Iku Quest N?nt? - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Hello Purvis]

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

>"Are you sure you should be asking me that question?" says Patchouli. "Another thought comes to mind; have you suggested she hide who she is?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "It is a question she will ask me. I do not know the answer. I was hoping you would. As for your second question, I have suggesting something like that, yes, and it was met with distaste."

[Hello Purvis]

> "It is a question she will ask me. I do not know the answer. I was hoping you would. As for your second question, I have suggesting something like that, yes, and it was met with distaste."

>"Have you suggested it after we spoke earlier today?" asks Patchouli.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "No, but given what I suggested, I'm not sure if that will make a difference."

[Hello Purvis]

> "No, but given what I suggested, I'm not sure if that will make a difference."

>Patchouli frowns. "Am I right, then, in thinking that you've not done a whole lot to try to meet her partway after you told her what I have told you beforehand?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I suppose not."

[Hello Purvis]

> "I suppose not."

>"Perhaps you should try to meet her halfway, then," says Patchouli, "rather than insisting she abandon her beliefs for yours?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "And let Gensokyo turn into a world where anyone can have their shadow stolen simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "And let Gensokyo turn into a world where anyone can have their shadow stolen simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time?"

>"As I understand, this has already happened without your help," says Patchouli. "So, perhaps we can say that some progress is better than none? Or if you prefer, do you typically eat your meals in a single bite, or do you go through them bit by bit until you're done?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I go through them bit by bit, but I also typically finish the job. I would consider anything other than a Gensokyo where no one has to fear for their shadow in such a fashion a complete failure on my part."

[Hello Purvis]

> "I go through them bit by bit, but I also typically finish the job. I would consider anything other than a Gensokyo where no one has to fear for their shadow in such a fashion a complete failure on my part."

>She nods. "At the same time, you're seem to be expecting her to wholly give everything up, if you really didn't effort to try and meet her in somewhere in between as you told me."
>"There's nothing weird in the Occidental History section," calls out Petite, from somewhere off to the side.
>"Then check Mathematics again," Patchouli calls.
>You hear Petite groan. "Fine..."
>"Let us consider this further," Patchouli continues. "Which of these symptoms is most important?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "That depends on who you ask. I do not think I would give you the exact answer you would produce yourself. I believe, however, that the impartial observer would say that the propensity to steal the shadow of anyone that comes in contact with her, either intentionally or by accident, is the worst symptom."

[Hello Purvis]

> "That depends on who you ask. I do not think I would give you the exact answer you would produce yourself. I believe, however, that the impartial observer would say that the propensity to steal the shadow of anyone that comes in contact with her, either intentionally or by accident, is the worst symptom."

>"We can remedy that simply by placing her somewhere isolated," says Patchouli. "I would think getting back the shadows she took to be much more important, in that light."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Oh, well, I had assumed we would be getting back the shadows regardless. Sorry. In any case, we both know putting her somewhere isolated will kill her."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Oh, well, I had assumed we would be getting back the shadows regardless. Sorry. In any case, we both know putting her somewhere isolated will kill her."

>"If that's what she wants," says Patchouli, "who are we to tell her otherwise? But more practically, do you think she's strong enough to die for her paradigm? It's easy to say so, but quite another to do it. Your little troublemaking protege is a rather good lesson on people saying things stronger than what they mean."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "If she gets that desperate, then she could simply return and keep trying to sustain herself artificially, which would undo the work done to solve the problem."

[Hello Purvis]

> "If she gets that desperate, then she could simply return and keep trying to sustain herself artificially, which would undo the work done to solve the problem."

>"She could,"  Patchouli agrees. "But if she's that close to death, I don't see how she'd be much of a challenge of either of us, so long as we're careful. Hmm. Out of curiosity. what shadows does she have? If she has Bhava-Agra to sustain her, it might be plausible to suggest she doesn't need the others."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Frown.
> "There are a number of things wrong with that suggestion. Regardless, as far as I have seen, she has the shadow of a rock, a tree, and two other people, in addition to Bhava-Agra's. She may have more, but if she does, I have not seen them."

[Hello Purvis]

> Frown.
> "There are a number of things wrong with that suggestion. Regardless, as far as I have seen, she has the shadow of a rock, a tree, and two other people, in addition to Bhava-Agra's. She may have more, but if she does, I have not seen them."

>"Perhaps so, but it's a start," says Patchouli. "If the primary problem is observation, as I said, try to broker an agreement between her and the victims. Should they break it, well, she's stolen their shadows once, twice should be no problem."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "That would solve a couple of problems, should she find it prudent, though I severely doubt she will. It does sound, however, awfully like you're suggesting she be allowed to keep her hold on Bhava-Agra's shadow."

[Hello Purvis]

> "That would solve a couple of problems, should she find it prudent, though I severely doubt she will. It does sound, however, awfully like you're suggesting she be allowed to keep her hold on Bhava-Agra's shadow."

>"If she's not going to let it go right now," says Patchouli, "then get her to let go of what she will. At the same time, try to address her problems with the other things, as I've suggested."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Shake head.
> "I cannot let her retain Bhava-Agra's shadow. I have been ordered by The Dragon to fix the problem afflicting our home."

[Hello Purvis]

> Shake head.
> "I cannot let her retain Bhava-Agra's shadow. I have been ordered by The Dragon to fix the problem afflicting our home."

>"That would be why I specified now," says Patchouli. "We eat our meals a bite at a time, after all."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "And what do I do for my people who are suffering as a result of all this? What do I tell the enslaved, the injured, the distraught?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "And what do I do for my people who are suffering as a result of all this? What do I tell the enslaved, the injured, the distraught?"

>"The injured will heal with or without it, will they not?" says Patchouli. "The distraught, they'll get over it. And the rest? Well, I wouldn't worry about them if I were you.  But even if you did, shadow or no shadow, that would be an issue with Mistress Scarlet, not your friend."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Frown.
> "In due time. Anyway, I suppose this could have stood to be brought up earlier, but I am not sure I am comfortable with the idea of bribing anyone to keep their mouth closed, even given the circumstances."

[Hello Purvis]

> "In due time. Anyway, I suppose this could have stood to be brought up earlier, but I am not sure I am comfortable with the idea of bribing anyone to keep their mouth closed, even given the circumstances."

>"Why not?" Patchouli asks, raising an eyebrow. "Surely it is preferable to threatening them?"

[Kilgamayan]

> "Neither are particularly acceptable courses of action."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Neither are particularly acceptable courses of action."

>"What is your objection, exactly?" asks Patchouli. "Are you afraid they'll take the reward and run?"

[Kilgamayan]

> "My objection is that bribery is dishonest."