Nue Quest 4th Ignition: A Z-Machine Adventure

[Hello Purvis]

> Is it particularly impolite to disrupt a jeweler when their shop is closed?
> If not, rap lightly on the window. If Shuuei notices us, point at her, then at ourselves, then mime a talking motion with our hand, in rapid succession.

>No more than anyone else.
>You knock on the window.  Shuuei's first response is to move out of sight, before you can mime anything to her. You note the jeweler inside as well, he looks in your direction, stands up from his workbench, and approaches the door.
>"Is there something you need, Miss Houjuu," he asks as he opens the door.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Actually, I might need your apprentice, if she'll be done for the day in a couple of hours."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Actually, I might need your apprentice, if she'll be done for the day in a couple of hours."

>"What for?" says the jeweler, as he motions for you to come inside.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Nod and enter.
> "It's based on information I've gathered about a mysterious force that may very well be the one responsible for the crisis we're facing. Based on my knowledge of both her and the situation, I think she may be in a unique position to help."

[Hello Purvis]

> Nod and enter.
> "It's based on information I've gathered about a mysterious force that may very well be the one responsible for the crisis we're facing. Based on my knowledge of both her and the situation, I think she may be in a unique position to help."

>"I see," says the jeweler as you walk inside.
>Inside, you see Shuuei back in her prior position, watching you closely as you walk inside.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Angle ourselves so we can see both jewelers fairly easily, moving around the shop as need be. Obviously, be careful not to touch or break anything.
> "It's a very mysterious situation. Potentially dangerous. What I'm about to tell both of you is information that would be best not leaving this shop. It especially doesn't need to fall into the hands of the general public, because they're angry enough right now that they may end up doing something irrational and getting themselves hurt."
> "Now, a lot of the information I've learned is from someone that appears to be working for this force against their will. They're a member of a rather prominent Gensokyo household, and are pretty miffed at having to basically abandon and betray their home by being an accomplice to this. This person claims that there are many others in Gensokyo that may be forced into a similar situation, and that they don't even know it yet."

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"And she says that I am probably among them."

[Hello Purvis]

> Angle ourselves so we can see both jewelers fairly easily, moving around the shop as need be. Obviously, be careful not to touch or break anything.
> "It's a very mysterious situation. Potentially dangerous. What I'm about to tell both of you is information that would be best not leaving this shop. It especially doesn't need to fall into the hands of the general public, because they're angry enough right now that they may end up doing something irrational and getting themselves hurt."
> "Now, a lot of the information I've learned is from someone that appears to be working for this force against their will. They're a member of a rather prominent Gensokyo household, and are pretty miffed at having to basically abandon and betray their home by being an accomplice to this. This person claims that there are many others in Gensokyo that may be forced into a similar situation, and that they don't even know it yet."

>"And she says that I am probably among them."

>"We won't say anything," says Ichiro, giving a glance to his apprentice. "Will we?"
>Shuuei shakes her head.
>The two of them listen silently as you explain. Ichiro frowns a little. You can't quite make out what Shuuei thinks of the situation, with her face as impassive as it is.
>"I am afraid it's a little bit difficult for me to understand," says the old man.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "That's okay. I'm intentionally leaving out a lot of details for your safety. But there are two noteworthy things to come of this. One is the idea of betrayal itself. Gensokyo's natives have their loyalties, and I love the place, but it's still Gensokyo. We are where we are spiritually for a reason."
> Gesture at Shuuei.
> "Some of us have friends in higher places. Nagae's a special one; even not knowing her that well personally, I know enough of the spiritiual hierarchy to know that you don't get in good with her just by being any old person."
> Turn to look at Shuuei proerply.
> "And how Nagae was willing to consort with someone like me, who's probably one of the furthest things from a celestial, for your sake...what the two of you have, I'm willing to bet it's stronger than most, if not all, of the loyalties in Gensokyo. Whatever this force does to people to make them work for it, I don't think it could break a bond influenced by enlightenment. Which means I doubt this force will be able to turn you around and get you to work for them, like they did with the other person I mentioned. I don't think you have it in you to stab Nagae and her ideals in the back, no matter what this force thinks it can throw at you. With all the uncertainty and intrigue surrounding this force and this issue, having someone we know we can count on to stay loyal will be a big help."

[E-Nazrin]

I've been mostly acting under the assumption that the sword's owner, somehow returned to the Forest of Magic where their sword broke, is the one that set up Tewi and the money-changing incident. (Which on further reflection might be why Tewi owed them a favor, if she was the one that asked for "all the money in Gensokyo" and they decided to be a sadistic genie about it.) What I'm not sure of is whether it should be repaired in the hopes of having some power that can stand up to its former master, or if that history would let it be easily reclaimed, making them even more powerful. Alternatively, whether the sword (reforged or not) could be used as a component for some sort of underhanded magic or curse against its owner without having to confront something that powerful directly.

Granted, if the owner's irrelevant or a potential ally, then it'd probably be better to put it together - assuming it would be useful at all.

[GuyYouMetOnline]

We need more information, which is why I think talking to Akyu is a good idea.

