Bzprpg - Ta-Wahi

[otter]

IC-Naria:

 

"I know I am," Naria said, making Cysero lower her so that she could hug him back. "I just figured that since we've been friends long enough, it was the right thing to do-especially since you like Kolhii so much."

[Constructelf]

IC IraThe toa of fire sat in his new house in the quiter region of Ta-Koro. He had done quite a few things during his time here. For one, he had gotten yet another armor recoloring. For another, he had gotten himself a new sword and shield. Finally, he had rediscovered his love of chemistry-which had caused his Volitak to explode, forcing him to get another mask. Sitting alone in his home, he absentmindedly played with a piece of lead, a solution of... something boiling on the stove behind him. Sighing heavily, his thoughts drifted back to his younger days..."You were always a little piece of tarakava **** Thane. You know that?"A Ta-Matoran lay on the floor of a hallway, his books scattered in a heap next to him. A massive Po-Matoran stood over him, punching him in the face whenever he-the matoran once known as Thane-tried to stand up. Trying one last time, Thane slowly got to his feet only to get floored again. Hir head pounding, his kanohi cracked, blood in his mouth, he slowly started to reach out with his arm for a textbook, the smell of bad disinfectant filling his nose."Oh, you're not going anywh-" The Po-Matoran reeled up for another punch when a Ga-Matoran came running up to him. She whispered something in his ear. Thane couldn't make out what she was saying, not that he'd stop to listen anyways; he heard something along the lines of "Not a Ga-Matoran" as he slowly tried to get away. A bigger group of matoran gathered around the two as they continued to discuss something, not even giving Thane a thought. The Ta-Matoran used this to his advantage as he neared the school door, when..."Hey! Where's the twit?!"Some of the matoran began chasing after him. Letting out a small yelp, Thane dashed out of the doors and burst into the Ko-Koro square, his pursuers not far behind. He continued to run, crashing into people, knocking over market stalls, when suddenly, he tripped and fell. As his pursuers neared him, he shut his eyes, when suddenly, an unfamiliar voice ran out."Not you four again," the voice said disapprovingly. "First, you're robbing fruit stands, now this?"Thane opened his eyes to see a four armed being hoisting the four matoran into the air. Judging from his badge, he was a guard member. "Next time," he said sternly, "It's the 24 hour lockup. Now go." As the four matoran shuffled away, the guard nodded to Thane. "Need help?" he asked. Thane slowly shook his head. "Okay then," the guard said somewhat disaprovingly and walked off.Slowly getting up, Thane spat out some blood onto the snow. "They will pay for this..." he thought. "Every last one of them..." Slowly getting up, he walked back to his home...Steam started to his from the kettle. "Solution must be done," Ira thought. He turned around and walked over to the stove.

Edited December 26, 2012 by Constructman

[25K Now!]

OOC: Elysi from Ko-wahi.

 

IC: [Elysi]

 

When Elysi passed the gates of the village of fire, she had no expected to feel a sudden wave of nostalgia. It had been ages since she had ever taken a foot in Ta-Koro, and despite the passing of time, it was still just as she had remembered. Nothing major had changed, although she did notice that the family home, which used to be located near the gates, had been taken down. It wasn't surprising though, especially when the owners were all gone or dead.

 

"Never thought I'd return," she murmured as she strode through the streets. "Well, hopefully nobody remembers who I am and what I am and actually hires me for something."

 

OOC: Open for interaction.

Edited December 26, 2012 by Space Pirate

[Simulacrum]

IC(Noiatz Livic):

 

Noiatz looked at the forge door with a puzzled look. She glanced at the Matoran sitting on the bench a few feet from her. "Does....does he do that often?"

 

IC(Tajeh):

 

Tajeh threw his hands into the air. "I have no clue. He's a warrior-smith with a bad sense of style and likes strong liquor. That's all I know."

 

IC(Noiatz Livic):

 

Noiatz just looked at the Matoran. "What in kraz is he talking about?" Noiatz looked at Naehi and repeated her question about Tirus.

 

* * *

IC: Naehi, Ta-Wahi (Tirus' Forge)

 

"No, not often. And when he does do it, I tend to leave him be." Naehi replied, turning a page as she spoke. "I'm afraid you must think him mad; But he's not. He seems to have just returned from something soul wrenching, something that I, as of now, do not have the details of, and I hope you are able to meet him at another time; Preferably a time where he does not feel the need to exit rooms randomly."

[Hanako Herupa]

IC (Kaiapo)

 

The Toa of Earth nodded.

 

"I have not travelled out of Onu-Koro for many years," he said. "It seems some things have changed. But we can hope that another pass I know of will still be the same."

 

He began walking out the gates; the others followed him.

 

"I know of a trail in Po-Wahi that leads to Ko-Koro," he continued. "We shall pass through Ga-Koro on our way, and then to Po-Koro, and then, if it still exists, we shall take the path to Ko-Koro from there."

 

 

OOC Kaiapo and co. to Ga-Wahi.

 

IC: (Valria)

 

Valria awoke the next morning rejuvenated, the first time in a long time that she felt that way. The day before had lifted a great weight off her shoulders and now she actually looked forward to the future. When they had gotten a room thanks to Kaiapo. Kuyre had slept in the same one as her. The next day she cleaned up, sighing once more about the state of her armor and lack of weapons. These particular issues needed to be resolved, soon. She had joined up Kaiapo and wordlessly followed him in the direction of Ga-Wahi.

 

OOC: Valria to Ga-Wahi, with Kaiapo and Co.

Edited December 27, 2012 by Solaire of Astora

[shadow pridak money gang]

IC: Dorian (Cafe, Ta-Koro)

 

There he was. Papa Smurf.

 

Turaga Vakama, in a testament to his confidence and desire to look strong for the people of his village, even when he was anything but, had refused to be escorted into his home village with anything more than a customary ILF guard or two to make sure that the slug on his back - what was that thing? Man, it looked like it was sucking out his soul; maybe if I had any interest in sticking around Bad Company I could fasten one to Grokk's mouth - didn't hijack the old man's brain and cause him to tear apart any of the guards or anything.

 

Talk about a housewarming present. Teehee. Housewarming. In Ta-Koro. That was a pun. Engage applause.

 

Anyway, I had Jin running lookout on the rooftops of Ta-Koro, blending in when she could: her slender build and natural Vortixx agility helped her blend in easier, and she was used to being on top of things anyway - two for two! I should join a Kolhii team! - so putting her on the roof to plot out the routes we would take to both get to the Turaga and then get the Karz outta Dodge was really a natural pick. Since I had a great track record for hoodwinking the Ta-Koro Guard - here's looking at you, Hiemalis and Heuani - it would be my job to get the authorities off our trail, and then together we would move in and kill a legend, just as the Four Peers had always intended. It was foolproof - good thing it was only me and Jin, though, because if I'd brought anyone else along on this op we might have actually had to put the foolproof thing to the test.

 

As I casually sipped away on my coffee and turned my attention to the eclair I'd ordered, served with a side of liquid cream and drizzled with extra chocolate, it occurred to me that even though I may have wanted to think I had grown a conscience or a heart, in my head, I still sounded like the grade A assassin I still was: suddenly, neither the confection or my drink looked anywhere near as appetizing. In the midst of my little moral conundrum, a sudden wave of red and orange roared up at once. After assuring myself that it was not, in fact, a wave of lava coming to try and eat my cheekbones, I saw that it was in fact a group of Ta-Matoran who had been preparing for the Turaga to round the corner I was at so he could see them. The old man waved and smiled, looking thoroughly happy to be home; it was an odd contrast to the grim, humorless faces of his ILF guards. It was touching, in a way, to see that even in the wake of such seriousness, Gramps McOldTimer could still have fun.

