Author Topic: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure  (Read 78888 times)

Hello Purvis

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Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« on: May 31, 2010, 10:21:21 PM »






>You are Reiuji Utsuho, and the world is wrong.
>You are a resident of Gensokyo Isle, an isolated nation located in the Pacific Ocean, established some decades ago in the wake of WWII by the Japanese and American Governments. You live in a small, run down double with your roommate Orin. Your adoptive mother and landlady Satori lives in the other half of the house. You are twenty-one years old, and work as a repair woman for Kawashiro Heating and Air. All of this is wrong.
>You think of yourself as a generally well-meaning person. You have a somewhat poor memory, and keep a notepad with you at all times to assist with that. As such, your grades in school were mediocre, and were never able to pursue your dream of becoming a nuclear technician with Gensokyo Research Foundation. However, you've proven to have an aptitude with mechanical things, and have found yourself a comfortable niche repairing heating and air conditioning systems. You have an inordinate fondness for crows, and some of the neighbors have complained about your tendency to feed them. You enjoy video games, good music, good food and good times; like practically any normal person your age. You and Orin have managed to secure a comfortable living together, if somewhat spartan. You are keenly aware that the world is wrong.
>You awoke this morning with a profound sense of alienation, and the conviction that everything you know is wrong. It frightened you like nothing you've ever experienced. For nearly an hour, you laid in bed, almost to tears from the absolute terror that you were losing your mind. But, you can't deny it. The world is wrong. What you know is wrong. You do not know how or know why, but you know it is wrong. And, you know that if you told this to anyone, they would think you are mad. Even Orin and Satori would almost certainly think you've lost your mind. You don't know if there's anyone you could ever turn to with this knowledge, and it frightens you. You don't even feel like part of the world anyone, like you're some stranger who woke up on another planet. But, you have resolved not to take it laying down. You have vowed to find out how the world is wrong, and prove you are not going mad.
>You have spent the day traveling around the island, looking into things. Your memory is terrible and you really should write things down more often. You have discovered a robbery at the harbor. You have visited the shrines of the island seeking help, getting different kinds of advice from each; the Myouren Shrine suggesting you look within and look without to compare to what is within, the Moriya Shrine telling you to try to put it out of your mind, and the Forest Shrine telling you to follow your heart. You have befriended Maribel, a paranormal investigator and detective. You've made friends with a kindly gardener named Yukari. You've investigated rumors of a haunting at the Museum, inconclusively. You have helped your neighbor, Miss Heida, combat her house being unjustly condemned. You've tried to make arrangements for new sources of information from a pawnshop. You've made some arrangements with Nitori to try and meet with people at the University. You've made progress toward being accepted into the University and following your hitherto abandoned dream of becoming a nuclear physicist; you just need to prepare for the exam. You are traveling with Parsee Mizuhashi, a conspiracy theorist you've befriended/taken out for a date. You've explored the wilder parts of the island, and found it is full of flowers and home to something otherworldly called the Forest Spirit.
>Right now, you stand outside the office of Usami Investigations, a detective agency that specializes in investigating supernatural things. Looking through the window, you see they are in a flurry of activity, preparing to go investigate the Forest Spirit.

> "I'm not really sure.  I think I've basically done everything I wanted to do today.  You got anything that needs to be done?"
> "I'll try and think of something, but now I feel kind of bad for dragging you out here considering how bored you were.  Let me make it up to you.  Is there anything you'd like to do right now?  Anything at all!"

>"I wouldn't mind a trip uptown," she says. "It'd be kinda nice to show off a date, if nothing else. And don't feel too bad, this is serious business that needs to be dealt with. Just I didn't have much to say to them."

>"Do you get free texting?"

>She nods. "Yep, as long as it's not outside Gensokyo. Not that useful, but they threw it in as a signing bonus."

>_

Rin Kagamine

  • 核融合炉にさ / 飛び込んでみたい と思う
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Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #1 on: May 31, 2010, 10:27:55 PM »
> Blush slightly at mention of being a date.  How long has it been since we've had one?
> "Yeah, that sounds nice.  Let's go!"

