Sword Quest III - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Kilgamayan]

> "Ah. All right, then. Perhaps we would be best served if I made my concerns as clear as possible. You correctly discerned that I am missing my weapon, and yet you know nothing about it beyond the description I provided, nor are you aware of any thieves in the area. I am thus forced to wonder what you could possibly have to say that is pertinent to my situation."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Ah. All right, then. Perhaps we would be best served if I made my concerns as clear as possible. You correctly discerned that I am missing my weapon, and yet you know nothing about it beyond the description I provided, nor are you aware of any thieves in the area. I am thus forced to wonder what you could possibly have to say that is pertinent to my situation."

>"You know who took it or why, maybe?" says the oni.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Shake head.
> "I only know it was stolen this morning, while I slept. It may be connected to the theftof the bucket girl's wand, but that is merely conjecture at this time."

[Hello Purvis]

> Shake head.
> "I only know it was stolen this morning, while I slept. It may be connected to the theftof the bucket girl's wand, but that is merely conjecture at this time."

>"A lot you can tell from that, innit?" says the oni.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "There is a lot of theorizing that can be done, but not much that is concrete."

[Hello Purvis]

> "There is a lot of theorizing that can be done, but not much that is concrete."

>"What like?" says the oni.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "For example, if you were not aware the bucket girl's wand had been stolen, then it seems likely that it was stolen by someone on their way back to the surface. But then, it is also possible that whoever took it was coming to this city and simply managed to hide it on their person."

[Hello Purvis]

> "For example, if you were not aware the bucket girl's wand had been stolen, then it seems likely that it was stolen by someone on their way back to the surface. But then, it is also possible that whoever took it was coming to this city and simply managed to hide it on their person."

>"Might do, might do," says the oni, idly scratching her jaw. "Then you gotta ask, if anyone around 'ere would want 'em both, eh?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I do not know much of anyone down here, so I cannot speak on motive."

[Hello Purvis]

> "I do not know much of anyone down here, so I cannot speak on motive."

>"Then it's a zoggin' good thing you got folks like me around, ain't it?" says the oni with a grin.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Hmm...you did say that both weapons and theft are not common here. I suppose that suggests the culprit was indeed on their way to the surface."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Hmm...you did say that both weapons and theft are not common here. I suppose that suggests the culprit was indeed on their way to the surface."

>"Might do," says the oni. "Or..."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Raise an eyebrown, then pull the incense and a bag of konpeito back out.
> "Or?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Raise an eyebrown, then pull the incense and a bag of konpeito back out.
> "Or?"

>"Or it means they don't care about what's down here at all, nicked that wand, and turned around," says the oni, gesturing toward the candy.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Pause.
> "That may also be, but it is hardly the conclusion your presence suggests."

[Hello Purvis]

> Pause.
> "That may also be, but it is hardly the conclusion your presence suggests."

>"All's I'm here for is your goods and bits of proper news," says the oni. "And all's I'm saying is that's something what could happened, innit? Or maybe someone in town does have your stuff."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Pause for another moment, and then slowly hand over the konpeito.

[Hello Purvis]

> Pause for another moment, and then slowly hand over the konpeito.

>She accepts it.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "...So which is it, then?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "...So which is it, then?"

>"I've heard nothing about either of those weapons showing up around here," says the oni. "But if they did, I think I could guess a few places they'd end up."

>_

[Suwako Moriya]

> "Where would these places be?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Where would these places be?"

>The oni gestures toward the incense.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Hand it over.

[Hello Purvis]

> Hand it over.

>She takes it.
>"Two of 'em come to mind. One is The Pressed Rose, that's a pub run by Nue. She's got money to spare, and she likes little trophies; got some kinda western sword upon her wall. Also got something of a name for herself for workin' on less than honest things. The other'd be Kay, one of the devas. Now in 'er case, it's more like someone sold it to her because she liked the way it looked, rather'n her being out to pinch your stuff for herself. But it'll still be your problem, so to speak."
>"After that, it's a whole bunch long shots"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Curse inwardly.
> Doesn't Nue have a weapon of her own?

> "I see. May I ask where I can find these individuals? I'm afraid I do not know where the Pressed Rose is."

[Hello Purvis]

> Curse inwardly.
> Doesn't Nue have a weapon of her own?

> "I see. May I ask where I can find these individuals? I'm afraid I do not know where the Pressed Rose is."

>Stupid Nue!
>She definitely does.
>"That pub, it's on the main way in the pub district; make a left at the big street up ahead. Kay's place, that's a bit harder. Gotta make your way southeast, like. She lives in an underground manor, you'll know it because she keeps her girls watching the entrance. Off in an alley, like. Don't go up around it myself, not welcome."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I believe I can do that. Is there anything else you are willing to offer? I fear I am out of possessions with which I would easily part, so I would understand if you did not wish to share further."

[Hello Purvis]

> "I believe I can do that. Is there anything else you are willing to offer? I fear I am out of possessions with which I would easily part, so I would understand if you did not wish to share further."

>"I'll offer whatever you can ask and pay for," says the oni. "So the question is, what've you got?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Shake head.
>  "Nothing I would give without being absolutely sure of what I was getting in return. I have scant few possessions as it is."

[Hello Purvis]

> Shake head.
>  "Nothing I would give without being absolutely sure of what I was getting in return. I have scant few possessions as it is."

>"Well then," says the oni, as she starts to sidle out of the alley, popping one of the konpeito into her mouth, "Hope you got what you needed. Oh, these are pretty good, too."

>_