BZPRPG - Po-Wahi

[Parugi]

...

 

IC - Decaia - Po-Koro:

A random attack on the edge of Po-Koro... Decaia had thought such an event to be long-gone, given the village's self-imposed disappearance. From the looks of things, such an assumption was... incorrect. More unusual than it might have been in the past, certainly, but still incorrect. Still, three Skakdi were hardly a challenge. After fighting pirates, Ketan, and Rahkshi, the Toa of Water was fairly confident that he and Ta would be able to deal with whatever these thugs could throw at them.

 

The dash of uncertainty stemmed from the sheer volley of what had been thrown at them.

 

As the destructive vortex of spheres and powers cascaded down the road toward them, ripping into buildings and rock with every foot they neared, Ta launched himself from the saddle of his steed, which Decaia could only assume meant that he trusted the Kikanalo's armor to hold up well enough against the onslaught. Personally, he was not so certain of that. Such an act seemed callous to him, a reaction most certainly influenced by the bond he had formed with his own appointed steed. In he could help it, he would not allow any harm to come to the animal. Casting his own snack into the air, Decaia gripped Idra's reins tightly, pulling on them and digging a heel into her side.

 

"Up, you wonderful creature!" he shouted over the mixed roar of the Skakdi's laughter and attacks. With a loud response, the Kikanalo crouched down before springing back upward with her powerful legs, throwing the pair into the air and slightly backward. Holding on for dear life, Decaia saw neither what happened to Ta's Kikanalo nor what the Skakdi were now doing. In those moments between shooting into the air and falling back down, all he saw--as if playing in slow motion--was the spinning of his doughnut in the air as he reached a height equal to it.

 

He leaned his head back, catching it in his jaws before Idra fell back into the street, having dodged the attacks to flying underneath her.

 

What the Skakdi saw next was a sight to behold. Idra slammed into the ground, sending up a large cloud of dirt and sand. Slowly, the wind blew the particles away, revealing her raised head and flared snout, crimson eyes glaring at the trio. And then, slowly, she lowered her head as if to charge, revealing Decaia. In one hand, he held the reins; in the other, a tomahawk, on which hung a half-eaten, glazed circle, complete with an empty middle, its glaze glistening gloriously in the sunlight.

 

Decaia did not look amused. Holding up a finger, he chewed, quickly swallowing the bite he had taken out of the delicacy. Then, the Toa of Water shook his head.

 

"That," he said sharply. "was uncalled for. Yip yip!"

 

With a roar like the beating of a war drum, Idra charged, the Kikanalo aiming her horn at the Skakdi of Iron. At the same time, Decaia spun his tomahawk, sending the doughnut flying away as he pulled forth water energy, preparing to launch it in a split stream at the other two thugs...

Edited May 27, 2013 by Parugi

[The Lorax]

Ic: "That can be arranged" Manuka said to the toa of iron who had approached the remaining guards and ambassador. "You'll need a guard escort, but I'd be willing to do that for you. Would you like to climb the stairs or fly?"Brykon regarded the cloaked Vortixx for a moment. From his out-of-place species and irregular clothes Brykon easily came to the conclusion that this man was a mercenary not unlike himself or, probably more accurately, Jin. If Po-Koro was left to hire sellswords to protect its walls then it truly had sunk into quicksand, he considered. He took the cigar from his teeth and let it dangle between fingers so he could speak clearly. "Why thank you," he said to Manuka. "I'm a believer in grounded reality, so i think I'll walk--"

 

Suddenly, the guard with the bombastic mouth Brykon had overheard before stepped back up to the plate, though this time he seemed subdued and complacent. He stopped a short distance away and spoke directly to another toa present and saluted. "Sir, Sergeant Kilanewb apologizing for inaccurate information and insult, Sir!"

 

Brykon harrumphed and turned away from Manuka and to Maxiam. Strife between guards was not a positive thing to see in the first place. The village had been silent earlier as Brykon stalked through the courtyards. Nothing but the saguine conversation of two toa on a porch and the raucous argument had spilled out into his ears; he had heard everything, special thanks to the village's great acoustics. "Seems to me," he said carefully, "it should take more than an apology to make up for being a disruptive, close-minded cretin."

 

IC (Manuka): Oh, here we go again Manuka thought was the visiting toa threatened to reignite the argument among the sentinels. Now that he had had a little time to cool down and think about it, he was a little ashamed at how he had reacted to the abrasive Sargeant. True, the toa was far from an examplary guardsman, but that wasn't a licence to sink to his level. He shouldn't have let Kilanewb provoke him so easily.

"Hired Sentinel Manuka apologising for escalating the despute, sirs." he added to the group, mimicing Maxiam's formal style. "That should have been handled better."

 

Putting himself back between the two toa, he tried to alleviate things blowing up a second time. "A fair desision, sir" he replied to Brykon's decision to walk. "The stairs are this way, if you'd like to come with me".

 

 

(OOC: This entire thing got deleted right before I was about to post it, so this is a little shorter than I wanted. I hate laptop trackpads.)

 

IC: Komae

 

"Done deal!" he agreed, and cricked his neck. "Well, like I said, this is all just rumor and speculation. Most likely, none of it's true. But it's fun to listen to, eh?""Well, anyway, some say it's not a vault at all - it's a stronghold. That the Toa Maru didn't defeat the Makuta, they just drove him away, and now he sleeps beneath, biding his time. If you believe that, then the riddle's pointless, just a cruel mockery of prophecy and destiny." He kicked a pebble along the ground. "I don't really buy that, though. I have faith that the Toa Maru destroyed the Makuta."Another idea I've heard is that the vault's not guarding treasure - it's guarding a door, or a portal, or what have you. A passage to some other world - some say one that might even lead to Mata Nui himself." The pebble rolled along the ground as he kicked it again. "I'm pretty doubtful of that one, too. Seems awful strange to keep a passageway in and out the heart of your lair of darkness."Others say that it's a prison, that if you open the door you'll find all the heroes who fell in battle against Makuta, sleeping in the darkness, waiting to be saved and reunited with their world." The pebble bounced away as his foot smacked against it just a little off-angle. "That one's got to be so wrong that I'm mentioning it just so I can feel dumb later if it really does turn out to be true. Not even legends have that much of a picture-perfect ending."So that leaves us with the obvious option - that behind that door are all the Makuta's secrets, his weapons, his treasures. If you ask me, that's most likely." His smile remained, but his voice turned a hint darker. "After all, our Akiri are causing enough strife as it is. I'm sure the Makuta would like nothing more than for them to take up his tools and pick up where he left off."His tone abruptly returned to its cheery cantor. "And then there's the riddle itself, of course! Very mystical and legendary, what with its unending oceans and keys in plain sight." He glanced up at the dimming sky. "Some say that said ocean isn't an ocean - it's the sky above us, with the answer sleeping among the stars. That could very well be true. We are dealing with gods here, after all.""And then others take the literal approach. I've heard murmurs of a new species that's washed up on the beach, hailing from far away. Interesting timing, isn't it?""But in any event, people seem so much more interested in guessing about what's in there than actually opening it. It's a bit disappointing, really." He shrugged again. "Seems like everyone who tries to open it just gives up or gets chased away by Rahkshi." Suddenly, he smiled again, an easy, reassured look. "But someday someone'll open it. Some Toa'll come along and fulfill his destiny of opening that door, and history'll march on. I have faith in that." For a moment or two they walked in silence, and then Komae coughed and scratched his head in embarrassment. "Sorry if I got a little dramatic at the end there, I always do that. So, how about you? Any interesting stories about where you came from, where you're going?"

