Iku Quest Deka: A Z-Machine Adventure

[Kilgamayan]

> "Yes, I suppose that is reasonable enough."
> "Out of curiosity, what was this tourist agency you mentioned?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Yes, I suppose that is reasonable enough."
> "Out of curiosity, what was this tourist agency you mentioned?"

>"A couple of enterprising devils arranged for an escort from Pandemonium to the entrance to Gensokyo," says Yukari. "While the city devils aren't quite so rough as those in the country, on the whole, it was still a problem, and gave people ideas."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Ooh. I can see why that would be a problem, yes. It's strange that I've never heard about all these things. I know I tend to be behind the times in Gensokyo, but...may I assume there being no barrier between here and Makai is not common knowledge among the Gensokyo people?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Ooh. I can see why that would be a problem, yes. It's strange that I've never heard about all these things. I know I tend to be behind the times in Gensokyo, but...may I assume there being no barrier between here and Makai is not common knowledge among the Gensokyo people?"

>"Ah, there is most certainly a barrier," says Yukari. "Just, it has its little holes. But the Makai entrance is one of those little things we're happier not to have too well known."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Of course. "
> "Mmm...I should probably also tell you that there's now some kind of spatial anomaly within Bhava-Agra's shadow. The poltergeist was able to detect it, but she has no idea how it got there, nor how to fix it. She actually thinks it's something malicious, but I haven't told her where it came from. Is it possible to fix that discreetly at some point?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Of course. "
> "Mmm...I should probably also tell you that there's now some kind of spatial anomaly within Bhava-Agra's shadow. The poltergeist was able to detect it, but she has no idea how it got there, nor how to fix it. She actually thinks it's something malicious, but I haven't told her where it came from. Is it possible to fix that discreetly at some point?"

>"Can you tell me anything about it?" asks Yukari.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "It's the one that brought me to Makai. It is relatively close to the shadow of the island the Dragon Palace, a little bit out into the open space around it."

[Hello Purvis]

> "It's the one that brought me to Makai. It is relatively close to the shadow of the island the Dragon Palace, a little bit out into the open space around it."

>"Ah," says Yukari. "That shouldn't leave a lingering trace at all. I do take some pride in my work, after all. Are you sure it's not something else?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I...actually do not know, now. I had just assumed it was leftovers from your handiwork. She did say it was on the edge of the shadow void, where down became up. Is it possible Bhava-Agra's shadow is tearing at her internal void, or something similar?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "I...actually do not know, now. I had just assumed it was leftovers from your handiwork. She did say it was on the edge of the shadow void, where down became up. Is it possible Bhava-Agra's shadow is tearing at her internal void, or something similar?"

>"Down becomes up?" says Yukari. "I think I know the issue. She tried to make it so it's a complete prison, didn't she? That is, no matter how far you go, you would simply come back on the other side? If that is what she did, I imagine her work was a bit sloppy. It takes skill to do that sort of folding correctly."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "She did, yes. If you would like to tell her that her work was sloppy, you are most welcome to do so. I have found that she tends to bristle at the idea of someone knowing more about shadows than she does unless they demonstrate as such. And as we have yet to find someone that works with shadows as closely as she does..."

[Hello Purvis]

> "She did, yes. If you would like to tell her that her work was sloppy, you are most welcome to do so. I have found that she tends to bristle at the idea of someone knowing more about shadows than she does unless they demonstrate as such. And as we have yet to find someone that works with shadows as closely as she does..."

>"You may tell her that such things border on playing with dimensions," says Yukari, "which is where I would like to think I have some degree of professional weight. If she wishes to debate it, I suppose I can hold off going to bed until after supper."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Well, she is currently making an important life decision, choosing between betraying her life philosophy and core beliefs and succumbing to near certain death with enigmatic afterlife prospects. I feel terribly for her having to make this choice at all, even if I do wish she will eventually find true happiness in socializing with others, and not merely the survival benefits she gets from contact with me. Should she choose to show herself to another, however, and you are willing to stay up to meet her while she is actually conscious, I would be glad to bring her to you."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Well, she is currently making an important life decision, choosing between betraying her life philosophy and core beliefs and succumbing to near certain death with enigmatic afterlife prospects. I feel terribly for her having to make this choice at all, even if I do wish she will eventually find true happiness in socializing with others, and not merely the survival benefits she gets from contact with me. Should she choose to show herself to another, however, and you are willing to stay up to meet her while she is actually conscious, I would be glad to bring her to you."