 

Well. At least one of us dead guys was happy.

 

-Tyler

Edited December 27, 2012 by Tyler Durden

[Eyru]

IC (Jin)

 

My feet hardly made a sound as I jogged along the rooftops, keeping low to avoid being spotted. Sure, it was broad daylight, but it doesn't count for much here in Ta, with a freakin' volcano and all, so I figured I blended in well enough that someone catching a glimpse of me wasn't going to be a problem.

 

Dorian had the easy job: the kid was down in the plaza, sipping a coffee and munching on some fancy baking. Said he was keeping an eye on the ground, and I believed him. Whether or not he was actually doing anything useful would remain to be seen. Funny how often you fall for the same tricks.

 

I crouched next to a chimney and looked out over the street as a wave of clapping and cheering filled the plaza. Looked like Turaga Vakama was back in town. The old guy looked, well, old, and he had a weird slug on his back that gave me the chills. I'm not a squeamish gal, but ew.

 

The Matoran were happy as karz to see him, though. They gave him more shouting and applause than the nighttime show-girls down in Xa. It was obvious what would happen once the geezer was out of the picture: the villagers would crash harder than Grokk after half a shot of whiskey.

 

I tried not to think about that.

[a goose]

IC: Xerov (Inn, Ta-Koro)

 

I don't like the way that guy just looked at me, but Feongulf's gone up, and I'm just going to look paranoid if I don't... "Okay."

I walk up to the counter. "I want a room for the night."

I take a few widgets out of my jacket (there are barely any left, I'll have to find somewhere to get a few more) and set them down on the counter. I'm handed a key, and given directions to my room.

 

I return to Feongulf, and nod without saying a word, before setting off in the direction of my room. I unlock the door, open it, and then lock it again behind me, before sitting down on the bed. Tomorrow, I'll find Tarrhus... tomorrow, all my problems will be gone.

[Taka Nuvia]

 

IC: Myka (Ta-Koro)

 

"Oh. Sure," Myka smiled.

~

 

IC: Zyron (Ta-Koro)

 

"Okay then." Zyron replied smiling, and turned to walk back the way they'd come. He just hoped that he didn't memorize it wrong; the last thing he'd like would be to get lost.

[a goose]

IC: Myka (Ta-Koro)

 

Soon enough, they'd arrived back at the inn. "So... see you in the morning, then."

[- JL -]

IC: Flay

 

It was early morning when the boat arrived at the docks. The winds had been fair, and Flay hadn't minded the change into the climate of the warm and dry lands of the region of fire. Ta-Wahi was her home, and always will be; While not as bustling as villages like Po-Koro or Onu-Koro (Something which she still found confusing, as the latter village was one shrouded in darkness), it was definitely one of the more productive villages.

 

The trek between the shore and Ta-Koro was not far, but despite the heat and the dust and ashes that she had always remembered as her residence, she hated the loneliness that came. Leading the matoran team off the boat, Flay was at the head of the group again; Something she feared, having everybody's eyes staring at her back, having everybody's fates practically in her hands. It was a responsibility she needed, but now that it was here, now that it was real, it was a responsibility she feared.

 

The sounds of the footsteps and the flowing lava, far into the distance, were the only things that clouded her mind during her silent walk. And with so much time to think, all of a sudden she realized how much she hated thinking. She turned, still walking on the road but her head twisted back the face the others. Talking to no one in particular, she said, "So which of you still need application into the military? While I'm not exactly sure how it works," as she said this, she smiled sheepishly, and then continued, "I'm sure you could ask around there."

 

Soon, they would arrive the village of fire. Already, they could see the walls of the mighty village in the distance. She wondered if Turaga Vakama was returned yet. If so, many surprises would await him.

 

OOC: Ah.......irony isn't ironic when you know the future.

[shadow pridak money gang]

IC: Dorian (Cafe, Ta-Koro)

 

Vakama was through the streets, now, past the throngs of Ta-Matoran: he was speaking, of course he was speaking, because what self-respecting old fart couldn't take the time out of his life, ever so rapidly drawing to a close, to give speeches of God and generalities, to espouse the Three Virtues, to talk about how these people had been his amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that had gotten him through his predicament with the Makuta. The slug on his back shivered and waved to the crowd, taunting them in its mastery over Vakama. Almost instinctively, for a reason I honestly couldn't tell you, my hand moved to my scarf.

 

I once told Nikarra the story of my family. She didn't listen, as I knew she wouldn't. People rarely did when you looked like me; words spilled like verbal raindrops from the tongue but were never collected in the gauge of the other person's conscience, and so my story was forgotten, left behind in the dust as the conversation continued on to Nikarra's family. Long after I am gone, people will say a lot of things about me, but one thing they won't tell you - but one thing I know for fact - is that I always listened, even when it meant I had to wallow in my own suffering.

 

Maybe if someone had taken the same courtesy, things would have been different.

 

Anyway, since you're here, I guess I'll repeat myself. Strap in, kids. This one's a blast from the past.

 

"My father," I'd admitted, "ran a silk business. Highly successful, outposts in four of the six Koros - with Po and Ko being the only exceptions at the time of his death - and richer than any man could ever need to be. Model businessman, outgoing in the community, religious as any man you'd ever seen...publicly. In private, he was abusive, misogynistic, and overbearing. I was set to jump into a thriving little enterprise, but what I really wanted to do?"I had smirked, almost disgusted with how I was speaking. Vulnerability. Again. Because that had worked so well in the past."I wanted to paint. I was about to do my first solo gallery in Ga-Koro before he kicked me out. I made my home in Ko-Koro and joined the Sanctum Guard to try and make him proud, and after I became a Toa, started to get into the assassin's trade, I killed him for free. And you know what I felt? Disappointed. Ashamed. Sad, because I never showed him that I could really make something. I thought that I had beat him, and eventually, I realized that he'll always be the one that ended up beating me. You get what I'm saying?"

 

Of course she didn't get what I was saying. She never had, and that's why it was Jin that was up on the rooftops, keeping watch over the Turaga's back and getting into a staring match with the huge snail sucking on Vakama's spine like a Ring Pop, and not Nikarra. That's why countless, countless people lay dead in my wake: they had disappointed me with their selfishness, while I, ever the humanitarian, had given them an opportunity to get inside my head, and each one of them had disappointed me.

 

My dad got me my first scarf, begrudgingly. Probably the nicest thing he ever did for me was leave me this soft black cashmere masterpiece, all pretty and presentable and probably worth more widgets than the rest of my wardrobe put together. He'd despised it, of course, much as he'd despised the way I loved to wear it around almost everywhere I went. I still remember the way it was casually wrapped, as though he hadn't had the time to truly do a good job of showing how much I meant to him by making it look like a real present. Years after the fact, I went and asked some of his old employees, and it turned out the old man had made it himself for me. Fathers. You never know the things they leave you until they're long gone.

 

Fathers.

 

Colonel Brykon Senegal.