 

IC (Pukena): Pukena listened quietly to the stories of the vault - the Po-matoran's logic made some sense to her. After all, the Makuta had to have had some secrets or powerful artifacts locked away somewhere, and from what she had heard, none had yet been found, so where else could they be (but on the other hand, if someone had found said powerful secrets, they would hardly be trumpeting it around the island, would they?).

"I heard something about the Toa Maru's power coming from inside there, so you may be right" she mused. "So maybe there could be more power to be had".

 

That made it her turn to tell a story. She swallowed hard, and tried to think of the right words. "I come from a place called Karzhani" she said, "though it was not Karzhani as the people of this island talk about it. It was an island smaller than this one, but much less beautiful. It is a desert, far more lifeless than Po-wahi - fiery chasms split the ground, and the blasted earth is not gentle as it is here. A place where fire provides no warmth, while the touch of ice burns. Dust falls cascade over mountains while pools of water sit unmoving. Thunder makes no noise, but the sound of a gentle breeze can be deafening.

 

"It is a land filled with people just a broken as the landscape - many Maotran had the wrong number of limbs, or walked bent over like rahi. And their eyes, their eyes were as dead as stones, because they had given up hope so completely that even though their minds were as broken as thier bodies, the empty shell kept on working, doing as they were commended by the lord of that realm. He is the one who took their hope, and used it all for himself. He never permitted anyone to leave, either, so all that everyone ever did was keep working as he told them to. If they didn't, they were turned into stone completely, not just their eyes. After a while, it wasn't even scary anymore - you just got used to seeing statues everywhere, because that was what you saw and nobody could even remember things ever being any different, because they were all just so far past despair that it didn't matter anymore. Nothing good existed there, only famine and plague and blight.

 

"Until"

 

She let the word hang there for a while, wondering how to go on from there. She decided to make it quick.

 

"Until I escaped. I hardly know how I did it, but I decided that living in Karzhani wasn't good enough. I wanted something else, something better. I wanted to get away from all that. It took a long time for me to reach that conclusion, and even longer to act on it. It was a long journey, but I made it out.

 

"I went to another island after that, one that was unlike that island or this. From there, someone told me that had a way to get somewhere else, so I took it. That was how I did my arm." She grimmaced slightly, looking down at the atrophied mass of overlapping armour plates and bones, then continued.

 

"And then I got here. Mata Nui, I got here." She was still amazed at that part of her own story, and ir showed. The Great Spirit had indeed been kind. "You can't imagine how wonderful this place really is, you and all the others. I know it isn't a perfect Artakha, but let me tell you, it is pretty, very close. Your people here are kind and friendly, your island is rich and vibrant, everything here is so full of life! I didn't even know what those words meant befoere I came here, but now I do, and I will never, ever let that go. Each day I thank the Great Spirit for this place and the opportunity to enjoy it, but I also pray that it will not change and have that abundant life lost. It is a thing more precious than all the gold in the world, even if some don't see it. I can still harld believe I ended up here by luck and blessing, and would sing for the joy and wonder of it, but in Karzhani we never had any songs or music, so I never learned."

 

She cut out then, because she had run out of things to say.

Edited May 27, 2013 by The Lorax

[Ghosthands]

IC (Merror)

 

Merror slowly raised a hand and placed it on Joske's shoulder, just as he had all those months ago.

 

"Joske," he said slowly, locking eyes with the younger Toa, his baritone voice carrying equal parts gentleness and firmness. "I don't know the story behind half of what you just said, and I don't know what you've been through."

 

His hand squeezed Joske's shoulder, as if to convey solidarity.

 

"But I do know that there is more to being a Toa than a set of flashy powers, just as there is more to being alive than a muscle system that lets us walk. I once met a Turaga who was fully paralysed from the waist down, and he was one of the wisest and happiest beings I have ever known."

 

"You sound JUST like Angi... "

 

"I will assume that's a good thing," Merror replied, with a hint of a smile.

 

"Depends on the situation at hand, the situation at hand."

 

Merror chuckled, but his tone became serious once again. He'd listened to the rookie speak with raised eyebrows, but where many beings would doubt such a story, he believed every word. He didn't fully understand it, of course; Joske's speech had been far too disjointed to extract a full explanation, but he did have an inkling as to the truth.

 

"But listen to me, Joske," he continued. "You say you've lost your Toa powers, but that doesn't mean you've lost what makes you a Toa. You've still got this - " he tapped the forehead of Joske's Kakama " - and this." He did the same for Joske's heartlight. "There are many who bear the powers of a Toa but are not worthy of them. What is a Toa's duty? To protect the Matoran. You don't need elemental powers to do that. What is a Toa's destiny? I don't know yours, and neither, I suspect, do you, but losing your powers does not change it nor stop you accomplishing it."

 

The earnest light never left his eyes as he spoke.

 

"And if I'm right, then there is one thing you do have, and you are so lucky for it."

 

He glanced back the way they had come, to where two figures were just visible outside a hut. Both Toa of Fire knew the other's gaze was on the blue one.

Edited May 27, 2013 by Ghosthands

[Click]

OOC: Hey, Lorax, I PM'd the staff about characters from Karzahni, and he said it doesn't exist in this universe. Just so you know.IC: OgekaOgeka awoke bright and early to the sound of arguing by the gates. He peeked out and saw a group of Sentinels and Mercs yelling at each other for some reason or another, hardly an uncommon sight nowadays. Still, he couldn't get back to sleep, so might as well open up shop.OOC: Ogeka Tech open for business and Ogeka for interaction. I'm also posting on a phone, so I'll put in Uitad's color later.IC: Uitad After combing the nearby shoreline, there was still no more sign of his quarry. The Matoran had to have escaped somewhere inland, but there were no paths to follow. He started heading away from the shore, confident he could find something before he died from dehydration.

Edited May 28, 2013 by Click

[Friar Tuck]

IC

 

[Po-Koro Kohlii field - dawn]

 

He's right. Apparently I'll continue to get hit over the head with this by other people until it sinks in.

 

I turned away back to the field, my thoughts still filled with Cael and what she represented. Slowly I rubbed my mask with my hands, drawing in a long deep breath. As much as I may have lost I gained something so precious few on the island could claim to experience, let alone have themselves.

