Skyrise

[ZippyWharrgarbl]

IC: Rorohiko - Capstone

 

"Sure," he said. He glanced around. There were all sorts of characters in Capstone. Two Skakdi were sitting together counting their money nearby, appearing very focused on their work. A Steltian in a fancy coat was looking morose, swaying a little. Not many of the patrons of Capstone looked exceedingly friendly.

 

To his surprise, he saw a Turaga. Being made after the second devastation of the planet, he had not experienced living under the guidance of one and only really knew what he did about them from what he had heard. Apparently, they used to lead Matoran villages. They were beings who were once Matoran, to become Toa, and fulfil their destiny and lose much of their elemental powers. That meant this Turaga had been a hero, once. What were they doing here? Did they get an escort here, too?

 

He realised he was staring. He shifted his gaze away quickly, hoping the Turaga didn't notice, or would think he was just staring into space.

 

"Uh, we should head off. Don't want to keep Xaril waiting when he's done..." Rorohiko recalled Xaril marching by angrily, but was checking that his bag was properly fastened and had not seen the cause. "Doing the thing."

[Dane-gerous]

IC: Taurek - Waiting

 

I lit up a metaphorical cigar, and leaned on my ship, processing everything that had happened in my mind.

 

" skakdi." I muttered.

[Nato G]

GM IC: Hakkzan/Branar - New Atero, Canyon. 

 

Taking Maldrakk's silence for some form of stoic acceptance, the Skakdi left the compartment, stepping through a hatch and into another section of the crawler. Branar turned to Armani, "Meet us back at The Tower for a proper debrief. Make sure that other pilot comes along as well." As he spoke, a series of metallic groans and hydraulic hisses signaled that the transport was about to start moving again. 

[Coconut Fella]

IC: Bai Bai - New Atero

Lunch ended up being more successful once I got out of the library, as so many things seemed to do, outside of studying. I walked out of a hole-in-the-ground bar with another sandwich in my mouth. No time to sit to eat, study, and walk to the Tower. Had to deliver whatever records I had to show, even if it was just a parcel of info. Navigating the way from the library to the restaurant to the tower was fairly second nature to me, but I had to be careful not to make any missteps. The thought of getting lost in the alleys of New Atero...

Uhnn nn. No. Even with such a military, an alley was an alley. Nothing ever good came from alleys, no nice old people with sage advice, no gruff but well-meaning fruit salesmen, nothing. Just corpses and criminal records.

Tearing my eyes from the history of Great Being hygiene and dental care, I gave the road a quick lookover. I was still on track, no immediately pressing obstacles or divergence from the main path. Yet.

[ZippyWharrgarbl]

IC: Armani - The Rest, After The Test

 

She saluted. "Yes, sir! We will see you there shortly. Take care."

 

She left the ship and climbed aboard her magnificent vessel once more, signalling the other pilot to follow as she took off and headed home. She hoped His Spikiness would not take what Maldrakk said to heart. Guilt and shock could make people say hurtful things they don't mean, which she was sure he knew.

Edited January 22, 2017 by ZippyWharrgarbl

[Click]

IC: Mirror - Tesara Marketplace

 

Mirror was helplessly tugged along by the eccentric merchant with a wistful glance toward the chaos and his own vehicle. Hopefully Captain Jira wouldn't discipline him too harshly...

 

 

IC: Fifteen - Capstone

 

She kept a close eye on the nearby crowd, not wanting any of these theives get too close and make off with their possessions. She spares a quick moment to nod to her charge again, gesturing for him to lead the way.

 

 

IC: Ailun - The Moa (Outside New Atero)

 

"You can count on it," Ailun snapped before turning back to his ship. He had things to fix.

[permanentlyExtinct]

IC: Parii - being a creep and staring at random people in Capstone

 

Parii glanced at a small group of three entering the bar. They seemed somehow uneasy and nervous, with one of them scanning the crowd around them. "We should head off..." The Onu-Matoran said.

 

With curiousity taking over Parii finished his drink and got to his feet. He began to slowly approach them, from time to time having to force himself through the crowd and tables. Although he could make his life easier and just walk next to Varim's table, he was way too freaked out by the conversation he had witnessed earlier and decided to avoid the Turaga for some time. He clunched his bag and eventually made his way out.

