BZPRPG - Ta-Wahi

[Palm]

IC: Pae

 

Pae loomed quietly, waiting for Kino.

[Hanako Herupa]

IC: (Kino Iho)

 

"Funny thing, I was looking for you. I need to talk with you two. It concerns these two," I said with a smile, pointing to Pae and Korzaa. The Guard Captain of Ko-Koro cover was still up to Angelus and Jolek. However she wasn't exactly removing suspicion either which is why we needed to talk. "Can we take this in your office, you're really going to want to hear this. I can't really say more out here, it's sensitive enough." My voice became more quite, and an awful bit more serious. I needed Angel to know that when I was saying what info I had was serious. He would take it as such, which I knew he would. I'm sure he had important stuff himself to tell me, probably with that arrogant friend of his, Joske.

[Nato G]

IC: Natharius.

 

The Ko-Skakdi stormed out of the bar, hands clenched tightly into fists. He'd overheard a couple of guards boasting as they walked into the bar. The Turaga-Killer was dead, his remains burned on a pyre and his stupid golden teeth sent off to his killer. Natharius only knew one person with stupid gold teeth who had killed a Turaga.

 

Grokk was dead.

 

He didn't know what to feel. He was sad, but not that Grokk had died; just that he'd died before Natharius had gotten some answers out of him. He was angry, but not at Grokk for dying. The skakdi hadn't exactly had a choice in that; it was Dorian's fault. Natharius didn't even want revenge or anything petty like that. He just wanted... out. He'd been better off staying out of the Koros, and this had proven it beyond any shadow of a doubt.

 

Grokk had used him... For what, he wasn't even sure. A fall guy to take the blame for whatever he'd had planned? A temporary partner in crime, to be thrown aside when he was no longer needed? Perhaps Grokk had just wanted an audience? Or maybe... maybe somewhere deep down in whatever black pit he'd had for a heart, he'd felt a little bit of pity for the out-of-place Ko-Skakdi who'd been wandering lost in the city.

 

Whatever it was, Natharius knew he'd never get to find out now. Grokk was gone, and the world was probably better off without him. But Dorian was still out there. The ###### had walked away free of any criminal charges, and even been rewarded for it. Natharius knew he'd never stand a chance taking Dorian on, so he wasn't even going to bother trying. He just wanted to be as far away as possible from all of the karzdamned Koros that condoned that kind of senseless injustice. He couldn't live in a place like this, and he sure as karz didn't plan on dying in one.

 

But first, there were a few things he had to do. First, he returned to where the end had began, at Dorian's home. He quickly found what he was looking for. It was right there, kicked aside and left abandoned in the dust: the cheap confetti cannon that Grokk had asked him to buy only a few short days ago. It felt like a lifetime. Grokk had even given Natharius the money for it. And now, thanks to Septima, he had some money of his own.

 

Once he'd retrieved the Paterro launcher, he headed for the markets, finding what his keen eye told him to be the best weapon smith. "I want you to remodel this," he said, handing the cannon over, "make it capable of firing further and in a more focused burst. I don't want it to be a confetti launcher anymore, I want you to make it into a fully-functioning gun." The vendor opened his mouth to speak, but Natharius cut him off. "I know it would be cheaper for me and easier for you if I just bought a new one, but perhaps this might change your mind." he put one of his smaller pouches of widgets in front of the Matoran. "I'll be back in an hour or two. I expect it ready by the time I get back. I'll have more money for you then, too." 

 

With that dealt with, he headed off to find Septima. Unlike Grokk, she was genuine. She'd been honest with Natharius so far, and he felt she was probably one of very few people he could consider to be a real friend to him. He felt he had to make sure she didn't wind up making a huge mistake in going after those two travellers who'd robbed her. Making things personal, and repaying one crime with another... That was only going to leave more people dead. Grokk had learnt that the hard way, and Natharius didn't intend to make the same mistake he had. 

Edited December 21, 2014 by Roman Torchwick

[Timageness]

IC: Septima ducked around the side of a building as she watched Verulas' Skakdi friend attempt to gain the attention of the guard escorting them throughout the city, her attention so focused on the Bo-Toa that she didn't even notice that Natharius had caught up to her.