 

Kynaera, of course, had adored the scarf, though it was just the cutest little thing, like a puppy around my neck, so she had encouraged me to wear it every time we went out in public together. Her, the naturally beautiful adolescent Ba-Toa with the voice like a choir of angels and the mint green eyes, and I, the upper middle class son of the clothes-peddler with all the best things in life but sorely lacking in knowledge of the way the world worked. The way my father had looked at her, Kynaera, the one who encouraged me to get out and live and fostered me, the budding little bohemian, it was caustic enough to burn a hole through you, your entire family, and then the family plot at the cemetery you were all buried in.

 

The way my father talked, the way he treated people, he kind of reminded me of Grokk. My only friend reminds me of my father. Lord, if that isn't something to drink to.

 

As I took a sip of coffee and tried to pretend it was bourbon, I looked up again and saw that while I was busy skipping down memory lane wearing a soft black cashmere masterpiece, Vakama had finished up his speech. Letting out a low sigh, I twirled the eclair around in cream and then took a bite, casting my glance to the rooftop where I knew Jin was hiding.

 

The Turaga, by now, had one hour to live.

 

-Tyler

Edited December 28, 2012 by Tyler Durden

[BenLuke]

I return to Feongulf, and nod without saying a word, before setting off in the direction of my room. I unlock the door, open it, and then lock it again behind me, before sitting down on the bed. Tomorrow, I'll find Tarrhus... tomorrow, all my problems will be gone.

 

IC: Feongulf~

 

Feongulf didn't sleep well that night. Events she had not so much forgotten as simply ignored could not help but float through the murky depth's of Feongulf's thoughts to her mind's surface slowed her slumber, and the inn's rough cot was certainly little help. Sleep, when it came, would have welcome if not for the nightmares that followed.

 

Nightmares, or were they memories?

 

Feongulf ran.

 

Her family was dead; Her home, burning, her armor covered in ash, minor burns darkening portions of skin beneath her armor, and the night around her only growing darker.

 

The young Matoran had watched, helplessly, as those that served some dark entity know as "the Makuta" had stood gazing into the burning shell of the home Feongulf had lived for the entirety of her short life, standing by in case the inferno spread to the homes of beings that weren't people they wanted dead. One would expect screams and cries for help to have pierced the night, but there was only silence. Feongulf's mother and father had perished due to the smoke and blaze before even awaking.

 

And so she ran, and didn't look back. Feongulf could easily lose the cultists in Xa-Koro's chaotic maze of streets and alleys, if they decided to give chase at all. Which, thank whatever deity existed, they choose not to, leaving the girl free to slow to a walk down the village's empty streets.

 

The Fe-Matoran child began quietly weeping, droplet's escaping from her eyes and rolling done her mask. Wha-what am I going to do? sh​e though, eye's widening. Wha- Feongulf's thoughts were disturbed by the sudden appearance of a young Fe-Toa with armor darker then the night around them beside her.

 

"Hey kid, why the crying?" he said. She should have looked up at his face, Feongulf knew, but all she could focus on was the brutally spiked mace swinging from his hip.

 

"My- my parents are-" came her stuttering reply.

 

"-Dead? Not uncommon. What's your name?"

 

"Feongulf." the girl replied, ripping her gaze to the strangers face.

 

"Well, Feongulf, I'm Ferrin, and I might have a job for someone that know their way around here. . ."

Edited December 28, 2012 by Javert

[a goose]

IC: Xerov (Inn, Ta-Koro)

 

I try desperately to keep myself awake, but it's nearly impossible to do so. Eventually, sleep claims me, and I resign myself to the memories once again...

 

- - -

 

Dreams. Different. Not the usual.

Everything's blurry, unfocused. I can't see anything but a few vague shapes, three of which look like people. Two are about as tall as Toa, the third is taller again, probably a Vortixx. I think I can see myself, too, as a dark blue blur, far away from the others. The three beings seem to be in a small room, dimly lit, and I'm just outside the door, watching them. And they're speaking...

"I think that it's our best option."

"No. We cannot do this. It's too much. There are some things which should never be attempted, and awakening... it... is among them."

"What other choice do we have? How else can we keep the island in peace but through fear?"

A pause. The silence is unnerving.

"We can remove those who challenge the peace."

"How? Kill everyone? Take out the Turaga, the Followers of Makuta? Perhaps some criminal groups in Xa-Koro?"

"All of them. Just the leaders, though... not the rest. Leaderless, unorganised, they cannot cause as much damage."

I hear myself gasp, and there's silence again. I duck away from the door, but I can hear people moving inside. One of the Toa, tall, black and silver, with green eyes which burn unnaturally bright grabs me. Then everything goes dark.

 

- - -

 

I'm trapped. I can't move. Tied down. There's a bright light shining into my eyes. Voices, distant. Dark shapes moving behind the light. My eyes close, surrendering to the blackness.

 

- - -

 

I gasp for air as I wake up. I look around the room in the inn, calming down as I realise where I am. I'm safe.

The new dreams are... unnerving. Other memories? I doubt it, my memory is nearly perfect, I couldn't miss out that long, especially not something as... disturbing as that. I sigh, and shake my head, before getting up. No sign of rats, though, which is good.

[Hexann]

IC: Viracious in Ta-KoroViracious looked around the crowded streets of Ta-Koro.He then decided he would have approach the situation differently: he would have to search all of Mata Nui. He would start with Ta-Koro.-HDXC2000 6.0

[NorikSigma]

IC: FeranFeran walked along into the warm and dry town of Ta-Koro. Home. Or at least the closlsest he had called anywhere home, ever since he washed up on the beach.They walked through the village of fire. Feran spotted his shop. The completed deliveries he had left on his doorstep had already been taken by his customers. He followed the others.

[Friar Tuck]

OOC: Stepping in to make the Turaga's death more... memorable. Ah Vakama, I shall miss thee. You were a true friend and a wonderful NPC to play.

 

Let the last posts of Turaga Vakama begin!

 

IC

 

The speech. The shaking of hands. The sensation of being touched. The kinds words. Hopeful faces. Eager matoran. Apprehension of the slug. Watchfulness of the Guard-

 

For a man who was being celebrated, the Turaga was detached.

 

He moved like one with the weight of the world on his shoulders, and in an ironic way that was not far from the truth - the slug was heavy. Now the turaga relied on his staff more than ever as he shuffled down the streets of his own Koro, looking very much like an exhausted, old hunchback. Which he was. That thought brought a slight smile to his face, now truly able to act his age for once. His demeanor was further accented not only by his new physical condition, but his mental one; altered, sad, hurt. He and his fellow turaga had suffered much in their captivity, the torture they endured unspeakable in it's scope. Yet none of them had broke, so in a final act of wrath they were given their new accomplices: the slugs. These living balls of slime that affected ever aspect of the host, the parasite invading even the most sacred of spaces. No bodily function was spared, no corner of the mind untouched. As the parasite remained attached, it continued to secrete its poison into the host, making every moment together one that would be even harder later to separate from... if that was even possible.

 

And Vakama knew he would never get the chance to find out.

 

Yes, Vakama knew. ALL the turaga knew.

 

He even knew his killer: the dapper Toa of Iron sitting calmly in the cafe, taking sip of coffee and twirling an eclair around in some cream. In a too-detached attitude in an entire Koro that came out to meet the Turaga, whether native to Ta-Koro or not, he stood out in that aspect as took a bite, casting a glance to the rooftop in apparent uninterest. And good assassins never work alone. So this would be a team effort.