Edited January 23, 2017 by permanentlyExtinct

[Coconut Fella]

IC: 042 - The Moa

If rudeness were a crime, this matoran would be serving several sentences in prison. 042 huffed indignantly, and began to follow the matoran inside the ship. The matter of transportation back to New Atero was still pressing.

realized in that moment that this matoran had little information regarding 042's identity. The likelihood of him finding any way to report 042 specifically was remote. Rather, it was likely some other surviving, but non-sentient, maxilos guard would be examined for faulty programming. A small part of 042 pitied the machine, but there was not much to pity, and not much to pity with.

 

IC: Threiaa - The Moa

Threiaa knew that the others had ignored her, but any frustration she might have felt quickly evaporated. Her eyes were know trained on the wreck of Red Hydraxon. Aside from the crushed cockpit, the majority of the ship was still in good shape. With something of a sly glance at 042 and then Ennanas, both of whom were brand knew to her, she started to head to her own Rockoh just nearby. Slipping into the cockpit, and turning the engine on low and slow, she smiled. That Hydraxon was a mighty fine looking piece of salvage, and by Solis Magna she was going to be the one to have it.

[ZippyWharrgarbl]

IC: Rorohiko - With Friends

 

Glancing back to make sure the guards were following him, he headed deeper into Capstone, towards the markets. It seemed a bit more crowded than he thought was comfortable, so he kept close to his companions and kept an eye on his bag.

[permanentlyExtinct]

IC: Parii - still a creep

 

He saw them entering the Capstone markets. The guards appearently haven't noticed him yet.

 

Parii continued to walk behind them

[Click]

IC: Fifteen - Capstone

 

Capstone was filled with a wide variety of beings, but as Fifteen gazed through the crowd, one particular Onu-Matoran kept popping up. The first few times, she thought it might just be coincidence, but when she caught him pushing his way past a Skakdi to keep up, she knew he had to be following them. She pulled out her stun staff again, brandishing it in case he got too close.

 

 

IC: Ailun - The Moa (Outside New Atero)

 

Ailun turned back to the machine with a raised eyebrow. "Where do you think you're going, bot?"

[permanentlyExtinct]

IC: Parii - Capstone

 

Being small in a crowd of large beings like Skakdi and Vortixx surely helped Parii squirm through. Even though he tried to keep his eyes on the group at all times, it wasn't always possible - as he was busy pushing his way through he didn't notice when the Ce-Matoran pulled out her weapon.

[Ghidora131]

IC Dessimus - Another day of griping and flying

 

He approached the same Matoran responsible for letting him out each day, and one of his few sympathizers.

 

"Must I go through this intolerable routine each time?" He groaned. "I live here; this is my home, and yet I don't even get the simple honor of knowing where that is?"

 

The other Matoran sighed and looked at him sharply. "You know I can't change anything about that, Dessimus. This is the order you and I have to follow. Now come along, let's get this over with."

 

 

---

 

 

"All right, you can take it off now."

 

He took off the large and very thick sack placed over his face. Getting out was becoming a routine chore; getting back in was a nightmare. He glanced to the other pilot, who nodded consent and looped back around to fly home in an unpredictable pattern. With a growl he turned his power onto full and went rocketing off towards Cliffside.

[ZippyWharrgarbl]

IC: Rorohiko - Heading For Market

 

He saw Fifteen pull out her weapon and gave a start. "Hey, careful with that! You're not allowed to use that stuff in Capstone, I don't think. At least, that's what I've been told. Maybe they changed the rules."

[Nato G]

GM IC: The Capstone Bar - Cliffside.

 

At the sight of Fifteen's drawn weapon, the entire patronage of Capstone visibly stiffened. Gazes shifted, twitchy fingers reached for weapon belts, and a few particularly weaselly individuals scampered straight for the exit. 

 

"You should listen to your friend," Varim's voice cut through the silence that hung in the wake of Rorohiko's words, "Otherwise, things might get a little... messy." 

