Okuu Quest After - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Hello Purvis]

>"You know, in all honesty, I'd probably give up all of this if I thought it would make the people I care about happiest. But I don't believe it would, and I can't ask them because their memories were taken away. And I'm sad if you honestly think I don't care who I leave in my wake."

>"But, in any event, where is this jewel?"

>"I'm just looking at the results," says Shizuha. "It's through that door to the left, in the strongbox on the bottom shelf. You'll need Sis to open it."

> "I'd have thought Kanako and Suwako would think of something other than their family's whims. I guess today's just full of moral code surprises, eh?"

>"Don't see how that has anything to do with you," says Shizuha. "But who cares, you'll do whatever you like and make the excuses later if needs be."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>Go into the room in the left
>Quietly, to Minoriko, when out of earshot: "Do you see me like that, too? As someone who's just doing this for themselves?"

[Hello Purvis]

>Go into the room in the left
>Quietly, to Minoriko, when out of earshot: "Do you see me like that, too? As someone who's just doing this for themselves?"

>You follow Shizuha's directions, and find yourself in a storeroom, just large enough for you and Minoriko to walk abreast. It is full of mundane shrine goods; blankets, spare incense, some cleaning supplies. And, in the corner o the bottom shelf, small strongbox. Obvious exits are west.
>"I'm not sure if I'm the one you should be asking," says Minoriko, "Given I've known you personally all of half an hour and have staked a lot of my personal wellbeing on your success. I really don't care why you do it, as long as it gets done, at this point. But, I don't think you're a bad person. I've never really seen Shizuha in such a funk before, though..."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Maybe she's hurt about your role in this, too? No end to the hurt and righteous anger going around tonight. I just wish someone would believe that I'm not just out for myself, for a change, and give me a chance."

>Pick up the strongbox and give it to Minoriko
>"She said I'd need you to open it. Any idea why? Something to do with you being a god?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Maybe she's hurt about your role in this, too? No end to the hurt and righteous anger going around tonight. I just wish someone would believe that I'm not just out for myself, for a change, and give me a chance."

>Pick up the strongbox and give it to Minoriko
>"She said I'd need you to open it. Any idea why? Something to do with you being a god?"

>"I don't know," she says. "I wouldn't think she'd begrudge me what I need. Maybe she really is just upset at all the collateral problems?"
>You pick up the strongbox and present it to Minoriko. She examines it for a moment, then says. "The lock seems to require an infusion of faith to open. ...I suppose that was meant to be an insult toward you, but it it would be easiest for one of us to open it."
>She runs her fingers over the lock, and it gently pops open.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "To be honest, even as irritating as I've found them all tonight, I don't think any of them are bad people either. I think they're not doing anything more than what I've; they're just doing it in a completely different direction. They changed the world because they thought it was for their family's best, and I wanted to bring it back because I thought it was for my family's best. It can all be altruistic just as easily as it can be self-absorbed. I think this is what Sanae was trying to tell me. Of course, I've realized now that I think this is the right path because it's the right thing to do for the majority, but I guess there's no way for someone else to differentiate that from simple ego boosting on my part."
> "Your sister has a point. I need to stop making excuses. I answer to them just as much as they answer to me. I believe that what I'm doing is the right thing to do, and...I think Satori would want me to do what I think is the right thing to do, instead of blindly doing what is best for the family. In that way, at least, Koishi and I are not much different. I hope she comes around eventually. But man, this would all be a lot easier if we could just ask Satori what she thinks."
> "Anyway, once we're done here, do you want to go talk to her about this? If all these shenanigans have reinforced anything to me, it's that family is really important."
> Examine object inside box.

