~Xemnas~

IC, Eita: Ga-Koro Eita followed Timak out of the restaurant, followed by the rest of his new friends. As he approached the De-Toa, he realized that two separate groups of people were converging on them. "Hey, what's going on, Timak?" he asked. "Who are all these people?" OOC: @ARROW404 @Snelly @Rahisaurus @Harvali@Lady Takanuva @Tarn @BULiK @Umbraline Yumiwa @Mel @BBBBalta Okay, I think I pinged everyone. So to recap, Eita has led Nale, Lekua, Nara, and possibly Kimala outside to meet up with Timak. Meanwhile, two other groups of people are approaching Eita, Timak and co.: one group comprised of Kanohi, Lapu, and Hakari, and the other of Ranok, Nichou, and Sigrus.

IC, Atamai: Ko-Wahi Atamai had been staring out into the distance, contemplating on the terrifying encounter- or encounters, plural, if he counted the dragon. "No," Atamai said, turning back around to the other two Matoran. "No, you haven't lost your lives. Not yet." He knelt down next to Kreigero. "Those two living in that... bunker of sorts. It's a very suspicious circumstance at best, nefarious at worst. I was also afraid that we were going to die. Those people seem dangerous, but why would they let us live instead of killing us right there? I think I know. It's because they're going to abandon their base now that it's been found. "Think about it- if they were to kill us, there's a chance that a search party could come out searching for us, which increases the chance of their bunker being found a second time. By letting us live, they're betting on us not telling anyone of what we saw. But on the off chance we do tell someone- like those new Toa you have in the village, the Kalta- and they go and find that bunker, it'll be empty. It's a calculated move, and one that involves us being alive. "It doesn't mean that those people will be out hunting for us. If they're smart, they'll move to a different Wahi. The only threats that will be out here are the ones you already know of- and dragons now, I guess. Now that we should probably tell someone about." OOC: @Tarn @BULiK

IC, Eita: The Great Takea Eita nodded to the other Toa that approached. "Nice to meet you as well, Kimala. And yes, that's what we are planning. We have a basic idea of where to find one, but I think having as many hands as possible would make the search easier." OOC: @Lady Takanuva @BBBBalta @Rahisaurus @ARROW404 @Tarn

IC, Eita: The Great Takea The Dashi's eyes widened at Timak's display of elemental power. "Okay, that's pretty cool!" he said. "Alright, let me introduce you to the others. I'm Eita of clan Kinzoku, by the way." OOC: @Rahisaurus

IC, Eita: The Great Takea “Yeah, you know what, today it’s fine. But Ta-Koro’s where you wanna be if smithing is your thing. Their old elder decided it was a good idea to set up shop inside a volcano. "Oh, th-thank you!" Eita stuttered as the woman began walking away, clearly distracted with another proprietor. Ta-Koro, huh? I'll have to look into it after I take care of this migraine problem... the Dashi mused to himself. Before he returned to his new companions, he approached the greyish Toa that had announced themselves earlier. "'Scuse me," he said, "You said you want to help the Matoran? Well, my group and I..." he gestured to the others, "are going to search for something called a Miracle Cactus. I think it would be good if we had someone like you to join us, in case we run into trouble that requires the touch of someone with elemental powers. Would you be interested?" OOC: @Rahisaurus time for Timak to join us!

IC, Atamai: Echelon's Lair Atamai had reached out to help Kreigero as well, but hesitated and decided against it. He had already done enough damage for one day. He picked up remnants of the rope that had bound the three Matoran together. He paused before turning his back to the two "hermits"- he studied their faces, their very beings, in case they ever met again. After all, remembered everything. Atamai did pause for a moment to ponder further what the two "hermits" were really doing in such a hidden area, but he continued to move. Such questions would come later.