[Nato G]

IC: Natharius.

 

"There you are," he muttered, tapping her softly on the shoulder to get her attention, "anything interesting happened yet?" 

[Not Quite Dead]

IC Brontes

 

The Cy-Skakdi walked heavily near me, I myself was not a very heavy walker. People were sometimes conned into assuming I had the controlled and lack-a-daisical stride of an experienced warrior or hunter. It was merely my natural gait

[Timageness]

IC: Septima jumped a little as the Skakdi tapped her shoulder before turning towards him and shaking her head.

"Nothing so far," she said quietly.

[Nato G]

IC: Natharius. 

 

"Okay..." he trailed off, unsure of what else to say, "...you mind if I stick around? I've got nothing better to do, and frankly, the sooner you get your money back, the sooner I can get out this city. I've decided I don't want to stick around here any longer, and whether you choose to come with me or not, I'd appreciate your help getting out. If you want to, that is..." she was the only ally he had here, but he didn't really expect her to take the fall for him if she didn't want to take the risk.

 

He wasn't self-serving, unlike a certain deceased somebody. 

[Timageness]

IC: "Sure," Septima said. "The more, the merrier."

The Fe-Toa could tell that the Natharius had changed somehow, but she couldn't place her finger on exactly what had changed in particular. All she knew was that for now, it was better to be focusing on the task at hand.

"We'll arange the details of your escape after I'm done with these two clowns. As for right now, though, we should try to keep a low profile."

[Nato G]

IC: Natharius.

 

"Ah... sure, thanks." Natharius blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected her to immediately agree like that. "I mean it. Thanks, for everything. You're the only decent person I've met since arriving in this city. Which is weird, considering your profession." It was somewhat of a relief, really. He thought he was going to be stuck here for the next month doing community service, but now he had a chance of getting out. He wasn't sure whether the gate guards actually had orders to stop him on sight, but hopefully he would never have to find out. 

 

"Why do I need to keep a low profile?" he asked suddenly, "The guards might know my face, but these guys don't." 

[silo]

IC: (Karaihe/Guard House)

 

"Oi, Loren, where're we headin'?"

[Timageness]

IC: Septima flashed the Skakdi a smile before turning back to watch the Verulas and the Ta-Skakdi.

"They might not know your face, but they're not complete idiots either; I'm pretty good at what I do, and even I didn't know that I was getting played. These guys may be able to recognise when someone is tailing them, so it would be best if we try to stay as incognito as possible."

She took a breath before continuing.

"One thing's for sure, though; I'm seriously starting to doubt that these two are guards."

[Nato G]

IC: Natharius.

 

"What gave it away?" Natharius asked. "The lack of uniforms, or the fact that the guard who's with them is clearly guarding them?" 

 

He might not have been an expert like Septima was, but Natharius had been around enough guards these past few days to know how they looked and acted, and these two were not presenting themselves like guards normally did. 

Edited December 21, 2014 by Roman Torchwick

[Timageness]

IC: "Well, excuse me for meeting them back in Ko-Wahi, the area that's currently swarming with violent Makuta-worshippers," Septima responded. "I figured that they took off their uniforms since nothing says "Hey, come over here and kill me!" better over there than advertising that you're a guard. The Bo-Toa also said that he was formerly stationed at the hospital there, and last time I checked, that was one of the places that no one except true psychopaths would want to see attacked."

[Nato G]

IC: Natharius.

 

"Okay, sorry," Natharius backed off a little, "I'm a bit..." he couldn't think of a word to really describe his current state of mind, "...you know, in the head right now. I've had a rough few days. Sorry. What I was trying to convey is that I've been around more guards recently than I'd care to see in my lifetime, and these guys just don't fit the bill. Besides, real guards arrest thieves; they don't steal from them." 

[Timageness]

IC: Septima instantly regretted how her last statement had sounded. Something was obviously troubling him, and she didn't wish to upset him further.

