a goose

IC: Muir (Wise Man’s Archive)

Muir nodded sympathetically, thinking of his retirement from the Sentinels. "I understand entirely. However, I think you may have misunderstood me – valuing honour is not what makes a person honourable. You say you're simple, but even now, you think of the needs of your Koro. You could have accepted that bribe, or feigned ignorance entirely in order to capitalise upon Syzygos' business proposals. You could have told us nothing upon our arrival. You chose the truth because it ends less messily, but there aren't many who would see it that way, seeking instead to profit or to keep their heads in the sand. This is what you call simplicity – to have a job, and do it well; to tell the truth, rather than take advantage; to think both of yourself, and of your village."

Muir's deep blue eyes carried an intensity now, the same intensity that had assessed Stannis and found him wanting. It was Muir at his truest, taking the clues he had gathered and solving a soul. "You call that simplicity, and I call it honour. I call it Truth. What worth is complexity, when it's the very thing that keeps us from being honest to others and true to ourselves?"

Muir glanced over at Vrill, much as Priicu had done, and spoke in a softer tone. "I will not judge you, should you decide that you would rather have no part of this. Nor will I rescind my offer of legal help, should you ever need it. As for your 'use', that's a question best answered by my partner, who has told me little of his first encounter with you. As you've likely gathered, the traditional Ko-Koronan brevity runs deep in him."

OOC: @ARROW404 @BULiK

8 minutes ago, Bjorkway said:

:KEKW: :peepolmfao: :laughExplode:

where's the downvote button on this bloody site

IC: Muir (Wise Man’s Archive)

Muir smiled admiringly. "On the matter of Truth, I can very much assure you that we are in agreement."

Muir looked to Vrill, and then reached into his coat again, this time producing the stone badge that he had been granted by Akiri Renaka. "You seem an honourable sort, Priicu, and have twice now chosen to stand steadfast in the face of those more powerful than you – something that I greatly respect. Our mission is one around which we would like to maintain some secrecy, for reasons you are already deducing, but I find myself inclined to trust you."

He held out the palm-sized tablet to the Matoran, showing him in turn the seal of Po-Koro emblazoned upon it, and Akiri Renaka's description of the task she had assigned him: to investigate the crimes of Skorm, of the Toa Kalta.

"You can investigate the badge more closely if you wish, but it will hold up to scrutiny. As for being found in conspiracy, that was part of the reason for my offer of legal aid – you are not at fault for any of the events that you have found yourself caught up in, and have only done what you felt was right. You need only ask, and I will do all that I can to protect you from harm, as a lawyer and as a Toa."

For a moment, Muir seemed more like an overgrown Matoran than a Toa, an impression created as much by his short stature as it was by his earnestness. It occurred to the lawyer that in some ways, Priicu reminded him of himself; interesting that Vrill, duplicitous as he was, would so often find himself drawn to those few brave souls who valued honesty above all else. Not for the first time, Muir wondered if his partner was perhaps more principled than he wished others to believe.

OOC: @ARROW404

IC: Muir (Wise Man’s Archive)

"Muir," the Fa-Toa said, reaching into an inside pocket of his coat. "That was a noble thing you did, Priicu. Trusting your own judgment in the face of authority. Should you ever find yourself in need of legal help, feel free to contact me."

The item he withdrew from his coat pocket was revealed, a minimalistic off-white business card that he now offered to Priicu. It read:

On the opposite side was the address of the Fenn Legal Clinic in Po-Koro.

OOC: @ARROW404 @BULiK

IC: Nikarra (The Iron Mahi)

Haunting. That was the word, the word that had escaped her when she first began playing. The music that filled the compartment, that echoed when it hit the walls as if it could go no further, as if it too knew that the only thing that mattered right now was this place, this moment, this song... it was haunting. In the moment, it all seemed so surreal – Nikarra stopped even feeling that she was playing, or even singing. She was just listening and feeling, her voice and Vyartha's coming together and coming apart, so that there were moments when it seemed that there was only one voice and it was theirs, both of theirs, until they slipped ever so slightly out of sync or out of tune and the illusion was exposed. And yet still, somehow, they always seemed to find each other once again.