Hello Purvis

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Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2010, 10:51:42 PM »
> Blush slightly at mention of being a date.  How long has it been since we've had one?
> "Yeah, that sounds nice.  Let's go!"

>It's been awhile.
>She nods, and the two of you return to the bus stop. It's only a short hop to Uptown following the B Route. While waiting on the bus, Parsee talks a bit about her experiences at university. It's not especially interesting, but you get the feeling she doesn't seem to care for a lot of her classmates.
>Climbing onto the bus, you see it is fairly crowded with people from the early rush hour. The two of you have a little trouble finding a seat. Once settled in, the crowd ignores you. "So I've been thinking about this," says Parsee in a low voice, "Do you know anyone with any ties to the Research Institute, or the University? Anyone at all other than your sister?"

>_

Kasu

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Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2010, 10:59:05 PM »
> "Well my employer Nitori helped me get into the University for the appointment regarding the exam."

Apparently, Thomas the Tank Engine isn't one to take crap from anyone.

UncertainJakutten

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Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #4 on: May 31, 2010, 11:07:58 PM »
>Completely unrelated thoughts
>If we can't resolve this today, do we have any vacation time from Nitori?
>If not, is there any way we can take tomorrow off for health reasons, even if it's unpaid?


Hello Purvis

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Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #5 on: May 31, 2010, 11:30:48 PM »
> "Well my employer Nitori helped me get into the University for the appointment regarding the exam."

>"I'd hit her up, then," Parsee says. "Maybe she can get us an in. Even if it's just a tour, it's still a way to case it."

>Completely unrelated thoughts
>If we can't resolve this today, do we have any vacation time from Nitori?
>If not, is there any way we can take tomorrow off for health reasons, even if it's unpaid?

>You wonder why people park on the driveway and drive on the parkway.
>You do have some vacation time you could use. As well as some sick days. But giving the suddenness of using the former, she might try to make you do a half day tomorrow.

>_

Kasu

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Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #6 on: May 31, 2010, 11:44:07 PM »
> "Yeah we might be able to try that then.  Even if its just the University we might catch a break."

Apparently, Thomas the Tank Engine isn't one to take crap from anyone.

E-Nazrin

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Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #7 on: May 31, 2010, 11:52:55 PM »
>"I've also heard that the people from the Moriya Shrine are connected to it, somehow. There's a girl there that's... a pilot or something, if I recall correctly. But I don't really know them, and if anything the one I talked to probably thinks I'm crazy."
There was something here once. Wonder what...

Hello Purvis

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Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #8 on: June 01, 2010, 12:07:29 AM »
> "Yeah we might be able to try that then.  Even if its just the University we might catch a break."

>Parsee nods. "It's something. We're just going to have to be subtle, unless you trust her a lot. I wouldn't, if I were you."

>"I've also heard that the people from the Moriya Shrine are connected to it, somehow. There's a girl there that's... a pilot or something, if I recall correctly. But I don't really know them, and if anything the one I talked to probably thinks I'm crazy."

>"...Yeah, I forgot about that." Parsee grimaces. "Hmmm. I dunno how far I'd trust her. I've never gotten close to her, but...there's a decent chance she's not directly involved. She could be an in."
>You reach your stop.
>Disembarking, you find yourself Uptown again. The crowds here are larger now, dozens of people going  about their business. The walk around the two of you as you get your bearings, paying you no mind at all. You can see Nitori's Heating and Air down the street to the east, with its distinctive van parallel parked out front. To the west are a number of office buildings. Down the street to the north, you can see the pawn shop. To the south is a strip center with a couple of restaurants.  Obvious Exits are North, South, East, and West.

>_


>_

E-Nazrin

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Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #9 on: June 01, 2010, 12:18:38 AM »
>examine office buildings
There was something here once. Wonder what...

Rin Kagamine

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  • 真っ青な 光 包まれて奇麗
Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #10 on: June 01, 2010, 12:19:59 AM »
> Head south
> Have Parsee take your arm in an escort fashion, her leading.

Hello Purvis

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Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #11 on: June 01, 2010, 12:35:08 AM »
>examine office buildings

>You can't recognize many of them, but you do note the emblem of Bunbunmaru News on one of them.

