Iku Quest Sechs - A Z-Machine Adventure

[DracoOmega]

>"Oh, there's no need to feel bad. I'm not meaning to sound critical. I'm just thinking out loud. I very much appreciate the efforts that you put into reading this, and bringing it to my attention. Every potential hint is valuable. Thank you."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Oh, there's no need to feel bad. I'm not meaning to sound critical. I'm just thinking out loud. I very much appreciate the efforts that you put into reading this, and bringing it to my attention. Every potential hint is valuable. Thank you."

>"Sorry," says Maribel. "It just felt like we were really onto something. But I suppose you do have a point. I guess you didn't have any problems, either?"

[DracoOmega]

>"We did not. Things were peaceful and uneventful back in Bhava-Agra; a very welcome respite from the events of yesterday, I can assure you. It will still take some time to clean and repair the damage, but matters seem stable, and the people in better spirits than they were."
>"We're planning to go investigate around the mountain, now, and attempt to find the cave Nitori said she remembered the spectre staying in. Again, it may be a mundane cave of no significance, but any potential clue is valuable."
>"Actually, it occurs to me now that perhaps she was using the cave as shelter to hide from the Tengu patrols? I'd been wondering how she reached Bhava-Agra in the first place without alerting them."

[Hello Purvis]

>"We did not. Things were peaceful and uneventful back in Bhava-Agra; a very welcome respite from the events of yesterday, I can assure you. It will still take some time to clean and repair the damage, but matters seem stable, and the people in better spirits than they were."
>"We're planning to go investigate around the mountain, now, and attempt to find the cave Nitori said she remembered the spectre staying in. Again, it may be a mundane cave of no significance, but any potential clue is valuable."
>"Actually, it occurs to me now that perhaps she was using the cave as shelter to hide from the Tengu patrols? I'd been wondering how she reached Bhava-Agra in the first place without alerting them."

>"Maybe so," says Maribel
>"Hey, yeah," Tenshi says, "That'd make a lot of sense."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Indeed. We should probably make mention of this when we speak to the Tengu. I'm sure they won't be too thrilled to learn there is a potential safe zone to hide from their patrols."
> "Anyway, I think it may be time for us to head out. And please, Maribel, do not be upset by the nature of my thinking out loud. What you have offered is something I did not have before, something very valuable indeed - a look into where the poltergeist was coming from when she did what she did. Until now I have only been able to speculate pretty wildly about her motivations. The information contained within this book has helped focus potential theories."
> Inventory

[Hello Purvis]

> "Indeed. We should probably make mention of this when we speak to the Tengu. I'm sure they won't be too thrilled to learn there is a potential safe zone to hide from their patrols."
> "Anyway, I think it may be time for us to head out. And please, Maribel, do not be upset by the nature of my thinking out loud. What you have offered is something I did not have before, something very valuable indeed - a look into where the poltergeist was coming from when she did what she did. Until now I have only been able to speculate pretty wildly about her motivations. The information contained within this book has helped focus potential theories."
> Inventory

>"No they won't," says Maribel. "And, alright. It just sounded like you had better ideas."
>Your inventory contains:
>Wide-brimmed hat (worn as hat)
>Exceedingly Stylish!
>Heavy Flamenco Dress (worn as dress)
>Allows both modesty and freedom of movement
>Large Black Purse
>Exactly what it sounds like. It holds all your stuff
>Spine Sign: "Acanthodii of the Thunder Clouds"
>This spellcard engulfs you in a shield of electricity. It can be broken with enough force, and only lasts for a short time before it must be renewed
>Light Orb: "Dragon's Gleaming Eyes"
>This recreates an image of one of The Dragon's physical manifestations in lightning and sends it out.
>Cloud Realm: "The Thunder Court in the Sea of Abstruse Clouds"
>Fills the air with webs of lightning, but leaves you motionless.
>Dragonfish: "Dragon Palace's Messenger Swimming Shot"
>Sends electricity spiraling out from you, but leaves you defenseless.
>1☼
>This is 1☼
>Gnawed Mushroom Stalk
>The remains of a tsuchinoko's dinner.
>Jail Key
>The key to the tengu jail.
>Aya's Primary Camera
>She'll be very angry if you break this.
>2 Pictures of Shadowless Tree
>Taken in the Forest of Magic.
> Picture of Sky and Shadowed Land
>A picture of the Brocken Spectre's shadow and the clear horizon
>Picture of Unconscious Poltergeist
>A Picture of the Brocken Spectre after you defeated her.
>Yukari's Screwdriver
>Under no circumstances can others suspect this exists!
>Picture of the Shadow Dais.
>Taken within The Dragon's Chamber in the false Bhava-Agra.
>Picture of Makai Landscape with Goats
>Taken to show Yumeko how a Camera Works
>Picture of Mother Devil in Rain.
>She looks a tad confused by the picture-taking process.
>Better Picture of Mother Devil in Rain
>She seems much less confused and more natural in this picture.
>Peach
>Taken from Guest Island.
>Okuu's Note.
>It reads: "Parsee got back, left with Nitori."
>Pink Shawl
>A shawl that represents your status as a part of Bhava-Arga and allows you to defend yourself with devastating techniques.
>You obtain: Book Entitled: The Way of the World
>A book depicting various parts of the universe through the idea of the Six Realms of Rebirth.

