Iku Quest Drei - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Hello Purvis]

> "I'm going in a direction that will let you out of jail, if really want it. More immediately importantly, however, I'm not going to just blast you out of here while there may be patrols or guards running about. I don't need that extra stress."
> "Now, are you alone in there or not?"

>It's clear from her frown that she doesn't like this. "Yeah, I'm alone. Usually Momiji or some other guard is in here during their off time, but it's an incident so they're all busy."

>_

[Suwako Moriya]

> Nod.
> "All right. I will see you inside momentarily, then."
> "Before I go, however, I am going to make my first request in return for releasing you."
> Indicate Tenshi.
> "You are to apologize to the Eldest Daughter of the Hinanai Clan for insulting her, you are to do it using her proper title, and you are to do it in a meaningful fashion. Being snarky or half-assed will not work."

[Hello Purvis]

> Nod.
> "All right. I will see you inside momentarily, then."
> "Before I go, however, I am going to make my first request in return for releasing you."
> Indicate Tenshi.
> "You are to apologize to the Eldest Daughter of the Hinanai Clan for insulting her, you are to do it using her proper title, and you are to do it in a meaningful fashion. Being snarky or half-assed will not work."

>"Fine, fine," says Aya.
>She looks to Tenshi, sighs, then says, "I apologize for calling you the village idiot, Eldest Daughter of the Hinanai Clan."
>Tenshi says, "Hmmph."

>_

[Suwako Moriya]

> Nod.
> "Good. Now, if you'll excuse us for a moment."
> Leave Aya and make for a door that will lead into the building.
> If we find a door into the building that's reasonably out of earshot of Aya, turn to Tenshi before opening it, drop our voice low, and say "Did she ever 'get' you as well?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Nod.
> "Good. Now, if you'll excuse us for a moment."
> Leave Aya and make for a door that will lead into the building.
> If we find a door into the building that's reasonably out of earshot of Aya, turn to Tenshi before opening it, drop our voice low, and say "Did she ever 'get' you as well?"

>"Try not to take too long," says Aya. "There's news happening!"
>You walk around the building and find the front door. You notice a little sign on it that reads, "Emergency. Please come back later."
>You are quite certain Aya won't hear you, so you quietly ask Tenshi the question. "Oh yeah," she says, frowning. "A couple of times."

>_

[Suwako Moriya]

> Frown similarly.
> "Hopefully this will give her a new appreciation for 'art', then."
> Try to open the door.

[Hello Purvis]

> Frown similarly.
> "Hopefully this will give her a new appreciation for 'art', then."
> Try to open the door.

>"Doubt it," says Tenshi.
>You test the door, and find it opens easily. Inside, you can see a desk and a small office across from the door. A shelf behind it has a number of loose items. To the west, you can see three chambers with walls and doors made of bars. Aya stands at the middle one, watching you with obvious expectation and hope in her eyes.

>_

[Suwako Moriya]

> Search around the shelf for Aya's camera.
> To Aya: "Pardon my ignorance, but how exactly does your camera work?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Search around the shelf for Aya's camera.
> To Aya: "Pardon my ignorance, but how exactly does your camera work?"

>You are able to pick it out pretty easily on the shelf, it's practically at eye level.
>"You hand it to me and tell me what you want a picture of," says Aya. "It's delicate equipment."

>_

[Suwako Moriya]

> "What I want a picture of cannot be photographed from within your cell, and I cannot let you leave until I have what I want. I can, however, assure you my grip is steady, I do not plan on going anywhere with it, and that it is in my best interests to make sure nothing undue happens to it, just as it is in yours."

[Hello Purvis]

> "What I want a picture of cannot be photographed from within your cell, and I cannot let you leave until I have what I want. I can, however, assure you my grip is steady, I do not plan on going anywhere with it, and that it is in my best interests to make sure nothing undue happens to it, just as it is in yours."

>Aya sighs. "Fine, fine. But if you break it, so help me, I will do everything in my power to end you. Alright, first thing you do is..."
>The imprisoned tengu gives you a number of complicated-sounding directions. But as you put them into practice, you find the process is simple. You are reasonably confident you can pull it off without problems.
>"So," says Aya, "I'm pretty sure what you've got in mind. So it just comes down to a question; do you just want some petty pin-up, or do you want art?"

>_

[Suwako Moriya]

> Smile.
> "The latter, of course."

[Hello Purvis]

> Smile.
> "The latter, of course."

>She nods. "Well, maybe you'll be better at it than Momiji was. I'll make a deal with you, then. Let me out, and I'll loan you my back-up camera. Then, name a time and a place if you want. Or just try to catch me off guard whenever you want, it's your choice. Because this right now? There's no art in it."
>"Wait, you're gonna do that?" says Tenshi.

>_

[Suwako Moriya]

> "Well, the thing is that I quite disagree with the assertion that what we have now isn't art, or at least that it cannot become art without minimal effort."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Well, the thing is that I quite disagree with the assertion that what we have now isn't art, or at least that it cannot become art without minimal effort."

>"Yeah, but you're trying to get even, right?" says Aya. "So if you don't do it right, what's the point? This kind of situation? Hardly counts; you're coercing me and I can't even get away. I wouldn't have it, myself."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Assuming I were doing this to 'get even', one could take the stance that the embarrassment and helplessness of coercion actually adds to the experience instead of taking away from it."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Assuming I were doing this to 'get even', one could take the stance that the embarrassment and helplessness of coercion actually adds to the experience instead of taking away from it."

>"If you say so," says Aya with a shrug. "But if you did something that was actually artistic, I'd be obligated to put it in the gallery, wouldn't I? Otherwise, I'll just point out to people you never actually did anything that counts, and your getting even will just ring hollow."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Recall known info about this 'gallery'.
> When Aya showed us how to take a picture, did the camera actually spit a picture out?