 

The Turaga sighed again.

 

His guards opened the door and saluted as he hobbled inside, politely closing the door behind him. His hut was left exactly as he had left it when Heuani had taken him: sparse, clean, of not quaint. The only difference though was that there was a single matoran standing inside the darkened space.

 

"Turaga... " Jaller started, taking a step forward. His voice and face was a mixture of relief, concern, and fear, happy to see his leader but apprehensive of his new form, unsure whether to go meet him or stay a respectful distance away. The Turaga took that decision from him as Vakama walked forward... and hugged Jaller.

 

The matoran stood there, too shocked to do much else as his beloved leader embraced him in a very emotional way. From his vantage point Jaller could not see the single tear that fell from the Turaga's mask, a face of deep sadness and slight regret written all over it. All however vanished as the Turaga pulled away, keeping both hands on the warrior's shoulders, his stance and his voice of a father speaking to a beloved son.

 

"Jaller, you do an old man good by greeting me here. There is much I would tell you, but I am tired, and need my rest. Please see to it that the guards protecting me are removed as to not disturb me."

 

"But turaga, that would leave your defenseless! We just got you back! Every assassin and killer on the island would make a grab for you."

 

"I know."

 

It wasn't what the turaga said, but how he said it, that made the Captain stare, then blink, then begin shaking his head in astonishment. "No, nononono I will not let you-"

 

"But you must."

 

The pressure on the Captain's shoulders increased, and he looked up, eyes brimming with tears as the full realization of the tuarag's request became apparent. Vakama only smiled sadly, continuing to speak to the Captain as if he were a son.

 

"Jaller, you have served me and my Koro well, but my time, and in fact the time of the Turaga, is at an end. The Makuta will make his most brazen move, casting a shadow so great the likes have not ever been seen by matoran eyes. The darkest of the nights will befall the island, and there is nothing you, nor anyone else, nor the greatest army ever assembled can do to stop it. But as always it is always darkest before the dawn, and already the gears are in motion for his final defeat. He does this not out of pride, nor tactical prowess, but out fear. Yes, even the Master of Shadows knows fear, and he sees the movement of the pieces and his inability to stop it. Thus he strikes now, lashes out in hopes to crush what little hope and light we have left. The blow will be devastating, but you must remain strong. The end in near, so near, my son... and it pains me that I will not live to see the dark shroud lift and the light and wisdom of Mata-Nui cast it's healing rays on the island once more. But alas I must go, and all the turaga, for this to happen. We must be removed if final victory is to be achieved, to make way for the next generation of leaders... you."

 

Vakama took Jaller's hands, discreetly placing something in them. The turaga held them tight, as if unwilling to let go. For the second time tears fell of the noble mask, this time the matoran able to see them. "Captain Jaller, it is with great sadness that now pass the mantle of leadership to you. With the power invested in me I henceforth proclaim you leader of Ta-Koro, the amulet in your grasp proof of your new station. Lead the matoran well, give them guidance, and protect them as you always have. You are a skilled tactician and a strong leader Jaller, do not let anyone tell you otherwise; you shall do well. You will face your own trials and struggles, but do not be afraid to ask for help and realize that assistance can come from the most unlikely of places... even in those you have written off in days past, for they may be the very ones who can save you. Remember in the Three Virtues, of Unity, of Duty, and of Destiny. Remember the stories I have told, the tales you have heard, let not a word of them fade from memory, for they will serve you well in the day ahead. Do not be afraid to follow tradition, but do not be so short-sighted as to ignore the changing of the seasons. May the Great Spirit guide your every step... Jaller. Captain....

 

"... my son."

 

Jaller could not hold back the flood of tears as the two shared a long, silent moment together. Finally Jaller lifted his head, through his tear-stained eyes a look of determination.

 

"I will do as you say, Turaga. I will make you proud."

 

Vakama smiled sadly, embracing the matoran one last time. "I know, Jaller.. I know."

 

The matoran stepped back, taking a moment to clear his face and regain his composure. Taking one last long look at the one who had for his entire life not only led the village through thick and thin, but the one who always had an answer and a way out, he opened the door and walked out into the Koro as if the emotional final parting never happened, taking the few guards with him, leaving the turaga's hut without escort, those final images and in fact conversation foever burned in his memory. The turaga gave another sigh, leaning heavily on his staff as he felt the slug shift and move on his back, feeding his body with the poison his mind was starting to crave. With a thought the fireplace sprang to life, casting a warm glow into the hut, the flickering of the flames producing dancing shadows on the walls.

 

And so Vakama stood there, leaning forward, eyes closed, his final deed done, his final message passed on.

 

And waited.

 

OOC: I almost cried

[- JL -]

OOC: So....so emotional! :'(Now then. Let's see how I can squeeze this in to the passing of leadership!IC: FlayThe Ta-Matoran had been blessed. Even as the team walked through the gates, they could see excitement, crowds gathering. Soon, they knew why. Turaga Vakama was back! The leaderless village now had a head again!......She sped up her pace. There was something else bothering her. Turaga Vakama looked tired. Really tired. She didn't have any doubt that right now, in this point of weakness, something, lurking in the shadows, could - would - reach out and strike. If this village was leaderless once again, it would be crippled. The Matoran had relied so much on the word of the Turaga, most of them couldn't truly make any big decisions.Better hope the Turaga stayed alive, then. Leading the team through a less trodden route, she headed towards the guard barracks. A group of Matoran walking armed might have been somewhat of concern, but with Flay in the lead, the Ta-Matoran guards...standing guard outside, only looked uneasy. She walked up to them, the team behind following, some looking uneasy while others looked like they were right at home. "Flay of the Ta-Koro guard. Do you know where captain Jaller is?" She asked. No doubt the leader of the guard would be helping out with the Turaga. "Last I heard, ma'am, Captain Jaller was waiting at Turaga Vakama's hut."And in that direction, the team of Matoran walked, oblivious to how undefended Turaga Vakama now was, or exactly what was happening soon, so soon.A bit of fear crept into her heart. Just a little bit.

Edited December 29, 2012 by JL v2

[NorikSigma]

IC: FeranWow, the celebration was quite nice, with a crowd gathering and all...Flay led the Team through a back route.He stood there as she received directions to Jaller and Vakama.They headed off again. Heading to the Turaga's hut... what a great day and honour it would be to meet the Turaga!OOC: Dramatic Irony...!!

[Flex Lord Splash]

IC: Crystalia (Ta-Koro)

 

Crystalia silently stepped through the streets of Ta-Koro. She'd been busy the last few days with a few contracts. It wasn't anything knew for her, slit the throats of a few Matoran, stab a few Toa in the back... it was all buisness for Crystalia. You didn't have to worry about her killing you unless there was money involved. She only killed if she was getting paid. Except for today it seemed. Raxa hadn't promised her any widgets, just her trust. She felt like Raxa had something big going on, and perhaps getting rid of this little assassin guild would remove some of her competition as well. She pushed open the door to the inn and looked around, "Is Bloodstone here?" she asked.

[Geardirector]

IC: Baranx

 

Baranx followed closely behind the others, his sharp eyes panning left and right in the search for threats.

[Eyru]

IC (Jin)

 

I watched from the rooftop as Turaga Vakama entered his hut, closing the door behind him. The Matoran were still excited, of course: they chattered like a bunch of hyperactive sparrows at their leader's return.