IC, Atamai: Echelon's Lair Atamai made no reaction, but his blood ran cold. Or rather, colder, considering the weather. His heart continued to sink even further than it already had. Great, we're for sure dead now, he thought to himself. He continued to say nothing, but his eyes darted from his two companions to the two being occupying the hole in the wall. ___ IC, Skrol: Obsidian Outpost Skrol tipped his hat to Dolbren and Minnorak in polite greeting, then tapped his cane around a bit to find a chair to sit on. "Hopefully you have a plan to sell this cart," the Lesterin said in his slightly gravely voice. "If this tech works as ya say, I'm sure Po-Koro will send people out to find it as soon as they hear it's stolen. Sell it quick, I say." OOC: @BULiK etc.

IC, Skrol: Obisidan Outpost Tap Tap Tap These faint sounds were heard outside of the door. They were soon followed by a slightly louder smack on the door itself. The handle turned, and the door slowly opened. A Lesterin with a walking stick shuffled in. A slightly raspy voice called out from him. "Quoribay? Ya here?" the being asked aloud. After a brief second (and some soft tongue clicks) the blind Lesterin was able to zero in on the Matoran. "Ah, there ye are." He began walking toward him, swinging his stick in front of him in a back-and-forth motion. "So I got yer message- what exactly did ya have in mind?" OOC: @BULiK

IC, Eita: The Great Takea Eita raised his eyebrows. He had caught glimpse of the Kanohi Dragon that had attacked the docks back home, but this was a very different kind of creature. He took one last sip of his drink, and then hopped out of his seat. Quite a company had grown at their table, and he didn't want Nara to be stuck with the bill, so he looked around the establishment and spotted the being whom he assumed was the owner. A woman, by her description of the same kind as the Chaotic Six that the Dashi had heard about from other members of his clan. What were they called? Skakdi? He walked up to the bar and hopped up on the seat. "Excuse me," he called, trying to get the woman's attention. "You're the owner, right? My friends and I..." he gestured to his new companions, "...are just about finished up, and we had a lot of food." He pulled out the last of his crystal Dasakan money. "Now, I don't know if you accept our people's money here, but hopefully this should cover part of our tab." He slid the crystalline currency across the bar. "If this isn't enough, I do have something else I can offer you. I'm a blacksmith, see, and as soon as I get myself established here, I can make you a couple of things. Cutlery, jewelry, weapons, whatever you want. "Is this... acceptable?" he asked. OOC: @Tarn @Lady Takanuvaetc. @Vezok's FriendEita is trying to pay Rhow for our group's meal lol

IC, Eita: The Great Takea The Dashi looked over at the being who loudly proclaimed their entrance at the establishments' doorway. He turned back to his companions. "Do people always declare things about themselves here? Anyway, they seem nice- maybe we could benefit from having a protector accompany us?" OOC: @Rahisaurus@BULiK @Lady Takanuva @Tarn and anyone else I may have missed lol

IC, Atamai: Echelon's Lair This time, Atamai did as he was told. He untied himself from the rope keeping him connected to the other two Matoran. "If we all somehow make it out of this alive, I'll find a way to make this all up to you... somehow." OOC: @BULiK @Tarn

IC, Atamai: Echelon's Hideout Atamai shivered. He wasn't sure if it was from the cold, from the situation they were all in, or both. "Duly noted," he replied.

okay, idk how this double posted, thanks bzp lol

Ahhhh, finally!

Assuming that he's talking about the group I'm leading, we haven't done much of anything yet since we've been waiting for his character and a couple others to join up with the rest of us in Ga. But once we're assembled, the first thing we're gonna do is go look for a Miracle Cactus in Po-Wahi to cure my character Eita's migraines. And then after that I've got a little adventure that we'll be going on.

Okay, it looks like the forums are back. Great! However, I do have one issue. I noticed that on at least three of our boards (Games and More, Completely Off-Topic, and Off-Topic Culture; there may be more that I haven't noticed), each topic has a sidebar with information about top posters in the topic (Exhibit A). While this is a nice thought, unfortunately it leads to the posts in those topics becoming squished and moved over to the left side of the screen, while leaving a ton of blank space on the right side of the screen starting partway through the page (Exhibit B). I am wondering why this feature was included in these three boards specifically and none of the others. It's really jarring when compared to the rest of the site. Can this feature be removed? I frequent the RPG board and I'm used to having my text box be in the center of the screen, and I'm sure my fellow members who also use that board a lot will agree with me.

