Maribel Quest Latterly - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Kilgamayan]

> These are fairy maids, right? You know, we've been hearing a lot of outside fairies talk about this Dai person. Wonder if she's responsible somehow.

[Hello Purvis]

>"Well, I'm sorry that you've ended up being overworked, now. Thanks for your time, though."
>Go west

>"Not as sorry as I'm going to make 'em if I ever see 'em again!" the faerie replies as you depart.
>There are two potential wests you may take.

> These are fairy maids, right? You know, we've been hearing a lot of outside fairies talk about this Dai person. Wonder if she's responsible somehow.

>Might well be.

>_

[Kasu]

> Go the west that will take us to the kitchen faster.

[Hello Purvis]

> Go the west that will take us to the kitchen faster.

>You decide to head through the double doors.
>You come to a long hallway, with the walls dotted with western style paintings. Three sets of double doors line the southern wall, while you can see the grounds and the old fountain outside from the windows on the northern wall. At the far end of the hall is a set of double doors, smaller than the ones you just stepped through. Obvious exits are South 1, South 2, South 3, East and West.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Admire art.
> Go west, young sailor.

[DracoOmega]

>See if we can smell or hear the sounds of cooking from any of these doors
>If so, go through those
>Otherwise, head west

[Hello Purvis]

> Admire art.
> Go west, young sailor.

>See if we can smell or hear the sounds of cooking from any of these doors
>If so, go through those
>Otherwise, head west

>You admire the art a bit. Most of it is a shadowy baroque style, but you see a few brighter renaissance styles, as well. You're not too knowledgeable on what makes art great, but you think these are rather good in your opinion.
>You listen at the doors, and hear dishes clinking behind the western one.
>Opening the doors, you come into a large kitchen. It is clear, in a bit drab and gray, with several wood-burning ovens and ranges against the walls. There is a large fireplace, currently extinguished, with a large black-iron kettle hanging over it. Opposite of the door is a huge sink. To the south, you can see a single door, and another small door to the east, not far from the one you just used.
>Standing at the sink is a silver-haired woman in a purple maid outfit, scrubbing dishes furiously. She stops after a moment, and turns to look at you with hard eyes. "Who are you?" she asks.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"I'm Maribel. I'm a guest of Patchouli's. Shall I assume you're Sakuya?"
>"I understand that you're especially busy at the moment, but I just wanted to ask you a couple questions about the disappearing maids."

[Hello Purvis]

>"I'm Maribel. I'm a guest of Patchouli's. Shall I assume you're Sakuya?"
>"I understand that you're especially busy at the moment, but I just wanted to ask you a couple questions about the disappearing maids."

>She nods.
>"And why are you involved? Regardless, ask. I'll answer if I care to. In the meantime, dry."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Um, ok."
>Look for the appropriate dish towel and such and start drying

>"Well, I'm wondering how much you know about what happened? I hear a lot of them left all at once? And no one has any idea where they went?"
>"Do you have even any speculation as to why or where they might have gone?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Um, ok."
>Look for the appropriate dish towel and such and start drying

>"Well, I'm wondering how much you know about what happened? I hear a lot of them left all at once? And no one has any idea where they went?"
>"Do you have even any speculation as to why or where they might have gone?"

>You find a dish towel near the sink and approach to find several dishes of various kinds in the sink. You roll up your sleeves and get to work.
>"You have a proper grasp of the situation," she says. "As to where they went, I imagine they've run back off to the forest. I would go hunting for them, but then the household would be even more crippled than it is. As well, Mistress has said she preferred that I remain here."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "But no idea why they've left? I don't know how common they are, but I've run into fairies a whole bunch today, and the name 'Dai' kept coming up, usually as someone to report back to. Is it possible this 'Dai' has something to do with your problem?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "But no idea why they've left? I don't know how common they are, but I've run into fairies a whole bunch today, and the name 'Dai' kept coming up, usually as someone to report back to. Is it possible this 'Dai' has something to do with your problem?"

>"None at all," says Sakuya, "Usually the maids are happy here. There's a fair amount of turnover; a couple leave every week, but it's easy enough to get replacements. But when this many leave all at once? As for running into them, this is not unusual. I've not been out to see if they are especially active. And...that would likely be Daoyousei. She is rather important to the faeries for reasons I cannot fathom. I wouldn't know where to find her, though."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "She might be worth looking into, then. I think I may have a few bones to pick with her myself, so I'd be happy to go out hunting."
> "I also heard her name in conjunction with a 'Cirno'. Would you know where to find her?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "She might be worth looking into, then. I think I may have a few bones to pick with her myself, so I'd be happy to go out hunting."
> "I also heard her name in conjunction with a 'Cirno'. Would you know where to find her?"

>"By all means."
>"Cirno is an ice faerie, probably one of the strongest of their number. No real consequence in the grand scheme of things, though, but she can be an irritation."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "An ice fairy, huh...wonder where she might hang out. Possibly not in the forest with the rest of them, if she's that unique."

