Bzprpg - Le-Wahi

[Void Emissary]

IC: Lumira - Jungle / Somewhere

 

"Oh, y'know... hero stuff," I replied, the smile on my face faltering for a moment, "Battling, getting stabbed, being lost... same ol', same ol'."

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

IC: Peho Eniblad - Le-Koro / Outside Turaga Matau's Hut

 

As the two Toa explained what death was to Eniblad, he found a familiar feeling growing in his gut: fear. However, it wasn't quite the same fear as he had felt before, not like when he'd first seen his arm and believed it to be a demon out for his blood, or when Skaarn had attacked him in the jungle and later, in the alleyway. Those had been explosive, spontaneous moments of naked terror. This...

 

This was more profound. It wasn't a blow to the stomach, with a moment of blinding pain, before dying down to an ache. This was like a knife digging into his side, twisting in an eternal spiral of agony. This was a fear that would never subside.

 

"Death... is... bad," the hulking Toa murmured, while his mask began glowing softly.

 

If either of his companions were to look down, they might have noticed that Eniblad was now floating a few inches off of the ground.

 

-Void

Edited January 1, 2013 by Emissary to the Void

[25K Now!]

IC: [Ril]

 

"Why did you get tal- ooh ... why are you floating?"

[Void Emissary]

IC: Peho Eniblad - Le-Koro / Outside Turaga Matau's Hut

 

Eniblad looked down at his feet, and was (for once) not surprised to see that he was hovering. He had realized that this power was somehow connected to the fear he felt. The more explosive the fear was, the higher he went.

 

"Because... I fear," he said simply.

 

-Void

Edited January 1, 2013 by Emissary to the Void

[shadow pridak money gang]

IC:

 

The Le-Matoran was sitting perched ontop of a tree that had broken after a lightning-strike, bridging the murky water between the solid ground the group was on and the small island. Most of its mighty trunk having sunk into the soft ground of the swamp on the other side, where the wood had been dissolved. Nature at work. Moss and other growths had claimed the new territory and the top of the stump growing out of the murky water. Leah looked around from her vantage-point. This was indeed a dark place. It always had been. She thoughts back to the periodic travels in the service of the Gukko-Force that had led her this way. Even without the Makuta's presence, this swampy part of the jungle gave her the creeps.

 

She studied the trees more closely, looking for any cluse where they might need to go, until she noticed the slashes and cuts in the wood. She looked down at her feet, comparing the breaking-edge of the wood hit by lightning against what she saw. No, those trees on the other side definitely had been marked in some way. Now the question was, what did the cuts mean? Were they directions? A riddle? Part of a map? A symbol?

Symbol...of course. she thought, almost calling out in her excitement. She thought back to the other locations, the letters. The riddles in the other hiding-places had been...not easy, far from it in fact. But in hindsight, the answers to them had become obvious, you just had to look at them in a certain way.

 

That was it. Leah snapped her fingers loudly. She looked at the marked trees again, squinting her eyes until her vision blurred and her depth-perception was at a minimum and the cuts in the trees merged into one symbol.

 

 

"Reordin! Sulov, Lepidran! Over here!" she called her companions. The other Matoran came hurrying to her position, as fast as the treacherous terrain of the swamp permitted. Once they arrived at the broken tree, Leah stood up, pointing at the island. "It's over there." she said. "The symbol is in the trees." The others looked and after a few seconds, they saw it too. Since she was already up on the tree, Leah climbed from the stump onto the fallen trunk and crossed the stale water surrounding the small Island.

 

Once on the other side, she started to look around for possible hiding places. She doubted Takua would have been satisfied with merely leaving the essence stone of the Toa of air right in the middle of the island. Perhaps he had burried it in the soft ground, under a stone maybe. Leah hoped that wasn't the case. There was a hint of the decay in the air, which came from plant-matter being decomposed under their very feet. Digging into that was not something she ranked high on her list of fun activities. Perhaps Takua had cleverly hidden it in one of the gnarled trees growing here. Their old and withered and sometimes rotten forms provided enough gaps and holes that could be used to hide an essence stone.

 

By now the others had crossed over onto the island as well.

 

 

IC: Reordin (Islet, Le-Wahi)

 

"Well, off the top of my head, I can deduce that Takua was a troll of the first and greatest tier."

