Maribel Quest Succeeding - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Hello Purvis]

> To the hooded woman: "Excuse me, but I never got your name earlier.  Forgive me."
> Introduce ourselves again, it's only polite.

>"My mistake," she says, "I'm Ichirin."

>"From what I saw, she was acting somewhere in between those extremes, I think. Not entirely pleasant, I'll admit, but manageable."
>Do we hunger?

>Nazrin and Ichirin nod. They clearly understand.
>You could certainly do with something.

>"She was pleasant enough, considering. I think I amused her a little, actually. I don't imagine she gets too many humans down talking to her."

>"She really doesn't like humans," says Ichirin, "Or anyone from up here."
>"Except for the good ones," Nazrin says, "Which is pretty much anyone she likes."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"There was also a bit of a row about a bucket. Kisume claimed that one of the ones at the clinic was her spare that had been stolen."

[Hello Purvis]

>"There was also a bit of a row about a bucket. Kisume claimed that one of the ones at the clinic was her spare that had been stolen."

>Byakuren frowns. "I assume it wasn't hers?"

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"She seemed convinced that it was, and I'm actually kind of inclined to believe her in this case. Not that I think it was Murasa's fault. She says she picked it up at Kourindou. How it might have gotten there in the first place is probably anyone's guess. I heard Rinnosuke doesn't answer too many questions, but I figured I'd try asking him, anyway."

[Kilgamayan]

> "Apparently it WAS hers, but Murasa had purchased it from a shop. Somewhere along the line, someone stole the bucket from Kisume and sold it to that shop. None of us know who, though."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Apparently it WAS hers, but Murasa had purchased it from a shop. Somewhere along the line, someone stole the bucket from Kisume and sold it to that shop. None of us know who, though."

>"She seemed convinced that it was, and I'm actually kind of inclined to believe her in this case. Not that I think it was Murasa's fault. She says she picked it up at Kourindou. How it might have gotten there in the first place is probably anyone's guess. I heard Rinnosuke doesn't answer too many questions, but I figured I'd try asking him, anyway."

>"It was a good thing you there, then." says Byakuren.
>"What with Murasa's temper," Nazrin says, as she nibbles on a sandwich.
>Byakuren turns her frown on Nazrin for a moment, then looks back to you. "I'm happy you old me about this, though. Even if little comes of it."
>"Would you like a bun?" Ichirin asks.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Yes, please. That would be nice."
>Accept the bun

[Hello Purvis]

>"Yes, please. That would be nice."
>Accept the bun

>You are handed a bun! It's a little warm.
>"I hope you've not had many problems otherwise?" Byakuren says.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>Take a bite
>"Aside from Yuugi threatening to paint her walls with me, I think I've been mostly ok."

[Hello Purvis]

>Take a bite
>"Aside from Yuugi threatening to paint her walls with me, I think I've been mostly ok."

>It is full of soft, still kinda warm vegetables. Not too shabby!
>"Sounds like Yuugi," says Nazrin. "She was being metaphorical, don't worry. Worst that would have happened is that she'd have knocked you out and dumped you in some alley."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"I can't say that sounds terribly reassuring, just the same.... But I'll be more than happy to give her a wide berth for a while and hope things settle themselves."

[Hello Purvis]

>"I can't say that sounds terribly reassuring, just the same.... But I'll be more than happy to give her a wide berth for a while and hope things settle themselves."

>"That's about how I did," says Nazrin.
>"She's really quite pleasant, though," Ichirin says, "In a coarse sort of way."
>The hooded woman stands up. "I think I'll be getting back to work now," she says, "Until next time, Maribel."
>As she walks away, Nazrin frowns. "Yeah, better get up on those nails and stuff, make sure those Kappa don't weigh 'em down. She hops to her feet, tail twitching as she stretches. "See you around Boss, new kid"
>With that, she departs as well, leaving you and Byakuren alone.

>_

[Rin Kagamine]

> Now give Byakuren the ingredients.
> "Everything's here, but I don't really know if I want that power boost just yet.  I haven't been around enough, or really seen anything that has made me think that I need more power.  Even still, I appreciate the offer but would it be possible to hold off on the power raise for a while?"

[DracoOmega]

>"So, now that I have all the materials and things together, how is this spell supposed to work, anyway?"

