Reisen Quest Another: A Z Machine Adventure

[Hello Purvis]

> Slowly turn back to Youmu and put a finger to our lips.
> Slowly and quietly back away from the gate and the rabbits and head for the back entrance.
> Listen to the button.

>She nods
>You quietly draw back, and out of easy listening range. Unfortunately, there is no back gate to Eientei. Or rather, none that you know about. Tewi certainly has a way out, but you don't know what it is.
>You put the button to your ear. You hear someone breathing slowly but heavily, as though they had been recovering from something strenuous for the past few minutes.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Turn to Youmu, keep voice down.
> "How fast can you move, again?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Turn to Youmu, keep voice down.
> "How fast can you move, again?"

>"I'm fairly fast," she whispers back. "For short periods of time, I can be blindly fast. What do you have planned?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Those rabbits you saw out there? They're a part of the "unforeseen circumstances" I mentioned earlier. I don't want them dead, since they're moon rabbits like me and simply following orders, but things could get very sticky if they spotted me. Given they have firearms, do you think you'd be capable of running by them and knocking them out with the hilts of your swords before they noticed what was going on?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Those rabbits you saw out there? They're a part of the "unforeseen circumstances" I mentioned earlier. I don't want them dead, since they're moon rabbits like me and simply following orders, but things could get very sticky if they spotted me. Given they have firearms, do you think you'd be capable of running by them and knocking them out with the hilts of your swords before they noticed what was going on?"

>"Distract them," says Youmu.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "That can be arranged. I think I can do it without letting them see me, too. Let's head back toward them, close enough that they're visible, and get in good position for you to prepare to take them out. Once you're ready, I'll move a bit away from you and shoot down a bamboo stalk or two. That should be enough to get their attention. Sound good?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "That can be arranged. I think I can do it without letting them see me, too. Let's head back toward them, close enough that they're visible, and get in good position for you to prepare to take them out. Once you're ready, I'll move a bit away from you and shoot down a bamboo stalk or two. That should be enough to get their attention. Sound good?"

>"Perfect." Says Youmu. She lightly treads forward, and positions herself in a low crouch, waiting.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Make our way to a point a decent distance from Youmu so that both Youmu and the guard rabbits are in our view. Maintain a far enough distance away from the guard rabbits that we are not readily visible, however. Hide behind a thick bamboo stalk if possible.
> Check to make sure nothing has changed in terms of the gate guarding.

[Hello Purvis]

> Make our way to a point a decent distance from Youmu so that both Youmu and the guard rabbits are in our view. Maintain a far enough distance away from the guard rabbits that we are not readily visible, however. Hide behind a thick bamboo stalk if possible.
> Check to make sure nothing has changed in terms of the gate guarding.

>There are no bamboo stalks that are really thick enough to hide behind, but you do you best and find a particularly thick stand of them that conceal you well enough.
>The rabbits don't seem to have done anything new. They stand with rifles ready, in that state between tense nervousness and abject boredom you remember too well from your own stints at guard duty when enemies are nearby, a lifetime ago.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Aim for a stalk of bamboo in the opposite direction of where Youmu is set up that's close enough to the gate for the rabbits to notice something happen to it. Fire enough bullets at to get it shaking a lot, if not knocking it down entirely.
> When shooting, try to aim so that, if the bamboo stalk does fall, it doesn't fall toward Eientei.

[Hello Purvis]

> Aim for a stalk of bamboo in the opposite direction of where Youmu is set up that's close enough to the gate for the rabbits to notice something happen to it. Fire enough bullets at to get it shaking a lot, if not knocking it down entirely.
> When shooting, try to aim so that, if the bamboo stalk does fall, it doesn't fall toward Eientei.

>You take aim a suitable stack of bamboo, and let the bullets fly.
>You've not really had time to probably appreciate how much the gems have enhanced this aspect of yourself. Several thick waves of bullets fly from your fingers, easily thrice as much as you could normally make, tearing through quite a numerous stalks of bamboo.
>The rabbits cry out, turning toward the direction of the damage. Then Youmu is among them. Steel cries out, blades flash, as do a couple well-placed kicks, and the two are on the ground, disarmed and groaning. Youmu calmly sheathes her weapons again, and waits for you by the entrance.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Walk up to Youmu, still keeping our voice down.
> "Remind me to never piss you off."
> Cautiously enter the gates, checking for more guards.

[Hello Purvis]

> Walk up to Youmu, still keeping our voice down.
> "Remind me to never piss you off."
> Cautiously enter the gates, checking for more guards.

>You approach Youmu and keep quiet. "I would hope that good manners would prevent that to begin with," Youmu says. "But don't expect too many more of those, it's rather hard on me."
>You enter Eientei, after making certain there are no guards around.
>You are in the front hall. It quiet and empty. Up ahead, a set of closed double doors leads to the courtyard. The southern hall leads to Eirin's Office, one of the storerooms, and the room where the play will be held. To the north are the master bedrooms, another storeroom, and a variety of other side chambers. Obvious exits are North, South, East, and West.

>_
 

[Kilgamayan]

> "Okay, Youmu, I'm going to level with you. The 'unforeseen circumstances' mentioned earlier referred to the arrival of my former master, Watatsuki no Yorihime. Her primary reason for being here is the arrest of Patchouli Knowledge, for a bunch of BS reasons that are really just a cover for a political move. She's been hiding in Gensokyo for a while, but I blew her cover and have actively opposed her plan, so she has it out for me as well right now. I'm pretty sure the rabbit soldiers are all on the lookout for me, since the groups I ran into earlier tried to reign me in."
> "My goal is to eventually confront her and stop her plans by force, since talking hasn't solved anything. You, however, are not involved, and I don't want to see you get hurt for my actions. I don't think Yorihime harbors any particular ill will toward you, but if you're seen associating with me, I can't guarantee your safety. If she does see you, do your best to avoid confrontation. I'd recommend flight if possible. Just a few minutes ago she took down Remilia Scarlet and I believe Patchouli at the same time, and I understand the fight was pretty one-sided. That's what you'd be up against."
> Are there windows into the courtyard we can see through?