 

"And you're right. By gosh you're right Merror. It's just that... " I straightened up slightly, a cynical laugh escaping my lips, "that I seem to be having some self-esteem issues right now. Yes, me, the unflappable Toa Joske, along with everything that goes with it, is feeling inadequate and less of a person due to a minor defect. When you're used to being so perfect all the time, or at least you think and feel you are... yeah."

 

I shook my head. This was just like the time right after the Temple of Courage where I had to swallow my pride and watch as my carefully-constructed worldview came crashing down around me... also at the beginning of an adventure. The events surrounding that moment were completely different than now, let alone the people and devices involved, but at the same time the parallels were shocking. It would seem as though I was destined to repeat the lesson if I was to start adventuring again - apparently the universe at large could not handle an emo and despaired me running around the island.

 

Ok, I was being facetious. Still, that brought a smile to my face.

 

"It would appear I am destined to have some sort of wise, old mentor every time I find myself on an adventure, if only to beat simple and repeatable lessons into my thick skull when appropriate. You'll fill Angi's spot nicely; welcome to the club."

 

The first specks of light were coming over the horizon, even as the sky was still dark and the stars clinging on to their position. I turned to face the Koro, the first signs of life reverberating across the sands. I gave him a sidelong look. "Not to say that I'm better; this is something I need to deal with myself. But I appreciate you letting me vent, if not offering some kind words in the process. It would appear this temple is of greater importance to me than even I first imagined."

 

I furrowed my brow. I knew there was nothing in there, but that's not why I came in the first place. Perhaps though there WAS something locked away, hidden within, but not tangible; something a little more emotional. Or more precisely, freeing. We'll see.

 

"Say, care to join me? Figure I might as well hit up the shops just as they open, beat the crowds. Not that we'll need much but I can think of a few supplies we'll require while out there."

 

I started walking towards the famous Bazaar, leaving the Kohlii field - and in a way, a part of my past - behind me.

[Eyru]

OOC Jam with EW.

 

 

 

IC

 

"I ask because I'm worried," Stannis said. He bowed slightly to scratch his head. "There is none more attuned to prophesy than me and my faith in Mata Nui and his will is unwavering. It's his guiding light that led me when I sojourned. There is so much going on, much more than I was aware of or suspected before I became Toa, that I wonder... is Destiny what Mata Nui makes it or is it what we see?"

 

The Toa of Water frowned in thought. “I'm a healer, Toa Stannis. All my life, I've studied medicine and the sciences of life. And all my studies have shown me that there are things in this world far beyond our knowledge or control. Some call them fate; others call them Mata Nui.

 

“But, regardless of what name they go by, there is more to our lives than what our eyes can see.”

 

"Right..." Stannis said as he looked down at his feet and scratched the patio. The matter was clearly something he had struggled with. For someone with such immense power and wisdom even he was fallible to mystery.

 

He returned to his posture and recalled distant memories. His tone became regal and fatherly as if he were a storyteller reciting a long forgotten rime around a fire. "Centuries ago I was a soldier, a warrant officer in the Ta-Koro Guard. I was a Su-Matoran then and was assigned to oversee the deepest reaches of Ta-Koro. loved the job; it was a source of great joy for me. One time, a team of miners had become trapped in a lava flow. I was the first in a rescue team to arrive, but they were already dead. In a great struggle, I killed the rahi beast that got to them before I did. But my job was not the same after that. Something changed in me. I felt... a stir in my heart that told me I didn't belong anymore..."

 

Stannis maintained composure and moved on, barely. "That was when I realized there was more to things than just mere Duty. I had to find a higher calling. I fled to the Massif and there I stayed, praying and crying for a purpose. Since then, since that moment when I felt... /helpless/... I have been serving Mata Nui to go to wherever he needed me to go. I know there is more to life than what we see. It is my calling to find where it is."

 

"But I am just one prophet, one priest, and even my fellow Maru don't always share my faith. Sometimes I wonder if I can do it alone."

 

In the morning chill, in the barest glow of the sky, Stannis wept softly.

 

“You're not alone,” Cael said hesitantly. “The hopes and prayers of all the island are with you.

 

“For as long as I can remember, I watched and waited for heroes to rise up. You, and the Toa Maru, are the products of a hundred years of faith. My faith, and the faith of every Matoran. Whether you know the way or not, we'll follow you.”

 

"If only that were true," Stannis lamented. "Even now the akiri try to find their own way instead of following someone else's. And their people follow them. Still, that is their game. At least I take pride in forging on Mata Nui's path."

 

He paused for a moment and then asked, "You and Joske spent much time training and meditating on hallowed ground. What did you glean?"

 

The healer was silent for a long moment.

 

“My time at the Massif was spent less on the future, and more on the past,” she said at last. “After the war ended, I've found myself less concerned with destiny. I thought the time for conflict was past... evidently, I was wrong.”

 

"We all were," Stannis said. "We should have known that a thousand years of darkness can leave great marks. Even so, we have to always be vigilant, for so long as Mata Nui lives he still has will. And what of Joske?" he pressed. "What has he learned?"

 

“He's still learning to control his emotions,” she replied with a fond smile. “Especially with his powers gone. But he's a wiser man now, and he understands destiny better than I.”

 

"I feel we are completing a puzzle," Stannis said, "and we only just finished something recognizable... but the puzzle has much left to be put together. I can sense the emptiness."

 

The healer's hopeful expression turned to melancholy as she looked back to the horizon. The sunrise was beginning, lighting up the sky in pink and orange.

 

"I had hoped we were done with puzzles by now. Life is hard enough without riddles."

 

"Well, I think..." Stannis said and again looked down and scratched the floorboards, a nervous tic. "The First Toa were not only said to defeat the darkness but also awaken the Great Spirit from his slumber and return his people to greatness. We, the Maru, who serve in the First Toa's stead, have only accomplished one of those goals... and even that is ambiguous.

 

"There is still much to be done. And though he is not a Maru, I think Joske the Gatekeeper is just as much a part of that destiny as I am. He is a herald for things to come, a torchbearer. While I stand at the crossroads of reality and destiny he guards both sides with unknowing zeal.

 

"Life is a riddle," he said as he watched the sky turn light. "We must keep the faith as we walk in the shadow of the unknowns. And for whatever reasons I am very glad that Joske is not alone," Stannis said as he gave a sidelong glance at Cael's face.

[Friar Tuck]

IC

 

[Po-Koro Bazaar - dawn]

 

I took Merror's silence as an agreement; not that he could of stopped me anyway.

 

As I walked into the Bazaar it struck me how quiet it was; I was used to pressing crowds of people and unbearable shouting of vendors. Then again, I would show up late morning at the earliest, just when the party was getting into full swing; currently few of the population was outside, and only a handful of vendors were beginning to open up their stands. Clearly I was too early...

 

Maybe.