[Hello Purvis]

> "To be honest, even as irritating as I've found them all tonight, I don't think any of them are bad people either. I think they're not doing anything more than what I've; they're just doing it in a completely different direction. They changed the world because they thought it was for their family's best, and I wanted to bring it back because I thought it was for my family's best. It can all be altruistic just as easily as it can be self-absorbed. I think this is what Sanae was trying to tell me. Of course, I've realized now that I think this is the right path because it's the right thing to do for the majority, but I guess there's no way for someone else to differentiate that from simple ego boosting on my part."
> "Your sister has a point. I need to stop making excuses. I answer to them just as much as they answer to me. I believe that what I'm doing is the right thing to do, and...I think Satori would want me to do what I think is the right thing to do, instead of blindly doing what is best for the family. In that way, at least, Koishi and I are not much different. I hope she comes around eventually. But man, this would all be a lot easier if we could just ask Satori what she thinks."
> "Anyway, once we're done here, do you want to go talk to her about this? If all these shenanigans have reinforced anything to me, it's that family is really important."
> Examine object inside box.

>Minoriko nods. "Koishi is pretty strong-willed, but at least she was willing to leave than than fight about it. And, I'll try to talk with her."
>You look inside the strongbox. Resting on a bit of silk is a greenish crystal, rough and unpolished. It looks lot like some of  the quartz formations you've seen around the edges of the Ancient City.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>Pick up the crystal. Can we sense anything unusual about it?
>If not, pocket it, and head back out of the storeroom

[Hello Purvis]

>Pick up the crystal. Can we sense anything unusual about it?
>If not, pocket it, and head back out of the storeroom

>You pick up the crystal. It leaves you with a weird feeling you can't really describe. It's like there's heat coming off of it, but not really heat.
>You feel Stargazer stir within you, very confused.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Stargazer? Does this feel familiar to you, somehow?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Stargazer? Does this feel familiar to you, somehow?"

>Stargazer manifests, not seeming to care about Minoriko.
>She feels the crystal. You feel a powerful sense of kinship from her, and from it, a strong feeling of joy. She's not alone in the world.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Is there- Is there something like you... IN this?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Is there- Is there something like you... IN this?"

>She seems certain of it. She even nods. ...When did Stargazer start figuring out gestures?

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Is it trapped? Or is this just a normal place for it to be, like you were inside trees, earlier?"

[Kilgamayan]

> "Also, does "Keine" mean anything to you?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Is it trapped? Or is this just a normal place for it to be, like you were inside trees, earlier?"

>She feels it is the latter, somewhat. Taking a closer look, she doesn't seem to think it can wake up like she does. But that doesn't seem to bother her.

> "Also, does "Keine" mean anything to you?"

>She doesn't know what that means.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Well, we got what we came for."
>Leave the storeroom

[Hello Purvis]

>"Well, we got what we came for."
>Leave the storeroom

>You leave the storeroom, and find Shizuha more or less where you left her.
>Stargazer continues to feel the crystal as she follows along behind you.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Did you two want to have a moment? I can go on ahead."

[Kilgamayan]

> To Stargazer: "We think we may have found a...missing piece of you. Would you be interested in seeing it?"
> To Shizuha: "For whatever it's worth, I must admit, you were right about several things about me. I still believe what I'm doing is right, but I realize I've been going about it for the wrong reasons. I've thought about it, and I've come to realize better reasons for me to be on the path I'm on. And, for whatever else it's worth, I don't hold any of this against you, even if you may hold it against me, however subtly you do."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Did you two want to have a moment? I can go on ahead."

>"Don't worry about it," says Shizuha. "Instead, worry about that crystal. What're you going to do with it now that you have it?"

> To Stargazer: "We think we may have found a...missing piece of you. Would you be interested in seeing it?"
> To Shizuha: "For whatever it's worth, I must admit, you were right about several things about me. I still believe what I'm doing is right, but I realize I've been going about it for the wrong reasons. I've thought about it, and I've come to realize better reasons for me to be on the path I'm on. And, for whatever else it's worth, I don't hold any of this against you, even if you may hold it against me, however subtly you do."