[Kilgamayan]

> Do we know what species Nitori is?
> If so..."The kappa are helping you out? Do you know one by the name of Nitori?"

[Blitzer]

>Time of day.

(I don't want to bump up the old thread, so who were Reisen and Eirin in Okuu Quest anyways?)

[Hello Purvis]

> Now give Byakuren the ingredients.
> "Everything's here, but I don't really know if I want that power boost just yet.  I haven't been around enough, or really seen anything that has made me think that I need more power.  Even still, I appreciate the offer but would it be possible to hold off on the power raise for a while?"

>You hand her the rest of the ingredients.
>"I understand," she says. "From what I have observed, I don't feel particularly worried about doing it for you any more. And I wouldn't force you into it if you did not desire it. But, I will warn you. If you've strayed too close to edge between human and youkai, it may push you through. I think you have a better understanding of what this means now, so I won't lecture you any further on it, unless you have something to ask me.

>"So, now that I have all the materials and things together, how is this spell supposed to work, anyway?"

>"I have to brew the mushroom and the ragewort into a compound," says Byakuren. "It's not hard, but it will take an hour or so. Afterward, it should keep. If you like, I can prepare it ahead of time. The rest is a simple casting, using the other things you have given me. You will need to rest for a short while afterward. If it is done late enough, you would probably just rest the whole night, and wake up the next day."

> Do we know what species Nitori is?
> If so..."The kappa are helping you out? Do you know one by the name of Nitori?"

>Utsuho mentioned she was a Kappa Engineer.
>"I've heard the name," Byakuren says, "But I do not know her personally."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Out of curiosity, what kind of magnitude of effect could I expect from this? Or is it difficult to tell ahead of time?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Out of curiosity, what kind of magnitude of effect could I expect from this? Or is it difficult to tell ahead of time?"

>"Well, it depends on how you define magnitude," says Byakuren. "In comparison to most sorcerers, I feel the results would be be fairly modest in the end. You wouldn't be challenging Patchouli or Marisa anytime soon. But, you yourself would likely see phenomenal improvement compared to how you are now. As for how much, that's hard to say."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Yes, I was just thinking in terms of myself, of course. I'm not expecting anything miraculous. But, final decision aside, if this can be prepared in advance, without risk of it spoiling, I think that might be a good idea. And I do very much appreciate your offer."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Yes, I was just thinking in terms of myself, of course. I'm not expecting anything miraculous. But, final decision aside, if this can be prepared in advance, without risk of it spoiling, I think that might be a good idea. And I do very much appreciate your offer."

>"You might be surprised, in that case," she says. "And, do not worry about it. Consider it sympathy from one who remember what it is like to be starting out."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Thanks. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Thanks. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

>"I don't need much at the moment," she says, "But, far be it for me to disparage any acts of generosity on your part that you might come up with on your own."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Well, if something else comes up that you think I could help with, feel free to let me know. For now, though, I probably should get back to the school. I think it's probably out by now, and Keine promised me a more detailed story of how I likely got here in the first place."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Well, if something else comes up that you think I could help with, feel free to let me know. For now, though, I probably should get back to the school. I think it's probably out by now, and Keine promised me a more detailed story of how I likely got here in the first place."

>She nods. "Alright. I will keep you in mind. Don't be unwilling to ask me for help, either."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

So what immediate concerns do we have? Just the school and the mansion? The three-way and the fairies can wait a little bit.

[DracoOmega]

>"Thanks. I appreciate all that you've done."
>Head back towards the school. Keep an eye out for Chen, if people seem to have just been released from class.

There's also the possibility of investigating the Youkai Mountain area for signs of Renko.

[Rin Kagamine]

We have to talk to Nitori as well, for Utsuho and to see if she's seen Renko

> Take our leave and head to the school

[Kilgamayan]

Yeah, but Nitori, Kanako and Suwako aren't necessarily time-sensitive issues. They deserve an update, if nothing else, and giving Sakuya her watch back will help them hold on a little bit better.

[Hello Purvis]

>"Thanks. I appreciate all that you've done."
>Head back towards the school. Keep an eye out for Chen, if people seem to have just been released from class.

>She nods, as you depart.
>Heading back to the village, you see a few children running about on the road, and more of them at the playground. You catch a glimpse of the girl with two tails and the red dress on the tire swing, she seems too occupied to notice you.

>_