> Head south
> Have Parsee take your arm in an escort fashion, her leading.

>You head south.
>You hook your arm through Parsee's before she can protest. "God, you're forward as hell, aren't you? she says, looking kind of annoyed. But at the same time, she doesn't disentangle herself.
>You come to a strip center. There are a couple of restaurants here, a burger place and an Italian restaurant, as well as a clothing store and a place that sells candles. The small parking lot is fairly full. Further South, you can see the Gensokyo Isle Post Office. To the the west, there is the Movie Theatre. Eastward, you can see the Animal Shelter where Satori volunteers.

>_

Rin Kagamine

  • 核融合炉にさ / 飛び込んでみたい と思う
  • *
  • 真っ青な 光 包まれて奇麗
Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #12 on: June 01, 2010, 12:41:26 AM »
> Loosen our arm and start to disengage.
> "Sorry for being forward.  Hindsight says that I should have asked, or offered my arm first.  But, I'm a little excited to be honest.  It's been quite some time since I've been around with a date."
> If Parsee seems reluctant to release us, then do not disengage.
> "Anywhere in particular you'd like to go?"

Hello Purvis

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  • Hello Jerry
Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #13 on: June 01, 2010, 01:02:47 AM »
> Loosen our arm and start to disengage.
> "Sorry for being forward.  Hindsight says that I should have asked, or offered my arm first.  But, I'm a little excited to be honest.  It's been quite some time since I've been around with a date."
> If Parsee seems reluctant to release us, then do not disengage.
> "Anywhere in particular you'd like to go?"

>"You're like a kicked puppy, you know that?" says Parsee, as you let go.  "Don't worry about it so much. And, um, well...surprise me. Though I would like to swing by the pawn shop at some point, see if they got anything new in."

>_

Rin Kagamine

  • 核融合炉にさ / 飛び込んでみたい と思う
  • *
  • 真っ青な 光 包まれて奇麗
Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #14 on: June 01, 2010, 01:22:16 AM »
> "I suppose you have a point.  I'm not usually this direct, or clingy, but today's been pretty heavy.  That's pretty much the best reasoning I can come up with on the spot like this."
> Head further south for a bit, then turn around and head towards the movie theater to examine and see what's playing, then head over to the pawn shop.
> "But um, would you mind if we took arms again?  I did rather like that."

Hello Purvis

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Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #15 on: June 01, 2010, 01:41:50 AM »
> "I suppose you have a point.  I'm not usually this direct, or clingy, but today's been pretty heavy.  That's pretty much the best reasoning I can come up with on the spot like this."
> Head further south for a bit, then turn around and head towards the movie theater to examine and see what's playing, then head over to the pawn shop.
> "But um, would you mind if we took arms again?  I did rather like that."

>"Yeah, I get it," says Parsee. "Don't worry about it. Just caught me off guard."
>You head a bit further south, and have a look at the movies playing. The selection doesn't seem that great. There's some Bollywood movie whose name you can't pronounce, something called Ultimate Force that you've never heard of, The Blues Brothers, something called Immortal Defense that you've also never heard of, and some movie whose name is in kanji you can't recognize.
>"Well, okay, if it makes you happy," she says, taking your arm again.
>You start toward the pawn shop, while contemplating your chioces. "We're being followed," Parsee says.

>_

E-Nazrin

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Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #16 on: June 01, 2010, 01:52:12 AM »
>Try not to look.
>"By who?"
There was something here once. Wonder what...

Hello Purvis

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  • Hello Jerry
Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #17 on: June 01, 2010, 01:56:51 AM »
>Try not to look.
>"By who?"

>You keep your eyes straight ahead.
>"I don't know," says Parsee. "Some blonde woman. She's been following us since we last got on the bus; I saw her scooter following behind us."

communist unity (comm-unity)

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Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #18 on: June 01, 2010, 02:06:00 AM »
> "What kind of clothes is she wearing?"
> Try to remember if anyone seems familiar to the person depicted.

