Maribel Quest Succeeding - A Z-Machine Adventure

[DracoOmega]

>Look around
>"Um, did I do this?"

[Hello Purvis]

>Look around
>"Um, did I do this?"

>You look around, seeing all is gray, then speak.
>There is something like a sound glass shattering. But rather than hear it, you feel it in your body. It doesn't hurt, but it jars you terribly. Then the color suddenly floods back. Or rather, it seems like it was never gone before.
>Sakuya seems speechless.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"That was... strange."

[Hello Purvis]

>"That was... strange."

>"The first thing you are going to do is to promise me you will never mention that to another soul." Sakuya says calmly. "Not one. Not your parents. Not your best friend. Not your lover. No one. Do you understand? You will promise me this, and mean it with all of your soul."

[Doll.S CUBE]

> "Um...w.why?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Um...w.why?"

>"Because if you do not, I will be forced to assume you are planning to do something foolish and dangerous."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Something foolish and dangerous? ....what did you mean?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Something foolish and dangerous? ....what did you mean?"

>"You're asking very many questions, and not giving me your word." She says coolly.

>_

[Serela]

>"...are you afraid someone will try to take advantage of my power, since I'm both new and naive, and can't defend myself? Or doing something foolish and stupid, yes... I understand. I'll give you my word that I won't mention it to anyone. Not... not even Renko, my best friend."

[DracoOmega]

>"Very well, since it is obviously important to you. I swear. Although, could you please try to help me understand why you really want me to do this?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"...are you afraid someone will try to take advantage of my power, since I'm both new and naive, and can't defend myself? Or doing something foolish and stupid, yes... I understand. I'll give you my word that I won't mention it to anyone. Not... not even Renko, my best friend."

>"Very well, since it is obviously important to you. I swear. Although, could you please try to help me understand why you really want me to do this?"

>She nods. "I will hold you to this. If I should ever hear word of another describing what you've done, I will find you. Mistress will allow for it. This said, you have just demonstrated an incredible amount of aptitude for a very dangerous power. You have manipulated the flow of time. For a moment, until you lost focus, you had stopped it. I have never met another person who could do this. You understand I hope, how dangerous this can be?"

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"I, uh, can think of a few ways it might be, but I don't suppose you could spell out some of the dangers a little more explicitly? Better to be safe than sorry."

[Hello Purvis]

>"I, uh, can think of a few ways it might be, but I don't suppose you could spell out some of the dangers a little more explicitly? Better to be safe than sorry."

>"I've never experimented to find out," she says. "Nor will you."

>_

[Serela]

>Nod solemnly.
>"I understand. Time is... too important and all-encompassing to experiment with. But... just stopping it like I did now, is that okay for me to do?"

[DracoOmega]

>"Or, at the very least, what DO you do with your powers that you consider safe?"

[Hello Purvis]

>Nod solemnly.
>"I understand. Time is... too important and all-encompassing to experiment with. But... just stopping it like I did now, is that okay for me to do?"

>She nods.
>"In small doses," she says. "You felt the pressure, didn't you, on your heart? It will increase, the longer you hold it. In time, it will overwhelm you. You will black out, and I cannot say what will follow."

>"Or, at the very least, what DO you do with your powers that you consider safe?"

>"I can do other things," she says. "Small tricks, some large ones. You understand my hesitance to elaborate."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Hesitance? Are you concerned that I would do something untoward with this, then?"
>"And... when you said that if you hear anyone else describe what I've done... wouldn't they be able to percieve at least the aftereffects of this, if I ever did it while someone else was in sight?"

[MysTeariousYukari]

> "Someone describing the effects of it... so, wouldn't that basicly mean "never use this when anyone could see you or just never use it" correct?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Hesitance? Are you concerned that I would do something untoward with this, then?"
>"And... when you said that if you hear anyone else describe what I've done... wouldn't they be able to percieve at least the aftereffects of this, if I ever did it while someone else was in sight?"

