Maribel Quest Adjoining: A Z-Machine Adventure

[Kilgamayan]

We were doing it to troll Hatate because she's a tengu journalist and being a tengu journalist warrants being trolled. We think it may be time to dial it back a little bit, though, if we don't actually know the content of the article (as annoyingly sensationalist as the headline was). She seems well-meaning enough; certainly moreso than Aya would be.

> "To be honest, the details aren't terribly interesting. Near as I can tell, she thought it was pretty awesome that someone that looked like her was running around. We're not sure why we look so much alike, but we do."

[Hello Purvis]

> "To be honest, the details aren't terribly interesting. Near as I can tell, she thought it was pretty awesome that someone that looked like her was running around. We're not sure why we look so much alike, but we do."

>"Hmm, I see," says Hatate. "Perhaps you'd like to take an opportunity to retract a few prior statements, then? As well, is it true that you hail from outside, as well as another human who was recently seen in your company?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Well, I don't know about retracting them entirely. Yukari was a pretty awesome person to be with. Perhaps a bit misunderstood by the community at large, assuming the things she told me were true. Her shikigami was certainly willing to stick with her, and she never threatened me or anything like that."
> "I can apologize for my attitude, though. When I first saw your headline about Yukari and Yuka, and saw that it was a picture of me, I kinda freaked out. I didn't really know what to think of you as a result...but you don't seem like such a bad person, especially if you're offering retraction."

[Kilgamayan]

> "Anyway, yes, it is true that I am from the outside world, and the human that was seen with me is as well. I don't know exactly how we got here, though."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Well, I don't know about retracting them entirely. Yukari was a pretty awesome person to be with. Perhaps a bit misunderstood by the community at large, assuming the things she told me were true. Her shikigami was certainly willing to stick with her, and she never threatened me or anything like that."
> "I can apologize for my attitude, though. When I first saw your headline about Yukari and Yuka, and saw that it was a picture of me, I kinda freaked out. I didn't really know what to think of you as a result...but you don't seem like such a bad person, especially if you're offering retraction."

>She nods, writing these things down. "Let's not worry about that. Now, as for my other question?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Anyway, yes, it is true that I am from the outside world, and the human that was seen with me is as well. I don't know exactly how we got here, though."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Anyway, yes, it is true that I am from the outside world, and the human that was seen with me is as well. I don't know exactly how we got here, though."

>She writes some more things. "Would you tell me a bit about yourselves?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> How many people are around us?
> "Sure, I can do that, but..."
> Look around us, then back at Hatate.
> Lower voice and generally look more secretive.
> "...I actually have a potential bigger story for you, beyond just me. It needs to be kept on the down-low, though. Are you interested?"

[Hello Purvis]

> How many people are around us?
> "Sure, I can do that, but..."
> Look around us, then back at Hatate.
> Lower voice and generally look more secretive.
> "...I actually have a potential bigger story for you, beyond just me. It needs to be kept on the down-low, though. Are you interested?"

>There's not too many near the entrance of the Moriya Shrine. You don't think you'll be overheard.
>You look around, and make her an offer. "Oh, do tell."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I will tell you what I feel comfortable telling. Since my friend is not around, however, and she has wanted this kept a secret, I can't tell you everything. I would rather you see her for yourself. She may actually want to have a journalist on-hand for what she wants to do, as we both expect this to be something major that Gensokyo's never seen before. If you are willing to travel, I'll be glad to tell you about myself along the way, and perhaps some general details about my friend. The finer details about her, you'd want to ask her yourself."
> "However, this is time-sensitive, so I have two conditions."
> "One is that you let me make my way to the Moriya Shrine to have a brief talk with Kanako concerning private matters between two two of us. You're welcome to come with me to the shrine, but I will have to ask you to stay outside while we talk."
> "Two is just a reinforcement of journalistic integrity, but I want to make sure I reinforce it. You cannot tell anyone about this before it actually happens. Not that something newsworthy will be happening, not that I told you something newsworthy will be happening. In addition, when we arrive at our destination, you are there as a neutral-party reporter. You cannot get in our way, and you certainly cannot actively interfere with our progress. I also tentatively request that you not interfere on our behalf, but...that may change, depending on the circumstances."
> "Can you agree to these? If you are worried I'm just making something up, do keep in mind that I have next-to-nothing to gain from trying to lead a journalist on a wild goose chase."

[Kilgamayan]

NOTE TO EVERYONE: IF, AT ANY POINT, YOU GET THE URGE TO TELL HATATE ABOUT OUR TIME STOP, TAKE A SLEDGEHAMMER AND SMASH THAT URGE IN THE (TESTICLE/OVARIES).