[DracoOmega]

>"Well, I think we should head out now and look into that. Hopefully the next time you hear from us, we'll have good news of one sort or another to report. Be well, Maribel."
>Leave and fly off to Youkai Mountain
>Is Momiji the one generally in charge of the Tengu patrols?

[Kilgamayan]

> Status of spellcards
> Status of peach

[Hello Purvis]

>"Well, I think we should head out now and look into that. Hopefully the next time you hear from us, we'll have good news of one sort or another to report. Be well, Maribel."
>Leave and fly off to Youkai Mountain
>Is Momiji the one generally in charge of the Tengu patrols?

>"I hope everything turns out alright," says Maribel as you depart.
>You head toward Youkai Mountain. You're not certain what position Momiji occupies in the guard, but you think she has at least some rank of note.
>As you fly close to the mountain at the foot of the forest, you notice that the tengu patrols seem to be ranging out further today. They usually only cover part of the mountain, but now they seem to be out over the forest as well.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Oh come on, man, you had like 8 hours to see that post.

> Status of spellcards
> Status of peach

> "Suppose we should go find out exactly why the tengu are covering wider patrols, Tenshi?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Oh come on, man, you had like 8 hours to see that post.

> Status of spellcards
> Status of peach

> "Suppose we should go find out exactly why the tengu are covering wider patrols, Tenshi?"

>Hey I had to go to the bathroom and forgot about it =[
>Your spellcards are all in good condition and ready to be used.
>The peach is still a tasty fruit.
>"I think they're looking for someone who escaped from jail," says Tenshi.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> The bathroom? For that long? I hope no one died.

> "Ah, yes, that. I think I heard about something like that last night from Miss Margatroid. Shame they couldn't be looking for rogue poltergeists, but I suppose escaped convicts would take higher priority. I wonder how she escaped?"

[Hello Purvis]

> The bathroom? For that long? I hope no one died.

> "Ah, yes, that. I think I heard about something like that last night from Miss Margatroid. Shame they couldn't be looking for rogue poltergeists, but I suppose escaped convicts would take higher priority. I wonder how she escaped?"

>"We let her go, remember?" says Tenshi.

>_

[Suwako Moriya]

> Mentally facepalm.
> Check around the immediate area for any tengu patrols that might be nearby and in earshot.

[Hello Purvis]

> Mentally facepalm.
> Check around the immediate area for any tengu patrols that might be nearby and in earshot.

>You indulge in a mental facepalm.
>As it stands, you are reasonably sure the patrols haven't ranged out this far, yet.

>_

[Suwako Moriya]

> Lower our voice, bring our head closer to Tenshi and put a hand partly over our mouth so that any sound coming out of it is angles in Tenshi's direction.
> "Yes, but we're not telling any of them that, or that we have her camera or any of the pictures I've taken. If they ask about her, I will act natural and say I only learned about the escape last night from Alice. You should do the same, except you can say you heard it from me. Okay?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Lower our voice, bring our head closer to Tenshi and put a hand partly over our mouth so that any sound coming out of it is angles in Tenshi's direction.
> "Yes, but we're not telling any of them that, or that we have her camera or any of the pictures I've taken. If they ask about her, I will act natural and say I only learned about the escape last night from Alice. You should do the same, except you can say you heard it from me. Okay?"

>"Oh," says Tenshi. "Huh...didn't think you were allowed to do that kind of thing."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"You are right, and it is not something I take lightly; I very much hope I am not put in a position to do so. But we cannot afford to antagonize the patrols today, given our desire for their assistance and need to search within their territory. Dealing with spectre is more important for Gensokyo at large than Aya's whereabouts. Whatever becomes of that situation can happen later. For now, it is overruled by other matters."
>"Remember, we neither know where she is or where she went. That is entirely truthful. There is no information we could provide that would assist them, and they should hopefully ask no more than this."

[Hello Purvis]

>"You are right, and it is not something I take lightly; I very much hope I am not put in a position to do so. But we cannot afford to antagonize the patrols today, given our desire for their assistance and need to search within their territory. Dealing with spectre is more important for Gensokyo at large than Aya's whereabouts. Whatever becomes of that situation can happen later. For now, it is overruled by other matters."
>"Remember, we neither know where she is or where she went. That is entirely truthful. There is no information we could provide that would assist them, and they should hopefully ask no more than this."

>"Oh, I see," says Tenshi. "I think."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Just... don't volunteer any information to them, and let me handle the topic if it comes up, ok? If they ask you, just say that you don't know any more than I do, which is completely truthful."
>Continue heading towards the mountain
>Scan about for signs of Momiji
>If we can spot her, approach. If not, approach any other nearby patrol

[Suwako Moriya]

> Presumably lying is frowned upon in Bhava-Agra, right?
> Do Bhava-Agra's social conduct codes account for homeland security, such as in this case?
> If not, and we are forced to lie, will we need to repent with The Dragon later?

