BZPRPG - Onu-Wahi

[They]

IC: Krii

 

Krii blinked as the solitary torch hissed its light into the gloomy tunnel. She couldn't make out much more than a few meters beyond the bearer. She tried her best to form the right words, tell him she was fine. "Gurku fine vonche."

 

ooc: AGENT AND ARTISAN

 

IC: Ishi Polzin: Chapter 2, Part 1 (of many, so hold on to your seats kids...)

 

 

Ishi was not the man in the mirror.

The single blue eye seared through the mirror’s reflection. It was fearsome, the perfect weapon: no one could see the warmth beneath such cold calculation. The smoky translucency of his kanohi kaukau only aided the lie of a frigid heart.

“What I do for the game.” Kyhra half expected to see the surgeon’s scars when the coat fell to the floor. The aluminum gray colored garment lay awkwardly at his charcoal brown feet, half supported by the tiny brigadine plates sewn within. He swallowed the growing lump in his throat, eating his fears before they could mature when he saw -- nothing. Everything inflicted had disappeared, except for a mess of silver skin along his left shoulder. Burn mark. The mirror continued to shout at him, screaming words he couldn’t accept: Ishi Polzin was dead.

Below the mirror.

Rose-shaped bronze glittered as Kyhra held it to the lamplight. The key to an insurmountable treasure balanced between his pale fingers, but where was the lock? In all things, there is an equal and opposite reaction; the Machiavellian Prince heard himself saying without speaking. His eye flickered toward a hastily made bed.

The map lay amidst a pile of papers, scrawled letters forming coded words, the island hidden behind theory and hypothesis. Sometimes its the little things that make mountains, he continued to ponder while placing the broach back on the cabinet. His brow furrowed while examining the intricate plans that relied on so much going right. So much requiring his gentle pruning, planting, and watering. Kyhra was master gardener of the mind, but how long before Jaller’s wits would snap? Would Kongu always be frivolous and drunk? War was a hard plant to grow.

And in war secrets are exposed.

He had contacts. The rose broach, the Polzins. There were others, but for now he needed the North. The map was heavy from ink, a thin film refusing to leave Kyrha’s fingers after tapping the desert. So many words. Ishi Polzin had been meticulous, leaving nothing to error or chance. It was infuriating; having nothing more to add or subtract left Kyhra without a purpose. All he had to do was follow directions.

The one-eyed matoran picked up each paper individually, taking time to look over the contents on both sides, making them orderly against his arm. Rosters from Ko-Koro, minutes from Onu-Koro, names of inductees to the Cultured Gentry, secrets until now unwritten, maps of passages and hearts, inventories of nations and purses, weapons outputs from Ta-Koro. As if a precious children, he laid them in the metal trunk, a red coat peeking from underneath the parchment and papyrus.

“What I do for love,” Kyhra said with a sigh, then lit a match.

OOC: Ishi Polzin??? To Po-Wahi.

Part TWO

Edited August 2, 2013 by Kughii

[Geardirector]

Rahi-bones, why doesn't he just get on with it? Tuli thought, annoyed.

 

"Yeah, we can go to my place. This way."

 

Tuli then walked towards her Onu-Koro home, gesturing Khervos to follow. Tuli smiled a bit to herself. Usually her bringing a man home like this meant nothing less of a passionate encounter fuelled by love-like emotions, but not quite love. This time, though, things would probably work out differently. It was an akward position for Tuli.

 

Well, how do I know what Khervos has in mind? Tuli thought with a smirk, which quickly faded. Yeah. Like that's going to happen.

 

IC: Khervos (Tuli's Hut)

 

"Nice place you have here" I said, probably with the absolute maximum aloofness any sentient could ever hope to exhibit. The inside looked like a very standard Onu-Koronan hut from what I could see, with a few Ta-Koronan trinkets here and there that bestowed a slight sense of individiuality.

 

IC: Ferron (Ferron's Forge)

 

Ferron returned to his forge, and once again went about his work, putting the finishing touches on an armor that was due for pick-up.

