Keine Quest (Part 4): Broken History

[Kasu]

> "Well considering what Sanae said and what I saw in the Outside World...  I would say that the artifact in question is more likely to be some kind of technology using science rather than magic."

[Hello Purvis]

>"But with that in mind, I can't imagine it's beyond your skill to replicate their ability."

[DracoOmega]

> "Well considering what Sanae said and what I saw in the Outside World...  I would say that the artifact in question is more likely to be some kind of technology using science rather than magic."

>Patchouli frowns. "Oh. I see."

>"But with that in mind, I can't imagine it's beyond your skill to replicate their ability."

>"Well, I suppose it may be an... interesting curiosity, at the very least."

[Hello Purvis]

>"I'll definitely get you one. And maybe one of those devices as well."

[DracoOmega]

>"I'll definitely get you one. And maybe one of those devices as well."

>"Very well," Patchouli says, putting her book down with a sigh. "You said you desired a means to reach the bottom of the lake? How long did you intend to remain there? Was Ran to be the only one to go there?"

[MysTeariousYukari]

> "Well, only one person should need to go, maybe two. We wouldn't need much more time then what it would take to get to the location in question and do what is needed."

[Hello Purvis]

>Let Ran explain how much time she'll need.

[DracoOmega]

> "Well, only one person should need to go, maybe two. We wouldn't need much more time then what it would take to get to the location in question and do what is needed."

>Let Ran explain how much time she'll need.

>You offer a little explanation and then ask Ran to provide the rest.
>"If I'm simply to sample the latent spatial indentation and triangulate a path through it," Ran says. "I should need no more than 30 seconds at the site itself. Of course, I do not know precisely how deep the fissure is located." She turns to you. "If I can find a superior path through this location, do you intend to depart from there at once?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"It would be midday there, now. I'd be much happier waiting until some time after midnight, when it is dark there and people are less active."

[DracoOmega]

>"It would be midday there, now. I'd be much happier waiting until some time after midnight, when it is dark there and people are less active."

>Ran nods. "That seems sensible."
>Patchouli sighs. "I very, very much hate to say that this would be easiest if I went to assist in person. You are exceedingly fortunate that I will consider doing that at all. I certainly do not intend to attempt it twice."

[Hello Purvis]

>"While I am thinking about it, Ran...why did that gate open up into the park where it did?"

[DracoOmega]

>"While I am thinking about it, Ran...why did that gate open up into the park where it did?"

>"Presumably because that was the path of least resistance along the folds in space," Ran replies. "To grossly simplify, think of it like water flowing down a hill. The path was aimed along the existing connection as best I could, and the terminus was a local minimum in the spatial contour. There need likely be nothing else special about that location besides that."

[Hello Purvis]

>"I see. But, you're certain it's in the same general vicinity of where the actual endpoint was, and not a point of least resistance that may be weeks or worlds away?"

[DracoOmega]

>"I see. But, you're certain it's in the same general vicinity of where the actual endpoint was, and not a point of least resistance that may be weeks or worlds away?"

>Ran frowns. "The time differential is something I wouldn't have expected. To be perfectly honest, I've never see such a thing happen. But the passage felt firmly anchored to me, and I would be surprised if you'd ended up in a different city, let alone a different world."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Alright. Hopefully the underwater rift would get us closer. We'll wait a while and let it get dark there, first, so that Patchouli need not make two trips."
>Look to Patchouli. "What are the details on this method you intend to use?"

[DracoOmega]

>"Alright. Hopefully the underwater rift would get us closer. We'll wait a while and let it get dark there, first, so that Patchouli need not make two trips."
>Look to Patchouli. "What are the details on this method you intend to use?"

>"Very well," Ran agrees.
>"To put it crudely," Patchouli says. "I will wrap the water around us. It's primarily a defensive spell, but can be used for other purposes. I should be able to extend it around a small group if you stay close. It will essentially allow us to travel through water as if it were air, although I should not want to tarry long."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Good. How many can you bring? Our hope is to find a site that is large enough to allow for three more more to pass through."

[DracoOmega]

>"Good. How many can you bring? Our hope is to find a site that is large enough to allow for three more more to pass through."

>"I believe I could ferry that many," Patchouli says. "Keep in mind it will take a significant exertion to perform this at that depth, so make sure you know what you're doing."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Actually. This raises a very important question. Ran, let us suppose there is a rift down there three or more of us could use. Wouldn't we have to use it to return? That is, reappear at the bottom of the lake?"

[DracoOmega]

>"Actually. This raises a very important question. Ran, let us suppose there is a rift down there three or more of us could use. Wouldn't we have to use it to return? That is, reappear at the bottom of the lake?"

>"We would," Ran says. "And... we would." She frowns. "I expect I could hold my breath long enough to surface. Mokou, no doubt, would be fine even if she could not."
>"Hey, define 'fine'," Mokou grumps.
>"That leaves yourself, Kiene," Ran continues. "I suppose it depends on how deep the fissure is."

[Hello Purvis]

>"The problem is, well, coming from that gap is very disorienting.  I'm not sure it's possible to reliably hold my breath through it."

[DracoOmega]

>"The problem is, well, coming from that gap is very disorienting.  I'm not sure it's possible to reliably hold my breath through it."

>"Disorienting?" Ran frowns. "I'm sorry I couldn't make a smoother connection. A properly made one is generally little more disorienting than stepping through a curtain. Although, to be fair, perhaps I'm simply more used to it than most."
>"If you're thinking to suggest that accompany you to the other side," Patchouli says, "I would advise you come up with some other plan. I have no intention of wandering around strange cities searching for creatures of unknown intent."

[Hello Purvis]

>"No no, I'm not complaining. Just, disorientation and being underwater sound like a pretty fatal combination. And no, Patchouli, I wasn't thinking that all for the reasons you just named. You've been too good to us to force you along."

[DracoOmega]

>"No no, I'm not complaining. Just, disorientation and being underwater sound like a pretty fatal combination. And no, Patchouli, I wasn't thinking that all for the reasons you just named. You've been too good to us to force you along."

>Patchouli gives a curt note of acknowledgment. "Did you have an alternate proposal?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"At this point, there doesn't seem to be much reason to do it at all, if we can't come back safely that way."

[DracoOmega]

>"At this point, there doesn't seem to be much reason to do it at all, if we can't come back safely that way."

>"An understandable aversion," Patchouli says.
>"Look," Mokou says, "worst come to worst, I can always step through first. Drag the two of you up with me if ya stop breathing right." She frowns. "...doesn't sound much good, either, does it?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Can you swim?"

[DracoOmega]

>"Can you swim?"

>Mokou nods. "Yeah, I can swim."

[Hello Purvis]

>"With two people in tow?"

[DracoOmega]

>"With two people in tow?"

>"Can try," she says.
>Ran frowns. "I think I had been hoping for a less problematic option than this."