 

Outside, the sudden silence and fleeing patrons had caught Xaril's attention, and he hurriedly rushed back inside. Karz...

[permanentlyExtinct]

IC: Parii - Capstone

 

Once he got to see the group again, he stiffened with his eyes glued to the strangers, just like the rest of the bar. He stood there for a moment or two until he decided to hide behind some group of Skakdi. If that Ce-Matoran decided to attack, he surely didn't want to be in the first line.

[Ehksidian]

IC: Karanta - Capstone with the NERD CREW

 

"Fifteen," Karanta mumbled, "You really should put that away...they don't like that." A fairly visible look of fear had crossed her face upon the entirety of Capstone turning to look at them.

 

She hadn't even noticed someone following them.

 

IC: Ennanas - Outside the Moa

 

Ennanas stood outside listlessly for a few moments, before beginning to walk back to her ship. She should prepare for night anyhow. After all, that was when her quarry tended to move.

 

IC: Vanox - Capstone

 

Someone had annoyed the bar, but Vanox was mildly preoccupied with a aching, painful stomach to care. Whatever he had drank did not agree with him...either the water was tainted, or it was something else entirely. He didn't really care all that much. He just hurt.

From somewhere in the Capstone crowd, Vanox let out a muffled, mildly pained groan.

Edited January 24, 2017 by Xenoblade Two

[Toa Imrukii]

OOC: Apologizes for again not responding in like over a month, life kinda got busy for me, and I completely fell off the map, as well as I didn't feel well.

 

 

IC: Ezoba - New Atero - the Outskirts

 

It had been a less then a month later, Ezoba left the bar after a period of uneventful happenings, but stayed in the barrens for a few days more. Ezoba eventually returned to New Atero, checked back with the merchant and got the info. The piece was not from the robot, but it was still a highly valuable piece. He was allowed to keep the cash, and braving his fear and memories, he moved around the city for the remainder of time, taking small missions and gained money.

 

Now Ezoba stands on the outskirts of the city, back turned to it, arms crossed, with his ship beside him.

 

OOC: Open to Interaction.

[ZippyWharrgarbl]

IC: Rorohiko - With Nerd Crew

 

He froze, staring wide-eyed at the near entirety of Capstone staring at them.

 

"No yeah they haven't changed the rules at all you better put that away these people are looking super mad right now."

 

What should have been a short and simple few sentences came out in one babbled heap. For some reason, some part of his mind was stuck on deciding if the Turaga was nice or not. He reasoned to himself, well, he warned us, but it sounded kind of like a threat?

 

Despite the slight Onu-Matoran strength he had, he was not made for fighting at all. Not now, anyway. Most of his body now contained fragile components for use in his work. He was going to have to struggle not to cry if someone so much as pushed him over, probably less for pain and more for damage done to his life's work. Maybe both. He glanced over to see how large and menacing some of the nearby patrons were, and decided it was definitely both. He did his best to wedge himself between his two companions that did know how to fight. If everything went sour, he could lie on the floor under a table and pretend to be knocked out or something. Yeah. That'd work.

 

Or maybe everyone would be happy if Fifteen put the weapon away. Maybe. He still mentally mapped out a path to the nearest table.

[Click]

IC: Fifteen - Capstone

 

She jumped as the small group suddenly became the center of attention for a large number of lowlifes and criminals. For an instant, she wondered just what they had done. Did someone figure out they were from Fe?

 

Her companion's words didn't make her feel any better. Her eyes darted down to her weapon, their tail forgotten in the moment. Hastily, she deactivated the staff and sheathed it at her side. Her eyes didn't rise from the floor after that. "I'm sorry," she said, in a small voice that hardly reached her own ears. She could only hope that would be enough to turn the wrath of the bar away from the visiting Matoran.

[Ghidora131]

IC Dessimus - post apparently nulled

Edited January 25, 2017 by The Ghrinch

[permanentlyExtinct]

IC: Parii - Capstone

 

He sighed in relief as the stranger deactivated the staff. He could hear a faint "I'm sorry" coming from her, but as he looked around it didn't completely ease the tension that has built up among the crowd.

