Sword Quest XI - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Hello Purvis]

> Have a look over at Yuyuko with a quizzical expression.

>"Hmmm?" says Yuyuko, noting your look.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Turn our hands up in a gesture of confusion.

[Hello Purvis]

> Turn our hands up in a gesture of confusion.

>"I am not sure what you want from me, Youmu dear," says Yuyuko.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Anything. I feel way over my head right now."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Anything. I feel way over my head right now."

>"I think we all do," says Yuyuko with a gentle smile.
>Kotohime, who has occupied herself examining a table, nods in agreement.
>"I expect if Miss Koishi can't just follow her heart on her own, we'll have to help her dig out what she wants and nudge her along, wouldn't you agree?" says Yuyuko.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "That certainly makes sense."

[Hello Purvis]

> "That certainly makes sense."

>Yuyuko nods. "And after all, aren't you the one who cleaves through confusion and such?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Do we actually do that, or is that just a metaphor?

[Hello Purvis]

> Do we actually do that, or is that just a metaphor?

>It's mostly a metaphor. Hakurouken can do such things, but mostly when they are manifest in the form of illusions and such. Yuyuko's being poetic about your nature, you think.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Look back to the undergrounders. Are they still talking about sending Koishi 'home'?

[Hello Purvis]

> Look back to the undergrounders. Are they still talking about sending Koishi 'home'?

>It seems they are. Though at the moment they are quiet.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Yuyuko-sama raises a good point. Koishi, what is it that you want? Is there anything specific?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Yuyuko-sama raises a good point. Koishi, what is it that you want? Is there anything specific?"

>"I don't really know," she says. "I...just want to go somewhere where I won't be hated. But there isn't anywhere like that I can go."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Well, I think it's been established that there is one such place, but also that it comes with its own problems. Forgive my asking if this is too personal, but if, say, your sister lived somewhere else, perhaps above ground, would that be any better for you?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Well, I think it's been established that there is one such place, but also that it comes with its own problems. Forgive my asking if this is too personal, but if, say, your sister lived somewhere else, perhaps above ground, would that be any better for you?"

>Koishi nods. "It wouldn't happen, though," she says. "She doesn't like it out here, even when she can leave."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Well, with all due respect, it seems that at least one of you is going to have to make some sort of unpleasant short-term sacrifice in order to secure long-term betterment, if not long-term happiness, for both of you."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Well, with all due respect, it seems that at least one of you is going to have to make some sort of unpleasant short-term sacrifice in order to secure long-term betterment, if not long-term happiness, for both of you."

>She nods. "I suppose."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "And, if I may, it may be best for both of you to make said short-term sacrifice, in the interest of fairness as well as a demonstration of solidarity with one another."

[Hello Purvis]

> "And, if I may, it may be best for both of you to make said short-term sacrifice, in the interest of fairness as well as a demonstration of solidarity with one another."

>"You mean moving Satori to the surface?" says Utsuho.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Is that an acceptable solution, either short-term or long-term?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Is that an acceptable solution, either short-term or long-term?"

>"Satori would hate it, even if we could move up all her pets easily," says Utsuho.
>"So what's Koishi giving up in that scenario?" Parsee says.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Presumably, what you've been asking her to do all this time."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Presumably, what you've been asking her to do all this time."

>"Well if Satori's on the surface, what's the point of ever going back to the Ancient City?" says Parsee. "I'm not following your reasoning."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "It seems true that a long-term solution involving Satori moving to the surface would be detrimental to Satori. But she could spend time on the surface some days while Koishi spends time underground other days, until everyone feels better about the idea of Koishi being alone again."

[Hello Purvis]

> "It seems true that a long-term solution involving Satori moving to the surface would be detrimental to Satori. But she could spend time on the surface some days while Koishi spends time underground other days, until everyone feels better about the idea of Koishi being alone again."

>"We could just have other people come along," says Parsee. "There's a bunch of us that could do it. Then Satori doesn't have to."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "What sacrifice would Satori be making, then, in return for Koishi's underground visitations?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "What sacrifice would Satori be making, then, in return for Koishi's underground visitations?"

>"None, that's the point," says Parsee. "No reason to force two people to do what they'd rather not do."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Then what reason does Koishi have to cause herself grief for her sister's benefit, if her sister won't do the same?'

[Hello Purvis]

> "Then what reason does Koishi have to cause herself grief for her sister's benefit, if her sister won't do the same?'

>"So she doesn't die?" says Parsee, giving you an incredulous look.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "If it were that easy, don't you think she would have done it already?"