[Kilgamayan]

> "Don't worry about me, though, I have a couple of aces up my sleeve, and I fully expect tonight's festivities to proceed as scheduled. Even if you are forced to retreat, give things a little time and try to return, or return with your mistress if she's so inclined. We'll definitely need you in the kitchens."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Okay, Youmu, I'm going to level with you. The 'unforeseen circumstances' mentioned earlier referred to the arrival of my former master, Watatsuki no Yorihime. Her primary reason for being here is the arrest of Patchouli Knowledge, for a bunch of BS reasons that are really just a cover for a political move. She's been hiding in Gensokyo for a while, but I blew her cover and have actively opposed her plan, so she has it out for me as well right now. I'm pretty sure the rabbit soldiers are all on the lookout for me, since the groups I ran into earlier tried to reign me in."
> "My goal is to eventually confront her and stop her plans by force, since talking hasn't solved anything. You, however, are not involved, and I don't want to see you get hurt for my actions. I don't think Yorihime harbors any particular ill will toward you, but if you're seen associating with me, I can't guarantee your safety. If she does see you, do your best to avoid confrontation. I'd recommend flight if possible. Just a few minutes ago she took down Remilia Scarlet and I believe Patchouli at the same time, and I understand the fight was pretty one-sided. That's what you'd be up against."
> Are there windows into the courtyard we can see through?

>Youmu nods. "I would prefer not to have to fight her myself, then. But if needs be, I can make sure the two of you are left properly alone."
>There are none in the hall, but the sitting room where you met Kaguya a little while ago has some. It is to the north.

> "Don't worry about me, though, I have a couple of aces up my sleeve, and I fully expect tonight's festivities to proceed as scheduled. Even if you are forced to retreat, give things a little time and try to return, or return with your mistress if she's so inclined. We'll definitely need you in the kitchens."

>She nods.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "All right, follow me."
> Head north, toward the sitting room.

[Hello Purvis]

> "All right, follow me."
> Head north, toward the sitting room.

>You head north.
>You come walk down a length of hall, with several doors in the walls. One to the west leads to a sitting room, while another western one opens to a storeroom. On the east side is a single door leading to a sizable library. Up ahead, the hall turns west. You can hear people in the storage room, looking around. Obvious exits are West 1, West 2, West 3, East, and South.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> West 1

[Hello Purvis]

> West 1

>You go through the nearest door.
>You enter a simply appointed sitting room. The rice paper walls are decorated with simple ink paintings of autumn leaves twirling in the wind, while several chairs and stools allow for a modest amount of company. You can see the scroll that Kaguya was reading causally discarded on a table. Through the windows, you can see several rabbits and Yorihime in the courtyard. You can't tell for sure, but you think Kaguya is with them. It seems they are watching the sky.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Give the courtyard a brief sweeping check for Patchouli.
> Duck back out of sight, out of the room.

[Hello Purvis]

> Give the courtyard a brief sweeping check for Patchouli.
> Duck back out of sight, out of the room.

>You do not see Patchouli in the courtyard, but you do confirm that Kaguya is there. She is standing placidly with a group of five moon rabbits behind her. It would seem more like they are her entourage than guards, had you not known the truth of the situation.
>You leave the room and return to the hall.
>You are in a hallway on the northeast of Eientei, with several doors in the walls. One to the west leads to a sitting room, while another western one opens to a storeroom. On the east side is a single door leading to a sizable library. Up ahead, the hall turns west. You can hear people in the storage room, looking around. Obvious exits are West 1, West 2, West 3, East, and South.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Make for the kitchen

[Hello Purvis]

> Make for the kitchen

>In order to reach the kitchen, you will have to go through the courtyard.

>_

[Rin Kagamine]

> Ready gems and tell Youmu to be on her guard.
> Enter storeroom.

[Kilgamayan]

I was writing something else up, but this actually ties up a potential loose end in what I was about to do, so sure, let's deal with this first.

[Hello Purvis]

> Ready gems and tell Youmu to be on her guard.
> Enter storeroom.

>Youmu nods, lowering her stance a little bit.
>You enter the storeroom. A large and unadorned room, it is tightly packed with old furniture, wooden crates, and esoteric objects that are too diverse and numerous to quickly name. narrow, meandering paths lead through the stored goods, creating a claustrophobic and somewhat perilous maze. A few moon rabbits seem to be picking through the storeroom. Obvious exits are east.
>One of the moon rabbits looks over as you enter and cries, "It's Reisen!"
>"Huh?" comes the voice of Rise further in.
>"Not you! Her!" says the rabbit as she frantically shrugs her rifle from her shoulder.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

Oh, well, that shoots my entire plan to shit.

> Shoot the rabbit trying to arm herself.

[Rin Kagamine]

What had your plan been?

> Have Youmu flank the moon rabbits and be ready with a spell card or her swords.

[Kilgamayan]

I was going to get Youmu through the courtyard on her own by feeding her a semi-legit alibi that Kaguya could back up, then take off for the underground. Fighting Yorihime in Eientei is Not A Good Idea.