 

There were literally a hundred places that the Ko-Matoran guard could envision an Essence Stone being stashed away in this tiny little section of jungle. Sulov took charge of looking for any disturbances in the ground, along with Lepidran, who searched for low-lying nests of insects that he could use to scout on the ground. Reordin, ever the free runner, manned another tree while Leah searched the area around the islet's entrance.

 

A quarter of an hour of fruitless searching. It seemed as though the four Matoran could actually take the small island and flip it around, combing the underside of the small niche, and have a better chance of finding Lewa's stone than they had right now. The insects were coming up empty, Leah had given up on the entrance and circled the whole perimeter, and even the normally peaceful, dutiful Sulov was showing signs of agitation - something had the Onu-Matoran riled up beyond the stone, Reordin knew, but now was not the time to bring it up. The lieutenant took a step forward, aiming to slide down the tree--

 

And the ball of his left foot sank into a small knot in the bark, pushing it into the surface of the tree as the Ko-Matoran continued his slide down. When he landed on his feet gently, like a cat, Reordin instinctively spun around and began searching the area around the tree: sure enough, a hollow had opened up at the old, decrepit Goliath's base, just large enough for Reordin to push his hand into. About twenty seconds of wiggling around later, and his hands wrapped around something that even now, through layers of dirt and earth and who knows what else, glowed a bright, cheerful green, like a summer leaf. The stone instantly felt lighter in the soldier's hand, and his smirk unfurled into a grin.

 

"Guys," he called out wearily as the team regrouped on him. "I've got it. Here, Lepidran, you take--"

 

Reordin's voice cut off as he shoved the stone into the Le-Matoran's hand, and his eyes slanted oddly as he stared into Lepidran's hands. The rest of the team didn't really understand what was happening at first, so Reordin pulled the stone back: sure enough, the emerald-looking rock was still pulsing a deep green, and it felt as though it might actually float out of Reordin's hand if he didn't tighten his grip.

 

"What is it, Reordin?"

 

The Ko-Matoran didn't answer for a second, pushing the stone back into Lepidran's hands slightly more forcefully this time: no change in the Stone. The flames of his temper began to lick away at his insides, burning away at his heart and his self-control, so to keep calm he balled his hands up into fists and crossed his arms, leaning against the tree.

 

"The Stone won't accept Lepidran."

 

-Tyler

[Constructelf]

IC Genno"You're floating because you fear? That doesn't make sense."

[Void Emissary]

IC: Peho Eniblad - Le-Koro / Outside Turaga Matau's Hut

 

The Toa shrugged, "I do this when I'm mad..."

 

Raising his right fist, Eniblad thought back to when Skaarn first captured him, searching the anger, the indignation and the resentment that he had felt.

 

Suddenly a ball of flame burst from the outstretched arm, soaring high into the air, slowly dissipating into nothing. Looking back at his companions, Eniblad smiled.

 

"That doesn't make sense either, does it?"

 

-Void

[Techn0geist]

IC: Zealokan

 

'We will carry on, as we have over these past few months. I'm not from Mata Nui, and I have seen that you are a strong and tight-knit people.' He knelt down and looked the Le-Matoran in the eye. 'You must be strong, Miha. Nothing good ever came from dwelling on the past, take that advice from the last Ve-Toa.' Zealokan looked down at his feet briefly, then stood upright. 'We should go pay our last respects. I mean, if you want, no pressure.'

[Constructelf]

IC: Genno

"Actually, that does make some sense, because when you're mad, you feel the need to release the anger, and for toa, sometimes releasing anger is related to the output of elemental energy, so in actuality..." "Oh come on, just SHUT UP ALREADY!" Ronin yelled inside of Genno's mind. It sent an image of a stickman holding its head with a crudely drawn face of anger on it. "Nice art," Genno commented sarcastically. "Better than your's," Ronin shot back. "What? What? Did you just insult my artistic skills?" "I would have, if you had any." "Okay man, what do you know about art? You're just a slug who latches on my neck and drains the life out of me! You've never touched a pencil or a brush in your life!" "I learn things. From you. And besides, I send images into your head every day, so I get practice, don't I? And besides, I'm smart. Much smarter than you are, fatty." "You did not just call me fat!"Genno roared, prompty forgetting the art discussion. "A large appetite and obesity don't always go hand in hand! Besides, it's all muscle; want me to prove it to you?!" Genno promptly punched Ronin in the... back, making the Parakuka hiss in pain. It started sending feelings of pain and anger into Genno. The two of them continued to argue, both of them unaware that Genno was saying his comments out loud. Genno stormed off in anger as he and his parasite continued to shout rude comments at each other.