[Hello Purvis]

>"Just... don't volunteer any information to them, and let me handle the topic if it comes up, ok? If they ask you, just say that you don't know any more than I do, which is completely truthful."
>Continue heading towards the mountain
>Scan about for signs of Momiji
>If we can spot her, approach. If not, approach any other nearby patrol

>Tenshi nods. "Got it."
>You head for the mountain, keeping an eye on the patrols. You soon find a couple of them approaching you as you fly over the forest. One, you note, is headed by Momiji. You angle toward it; after a moment the other patrol breaks away to let Momiji deal with it. Momiji's patrol, you note, is composed of her and three other tengu.
>"Hey!" she calls out, "This is very important, come here for a bit!"

> Presumably lying is frowned upon in Bhava-Agra, right?
> Do Bhava-Agra's social conduct codes account for homeland security, such as in this case?
> If not, and we are forced to lie, will we need to repent with The Dragon later?

>Greatly.
>Security typically isn't an issue for Bhava-Agra, but you doubt an exception would be made.
>Almost certainly.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>Approach her
>"Yes? What is it?"

[Hello Purvis]

>Approach her
>"Yes? What is it?"

>"According to eyewitness reports," says Momiji, "You were seen entering the town jail yesterday. We'd like to know exactly what you were doing, please?"

>_

[DracoOmega]

I'd been hoping we hadn't been seen, and that there would be no direct suspicion leveled towards us. (In fact, I thought the area was examined at the time to make sure that we weren't seen). They could have asked us if we'd seen her, we could honestly answer no, and that might be the end of it. But given that we were seen going in around the time she disappeared, you know that they will likely ask a direct question like 'Did you let her out', at which point I see no way to deflect it without directly lying. Given Iku's position, and the strictures of Bhava-Agra, I really, really don't want to do that.

Which leaves us with quite a problem. Tell the truth and potentially get into serious trouble now, or lie and get into serious trouble (with a higher authority) later. (To say nothing of the ethical considerations) I realize we do have the greater good of Gensokyo in mind, when it comes to not being obstructed now, but even so...

Alternatively, we can admit that we spoke with Aya, and got the loan of her camera, and hope that they don't ask the awkward followup questions. We can say that we haven't seen her since, and that we have no idea where she is. But if they ask 'did you let her out?', there we are. It seems like a long-shot, but I'm not sure what else I have that doesn't involve actually lying to them.

[Suwako Moriya]

If they ask the question, they ask the question, and we deal with it then. In the meantime? We needed to borrow Aya's camera for the sake of gathering evidence of missing shadows, and we can show them these pictures if they like, since we have two pictures of a tree on our person. That's a legitimate answer to the question she asked.

[DracoOmega]

If you're fine with it, I am, too. I'm just a little reluctant to forge forth on my own, given that what we say here may have lasting consequences that we can't easily undo, and I imagine you and I have differences of opinion over some of them.

>"I spoke with Aya briefly about the events of the day. She was being rather... loud about it, as I passed by there. Then asked if I could borrow her camera, as a means of gathering evidence of some of what has happened. Too many times previous that morning had one person or another not believed what I had told them about my own investigations into Bhava-Agra's fall. A photo is much harder to deny."

[Hello Purvis]

I>"I spoke with Aya briefly about the events of the day. She was being rather... loud about it, as I passed by there. Then asked if I could borrow her camera, as a means of gathering evidence of some of what has happened. Too many times previous that morning had one person or another not believed what I had told them about my own investigations into Bhava-Agra's fall. A photo is much harder to deny."

>"That's unusual," says Momiji. "I can't imagine she would just give that kind of thing away. May I ask what transpired between the three of you?"

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"I have it with me, if have doubts about her letting me have it."
>Take the camera out and show her. And, for the love of everything, don't open our purse in such a way that anyone could have even a chance of peering into it and seeing the jail key

>"Although you're right that she wasn't very happy about it. But I'm not sure she felt she was in much of a position to argue, given that the camera was on the outside of the cell, and she was on the inside. Plus, I think she's rather hoping we can get some shots she might eventually have use for, herself. She seemed rather frustrated that she's missed so many incidents entirely, now."

[Hello Purvis]

>"I have it with me, if have doubts about her letting me have it."
>Take the camera out and show her. And, for the love of everything, don't open our purse in such a way that anyone could have even a chance of peering into it and seeing the jail key

>"Although you're right that she wasn't very happy about it. But I'm not sure she felt she was in much of a position to argue, given that the camera was on the outside of the cell, and she was on the inside. Plus, I think she's rather hoping we can get some shots she might eventually have use for, herself. She seemed rather frustrated that she's missed so many incidents entirely, now."

>You show her Aya's Camera, you're pretty sure she doesn't see anything else inside your purse.
>Momiji looks at it a moment and nods. "That she was. And while there's no doubt you have the camera, you haven't really told me what transpired between the three of you. "

>_