 

OOC: Ferron's forge open for business

[Toatapio Nuva]

IC Tuli

(Onu-Koro, Tuli's Hut):

 

"It's the best I could do, considering my hasty leave from Ta-Koro", Tuli replied. She walked over to her bed and leaned over its side, grabbing her purse and seemingly going through it for supplies.

 

"I've got to get back to work soon", she said. "What was it that you had to say?"

[Geardirector]

IC: Khervos (Tuli's Hut)

 

"Well, first I wanted to apologize for mouthing off to you earlier, I went out of line"

[Toatapio Nuva]

IC Tuli

(Onu-Koro, Tuli's Hut):

 

Tuli shook her head. "I think it was me who went out of line. You must already know about my little... thing with temper and such. I didn't mean to shout quite so loud."

 

Tuli put away her purse and looked at Khervos. "I'm sorry I dragged you into all of this nonsense. My leaving the guard and Ta-Koro wasn't your fault but I made it into your business when I shouldn't have."

[Geardirector]

IC: Khervos (Tuli's Hut)

 

"I can understand that" I admitted with a nod. "But like it nor not, our lives are intertwined now. We won't ever be able to completely forget any of this, and we will never be able to meet again without circling back again. So we need to make a decison, where do I want to be in your life, and where do you want to be in mine?"

[Toatapio Nuva]

IC Tuli

(Onu-Koro, Tuli's Hut):

 

Tuli raised an eyebrow. "I thought you already expressed your view on that."

[a goose]

IC: (Commodum's House, Onu-Koro)

 

A loud squee was heard from the top of the stairs as Commodum came running down them, grabbing Arkrak and pulling him into a hug while making various odd noises conveying her delight, not unfamiliar to those who have witnessed the death of a cat.

"Well, I guess that's your approval sorted."

[Mr. House]

IC: (Jorruk Yokin/Tunnels/Onu-Wahi)

 

A Toa who speaks Skakdi. Interesting.

 

Jorruk was, for a former thief, well educated. The former Steward, who had died five years past, had taught him many things, from the fine art of cooking to money management. Another thing he learned was the Skakdi language. As the Brotherhood accepted them, it was long the policy for at least one member to know the tongue, in order to communicate with members of the species.

 

"How is it you came to speak Skakdi?" he said in her language. Jorruk needed to make her feel trusting of him, get her guard down, to give Ardron a chance to capture her.

[They]

IC: Krii

 

The ruse worked. Enamored by the guttural flow of tones, Krii smiled back at the lamp bearer. "You have a good accent. I always have spoken Skakdi." She paused, pouting her lips as a hand slid to her hip. "Is there something wrong with that?"

 

Her mustard eyes squinted, trying to make out the shapes slowly coming into her field of view. There was the scuttling sound of an ussal crab, but the heavy tromp of something tired as well. "Are they your friends," Krii asked Jorruk, pointing toward the unseen beings.

[Mr. House]

IC: (Jorruk Yokin/Tunnels/Darkmine)

 

"Yes, yes he is," Jorruk said quietly. Then, he snapped his fingers three times. Snap, snap, snap.

 

Ardron groaned, and approched Krii. His spear pointed at her.

[They]

Ic: KriiSomething was wrong about the approaching figure. The spear tip slowly approaching her chest didn't send chills down her spine. The drooling face, half sunken and eyes atrophied did."Wh-who are you," Krii asked as she took a step back, kohlii stick finding its way into her grip.

[Mr. House]

IC: (Jorruk Yokin/Tunnels/Onu-Wahi)

 

"I'm Jorruk Yokin, and I'm the Steward for a group of enlightened men and women," he said. "Now, I ask you to quietly sit upon the Ussal crab. Your conversion awaits, my dear. You need not struggle."

[25K Now!]

IC: Arkrak

 

"Guhk."

[They]

IC: (Jorruk Yokin/Tunnels/Onu-Wahi)

 

"I'm Jorruk Yokin, and I'm the Steward for a group of enlightened men and women," he said. "Now, I ask you to quietly sit upon the Ussal crab. Your conversion awaits, my dear. You need not struggle."

