Author Topic: Iku Quest N?nt? - A Z-Machine Adventure (Read 42290 times)

Hello Purvis · « **Reply #60 on:** January 27, 2011, 08:28:31 AM »

Quote from: Kilgamayan on January 27, 2011, 08:22:10 AM

> "Showing or telling anything about herself."

>Patchouli is about to speak, when her familiar peeks around a shelf. "There nothing of note in the mathematics section."
>"Have a look around Occidental History section, then," says Patchouli, frowning and glancing toward her familiar.
>Petite heaves a sigh, and disappears back behind the shelf.
>Looking back to you, Patchouli says, "Then it would be best to guide her toward somewhere where she may be heard and not seen."

>_

Kilgamayan · « **Reply #61 on:** January 27, 2011, 08:32:44 AM »

> "Hmm. That is a good thought, but it would do nothing to save the people who currently reside shadowless. And it would do nothing to save me, nor anyone else with whom I have discussed her."

Hello Purvis · « **Reply #62 on:** January 27, 2011, 08:43:42 AM »

Quote from: Kilgamayan on January 27, 2011, 08:32:44 AM

> "Hmm. That is a good thought, but it would do nothing to save the people who currently reside shadowless. And it would do nothing to save me, nor anyone else with whom I have discussed her."

>"No, it wouldn't," says Patchouli. "But she seems to find you agreeable enough."

>_

Kilgamayan · « **Reply #63 on:** January 27, 2011, 08:45:53 AM »

> "Among the many other failings of mine in my interaction with her, the instant I am no longer useful to her, my shadow is hers."

Hello Purvis · « **Reply #64 on:** January 27, 2011, 08:48:36 AM »

Quote from: Kilgamayan on January 27, 2011, 08:45:53 AM

> "Among the many other failings of mine in my interaction with her, the instant I am no longer useful to her, my shadow is hers."

>"It doesn't sound like you've been very useful," says Patchouli in a flat tone.

>_

Kilgamayan · « **Reply #65 on:** January 27, 2011, 08:51:24 AM »

> Shrug.
> "I have not. I have been unable to save her from herself, I have been unable to save my people from their tragedy, I have been unable to save her victims from her, and I have been unable to save myself from that same fate. I have not been very useful to anybody."

Hello Purvis · « **Reply #66 on:** January 27, 2011, 09:07:48 AM »

Quote from: Kilgamayan on January 27, 2011, 08:51:24 AM

> Shrug.
> "I have not. I have been unable to save her from herself, I have been unable to save my people from their tragedy, I have been unable to save her victims from her, and I have been unable to save myself from that same fate. I have not been very useful to anybody."

>Patchouli glances under the table.
>"Your shadow seems intact, regardless."

>_

Kilgamayan · « **Reply #67 on:** January 27, 2011, 09:10:28 AM »

> "This newest conversation was my last hope. It has done nothing. Once I have left this mansion and find a secluded place, she will find me again, and that will be that."

Hello Purvis · « **Reply #68 on:** January 27, 2011, 09:19:11 AM »

Quote from: Kilgamayan on January 27, 2011, 09:10:28 AM

> "This newest conversation was my last hope. It has done nothing. Once I have left this mansion and find a secluded place, she will find me again, and that will be that."

>"You understand, I hope," says Patchouli, "that when I inform you that you're being a pessimist, it should mean something."

>_

Kilgamayan · « **Reply #69 on:** January 27, 2011, 09:22:02 AM »

> "I do not know what else to do. She has rejected everything I have told her in favor of dealing with things herself. Logic, emotion, and now higher authority. All of them have failed. There is nothing left."

Hello Purvis · « **Reply #70 on:** January 27, 2011, 09:52:42 AM »

Quote from: Kilgamayan on January 27, 2011, 09:22:02 AM

> "I do not know what else to do. She has rejected everything I have told her in favor of dealing with things herself. Logic, emotion, and now higher authority. All of them have failed. There is nothing left."

>She glances under the table again. "No, it hasn't gone anywhere. For someone whose lifespan is predicated on usefulness, you either have a very forgiving captor, or a very low bar of usefulness to clear. I thought you enlightened people were supposed to be optimistic."

>_

Kilgamayan · « **Reply #71 on:** January 27, 2011, 10:00:28 AM »

> "Then how do you propose I get anything accomplished? Do you think I would be imposing on you for the fourth time in two days if I had any ideas left? If a person will not listen to logic, emotion or a demonstrably-informed higher authority, what WILL they listen to?"

Hello Purvis · « **Reply #72 on:** January 27, 2011, 06:25:24 PM »

Quote from: Kilgamayan on January 27, 2011, 10:00:28 AM

> "Then how do you propose I get anything accomplished? Do you think I would be imposing on you for the fourth time in two days if I had any ideas left? If a person will not listen to logic, emotion or a demonstrably-informed higher authority, what WILL they listen to?"

>"Judging from your reaction to what I suggested a moment ago," says Patchouli, "there's still things left to try. And the fact you're still here, despite being abjectly useless, in your own words, does suggest you've managed to make some kind of connection. Or that you're not as useless as you think, at least."

>_

Kilgamayan · « **Reply #73 on:** January 27, 2011, 06:31:39 PM »

> Shake head.
> "I have only ever been able to treat symptoms of the main problem, and your newest solution would still only do that. The reason I am here now is because I willingly put myself at her mercy; she allows herself to seek information through me because we both know that she can and will end me as soon as it is determined that I cannot obtain any further useful information. This conversation has been the death flag for that function, sadly. I will obviously not have my shadow taken now, but it will happen, very soon after I leave."