Edited January 1, 2013 by Constructman

[Void Emissary]

IC: Peho Eniblad - Le-Koro / Outside Turaga Matau's Hut

 

Even for an amnesiac, who knew nothing of the world around him, seeing Genno shout at himself was... unsettling.

 

At first, Eniblad had assumed that the Toa of Fire was yelling at him, so shrank back a little bit. Soon though, it became very apparent that whatever transgression he was shouting about had not been committed by either him or his companion. Rather, Genno seemed to yelling at the "slug" or whatever it was called, on his back.

 

Turning to face Ril, Eniblad cocked his head to one side, "Does that make sense?"

 

-Void

[25K Now!]

IC: [Ril]

 

Ril shrugged. "Sense can be subjective."

[Tabby: Toa of Cats]

 

"Right..." he said, "Forest guardian appeased... But yeah... spare armor."

 

IC: Kethrye~

 

Kethrye shrugged. "We have pretty much nothing with us apart from the weapons we're carrying. The ship might have something lying around, could try them."

 

IC: Cy said, "Excuse me, but what did I miss?"

OOC: See last post

[Snelly]

IC: Skyra - Matau's Hut -

 

I slowly rose to my feet, unsteadily at that, my only response to Kongu's invitation was a nod, not wishing to speak, fearing I'd start to sob again if I did. Of course I would join my Captain, there was no question about that, Matau had meant just as much to me as any Le-koran, like a father. The blood covering much of my armor had already started to dry, I'd have to wash up quickly before the procession.

 

I'll looked to Merror, waiting for his answer. Of course I had no doubt he would join us.

[- JL -]

IC: JL

 

Seeing the situation breeze down, and now that everybody was just getting ready to do whatever it was they were going to do, JL decided it was time to get going too. He didn't know anyone here, and he definitely wasn't the socialist type to just jump in to the group....even if he did fight on their side.

 

Sighing, he turned, his back facing the Fowadi as he walked in the direction of Le-Koro, his sword in his hand, sparks flashing from the metallic blade.

 

Perhaps things weren't so bad after all.

[Flex Lord Splash]

IC: Lathon (Le-Koro)

 

Droplets of rain ran down Lathon's lime-green mask as he moved forward, automatically as if there was no life left in him. He reached up and slid his great-sword onto the sheath on his back as he moved, his emerald eyes kept downcast. Maybe if he'd stayed in his village more... maybe if he'd been around, he could of protected his Turaga. Lathon knew in his heart he would of taken the projectile for his Turaga, sacraficed his own life for the elders. But that wasn't how things had played out. He followed the figure carying Matau's body, he would attent the memorial and he wanted to trail the procession. He looked up at the clouded sky as he walked, watching the rain as it came down around him. Even though a great Turaga was dead, a life that seemed vital to Lathon's people, the world still went on. The rain still poured, and soon enough the sun would shine again.

[Light]

IC: I entered the Koro once more, looking back at my team, all in extra armor, making it almost impossible to recognize them. I spotted a Toa in the crowd. No. It couldn't possibly be... Lathon? I teleported over to him, whispering. "Lathon?"

[Flex Lord Splash]

IC: Lathon (Le-Koro)

 

Lost deep in his thoughts the Toa of air almost didn't notice his name being called. He turned his head slowly, his eyes falling on the figure who had ottered his name. He knew that voice, and he knew that green armor. "Kaithas," Lathon said with a look of shock on his face.

 

"I have found you at last," he said placing a hand on his comrade's shoulder. "I wish it were under better circumstsances, my Turaga, Matau is dead."

[Light]

IC: "What?!" My voice was incredulous. "Dead? This... This is horrible. How could I be so stupid?"

[Flex Lord Splash]

IC: Lathon (Le-Koro)

 

The Le-Toa slowly nodded head. "Yes assassinated," he said. "And all I could do was watch." he said his fist tighteneing once again. "If I find the person responsible... I will kill them Kaithas, you know I will," he said darkly.