 

OOC: Just so I'm clear: You're zombie's mask of undeath has been approved by Nuju, yes? Otherwise, I hate to be the one to say it, but the mask is "illegal" and cannot be used. :/

 

IC: Krii

 

Krii took another step back as the spearman dragged himself closer, keeping herself outside the reach of his decaying form. A quick glance toward Jorruk showed his true candor. He seemed happy at the prospect of a conversion, whatever that is; Krii thought, deciding it was best to assume the worst from the stocky green man riding his plump crustacean. Besides, whoever wore shoes was bound to be useless. She could remember that from somewhere, but couldn't pin the face to the phrase.

 

"And what if I say no," Krii asked in skakdi, gravel scraping the underside of her feet as she took another step back into the dark tunnel. She would run if she had too: two opponents were far more than she could handle. Her moves were for dueling, not ambushes.

[Mr. House]

OOC: Yes, it is.

 

IC: (Jorruk Yokin/Onu-Wahi Tunnels/Onu-Wahi)

 

Why were they always so smart? Why couldn't he have a dumb Toa for a change? Jorruk lamented coldly. He slid his hand to his dagger's hilt. Since it was so dark, he hoped Krii would notice. Slowly, he walked on towards her. With a friendly grin on his cowled face.

 

"Then I'm afraid I'll have to escort you there, through less then friendly methods," he said. "Please, dear, get on the Ussal. I'm in no mood for this sort of thing."

[Wade.]

IC: Day

 

"I...guess it wouldn't hurt." Day said a little hesitantly.

[Tabby: Toa of Cats]

OOC: Timeskipping to Po, with permission from Lorax and Zeal.

IC:Finishing their meal, Miraul led his guests back towards the forge. He let them spend the night before they took off the next morning. Hikari had come with, leading them through the caves towards Po-Wahi-Miraul never understood where she got her instincts when it came to navigating the underground. He resolved to ask her later. Bijackal had also joined them, with a new light in his face. As he followed Hikari up the tunnel, Miraul turned to the taller Bijackal, as Axana began chatting with the others in there company.

 

"Bijackal, I notice something in your face-hope. What was your trouble before, and what has inspired you now?"

 

Bijackal smiled-something vaguely recognizable in him as friendly, even if the average Skakdi's smile might be seen as a little creepy. "I finally had the chance to grieve the loss of my sister, as the rituals of my people demanded should have been done some time ago. This has lifted some weight from my heart. But at some time, I must set out for vengeance against the brother who wronged us both. I suppose there is some hope in attaining that as well."

 

Bijackal paused for a few seconds, as though pondering something."I was wondering-Miraul, has a Skakdi ever called a Toa brother?"

 

Miraul answered, "Not before. But there is no reason it cannot be done."

 

Vilak strode forward,"Will you abide by our code?"

 

Bijackal thought, for a second, what that ment. Turning from his own people, and their violence. But the way of the Skakdi bred nothing but injustice and death. Perhaps the way of the Toa could save his brother, even after all he had done. "I will."

 

Vilak, Hikari and Miraul offered fists in salute as they emerged on a cliff in Po-Wahi. "Welcome to the Team, brother."

 

OOC:Bijackal, Miraul, Hikari, Vilak, and Axana to Po. Zeal, SIster, and Dekuna likely to follow.

Edited August 3, 2013 by Tabby: Toa of Cats

[ARROW404]

OOC: Okay... Guess I'll just get this card game started.

 

IC: Aar

Once the cards had all been placed, he examined his deck. A honed poker face hid his feelings of the results. "Firespitter it is. I'll start."

 

He placed a single card face-down. "Ace."

[Geardirector]

IC: Melna (Onu-Wahi Tunnels)

 

"Oh, come on, Day, lighten up. Live up to your name" Melna encouraged and gave the De-Toa a very enthusiastic prod in the side.

 

"Well, no point in standing around here. A second wasted is an opportunity wasted, that's what Colx always says"

[They]

IC: Fraxn Black

 

Playing this game was like breathing. Of course, I never had anyone to play cards with, but I knew the rules back when Drop Kick has still been around. Anja always won. DJ wouldn't let himself beat her, silly love stuff, but wouldn't let me beat him. Probably thought I liked the challenge, which is ridiculous because a girl needs to win every once in a while. But after his eyes, well, there wasn't much card gaming in a single's apartment. I rolled my shoulders, letting the grinding gears scream and pop themselves into place, then looked at the next player with a bored expression.