>Stargazer seems interested. The idea she was missing something hasn't even occurred to her, not until she saw the crystal.
>Shizuha closes her eyes. "It really doesn't matter anymore. But if you come out of it for the better, I won't begrudge you that, I suppose."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"I have a hunch about someone who may be able to do something with this. I just hope she can remember how to do it."
>"Anyway, I'm sorry that this night has ended up being so unpleasant for everyone. I'll do my best to make it right."
>Leave the shrine

[Kilgamayan]

> Have we seen Keine, the Dean of the school, before? If so, recall her physical appearance.
> If not, turn to Minoriko. "So what does Keine look like, anyway?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"I have a hunch about someone who may be able to do something with this. I just hope she can remember how to do it."
>"Anyway, I'm sorry that this night has ended up being so unpleasant for everyone. I'll do my best to make it right."
>Leave the shrine

>"Before you go," says Shizuha, "Don't expect to work miracles with it. It took Kanako, Suwako, and Koishi working together using it to make things like they are. And they didn't even need it just to move Gensokyo into this world."

> Have we seen Keine, the Dean of the school, before? If so, recall her physical appearance.
> If not, turn to Minoriko. "So what does Keine look like, anyway?"

>You haven't.
>"Like she does in Gensokyo, I would imagine," says Minoriko. "Silvery blue hair, brown eyes. About average height."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"I'll keep it in mind. All I can do now is the best I know how to. I just hope it's enough."
>Leave the shrine, and head towards Keine's

[Kilgamayan]

> To Shizuha: "Nothing to be lost from trying. Besides, I think I may be able to cook up a powerful body or two myself to help me out with this thing. We'll see what happens."
> To Minoriko: "I'm going to Dean Keine's place. Are you coming, or would you like to stay here?"
> Based on Minoriko's assessments, how long do we have before Kanasuwa regain consciousness?

[Kilgamayan]

> Also to Minoriko, assuming either we haven't left yet or she came with us: "Do you have any idea who would have sent some thug-for-hire named Nue Houjuu after me? She was stalking me for a while a day or two ago and claimed the Scarlets hired her when I punched her, but based on my dealings with City Hall, as well as recent events, I can't imagine they were actually behind it, since they'd be as unaware of the only reason to have me followed as anyone else."

[Hello Purvis]

>"I'll keep it in mind. All I can do now is the best I know how to. I just hope it's enough."
>Leave the shrine, and head towards Keine's

> To Shizuha: "Nothing to be lost from trying. Besides, I think I may be able to cook up a powerful body or two myself to help me out with this thing. We'll see what happens."
> To Minoriko: "I'm going to Dean Keine's place. Are you coming, or would you like to stay here?"
> Based on Minoriko's assessments, how long do we have before Kanasuwa regain consciousness?

>"I suppose if there's anything you need, let me know," says Shizuha. "Just, don't linger too long on this."
>"I think I'm going to stay here, if that's alright," says Minoriko. "I don't like seeing Shizuha like this."
>Probably 50 minutes or so.

> Also to Minoriko, assuming either we haven't left yet or she came with us: "Do you have any idea who would have sent some thug-for-hire named Nue Houjuu after me? She was stalking me for a while a day or two ago and claimed the Scarlets hired her when I punched her, but based on my dealings with City Hall, as well as recent events, I can't imagine they were actually behind it, since they'd be as unaware of the only reason to have me followed as anyone else."

>"Oh! Ah, Ttat....was me," says Minoriko, looking a bit sheepish. "I really didn't have a better way to keep tabs on you without exposing myself. It was kind of a last minute arrangement, though."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> To Shizuha: "Really? Don't suppose you could lend my sister your wheelbarrow?"
> To Minoriko: "Oh dear. Uh...if you run into her again, tell her I'm sorry for giving her a black eye and I'll try to return the rest of the money you gave her when I can."

[Hello Purvis]

> To Shizuha: "Really? Don't suppose you could lend my sister your wheelbarrow?"
> To Minoriko: "Oh dear. Uh...if you run into her again, tell her I'm sorry for giving her a black eye and I'll try to return the rest of the money you gave her when I can."

>"If you want," says Shizuha. "It's not hers, though, if that's that you're thinking."
>"I'll tell her," she says.

>_