The Fe-Toa decided that she would apologise to him later, preferably over a meal; her treat.

"Unless they're dirty," she suggested. "Or they're mercenaries."

[Nato G]

IC: Natharius.

 

"Mercs, criminals, maybe part of gang? They must have known you robbed them, which means A: you're not as skilled as you think you are, or B: they know lowlifes when they see them. Not that I'm calling you a lowlife," he amended quickly. 

[Timageness]

IC: "Maybe," Septima said. "Either way, it would be better to err on the side of caution."

[Nato G]

IC: Natharius. 

 

"Okay," Natharius trusted her judgement. She hadn't steered him wrong so far, unlike a certain someone that he really ought to stop thinking about. "So... we just wait here until something happens?" 

[shadow pridak money gang]

IC:

 

Angelus spared another glance at Pae and the wrapped-up Ko-Matoran. Jolek stood behind him, casual stance belying the same predatory calculations running through his head that ran through the Captain's. Kino. This is Kino. He trusted her as well as he trusted anyone left in this city, didn't he? 

 

"Alright," he said, opening up the office and putting an arm around her while they walked inside. "We'll talk in here. All of us."

 

-Tyler

[Hanako Herupa]

IC: (Kino Iho)

 

I took a deep breath, there was quite a bit I had to explain, I didn't have all the information, but Pae and Korzaa could explain the rest. I never really prepared for this moment, introducing Pae and Angelus, but now here I was in the hot seat. I had something important to say, so there was no use dallying.

 

"Angelus, Jolek. This Toa of Iron is a friend of mine, his name is Pae. We grew up together in the Kumu Islets, he's basically been the only person I could ever count on. Till I met you, till I came here. We became mercenaries together, Pae and I. Our work took us all over Mata Nui. Eventually though  we had different jobs that took us different ways and we lost contact with each other. However he found me, and he trusts me. I trust you, this Guard this city, however the next thing I'm going to tell is extremely sensitive information."

 

"This woman here is Korzaa, Captain of the Ko-Koro Guard. They have been attacked, and Pae escorted Korzaa out when the attack proved too much, it seems. Pae brought her in hopes that we could help her and protect her. To be honest Pae, Korzaa I don't know nearly as much as you two, mind telling us the rest?"

[Flex Lord Splash]

IC:

 

After getting bored of wandering the streets Kaeren finally decided it was a good idea to check in on Guard HQ and see if there were any assignments or things of interest he could help with. Truth be told he was sort of a rookie, he had just been instated as an official Guard a few days before. Up until now Kaeren had lived a somewhat solitary life, he didn't know many people in Ta-Koro even though he'd spent his entire life here. He knew it was time to branch out, time to meet people and actually live his life. Use the Toa power he'd been gifted by the Great Spirit towards something good.

 

He pushed open a door to the Guard HQ and began walking down one of the hallways. He knew the Captain of the Guard was named Angelus but he hadn't had much interaction with the Captain. Still, Kaeren knew where his office was located. He made his way to Angelus' office and then posted up against a wall, waiting to see if the Captain came out eventually so he could ask if there was anything he needed to do.

[Palm]

IC: Pae

 

Pae said nothing, instead opting for Korzaa to speak.

[Razgriz]

IC: Someone's outside.

I'm pretty sure you can't just waltz in here like that. The karz?

He nudged Angel with an elbow. He was sure he wasn't the only one who'd heard the footsteps stop and the light thump against the wall. Do something about that? After all, he was pretty sure this stuff was above both his and whoever that was's ranks to be privy to right now. He knew Angel trusted him more than most, but he couldn't say the same for everyone.

Wait.

If the Captain of the Guard's been evacuated...

His eyes went a bit wide as he connected the dots.

"It's that bad up there?"
 

[Timageness]

IC: "I suppose we can take a small breather until they start moving again," Septima sighed, wondering why the trio had decided to stop in the middle of the street in the first place. "We don't want to lose sight of them, after all."

[Nato G]

IC: Natharius.

 

"I get the impression you'd be able to find them again pretty easily even if we did lose sight of them."