Hello Purvis · « **Reply #74 on:** January 27, 2011, 06:43:23 PM »

Quote from: Kilgamayan on January 27, 2011, 06:31:39 PM

> Shake head.
> "I have only ever been able to treat symptoms of the main problem, and your newest solution would still only do that. The reason I am here now is because I willingly put myself at her mercy; she allows herself to seek information through me because we both know that she can and will end me as soon as it is determined that I cannot obtain any further useful information. This conversation has been the death flag for that function, sadly. I will obviously not have my shadow taken now, but it will happen, very soon after I leave."

>"Symptoms?" asks Patchouli.

>_

Kilgamayan · « **Reply #75 on:** January 27, 2011, 06:46:43 PM »

> "It's a metaphor. I sort of succeeded in getting her to not take the Eldest Daughter's shadow, and I succeeded in getting her to tell me a little about herself. Of course, the latter came with the price I have described. The overarching issue, however, remains as present as ever."

Hello Purvis · « **Reply #76 on:** January 27, 2011, 06:49:39 PM »

Quote from: Kilgamayan on January 27, 2011, 06:46:43 PM

> "It's a metaphor. I sort of succeeded in getting her to not take the Eldest Daughter's shadow, and I succeeded in getting her to tell me a little about herself. Of course, the latter came with the price I have described. The overarching issue, however, remains as present as ever."

>"Elaborate on what you consider the symptoms and the root problem to be?"

>_

Kilgamayan · « **Reply #77 on:** January 27, 2011, 06:50:58 PM »

> "The root problem is her unwillingness to show or tell anyone anything about herself. One example symptom would be taking the shadow of anyone that sees her."

Hello Purvis · « **Reply #78 on:** January 27, 2011, 07:08:51 PM »

Quote from: Kilgamayan on January 27, 2011, 06:50:58 PM

> "The root problem is her unwillingness to show or tell anyone anything about herself. One example symptom would be taking the shadow of anyone that sees her."

>She nods. "I think the symptom is the more important thing. Who cares if she's secretive? That's her business."

>_

Kilgamayan · « **Reply #79 on:** January 27, 2011, 07:13:24 PM »

> "The secretiveness is what keeps her from ever releasing the shadows of the people that currently reside shadowless. Ultimately I would have no problem with leaving her to her own devices, living in whatever fashion she desires, but she keeps others from doing the same. Those who have had their shadows taken directly, and those that reside on Bhava-Agra. They cannot live as they desire so long as she refuses to release them."

Hello Purvis · « **Reply #80 on:** January 27, 2011, 07:30:23 PM »

Quote from: Kilgamayan on January 27, 2011, 07:13:24 PM

> "The secretiveness is what keeps her from ever releasing the shadows of the people that currently reside shadowless. Ultimately I would have no problem with leaving her to her own devices, living in whatever fashion she desires, but she keeps others from doing the same. Those who have had their shadows taken directly, and those that reside on Bhava-Agra. They cannot live as they desire so long as she refuses to release them."

>"And what have you tried toward getting her to release those peoples' shadows?" asks Patchouli.

>_

Kilgamayan · « **Reply #81 on:** January 27, 2011, 07:32:42 PM »

> "Pointing out that one was defending her home from a possible thief and another was doing the same thing she does to everyone else. Neither person actually cared who she was, and the latter encounter was almost entirely by accident."

Hello Purvis · « **Reply #82 on:** January 27, 2011, 07:49:08 PM »

Quote from: Kilgamayan on January 27, 2011, 07:32:42 PM

> "Pointing out that one was defending her home from a possible thief and another was doing the same thing she does to everyone else. Neither person actually cared who she was, and the latter encounter was almost entirely by accident."

>"So you've not, for instance," says Patchouli, "tried to convince her they'll stay silent?"

>_

Kilgamayan · « **Reply #83 on:** January 27, 2011, 07:54:44 PM »

> "If a promise of silence were good enough for her, I would not be in the position I am."

Hello Purvis · « **Reply #84 on:** January 27, 2011, 08:02:16 PM »

Quote from: Kilgamayan on January 27, 2011, 07:54:44 PM

> "If a promise of silence were good enough for her, I would not be in the position I am."

>"Is that a yes or a no?" says Patchouli.

>_

Kilgamayan · « **Reply #85 on:** January 27, 2011, 08:04:28 PM »

> Frown.
> "I cannot possibly speak on the behalf of her victims, so no."

Hello Purvis · « **Reply #86 on:** January 27, 2011, 08:19:05 PM »

Quote from: Kilgamayan on January 27, 2011, 08:04:28 PM

> Frown.
> "I cannot possibly speak on the behalf of her victims, so no."

>"It may be worth your time to offer to do so," says Patchouli. "If needs be, bribe them to drop whatever vendettas they may understandably hold."

>_

Kilgamayan · « **Reply #87 on:** January 27, 2011, 08:20:14 PM »

> "How do I get in contact with them while she holds their shadows?"

Hello Purvis · « **Reply #88 on:** January 27, 2011, 09:44:44 PM »

Quote from: Kilgamayan on January 27, 2011, 08:20:14 PM

> "How do I get in contact with them while she holds their shadows?"

>"She took them once, did she not?" asks Patchouli. "That seems to imply she can do it again."

>_

Kilgamayan · « **Reply #89 on:** January 27, 2011, 10:05:25 PM »

> "And what does she get out of bringing them back, that she would not get by simply holding on to them further?"