IC, Atamai: Echelon’s Lair Atamai glanced from Syrik to Aerus. This is bad… could we make a run for it while they’re busy? he thought to himself.

IC, Atamai: Echelon’s Lair Atamai snorted a bit. “Yeah, I don’t think any mountaineer has ever had to prepare for a dragon before,” he said. “Guess everyone will have to be even more careful when they go out into the Drifts now.” OOC: @Goose et al

If I'm being honest, I'd rather not see any forum upgrades. Forum upgrades on this site have a long history of causing massive downtimes, and I would rather not see bzp go down for like 3 months.

IC, Atamai: Echelon's Lair Atamai examined the structure's occupants. He had been expecting a Toa, but he hadn't been expecting the Matoran who spoke to them. Atamai's eyepiece zoomed in and out as he looked over the pair. The Matoran leaned on a cane, but didn't look old. Sick, maybe? The Ta-Matoran glanced to the Toa next. The Toa locked eyes with him for a moment before turning his gaze to another member of the company. Atamai felt a chill go down his spine. The Toa's eyes were fiery, and very, very unfriendly, to say the least. Atamai gulped. I have a bad feeling about this... he thought to himself. He suddenly wished that he had never knocked on the metal door. "Home. We fell and d-d-don't know where we are. We've got to get b-b-back home before the boss gets worried." Atamai did his best not to react with surprise. Why would you say that?! If these two figure out we're lying, we'll probably be killed! he thought. The Matoran pulled his scarf tighter around himself. "R-r-right," he said, his teeth clattering from both the cold and from nervousness. "I'm a scholar, and I was hired by Akiri Tarkahn to further investigate something written on the Wall of Prophecy. These two..." he gestured to his companions, "were hired to lead me to and from the Massif. We were on our way back to the Koro when we were attacked by a muaka, and then a literal dragon of all things showed up, and when we tried to flee we ended up falling into this crevasse." He sighed. "We're really sorry that we disturbed you, but when we saw the big metal door, we were hoping to find shelter from the storm, and a place for our injured friend to rest." OOC: @Goose @Ghosthands @BULiK @Tarn

IC, Atamai: Outside Echelon's Lair Atamai looked up at the pair. "I think it's better for us to find this Toa. At least we'd have a heads up." He stood up and turned back to the doorway. He reached out and rapped on the metal loudly. "Hello? Is anyone home?" The Ta-Matoran had no idea if the occupant could hear anyone knocking through the thick metal. OOC: @BULiK @Tarn @Ghosthands

IC, Atamai: Outside Echelon's Lair The scholar sighed and approached what appeared to be a doorway. "Dead end," he said bluntly. "For us, at least." He pointed to the footprints on the ground. "Someone is clearly home. Judging by how this seems to be a door with no handle, I'm guessing the owner is a Toa of Iron or Magnetism. Which means the only way in is with elemental powers." Atamai sat down on the cold ground, racking his brain as to how a Matoran could gain entry. That is, if he even wanted to gain entry. Who knew what was hiding behind the door? Was the occupant even friendly? OOC: @BULiK @Tarn

IC, Atamai: Ko-Wahi Atamai raised his eyebrows and stepped forward to where Kreigero was looking. He stretched out a hand and touched the wall. It was smooth, cold, and definitely metal. "Clearly someone built something here," the Ta-Matoran said. He began to follow along, letting his fingers glide along the metal structure as he went. "Let's see where this goes. Maybe if we're lucky we can find some shelter." OOC: @BULiK @Tarn time to lead us to plimbo's house!

IC, Atamai: Ko-Wahi Atamai started trudging forward. "Right, even if we did write down where we were, there's no guarantee that anyone who reads it will actually know how to find us." He continued walking, staring foward into the unknown. "Guess all we can do now is survive." OOC: @Tarn @BULiK

IC, Atamai: Ko-Wahi Atamai ignored the half-joke and looked around. "... I don't think we can really climb out of here," he said. "I think our best bet is to follow the wall and see if we can climb out where it ends." OOC: @Tarn @BULiK