Seija Quest 5

[Kilgamayan]

> "I'm Seija, actually. But this way I can go with you without being noticed."

[Tom]

> "I'm Seija, actually. But this way I can go with you without being noticed."

> "Great idea!" Sanae complements

[Kilgamayan]

> "Thanks. I think so too~"
> Lightly poke Sanae in the side, pulling back immediately to avoid getting swatted.
> "Oh, just remembered. What about the blacksmith?"

[Tom]

> "Thanks. I think so too~"
> Lightly poke Sanae in the side, pulling back immediately to avoid getting swatted.
> "Oh, just remembered. What about the blacksmith?"

> This time Sanae almost lands a hit!
> "Later, this is our most plausible lead yet."

[Kilgamayan]

> "Alright. How about this, then? If there's a yes/no question I want answered a specific way, I'll poke you in one spot for yes and in two spots for no. Otherwise, you can command the conversation as you see fit. Sound good?"

[Tom]

> "Alright. How about this, then? If there's a yes/no question I want answered a specific way, I'll poke you in one spot for yes and in two spots for no. Otherwise, you can command the conversation as you see fit. Sound good?"

> Sanae nods as the two of you head into Suzunaan and meet Kosuzu at the counter.
> Kosuzu asks "Ah Sanae! Found anything you need my help with?"
> Sanae explains "Not exactly? I wanted to ask what you knew about Mamizou's store?"
> Kosuzu thinks for a moment "Well, we find a lot of outside books there. I'm not sure where she finds them but most are in need of some restoration or repair work."

[Kilgamayan]

> How Kosuzu react to being asked about Mamizou? Did she take it in stride, or was she suddenly on guard?

[Tom]

> How Kosuzu react to being asked about Mamizou? Did she take it in stride, or was she suddenly on guard?

> She seemed a little taken aback.

[Kilgamayan]

> Hmm, interesting.
> Keep listening in without prompting Sanae.

[Tom]

> Hmm, interesting.
> Keep listening in without prompting Sanae.

> "So you shop there frequently?"
> Kosuzu nods "Quite often, prices are fair and sometimes Mamizou offers to trade with books from Suzunaan."
> Interested Sanae asks "Really? Any favorites?"
> The store clerk thinks "Not sure? She gets these vouchers to exchange for books, I almost never fill the order myself considering I'm a translation and restoration specialist."

[Kilgamayan]

> Look around during this conversation. Anything or anywhere stand out as interesting that we could check out as part of this investigation?

[Tom]

> Look around during this conversation. Anything or anywhere stand out as interesting that we could check out as part of this investigation?

> There's a shelf that's labeled 'Demon Books' that drew your attention.

[Kilgamayan]

> What about any sort of behind-the-counter or backroom areas that we could slip into without making noise?

[Tom]

> What about any sort of behind-the-counter or backroom areas that we could slip into without making noise?

> There isn't anywhere you're able to reach without climbing over the counter, which would cause noise.

[Kilgamayan]

> Do we perhaps have enough space to float upward and over the counter? Or would this rattle the possessions on our person?

[Tom]

> Do we perhaps have enough space to float upward and over the counter? Or would this rattle the possessions on our person?

> You risk toppling books placed precariously on a shelf above the counter.

[Kilgamayan]

> Sneak over to the Demon Books shelf, then, and check it out (while still listening).

[Tom]

> Sneak over to the Demon Books shelf, then, and check it out (while still listening).

> There's over a hundred demon books here, dropping any one of them will summon a storm of small, annoying to dodge pellets.

> Sanae asks "Where do you think she finds the books you buy?"
> Kosuzu thinks "I believe she knows some way of traveling outside..."
> The shopkeeper then recalls something "Ah the librarian from the red mansion by the lake visited earlier, looking for your friend Seija."
> "I'll let her know when we meet again!" Sanae thanks her.

[Kilgamayan]

> Oho~
> Grin, but remain silent and-
> Actually, while they continue chatting, have another look at the shelf of demon books. Is there any obvious sign that there are some missing?

[Tom]

> Oho~
> Grin, but remain silent and-
> Actually, while they continue chatting, have another look at the shelf of demon books. Is there any obvious sign that there are some missing?

> Interesting indeed, what else could she be bringing in from her outside travels?
> Sanae thanks Kosuzu for her time and steps outside.

> While most books have a thin layer of  dust on top, others are spotless. Could something placed on top of them have been removed recently?

[Kilgamayan]

> Check how many seem to lack dust, and how high books could have been piled on top of them.
> Then leave the store in pursuit of Sanae.

[Tom]

> Check how many seem to lack dust, and how high books could have been piled on top of them.
> Then leave the store in pursuit of Sanae.

> You'd say at least 3 books are gone.
> Leaving the store you catch up with Sanae, just before the door swings shut, avoiding the awkward possibility of compromising your cover by opening the door invisibly.
> Sanae discretely slips into an alleyway, whispering "Seija?"

[Kilgamayan]

> Lightly poke the back of her neck, pulling back to make sure she doesn't swat us.

[Tom]

> Lightly poke the back of her neck, pulling back to make sure she doesn't swat us.

> Sanae quickly turns around, asking "What did you think?"

[Kilgamayan]

> Reposition so we're at her side, facing the same way she's facing.
> Lean into her ear and whisper: "At the inn. Not out here."
> While whispering, reach an arm around her back and gently place a hand on her side at her waist.

[Tom]

> Reposition so we're at her side, facing the same way she's facing.
> Lean into her ear and whisper: "At the inn. Not out here."
> While whispering, reach an arm around her back and gently place a hand on her side at her waist.

> Sanae laughs "Disguising as a couple now are we?" as you return to the inn and make your way to the now empty dining area to the right of the lobby.
> "So, what are your thoughts on Kosuzu? Did you have a chance to sneak around the store?"

[Kilgamayan]

> We're still invisible, right?
> And are we still holding onto Sanae?

[Tom]

> We're still invisible, right?
> And are we still holding onto Sanae?

> You're still invisible but she's moved over to dining table to grab biscuits.

[Kilgamayan]

> "Hard to say. She clearly didn't expect you to ask about Mamizou, but her reaction didn't seem like one of a co-conspirator suddenly nervous that they've been figured out."
> "I also noticed the shelf of demon books had some dust on most of them, but a few of them were clear, like there had been books on top of them that had been removed. That does track with my encounter with her last night, though; she had them on her person when making her nightly deliveries, presumably for self-defense."

[Tom]

> "Hard to say. She clearly didn't expect you to ask about Mamizou, but her reaction didn't seem like one of a co-conspirator suddenly nervous that they've been figured out."
> "I also noticed the shelf of demon books had some dust on most of them, but a few of them were clear, like there had been books on top of them that had been removed. That does track with my encounter with her last night, though; she had them on her person when making her nightly deliveries, presumably for self-defense."

> Sanae recalls "Didn't you also mention that the figure running away from the inn also dropped demon books? What if they also got them from Suzunaan?"