[Light]

IC: I nodded. "I was here when the village was under attack. I never suspected... GRAH." I barely kept from yelling.

[Wade.]

IC: Alfon (Outside of the Fowadi)

 

"I love you too, Plagia. Don't know what I'd do without you and your snide remarks." I replied evenly, shaping my hands into a heart at my left breast coupled with a wink. Gotta love this chick. That stupid smirk of hers made my day.

 

Jokes. What really made my day was seeing Kethrye, one of the most down to earth people in this madhouse of a family, alive and well. What's left of it anyway. Plus, I've never seen this guy so stunned, the look on his face priceless. I must be a bigger stud than I thought. Before I knew it, I gave him a quick bear hug. Believe it or not, there was a lot going through my head at the time and behind that cheerful mask of mine, there was a lot of pain and emotion.

 

"Who knows, maybe I'm a ghost. The role of poltergeist would be very fitting for someone like me." I said, before putting on my serious face. "Honestly though, I'm glad you're not dead, bud...and Plagia too, I guess. Are you the only ones who made it out?"

[Flex Lord Splash]

IC: Lathon (Le-Koro)

 

"Don't blame yourself brother," he said. "If anyone should, it should be me," he said. "I was here for Mata-Nui's sake," he said bitterly. "I failed him, and I failed my people," he said turning around.

 

"Just like how I failed Ihu-Koro long ago."

[Silvan Haven]

Kale Ironshaper- Lake Pala- Fowadi

 

IC: Before Krayn could do much in the way of bandaging Hari up, a pair of hands grabbed him and Kale said from behind him, "I"m sorry sir, but you are going to have to wait until I make sure you are alright before you start doing the same to others. A knock to the head like that is nothing to fool around with."

[Light]

IC: "It's no more your fault than mine." I looked around. "After the funeral, we'll have to talk."

[BenLuke]

IC: Kethrye~

 

"No, Vompran, Onyx and some of the others are still back in Pala-Koro. Most of us were fine in the end, actually," Kethrye replied, gruffly returning Alfon's hug. "It was you we were worrying about.We have enough problems without you running around doing who know what."

Edited January 1, 2013 by Javert

[Ghosthands]

IC (Merror)

 

Merror inclined his head, a sad smile on his face.

 

"Captain, it would be my honour," he said.

[- JL -]

IC: JL

 

But as he entered Le-Koro on foot, he could already tell something was very wrong.

 

Wrong. Just from the sound of the village, he could discern the emotions the tree-village was literally feeling. And so he walked, to the location everybody seemed to be milling around and towards: Turaga Matau's hut.

[Krayzikk]

IC:Krayn pulled away from Kale in a few abrupt, annoyed movements. The De-Toa stumbled forward a few steps, before he regained a semblance of balance, at least enough not to fall over. He stood as straight and tall as he could manage, as if to prove a point.

 

"For Mata Nui's sake, I'm not feeble. Injured, possible. But I am more than aware of my own li-" He was cut off by the sudden arrival of a Dikapi, its harness stamped with the Gukko Force emblem. Carefully, the Lieutenant bent down, and untied the message from the bird's leg, who hopped once, and took off into the jungle. Without taking his eyes off of the people around him, who all seemed ready to tie him to a stretcher, he almost absently unfolded the message, moving his eyes to the paper to read.

 

Second's later, his face paled, and the life seemed to drain away from him. His posture weakened, and he became more unsteady on his feet, as if the willpower that had been helping to keep him upright was gone. His face, formerly grim and expressionless, now seemed empty, devoid of any emotion, any thought, any life. After a minute of silence, he bent down, and grabbed his cane from the ground, leaning on it heavily.

 

"Excuse me." He said quietly, turning, and moving toward the Fowadi.

[Wade.]

IC: Alfon (Le-Wahi shore / Outside the Fowadi)

 

"Don't worry, I'll always turn up one way or another." I replied, patting some caked dirt and grime off my armour. I'd have to get a new set soon, the battle left it in a rather poor state. It was reassuring to hear most of the ILF faired well however what really nabbed my attention at the moment was the big ol' fancy ship and its crew.

 

"Say, you guys going on vacation or something?"

