Lady Takanuva

Metru-Koro, cargo hauler

IC:

Keitara's face lit up with enthusiasm. Scootching and excusing herself around the other occupants she stepped up to the twi-toa slightly nervously.

"You've got it. I'll help out as much as I can" she said, preparing to follow Skorm to his smaller vehicle. As her back was turned, she quietly but still audibly added "and thank you for picking me even after the fiasco earlier." Then, as if nothing had happened, she began to walk towards the Muaka.

(OOC: @Keeper of Kraata)

Metru-Koro, cargo hauler

IC:

Turning away from the somber toa and her new friend Irna, Keitara directed her attention towards the group at the hauler.

"So," she said, approaching the being she recalled being named Waveahk, "This is our ride? Very cool." She smiled in what she though was a cool manner and gave a thumbs up. "Well, I'm sure you've waited long enough on my account at least. Where should I sit?"

(OOC: @Toru Nui@Snelly@Keeper of Kraata@Conway@Tarn)

Metru-Koro

IC:

Keitara gratefully accepted the leaf and began chewing on it with gusto. Its bitter juices ran down the back of her throat and soon began to feel a slight release of pain in her back.

"Thank you very much. That's helped immensely." A grateful smile lit her face.

As the pair approached their traveling companions Kei felt energetic enough to wave to the group. "Heyo! Hello there! Sorry to make you wait."

One of the team peeled off and walked towards them. "Morning. Irna," they said, stopping before them and turning towards the zyglak woman, "we didn't get a chance to speak yesterday, sorry. Do you want to speak now, or..." The toa, she thought his name was Skorm, turned toward her with a distrustful look in his face. Keitara felt a pang at this. She was trustworthy, wasn't she?

(OOC: @Conway  @Toru Nui @Keeper of Kraata, also@Biological Chronicler if you'd like to throw anything special at her re: what was brought up during the roast during the mission I'd be up for that.)

@Conway Wanted to check before I did anything- did you have any sort of interaction between Irna and Kei planned? Inonly ask because it sounds like the others are preparing to move out & I don't know if I'm holding anybody up.

Sorry, still new to this and very anxious.

Metru-Koro, Sans' hut

IC: Keitara blushed slightly at Irna's touch. She nodded thankfully to her.

(OOC not sure exactly what the plan was @Conway, but I'll go along with it! I sense good narrative opportunities incoming! Edit: this sounds dubious. What I mean is whether or not Irna is gonna give Kei a cursory exam here or if she's gonna take her to a hit or somewhere she can rest.)

@That Matoran with a Vahi I see we have two Maddies in this chat!

Metru-Koro, Sans' Hut

IC:

Keitara looked up at Irna, then nodded in understanding.

She turnes back to Sans. "I would like to tentatively offer my help as well. However, I have to admit my condition seems far worse than I had beleived. This may have... frayed my temper slightly, for which I again apologize. At this time, however, until I know what is wrong with me I feel I may be more a hinderance than an aid." The resignation in her voice was palpable. "That being said, I would be greatly indebted to anybody who could help me find a healer..."

(OOC: 

@Azibo@Keeper of Kraata@TL01 NUVA@Conway

@Snelly @Toru Nui)

Metru-Koro: Sans' Hut

IC:

Keitara shook herself out of her frustration. Hoping to salvage the situation, she politely raised her hand. "I recognize those things, sir. I can tell you more if you would like." She looked at the floor guiltily. "I-it's the least I can do after all the trouble I've caused.

(OOC: in case I needed to clarify, she has not been glowing since before the apology aside from a blue phosphorescence that surrounds her all the time. @Keeper of Kraata: @Azibo @Toru Nui)

Metru-Koro, Sans' Hut

IC:

your kind

Keitara's blood ran cold hearing those words, then red hot. Blue light crackled around her fingers and from the corners of her eyes.

A memory tore itself free from the miasma. Her, a small matoran, scouting for cave mushrooms in the core. She and the others had been dumped in the cavern, with no knowledge of the land and very few supplies. The single toa who had been sent to guard them, a fire elemental, was of little use outside of combat. If one of them hadn't trained under a Fe-matoran who happened to be a retired Ghost then they would all have been dead. She had been able to scavange scraps from their battered transport and built several lift packs for foragers to seek out food sources.

There had been a family of zyglak hiding in the cave she landed in. Thay hadn't been aggressive, they were just scared and hungry. Kei offered them some help accessing a patch of cave fungus they had been unable to reach, and spent some time talking to the beings.

When she returned with the news, she had hoped that they could team up with this small group, use their experience living in the core to help the Av-matoran survive.