 

Now wasn't the time to strike. I could see that easily enough, and, if Dor was paying as much attention to the situation as he was to his croissant, then he'd see it too. There was no way to get to the Turaga without being spotted. Sure, we could probably still kill him, but getting away would be trickier.

 

Sure, we had an escape plan: after the job was done, we'd split, and make off in different directions, dividing the pursuit like any half-wit criminal knew to do. But that plan depended on their being a limited number of people chasing us. If half the village saw us stroll into the hut and then emerge with bloody hands, we'd be lynched faster than Grokk could pick up the loosest barmaid in Xa (which was pretty fast: I'd seen it happen. Amazing how charming he could be, even while smelling like a bucket of dead fish and looking the part, too).

 

My thoughts were interrupted by someone exiting the hut. Not Vakama: no, it was a Guard, a Ta-Matoran wearing a yellow Hau. I figured he was someone important by the way the other guards saluted; he must've been waiting in the hut to debrief the Turaga.

 

Then something happened that surprised me: he gave an order to the guards, too quiet for me to hear, and then the entire group marched off down the street, leaving the Turaga's hut unguarded. Any fool could walk through the door now.

 

My first reaction wasn't relief, but suspicion. What kind of moron welcomes his Turaga back from an extended holiday that started with a kidnapping, then leaves the guy unprotected again? It had to be a trap: there were hidden guards, or snipers, or hulking Toa hiding inside the hut, popping their knuckles in the anticipation of dealing with any unwanted visitors.

 

The sun was setting in the west; even though most of the sky was covered with grey clouds, there was still a sliver of sky just above the horizon. The sun filtered through the gap, lighting up Ta-Koro with golden light. Time was almost up; we'd made our appointment, and the doctor was in.

 

That left us with not much time to rehash our plan: we'd have to carry through with what we had, even though the absence of the guards made me a little leery. If there was a nasty surprise waiting, well, then there was a nasty surprise waiting, and Dor had better be ready to deal with it.

 

It was time. Still crouching in the shadow of the chimney, I unhooked four spheres from my belt. Madu cabolo: a girl's best friend.

 

Turning around, I aimed for the next street over. With Vakama's return, the streets were fuller than usual, and vendors were taking advantage of the public being out-and-about by putting up tables in front of their shops an trying to entice potential buyers with their wares. There were fruit sellers, and arms dealers, and artists, and musicians busking, and candymen, and clothes merchants.

 

I looked over the street with a critical eye. There was a line of Guards marching down the street; there was a couple walking hand in hand, all lovey-dovey; there was a family, the mom and dad walking with a little boy in between, swinging from their hands.

 

I tightened my grip on the explosive fruit. Which pitiful lives were I going to snuff out first? The men protecting their village? The lovebirds? The picture-perfect family? Which ones deserved to live less than the others?

 

What about the clothes merchant, showing off a lovely little chiffon number to that chubby little girl? What about the man selling candied apples for pennies to the laughing children? Or how about that stooped Turaga sitting outside the cafe, sleeping in his chair?

 

Did each of them deserve to live more or less than another? Each of them had their own lives, their own hopes and dreams and fears and loves and cares. Those Guards: did they have families they would go home to at the end of the day? That family: how old was the little boy? Maybe four or five... did he deserve to die less than the elder snoozing in his chair?

 

That couple: were they planning on getting married? My actions in the next thirty seconds would determine whether or not they ever had kids, which meant I held their lives, and their kids' lives, and their grandkids' lives, in the palm of my hand.

 

This must be what it feels like to be a god.

 

I was a god. I held all their lives here in my hands; I held the power to end them or let them live. That was the greatest power in the world.

 

I'd already known this power: I'd held a hundred times as many lives in my hands that night in Xa when I'd pillaged the harbour, knowingly dooming hundreds of people to death. I'd already started down this path; I might as well finish it.

 

I hated the feeling: who was I to judge these people to artakha or karzahni?

 

Just do the job.

 

Where did I think I got the right to choose who lived and who died.

 

Just do the job.

 

Life wasn't fair; it never had been and never would. But was that really a good enough reason to­-

 

Stop philosophizing and just do the job!

 

With an angry outtake of breath, I closed my eyes and hurled the first fruit at the street. I didn't stop to look, but felt my fingers curl around another, and threw that one as well. I did the same with all four before opening my eyes.

 

The street, only moments before serene and peaceful, had been transformed in a moment into an ugly hellhole. Four craters marked the ground where each grenade had landed; those people unlucky enough to be standing there had been blown apart, showering everyone else with gore.

 

Half of the line of Guards had been wiped out; the remaining members immediately set about trying to reestablish order, but it wasn't gonna happen. Everyone was screaming and crying and looking for friends and family, and only getting more upset when they saw them lying dead on the dirt.

 

The happy couple holding hands: both were alive, as far as I could tell, but the female had caught a piece of a nearby blast, and the left side of her face looked like an overdone piece of meat.

 

The picturesque family: my traitorous heart dropped as I saw the kid pawing at the dead bodies of his parents. Who knew how he had survived and they hadn't, but he screamed and cried and pulled on their arms, desperately asking them to please wake up mommy, why are you sleeping daddy, please wake up help my mommy and daddy are bleeding help please help please please-

 

The clothes merchant's wares had caught fire; tongues of flame licked at the silk and velvet, feasting on the expensive fabric.

 

The man selling candy gaped in disbelief at the corpses of the little children who had only moments before been clamouring for one of his sugary treats.

 

And the old man, spared by luck and fate and chance, still slept on, drooling from his wide-open mouth, a cold cup of tea sitting undisturbed on the table.

 

I turned away from the hellish scene, my eyes burning with tears that I refused to let fall. I scrubbed at my eyes, and looked down on the other street just in time to see Vakama's door swing shut. Dor had moved as soon as he heard the first explosion; it had been a perfect distraction, right at sundown, just as we'd planned.

 

Just as we'd planned.

 

We'd planned the casual deaths of a dozen people, and the injuries of many more. All to set up one of us to go and kill the source of hope for an entire village.

 

Just as we'd planned.

 

Pretty soon, there wouldn't be any hope left, and the entire island would look like this street.

 

Just as we'd planned, the job was going to get done, and I wasn't sure who I hated more: Aurelia, Brykon, Dor, or myself.

 

Probably myself. Couldn't blame anyone but myself, after all: I was the best mercenary on the island, and I was the one who had done the deed.

 

Just as we'd planned.

[- JL -]

OOC: Oh.....now it begins.

 

IC: Flay

 

Ah! Flay almost tripped over herself when she saw Jaller walk in her direction. Shouldn't he be with Vakama? Organizing defenses? Or defending the elder himself? As she was about to walk over, ask the question, give the offer for her team to help protect the recently returned elder, she turned. Turaga Vakama's hut was right there. The street it was on was probably the most bustling. Everybody milled about, happy, thanking Mata Nui for the return of their elder, some of them going as far as, right then and there, cursing Makuta and his demonic scum.

 

Not that it was to last.

 

She watched, into the streets, all the matoran going about in different work....And she walked into the street.

 

!

***

The 4 repeating explosions boomed, sending much noise into the suspenseful air.

***

####! How could she have been so foolish? Of course somebody would make a move right now! Forget all the other Turaga, Vakama had to be saved! The attacker had to be stopped! But.....