>"A bit," she says. "Alternately, I would prefer not to give you ideas. And yes, they would see it, if you are not careful how you use it."
>She sighs. "Perhaps I am being too harsh. I'm sorry. Until a few moments ago, I believed this skill to be unique. I, nor Patchouli, had heard of another even possessing talent in such things. Let's go talk in my chambers for now."
>She starts to climb again. "You understand my fear that if one can learn it, it is possible others can as well. It is a thing I had hoped would die with me."

> "Someone describing the effects of it... so, wouldn't that basicly mean "never use this when anyone could see you or just never use it" correct?"

>She nods. "Let me think a bit, though..."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>Follow along
>"How much of your ability is generally known, anyway?"

[Hello Purvis]

>Follow along
>"How much of your ability is generally known, anyway?"

>"It is well known I can stop time," she says as she ascends. "Until now, I never felt a need to hide it if no one could replicate it. Others I've kept quiet, so that people wouldn't bother me to do them on their behalf."
>She sighs. "I will help you refine this ability, enough to make certain you don't get hurt. And, we'll see how much you can do."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Ok. Thank you. I appreciate it."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Ok. Thank you. I appreciate it."

>You see the top of the stairway come into sight.
>"You understand, I do not wish to learn of you using this ability for selfish purposes."
>After a moment, she adds, "You'll do as I say, not as I do, in that regard."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"I'd like to think that I'm not a selfish person. But does that include any use that is not directly for others? Such as, say, defending oneself?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"I'd like to think that I'm not a selfish person. But does that include any use that is not directly for others? Such as, say, defending oneself?"

>She is quiet for a moment, as she reaches the top of the stairs. "I suppose that is acceptable. But, try to pass it off as teleportation."
>At the top of the stairs, you see two door in a small hallway, one set of impressive dark wooden double doors, and a smaller one on an adjoining wall. She leads toward this one.

>_

[MysTeariousYukari]

> continue following.
> "I'll do that. Not sure how well I can pull it off, but I'll try to pass it off as that."
> "To take it with you... to the grave... you speak of it almost as if no good could come from it, or as if it has caused much trouble."
> "Out of curiosity, what do you know about a Yukari, specifically, what her powers are. I have been told that I look much like her by more then a few people, I'm sure you can see why I would ask."

[UncertainJakutten]

> Consider how tactless it would be to shout ZA WARUDO next time we stop time.

[Hello Purvis]

> continue following.
> "I'll do that. Not sure how well I can pull it off, but I'll try to pass it off as that."
> "To take it with you... to the grave... you speak of it almost as if no good could come from it, or as if it has caused much trouble."
> "Out of curiosity, what do you know about a Yukari, specifically, what her powers are. I have been told that I look much like her by more then a few people, I'm sure you can see why I would ask."

>You follow her into a small, unadorned bedroom. There is a simple bed here, and a rather expansive wardrobe. Aside from this, it is mostly devoid of personal possession. There isn't even a chair for you to sit on here. The room is also immaculate, but you suppose it's also not used much. There are a couple paintings on the walls, pretty but generic landscapes that you doubt have any personal value.
>"You clearly can," Sakuya says. "I don't know how much potential you have, but you most certainly can do it."
>"In the wrong hands, such power has the potential to be ruinous. I believed I was the only one who could do it, and when I passed on, it would no longer be a worry for anyone."
>"Yukari? Yes, I've met her. And, well, you do resemble her a bit, particularly in the face, now that I have a close look at you. And why do you care about her abilities?"

> Consider how tactless it would be to shout ZA WARUDO next time we stop time.

>You think Sakuya would frown at you.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Well, what would you have me do now?"

[UncertainJakutten]

> "Well, about Yukari, I've been told...quite often to avoid her if I could help it, but also told that if I so move to go back to the "real world" I was born in, I would probably have to talk with her."