The matoran she told, Solek, had been terrified. He recoiled from her when she told him about the shared meal. Within minutes she had been tied to a stake outside the village "for their protection, we don't know what you caught off of those beasts" and a group of Av-matoran left accompanied by the toa.

When they returned she could smell the smoke.

It had been months before anybody interacted with her again, and years before she was granted a new pack and allowed to explore the core. One day she returned to the cave, and what she saw there haunted her for long after. Everytime she was in darkness she saw the gruesome remnants of the once living, thinking beings she had so briefly befriended...

In the present, Keitara let out a low growl. "Don't talk to like she's some kind of trained rahi, you-" She cut herself off when she realized who she was talking to. Cursing out a settlement's Turaga was no way to endear yourself.

"Sorry, Wise One." she muttered resentfully, pointedly staring at the wall behind Sans.

(OOC: @Azibo @Conway)

Metru-Koro, Outside Sans' Hut

IC:

Keitara turned around in confusion. Cheeseburgers? Was that the local cure for a broken spine? If that was the case she could probably count her remaining minutes on a single hand.

When she turned around to see that it was indeed Skyra who had said this her flush (which had begun looking feverish) intensified further. As she began instinctively entering into the "dopey lesbiotic smile" routine, she noticed the mask the Toa of Air was wearing. Some vague memory clicked in her mind. 

She began to carefully focus on the mask's shape, its details. There was a little scrape on the side. It was not a new kanohi, but it looked durable.

And just looking at it made her feel... well, not better, but at least a bit steadier on her feet. As though her pain-drunken swaying was somehow correcting itself.

She felt a prickling sensation on her face, then... 

It was like a little thought at the back of her mind. It sat there, not enough to take up all her attention, but just enough to remind her of its presence...

She suddenly realized that she had been staring, red-faced and likely slack-jawed, at a Toa who she had definitely noticed acting very close to another. Her presumed partner.

What Keitara remembered of her life flashed before her eyes. She quickly averted her gaze,  mumbling something about being sorry and maybe having a concussion. Embarassedly, she swayed her way along with the others into the turaga's domicile.

(OOC: Kei, thanks to her fractured real/manufactured memories managed to instinctively trigger her Mask of Emulation. As she is not currently aware of this, however, she's still conciously in the dark about her mask power. Once she gets a chance to recuperate a bit she'll probably easily peice it together, though.

Current emulated mask is a Kanohi Calix, which is the only reason she isn't facedown on the ground again. @Snelly @Keeper of Kraata@Conway@EmperorWhenua )

Metru-Koro, Outside Sans' hut

IC:

Keitara looked in surprise to the other toa. "You're a light elemental as well? That's a releif. I was worried about how I might be received seeing as we always seem to be hunted by some shadowy organization or other. What aspect are you pretending to be? Kra-toa? Onu-toa?" She squinted closer at Skorm. "Oooh! A Toa of Twilight! A being who has mastery over both light and shadow! That's so amazing, I've always admired toa with bi-elemental mastery. Can I have your autograph?"

Her smile, coated with a fine sheen of silvery perspiration, looked more ghoulish than enthusiastic. It was clear that the stubborn Av-toa was determined to minimize the severity of her condition to the very end.

If things kept up, it very well might be for her. She looked like death on two very shaky legs.

( OOC: @Toru Nui @Keeper of Kraata)

Metru-Koro, Outside Sans' hut

IC:

"No, not at all. My memory is scattershot at the moment but from the state I'm in I can tell it was a rough arrival." She looked over at Irna, blushed, and hastily turned back to the being she was addressing. "I apologize for making a scene. It seems I'm in worse condition than I realized."

(OOC: @Toru Nui  @Azibo@EmperorWhenua@Keeper of Kraata@Snelly@Conway)

Keitara's mind-???

IC:

The matoran suddenly realized they were standing at the bank of a great canal. Silvery-blue liquid flowed serenely past, carrying the occasional small boat made of reed or scraps.
"Where are we?" she asked. The figure, still indistinct, was staring out at the structures to their left. Massive arthropods with carapaces of glass and wire, their enormous legs sinking deep below the surface of a vast blue sea. The sun... no, she realized with dawning shock, suns plural, were setting. The lights within the massive beetles burned creamy gold.
The matoran squeaked and clung to the larger figure's leg. "S-s-sorry," she stammered "I'm not very fond of the dark."
A hand rested gently on her head. "That's perfectly all right." Their voice was calm, soothing. "This is Ga-Metru, the great district of waves and knowledge. We are safe here. Though I do not recognize those matoran there."
The matoran looked over and her heart skipped a beat. "I know them! They're my friends! There's Dara and Nati, Tanma and Gavala, Neru, Takua..." Her voice trailed off. "But... that can't be right. Nati and Neru are dead, and Takua... he's been missing for years."
She looked up at the figure "Is this a dream? Are we dreaming? If we're both dreaming, how are we dreaming the same dream? What if one of us is dreaming the other. Gods and Great Beings, what if when we wake up-"
"Little one! Little one, be calm." The voice was soothing. "There is no need for panic."
The matoran sniffled. "Well, that's me. Always the coward. I couldn't bear to leave the lightvine back home when the cave-glow dimmed. Well, except that one time Balta didn't come back. I searched and searched. His leg was always a bit iffy, and sometimes he'd fall and damage his pack, I thought he might be..." Her voice trailed off.
"Well, that sounds plenty brave to me, little one. I think you are merely measuring yourself too harshly. Given time, I'd wager you could become quite the hero. Brave as any toa or avuurahk."
The matoran nestled against the figure's side, yawning. "I... feel sleepy. Does that mean I'm waking up? I don't want to wake up if that means you might disappear!"
The figure knelt down next to the matoran. "I'll tell you what. Why don't we both wake up at the same time? Then wherever we're going, we'll go together."
The matoran gulped nervously, then nodded. The two figures closed their eyes...

Keitara opened her eyes, groaning. She felt as though her back had been broken, then hastily reassembled by somebody who was not only using the wrong instruction book but also showed complete and total ignorance about the workings of the spine. She could move her hands and, albeit slightly, her neck. Anything else sent thunderbolts of pain shooting down her back.

She looked up into a long, worried face that she recognized as...

"Irna?" Suddenly the full context of her situation snapped back into focus. A slight flush crept to her cheeks as she realized the scene she had created.

She looked back up at the woman who had woken her up. "Thanks, Irna. I'm... I'm sorry to make such a scene." She chuckled embarassedly as she painfully made her way to her feet.

It was then that she noticed her hand. Or, more specifically, its color. "Oh...."

(OOC: @Conway)

Keitara's dreams- ???

IC:

"Hello? Hello? Can you hear me?"
The Av-matoran groaned and opened her eyes. She couldn't recall where she was, but it seemed far too bright to be within the Core. She checked her back to feel if her flight pack had been damaged, but.... there was nothing there. Her body felt as though she were made of mist. Whispy and insubstantial, as if she might blow away at the slightest breeze...
Mist...
She looked down. Her body almost seemed to be made of the stuff, cloudy and indistinct. Like plant sap dripped into water.
She then looked up at the figure who had addressed her. They were likewise indistinct, but a good bit taller than she was. Still, they offered her a hand and she felt as though she could trust them.
As the figure helped her up, she addressed them. "Hello, I'm... I'm..." A look of mild panic flitted across the matoran's face. "I can't remember my name!"
"Don't worry," the figure replied calmly, gently resting a steadying yet slightly insubstantial hand on her shoulder. "Neither can I. So at least we're in the situation together."

Metru-Koro, outside Sans' hut

IC:

Keitara lies on the ground, muttering nonsense in her sleep.

"mnnnm, nuuuuh. shilly caht, I don't have your cheethburger..."

(OOC: @Toru Nui@Keeper of Kraata@Conway@EmperorWhenua

Metru-Koro, outside Sans' hut

IC:

Keitara's eyes widened as she saw what the Toa had pulled out of their satchel. They were kraata! Whithered, but still recognizable. She had a horrible sinking feeling as she wondered how many had been sentient before their demise. But they said they had been found attached to... a skakdi? That made no sense.

She attempted to step forward, but in her addled state caught her foot on the hem of her cloak.

She pitched forward violently, slamming hard into the foot-packed earth with a grunt and the muzzy realization that she was losing conciousness. The last thing she saw was a green kanohi Calix resting... upside down? Was it the green toa? She ferverently hoped she had not made a fool of herself.

Then, her vision went black and she knew no more.

As she lay there, the armor on her exposed arm, leg and mask shimmered and changed to a riot of gold, ivory and electrum.

(OOC: @Keeper of Kraata@Conway@EmperorWhenua

Metru-Koro, outside Sans' hut

IC:

Keitara looked up, puzzled.

"Slugs?" she groaned, "Did they just say slugs, or am I hearing things now."