 

Parii shifted uncomfortably behind the table.

[Nato G]

OOC: Just a general reminder regarding how time works in this game - while I acknowledge the passage of time can sometimes be a little fuzzy in these games, the way Skyrise is constructed hinges on there being some measure of consistency regarding travel time and whatnot. 

 

@Imrukii - you've been away, so it's not a huge issue, but the rest of the playerbase is still operating around midday/afternoon on the first day, so timeskipping nearly a month isn't going to work, I'm afraid. 

 

@Ghidora - your Dessimus post is nulled. Firstly, why the heck has he suddenly decided to come to Cliffside in the first place? He was insulting Xaril and the others when they left, and was being disdainful about the whole thing. Secondly, as mentioned in the very first post of the game, travel time is something that needs to be adhered to, which you have not done here. The journey of Xaril and co. from Fe to Cliffside took over a dozen posts, and actually took over a month OOC (obviously, the game slowed down quite a bit over the Christmas/New Years break; I'm definitely not saying all trips need to take anywhere near that long). My point is, there's absolutely no way Dessimus could've arrived in Cliffside less than 10 minutes after the people who left 6-8 hours before he did. 

 

 

GM IC: The Capstone Bar - Cliffside. 

 

 

The crowd slowly relaxed once Fifteen had put her weapon away, but it didn't calm completely. Everyone was still on edge, wary glances flickering across the crowd. "You should really keep a better eye on your people," Varim turned his cold smile towards Xaril, "This is a very dangerous place, after all."

 

"Oh, go to karz," Xaril groaned, pushing past the Turaga and making his way towards Fifteen and the others. 

Edited January 25, 2017 by Roman Torchwick

[Not Quite Dead]

IC: Ezezko - (no fancy zippyesque location naming here)

An outsider might have ascribed the look plastered to his face as the result of stoicism, cold detachment, perhaps just general badassery in a Blondie sort of way. He was cool, collected, calm and never gave a karz about anybody, that was like totally awesome, right? The kind of cold hearted guy that would calmly observe, crack a one liner, shoot someone in cold blood and collect his money and perhaps have an episode or two dedicated to his past traumas or something cliche that caused this demeanor.

 

Well actually, the look of cool indifference was merely his confused face. He was just confused as to what had happened and when his brain was on full trying to work through a problem, his face had no processing power left to use and assumed the most neutral positioning possible.

 

The subconscious subprocesses of his brain covertly directed a few kilowatts of power to the movement of his limbs and the processing, albeit at a low level, of his surroundings. In laymen's terms this was called flying. He wasn't going particularly fast and the blank blandness of New Atero's locale meant his brain could think and not focus much on taking in the majestic view or not crashing into something. He mulled over the events of the afternoon as the deserts blurred past.

[silo]

OOC: Permission to double-post given by Onaku.

 

IC: Kathok - Above the Wastes

 

The brutal swipe misses, mainly as a result of Kathok having to tear his weapon savagely out of Drukann's arm. Instead, the enemy skakdi's reinforced punch cracks into Kathok's jaw, snapping his head back. A moment later his head has whipped back to face his opponent, roaring with pain and anger. Blood is trickling from one side of his proud skakdi jawbone where Drukann's metal knuckledusters have dashed his flesh out of place - and he thinks he might feel deeper damage too. But Kathok is intent on his goal, so he focuses his efforts on bringing his free arm - across his body due to missing the block - back across and outwards at lightning speed, aiming to slash for Drukann's chest. His jaw's pain spreads upwards, but internally Kathok is sneering through the agony: it's only a matter of time before this vermin falters - after all, he has to pilot as well.

Edited January 26, 2017 by Sil

[Onaku]

IC: Drukann - Drastic Measures

Even though his punch hit, it didn't really matter. He was at a disadvantage here. Having to pilot this ship, and having no access to his elemental powers while doing it meant he could only rely on brute force, and even that was in no way at its best considering the fact that he had to pilot his ship. Something had to change. Some factor had to be altered or removed from this equation...