Edited January 1, 2013 by TX Wade

[Mad Scientist BioBeast]

IC:Miha ~Le-Koro Square~

 

Miha simply continued hugging Havon and crying. It was all she could really do at the moment.

[Void Emissary]

IC: Plagia Simul - Shore / Outside the Fowadi

 

Oh karz, for once could that guy not come back with something witty? Why did he have to so funny?

 

Y'know, in the annoying way. That's what I meant. Funny in the annoying way. Definitely.

 

"Yep, going on vacation," I responded, "Probably headed up to Ko-Wahi; I hear the weather up there is wonderful this time of year."

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

IC: Rynekk Simul - Shore / Outside the Fowadi

 

There it was again. Krayn had died once more. Why did this keep happening? What had happened in Le-Koro that had scarred him so?

 

I was determined to find out. With the rest of my armour back on, I hurried over to the De-Toa, catching his left arm in a vice-like grip.

 

"Krayn, what's going on here?" I asked bluntly, hoping to get an answer out of him.

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

IC: Peho Eniblad - Le-Koro / Outside Turaga Matau's Hut

 

Without a clue what Ril meant, Eniblad merely nodded, "Should we help him?"

 

-Void

Edited January 1, 2013 by Emissary to the Void

[Krayzikk]

IC: Krayn

 

In answer. he handed over the message.

 

It had been written on standard military stationary, and looked like it had been written in a hurry. The ink was smudged in a few places, and the handwriting was far from as neat as it normally was. At the bottom, the Gukko Force symbol was stamped into the paper.

 

Lieutenant Krayn Inzaka, as you are currently enjoying a much needed vacation, it is with a heavy heart that I must inform you of the tragedy that has occurred in your absence. Mere days after the attack on Le-Koro, roughly three hours ago as I write this, Turaga Matau was assassinated. The killer used foreign technology, we suspect a rifle of some kind, to strike from a large distance. We have not yet determined where the shot was fired from, nor have we found the one responsible. They remain at large. Keep your ear to the ground for anything you might hear.

 

Colonel Iusan Jyan

[Void Emissary]

IC: Rynekk Simul - Shore / Outside the Fowadi

 

I was silent for a long moment. Outwardly, at any rate. Inside, I was screaming.

 

After a few seconds, I finally opened my mouth, muttering, "My god..."

 

-Void

Edited January 1, 2013 by Emissary to the Void

[Franco]

IC: "You did 'hero stuff?," Hau echoed curiously. "How many people didja save?"

[Krayzikk]

IC: Krayn

 

Krayn carefully took back the note, refolding it, and clutching it in his left hand. After a moment, he resumed his path, leaning on his cane as he walked.

 

"I'll be on the ship."

[shadow pridak money gang]

IC: Reordin (Company Camp, Le-Wahi)

 

Lepidran had gone to bed almost instantly upon the team’s return to camp, the normally light and upbeat Le-Matoran having been put into one of the biggest funks Reordin had ever seen, which was understandable; now, after three quarters of an hour of staring blankly into a fire and holding sticks over a fire as though they were merely toasting marshmallows, the remaining members of the Wanderer’s Company finally began to feel the first tugs of fatigue on their soul. Reordin’s cooped up, simmering temper, rampant sense of boredom, and – could it be? – slight inadequacy kept him rejuvenated, but Sulov, ever the mama bear of the team, got up and walked to his tent, patting Reordin on his shoulder once in a reminder that he needed sleep.

 

“Night, buddy,” he muttered to the Onu-Matoran as he entered his tent, leaving Reordin and Leah to first watch. The other Le-Matoran of the team watched as a caustic, if noticeable, smile spread across the Sanctum Guard’s face, and slowly, she smiled as well.

 

“Okay, spill it. How’d you worm your way into Sulov’s heart?”

 

“Hm? Oh, err…” Reordin replied vaguely, looking up from the fire into Leah’s eyes. “Well, I mean, it’s a long story…”

 

“We have hours until they wake up, and I’m feeling curious!” Leah replied. “C’mon. Tell the story, LT.”

 

A long sigh that transformed into a low laugh. Reordin began twirling the end of the stick around in the fire, watching the point char…

 

Twelve years ago...

 

"--And then the COW stampedes right onto the training course onto the training Madu, the force sends it flying right in the air, and it just LANDS right on top of Darrick bung to mouth, greatest frickin' thing I've seen in my LIFE!"