 

The emotions, the unanswered questions and the hopeful answers in her mind erupted into an inferno, and she looked over to Jaller. "Captain, did you know this would happen?" She said, shocked, "Even if Vakama asked so much, somebody just blew up the street that everybody would be milling about in!"

 

In anger, she drew her sword. This was crazy! Why now? She turned around, to her team. "Um...." And she ran. Broke into a sprint. One of her hands reached back to grab a sword from her sheath. But as soon as she reached the street, she stopped. Jaller was still behind her, and for now, she could still hear any and all orders he sent. But - no way - did the both of them expect bloodshed of such magnitude.

 

This wasn't comparable to anything. Not even the fateful battle at Pala-Koro quite a few moons ago. At least, that bloodshed involved fighters. This?

 

Everybody who was in pain in Ta-Koro, Everybody, was an innocent bystander, whom Jin had assaulted from her hiding place. There had to be a lynch mob, but the guards, where were they? She looked, and tears fell from her own face. Nearly half of the ones who had been standing guard were burned. Dead. Bits and pieces. It was horrifying, to say the least. Flay nearly fell onto her knees, her heart crushed just like all those who screamed and cried for their family and friends.

 

Jaller....You knew this was coming, didn't you? Was your duty truly to leave the Turaga?....And if so, was this bloodshed truly forseen?

 

She looked. There was a couple on the ground; The male was crying, staring at the unconscious female he had tried to protect, looking at the burnt left side of her face.

 

A child was kneeling beside 2 bodies, the father and mother's hands still held tightly together. The child cried, asking for help, asking for his parents to wake up from their unending sleep, trying his hardest to stop the bleeding alone. The scene cut at Flay's heart; Was killing Turaga Vakama truly requiring of bloodshed of this magnitude?

 

What do I do?

 

She turned around. The Turaga's hut snapped closed, and the sound of the door closing made her freeze. She had a duty, right? But what was it? An assaulter, she didn't know who, who stood wiping her own eyes in self pity, was more deserving of a pounding than any other. And yet, her duty was to protect the Turaga, right? RIGHT?

 

Clothes, fabrics, all the products from a merchants store was on fire. The matoran who ran it was losing all that he had lived his life for, even if it was an insignificant life. Beside the scene, a man who sold sweets and snacks stared, terrified by the scene of the matoran kids in front of him who had once stood as a merry bunch, now drowning in a pool of their own blood.

 

As the chaotic scene unfolded, she stood, opposite of Jin but closer to Turaga Vakama's hut, sword in one hand and the other reaching for a throwing knife. And she stood, not knowing what to do. Defend, like she was meant to, or justice? And against who?

 

...

 

She stood, the setting sun reflected by tears of helplessness dripping down from her mask, falling unto the floor. And she started to look around for the attacker, while edging closer and closer to Vakama's hut.

 

She closed her eyes.

Edited December 29, 2012 by JL v2

[shadow pridak money gang]

IC: Dorian (Ta-Koro)

 

If anyone who was present at the scene of my birth was still alive, they'd tell you that, as a baby, I didn't cry.

Most newborns need to cry to help show that they have lung capacity, to display empathy, to satisfy the expectations of their mothers because who wouldn't love a massive ball of drool, tears, and ectoplasm in their arms for months at a time? Me, I didn't cry. To this day, I still have no explanation why. It's not like I minded being a massive ball of drool, tears, and ectoplasm; I was a baby, after all, and I didn't mind a lot of things. Maybe, even then, my life was predetermined to come to a head at this point.

 

My mother, tears streaming down her own face and a gentle smile on her face. Anthyn had called herself an angel: my mother was an angel. There would be no paintings of her on church windows, no hymns in her memory, but my mother was an angel.

 

My father. No. The man who gave birth to me, detached as always, looking for signs of weakness and finding none. Yet.

 

My father. Colonel Brykon Senegal.

 

Good Lord.

 

As soon as the first explosion hit, I disappeared from the cafe, a half cup's worth of cream and maybe four drops of coffee the only marker that I had ever truly been there at all. Disappearing, it seemed, into a lake of lava, I jostled my way towards an old weapon's stand and then flanked around, clinging to the back alleys. Flashbacks: memories of this same spiderweb of alleyways at Xa-Koro, with Jin. Grokk, jumping down from above. The gunshots. BFF rings.

 

Grokk. My only friend.

 

After today, I was shedding my life away from me like a snake sheds his skin, like a divorcee burns her wedding dress, like God abandons one face and then puts on another, somewhere down the road, for a whole new sect of people to worship him, sing his praises, dedicate their lives to his service above their own needs. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.

 

Sounds like a bit of a cult of personality to me, but I've always been a bit of a fatalist.

 

The back alleys were easy enough to manage: I had memorized them like the back of my hand when I was planning out how to escape after busting Hiemalis out of prison: in the back of my mind, like a splinter, I could the desperate screams of the Ta-Matoran as they realized that the Lord of Winter was again free, the yells of the Ta-Koro Guard almost touching the heavens, so resolute were those screams in their determination to protect their homes and families, before so quickly being snuffed out. My doing. Hiemalis was my Start of Darkness, the sign that led down the cobblestone road I had followed, for better or worse, through all the twists and turns throughout the past year. The prisonbreak. Explosions, screams, death: all these echoed in the back of my head, a distant memory.

 

No, wait. That was happening right now.

 

The prisonbreak. Meeting Bad Company. Freeing Hiemalis, the lieutenant of the Peers. Prisonbreak.

 

Heuani.

 

I should be dead, but I'm not, and that's all that will ever matter.

 

The shadows released me, suddenly, and I found myself in a perfect little crucifix-shaped crossroads: keep heading straight, then take a left, and I was at Vakama's back door. The place was unguarded, which I found odd, so I unfurled my butterfly knife quietly and clung to the walls, my shadow and shape blending in exquisitely with that of the pitted, abandoned walls. This place was the underbelly of the Koro of Fire, the kind of place no one liked to talk about, so naturally I felt perfectly at home here. Slowly, I began my careful slide to Vakama's hut.

 

At this point, the only way you kill me is you erase me completely.

 

Take a turn left, stare at the hut. Still no guards. I closed my eyes, concentrated hard: not a single soul could be heard inside the hut, and Jin had the rooftops all secured, so no snipers. Reach out with my mind, like Naara taught me. Feel for any stray sources of iron, tripwires, perhaps, maybe some kind of spikes underneath a false floor. Nothing. No booby traps. Vakama was waiting for me: somewhere, deep within my perfect physique, my heart began to sink. I thought of Brykon then; was he doing this same routine right now, in Ko-Koro? Would I ever see him again? Would I ever be able to thank him for what he had done to me? Would I ever be able to say the things I need to say?

 

I love you. You're like my father, and I love you.

 

Probably not, but you can always dream.

 

I slithered my way to the door and pushed it open: it didn't creak, and Vakama sat in the center of the room, watching the fireplace. Suddenly, I felt as though he had gone through this routine once before, as if he seemed to expect this kind of thing to happen and expected what was to unfold. The chitinous slug on the back of his spine ceased its purring, began to hiss, and I turned away from it, meeting the Turaga's eyes sidelong as the embers of his eyes burned into the embers of the fire.

 

"It's okay if you want a minute," I said, closing the door respectfully behind me. The shadows had no right to watch what was to unfold in this residence.

 

The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say 'Look, here it is!' or 'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.