 

"Yo. Go."

[Wade.]

IC: Day

 

"Oh you know that deep down inside, I'm a pocketful of sunshine." Day said with mild sarcasm, favouring his side. If Melna had claws, he swore she would have stabbed him in between the ribs.

 

Pain aside, he kept walking in Onu-Koro's general direction with the group. Was he unhappy with their decision? No yet he couldn't say he was bursting with joy either.

Edited August 5, 2013 by TX Wade

[Void Emissary]

OOC: Switchin' back to past tense...

 

IC:

 

I found that I suddenly had a lot of questions for the other two-thirds of our terrific trio; who was this Colx? why was Day so hesitant about heading into Onu-Koro?

 

...

 

Well okay, maybe I only had two questions, but they both still weighed on my mind and my spirit -- and it was immediately obvious to me that our journey would devolve into an emotional Karz for me if I didn't try to find some answers.

 

"Um, Day..." I began nervously, "If it's weird for you to head over to the village, we don't have to go -- it doesn't really matter to me, and you seem kind of... not comfortable about it..."

 

-Void

[Wade.]

IC: Day

 

Ever hate a place so much that you never want to see it again? For Day, that was Onu-Koro. Nothing good awaited him there, nothing but years' worth of bad memories...awful ones. Time in the underground village left him with a wound that would never heal and going back just added a whole lot of salt to it.

 

Wandering these dark halls was like wandering the darkest recesses of his mind. Already he'd ventured deep enough to glimpse his past, reminding him of how truly alone he was. For all the comfort his new friends could offer, it would not tame his madness. To appease the beast tearing at his soul wasn't Lux's burden, nor Melna's.

 

It was his alone.

 

Yet only then did he realize how wrong he was. As isolated as he felt from the world, those two anchored him to reality. On his own, he'd continue to spiral downwards even further into his lunacy. Only with them did he ever gain some sense of normalcy in his life.

 

Crazy as it sounded, they were his remedy.

 

Which is why they couldn't know. Day couldn't risk losing them. Or worse...If he was to ensure his part in this trio, now would be ideal to get his act straight.

 

"Don't worry about it," he said, a shred of his former charisma showing once more. "I don't mind. Really."

Edited August 7, 2013 by TX Wade

[Geardirector]

IC: Melna (Onu-Koro Highway)

 

"I have to stop by a postal office anyway, see if my friends have sent anything" Melna disclosed, and took the lead again.

 

The walk to the Koro was very quiet, with only the ambience of their surroundings keeping it from being completely devoid of noise. Melna was halfway considering asking Day to "do that freaky sound-dampening this again" to liven things up, but figured it would be not only kind of pointless, but also pretty rude.

 

So, instead, she turned to the smallest party member.

 

"Ever been to Onu-Koro before?"

[Void Emissary]

IC:

 

"I don't think so, I don't think I have," I replied. "Of course, my memory isn't what it used to be -- so don't take my word as gospel or anything."

 

"What about you? You seem to have been everywhere on this island..." I added quickly, deflecting attention away from me.

 

-Void

[Mr. House]

OOC: I would like those reading this to note that I have recieved permission to bunny Kughii's character Krii, via PM.

 

IC: (Jorruk Yokin/Tunnels/Onu-Wahi)

 

Jorruk looked with a smile at the way Krii began to walk away. The Skakdi-speaking Toa was holding out what appeared to be a Kohli stick. So Jorruk walked towards the pint-sized Toa, dagger in hand. Did the stick intimidate Jorruk? No, it was simply a piece of Matoran sports equipment...

 

Whack

 

It seemed he made a mistake, underestimating little women with Kohlii sticks. That he realized the moment one end turned into a hammerhead, and pounded onto his head. The impact had knocked him to the ground, and left him dazed and pained for nearly fifteen seconds. When he regained his wits, he saw the Toa was grappling with Ardron, trying to dislodge the zombie's spear from its dead hands.

