Maribel Quest Succeeding - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Suwako Moriya]

"Still looking. I've been to where they appear to be hiding out, but there's a sizeable front guard that really didn't want me in there. I'd need either to be stronger or have someone along to help, and given your situation, the latter seems to be out of the question."

[communist unity (comm-unity)]

> I will assume we've already explained the current situation to Sakuya. If not, do so.
> "Well, right now I need to find a way to avoid those, ahem, "ninjer" fairies. Or at convince them that they don't have to smash my face in."

[Hello Purvis]

> I will assume we've already explained the current situation to Sakuya. If not, do so.
> "Well, right now I need to find a way to avoid those, ahem, "ninjer" fairies. Or at convince them that they don't have to smash my face in."

>You give Sakuya a more detailed explanation. She nods as you explain things. "Well," she says, "I have some experience with faeries, but admittedly it is mostly with those who want to be here. The best I can recommend, if they come after you, is to try and distract them. Catch their interest with something flashy that they won't immediately connect with fighting. With luck, they'll not be so attentive now; impressing things like duty and obligation on them takes time."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"I should probably go give Patchouli an update, too, while I'm here, considering she was the one who asked me to look into this in the first place. Thanks again for all your assistance. I'll let you know if I find out anything more."
>Head back towards the library

[Hello Purvis]

>"I should probably go give Patchouli an update, too, while I'm here, considering she was the one who asked me to look into this in the first place. Thanks again for all your assistance. I'll let you know if I find out anything more."
>Head back towards the library

>"Very well," says Sakuya, "And I must get to the dusting."
>She heads into the eastern wing, while you go to the library. You find Patchouli has moved to another table, pouring over a scroll of some kind. She glances toward you as your approach.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Hello, again. I just thought I should give you an update on the fairy situation while I'm here, although I don't have an actual resolution, yet."
>"It seems that a bunch of the maids were likely enticed to leave by Daiyousei. I think they're up to something or other, but I don't know what. I found out where they're supposedly gathering, but ended up being chased away by a large group of them before I could get close enough to discover anything. I'm planning to go back and have another look in a bit."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Hello, again. I just thought I should give you an update on the fairy situation while I'm here, although I don't have an actual resolution, yet."
>"It seems that a bunch of the maids were likely enticed to leave by Daiyousei. I think they're up to something or other, but I don't know what. I found out where they're supposedly gathering, but ended up being chased away by a large group of them before I could get close enough to discover anything. I'm planning to go back and have another look in a bit."

>She nods. "Good. Thank you. Have you had any success finding your friend?"

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"No, I've seen no sign of her at all. Nor has anyone I've asked. I'm thinking of looking around the Youkai Mountain area next, considering it is, as far as I understand, one of the few major areas I haven't been yet."

[Hello Purvis]

>"No, I've seen no sign of her at all. Nor has anyone I've asked. I'm thinking of looking around the Youkai Mountain area next, considering it is, as far as I understand, one of the few major areas I haven't been yet."

>She nods again. "A shame. I was hoping you had found her and made your decision."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Likewise, for more than one reason. But Gensokyo's a fairly small place, from what I understand, so I'll probably be able to eventually cover most of it."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Likewise, for more than one reason. But Gensokyo's a fairly small place, from what I understand, so I'll probably be able to eventually cover most of it."

>She nods again. "I would offer you one final bit of advice, in regards to your decision, if you would hear it."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Absolutely."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Absolutely."

>"Do all that you can to mimic Byakuren's path," she says, not looking away from her reading. "I've seen no magician benefit so much as she has, and to be honest, I'm rather jealous of her in my weaker moments."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Mimic it in what sense? In terms of her specialization in magical enhancements?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Mimic it in what sense? In terms of her specialization in magical enhancements?"

>"In terms what she she did her herself," says Patchouli. "The boost she obtained was extraordinary."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"I wonder if... what she offered me was similar to that, then?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"I wonder if... what she offered me was similar to that, then?"

>"Doubtful," says Patchouli. "She wouldn't force you to discard your humanity. At best, you have been offered a much watered down version of it. I have no doubt, if you were able to strike a temporary balance, you would go through it without losing your human nature. Perhaps. That said, i doubt you could have both what she's offered, and what she's done to herself."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Implying that if I were to enhance my power to a degree that allowed me to remain human, then it would be impossible to later enhance it further, even if I were then willing to accept becoming a youkai?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Implying that if I were to enhance my power to a degree that allowed me to remain human, then it would be impossible to later enhance it further, even if I were then willing to accept becoming a youkai?"

>She nods. "One cannot apply multiple enhancements. At least, not in that fashion. I suppose it may be possible to get them from other sources, But as far as sorcery of any kind of concerned, you may only bind one to yourself."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"And it would not be possible to undo a previous one so that another could be applied?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"And it would not be possible to undo a previous one so that another could be applied?"

>"It may be," says Patchouli, "But tearing out an enhancement of potential would probably be scarring."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"That... doesn't sound like a good idea, in that case."

[Hello Purvis]

>"That... doesn't sound like a good idea, in that case."

>"I agree wholeheartedly," she says, as she finishes with her scroll and sets it aside, looking toward you again. "But we are starting to diverge. If you are to be a magician, it is best that you embrace the loss of your humanity. And if you are to lose it, get as much as you can for it. Were I to do it again, I would have followed Byakuren's methods in a heartbeat. That is my advice to you."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"I appreciate the thought. I... may speak with her of this the next time I talk to her."

[Doll.S CUBE]

> Do we really want to become a youkai real quick, because from what we know Marisa's a pretty powerful magician and she's not a youkai

[Hello Purvis]

>"I appreciate the thought. I... may speak with her of this the next time I talk to her."

>Patchouli nods. "Very well. Have you anything else to tell me, or ask?"

> Do we really want to become a youkai real quick, because from what we know Marisa's a pretty powerful magician and she's not a youkai

>...That's a good point.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"For the time-being, I don't think so. But I'll return if I find out any more pertinent information about the maid issue."
>Exit the mansion and head towards Youkai Mountain

>Byakuren may provide an interesting alternate viewpoint on the human vs. youkai magic potential at any rate, given how different her ideology is than Patchouli on this issue. At the very least, it's worth exploring what the options and their ramifications are

[Hello Purvis]

>"For the time-being, I don't think so. But I'll return if I find out any more pertinent information about the maid issue."
>Exit the mansion and head towards Youkai Mountain

>Byakuren may provide an interesting alternate viewpoint on the human vs. youkai magic potential at any rate, given how different her ideology is than Patchouli on this issue. At the very least, it's worth exploring what the options and their ramifications are

>Patchouli nods. "I wish you well."
>You decide that at the least, you want Bykauren's thoughts on it. Patchouli does seem to be a bit of a biased source.
>You exit the mansion, and realize you don't have any real idea where Youkai Mountain is.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>It's a large mountain. Surely that means it can be seen from some distance off?

[Hello Purvis]

>It's a large mountain. Surely that means it can be seen from some distance off?

>There's been quite a few mountains that you've seen, just from leaving the Underground.

>_