 

-Tyler

Edited December 29, 2012 by Tyler Durden

[NorikSigma]

IC: FeranA gigantic explosion rocked the area...Feran was on the ground, his ears ringing. Apparently he was caught in the one of the blasts. His armour was was grazed from shrapnel. He saw Matoran, moments ago, happy, then... poof. All gone. An old man with a one leg cleanly blown off. A couple on the floor injured. And most heart-rendingly, a crying child, with two dead parents. Fires licked the place.Feran got up in.time to hear Flay's order. He drew his Gladius and pushed past the bystanders, helping the child up and pointing him to a small.store with a huddling old woman."Quick, this way!" He pointed to the Vortixx. Hopefully exactly half the team would join in.OOC: So, JL, maybe to save confusion, we should assign exactly who goes where through OOCing and PMing, right?

[- JL -]

OOC: Attacking Dorian is a no-go for me. I don't want to spoil the scene; While it's perfectly fine for me to do it, I don't want to. If you want to, go ahead.

 

IC: Flay - Axeron

 

Stop. Focus! You're leader now. Think! What do you do? There seems to be no defenses whatsoever around Vakama, so if he's to live, we're the ones to do it. But Jaller left. Unless he's all of a sudden an evil scum - don't think so - Turaga Vakama asked for this. Well, he wouldn't ask for it, but he knows it's coming. But the bloodshed, obviously this attacker had to be stopped. There's a massive, massive chance this is just one big diversion - so would Turaga Vakama want us to help him, or the villagers?.....Obviously the villagers. But - where - the attacker. He, he has to be here somewhere!

 

Flay looked around. It had only been seconds, so if the attacker was on the street, she would have saw. Unless they were prepared to run into the streets. But they still had the advantage of time and numbers. There was probably only one of them, while quite a lot more of the guard. And her team. She turned around, eyeing her team, the tears now long gone. "Run. Search the area. The attacker has to be here, somewhere. Keep an eye out above; They might even be on the rooftops....

 

And that was when she saw the hooded Toa of Fire on the rooftops, far in the distance, approaching. The others couldn't see; Only she was in the possible point of view - she and Jin. But she had no doubt who it was.

 

OOC: So, yeah. Matoran-team-which-still-needs-a-name, Go ahead and look for Jin, or try to stop Dorian. IMO, Jin is far more deserving.

[Light]

IC: "No." Erif was almost silent, but his statement was as clear as his gruff voice ever got. The archer of Ta-Koro barely flinched as his comrade Amsa screamed the same, and his hawk-like eyes scanned the area, looking for the assailant. Erif would not let Vakama die without a fight, even if it claimed the soldier's life.IC: Nita dashed off, the Vo-Matoran nearly like a Le in speed and athleticism. Where are you...

[Vezok's Friend]

OOC: Horde from Le-Wahi.

 

IC:

"Lower the bridge!"

 

The Matoran on guard-duty at the entrance of the village of fire knew the drill. Something bad had happened. They didn't know what yet, but submerging the pillars that were the main-connection to the outside of the Mangai-Volcano was always one of the first steps. If the village was under attack, it kept the assailants out and if something happened in the village, it kept the criminals in for the most part. Of course, with so many elemental wielders and beings wielding amazing power, that was never a guarantee, but the measure was effective enough that it was still practiced.

 

The guardsman responsible forlowering the massive structure raced to his post, reaching for the lever. But his hand was stopped, as a large armored fist closed around his wrist. He looked up, in shock, seeing that the hand belonged to a Skakdi. Taoki grinned at the Ta-Matoran and shook his head disapprovingly. Behind him the guard saw that the Skakdi was not alone, seven other standing behind him.

 

"Let's not be hasty." Taoki said. The Ta-Matoran eyes widened for a moment, then he found his words again. "Intruders!" he shouted. taoki rolled his eyes, looking at Rhow and Iraanus, who looked just as frustrated.

 

"No, we're not intruders, we just need to..." Rhow started to explain, but it was too late, as they were surrounded by ten guardmen wielding spears. "Hands up!" the leader of the group ordered grimly. Rhow grumbled, irritated by the Matoran's unwillingness to at least hear them out. And she thought Skakdi were stubborn.

 

"Hands. Up." the Matoran in the lead of the gate-guards barked. Rhow turned to him.

 

"No. We have to go across and we have to speak to your captain Jaller. Something bad is happening or going to happen and we know something about it. You can let us pass or arrest us and take us to your guard-building in the village anyway. That's where were going, one way or another." she growled. The Matoran returned her stoic stare, but eventually nodded to his men to lower their spears. He pointed at two of the guards.

 

"Escort them across. And somebody lower that darn bridge behind them!"

 

Rhow nodded in thanks, then she and the rest of the horde started walking quickly across the bridge, flanked by a Matoran on each side. Behind them, the large pillars shuddered, then started to descend, until they disappeared into the magma surrounding Ta-Koro.

 

On the other side, the villagers were in panic, some trying to head closer to the bridge, but most making their way home as quickly as possible. "What's going on?" Iraanus asked one of the guardsmen, but the Matoran shrugged. Suddenly, another member of the guards came running, this time in the opposite direction, headed for the center of the village. "You!" he shouted, seeing the Skakdi's escorts. "To the Turaga's hut, quick!"

 

The two Matoran looked at each other, then nodded, before looking at the Skakdi. Rhow lifted her hands. "Hey, we're not going anywhere, we're coming with you." The three matoran started running, followed by the eight Skakdi, not a common sight here. When they arrived, they only found more chaos. "What the Karzhani is going on?" Sookus asked loudly, but their Matoran escort had vanished among the crowd, doing their duty. Rhow shrugged. "I have no idea. But our goal is the same. Find the captain, tell him what's what and get moving again."

[otter]

IC-Destian:

 

Destian followed after the other Skakdi, and their Matoran guide, frowning. Something was wrong with the Turaga, judging by how their escorts had been ordered to move to Vakama's hut...and it was likely that it was the same all around the villages. This didn't have a good feeling to it.

 

He shook his head, making sure his sword would still come out of its scabbard easily. He had a feeling that something bad was about to happen.

 

"I remember saying that the taint of war was in the air," he said to Rhow, quietly. "And the proof is popping up around us. The Xa-Koronan ships, moving out at the exact time the Turaga are being returned to their huts...Common fighting, crime higher than ever before..." he let lose an animalistic growl, key to his Skakdi heritage.

 

"I recommend the same thing any Skakdi would recommend: Keep your weapons at the ready."

[Palm]

IC: Taoki - Ta-KoroTaoki eyed the area carefully. He pulled his goggles over his eyes. The small Skakdi of sands swiveled his head around to see the area, his x-ray vision activating. He reached down, flipping out two knives into his little hands, "I don't have an inkling as to what's happening here."He shook his head, "Seriously guys, I don't like this at all."Taoki turned his attention to the Turaga's hut, trying to see Vakama inside. He wasn't tall enough to see over everybody, "Destian," the larger Skakdi looked at him. Taoki leaped onto his back, and climbed up, Destian letting out some grunts of distaste, "What are you doing?" He gripped Destian's spine and tried to balance on his shoulders, gazing at the hut across the way. He refocused, trying to keep his balance on the lumbering Skakdi as they were forced through the streets. His permanent frown dropped open, his jaw loosened."Mata-Nui."OOC:The reaction that would follow this post, was, and is too late to come into play here.