 

"Man, you know, training exercises, man, they really make you think..." Darrick Bane philosophized, leaning back in his chair and sighing. Reordin snorted derisively in laughter.

 

"Bane, the only thing I can think of right now is how absolutely blitzed you are right now. Besides, mate, those are just the funny stories, we haven't even gotten to the real ones yet..."

 

The eight Sanctum Guardsmen all cracked up laughing, and Reordin leaned back into the couch, feeling the material on the sofa contour perfectly to his back. Already, innately, he could feel the urge to move, to pop up and do something, prickling inside the chest, so he stood up and rifled through his pockets, plucking a handful of widgets out and rolling them around in his palm. He could hardly hear the noise of the cash jingling in his hand over the combined sounds of boisterous party music, dancing, drunken laughing, and painful attempts at flirting that contributed to the club's gritty ambiance.

 

“Yo, Saporta, you grabbing another beer?” Bane asked him, sitting up, running his hands over his face, and trying not to look like he was completely faded out of his mind. “Grab me another beer while you’re up, will ya?”

 

"Whoa, . I'm not buying for you. You got money?"

 

"Oh, man, look at Corporal Cheapskate over here, asking if I have money, wants to know if I...fine, Saporta, you know what, have some money. You know what, who else wants money? C'mon, go ahead, mooch all you want, I brought plenty of money..."

 

Bane's voice disappeared into the backdrop as Reordin approached the bar, running a hand over his face and leaning against the bar, his left elbow propping him up as he counted out the number of guardsmen. The bartender, a youthful, cheery looking Le-Matoran fellow, came over and wiped down the mahogany in front of Reordin as he requested his order.

 

"Uhm....ah...whatever, screw beer. What's the drink in Ga-Wahi?"

 

The Le-Matoran's face drew into a grin: "Sambucaaa!"

 

"Alright, uh, I'll take, let's see...one, two, three, four...seven shots of sambuca and a glass of water for my mate over there," the Ko-Matoran ordered with a wink, gesturing with his other hand to the group of Ko-Matoran Guards in the corner. The bartender nodded and winked back, preparing shots for each guardsman as they all approached. Bane was first: his best friend from nearly birth, Darrick had the looks of a male model, a familial piggy bank that you could crush the entire bar with if you dropped it too fast, and, most importantly, the sharp-as-knives tongue that made boot camp instructors want to rip it right out of your mouth. Everything he did, he did well: whereas Reordin was described in reports as a bastion of untapped potential waiting to be unleashed, a man who seemingly had no real idea what to do with his life beyond serve his people, his friend was destined to go places, and everyone knew it.

 

"Girl troubles, Saporta?" his friend asked as he plopped down on the barstool next to Reordin and watched the other Guards stumble around, trying to get up. Reordin shook his head and smirked.

 

"I don't get girl troubles, Bane."

 

"Exactly: because you don't have a girl. Bro, you're a catch. Look at those sharp cheeks, those shining eyes, that athlete's physique, the poet's soul pumping just beneath that perfect heartlight..."

 

"I'll kill you. In front of God and everybody, I'll beat you to death with a beer bottle."

 

Reordin never got the chance: the remaining members of the Guard came and collected their shots of white sambuca, raising them up. Bane stopped them suddenly, just as they were all about to down the liqueur: "What do we toast to?"

 

Silence. Nobody seemed to be able to breathe for a second; all the Guards assembled seemed to fumble for words for a second before Bane spoke.

 

"To all of us, for being the all-around bombest new class of Sanctum cadets to come out of Ko-Koro since Kopaka himself!"

 

Reordin chimed in: "And to Darrick Bane, whom allowed us to take this vacation to Ga-Wahi with his benevolence, perseverance and obscene refusal to spend any money at all since birth.

 

Cheers and laughs rang out from the bar as the cadets did the shots as one, almost like a family: Bane tapped Reordin on the shoulder as the glasses were set down and signaled to the corner of the club, where a single, solitary Onu-Matoran sat, fiddling with something on his iStone. The man was massive, a regular tank: he looked primitive, earthly, as though he were birthed by the island himself. Though his appearance was frightening to behold for even a second, Reordin felt a strange buzzing in the back of his head, as if he had known the Matoran all his life. Something odd in his very spirit seemed to be warning him of something, foreshadowing events to come; Reordin pushed the thoughts back and then shrugged. Bane's reply was a smirk.