"How, we wonder, how we wonder, watching far below;

"We would all be that great hero, the Great Valerio."

Had they been singing for a minute? Three? Five?

It felt like weeks.

But the spell began to fade, and now that it was waning Nikarra found she couldn't remember exactly how the song ended. So, she just… allowed it to end. It hung there, unresolved, in the silent look shared between her and Vyartha.

"...you have a nice voice."

OOC: @Void Emissary

Just now, Snelly said:

of course

i have excellent news

13 minutes ago, Snelly said:

I like violence 

do you like dragons

Just now, Bjorkway said:

hit me goosey one more time

h o n k

2 minutes ago, Bjorkway said:

dragons and violence go hand in hand

you know what else goes hand in hand with violence? the bzprpg

i rest my case y'all

i'm going to do violence on you with these hands

alright, so, jumping the gun a little on this but hey, might as well get in some advertising:

do you wanna be a dragon? do you wanna play a dragon? of course you do, why wouldn't you?

get in touch with me by PMs or on discord if you'd like to be involved in an upcoming fun little event involving dragon mystix, which will act as a great opportunity to introduce new characters

what's it about, blue? good question. you'll find out.

will there be exciting opportunities involving violence? sure!

i'm not really a violent sort, will there be interesting philosophical and sociopolitical ramifications a little further down the line that will be deepened by my character's involvement at this early stage? that's a very specific question, but that is also true, but moreso for later down the line! we got something for everyone! and by that i mean, WE HAVE DRAGONS

don't delay, be a dragon TODAY

(dragon mystix species details can be found in my profile page, link in the sig.)

also worth mentioning - this isn't an exclusive thing, you'll be able to jump onboard at any point after the set-up post is up. but if you wanna be ground floor on this, now is the time

IC: Aerus (Echelon's Lair)

Aerus returned the hardness in Syrik’s eyes, but said nothing. Fine, then. Lead the way.

OOC: @Ghosthands @BULiK @Tarn @~Xemnas~

IC: Aerus (Echelon's Lair)

“No, please. You really ought to come in.” There was a genuine sense of guilt in Aerus’ tone – he sounded earnest, as if he was truly apologetic. Any sinister undertones had melted away, replaced instead by the image of a sickly Matoran, prickly and distrusting, but not without sympathy.

“The storm won’t pass for some time now, and your friend is losing blood. I understand you might distrust us, much as I was inclined to distrust you, but you will surely die if you venture out into that blizzard. You’re far from your intended path, with no visibility and a wounded party – not to mention that, once the adrenaline has passed and the pain sets in, you will likely discover other injuries.” Aerus paused, and gestured to his cane. “We’re no hospital, but my condition means we’re slightly better prepared for medical emergencies than most.”

OOC: @Tarn @BULiK @Xemnas @Ghosthands

IC: Muir (Wise Man’s Archive)

Muir allowed only a hint of curiosity to penetrate his stoic expression. This… well, it wasn’t good, but it was certainly informative – few people with nothing to hide would have the kinds of contingencies needed to immediately look into any investigation targeting them. Combine that with Skorm’s dubious past, and his picture of the Kalta was becoming more and more troublesome.

IC: Muir (Wise Man’s Archive)

Muir smiled warmly at the librarian – an easier feat now that he was finally out of the cold. Vrill leading a double-life as a library assistant was, Muir had to admit, not something he would have anticipated; however, like any good detective, he knew the value of research, and loved to be around such collections of knowledge as this.

OOC: RIP to the most peaceful place in Ko-Koro, @ARROW404

IC: Muir (Streets, Ko-Koro)

Muir took a too-long drag on his cigarette as he thought on what Vrill had said, trying in vain to wring some warmth from it. The only result was that he coughed slightly as he shook his head.

“No, I don’t think that’s wise. The longer we can delay the Kalta’s inevitable discovery of our investigation, the better, and a Po-Koronan lawyer showing up to the Sanctum to ask questions will raise some eyebrows.” Muir gave up on the cigarette, dropping it into the snow and stamping out any surviving embers with his heel for good measure. “You suggested Ko-Koro first. Say we leave a note and put off Toa Reordin until we can find him – where to next?”