 

I got lucky and a traveling merchant happened to be up earlier than usual. A few minutes later I was walking away with a bag full of desert survival and trekking gear. Cost me a few widgets but hey, I didn't live out here; even with Stannis with us the desert was no picnic and a lot could happen out there. Merror and myself made some small talk as we started the walk back - that is, until something caught my eye.

 

I stopped abruptly, looking quizzically at a carving stand. One of a hundred in the city, but this one had something familiar: mini Stannis statues. A whole shelf of them. It was as though they almost worshiped the guy. Merror poked me in the side as he meandered up, nodding slowly.

 

"They look exactly like the ones he has in the house... " he commented dryly. I didn't hear it; my mind was too busy working.

 

*ding*

 

"I told you I'd get you in the morning... "

 

"What was that?"

 

"Nothing! Here, hold this!"

 

Before he could object, let alone reply, I had shoved the bag into his arms and approached the matoran setting up his daily wares. He looked up at me rather startled, clearly not used to someone showing up this early and this determined.

 

"May I hel-"

 

"You made all of those?"

 

"But of course! All hand-carved, perfect in every detail! I had hoped to capture Toa Maru Stannis in his most stoic pose-"

 

"How much for them?"

 

"Oh, well, each statue costs-"

 

"No no, how much for all of them?"

 

His jaw dropped slightly, mouth agape. "I-er-well-ah let's see-"

 

"Wait, nevermind. I'll take them all. Also, could you do me a favor... "

 

I leaned forward and whispered in his ear, his eyes growing wide. I pulled away, grinning madly. "If you can get that done in a half-hour, I'll pay you double."

 

This time his jaw hit the floor.

 

"Absolutely! Yes sir, right away sir! Uhhh.... be right back!"

 

The Po-Matoran vanished into his stand, only to appear apologetically, grab every single statue off the shelf in one fell swoop, and disappear once again into the darkness, the sounds of an excited, stumbling carver moving within. Spinning around to Merror I grinned a devilish smile.

 

"The prankster prince is about to strike again. All foes beware; my revenge is as cold as it is sweet. I will garner some sort of reaction from Stannis yet, for good or for ill, over my antics - his stoney visage cannot hold out forever. Now if you pardon me, I must complete my daily ritual of meditating as the sun rises... if not to prepare for the upcoming event."

 

Without another word I plopped down on the stand floor, legs crossed as I took in a deep breath, closed my eyes, and let the world fall away from me. I didn't know what would be stranger sight to see: a Ta-Toa holding a bag standing next to an empty stand, or another Ta-To sitting inside of it, in apparent meditation. I didn't care.

 

I did smile a bit though.

Edited May 28, 2013 by Friar Tuck

[Click]

IC: Ogeka

 

Still rubbing sleep out of his eyes, Ogeka walked outside to put the finishing touches on opening up Ogeka Tech. It was still too early to hawk his inventions, but he could still show some of them off.

 

That is, until he saw Toa Joske and Merror walk up to a stall across the bazaar from him. He didn't know all that much about the two, only that they had somehow saved Mata Nui just before he had arrived here. Now he was debating whether to run over there and act the perfect fan-Matoran, possibly get them to buy something (hey, it would be great for business) or just stand and stare.

 

All the tales he heard of Joske firing walls of light and cleansing Rahi by the hundreds went through his mind, so he elected to stay put outside his stall and not disturb what looked like Joske's meditation...in the middle of a stall. Strange.

 

OOC: Still open to business/interaction.

 

 

IC: Uitad

 

After wandering for hours, Uitad began picking up tiny anomalies in the crystaline sand structures at his feet. Some of them were slightly crushed, but there were also pockets of compacted grains a few inches below the surface. Centuries of hunting down enemies of his Master had given him an excellent skill at tracking, even in the sand, and he could recognize these minute changes as footprints. He began following them back to their origin...

Edited May 28, 2013 by Click

[EmperorWhenua]

...

 

Ic: Brykon's kept his eyes glued on the slanderous, homophobic ###### of a guard as he stepped behind Manuka and followed him slowly to the ramp. His body bid a sassy "Fare-thee-well" but his eyes were one of "I'll fight you if I hear that ###### again." Even this cloaked hired hand had more control than Maxiam, he thought to himself. There was an eon when the guards were astute guardians of morality and the mercs were the bad apples.

 

When the Turaga were in charge and the Three Virtues were religion.

 

Yeah, Brykon thought grimly to himself, until I ended that eon. Bloody me.

 

"Alright, let's go," he said and nodded once to Manuka as he quickened his gait. "The sun won't wait forever."

 

Each step was laborious, and each pace brought back a memory long since forgotten. Why, Brykon wondered, did this happen then?

 

Because he needed it. Because he wanted it.

 

Because he needed it.

 

Like a long-forgotten reminder popup on an iStone's screen those thoughts were regurgitated and thrust back into his conscience. They were memos he had deposited when he was an honorable fool, a good man. He knew that now -- oh how he understood -- he knew how he had screwed up. It was his greatest failure, his gravest weakness, one he spent centuries trying to fix. Brykon the moonmelded, the indomitable, the insurmountable, had a weakness before and it had haunted him ever since.

 

Step. Step. The sandstone was old and worn, ground down from millennia of feet scampering up and down. Brykon imagined the changing of shifts as squads of soldiers would ascend and descend simultaneously in single-file lines, well-drilled feet stamping the stone where the divots on each step were now carved. But they only reminded him of years gone.

 

Because he wanted it.

 

He fought in dueling rings to be an icon, a servant. That was his service, that was his exile. He thought that was all he could do for himself. He did it to stay out of trouble he felt he could create, to stay out of a picture he felt unworthy to be in. To escape from who he thought he was. All those years spent running from his own reflection, yelling every time he saw his own shadow, a shadow he despised. He cursed the light back then, because in its glow shadows were born. At least while in darkness he was in bliss. But even shadows can trick, he learned. Even blissful ignorance had its price, one he had paid in full.

 

He needed to be reminded of who he was.

 

Toa Antrim saved him from that pit of blindness he slept in for decades. It was that wise toa of crystal who had done the service he needed, who saw his true worth behind a facade of disguise and self-diagnosed stupidity. It was Toa Antrim and the healing qualities of his home that had taught the torn, disheveled, misguided, fighting poet his true worth. It was the Massif that shook him loose from his chains and told him to go and prove himself to himself... and those he loved. Those he abandoned.

 

And when he was told the truth by the giant man he was given the way to bring about justice. To bring about his vengeance.

 

Step. Step. The top of the wall was coming close but it was still too far. The torturous pains of his mistakes still burned into his mind and soul, but deep down he appreciated the truth behind them just like he did before. He needed to bear the brunt of the realities he lived because they were the only ways he could keep the straight and narrow way given. When the pain went away he knew he was going the wrong way because his path was the hard one, the toilsome one, the one where the acid and the knives are littered on the cobblestones that roll up and down in unmerciful hills. That was the way of knowledge, the way of his destiny. Brykon had vowed not to take the easy way anymore.