 

"I'll give you a hundred widgets to go over and punch him in the jaw."

 

"What? No! I came out here for a vacation, not for facial rearrangement. Don't be that guy, mate."

 

"A hundred widgets. Plus a hundred from every other guy here."

 

Seven hundred widgets to assault a random guy: it felt dishonorable to even consider, and yet, the things Reordin could do with that kind of money suddenly began to pile up in his head, in list format, and he sighed. Feeling as though he were walking out the doors of a saloon into a gunfight with a known outlaw, he made his way over to the corner and stopped about arm's length away from the Matoran. He had no drink, and Reordin doubted the iStone was even his: something about his physical appearance, the very way he carried himself as though he were trying to disappear even though he was clearly the most massive person in the club, gave him the strong impression that this soul had grown up in poverty. A second or two passed before the Matoran looked up, and instantly, Reordin was frozen in place.

 

His face, though primitive looking at first, was warm, familial, and his deep hazel eyes held such a childlike naivety, a sort of lonely, pacifistic desire for peace and friendship, that Reordin's heart grew sick at the thought of a single soul laying a finger on him in ill will. Then the tank spoke:

 

"Hello zerr."

 

"Uh...hey. I'm Reordin," the Ko-Matoran replied uncertainly, sitting down slowly across from the man. "Uh...can I get you a drink or something...?"

 

"And the rest, as they say, is history," the lieutenant finished. "He ordered Bula juice, I got some more sambuca, and then he carried me back to the hotel when I had enough liqueur in me that I couldn't stand anymore. Later on, he applied for the Ussalry: by that point, I was a Sergeant, and my word was good enough in the military that me vouching for him was good enough to get him a job, even though he was impoverished. He's been at my back since the day we met, and to be honest, if anyone on this island deserves to be Chosen as much as Stannis, it's him."

 

-Tyler

Edited January 1, 2013 by Tyler Durden

[Flex Lord Splash]

IC: Lathon (Le-Koro)

 

The emerald and black armored Toa nodded at his comrade. “Yes, I feel there is much I have missed since we last met.” He said as he followed the procession through the streets.

[Emzee]

IC: Kongu

 

"Very well," Kongu said, "We shall convene in one hour. The message has already been spread; the village shall shut down.

 

[One hour later]

 

Indeed, Kongu was right; no one was in their huts or their stores. Even Tuuli and the other merchants made their way to the Town Square for the memorial service. Rain sprinkled upon the masks of guardsmen and village people, creating a constant pattering up in the treetops. Once again, an hour of profound grief and sadness overtook the village. It was strange; all the musicians were set, guardsmen placed, and villagers present for what was supposed to be a jovial moment. However, it was cruelly taken away from them like candy from a baby.

 

The entire village had turned out for the procession as it slowly made its way across the treetops. Kongu, now the de-facto leader of Le-Koro, led the somber parade. He tried to keep his visage stoic, but his eyes were still pink from grief, he was dressed in the same pressed and fine outfit that he wore during Tamaru’s memorial. Behind him were the two Toa, Skyra and Merror, who were similarly stricken and also dressed in their finest as they walked behind the Captain. Behind them were the pallbearers, all pilots and daring fighters, carrying the body of Turaga Matau high on their shoulders. The body was hidden as the casket remained closed, but all of them remembered the lasting smile on the Turaga’s face, one of happiness and bliss. The casket was carved of an ancient wood, polished to perfection and still sturdy against the elements. On the lid of the casket was the precise and impeccable carving of the Noble Mahiki and the Kau Kau Staff. Both were inside the casket, to be buried with the Turaga.

 

Outside of the music (provided by Sanso and his island-famous Windriders band) it was silent and solemn occasion, barely a word spoken as the procession went along. Finally, the procession stopped in the middle of the Le-Koro Town Square, and the pallbearers set the heavy casket upon the platform. The rain still poured upon the people, and some of them even had umbrellas and other cloths to stay dry. Fortunately, it was the warm, jungle rain, and not the cold rain that other regions often had.

 

Kongu solemnly walked up to the steps to a lower platform that was in front of the casket (which was now decorated with many bundles of native flora), and he began to speak.