Rin Kagamine

  • 核融合炉にさ / 飛び込んでみたい と思う
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  • 真っ青な 光 包まれて奇麗
Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #19 on: June 01, 2010, 02:06:50 AM »
> "Is she wearing a mop hat?  I've only run into 2 blond women today and both had mop hats."

Hello Purvis

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Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #20 on: June 01, 2010, 02:10:41 AM »
> "Is she wearing a mop hat?  I've only run into 2 blond women today and both had mop hats."

>"She doesn't have a hat at all," says Parsee. "And nor do I, goofball. Or don't I count now?"

>_

E-Nazrin

  • .... what're you looking at?
  • fuwafuwa pachipachi
Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #21 on: June 01, 2010, 02:13:18 AM »
>"Sorry, two other blond women."
>Wait, are we remembering that right?
>"Any other identifying features? Or maybe she's just going to the pawn shop?"
There was something here once. Wonder what...

Rin Kagamine

  • 核融合炉にさ / 飛び込んでみたい と思う
  • *
  • 真っ青な 光 包まれて奇麗
Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #22 on: June 01, 2010, 02:19:01 AM »
> "Well, you go without saying unless you're somehow talking to me and following me at the same time!"
> Laugh loudly and turn towards Parsee.  Push lightly back on her head so she knows it's a joke.
> If we're good enough to not be noticed, steal a glance at the woman behind us.  Look to estimate height and outfit most importantly.
> Afterwards, turn our attention back forwards.

Hello Purvis

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  • Hello Jerry
Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #23 on: June 01, 2010, 02:23:48 AM »
>"Sorry, two other blond women."
>Wait, are we remembering that right?
>"Any other identifying features? Or maybe she's just going to the pawn shop?"

> "Well, you go without saying unless you're somehow talking to me and following me at the same time!"
> Laugh loudly and turn towards Parsee.  Push lightly back on her head so she knows it's a joke.
> If we're good enough to not be noticed, steal a glance at the woman behind us.  Look to estimate height and outfit most importantly.
> Afterwards, turn our attention back forwards.

>"What the hell?" she says, as you push her on the head.
>Well, there was Yukari and Maribel. ...Then there was the assistant dean. And the admissions officer, sorta.
>There's a few people about, but you get a glimpse of an average-sized blond woman with an slim but otherwise unremarkable build, wearing sunglasses.
>"She followed us from the Outskirts, to the theatre, and is looping back now," says Parsee. "I didn't get too good at look at her, been trying to look oblivious. Um, she's got plain clothes on, just a white t-shirt and some jeans.  Sunglasses, too."
>The clothes match what you saw as well.

>_

UncertainJakutten

  • Then you should get out of the way when I tell you
  • Do you not trust my aim?
Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #24 on: June 01, 2010, 02:25:49 AM »
>What about that biker chick named Yuugi?


Rin Kagamine

  • 核融合炉にさ / 飛び込んでみたい と思う
  • *
  • 真っ青な 光 包まれて奇麗
Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #25 on: June 01, 2010, 02:28:20 AM »
> Wonder how many blondes on the island bleach their hair.

E-Nazrin

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Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #26 on: June 01, 2010, 02:32:56 AM »
>offhand, do the girls' proportions match either Yukari or Maribel?
There was something here once. Wonder what...

Hello Purvis

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  • Hello Jerry
Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #27 on: June 01, 2010, 02:34:30 AM »
>What about that biker chick named Yuugi?

>That one too. Stupid memory.
>Thankfully, she didn't look like any of them, especially that one. You didn't recognize her at all.

> Wonder how many blondes on the island bleach their hair.

>You have no idea.
>offhand, do the girls' proportions match either Yukari or Maribel?

>No, she's more slender than either of them.

>_

Rin Kagamine

  • 核融合炉にさ / 飛び込んでみたい と思う
  • *
  • 真っ青な 光 包まれて奇麗
Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #28 on: June 01, 2010, 02:36:53 AM »
> Did we see how long her hair was?

Hello Purvis

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Re: Okuu Quest Next - A Z-Machine Adventure
« Reply #29 on: June 01, 2010, 02:44:52 AM »
> Did we see how long her hair was?

>It seemed longish. At least shoulder length, maybe more.