[Hello Purvis]

> "That's okay. I'm intentionally leaving out a lot of details for your safety. But there are two noteworthy things to come of this. One is the idea of betrayal itself. Gensokyo's natives have their loyalties, and I love the place, but it's still Gensokyo. We are where we are spiritually for a reason."
> Gesture at Shuuei.
> "Some of us have friends in higher places. Nagae's a special one; even not knowing her that well personally, I know enough of the spiritiual hierarchy to know that you don't get in good with her just by being any old person."
> Turn to look at Shuuei proerply.
> "And how Nagae was willing to consort with someone like me, who's probably one of the furthest things from a celestial, for your sake...what the two of you have, I'm willing to bet it's stronger than most, if not all, of the loyalties in Gensokyo. Whatever this force does to people to make them work for it, I don't think it could break a bond influenced by enlightenment. Which means I doubt this force will be able to turn you around and get you to work for them, like they did with the other person I mentioned. I don't think you have it in you to stab Nagae and her ideals in the back, no matter what this force thinks it can throw at you. With all the uncertainty and intrigue surrounding this force and this issue, having someone we know we can count on to stay loyal will be a big help."

>Shuuei frowns and seems to shrink into herself. "I wouldn't be helpful," she says, frowning.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Raise an eyebrow.
> "I'm not so sure. The other major thing you've got going for you is that basically no one knows anything about you. It appears the force can be hidden from, and if the unthinkable were to happen to me...you'd at least be able to let people know while avoiding me. With how little I know about you, I doubt I could find you if you didn't want me to. You're not only probably the hardest person to turn in Gensokyo, you're the safest person as well."

[Hello Purvis]

> Raise an eyebrow.
> "I'm not so sure. The other major thing you've got going for you is that basically no one knows anything about you. It appears the force can be hidden from, and if the unthinkable were to happen to me...you'd at least be able to let people know while avoiding me. With how little I know about you, I doubt I could find you if you didn't want me to. You're not only probably the hardest person to turn in Gensokyo, you're the safest person as well."

>She frowns, then nods. "I suppose that is true..."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Do realize that I wouldn't be here talking about this with you if I didn't think your help would be valuable. I don't know anything about your combat ability, but I have no intention of getting involved with direct combat if I can avoid it anyway, and you're far and away the best support I can think of that this expedition could ask for."
> Gesture around the store.
> "And, of course, there's the matter that this incident has cut into your daily business even more than most."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Do realize that I wouldn't be here talking about this with you if I didn't think your help would be valuable. I don't know anything about your combat ability, but I have no intention of getting involved with direct combat if I can avoid it anyway, and you're far and away the best support I can think of that this expedition could ask for."
> Gesture around the store.
> "And, of course, there's the matter that this incident has cut into your daily business even more than most."

>"Maybe," says Shuuei. "Do you really need my help?"
>The jeweler smiles. "Oh, we'll find ways to make due."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Given the situation, you're the most long-term trust-worthy person I know. I admit that it may ultimately amount to nothing, but I'm not interested in taking stupid risks. Having a trump card like you along will open our options."
> "Though I suppose I should also tell that there would be one more person along for the ride, since I know you like your privacy. Only the one, but still."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Given the situation, you're the most long-term trust-worthy person I know. I admit that it may ultimately amount to nothing, but I'm not interested in taking stupid risks. Having a trump card like you along will open our options."
> "Though I suppose I should also tell that there would be one more person along for the ride, since I know you like your privacy. Only the one, but still."

>"Who?" says Shuuei, a bit more sharply than before.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "The night sparrow that sells lamprey in the forest. She probably won't care about your presence too much, she just wants her money back really hard."

[Hello Purvis]

> "The night sparrow that sells lamprey in the forest. She probably won't care about your presence too much, she just wants her money back really hard."

>She shakes her head. "I don't like it. I'm sorry, but she talks too much about things..."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Frown, then shrug.
> "All right. If that's what you prefer, I won't press it."

[Hello Purvis]

> Frown, then shrug.
> "All right. If that's what you prefer, I won't press it."

>"Sorry," she says, frowning.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I'll get out of your hair for the day, then. I guess if you happen to change your mind, you can let the large woman from the temple know."

[Hello Purvis]

> "I'll get out of your hair for the day, then. I guess if you happen to change your mind, you can let the large woman from the temple know."

>"If I do," she says. "Sorry, I would help, but...she talks too much."
>Standing behind her, Ichiro gives a quiet shrug, then says, "Anything else we can help you with, today?"

>_

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"I could always try getting her to agree to not talk so much while you're there."
>"Or you could just follow along behind us, too."

[UncertainJakutten]

>I think we just said we weren't going to press it.
>So...let's actually keep that promise?

[Rin Kagamine]

For serious, she's really shy to begin with and doesn't know us that well.  If she wants to help she will, but she's not essential.

[Hello Purvis]

>"I could always try getting her to agree to not talk so much while you're there."
>"Or you could just follow along behind us, too."

>I think we just said we weren't going to press it.
>So...let's actually keep that promise?

>You consider nudging her a little more, but you did give you word and leave it at that.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

'Tis a shame, but I think we will have to enlist her help some other time.

> "The only thing I can think of if learning what the fastest route to the Hieda house from here is."

[Hello Purvis]

> "The only thing I can think of if learning what the fastest route to the Hieda house from here is."

>"I would go around the edge of town," says Ichiro.

>_