IC Yasurek, Nen, Thama, and Sashina:
Yasurek had taken some time to go off on his own from Lasinia and Mimira. He was sure that Mimi would be adequately protected, and he didn't want to be around for any possible scenes that might have erupted. Making his way elsewhere into the bazaar, he constantly surveyed the people around him, always looking for potential informants or threats. Alas, it was a bazaar, and there were no such individuals present.
Just as he was about to return to the group, a group of toa at a particular stand caught his eye. The stand had a sign on it reading "Crystal Emporium: we sell crystal". The trio of toa shopping at the stand were mulling over various weapons made out of crystal. The first toa had a black volitak, with a cloak covering the rest of his body, though Yasurek could see the occasional glimpse of shiny silver beneath it. He was examining a green crystal longsword, one that looked like it could be wielded with one or both hands. It was glimmering in the daylight as the toa shifted it back and forth, his eyes expressing nothing less than wonder and fascination. Yasurek was rather confused by the toa's enthusiasm, but walked closer.
The second toa was a toa of water, based on her coloring. Unlike what he expected a water toa to be carrying, she was holding a very large crystal axe. The fact that she could hold it up amazed Yasurek. The gleam from the axe seemed much more wicked than the first toa's sword, but there was still a benevolence to it's red material. Her kakama had a big grin all over it as she took a practice swing, the axe ringing from the speed and ferocity of the swing. Satisfied, she turned to the third toa.
his one was different than the others. She wore a cloak, but it didn't conceal her slate grey body. In her hands was a blue crystal bow, one that looked sturdy and reliable, but she did not appear as enthusiastic as the other two. Rather, she was poring over the bow with a concentrated glance, checking it for any flaws or errors. After her thorough examination, she smiled and turned to the shopkeeper.
"I think we'll take them," she told the matoran, handing him a good pile of widgets. The matoran gratefully accepted them and wished her and her companions a nice day. "Nen, Sashina, let's head back. There's plenty of planning to do for our trip." She turned to leave, catching the eye of a hooded Ko-matoran. His blue cloak was distinctive in the crowded bazaar, and his eyes betrayed that he had been watching the trio. Thama's eyes narrowed. He could be a spy, an agent of her foes come to finally find her. She had been trying to hide for a while now, keeping low with Nen and Sashina while doing the occasional odd job to get some income, but she had always known that some day she'd be found again. She held up a hand as quickly as she had started to leave, halting her companions.
"Ko-matoran, blue cloak. He was watching us," she whispered.
Her toa of earth companion leaned close to her. "I don't think he's an enemy," he observed. "Looks pretty harmless. Probably just a nice guy."
"Nen, I keep telling you, they could be anywhere," Thama replied, a bit of annoyance in her voice. She liked Nen, she really did, but he was too carefree all the time. It was hard to tell when he was serious about something.
Yasurek, for his part, was turning to leave when a blue blur whooshed in front of him. He felt eyes on the back of his head and turned his head slightly to get a glimpse of who it was. The axe-wielding water toa was right behind him, and she did not look happy. Well, this is a great situation, he thought to himself.
"Could you please come join me and my friends for a bit, mister?" she asked, her tone friendly, but with a distinct hint of no-nonsense.
Yasurek nodded and was led back to the other two. The quartet then walked a few stalls down, coming to a stop in an alley between two huts. Yasurek was starting to feel a distinct sense of worry coming on.
"Alright matoran," Thama began, "Who are you and why were you watching us?"
"My name is Yasurek. I'm a midshipman for a vessel docked outside the koro and I'm here to gather information on recent happenings on the island."
"Well, I'm sold," said Nen. "I mean, he looks perfectly fine to me, and he didn't seem to be lying."
"Only one way to find out," said Sashina. She pulled out her metal axe and pointed it at the matoran. "Are you lying, Yasurek?" she asked, the axe getting closer.
Well, these guys seem odd. Seriously, asking me if I'm lying? "No, I'm not lying," was what he said.
"And you haven't ever heard of a toa named Harynthia or a malicious team of five toa either?"
"Nope. Can't say I have."
"Fair enough." Thama visibly relaxed. Whatever this matoran was, it wasn't a threat to her or her friends. "Sorry for dragging you here. I'm Thama, this is Nen, and this is Sashinalabafocasanowa. You can call her Sashina."
"And together, we are the SemDysFunc do-gooders brigade!" Nen added. At Yasurek's incredulous look, he added "We help people in trouble. Then they can give us money if they want. It's a good lifestyle. We're currently camped out here because Thama has this evil old team of toa that's out to get her under orders from Makuta. That's why we were rude to you."
"Sorry about the whole axe thing," Sashina apologized. "I'm really quite nice. To things that I'm not currently chopping in half."
"Good to know," was all that the now very confused Yasurek could say.
"If you're looking for current events, we could just give you a copy of the mata nui daily," Thama offered. "Or we could just tell you. The main event of the day is that Xa-koro was apparently destroyed and has sunk into the sea. Nobody knows why."
Good thing I wasn't there when it sank then, Yasurek thought. Those poor people... It's not like I could have done anything anyway.
"Other than that, you can check the paper yourself. We're planning an adventure!"
"Really now? How long have you been planning this adventure?"
"Several months. It's been great laying low all this time."
"Why haven't you done anything else? Why wait?"
"It's dangerous out there. There are dangerous people out there," Thama commented. "The unknown is unknown because those who go to explore it never return to tell us about it. Either they're killed... or lost." A flicker of darkness seem to wash over her previously bright face before returning to normal. "It's not really a situation many people would understand."
"What I understand is you three sitting around letting things constrain you. Be free! Take charge and go forth! Do something!"
"Why don't you?" Sashina replied after a pause.
"I'm sorry?"
"Why don't you do something? Look at you, you have spears poking out of you everywhere, you clearly have agility, and your eyes convey a determination that doesn't come along often. Go use it."
"I can't. The universe won't let me."
"So get over it. If the world's going to try to knock you down, you just need to stay up. Once you know how to do that, you'll be free to do whatever. Just find a way to succeed."
"It's not that easy."
"Neither is facing the unknown. Just go out and do it, and we'll do the same. Sounds fair."
Thama looked at Yasurek. She could see darkness in him, a need to be free, but there was also plenty of honest good in him. There was a desire to fix past mistakes, to help. Guess I'm not the only one, she thought to herself. "Looks like they have us both beat," she said to him. "Might as well get on with our plans.
"Very well. Until next time." He left them in the alley, hearing a few "byes" from them. A bit of searching later and he had obtained a copy of the Daily. He flipped through it, getting back to Lasinia and Mimi just as Lohkar returned. He did not look happy. "Did you hear anything, Captain Lohkar Sir?" he asked. Hopefully Lohkar was alright.
***
As Yasurek hurried away, Thama and the rest of the trio made their way out of the city. At one point she was almost certain she had seen the toa of iron who had tried to kidnap Hafu all those months ago, but she paid it no heed. After all, he wasn't that dangerous, and she had more things to worry about. She and the pair were heading to Ga-koro so Sashina could check in with her courrier company and catch up on late work. They reached the desert in good time.
She turned to her friends. "This time, let's follow the road so we don't get lost."
"Excellent plan. Follow me." Sashina grabbed Nen and blurred away, dragging him with her. They were soon gone past the horizon.
"Thama watched them go and turned, looking around. It was only a matter of time...
She turned and warped after them, making a series of far jumps across the landscape. They'd be there soon.
OOC: Nen, Thama, and Sashina to Ga-wahi
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