatever.
> "Over by the pier is fine. That'll get noticed by the right people."

>"As you like," says Yukari, as she strides toward the pier, fan in hand. A few of the gathered people notice her, and a couple begin to talk among themselves. Yukari pays them little mind, and draws her fan across the air at waist level, drawing a horizontal line of soft purple in the air. It widens, though you can't really see by how much at this angle, and Sariel falls out, landing face up on the ground. The gathered Higan functionaries definitely take notice of this.
>"Oh, you're awake," Yukari says, as she looks down at the fallen shinigami. "Well, that's not my problem."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Smirk.
> "Welcome home."

[Hello Purvis]

> Smirk.
> "Welcome home."

>Sariel gives a soft groan in response.
>Yukari steps back and traces another line in the air.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Watch her to see if she's leaving or depositing VIVIT.

[Hello Purvis]

> Watch her to see if she's leaving or depositing VIVIT.

>This time, the line widens in front of her and VIVIT steps out. The red-haired maid looks around and frowns. Yukari says, "Your friend is over there, and I'm sure that you remember the rest." She then steps into the gap in midair, which disappears in her wake.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Look to VIVIT.
> "Welcome to the Gensokyo side of the Sanzu River. Looks like you lucked out, Higan is having a fair day today."

[Hello Purvis]

> Look to VIVIT.
> "Welcome to the Gensokyo side of the Sanzu River. Looks like you lucked out, Higan is having a fair day today."

>"I no longer understand what is going on," she says.
>Sariel struggles against her bonds weakly, but doesn't seem to have much luck with them. A couple people from the crowd are starting to gather around her. A bit further out, you see the boat is getting closer, you can make the distinctive red hair of its rower quite easily.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "We came here to give her back, right? Just because we've lost a few people along the way doesn't mean we can't still complete that mission. But there's a lot of explaining to go around, so hopefully you'll be clear by the time that's over."
> Turn to the folks gathering around Sariel and gently wave them back.
> "C'mon, folks, give her a little space."

[Hello Purvis]

> "We came here to give her back, right? Just because we've lost a few people along the way doesn't mean we can't still complete that mission. But there's a lot of explaining to go around, so hopefully you'll be clear by the time that's over."
> Turn to the folks gathering around Sariel and gently wave them back.
> "C'mon, folks, give her a little space."

>"I suppose I have no choice," says VIVIT.
>At your behest, some of the people closer to Sariel take a few steps back. But overall, the crowd's interest has only peaked. You imagine from this alone, there's going to be rumors all over Higan within a few hours.

>_

[O4rfish]

>How close is Komachi?

[Hello Purvis]

>How close is Komachi?

>Judging from the distance, it will take her about a minute or so to dock.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Point out to the boat.
> "Let's just wait until she gets here. Explanations will start then."

[Hello Purvis]

> Point out to the boat.
> "Let's just wait until she gets here. Explanations will start then."

>"I suppose I'll just have to wait," says VIVIT. "Do you intend to let me go home, afterward? Or am I going to be stuck here in one way or another?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Don't worry, you'll get home eventually. Part of the reason I asked for you was because I wanted to spare you from what I thought was going to be a far more gruesome fate than what befell everyone else. If that blonde woman doesn't send you home for some reason, then at the very least, you can go back with Yumemi whenever she shows up here next."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Don't worry, you'll get home eventually. Part of the reason I asked for you was because I wanted to spare you from what I thought was going to be a far more gruesome fate than what befell everyone else. If that blonde woman doesn't send you home for some reason, then at the very least, you can go back with Yumemi whenever she shows up here next."

>She nods. "I guess that's fine."
>"Hey!" comes Komachi's voice as she pulls up alongside the pier with a boat full of passengers. She sounds exactly like you recall.  "What's going on here?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Here we go.
> Look over to her, point down at Sariel, and call out in return.
> "Got a special delivery for Higan."

[Hello Purvis]

> Here we go.
> Look over to her, point down at Sariel, and call out in return.
> "Got a special delivery for Higan."

>You prepare yourself, then announce yourself.
>"Kisume!?" she says, looking toward you; you think she probably has a hard time seeing through the crowd, "That's you, isn't it!"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Wave at the crowd to part so Sariel and ourselves are in Komachi's line of vision better.
> "Let 'er through, folks."

[Hello Purvis]

> Wave at the crowd to part so Sariel and ourselves are in Komachi's line of vision better.
> "Let 'er through, folks."

>"Hey," Komachi says, to one of her passengers, as she shoves a rope into his hands, "Moor this!"
>Before the confused official can respond, she hops off the boat and practically runs toward you. Before you can really react, you find yourself caught between her arms and crushed against her, barely able to hear her cry, "Where have you been? Where have you been?!"

>_