[Constructelf]

IC Turo"ZOMFMNWTBKBBQ WHAT IS GOING ON?!" After about aminute of trying to digest what was going on, Turo immediately scrambled to a nearby building. Climbing up the wall, he got on the roof and startred scanning the area, looking for something that might possibly give a clue. "Mata Nui, these guys are good," he thought as he continued to look around.

Edited December 29, 2012 by Constructman

[Wotz]

IC: Huaki (Inn, Ta-Koro)

 

The door to the inn creaked open, and a Ko-Matoran entered, carefully shutting it behind her. Mentally, Huaki looked down her nose at such a pitiful gathering of drunkards and vagabonds, but outwardly she displayed nothing but nervous smiles and 'Excuse me's. The innkeeper was a Toa, and as such the counter was just about high enough for her to rest her chin on it.

"And what can I do for you young mistress?" the Toa asked, trying to give her a kind smile, but instead giving her a repulsive who's-who of dental infestations. "We've got some nice Matoran-sized rooms upstairs, if you-"

"No, actually, I, erm, I was just looking for a friend of mine," she gave her most sympathetic look; a poor little girl who's lost her friend in the big bad world, "a dark blue Matoran with a Kakama, and a grey jacket. He's with another Matoran I think, of iron. Please, sir, I've checked every inn in the village."

The Toa leaned forward to bring himself down to her level. "Oh, you poor thing." Yes, reel him in, reel him in, she thought. "Well you're in luck, I think we had your friend come by here last night. That's right, he's upstairs, third door on the right. Right next to his Fe-Matoran friend."

"Thank you ever so much sir," Huaki smiled happily, and ran excitedly up the stairs and out of sight, leaving the innkeeper feeling extremely good about himself, helping out a lost little girl.

 

It was around dawn, now, and Huaki could hear footsteps from within Xerov's room. Excellent. He was awake. She raised her fist, and gave her trademark knock.

Edited December 29, 2012 by Doctor Wotz

[a goose]

IC: Xerov (Inn, Ta-Koro)

 

Just as I've got my jacket back on (I rather dislike that black mark the flames at the battle left on it, I'll have to replace it at some point. Although, I have grown rather attached to it... eh. It's clothing), I hear someone knocking on the door. Great. Feongulf has decided to start our search at the crack of dawn. She's completely taken charge of every bloody thing in this, and it's beginning to get more than a little annoying.

I walk to the door, opening it. "What do you wa-"

Even as I've begun speaking, I realise that this isn't Feongulf. The person at the door is another Matoran, female. Judging by the colour scheme, she's probably a Ko-Matoran. Noble Akaku, red eyes, okay lookin-wait, what? Okay. Disregard that last part. My brain doesn't work right at this time in the morning. "Sorry, thought you were someone else. Um... who are you?"

[Wotz]

IC: Huaki (Inn, Ta-Koro)

 

Huaki nodded politely. "Hello, Xerov. You're wanted by my master in Onu-Koro, at The Unfortunate Fikou. I trust you know where that is?"

It was clear that she had deliberately forgotten to mention her name.

[a goose]

IC: Xerov (Inn, Ta-Koro)

 

...I have to hand it to her, she has mastered the delicate art of being simultaneously blunt and ambiguous.

"First, no, but I expect that there will be signs somewhere, second, why am I wanted there? Third, who is your master and what does he have to do with me?"

Edited December 29, 2012 by Simply Vorex

[Wotz]

IC: Huaki (Inn, Ta-Koro)

 

The Ko-Matoran bit her lip for a moment in thought, then looked back up at Xerov. "I was sent by the one known to you and the other 'normal' people on the island as The Dreamer." she gave a moment for her words to sink in, and she saw they had an effect on the Vo-Matoran. "He wants you to join him for lunch to discuss some matters which I wasn't told about."

[a goose]

IC: Xerov (Inn, Ta-Koro)

 

"I was sent by the one known to you and the other 'normal' people on the island as The Dreamer." Normal? Girl, do you know anything about me other than my name? Also, who the heck is this Dreamer guy, I've never heard of him before.

No, wait... I have... it's in there, somewhere...

 

- - -

 

The room. The three beings. Me outside. But part I didn't see before.

"If we're going to do this, we'll need names."

"Codenames? Isn't that... a tad overused?"

"Maybe. But only because it's effective. Along with your mask, you can create an entirely new identity for yourself. No one will know you were involved."

"Alright. It was my idea to make this happen, and your resources which are going to allow us to... I suggest that I be called the Dreamer, and you the Engineer."

Silence. "Okay. I don't have any better ideas. Now, on to the plan. If we're going to fix this chaotic mess of an island, we need a way to do it. And I believe I have one..."

 

- - -

 

Alright. If this Dreamer is that one, then if he wants me to join him for lunch I'll probably be the meal. Either way, I should be able to remember these things properly, and if this Dreamer knows anything he might be the key to unlocking my memories.

And here I am again, running away from confrontation with Tarrhus. Eh. He can wait. This is a one-time chance. Tarrhus is going to keep dogging me for the rest of my life.

"He wants you to join him for lunch to discuss some matters which I wasn't told about." Of course. Continue to be ambiguous. Thattagirl.

"Alright. You can inform your master that I'll be there. But, you never did tell me your name."

Why am I asking her name? I don't know. Maybe it slipped her mind, but it's doubtful. I want to know that she wants to avoid telling me it, although I'm not sure why.

Edited December 29, 2012 by Simply Vorex

[Wotz]

IC: Huaki (Inn, Ta-Koro)

 

She simply smiled cleverly and turned to leave. "I will."

It wasn't clear whether she meant she would inform her master, or that she would tell him her name, but before Xerov had time to ask, she was gone. While the innkeeper was turned away she slipped out unnoticed, to avoid having to smell the foul stench of his breath again.

 

Her next target was also supposedly in an inn, but this one wasn't exactly held in higher esteem by her, so she hoped to all that was good that this 'Myka' had better taste than old Jacket Boy.

She returned to the first inn she had checked earlier, which was considerably more hygienic, was run by Matoran and the majority of its customers were Matoran, making her feel a good deal more welcome and willing to stay than the rat-infested karzhole Xerov was hiding in.

After making some small talk with the innkeeper she asked about Myka, and was told she'd have to wait for her to wake up. Much better customer service, at least.

[a goose]

IC: Xerov (Inn, Ta-Koro)

 

Okay. Not sure what that was about...

Women. I'll never fully understand them. Speaking of women (although I apply the term loosely here), Feongulf will have to be informed of this. As much as I'd like to ditch her in this pit, no one is deserving of such a fate.

I walk to her room, which is conveniently close, and knock on the door. No fancy knocks, like that Ko-Matoran. I can't help but wonder who she was. I mean, technically speaking, she seems to be a minor character, the kind that very few people would pay attention to, but still. People have names, and people who hide those names have secrets.

And secrets deserving of hiding one's identity are always interesting.

 

Alternatively she thinks I'll stalk her, and since I'm looking a bit rough after the Pala-Koro battle that would be pretty understandable.

[BenLuke]

IC: Feongulf~

 

Feongulf awoke to the sounds of someone tapping, rapping on her chamber door.

 

Oh, must be Xerov, nothing more, she thought dryly, yawning struggling from her bed. The aged planks beneath her creaked as she strode to the door and threw it open.

 

"Yeah?"