Sword Quest VII - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Hello Purvis]

> Strange. How many training figures show signs of use other than the ones we used?

>Most of them do, really. You suspect there is a reason she keeps a bamboo grove. But in terms of recent use, just a couple.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Did she have a sword on her when we first encountered her?
> Had she put it away by the time we left, or did she still have it with her?

[Hello Purvis]

> Did she have a sword on her when we first encountered her?
> Had she put it away by the time we left, or did she still have it with her?

>You believe she did, and she wore it the whole time.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Was the sword she had on her then in the rack just now?

[Hello Purvis]

> Was the sword she had on her then in the rack just now?

>It was hard to see through the windows, but...you think there might be.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Check back in on the rack window again, getting the best angle we possibly can (floating if needed).

[Hello Purvis]

> Check back in on the rack window again, getting the best angle we possibly can (floating if needed).

>You go back to see, and try a variety of angles to get a better view. It's just at the edge of your sight, but now that you look, you are certain that there is another sword in it, compared to this morning. You aren't certain if it was the one she was wearing or not.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> How odd.
> Is it that Taoist's missing sword? That sword had a rather unique hilt.

[Hello Purvis]

> How odd.
> Is it that Taoist's missing sword? That sword had a rather unique hilt.

>Definitely not. You'd know that one anywhere.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Would we ever voluntarily leave our home without our swords?

[Hello Purvis]

> Would we ever voluntarily leave our home without our swords?

>You would not, unless specifically asked to, or you felt it would be rude to appear wherever you are with weapons. The latter circumstance happens reasonably often; no one wants armed people at a local festival.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Well, there's something odd going on here, but it doesn't look like we can link Meira to Seiga outside of the horse theory, which isn't enough to justify breaking and entering.
> Give an annoyed grunt at the situation.
> Head back to the Hakurei Shrine.

[Hello Purvis]

> Well, there's something odd going on here, but it doesn't look like we can link Meira to Seiga outside of the horse theory, which isn't enough to justify breaking and entering.
> Give an annoyed grunt at the situation.
> Head back to the Hakurei Shrine.

>You make your way back toward the Hakurei Shrine. It's not terribly far away, though you do have to dodge around a group of rowdy faeries along the way.
>Arriving there, you see that Kotohime has apparently been put to work setting up tables, while Reimu is busy dealing with Miko's minions. One of them has clearly only barely won a fight, and is currently laying on a futon dragged out into the porch.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Make our way into proper conversation distance with whoever is closest.

[Hello Purvis]

> Make our way into proper conversation distance with whoever is closest.

>Kotohime is easily the closest. You don't think she's noticed you yet. This turns out to be case, as she looks over and starts a bit. "Oh! Um, I haven't seen Miko. But I only just got back a couple minutes ago."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Nod.
> "That is fine. I found some curiosities, but nothing obviously related to Seiga."
> Tilt our head a bit towad the fallen Taoist.
> "What happened to her? Beyond the obvious, I mean."

[Hello Purvis]

> Nod.
> "That is fine. I found some curiosities, but nothing obviously related to Seiga."
> Tilt our head a bit towad the fallen Taoist.
> "What happened to her? Beyond the obvious, I mean."

>"She got hit by an oni, a lot," she says.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Did Miko mention that those two were going to be here?
> Take another look over at the fallen Taoist and frown.
> "How unfortunate. And their boss just left them underground in that state?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Did Miko mention that those two were going to be here?
> Take another look over at the fallen Taoist and frown.
> "How unfortunate. And their boss just left them underground in that state?"

>She did.
>Kotohime gives a shrug. "I suppose so."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Let's see if they know anything about Seiga that their boss doesn't know."
> Make out way over to the Taoists.

[Hello Purvis]

> "Let's see if they know anything about Seiga that their boss doesn't know."
> Make out way over to the Taoists.

>"Sure," says Kotohime. "I'll place 'em under arrest if necessary."
>You approach the Taoists. The ghost, Tojiko, seems to be talking to Reimu about something, while Futo is recuperating.  You don't think you could have imagined the latter so subdued before today. Reimu glances over and gives you a nod. "Welcome back. Find anything?"
>"Hello," Tojiko adds.
>"Good afternoon," Futo adds as well.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Is Futo normally very excitable?
> "Good afternoon, ladies."
> Look down to Futo.
> "No offense, but you look like hell. Congratulations on the victory, though, at least."

[Hello Purvis]

> Is Futo normally very excitable?
> "Good afternoon, ladies."
> Look down to Futo.
> "No offense, but you look like hell. Congratulations on the victory, though, at least."

>She can be, in your experience.
>"Ah, your accolades are appreciated," says Futo.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Nod, then look back to Reimu.
> "Anyway, I learned very little. There are a couple of odd coincidences, but nothing to concretely link Meira to Seiga."

[Hello Purvis]

> Nod, then look back to Reimu.
> "Anyway, I learned very little. There are a couple of odd coincidences, but nothing to concretely link Meira to Seiga."

>Reimu nods.
>"Seiga?" says Tojiko. "What has she done this time?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Turn to Tojiko.
> "She stole the life force from the Saigyou Ayakashi, a great youkai tree in the Netherworld. I don't suppose either of you know where I can find her?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Turn to Tojiko.
> "She stole the life force from the Saigyou Ayakashi, a great youkai tree in the Netherworld. I don't suppose either of you know where I can find her?"

>"She doesn't have anything to do with us anymore," says Tojiko.
>"The Crown Prince cast her out some time ago." Futo adds.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Mmm. Your boss did say that, yes. I figured you might keep track of her all the same, though."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Mmm. Your boss did say that, yes. I figured you might keep track of her all the same, though."

>"She's not my problem," says Tojiko with a shrug.
>"Her comings and goings are a bit hard to follow," Futo says.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "You might want to make her your problem, then, at least a little bit. With all due respect to Miss Miko, it is awfully convenient that I have only heard of Seiga's dismissal after I caught her stealing from me."
> Hold up a hand.
> "Not to accuse you or your boss of being directly involved, of course."