 

This moment, Jorruk chose to strike. Shakily rising, the distracted Krii barely noticed him. Dagger in hand, he snuck behind her and put it to her throat. She let out a scream, which he dampened out with the palm of his hand. She struggled, and tried to bite his glove. Jorruk chuckled. As Ardron and him had her subdued.

 

"Ardron, knock her out," he ordered calmly. The Zombie took the shaft of the spear, and impacted Krii's head hard. She fell limp in his arms. Dragging her to the Ussal, he gagged the Toa, and tied her arms and legs together. Mounting his crab, he began to ride to Darkmine, fast and true.

Edited August 7, 2013 by Mr. House

[Relapse]

IC(Houren-Card Game)"Three twos," he said, laying down the cards. The third was a bluff, evidenced by the slight twitch in his eye, and the tightening of his lower lips; the wandering of his eyes.

Edited August 7, 2013 by Shuhei Hisagi

[They]

IC: Krii

Where am I?

Sounds filtered through audio receptors with static. Her forehead throbbed, a nagging pain at the back of her neck where it had been wrenched back. Muscle burned; nerves whimpered with a simpering discomfort.

Light?

It flickered, then glowed with pale luminescence: a lightstone. The calm blue bathed made her optical lenses flutter. With the shock of plunging into cold water Krii’s air disappeared, sprays of bubbles rushing along the speed lines of her kanohi. With a rush, she felt the pressure on the back of her neck drag upwards. Krii burst from the tub of water spluttering, dripping wet, and gasping for air. Her first words were in skakdi, a comfort in a strange and hostile place.

“What?!”

IC: Fraxn Black

The cards lay there facedown taunting me. They just lay there, slapped onto the wooden table like the final piece of bread on a sandwich made by a hungry man. Was he lying about the three twos? I glanced at him, looking for clues. I admit, I’m not a detective. He seemed fine to me. What would I know though, this early in the game I was just getting a feel for the players. Firespitter was a game of minds, not cards.

Speaking of cards.

I took a look at what I had, rummaging until I found a three. I had two, both as black in color as my last name.

“One three,” I announced, then placed it on the top of the pile.

[ARROW404]

IC: Aar

"I was going to call a bluff on those twos..." He was no lie detector, but having three twos seemed pretty convenient, and the pile wasn't big, so if he was wrong, he could afford it. "But oh well." He searched his deck for fours. He picked one card up as he continued, then set it back as he drew another, then another. It was a shallow trick: picking up the first and putting it back looked like he was preparing a bluff if he'd had none, then realized he had what he needed, then put it back. A double trick.

 

"Two fours," he declared as he set them down, forcing a fake frown to try and prevent any facial twitches from showing.

 

The fours are real.

[Palm]

IC: NPC Le-Koro Wind-riderAt the Le-Koro/Onu-Koro landing pad, the Wind-rider dropped in, the insignia of Le-Koro emblazoned upon her upper arm band. Stepping off, Le-Koronians that worked at the newly constructed pad for Onu-Koro got up to check over the Gukko bird, as was protocol for the pad here to ensure that each mount was being treated properly. Kongu was particular about that sort of thing when members other than his Koro's Wind-riders were riding the birds. The Wind-rider smiled, and started over to an Onu-Koronian messenger having just finished up his own round on his own escort."Hello friend! I'm here to take this parcel to Onu-Koro, and your Akiri Nuparu," she lifted up the package for the Onu-Koronian to see, "It seems that we'll be going to the same place; I am instructed to stay in Onu-Koro until I receive a response from Nuparu or a liaison."The letter would read:

Akiri Nuparu of Onu-Koro,

Today I write to you in hopes that you may wish meet with myself and the other five Akiri. I feel that since we each lost our Turaga, there have arisen issues that have gone unresolved between villages. In that sense, I think it is important to think and speak of what is being done or could be done about it.

If you have anything that you'd like to add or bring to the table, please think before the meeting on things you wish to discuss.