 

He had a mission. Missions. Things to do, people to see, places to go, and all of them were tied together. Did anyone else know the significance of his journey? No. None but himself. Not even Antrim the wise and gentle. Brykon alone knew his purpose. He needed to set things straight, reclaim what was his, do what he needed to do all along. And Aurelia would die. Ambages would die. Their associates would die. All in the name of that mission.

 

His mission statement. His ethos. His purpose and intent.

 

Marked with silence reverent.

 

He repeated that statement in his mind. Mumbled it on his lips. Bore it on his heart.

 

...

 

He would never forget it.

 

"Here you go," Manuka said as they reached the top of the wall. "The top of the wall. I'm going to have to stay with you while you're here, though, just to be safe."

 

Brykon nodded and stepped forward to the parapets. He looked to the western horizon and waited for the light, urged it forward, upward, to him. He gripped the wooden railing on the wall with deathly tightness and he felt the blood leave his fingers under his creaking leather gloves if he suddenly was overtaken with a fear that the sun would not rise, a nervous thought that he mentally pushed aside with great effort. That was not the time for doubts, that was a time of confidence anew.

 

In the pre-dawn light he looked down at his own body, strong, rigid, built like a tank. His chest was covered in a flat metal later, but under neath that were a myriad of tattoos, each a memory in and of themselves, stamps to remember his life by. He scratched at his armor to peel the plate off and look at one tattoo placed on his chest just below his left shoulder, the first one he put on. A family coat of arms, ornate but stark in accessory, was burned there to be a reminder of who he was.

 

He was not Senegal. Senegal was his name in exile, but that was never who he truly was. His name was Brykon and he was so much more than a fighter.

 

He was a survivor. A conqueror.

 

He looked up at the flat horizon just in time to greet the sun's first rays as they bathed him in joyous warmth. A tear fell from each eye, tears he refused to wipe. There, in the sight of gods and men, he wept for himself and for everything he was. The light he had rejected for too long in favor of living in darkness had returned to him and shed its grace on him. A new day had dawned for Brykon, a day he would be able to look down at his shadow and fear it no more.

 

With a heavy heart heaved from its despicable cradle he regarded the sun as a prodigal friend, long lost but now found. And like a soft litany he said to himself, "Hello son. How I've missed you."

Edited May 28, 2013 by EmperorWhenua

[Ghosthands]

IC (Merror)

 

As Joske crossed his legs, Merror leaned against the side of the stand, bag in hand, and trained his eyes on the top of the distant cliffs where the pink light of dawn had washed over the sky. His form of meditation was somewhat more worldly than Joske's, though no less potent: rather than looking in on himself, Merror gazed outside himself, his green eyes taking in the first golden sliver of the sun as it crept, shimmering in heat haze, above the horizon.

 

The beauty of the sunrise was a treasure - one that was both free and priceless. Like so many things in this world...

 

Merror looked away across the village to where Stannis and Cael stood, little more than specks on a balcony, watching the same sun's splendour as it unfolded. As he'd said, Joske was very lucky to have someone so special. When you'd lost something, you truly appreciated its worth...and if he'd made sense of Joske's words, then he had lost and regained her in a way that nobody else, to his knowledge, ever had. Joske couldn't know how much Merror would give for that privilege, just for a moment...

 

He sighed, turning his eyes back to the growing portion of sun that peeked over the cliffs. They were gone, and he had moved on. There was no use in envying Joske's gift. Anyway, he had the Astha now. And from what the rookie had said, he'd had to sacrifice a great deal for her, which was something he still had not come to terms with. And the least Merror could do was to help him in this need, and share his joy vicariously. Old sadness had its time and place, but it could wait.

 

After all, a new day was dawning.

[BBBBalta]

IC: Did he say that the sand was hot or something? Well, turns out it wasn't, because it was actually early morning when he landed instead of midday. Weird. Lekua didn't bother dwelling on the thought, though.

 

The sun was just beginning to creep over the horizon as Lekua approached the koro's gate. He took a brief moment to admire the sudden explosion of color across the sky, smiling as the brilliant oranges, reds, and golds flooded his vision. Sunrise. The time of beginnings, of forgetting the darkness, darkness that mere hours ago had seemed infinite. That was the thing about night - it always gave way to morning.

 

Lekua turned back, continuing the last few bio toward the gate. The gate's guards watched his approach with little interest. Eventually, one of them seemed to decide he'd gotten close enough and raised a hand. "Halt," he called out. Lekua halted.

[Sharkictus]

IC:Lightning Trio

 

In northwestern Po-Wahi, far enough from Po-Koro, and reasonably enough distance from the Onu-Koro tunnel entrace, but close to the abandoned caves lay an odd compound.

 

It was owned by three brothers, all Lightning Toa, who also had several of their servants living there, some who were toa as well, but mostly matoran. The compound was unknown to anyone who wasn't considered loyal to the brothers.

 

A Po-matoran from the village of Po-Koro walked to the compound entrance and knowced three times. The first knock was on the top of the door the second was in the middle and a quick knock, and third was on the bottom and a loud knock.

 

A a female magnetism Toa answered the door.

 

"The Lightning trio has been expecting you."

 

The Po-Matoran walked into the room the Trio were at and the brother called Anda ran up to him.

 

"What's the news? Is the contract simple? Can we do simple snatch-n grab? Do they allow foreigners? How terrible is security?" said Anda quickly without taking a breath.

 

The Po-Matoran took a breath to speak, and as he was about to speak Anda interrupted him.

 

"KARZ IT MAN, WHY AREN'T YOU SAYING ANYTHING?! TELL US"

 

And this point the eldest brother, and the leader of trio put his hand on his brother's shoulder.

 

"Anda calm down, let the man speak." said Khan. He then turned to the Po-Matoran. " Well?"

 

"The contract is pretty much a bunch of agreements down.. A Le-Koro gang hired Ta-Matoran enforcer who hired a Ga-koro corrupt gaurd who hired a lazy assassin who I overheard talking in Po-Koro bar about his contract, in coded language obviously, and I offered to do it for him, and I did the research and found our the first hirer's. I suggest you guys capture the target and deliver her directly to the Le-Koro gang, who do have scientific notes like the ones you seek. The Target is water Toa named Ghoti... pronounced fish. She is in jail right now, but the charges are trumped up and she will likely be released once she has her appeal. Po-Koro has a even stricter policy on foreigners having gotten rid of all the roads to the village, and don't allow anyone in unless they have permission, or are trusted trader. The security has always been good, and is getting better. Rumor has it that the they will be getting better technology soon and will be able to more effectively patrol Po-Wahi. They will not take kindly to you."

