Ran Quest Overtime: A Z-Machine Sidestory

[Seian Verian]

> "That is true. In some ways, we all always shall be vulnerable. And there are ways that we are all the same. But of course, there also are ways that we are all different, unique. Though I suppose that isn't really the point, is it?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "That is true. In some ways, we all always shall be vulnerable. And there are ways that we are all the same. But of course, there also are ways that we are all different, unique. Though I suppose that isn't really the point, is it?"

>"Yes, you can see that too," says Aya. "Not everyone has nine tails, as the pictures clearly record. But the sameness, the shared feeling, that is what should be really reaching you."

>_

[axman36]

>"Ah... I see. So even the greatest share that same vulnerability. A good theme for... a work of art such as this."
>Look at it for a few more seconds.
>"Do you by chance have any other sort of exhibits?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Ah... I see. So even the greatest share that same vulnerability. A good theme for... a work of art such as this."
>Look at it for a few more seconds.
>"Do you by chance have any other sort of exhibits?"

>"Exactly," says Aya, grinning. "It's my pride and joy."
>You look at it a little more. Wow, Remilia is not at all happy in any of these pictures.
>"Not really," says Aya. "I have a few pictures I'm proud of, but this is my exhibit. I've been working on it for years. Don't know if I'll ever consider it really finished."

>_

[axman36]

>"Well... as long as there are youkai out there who try and hide that vulnerability, the desire to call the project complete might not be fulfilled."
>"Might there be... anyone or anything you've taken an interest of capturing the vulnerability of? Someone that you haven't had the chance to write an article about or take a picture of?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Well... as long as there are youkai out there who try and hide that vulnerability, the desire to call the project complete might not be fulfilled."
>"Might there be... anyone or anything you've taken an interest of capturing the vulnerability of? Someone that you haven't had the chance to write an article about or take a picture of?"

>"The damn Yama" she says darkly. "Couldn't get a good shot during the flower incident, and since then she's never left her court long enough for me to catch her."

>_

[axman36]

>"I may have a proposal for you then... If I were to give you a chance to get some shots of the Yama, could you by chance... remove all traces of what I told you about Yukari and act as if it never happened? It would sadden me for art as precious as this to remain unfinished..."

[Hello Purvis]

>"I may have a proposal for you then... If I were to give you a chance to get some shots of the Yama, could you by chance... remove all traces of what I told you about Yukari and act as if it never happened? It would sadden me for art as precious as this to remain unfinished..."

>"Maybe," says Aya, narrowing her eyes. "What've you got in mind?"

>_

[axman36]

>"Well, most Yama have some sort of shinigami to bring in the souls correct? To do so, said shinigami would have to come here into Gensokyo. Maybe, if we were to find this worker, we can get him or her to arrange the Yama to come here. If we can bring the yama into some sort of situation where she'd show her vulnerability... maybe by getting her to have to change her clothes, you can take the shots of her!"
>"When you first met the Yama, did you by chance see her worker with her at all?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Well, most Yama have some sort of shinigami to bring in the souls correct? To do so, said shinigami would have to come here into Gensokyo. Maybe, if we were to find this worker, we can get him or her to arrange the Yama to come here. If we can bring the yama into some sort of situation where she'd show her vulnerability... maybe by getting her to have to change her clothes, you can take the shots of her!"
>"When you first met the Yama, did you by chance see her worker with her at all?"

>"I like the way you think," says Aya. "I like it a lot. And yeah, I've had run-ins with Komachi before. It's why I can't really do it myself; she's wise to me. But, we'd need a really good reason to lure her over here."

>_

[axman36]

>"Well... any idea where she may normally be on her daily routine?"
>How much can we recall about the flower incident?

[Hello Purvis]

>"Well... any idea where she may normally be on her daily routine?"
>How much can we recall about the flower incident?

>"Almost always in Higan," says Aya. "Once in awhile, she'll make a surprise inspection on her shinigami, but aside from that, she almost never leaves. Komachi told me she tend not to work into the night, though, unless there's been a significant backup. But who knows what she does then?"
>You remember it was a tempest in a teapot for a lot of people who should have known better. You can kinda forgive the humans for getting worked up, it's not like they've seen it before. But many others really should have known better. You spent the time gathering up a lot of rose hips, jasmine, and such for future use. You think you still have some of the jasmine laying around in the pantry.

[axman36]

>"How about Komachi's? Any idea where she is most of the time?"
>"And do you perhaps know what might have made the Yama come out during the flower incident?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"How about Komachi's? Any idea where she is most of the time?"
>"And do you perhaps know what might have made the Yama come out during the flower incident?"