[TheMegazordman1]

IC-Kedamore/ Asa/ Ry/ Otana from Ga-Wahi

 

"Well that was a long trip . "

 

The group walks up to Tor`s  Black smith shop .

[Timageness]

IC: Septima thought about it for a moment.

"True, but why go through the extra inconvenience when we don't have to?"

[Nato G]

IC: Natharius.

 

"Fair enough. So... we just stand here awkwardly... and wait... and watch...?" 

[Timageness]

IC: "Yup," Septima said. "Minus the awkward part, anyway."

[Nato G]

IC: Natharius.

 

"Ah... sorry..." Natharius shrugged, "...if you want me to bugger off while you're doing this, I can. I've got time to kill." 

[Visaru]

IC: Captain Korzaa

 

“‘Escorted’ is certainly one way to put it,” Korzaa grumbled, letting the hood of her cloak fall down to reveal her features more clearly to the members of the room. “I am sure you have heard that Ko-Koro has fallen to forces of evil.” Her brow furrowed as she recalled the events. “Echelon and his servants breached our gates, our sanctum, and I’m sure by now killed most of the guard and perhaps the inhabitants too. Pae kidnapped me as I was organizing what remained of the military to kill the invaders. I had no idea Echelon was still active, nor that he had such a force behind him. I do not know where they got their following, what their goals are, or what they are doing with my city. I don’t know if they are razing my village to the ground or turning it into a fortress for their cause. There is quite a lot I don’t know.”

 

She paused. “And I’m not quite sure how we are going to take back the Koro or if there even is anything worthwhile to take back, but that, I suppose, is what we are here to discuss.”

[Timageness]

IC: "It's cool. You can stay if you want," Septima reassured him. "Another pair of eyes might come in handy."

[Nato G]

IC: Natharius.

 

"Thanks," Natharius said gratefully. He wasn't sure what he would have done in the meantime; the weaponsmith wasn't expecting him back for another hour. 

Edited December 22, 2014 by Roman Torchwick

[Palm]

IC: Pae

 

Pae interjected, "Ko-Koro's morale is dangerous to Echelon. Korzaa would have been an example," he said without moving. Pae believed this to be true. He was only afraid of what Echelon might spin to Ko-Koro as a result of the intervention.

[Let's Henshin!]

IC: Malik

 

"Yeah, years," Malik replied, as got up from the table. One of the many benefits of paying up front was that one didn't have to wait for a check, just get up and leave whenever one felt like it. 

[Geardirector]

IC: Helios (Charred Forest)

 

I came walki-no.

 

I came strol-no.

 

I came strut-no.

 

Might as well be straightforward about it.

 

I came hobbling out between the ashen trees, leaning on my trusty hammer like a cane as I cast a triumphant glance at the silhouette of Ta-Koro on the horizon. Or I would have if my hat hadn't slid down in front of my eyes.

 

"Heh, guess it could be plenty worse" I said to no one in particular as I found a rock to prop myself on, to catch a break near the impressive view.

 

I was wiped, and a little bruised, but all in all pretty awesome feeling. It had been quite a ride, and I'd gotten a shiny new bow to show for it.

 

"Not a disk launcher, but... if I can fire one weapon I guess I can learn to fire another, too." I thought out loud.

[Krayzikk]

IC:

 

"One block." The Guard answered simply, inclining his head slightly to indicate the road ahead. The hospital could be seen in the distance, a large sign marking the otherwise nondescript stone building for what it was.

 

IC:

 

"Then that's what we'll do!" Saeva declared, making no response to her Toa of Plant Life companion save to shoot him a glare. The Ta-Toa began striding swiftly in the indicated direction, grinning. Her previous injuries seemed to be mostly forgotten, though she did seem to be truing to limit any movement of her torso.

[Razgriz]

IC: His breath back under control, Erzu followed, clapping the massive Onu-Toa on the back and urging him on.

"Lead the way, big man. You don't want her getting lost, do you?"

[Nato G]

IC: Veteran.

 

"Alright mate," he grudgingly thanked the guard, "let's get in there," he told Verulas.