Maribel Quest Abridging - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Hello Purvis]

>Take the bottle
>"What is it?"

>You obtain: Amber Liquid.
>"Well, your friend just happened to mention that she was a little curious about what it'd be like if you were Byakuren's size," says Yukari, smiling warmly. "and I just happened to spot this in the Pandemonium bazaar today, Just polish it off, and up you go."

>"Wait, is this lube?"

>"Oh, should I make a list next time?"

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"I'll assume it's quite temporary?"
>"You think the magnitude of the effect would be similar?"
>"And... do I even want to know how aptly named this bazaar is?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"I'll assume it's quite temporary?"
>"You think the magnitude of the effect would be similar?"
>"And... do I even want to know how aptly named this bazaar is?"

>"Oh of course," says Yukari, making a dismissing wave. "The dealer told me it lasts inversely proportional to how active you are. It would last all day if you just loafed around, but only a couple hours if you are more...active. Oh, you could split the dose as well, if you liked. It would only last about half as long. But use any less than that, and you might as well drink water. Would you prefer something permanent."
>"It should be," Yukari says and putting a finger to her lips, "but I've never tried it myself. You should still fit indoors, I'm certain."
>"Well, it is in Pandemonium, so quite aptly, I imagine!"

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Any... side-effects that you know of?"
>"For that matter, you think it's safe and does just what it says? At least from the outside world's conception of Pandemonium, the place is rather... sketchy, to put it mildly."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Any... side-effects that you know of?"
>"For that matter, you think it's safe and does just what it says? At least from the outside world's conception of Pandemonium, the place is rather... sketchy, to put it mildly."

>"Shouldn't be," says Yukari. "But if there are you just come find me or tell Ran and we'll get on it in a jiffy!"
>"Of course it's safe," Yukari says, beaming. "The vendor wouldn't dream of selling me something unsafe, I'm sure."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Yes, I suppose there are advantages to having such a reputation."
>"Well, I appreciate the thoughtfulness, in either case. Thank you."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Yes, I suppose there are advantages to having such a reputation."
>"Well, I appreciate the thoughtfulness, in either case. Thank you."

>"Well, the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about," says Yukari.
>She leans over, and kisses you top of the head. "And you be sure to enjoy it. I'll see you later. Oh, if you like it, let me know and I'll see about finding you more."
>She then steps back, releasing your arm at last, and vanishes into a gap.
>Oh god, you must look like a stop sign right now.

>_

[Janitor Morgan]

> Take a moment to regain our composure.
> Press onward!

[communist unity (comm-unity)]

> Oh Yukari, you so crazy.

[E-Nazrin]

> Take a moment to regain our composure.

>Futae no kiwami reference
>Is there any labeling on the bottle?

[Hello Purvis]

> Take a moment to regain our composure.
> Press onward!

> Oh Yukari, you so crazy.

>It takes you more than a moment to really regain your composure.
>Crazy is one way to put it...
>Eventually, you feel settled enough to press onward. The City is fairly quiet now; you suspect the Oni have mostly partied themselves out again; save for a few stalwarts.

>Futae no kiwami reference
>Is there any labeling on the bottle?

>Who the what now?
>There is not! It's a nice bottle, though. Not very large, you suspect you could down all the liquid in a gulp. It makes you think of some kind of brandy or cognac or something.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>Continue on to the Palace of the Earth Spirits
>On arrival, knock on the door

[Hello Purvis]

>Continue on to the Palace of the Earth Spirits
>On arrival, knock on the door

>You continue on toward the Palace, the streets relatively clear. Which is nice, you're pretty certain you have some residual blush to work off.
>You reach the Palace without incident, and knock on the door. It takes a few minutes for the door to open, and Satori to meet you, with a cat wrapped around her shoulders like a stole. "Good afternoon, Maribel," she says, then frowns a little bit. "So, you found her..."

>_

[E-Nazrin]

>Nod.
>"Yeah. She's... definitely not happy with Utsuho. But it sounds like she does want to meet you again."
>... though, she said some rather disturbing things about you... wait. Damnit. Sorry.

[Hello Purvis]

>Nod.
>"Yeah. She's... definitely not happy with Utsuho. But it sounds like she does want to meet you again."
>... though, she said some rather disturbing things about you... wait. Damnit. Sorry.

>Satori nods. "Do not worry about it. And...she wishes me to come?"
>The youkai looks over the city, frowning deeply. "When?"