>"When she's being diligent, she's at the banks of the Sanzu River," says Aya. "But when she's not? Well...she can wander all over. But even then, it's not often she strays far away.
>"Komachi picked a really bad time to slack off," Aya says, as she walks over toward one of the pictures; Patchouli, unaware she's being photographed; and straightens it. "The yama got concerned enough that she came to inspect personally. Afterward, she started making surprise inspections."

>_

[axman36]

>"Alright, then I think I should go have a talk with Komachi. Maybe she knows something or can do something that might be able to bring over the Yama. Perhaps she may have some sort of insight upon when the Yama's next inspection of her might be at."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Alright, then I think I should go have a talk with Komachi. Maybe she knows something or can do something that might be able to bring over the Yama. Perhaps she may have some sort of insight upon when the Yama's next inspection of her might be at."

>"Try not to be too obvious about it," says Aya. "She shouldn't connect you up with me, but if you look too curious, she might connect the dots. And obviously, don't mention me. I'm pretty sure she has some way to contact the Yama as well."

>_

[axman36]

>"Noted. She won't know I have any association with you. Do you know the quickest way from here to the Sanzu River?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Noted. She won't know I have any association with you. Do you know the quickest way from here to the Sanzu River?"

>"Go north of the village," says Aya. "There's a road. Just keep following it. You'll go past the Garden of the Sun and the Nameless hill, then into this little forest. Past that forest are the banks of the Sanzu River. It's kind of a long trip from here."

>_

[Seian Verian]

> ...Ponder just what consequences there might be if we get on the Yama's bad side by doing this.

[Hello Purvis]

> ...Ponder just what consequences there might be if we get on the Yama's bad side by doing this.

>You honestly have no idea how much the Yama holds a grudge or would abuse power to satisfy a personal affront. She's supposed to be wise and virtuous, but you've lived long enough to know someone can be wise and virtuous, and still have a mean streak. You do know, however, that Yukari simply does not mess with the Yama. Whether it's out of respect for her position or respect for her power, you don't know.

>_

[MysTeariousYukari]

> "Honestly, one thing gives me some worry, but only some. Lasy Yukari never messes with the Yama, either out of respect for position or out of respect for power, and if it's due to power, I am obviously in trouble if I get caught working with you on this. I can only hope this goes off well."

> "In case you get the shot successfully and the Yama notices what you have done, I may have to attack you for the sake of avoiding trouble myself, are you ok with this? I will of course hold back if I even attack all, but are you ok with this?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Honestly, one thing gives me some worry, but only some. Lasy Yukari never messes with the Yama, either out of respect for position or out of respect for power, and if it's due to power, I am obviously in trouble if I get caught working with you on this. I can only hope this goes off well."

> "In case you get the shot successfully and the Yama notices what you have done, I may have to attack you for the sake of avoiding trouble myself, are you ok with this? I will of course hold back if I even attack all, but are you ok with this?"

>Aya frowns. "Well. As long as you don't hurt the camera, I guess I can overlook it. But you better not be kidding about holding back or I'll be really upset. And you better not do unless you have to!"

>_

[MysTeariousYukari]

> "That is the plan. It would only be to hurt the chances she would think I'm working with you on this."
> Generally, if we saw Aya take a pic like that of someone we don't personally know, how would we act? Attack Aya, or Stay out of it?

[Hello Purvis]

> "That is the plan. It would only be to hurt the chances she would think I'm working with you on this."
> Generally, if we saw Aya take a pic like that of someone we don't personally know, how would we act? Attack Aya, or Stay out of it?

>You'd probably say some rather angry things in Aya's direction. You aren't one for attacking people like that, that's more fore faeries and shrine maidens than people of your position.

>_

[axman36]

>"Well again, attacking you is only a worst case scenario. I'll try to my best ability to avoid such a situation. Anything else you want to add before I head off?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Well again, attacking you is only a worst case scenario. I'll try to my best ability to avoid such a situation. Anything else you want to add before I head off?"

>"Well, if you're straight to Komachi, I'm definitely following," says Aya. "I don't want to miss my chance if she shows up while you're asking."

>_

[axman36]

>"Right then. We can go together, just make sure to keep a distance when we get near the Sanzu River."
>Start walking out of the building.

[Hello Purvis]

>"Right then. We can go together, just make sure to keep a distance when we get near the Sanzu River."
>Start walking out of the building.

>"Oh of course," says Aya. "Once we get to that woods, I'll linger behind."
>You make your way out of the building, Aya following behind you. A camera seems to have manifested into her hands.

>_

[FinnKaenbyou]

>"If there are any convenient gusts of wind in the next five minutes, you can say goodbye to that camera. And a good deal of your nervous system."

[Hello Purvis]

>"If there are any convenient gusts of wind in the next five minutes, you can say goodbye to that camera. And a good deal of your nervous system."

>"I remember when Yuka said the same time," says Aya. "Yet here I am, and there she is on the wall."

>_