 

"Makuta's war has created quite a lot of paranoia, and the Artahka-forsaken mad man who decided to write his scientific notes in gold on silver threaded paper is forcing us to constantly deal with the the greedy dregs of society." said Khan.

 

"I say we just smash through the wall, take the Toa now, hand her to the Ga-Koro corrupt guard to collect our payment, and then go to Le-Koro and just ransack that gangs place until we find what we're looking for." said Anda.

 

"Aq think Ga-Toa thrown across island into gang's house after her appeal." said Aq. Most the people in compound rolled their eyes at Aq's apparently stupid statement, but both Khan and Anda understood what he meant. He meant that they should wait for Ghoti to be released and kidnap her, and then go through each agreement, and get the money from each one. Khan however had to reiterate so Aq could keep the illusion of stupidity. Both Khan and Anda pretended to ignore Aq's remark.

 

"I think the best idea is to wait until she gets released, wait until she leaves the village, and grab her. Then we either force the lazy assassin to pay us, or we take him down. Then we try to do the same with the corrupt Ga-Koran guard. With the enforcer pay him to tell us where the gang hides out, and we deliver her there and get paid, and move near there. "

 

"I hate waiting.." said Anda cross his arms.

 

Khan ignored him and went to the vault. There lay all the scientific notes they already had, three so far, as well as their money they got from their professional kidnapping work. He dug through the varying widgets and found the a single one that was valuable enough to pay the Po-Matoran for his information. He picked it up and gave it to the Po-matoran.

 

"Here is a solid gold widget, with the late Turaga's Onewa's stamp on it. This is nowadays very rare, and extremely valuable."

 

The Po-Matoran's eyes lit up, gladly shook Khan's hand, and left the compound.

 

"Aq I need you to do the surveillance. There's a very high natural stone formation south of the Po-Koran Main gate, just outside of their visible distance. Dress up like a bum and lay on the rock, and wait for the water Toa to be released. If a guard happens to ask what are you doing, pretend to be sleeping, and if they force you awake, pretend to be drunken confused bum. With your large stature, they will likely leave you alone as long as you harm no one. When the water Toa is close, send a horizontal lightning bolt to the south, and we'll come to assist in the capture."

 

Aq nodded, and the servants dressed him to look as homeless as possible. He then went into a caravan they owned, and the magnetism servant drove him to where he was going to do surveillance.

 

Within a few hours, Aq's caravan reached the rock formation Khan spoke of. He got out of the caravan and began to climb to the top. Within an hour or so, he reached the top and laid in such a way that looked like napping but was perfect to watch the area he wanted to watch.

[Krayzikk]

IC:Krayn opened his mouth to reply to Maxiam, but was once again caught off guard when Hari appeared, and hugged him. One day, I'll figure out how to hear her approaching.

 

"Thanks for letting me know." The De-Toa hugged her back, smiling. "Actually, it's about time for my check-in with my Akiri anyway. And after that I'll probably stop in at Ga-Koro, to get Tillian to stop sending me letters to visit. But I'll see you when you get back."And it'll be good to get away from Hewkii's attempts to turn this place into a totalitarian regime.

[Geardirector]

IC: Korru (Sentinel HQ)

 

"Alright, miss. Your trial's coming up"

 

A large figure appeared outside Ghoti's cell, as her arresting officer brought up the key to her door.

 

"If you just behave and keep your facts straight, this should be pretty painless"

 

He stepped into the cell, with Ghoti's mask in one hand and a pair of handcuffs in the other.

 

"If you don't mind holding out your hands"

[Sharkictus]

IC:​"Alright Miss Po-Koro, I guess you get a look at my beautiful hands. " said Ghoti when she held out her hands in way that looked like she was showing off.

Edited May 28, 2013 by Shark

[Geardirector]

IC: Korru (Sentinel HQ)

 

Quickly putting the handcuffs on, Korru growled under his breath about the nickname.

 

"Alright, here" he said and handed Ghoti the mask.

 

"Now you just come with me"

 

Korru led the Toa out of the cell, and had a firm grip around her arm as he led her to the courthouse.

 

Another guard nodded at Korru, and opened the door for them.

 

"Your honor" Korru saluted the Akiri.

 

OOC: Alright, Loyd will have to take it from here.

Edited May 28, 2013 by Geardirector

[Sharkictus]

IC:Ghoti awkwardly held onto her mask with her cuffed hands. She wasn't sure if she was suppose to put it on or just hold it. She was ready to plead her case as soon as the Hewkii allowed her too.

[Geardirector]

IC: Korru (Po-Koro courthouse)

 

"You're allowed to put on your mask" Korru whispered

[Lara White]

IC: Hewkii thought for a minute, quite silent. "If I understand your request correctly, you have nothing to worry about. Have some patience, and your request will be fulfilled in due time." He told Purouk. At the same time, he set aside a request from one 'Ogeka,' who, while had an interesting idea, would become less relevant upon the fruition of Hewkii's plans. he looked at his schedule. "Oh, it looks like I have a trial to attend. Odd, what were they up to?" He said, frowning. After Purouk left, he left his office and locked the door behind him as he made his way to the humble building that passed for a courthouse.

 

He made it there ust moments before the Sentinel who'd caught the suspect and the suspect themselves entered.

 

"Sentinel...Korru, if memory serves." He said, looking to the Sentinel. "No need for formailities. Please, relate your side of the story."

 

[25K Now!]

IC: Naona

 

Meanwhile, Naona was still waiting outside Hewkii's office.

[Lara White]

IC: (Five minutes ago)

 

"Can I help you, Naona?" Hewkii asked.

 

[Geardirector]

IC: Korru (Po-Koro courthouse)

 

"By your command, Akiri"

 

"I was on patrol, and stopped by a tavern to inspect the locales, where I after saving the accused's food from hitting the floor, joined her for a meal, seeing as it was just about time for my lunch break. During the meal, I noticed she was wearing a disguise, attempting to appear as a Toa of Stone. When I inquired about this, she threw sand in my face and attempted escape by stealing another Sentinel's mount. Telne, I believe was his name, he can confirm that part of the story. With his help, I subdued her and brought her in"

[Silvan Haven]

Kale Ironshaper- Po-wahi- Quarry

 

IC: Kale stood and wiped his brow. He had lost track of how long he had been marking the location and relative direction of the different metal nodes, but it had been a while. While not taking much effort to find them , they did take a fair amount of concentration, something that was rather hard to find when the entire area rang with the sound of pickaxes on hard rock.

 

Looking around one last time, he got back to work, driving the metal pole that marked the location of the node into the hard rock.

 

Po-koro

 

After finally getting the designs in addition to a working prototype, the Po-Patoran carpenters got to work building more of the sand skiffs that would be the steed of one of the new branches of the Sentinels.

[Lara White]

IC: Hewkii nodded and looked to the defendant. "And you? What do you say happened?"

 

OOC: Hint, Shark: she'll get off lighter if she's polite and admits what happened.