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"I think as soon as you're ready. She told me where she'll be waiting. I can take you there."
>"I... don't know that I have the heart to tell Okuu what she said about her. I mean, I don't pretend to understand what it's like to have a third eye as you two do, but... I'm sure Okuu was only doing she thought was right."

[E-Nazrin]

>Or does Okuu just... gah!
>"Sorry. Or is it that she cares about both of you regardless of that power?"
>... and... "And is it really as... troublesome as Koishi said?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"I think as soon as you're ready. She told me where she'll be waiting. I can take you there."
>"I... don't know that I have the heart to tell Okuu what she said about her. I mean, I don't pretend to understand what it's like to have a third eye as you two do, but... I'm sure Okuu was only doing she thought was right."

>She nods. "I...I don't know what I would tell Okuu, either."

>Or does Okuu just... gah!
>"Sorry. Or is it that she cares about both of you regardless of that power?"
>... and... "And is it really as... troublesome as Koishi said?"

>"Okuu does," says Satori. "But her situation is a little different than most people. And...Kosihi isn't exaggerating too greatly, to be honest."

>_

[E-Nazrin]

>"A little different than most people? May I ask how?"

[DracoOmega]

>"It... all seems so terribly unfair. To you, to Koishi, to Okuu. I would never want to shun a good person for what they are. But... I'm sure there are people who do. I mean, Koishi's right; I can't understand what it's really like. But... I'm sure I can't be the only one who feels this way."
>"I can only imagine what it's like, though, to have someone you care about say such hateful things against you. And Okuu obviously still cares about her, or I wouldn't have even had that conversation in the first place. I'd... hoped Koishi hadn't really remember what had happened on Gensokyo Isle, either. Although, maybe that was a little unfair to her, too."

[Hello Purvis]

>"A little different than most people? May I ask how?"

>"Beasts normally can't communicate with people," says Satori, as she strokes the leg of the cat wrapped around her neck. "But, we can get around that. For Utsuho, and everyone else here, it is a blessing. But, for people like you, with more complex minds and desires, it is not so."

>"It... all seems so terribly unfair. To you, to Koishi, to Okuu. I would never want to shun a good person for what they are. But... I'm sure there are people who do. I mean, Koishi's right; I can't understand what it's really like. But... I'm sure I can't be the only one who feels this way."
>"I can only imagine what it's like, though, to have someone you care about say such hateful things against you. And Okuu obviously still cares about her, or I wouldn't have even had that conversation in the first place. I'd... hoped Koishi hadn't really remember what had happened on Gensokyo Isle, either. Although, maybe that was a little unfair to her, too."

>She nods. "I prefer to think I have a role to fulfill with my babies here. Koishi...she had her own desires. I can't blame her for that. I don't know what I could say to her to change her mind. I think perhaps only time may do that. And perhaps it is unfair, but Koishi is right in that people wish to keep their secrets, even when they wish us the very best.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"No, I understand that. It isn't your responsibility to change her mind, if she's set in her own thoughts. But will you come to the surface and at least speak with her? If nothing else, I think she'd like to talk to you again."

[Hello Purvis]

>"No, I understand that. It isn't your responsibility to change her mind, if she's set in her own thoughts. But will you come to the surface and at least speak with her? If nothing else, I think she'd like to talk to you again."

>Satori casts another look toward the Ancient City and frowns. "I'd...rather not."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Are you... sure? Is it... really that unpleasant for you to walk past the city?"

[communist unity (comm-unity)]

> "Koishi's meeting spot is in an isolated area, I don't think we'd be around any other people or crowds."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Are you... sure? Is it... really that unpleasant for you to walk past the city?"

>She nods slowly. "Hundreds of minds...It's painful to be near them."

> "Koishi's meeting spot is in an isolated area, I don't think we'd be around any other people or crowds."

>"That would be nice," she says, still frowning toward the city.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Is there... any way AROUND the city to get out?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Is there... any way AROUND the city to get out?"

>"Not that we know of," says Satori.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"But you showed me around some of the city when I got here. ....was that painful for you, too? I didn't realize it at the time..."
>"There must be some way... I don't want to think it's impossible."

[Hello Purvis]

>"But you showed me around some of the city when I got here. ....was that painful for you, too? I didn't realize it at the time..."
>"There must be some way... I don't want to think it's impossible."

>"We kept to the outskirts," says Satori."And yes, it was a bit unpleasant. But it was tolerable until I had to go into the pub district after that oni chased you."
>"I...can try to power through it, I suppose."

>_