(OOC: @EmperorWhenua@Keeper of Kraata@Snelly@Conway @Toru Nui)

Keitara: Outside Sans' hut

IC: Keitara attemped a thin smile, but it quickly turned to a pained grimace. Drawing a resigned breath she looked up at Irna nervously.

"Well... if I'm being honest I... well, don't exactly feel so hot at the moment. Must've been a worse fall on my way here than I thought..."

Her voice trailed off as she caught a glimpse of herself in her lance's blade. The dull grey of her kanohi had taken on a slight electrum sheen, and she could see the slightest hint of blue staining the orange she had colored her eyes. 

Cursing herself internally for losing focus she turned back toward Irna, eyes now tinged a slight shade of violet.

"Actually... you may have a point. I d-don't want to take a healer's tine of course, but perhaps a place to... lie down..."

Keitara knew that she was not fooling anybody. She must look dead on her feet, she certainly felt that way. But the thought hept bubbling to the top of her pain-addled mind: can I trust her? Who can I trust here?

What's more, a stronger thought was pushing into the back of her mind: You are injured. Your safety is at risk. Trust. Ask for help. Must stay safe. Must protect...

Keitara made a decision. It was rash, but she was in no position to be picky. Meeting Irna's gaze she indicated that the zyglak look at her left hand. She then allowed the gold of her greive to show through just long enough for its glow to be visible. She was surprised at the strain it took to return it to black. That couldn't be right. She could remember using this trick dozens of times. Why was this time so difficult?

(OOC: @Conway)

Keitara- Metru-Koro, outside Sans' hut

IC:

Keitara turned to look at the figure who had emerged from the dwelling.

"That sounds... problematic." She turned to Irna, trying to gague the zyglak's reaction, then turned back to the speaker.

(OOC: she waits for a gap in the conversation for the next bit.)

IC:

"Um... sorry to intercede, but I'm a new arrival here. I'm... well, currently not affiliated with a toa team, but if this is causing danger for the settlement I'd be...ngh... happy to assist in any way I... can..." Keitara winced, a shiver running through her body. The injury to her back was throbbing painfully, as though a barely healed wound were being pulled upon. She shot an apologetic look to Irna for the scene she was making, and reaching into her pack she withdrew her photon lance. After some minor coaxing and a good smack against its dented side, its blade and handle unfolded. She resisted the urge to sigh in releif as she braced herself against it.

(OOC: @Keeper of Kraata@Conway@EmperorWhenua@Snelly @Toru Nui)

Metru-Koro, outside Sans' hut

IC: Keitara shifted slightly from one foot to the other. Gods and Great Beings, she could walk up to a group as bold as brass but give her the attention of one being and her composure shattered.

"My name is Keitara, Toa of L...Stone. And, um, you're right, as it happens. I'm..." she looked to the side somewhat sherpishly. How could anybody expect her to help guard their people if she couldn't even keep composed in a conversation?

"...well, as it happens, at the moment I don't properly recall where I am from." It was a half lie, yes, but something held her back from playing her whole hand until her mind was in better order. There were still gaps in her memories, that much was true. Parts almost felt as though they had happened to other people. "I'm assuming my journey was unorthodox though. I feel like I've been struck by lightning." She chuckled nervously, and turned her eyes back towards the zyglak before her.

(OOC: @Conway)

23 minutes ago, Conway said:

IC: Irna | Outside Sans' Hut

"Excuse me, ma'am," Irna said, stepping up to the strange new woman approaching. "I'm afraid there's a queue to speak with the Turaga right now."

OOC: @TL01 NUVA

IC: Parnassus | Fort Nektann

"Friends, friends, there's no reason to fight over me," said Parnassus, who was very keen that people should fight over them.

OOC: @Unreliable Narrator @Burnmad

-Void

IC:

Keitara nodded, then stepped to the back of the queue.

Metru-Koro, outskirts

IC:

A lone figure strode, as unobtrusively as possible, toward the impromptu settlement she has been pointed toward. Behind the mouth guard of her mask Keitara pursed her lips as a mix of emotions roiled through her. There was excitement at seeing such a community of matoran working together, and a glowing pride in her people for their resourcefulness. But there was also an undercurrent of pain as well. The people of the once legendary city of Metru Nui had been reduced to living in what, despite all its trappings, was a glorified shantytown.

She shifted her glance towards her pack, which weighed heavy against her back. She attempted to adjust the bundle against her shield, wishing its collapsing feature hadn't seemed to have been rendered completely non-functional. And to boot she could not risk using her one intact weapon, its rhotuka,  for fear of the attention a geyser of light might bring her. If being a Toa of Light had made you a target in her old home, then here there was a good chance it would sign you a death warrant.