 

Turning the ship's nose upward with his wounded hand before quickly bringing it up to intercept Kathok's weapon, mangling it even further, the ship began rapidly gaining altitude. Drukann sent his fist for another punch at Kathok's face while painstakingly holding his weapon with his mangled but still functional other hand. He fought to keep a pained growl down.

[ZippyWharrgarbl]

IC: Armani - New Atero Parking District, Zippyesque Location Name Commemorative Parking Lot

 

It was a long and quiet ride back. She vaguely wondered if someone would be sent to the wrecked craft, or if it was considered beyond salvage. Since it was a secret prototype, probably the former. She hoped the pilot would be treated with respect; they had earned that much with their service to New Atero.

 

She touched her craft down in the parking district of New Atero. It felt good to be home again. She locked up THESE Guns, dismounted, and waited for the other pilot to arrive so she could offer an explanation and inform him of the debriefing.

[Not Quite Dead]

IC: Ezezko - New Atero Parking District

The softly defined browns and greys of the wastes gave way to the hard edged angles and colors of civilization. Soon enough, the nonplussed-faced pilot set his craft down aside THESE GUNS, predictably landed, parked and disembarked before him. Despite his nonplussed appearance he was quite capable of using basic mathematics to plus and minus together an idea of what he'd be in for. Namely some sort of debriefing, a lecture, maybe he'd get to watch Maldrakk get kzzzzzecuted for his negligent manslaughter?

 

Locking up his craft, he dismounted. Taking his time to silently stretch and make sure his self was thoroughly nonminussed of the dust and dirt of travel.

 

Eventually, he turned his gaze towards Armani.

 

"What's up?"

[silo]

IC: Kathok - Above the Wastes

 

This time Kathok is ready, and darts down to dodge the punch. Taking a second to rip his weapon from Drukann's damaged hand, he slashes it downwards once again. And he'll do so another time, and another, and another, until this nuisance is a broken bag. Kathok sees the ship's course, but is feeling confident: a nose dive or fancy twirl will only add to his enjoyment, and Kathok knows that he can take any altitude this maggot can, and more. What's he planning then? Kathok saves the thought for later - at the moment his interest is taken up by the weapon whizzing towards Drukann's face.

Edited January 29, 2017 by Sil

[Coconut Fella]

IC: Tveke - Tesara, Central Marketplace -> Alleyways

I was still dragging Tchepoh behind me, his legs were hardly keeping up with me. He was always so spry, you'd think he'd be able to keep up. We ran into the back alleys, me still guiding him along.

 

IC: 042 - The Moa

The machine closed it's eyes. Today had been excruciatingly long, and this matoran was only prolonging it.

"Sir," It's eyes opened, "I need to return to the city. Without means of travel and maintenance, I will cease to function. I would, by your terms, die. I only ask for transport to the city."

 

IC: Threiaa - The Moa

Outside, Threiaa was busying herself with Pakari's Maiden. Positioning it over the wreck of Red Hydraxon, she threw her big red lever, lowering the claw. Oh, how she loved her big red lever. It was so wonderfully, obviously, positioned alongside the seat. Nice and simple. A quick squeeze of the handle, and the industrial-sized claw game punctured the hull of Red Hydraxon, pulling it close to the belly of her vessel. Then, both ships rose into the air, puttering towards the cargo bay of The Moa.

[Constructelf]

IC: Taurek - Waiting

 

I lit up a metaphorical cigar, and leaned on my ship, processing everything that had happened in my mind.

 

"###### skakdi." I muttered.

​IC: Antaine

Passing by the Steltian he had talked to earlier; Antaine stopped and yelled:

 

"Some help here?! Get those burglars!"

[ZippyWharrgarbl]

IC: Armani - New Atero Parking District

 

"Hello again, citizen," she greeted Ezezko. "I am sorry to inform you that, due to the incident that occurred during the test, the experimental vehicle was destroyed and the pilot has sadly lost their life. Our companion and fellow assistant to testing the vehicle's capabilities has survived the crash, but has lost his employment and his citizenship in New Atero. We are required to return to the tower we departed from for a formal debriefing."