 

[They]

OOC: Well, I'm bummed 'cause it's only a page in Word, but whatever. I'm sick and tired of not posting. Here you go, KNI.

 

To clarify time-wise. This happens the day Joske, Kale, and Meowr arrived in Po-Koro.IC: KRII

 

 

Hey. We’re Krii. Remember? We lost the last notebook in the Po-Koro well, so you had to buy a new one. We don’t remember why we dropped it, just that it was too water-damaged to continue using. The pages were falling out of the binding and turning to starchy goop; it was such a mess.

We wear a Kanohi Kakama. Like Pohatu, we’re faster than anything known to matoran. We’re a toa of water too -- when we figure out how to not walk on water and swim. It’s funny. Really. One moment we’re running about on the surface like a bug. The next, SPLASH -- mouth full of salt water. You’ll see Krii, don’t worry, it’ll be fun --

Speaking of fun, do we remember Kohlii? If we don’t slap ourselves. It’s amazing! Matoran (those pint-sized carvers and athletes running around us all the time), invented a sport where a metal ball is passed around a circular field and fought over by opposing teams. The point is to hit or throw the ball with a kohlii stick -- see the stick on our back -- into the opposing team’s goal the most times. We can’t touch the ball with our hands, but any other part of our body is fine. Go to the Po-Koro Kohlii field, we’ll understand if we’ve forgotten.

Krii stumbled on a rolling metal sphere, falling face first into the sandy turf. “Oof,” She huffed, the small, leather-bound notebook landing in the dirt an arm’s length away. The toa of water dusted herself off as she stood, little clouds of tan fluttering off her figure as she patted the stuff away. Picking up the notebook, Krii imitated a puffer fish and pouted at the wrinkled pages, attempting to bend them back into shape as she slowly hummed a depressing chanty. Matoran stared, their bodies leaning against protodermis staffs as they waited, eyes filled with a bored derision. Finally, a carver piped up; “Could you move, toa? We’re in the middle of a game.”

Krii blinked, then blushed. Embarrassed, she slunk away with apologies fluttering from her girlish lips, retreating to the side of the field with her notebook. “I didn’t even know I’d walked here...”

She watched the teams fight hammer and chisel for each point, minutes of energy pumping material for Krii to watch with porous eyes, as if a sponge absorbing every possible detail. After each successful goal Krii would jump into the air and yell, “YES,” at the top of her lungs. She didn’t care who got the point, Krii just loved the spectacle. Although beholden to her notebook, Krii remembered the names of all the famous players from her favorite teams. Despite her zeal at cheering on all present, Krii remembered always routing for Ta-Koro. How could she not? They had Joske, or did. Krii frowned, thumbing through the few pages already written in the wind-damaged diary, her eyes scanning the page as she absently nibbled her pinky.

Ta-Koro League Team: Jaller, Captain of the Guard (Goal) and Chronicler Takua (Forward). After the Chronicler’s disappearance, Joske went from secondary to main forward. Six months ago, Joske resigned from the league. We don’t have information after that, although we looked for him while working on the fishing vessel Charpydii.

Krii smiled, realizing that even if she couldn’t remember what he looked like, she could still follow the clues back to her dream. Stomach gurgling, Krii made her way out of the arena, trailing the sweaty and tired stick-jocks to a nearby pub, where she sat in the back of the room inhaling the passing smoke to watch her heroes chat and reminisce about the day’s practice.

Her mouth filled with the sweet flavors of bula berry wine and dikapi dumpling, Krii scribbled a simple sentence into her notebook with a gnarled grease pencil. In the event she endured, Krii would be able to follow yesterday back to the future.

Find Joske.

Edited May 28, 2013 by Kughii

[25K Now!]

IC: Naona - 5 MINUTES AGO

 

"I'm going to a training trip with Hari. Hope you don't mind."

[Lara White]

IC: Hewkii shook his head. "it's a pity--you just got back--but it should be fine. We'll make sure Prei isn't the one responsible for reporting your presence next time."

 

[25K Now!]

IC: Naona

 

"I tried to help him get over his doughnut addiction once," replied Naona. "I failed."

 

She gave the Akiri a salute, before leaving to find Hari.

[Sharkictus]

IC:"Your Honor Akiri Hewkii. My name is Ghoti, pronounced fish. I was hiding in Po-koro because of...personal...reasons. I was eating lunch, he saved it. I insulted his sash, because it's totally not threatening and seems more like a beauty queen's sash. Therefore I called him Miss Po-Koro. Even for woman though it be kind of ugly. I have to assume Macku must of designed them for you, she has terrible taste. Anyways his manhood must of been insulted by my admittedly flippant attitude and he accused me of being a Ga-Toa. Now my disguise was so good that no one should of seen through. Even with that stupid scope.Now if my disguise was that good, clearly he had to be in line with...certain people, I was hiding from. And he spoke to me threateningly. So I did what everyone should do when a big guy like him whose manhood has been insulted: throw sand in their eyes. It was at this point I realized the sand doesn't work well on your Po-Toas, so I ran like Karz from what I assumed to be a corrupt guard. Of course i'm sort of a in the moment kinda of person so once I was outside I was unsure what to do. Then I hear some Kilikano huffing nearby, so I figured... I would temporarily borrow to escape a potential moment of police brutality. Of course the Kilikano just didn't really listen to me and I was caught. But the theft wouldn't had he not been in line with those...bad people I was hiding from because clearly he couldn't pick a apart my impeccable disguise. " confidently said Ghoti.OOC: I feel like I'm channeling Zezak and (old stupid) Mora here with a wee bit of Ariz.

Edited May 28, 2013 by Shark

[Lara White]

OOC: Oh, of course you are. It brings back memories.

 

IC: Hewkii frowned. "You are accusing the Koro's Sentinel of corruption? This is a very serious matter...can you prove your allegations?"

 

[25K Now!]

IC: Naona

 

"Well, we have permission to go from Hewkii," said Naona, approaching Hari.

[Sharkictus]

IC: "Clearly because he could see through my perfect disguise and the people I hid likely were stalking me, So they would've seen me change. Perverts. And they would of informed someone who could catch me. It is logical Akiri." Then Ghoti made an explosive sounds with her mouth. "Boom. Logic'd. I just blew your mind."OOC: MIND BLOWN

[Lara White]

IC: Hewkii paused for a moment at the sheer hubris of the statement, then pushed it aside. "Korru? How was her disguise, would you say?"

 

[Athmos]

IC(Maxiam Kilanewb):

 

Maxiam dropped his salute. He wasn't sure if this tree-hopper accepted his apology, but he didn't care that much. Well, he did care, but, ugh, whatever. He preformed an about-face, and walked towards the center of the village.

 

It was always a pleasure to see the Matoran moving to and fro in the village. Knowing that no matter what they did, they were helping Po-Koro, and the island in turn. Maxiam turned sharply away from the city center, instead heading towards the market place, which was a little distance away from him.