[Hello Purvis]

> Recall known info about this 'gallery'.
> When Aya showed us how to take a picture, did the camera actually spit a picture out?

>You don't know anything about it. But from what you gather, it is where she puts her "art".
>No, but she told you not to do the last step yourself until you were ready.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Recall knowledge of recent incidents. In particular, how much do we know about the temporary sun disappearance many months back?

> Shrug.
> "Then I guess our definitions of 'art' differ, and the question then becomes why what I do doesn't qualify as art while what you do does."
> "But I should probably make something clear, since it seems I've realized something about our subjects in my studies that you haven't in yours. All of your subjects aren't concerned with what qualifies as art, they're only concerned that their privacy was invaded. Were something unpleasant to happen here, they wouldn't care that you were forced into it, or that there was no element of surprise, or anything like that. They probably won't even stop to take any pleasure in the fact that your very own camera was used to defile your art style. They will only care that you were subjected to the same indecencies and embarrassments that they were, and that will give them plenty of satisfaction."

[Hello Purvis]

> Recall knowledge of recent incidents. In particular, how much do we know about the temporary sun disappearance many months back?

> Shrug.
> "Then I guess our definitions of 'art' differ, and the question then becomes why what I do doesn't qualify as art while what you do does."
> "But I should probably make something clear, since it seems I've realized something about our subjects in my studies that you haven't in yours. All of your subjects aren't concerned with what qualifies as art, they're only concerned that their privacy was invaded. Were something unpleasant to happen here, they wouldn't care that you were forced into it, or that there was no element of surprise, or anything like that. They probably won't even stop to take any pleasure in the fact that your very own camera was used to defile your art style. They will only care that you were subjected to the same indecencies and embarrassments that they were, and that will give them plenty of satisfaction."

>You remember that day quite clearly. There was some question as to what exactly that thing that floated a little ways past The Dragon Palace was, then suddenly it was night. Thankfully outright panic didn't happen, just a lot of petitioners appearing at the Palace Gates after the fact. You consulted with The Dragon that day, and learned it was the result of an incident triggered by Yuka, and resolved by Patchouli and Utsuho. You've heard of some of other events around that; apparently Hakugyokurou attacked Scarlet Devil Mansion for some reason. You're reasonably sure there was some excitement around here, as well.
>"You say it like that," says Aya. "but there's a problem. You might impress some, but others are going to know that you did it the lazy way. And most importantly, all three of us are going to know." She shrugs. "But it's your call, art or laziness. I won't give you any problems. Also, I'm pretty sure there's a key in the desk drawers."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Do we recall any involvement Aya may have had with anything?

> "You may call it laziness. I call it taking advantage of an opportunity. I'm not concerned with style points, I'm concerned with the subject's form, and if I may be honest and frank, yours appears to be quite lovely."

[Hello Purvis]

> Do we recall any involvement Aya may have had with anything?

> "You may call it laziness. I call it taking advantage of an opportunity. I'm not concerned with style points, I'm concerned with the subject's form, and if I may be honest and frank, yours appears to be quite lovely."

>You are aware that she's renowned for being a quite the terror with her photography.
>"You just contradicted yourself there. You say you're concerned with form and such, then you don't even want to try for anything other than a boring staged photo?" says Aya. "But whatever, what do I know? I only do it for a living."
>"Wow, Sanae is going to be so jealous," says Tenshi.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Are we aware of any involvement she may have specifically had with the incident where the sun temporarily disappeared?

> Turn to Tenshi and give a small grin, then turn back to Aya.
> "What does being staged matter? The body is the body, staged or unstaged."
> "But enough of this. You have your preferences, I have mine. To each their own, as far as I'm concerned. Shall we begin, then?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Are we aware of any involvement she may have specifically had with the incident where the sun temporarily disappeared?

> Turn to Tenshi and give a small grin, then turn back to Aya.
> "What does being staged matter? The body is the body, staged or unstaged."
> "But enough of this. You have your preferences, I have mine. To each their own, as far as I'm concerned. Shall we begin, then?"

>You are not.
>Tenshi raises an eyebrow in response to you, her grimace full of confusion.
>"Yeah, just remember that when I tell you you're dancing wrong," says Aya. "And before we begin, how exactly are you planning to get me out of this box? Because aside from waking in here, I've not seen you do anything to that effect. And I want you word you're not just going to do a flash and dash on me."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "You said there was a key in the desk drawer, right? I'll go fish it out while you get ready, if you like."

[Hello Purvis]

> "You said there was a key in the desk drawer, right? I'll go fish it out while you get ready, if you like."

>"Please," says Aya. "And your word, as well."
>"I'll get it," says Tenshi, as she heads over toward the desk.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Nod to Tenshi, then turn back to Aya.
> "A flash and dash would not accomplish what I have set out to do. There is more to why I have come to you than just art fulfillment. So no, I do not plan on running away. If circumstances dictate that I change my mind and leave, your camera will be returned to you before I depart, and I will not speak of the details of this encounter again."

[Hello Purvis]

> Nod to Tenshi, then turn back to Aya.
> "A flash and dash would not accomplish what I have set out to do. There is more to why I have come to you than just art fulfillment. So no, I do not plan on running away. If circumstances dictate that I change my mind and leave, your camera will be returned to you before I depart, and I will not speak of the details of this encounter again."

>Tenshi heads over to the desk and begins to rifle through it.
>"You're not saying the words, I notice," says Aya. "Let's hear them. Swear on The Dragon that you're going to get me out of here."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I swear on The Dragon that, as long as you fulfill my requests, I will release you from this prison."