 

“It is dark-said… that death-sleep leaves a heart-pain that no one can heal, but love leaves a memory that no one can steal. I have nothing but honor for having the opportunity to serve the Turaga as his right hand. And while he may be gone, his influence and his spirit are not. We all remember him, and because of that, no one can slay-take him. I know that he is in a better place now, free from the pain that the Makuta inflicted upon him, and for that… I am happy,” Kongu said, his voice quivering at some parts, “Always think-note, if the night-future seems overwhelming, remember that it comes one moment at a time”

 

He looked to Skyra and Merror. He remembered both of them, back when Tamaru had died, now they were both here, helping Le-Koro cope with the loss of another famed icon.

 

“Skyra, Merror, is there anything you two would like to mouth-say first?” Kongu asked softly, his voice soothed with sage-like kindness that may of reminded some of Turaga Matau, “Any final blessings to our Turaga?”

Edited January 5, 2013 by Emzee

[Ghosthands]

IC (Merror)

 

Merror nodded respectfully and rose to take the podium from Kongu. The Toa of Fire surveyed the mourning crowd with saddened eyes, eyes filled with a compassionate understanding. Merror knew how they felt because he had felt the same way so many times. He cleared his throat.

 

"I am not a citizen of Le-Koro," he began. "But of all the villages on this beautiful island, it has always been the one that felt the most homely. And without a doubt, it would not be so were it not for its Turaga."

 

Merror's voice was strong in spite of grief, and his words carried even to the back of the vast crown of Le-Koronans.

 

"Matau was a great leader," he said, "known not only for his wisdom, but for his humour. For practical jokes just as much as sound advice. Turaga Matau was, in spite of his age, always young in spirit, and he shared that inner youth with anyone who had the good fortune to meet him. He was a spark of light in the darkness - a spark that has been cruelly snuffed out."

 

He gave Skyra a brief glance, and she could see the sorrow in his eyes.

 

"I will not ask you not to cry for Matau, for he deserves our tears," Merror continued, "but I will ask you to remember him - to take strength in his memory. Remember him! Remember his laughter, his music, his jokes. Remember his firmness, and his kindness, and let the memory of his wisdom guide your actions. For if you do so, Turaga Matau is not dead. He lives on...in all of us."

Edited January 2, 2013 by Illusive Ghosthands

[Void Emissary]

IC: Rynekk Simul - Shore / Outside the Fowadi

 

I could've gone after Krayn. I probably should've, to at least try and comfort him. But I didn't. What could I say when someone so close, so instrumental in his and others' lives? What words of comfort could a murderer give to a victim?

 

So, without uttering another sound, I boarded the ship with the Toa of Sonics, slowly becoming aware that it had started raining. Humph, rain. So, we cry and the Great Spirit cries with us? The sleeping god, who wakes long enough to lament over what He could have stopped. How fitting. How bloody fitting.

 

Heading straight for the stern of the ship, I climbed onto the railing, staring out at the grey horizon, as the last rays of the sun were snuffed out by the rain clouds.

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

IC: Lumira - Jungle / Somewhere

 

Good question? How many people had I saved? Or, perhaps a better question: How many people had saved me?

 

"Well, y'see, the thing is... It's just that... Ugh..." I managed to stumble out, before I stopped, disgusted with myself. Why was I trying to excuse myself? That was useless - I had no excuse.

 

Taking a deep breath, I finally said, "I haven't actually save anyone."

 

-Void

[25K Now!]

IC:

 

Kunitu stood solemnly near the back of the crowd, watching as the casket containing her beloved leader's body was placed onto the platform. To see him be taken away before her eyes in his moment of triumph and to attend his funeral mere hours later ... it was heartbreaking. Yet she would not let herself break into tears. She was, despite claiming to be semi-retired, still a high-ranking member of the Gukko Force, so she would have to put up a strong front for her colleagues and the villagers.

 

But when Kongu began to speak, it took all her resolve to actually choke back a sob. It was just so unfair - why did the Turaga have to die when they had finally gotten him back? She could hear some of her fellow villagers already breaking into tears, the eulogy for the death of their beloved leader affecting them greatly. If she did not have a duty to stand strong for her people, she would have joined them as well, but all she could do was choke back sobs.

 

Couldn't stop the tears flowing down her mask when Merror had finished his eulogy though.