 

She regarded him sadly. "I understand you may have been close to our companion, and that such horrible news as a death may come as a jarring shock to you. If you require a hug, pat on the back or a similar act of emotional support to help with the initial shock, let me know and I will be happy to provide to the extent of my ability."

 

~

 

IC: Rorohiko - With NERD CREW

 

He saw Xaril wading through the crowd and was immediately grateful. Why did the outside world have to be so terrible? If it's not sunlight that's far too bright, it's always something else up here. His only regret was, if they had to leave immediately, he wouldn't get to check the markets for useful items.

[Not Quite Dead]

IC: Ezezko - New Atero Parking District

For some reason, the news that the crash had been absolutely fatal and that Big Red had been exiled was about as shocking as licking the musty D batteries you found in a long forgotten lantern. He simply nodded in affirmation once at the news and stayed put at the offer of physical comfort. Maybe they needed to affirm themselves via contact? Occasionally he had flickers of thoughts like this that assumed other people had autonomous wills and aspirations such as his own, but, he found that assumptions of any sort had a way of messing **** up for him when he allowed them. So, it spiraled down into his subconscious sewers like a dead pet goldfish.

 

He quickly made an about face and scampered into For Hire, reemerging a moment (which means less than a second) later with a dusty brown bottle of some assuredly terrible drink. Fidgeting with the cap for a moment, he popped it off and turned the bottle downside up, the amber contents staining the sands. "For the deceased," he murmured rather tersely.

 

That was obvious enough, right?

[ZippyWharrgarbl]

IC: Armani - Parking District

 

"A kind gesture, citizen," she nodded. "Though I will advise that, perhaps, next time you do such offerings on a more absorbent floor. If you are ready, we should head to the tower. Or, if you prefer, I am sure we can wait a few minutes more."

[Not Quite Dead]

IC: Ezezko - Parking District

Hhmm, a salient point.

 

"Nah, let's get moving." He recapped the bottle and tossed it expertly into an eagerly anticipative recycling bin. A dirty one at that.

 

Nice.

 

He began the march towards the tower.

[Coconut Fella]

IC: Bai Bai - New Atero streets

The sun was getting lower... better get there before my deadline runs out. My (admittedly diminutive) feet pattered along the ground in haste. I was not going to be late again. The tower was getting closer, I could be inside in a matter of minutes.

 

OOC: Bai Bai OFI

Edited January 29, 2017 by Coconut Fanatic

[ZippyWharrgarbl]

IC: Armani - New Atero

 

She walked with Ezezko towards the tower. She said, "I am sorry I didn't call you down from the air at the time, citizen. I had to bring the other pilot to His Spikiness, and report the status of the crafts and the experimental craft's pilot. And, naturally, it is not wise to fly distracted, as you may have become from sadness and sullen consideration of the grim series of events."

Edited January 29, 2017 by ZippyWharrgarbl

[Dane-gerous]

IC: Taurek - Interrupted again

 

The explosions startled me, and I snapped over to the Matoran who just spoke to me.

 

Seeing the fleeing burglars, I grunted and hopped onto my already damaged ship, giving chase.

[Coconut Fella]

IC: Bai Bai - New Atero Streets

This book really was interesting. Aside from the known facts and pieces of history surrounding the Great Beings lifestyle, it was hypothesized that Great Beings actually took baths in a kind of "saturated" protodermis. Supposedly it was both a bathing method and an odd form of skin care, but that seemed somewhat farfetched. Cross-referencing to "The life and times of Deothus", one of the few surviving records of life amongst the great beings, would imply that protodermis baths were to strengthen the resilience of the body, with any effects to the skin being purely superficial and inconsequential to their culture.

It was as I was delving into this odd document that I finally lost track of the road in front of me. My eyes would not leave the pages before them. And I was perfectly content with that.

....Until I walked face first into a very hard thigh plate, sending both me and the book very quickly to the ground.

 

OOC: @zippywharrgarbl eyyyy

[Not Quite Dead]

IC: Ezezko - New Atero Streets

He had begun to say that that was fine, that he'd enjoyed the alone time. Well spent perfecting his Blondie look, when some dweeb bumped into Armani.

 

"..."

Edited January 31, 2017 by Sisyphus