Nitori Quest 3 - A Z-Machine Adventure

[It's Purvis!]

> Get to work calculating how we can get to Daitenguland while avoiding Hachiland.

>You set to work plotting out the route. Breakfast continues to come together behind you as you work, and you hear Koa start to stir.
>There is some motion just outside the corner of your eye. You look up, perhaps a tad more nervous than usual, and see that there is a cow looking in through the window.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Is it bipedal or quadripedal?

[It's Purvis!]

> Is it bipedal or quadripedal?

>It is a proper animal, not a youkai or otherwise.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Oh."
> Take a moment to take a more attentive look outside, in case there are any other creatures out there.

[It's Purvis!]

> "Oh."
> Take a moment to take a more attentive look outside, in case there are any other creatures out there.

>Glancing through the window, there seem to be a couple, mostly out of your line of sight. Another wanders in as you look.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Looks like we've got an audience."
> Get back to running those numbers.

[It's Purvis!]

> "Looks like we've got an audience."
> Get back to running those numbers.

>"Oh, that's a bunch of cows, alright," Aoi says, as she looks out the window.
>"That one's not a cow," Koa says, looking out a different window.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Ah, crud...
> Look up from our work at wherever Koa's looking.

[It's Purvis!]

> Ah, crud...
> Look up from our work at wherever Koa's looking.

>You have to approach one of the side windows. There you see that there's quite a few cows milling about, and a dark-haired woman in rough blue clothes at the back of the herd, who seems to be regarding the vessel curiously.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Do we know who this is just from seeing her, as happens with gods sometimes?

[It's Purvis!]

> Do we know who this is just from seeing her, as happens with gods sometimes?

>Not this time. If this is a god, she would be a heavenly god you're pretty sure.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> How close are we to done with our maths?

[It's Purvis!]

> How close are we to done with our maths?

>About halfway, you think.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Crap.
> How much would they be thrown off if we paused to hail the newcomer?

[It's Purvis!]

> Crap.
> How much would they be thrown off if we paused to hail the newcomer?

>Hard to say. At least a bit. But it's not like you can't restart.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Huh."
> Put down what we're doing. If the woman is looking at us, smile and wave at her.
> Then go to the door and head outside.

[It's Purvis!]

> "Huh."
> Put down what we're doing. If the woman is looking at us, smile and wave at her.
> Then go to the door and head outside.

>You give a wave, which you aren't sure that she sees, then go to open the door.
>Outside is full of cows and the sound of occasional mooing. The blue-clad woman regards you from a distance, then tips the conical straw hat she wears toward you.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Give her a wave and a smile.
> "Hey there! Sorry, didn't realize we might be trespassing. We won't be here much longer."

[It's Purvis!]

> Give her a wave and a smile.
> "Hey there! Sorry, didn't realize we might be trespassing. We won't be here much longer."

>"No place to trespass, really," she calls back, her voice strong and sonorous. "Cows are just the curious kind, pass them no mind."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Alright, as long as we're not being a problem for you."
> "I'm Nitori Kawashiro, a kappa from Gensokyo. With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?"

[It's Purvis!]

> "Alright, as long as we're not being a problem for you."
> "I'm Nitori Kawashiro, a kappa from Gensokyo. With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?"

>"As long as you don't hurt the cows or ruin the grass, I don't see there being a problem," she says.
>"Oh, you're a youkai, that explains what felt so off about you," she says. "Well, it don't mean anything. I'm Hikoboshi."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Is Hikoboshi a mortal rather than a god?

[It's Purvis!]

> Is Hikoboshi a mortal rather than a god?

>You don't think so...but she certain doesn't have a strong aura like the other gods do.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Mental check: Did Orihime ask us for any favors regarding Hikoboshi?
> "Oh! How fortuitous for us, we were Orihime's guests just yesterday morning."

[It's Purvis!]

> Mental check: Did Orihime ask us for any favors regarding Hikoboshi?
> "Oh! How fortuitous for us, we were Orihime's guests just yesterday morning."

>Just to give her regards, and perhaps collect Hikoboshi's.
>"You were?" she says, her posture less relaxed, her tone losing its laconicness. "She'll well, is she?"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "She's doing great, yeah. She asked us to let you know she's thinking of you."

[It's Purvis!]

> "She's doing great, yeah. She asked us to let you know she's thinking of you."

>The herdswoman lowers her head, letting her had cover her face. "Glad to hear it."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "...Er, I hope this isn't a touchy subject for you."

[It's Purvis!]

> "...Er, I hope this isn't a touchy subject for you."

>"Never you mind," she says, looking up again. "I'm glad for the news. It'll be a couple months before I can get out that way."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Ah, yeah. I asked her, so I'll ask you too. Anything you want for Tanabata?"