[Hello Purvis]

> "I will tell you what I feel comfortable telling. Since my friend is not around, however, and she has wanted this kept a secret, I can't tell you everything. I would rather you see her for yourself. She may actually want to have a journalist on-hand for what she wants to do, as we both expect this to be something major that Gensokyo's never seen before. If you are willing to travel, I'll be glad to tell you about myself along the way, and perhaps some general details about my friend. The finer details about her, you'd want to ask her yourself."
> "However, this is time-sensitive, so I have two conditions."
> "One is that you let me make my way to the Moriya Shrine to have a brief talk with Kanako concerning private matters between two two of us. You're welcome to come with me to the shrine, but I will have to ask you to stay outside while we talk."
> "Two is just a reinforcement of journalistic integrity, but I want to make sure I reinforce it. You cannot tell anyone about this before it actually happens. Not that something newsworthy will be happening, not that I told you something newsworthy will be happening. In addition, when we arrive at our destination, you are there as a neutral-party reporter. You cannot get in our way, and you certainly cannot actively interfere with our progress. I also tentatively request that you not interfere on our behalf, but...that may change, depending on the circumstances."
> "Can you agree to these? If you are worried I'm just making something up, do keep in mind that I have next-to-nothing to gain from trying to lead a journalist on a wild goose chase."

>You lay out your terms as Hatate listens, her face neutral.
>"Well, that depends on the nature of the event," says Hatate, smiling with a definite hungry gleam in her eyes. "If it's going to next week, then I can't promise not to say anything in the meantime, it would be dishonest to my readers. As for not interfering, of course! I won't get involved no matter what. This said, I would like you good word that you'll return here, I'll wait outside of the gates. Otherwise, well, I would be obligated to point out your broken word, wouldn't I?"

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Oh, it should be a great deal sooner than that, I assure you."
>"And you have my word that I'll return here once I'm finished with Kanako. I don't expect to be long."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Oh, it should be a great deal sooner than that, I assure you."
>"And you have my word that I'll return here once I'm finished with Kanako. I don't expect to be long."

>She nods. "I'll wait here, then. Do try not to linger."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Don't worry. I'm on a tight clock, anyway."
>Head to the shrine and look for Kanako.

[Hello Purvis]

>"Don't worry. I'm on a tight clock, anyway."
>Head to the shrine and look for Kanako.

>"I'll be here," says Hatate, smiling.
>You leave the reporter behind, and head into the shrine. It is quiet with no activity at the moment. Looking around, it takes you a moment to notice that there is a blonde girl in a straw hat perched on the roof, stock still.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>We never received a physical description of Suwako, did we?
>Assuming no:
 >Look up at her
 >"Um, hello?"

[Hello Purvis]

>We never received a physical description of Suwako, did we?
>Assuming no:
 >Look up at her
 >"Um, hello?"

>You have no idea what Suwako looks like. But she must be very impressive, given the tales you've heard.
>You look up at the girl and say hello.
>She looks down at you. raising an eyebrow. "You're a new face."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Quite new, actually. And... may I ask what you're doing on the roof?"
>"Also, I'm looking for Kanako. Apparently Sanae's out searching for me, and I don't know where she went. Do you know if she's around?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Quite new, actually. And... may I ask what you're doing on the roof?"
>"Also, I'm looking for Kanako. Apparently Sanae's out searching for me, and I don't know where she went. Do you know if she's around?"

>"What are you doing on the ground?" she asks.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Um, walking? Is that a trick question?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Um, walking? Is that a trick question?"

>"Well there you have it," she says. "I don't see why it should be any different for me."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Huh. I guess I'm still not used to Gensokyo..."

[DracoOmega]

>"Well, at the very least, you have to admit that it's less common for people to be on roofs than the ground."
>"In any case, do you know if Kanako's around?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Huh. I guess I'm still not used to Gensokyo..."

>"We're all new once," says the blonde girl.

>"Well, at the very least, you have to admit that it's less common for people to be on roofs than the ground."
>"In any case, do you know if Kanako's around?"

>"Why would that be? I've spent more time on roofs then you've been alive."
>"I might. But I don't know if she'd appreciate the bother."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Well, I don't know that it's less common for you. But it's less common for most people."
>"And Kanako did send Sanae out to give me a message. But we've missed each other. I'd just like to be able to speak with her about this."

[Kilgamayan]

>"Well, I don't know that it's less common for you. But it's less common for most people."

Skiddish about this phrasing. Suwako is known to be the more erratic and impulsive of the two goddesses and she's probably not in the greatest of moods after what happened. Here's my proposed change, to make it sound less confrontational.

> Change this to "Well, I don't know that it's less common for you. But it's less common where I come from. Is it a common thing around here?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Well, I don't know that it's less common for you. But it's less common for most people."
>"And Kanako did send Sanae out to give me a message. But we've missed each other. I'd just like to be able to speak with her about this."

> Change this to "Well, I don't know that it's less common for you. But it's less common where I come from. Is it a common thing around here?"

>"Why wouldn't it be?" she asks. "Roofs are nice."
>The blonde girl frowns. "That sounds like she doesn't want to see you very much. What's this about?"

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"May I ask who you are?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"May I ask who you are?"

>She frowns at you. "You're quite the rude one."

>_