IC: Ronkshou – Echelon’s Lair
[color=#ff0000;]The Infected Toa nodded.[/color]
[color=#ff0000;]“Excellent,” Ronkshou said. He then moved to the side so that he could look at both Kohra and Zadron, “I suppose I should bring you up to speed on just exactly who we’re going after. Six Matoran: one Pa-Matoran, one Ta-Matoran, one Ko-Matoran, and three other Matoran of unknown tribes. This group has but one artifact, a powerful Toa Stone that the Makuta rightfully acquired, but was stolen. This Toa Stone is not like others, for it seems to have the power to defend itself at certain times, hence Utu’s difficulty. Right now, our priority is the Matoran themselves. We need to learn everything they know about these artifacts and what they plan to do. I can guess that someone stole the stones and hid them across Mata Nui, but without Matoran, the stones are just stones. That’s why it’s important that we find these people and bring them in. We’re more than powerful enough to do so… the true issue is dealing with… noble ‘heroes’. We’ve encountered two already. The next one we find must be killed swiftly so that we don’t lose the Matoran’s trail”[/color]
[color=#ff0000;]Ronkshou then growled quietly after that last statement, knowing that they indeed lost the trail of the Matoran they had found.[/color]
[color=#ff0000;]“Speaking of trail, I believe that the Matoran are moving in a clockwise fashion. I first heard about this quest that they are on when they were in Ta-Wahi. Once assigned the task of hunting the Matoran down, I learned that they had gone to the Kumu Islets. Then we find them here,” Ronkshou explained, “If we don’t find them again in Ko-Wahi, then Onu-Wahi is our next place”[/color]
[color=#ff0000;]“Any questions while Utu and Vidar get fixed up?”[/color]
IC: Wokapu, Lekori, & Wokiya – Ko-Wahi snowfields a couple miles north of Ko-Koro
[color=#008000;]Lekori nodded in approval, “One of the best takes I’ve heard yet”[/color]
[color=#daa520;]“Yeah, I think we’re like-minded on that particular virtue,” Wokapu said, “Sometimes I wonder if I’ve, in fact, rejected my destiny… maybe the Makuta attacking me was meant to put me back on the right track”[/color]
[color=#daa520;]Despite what many could consider a harsh climate, the weather in Ko-Koro was quite nice. There were limited specs of clouds in the sky, nearly drowning in the bright blue hue that spanned across the sky. The only sounds that greeted the group were the occasional breeze and the soft, rhythmic crunching of feet across the snow. The only downside was the fact that the ground became increasingly steep as the group walked to their destination. After about twenty more minutes of traveling, their walks started to become climbs. But by the time that happened, they had reached the top.[/color]
[color=#daa520;]A humongous mansion sat before them, still dead-bolted. The frosted trees and shiny rocks still remained, giving the landscape an even mix of order and natural beauty. Wokapu couldn’t help but sigh happily when he reached his house. After so many weeks of pain, he was finally home.[/color]
[color=#daa520;]He looked to his left, down the mountain and adjacent to a makeshift stone road. While not a big as Wokapu’s mansion, Niici’s house was of a considerable size. Plus, there was the dense metallic attachment that was actually creatively decorated, making it aesthetically appealing against all odds.[/color]
[color=#daa520;]Though to be fair, this was Niici, the decorating queen. His heart leapt at the idea of seeing her again. Even though she rejected the prospect of a closer relationship, he hoped that they could still be friends.[/color]
[color=#daa520;]It was still possible, right?[/color]
[color=#daa520;]Wait, first thing’s first, Wokapu reminded himself. He needed to make his company comfortable first. The armored Toa quickly jogged up the stone stairs and reached into a compartment in his armor. A look of horror then swept across his face: where did his key go?[/color]
[color=#008000;]“Always prepared,” Lekori’s voice said behind Wokapu. The Toa of Air looked behind him to see Lekori holding a large, copper-colored key.[/color]
[color=#008000;]“Ronkshou stole this from you, remember? When he tossed me into your cave, he decided to leave the key along with all my belongings,” Lekori explained, “I was able to get it back”[/color]
[color=#daa520;]Wokapu gave the Le-Matoran a sly grin, “Where would I be without you and your resourcefulness”[/color]
[color=#008000;]“Likely dead,” Lekori said flatly, following it up with a kindhearted chuckle.[/color]
[color=#daa520;]A deep sound of moving metal reverberated from the large lock. After removing it from the door handle, Wokapu pulled open the heavy stone door, sweeping his arm inside to let the others walk inside first.[/color]
[color=#daa520;]The interior was nothing short of amazing and pristine. Hand-carved wooden cabinets, a table somehow carved completely from ice and not melting, dark, smooth, hand-carved chairs with vibrantly-colored cushions, and that’s not even considering the walls – nearly everything was covered. Ledges lined the walls and were occupied by crystal, silver, and marble mini-statues and other works of art. Oil paintings lined the walls, fitting snugly into ornate, golden frames, their vibrant colors matching the colors of the cushions, window drapes, and everything else with color. The color scheme was a cooling mix of cyan-blue and white, making the living room appear heavenly because of the sunlight. Finally, Wokapu himself walked inside and closed the door.[/color]
[color=#daa520;]“Friends, welcome to my *snort* humble abode!” Wokapu said sardonically. [/color]