>Yukari nods. "You'll forgive me if I do not understand the situation well enough, but it sounds on the surface like some give and take will be necessary."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I understand. What would you ask of me?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "I understand. What would you ask of me?"

>"I wasn't asking anything of you at all," she says, raising an eyebrow. "But if you would like me to weigh in on the issue, I would be willing to listen."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Oh. I guess I did not understand. Forgive me, recent events have left me rather scatterbrained. And rather humbled, to be honest. I would be most happy to have her converse with you if that is the path she chooses, yes."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Oh. I guess I did not understand. Forgive me, recent events have left me rather scatterbrained. And rather humbled, to be honest. I would be most happy to have her converse with you if that is the path she chooses, yes."

>She nods.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Have we ever seen Yukari in Bhava-Agra, outside of the incident Tenshi caused?
> "Mmm...on an odd side note, would you happen to know how to travel through the Bamboo Forest to get to Eientei? I think I may owe Eirin and Reisen a visit at some point."

[Hello Purvis]

> Have we ever seen Yukari in Bhava-Agra, outside of the incident Tenshi caused?
> "Mmm...on an odd side note, would you happen to know how to travel through the Bamboo Forest to get to Eientei? I think I may owe Eirin and Reisen a visit at some point."

>You have not. But you are reasonable sure it is due more to personal preference than anything else. It is difficult to keep Yukari away when she wants to be somewhere.
>"I do," says Yukari, "But it would be much simpler to merely send you there, and have one of them show you the way out."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Actually, would you mind doing so, then, once Tenshi returns? In addition to checking in on its residents and their health, it occurs to me that this is likely the best chance our searching expedition will have to investigate the area for the missing problem solvers."

[Hello Purvis]

> "Actually, would you mind doing so, then, once Tenshi returns? In addition to checking in on its residents and their health, it occurs to me that this is likely the best chance our searching expedition will have to investigate the area for the missing problem solvers."

>"Of course," she says.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Bow.
> "Thank you very much. You have been a live-saver to me throughout this entire ordeal. I do not know if I will ever be able to repay you properly."

[Hello Purvis]

> Bow.
> "Thank you very much. You have been a live-saver to me throughout this entire ordeal. I do not know if I will ever be able to repay you properly."

>"I expect you'll do your best in that regard in good time," says Yukari. "Do feel free to put in a good word for me with Miss Hearn, if you'd be so kind."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Smile.
> "Of course. And, you know, I've been thinking about putting in an application at that new kappa university for dance instruction. But perhaps I can offer private lessons on the side, or an invitation to an odd performance or two, depending on what you and your family would find enjoyable."

[Hello Purvis]

> Smile.
> "Of course. And, you know, I've been thinking about putting in an application at that new kappa university for dance instruction. But perhaps I can offer private lessons on the side, or an invitation to an odd performance or two, depending on what you and your family would find enjoyable."

>"We'll see," says Yukari.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Let our shoulders droop a little bit.
> "Well, sadly, I'm not sure what else I personally have to offer. As much as I do not have many tradeable materials, I similarly do not have too many tradeable talents."

[Hello Purvis]

> Let our shoulders droop a little bit.
> "Well, sadly, I'm not sure what else I personally have to offer. As much as I do not have many tradeable materials, I similarly do not have too many tradeable talents."

>She chuckles. "Don't worry so much about paying me back. I'm sure we'll find something in good time. Now, would you like to ask me anything else before Tenshi gets back and I send you off?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "There is honestly plenty, but I'll try to keep the questions relevant. How much experience do you have working with shadows?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "There is honestly plenty, but I'll try to keep the questions relevant. How much experience do you have working with shadows?"

>"Not very much at all," says Yukari.

>_