A similar letter is being written to each of the other five Akiri of Mata-Nui. I propose we meet in a neutral ground; The Kini-Nui. Please ensure that you prepare for the presence of Rahkshi in the area for the duration of the meeting. It is pertinent that each member of the party feel safe here. Speaking of feeling secure, please keep in mind how simple actions like protecting one's self in the environment could translate to threatening issues for those that are less comfortable. I would rather nobody at this meeting get hurt, so please adjust your protection accordingly.Thank you for your time, and I look forward to speaking with you,

[25K Now!]

IC: Arkrak"Right, so where to?" asked Arkrak, still struggling to free himself from his girlfriend's grasp.

[Heraldor]

IC: Onu-Koro. Xodar's village. It was strange coming back here as a Toa. He had spent much time in Le-Koro, attempting to get accustomed to his new powers. Now that he had come here, he found it both unfamiliar and relieving. He was unsure if people would recognise the Toa of Earth as the strange Matoran who liked to play music instead of dig. He doubted it. He wandered through the village, gazing on all the sights and hearing the sounds of the Koro.

 

OOC: Toa Xodar open for interaction.

[Tabby: Toa of Cats]

IC:Takamaz walked towards Xodar, his eyes intently focused on a metal sheet of some sort. His eyes were completely oblivious to the busy street around him, full of Onu-Matoran and Ussal Carts bustling about, many carrying various contraptions and pickaxes. The engineer had something in mind for a device that would probably put the Akiru forge on the map, so to speak, in terms of business. As he walked, he used his finger to melt the design into the metal.

 

It should have been no surprise that Takamaz would eventually run into somebody-and eventually, he did. The red-and-gold Toa of FIre ran straight into Xodar, who was likely just as distracted by his observations of the now bustling Onu-Koro.

 

Quickly realizing his mistake, he turned to the Toa of Earth, "Sorry, my apologies! I didn't hurt you, did I?"

[Heraldor]

IC: Xodar felt the Toa of Fire bump into him before he saw him. He was a fairly sturdy Toa, so he didn't fall over in a comical fashion. Instead, he only stumbled back comically. He regained his composure quickly and dusted himself off, even though he hadn't fallen.

 

"That's alright." He said, giving the other Toa a cheerful smile. "Sorry I wasn't looking where I was going. Just felt good to come back here, you know? You know, I don't think I recognise you. You look like a Toa." Well, that much was obvious. "Sorry, I'm still kind of new to this whole "Toa" thing." He gave an embarrassed smile.

Edited August 10, 2013 by Xodar

[Tabby: Toa of Cats]

IC: "I can't say I'm new to the Toa business, but I am new to the Koro. Takamaz. And you are?", the Fire Toa asked. He held out a hand in the fist-bump salute typical of Toa kind, though this was partially obscured by his flame claws, worn on the arm like a gauntlet.

[Ehksidian]

IC: Okajo

The matoran was busy cleaning up the little mess made by Sibil, when he heard the sound of people hitting each other outside, followed by muffled conversation.

What could it be now? Is there a fight or something?

Okajo opened the door, to see a red-and-gold Toa raising a fist to what looked like a Toa of Earth. Okajo looked back and forth between the two, and said, "Hello. I see you're in front of my hut. Could you please take your fight elsewhere?"

Okajo looked vaguely annoyed. He already dealt with a Toa with a missing arm -who he did feel sorry for, since they were missing an arm- and now two Toa were about to go into an all-out brawl in front of his hut.

Why did he deal with so many Toa?

[Tabby: Toa of Cats]

IC: "Don't know what you're talking about-a fist bump is simply the Toa Salute. There's no fight here." Takamaz answered. "We also collided by accident, if that confused you."

[Ehksidian]

IC: Okajo

"Oh. Well then."

Okajo was left speechless. And thankful people weren't fighting in front of his hut.

Having your house blown up/flattened by Toa would never make your day.

"Sorry for the confusion. You know how it is during this time, what with all the inter-koro rivalries... you never know who will punch each other first."

The matoran gave a nervous laugh, and then asked, "So, where are you people from, anyways?"

[Heraldor]

IC: "I'm Xodar." The Toa reached out with his own fist and met the Toa of Fire's in a gesture of friendship. "I'm actually from around here." he added, turning to the Matoran. "Used to be a musician before I became a Toa."