 

OOC: Maxiam Kilanewb open for Interaction.

[Friar Tuck]

OOC: oh boy... fangirl inbound? Better make myself scarce

 

IC

 

[Po-Koro Bazaar - dawn]

 

A nervous cough brought me out of my meditation. I blinked a few times, feeling the warm sun on my body as the ambient temperature began to rise as the desert warmed up to yet another scorching day. Stretching my back I yawned before looking to my left. As promised, just over a half-hour later stood that matoran carver, a large bag in his hands.

 

"Here ya are, Mr. Toa sir! Your special project... as requested!"

 

With a smile and nod I stood up, pulling out a moneybag. "Here. For your effort. Keep the change."

 

We exchanged sacks, and with delight he could feel the heaviness of the widgets. Now I wasn't particularly wealthy; playing sports wasn't the road to monetary superiority. Fame, yes, but sometimes the pot or purse for a tourney wasn't as large as normal or worth the effort to win. Still, it was enough to live comfortably - most of the time - and thanks to leveraging my fame I didn't have to buy that much, so I was able to set aside most of my winnings in the Koro's themselves, the largest sum here in Po-Koro. I mean, this was the Kohlii capital of the island, so I played here the most... and won here the most as well. In my mind, I was simply putting money back into the economy that I had been siphoning away from for a while now. Thus this little side project wasn't out of budget...

 

"Hey, mind if I ask your name, just in case people ask about the lack of carvings, I can tell them who to blame." I chuckled dryly, slinging the sack over my shoulder.

 

"Before I do that... does this look familiar? Know anyone who might have one?"

 

I showed him one of the charms, and he gave me a thoughtful look. "Can't say that I have... but Golyo might, the old Mahi-herder who lives outside of town. If anyone would know, it's him. So, what's you're name?" I chuckled again, starting my trek back.

 

"Toa Joske; thought I looked familiar, didn't I?"

 

He stood there stunned as I winked then walked away, whistling a small tune as Merror followed closely behind. Had my companion taken a good look at the carver he would have noticed his hands had a golden hue instead of the regular tan...

 

* * *

"Goooooooood morning!"

 

My chirpy cheerfulness hit the room like an avalanche, Cael and Stannis turning their heads in unison to observe the pair of Ta-Toa enter the house. They had just started to have breakfast, whatever conversation they had earlier now over with. I watched Cael open her mouth to say something, but suddenly freeze as she got a good look at my face.

 

I had boyhood mischievousness written all over it. And I was staring right at Stannis. With a flourish I set the bag on the table, the sound of muted stone-on-stone reverberating within.

 

"You know Stannis, I was thinking about what you said last night, your lamentations about how revered you are among the matoran, and how cliche the statuettes in your honor are made. So I decided to, this morning, brighten up your day AND your house with these!"

 

In a single, fluid motion I dumped out the contents on the bag, a pile of golden mini-Stannis statues appearing before the Toa of Stone. One by one I began to pick them up, placing them perfectly next to the others on his shelf.

 

"This award goes to Toa Stannis, the 'Most Makuta Killed' Award. Ah, and this one is 'Most Composed Maru' award! And this is the 'Best Troll Mask' award! And this the 'Least Humorous Toa' award! And this one is... "

 

This went on for about five minutes, thinking of the most ridiculous yet descriptive adjectives of him I could come up with until I had done every last statue, which had more than doubled his original amount. After placing the final one on the shelf, now looking rather dangerously unstable, I turned to Stannis, my face beaming.

 

"So... whatcha think?!?"

[Geardirector]

IC: Korru

 

"She was wearing a cloak, and some pieces of brown armor put over her regular armor. Might fool someone in passing, but it shouldn't be hard to spot up close, and I've always had pretty good eyesight"

[GSR]

IC: Komae

 

The Po-Matoran listened quietly to his companion's story. When she had finished, he gave a slight nod of the head. "That's quite the tale you've got there," he said cheerfully. Guess I can't blame her for coming up with a story as crazy as that - I certainly wouldn't spill my life story to someone I'd met five minutes ago.

 

The rest, though... "I'm with you about the island," he continued. "Oh, we've got our faults, sure enough, and things were awfully touch-and-go there for a while with Makuta. But that's the beauty of it, isn't it? In the end, the Toa won. The Great Spirit triumphed. And we Matoran lived on, under his guidance." Komae smiled. "And I'm certain that we always will, no matter what it takes."

 

By then it had grown dark as the duo trundled into the village. The building his companion was headed for showed no signs of life, and Komae didn't need years of trading experience to see that he would have to come back in the morning to make that particular deal. "I suppose this is where we part ways, then," he said cheerfully. "Thanks for letting me know about that stone - I'll swing by and do a bit of negotiating in the morning. And thanks for the conversation!" A thought occurred to him, and he reached into his satchel and pulled out a tiny carved Ruru. "Here, take this. It makes for a nice pin - or broach, or earring, or bit of ammunition, or whatever tickles your fancy."

 

(OOC: Sorry to write around the Karzahni thing, Lorax, just tryin' to move things along without compounding the issue)

[Hanako Herupa]

IC: (Hari)

 

Hari smiled warmly as Krayn hugged her back, leaning her head against his chest.

 

"Shame, would have been nice if you could come with us. Just stay safe, and I'll see you again, hun." She said as she pulled away, but not before surprising Krayn with a short and yet tender kiss. She smirked and removed his arms turning around just as Naona came up. That's great ma'am, I just need to grab my things from my place. We can also grab a bite to eat before we go."

 

And with that Bo-Toa was already walking, eager to start the trip. She went through the list: stuff to wear, widgets to buy things, and a sleeping bag. Perhaps they would see Tillian on their trip and Emotia! Oh she hadn't seen Tillian and his bride since the wedding! Or Skyra! She missed them so much, and perhaps she could take some leave to see them again! She wonder how Tillian and Emotia were doing, Skyra and Liara as well, probably going along strong.

[Lara White]

IC: Hewkii nodded. "Do you have this disguise to present as proof. And you, miss...Ghoti, do you have any evidence that the Koro's Sentinel is connected to these people out to kill you?"

 

[Ghosthands]

IC (Merror)

 

Merror frowned at the Matoran's golden hands. That wasn't his armour; no, it looked more like...gold paint?

 

And in that second, everything clicked into place.

 

"Oh, Mata Nui..." Merror muttered, a half-smiling and half-frowning in disbelief. "He...he isn't..."

 

With a resigned sigh, he rolled his eyes.

 

"Yes, he is."

 

***

Merror watched as statuette after statuette came out of the bag, one hand covering half of his face as he smiled despite himself. Joske's antics stirred up a strange concoction of amusement, disapproval, and sympathy for Stannis' probable annoyance.

 

Joske placed the last statue, and turned to Stannis, grinning triumphantly.

 

"So... whatcha think?!?"

 

There was a moment of silence. Merror coughed.