[UncertainJakutten]

> "A nice fairy? But if she's nice how come you seem to think she's an irritant?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "An ice fairy, huh...wonder where she might hang out. Possibly not in the forest with the rest of them, if she's that unique."

>"The lake is a good place to start, but really, faeries will roam wherever they please."

> "A nice fairy? But if she's nice how come you seem to think she's an irritant?"

>"I am not in the mood for puns right now, thank you."

>_

[UncertainJakutten]

> "Sorry...I was hoping it would cheer you up a little but these things sometimes don't go well. I'll...refrain from such humor in the future."

[Kilgamayan]

> "I will give a look around the lake, then. I saw some fairies out there before I got here, actually."
> "Also, on a completely unrelated note, I was wondering if there was anywhere around here I could plant some fire lilies. I, uh, ran into Yuka, who I assume you know given her reputation, and she gave me this errand to do. Meiling told me to ask you, so..."
> How close are we to finishing drying the dishes?
> Quests

[Hello Purvis]

> "Sorry...I was hoping it would cheer you up a little but these things sometimes don't go well. I'll...refrain from such humor in the future."

>"I see. My apologies. It has been a stressful time.

> "I will give a look around the lake, then. I saw some fairies out there before I got here, actually."
> "Also, on a completely unrelated note, I was wondering if there was anywhere around here I could plant some fire lilies. I, uh, ran into Yuka, who I assume you know given her reputation, and she gave me this errand to do. Meiling told me to ask you, so..."
> How close are we to finishing drying the dishes?
> Quests

>"Very well. Thank you."
>"Ah," she says, glancing toward the box. "Put them near the guardhouse. I think Meiling would appreciate the color."
>You've not made much of a dent in them., really. This will take awhile.
>Your Quests are:
>Renko Quest
>Given Renko has been your long-term partner in crime, if you're stuck here, chances are she is too.
>Escape from Eastern Wonderland?
>At some point, you should probably try to go home. Right?
>Love is a Battlefield
>Your friend Utsuho in a bitter rivalry with Yuugi for the heart of Parsee Mizuhashi. What can be done?
>Maximum Charge Maribel Hearn
>Byakuren has offered to cast a spell to enhance your innate magic potential, if you gather the ingredients and prove yourself worthy.
>Clinic Catastophe
>Byakuren asked you to help Murasa run the clinic, and to make sure Murasa is doing her job.
>Hardflorale
>Yuka has recruited you to plant eight fire lilies around Gensokyo in places you feel are best, presumably in exchange for not breaking your face on a whim.
>Maid a Getaway
>The maids from Scarlet Devil Mansion are running away! Why is this?

>_

[Kilgamayan]

Probably not a good idea to take on too many more quests at this point, we have plenty to do right now. Let's leave Sakuya alone for the time being in regards to training. We can always come back later after solving the maid mystery, at which point she'll probably be in a much better mood.

> Progress report on Maximum Charge Maribel Hearn
> "All right, let me dry off a few more dishes, and then I'll be off to look into the fairy problem, unless you need me to stick around. Would you like me to let any maids I run into know that you could use help here?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Progress report on Maximum Charge Maribel Hearn
> "All right, let me dry off a few more dishes, and then I'll be off to look into the fairy problem, unless you need me to stick around. Would you like me to let any maids I run into know that you could use help here?"

>You have two of the four required items. You still require Bloodmoss and Ground Ragewort.
>"I don't need you to stick around; as bad as things are I can manage. But, if you'd like to help, I don't think anyone would object. As for the others, they have their tasks. Typically I would be directing them, but there's simply too much to do, and I must leave them to their own devices."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "If you think you can manage for now, I'd rather try to solve the overarching problem so you don't have to just 'manage' anymore."

[Hello Purvis]

> "If you think you can manage for now, I'd rather try to solve the overarching problem so you don't have to just 'manage' anymore."

>"Very well. The assistance is appreciated."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "All right, I hope to be back soon. Also, this is probably an extreme long-shot question given the incredibly formal and efficient nature of your house, but could I possibly borrow your gate guard for this fairy cleanup? She's definitely stronger than me, and things would go a lot faster with two of us."

[Hello Purvis]

> "All right, I hope to be back soon. Also, this is probably an extreme long-shot question given the incredibly formal and efficient nature of your house, but could I possibly borrow your gate guard for this fairy cleanup? She's definitely stronger than me, and things would go a lot faster with two of us."

>"It's not possible," says Sakuya, shaking her head. "Normally we could put a few maids in her place, but right now, it just can't be done. I would suggest, if they are too much for you, not to face them directly."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Understood. I'll be on my way, then."
> Head out of the kitchen, back toward the entrance of the mansion.

[Hello Purvis]

> "Understood. I'll be on my way, then."
> Head out of the kitchen, back toward the entrance of the mansion.

>"Good luck," she says, as she moves over to your position, while you reclaim your Box of Four Fire Lilies
>You make your way back to the Foyer. The maid here is still hard at work dusting.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Hey, I'm off to see what I can do about all your ex-friends leaving."