Looking down at herself, she checked for the hundredth time that the disguise of faded brown and tan was still intact. She had used the trick several times before, like... such as... 

She grunted in exasperation. Her memories had been muzzy ever since she awoke on this island.

She adjusted her pack once more. She must have injured herself beneath her armor during her mysterious "trip" to this island. The small of her back was far more sensitive than she ever remembered it being before. Perhaps there was a healer or surgeon of some kind she could consult here.

Well, no time like the present! She straightened her back, adjusted the rough travelling cloak across her shoulders, and strode into the settlement.

...

(OOC: if anything/one would have attempted to stop me before this point, please let me know. I'll amend/rewrite/replace this section if so.)

IC:

Never underestimate the spirit of matoran. Everywhere she looked Keitara saw Metru-Korans fixing their homes, trading goods, or simply standing around talking. She smiled behind her mask. 

Oh, that reminded her. She reached up to the side of her mask and gave it a hardy whack. The mechanism, which seemed to have gotten sand or grit in it during her arrival, finally freed itself. She felt the slight coolness of a breeze upon the exposed portion of her face and smiled even wider.

The local Matoran seemed as trusting of strangers as one might expect in such a situation, but eventually she managed to get a full response from someone.

Apparently the settlement was overseen by a Turaga of Water named Sans. Fitting, as aside from this she was mostly berift of context for this individual. 

Still, a settlement like this must have a toa team. And, well, toa stood head and shoulders above the average matoran.

She flushed slightly. Most did, at any rate. She had always been slight, even as a matoran, and it had likewise always been of mild embarassment. Putting this thought out of her mind, she began her search for the trees amongst the shrubbery.

All in all the search didn't take as long as it might have. She saw a small knot of toa standing outside a rather more salubrious hut, engaged in conversation with a diminutive figure she immediately pegged as a Turaga of Water. A grin spread across her face.

Attempting to look as non-threatening as possible she walked towards the group. They seemed to be in conversation, and while it felt rude to interrupt the idea of lurking at their edges waiting for an opening seemed an even greater faux pas.

"Hello! Hi!" she called as she approached the group. "Forgive my intrusion siblings, Wise One."

(OOC: @Azibo@EmperorWhenua@Conway@Snelly, I beleive? Sorry if I missed anyone/anything! Also apologies if I'm being rude, I assure you it is not intentional...) 

38 minutes ago, Vezok's Friend said:

@TL01 NUVA Hey, first of all welcome to SKE from me as well. Echoing @Unreliable Narrator, canon Makuta are not in the game, but we do have the Aspects of Makuta, which is the closest playable race. They usually have shadow powers as their primary ability, but there's always the odd one out, so that could be another option in addition to what others have suggested already. The aspects do not come from the MU/GSR and would accordingly need a Zakaz origin though. Of course being a light elemental and allied with the refugees will put them at odds with the other aspects.

But since looks like you're still trying to figure some things out for your character, so: If you want to explore some of those alternate ideas and update the profile accordingly, please do so and let me know when you're ready for approval. =) 

Okay! Toaoflight01 Nuva Ready for re-evaluation!

3 minutes ago, Biological Chronicler said:

It does not seem like everyone in this universe who has kraata powers is necessarily a makuta or a rahkshii. Some of them seem to have a sort of symbiotic relationship with kraata. I could see Keitara being a regular toa with a symbiotically bonded illumination kraata instead of a normal kanohi. I am sure @Unreliable Narrator would approve.

Yesssssssssssss.... this, this I like...

What if I alter her description and past comme ça: She was turned into a Toa of Light, sort of, by the energy of the Codrex in her universe but the process damaged her body so extensively that her spirit was close to departing it. But a Makuta-analogue from that universe was the one who discovered her after the revitalization of Mata Nui failed, and bonded her with a kraata before sending her on her way to this universe.

She has artificial memories and accordingly damaged weapons and her illumination kraata is hidden under a plate on her back armor. I feel like her having to discover her past/that she's bonded would be interesting!

Would that be okay?

14 minutes ago, Biological Chronicler said:

Maybe you could play a rahskii-like being with light powers of some sort?  You know how makuta in that one AU have rahkshii of Courage, Peace, ect.? Maybe you could have a rahkshii of illumination, as opposed to a rahkshii of darkness.

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....

reminds me of a character idea I had before!

Though now I wish I hadn't spent the last few hours updating Keitara's design... Or could she be made similarly to an illumination Rahkshi-type being? Sorry, I'm willing to go with it. Just having a slightly rough time killing my darling is all, hehe...