OOC: @BULiK

Keep your language clean. -B6

IC: Muir (Ruined Streets, Ko-Koro)

"Shoot." It wasn't quite clear whether Muir was reacting to Vrill's comment, or to the latest of his own failed attempts to flare up his lighter with shaky hands. He gave up, using his elemental powers to activate the metal components, and stuffed his free hand and his lighter back into his coat as the end of his cigarette turned a smouldering orange. Vrill and his thin coat. Ko-Koronans are friggin' unnatural.

"He have any other haunts?"

IC: Aerus (Echelon's Lair)

Aerus looked curiously at Syrik – he had something in mind, even if it eluded him for the moment. Following his lead, Aerus half-smiled apologetically, a little frustration and suspicion behind his eyes – some of it mimed, and some not. He had not forgotten how to assume the role of the hapless Matoran, but a little hostility was required, lest he draw suspicion by switching too abruptly in attitude.

"I… suppose so." It was framed as a concession, but Syrik would have seen the intrigued agreement in Aerus' eyes. He turned back to the three Matoran, of whom the female Ko-Matoran had quickly become the most interesting. "I apologise for my misgivings. As my friend said, these are difficult times."

OOC: @BULiK @Ghosthands @Tarn @~Xemnas~

IC: Muir (Fenn Legal Clinic, Po-Koro)

Vrill could instantly tell that Muir was unsatisfied with his response, but the Fa-Toa pried no further. Instead, he set his mind to work on what Vrill had and had not told him, and what he might divine therein. The obvious conclusion was that Vrill was considering doing something legally, or ethically, dubious – which meant that Muir would have to keep an even closer eye on him in Ko-Koro.

“Then let’s not waste any more time.”

OOC: Muir and Vrill to Ko-Wahi

IC: Muir (Fenn Legal Clinic, Po-Koro)

Muir nodded, unsurprised. It was a suspicion he’d held since Vrill had first spoken to him in his office - Different case, different Koro, but fundamentally the same problem - and this merely confirmed it. It was the combination of this, and Vrill’s decision to turn to Muir of all people, that had led him to that conclusion; Vrill had admitted to him that he couldn’t use his own Koro’s resources, and while that would be true of an investigation into the Kalta, it was doubly so for an investigation into their Akiri. He had a suspicion that the focus on Tarkahn himself was unsanctioned, too, one borne out by the decision to first chase up the Kalta instead of carrying out a background check.

“Your plan for Ko isn’t just to carry out interviews, is it? I can’t see you reporting back to home base this early, either.”

IC: Montague (The Unfortunate Fikou)

“Indeed I am! The name is Montague, as I believe I indicated upon the notice, and my guest here is Gorro.” Montague was either oblivious to or nonplussed by Gorro’s state of unease, returning as they did to their space upon the bed and to their journal without reaction. “Please, take a seat, make yourself comfortable. Gorro here had just been elaborating upon his own experience of the dreams. Would you, perhaps, care to do so as well?”

OOC: @Nato The Whisperer @Perp

IC: Muir (Fenn Legal Clinic, Po-Koro)

“You first.” Muir’s soft-spoken voice was surprisingly stern - not annoyed, not even irritated, simply more serious than usual. “You’re keeping your cards pretty close to the chest, and I respect that, but I’m not just representing myself anymore. I want to know what you’re thinking - I already know the Kalta aren’t the true subject of your investigation. If we’re partners, then we need to be on the same page.”

IC: Muir (Fenn Legal Clinic, Po-Koro)

Muir raised his hand to the door before opening it, an action followed by the sound of moving metal tumblers and mechanisms inside. As it swung open ahead of him, he walked to the hat-stand by the entrance, and lifted from it a long black coat. For the time being, he folded it over his arm, and took a cursory glance over his shoulder as he left, reactivating the magnetic securities as he passed outside and the door shut softly behind him.

“Penny for your thoughts, ‘Vrill’.”

IC: Muir (Akiri Renaka's Home, Po-Koro)

Muir nodded. Antidermis was a mystery to him, and Stannis' reticence to share made him suspect it would be just as much so to the hospital, but the Granite Guardian had given him some workable information.

“I’ll have to pick up my coat. But yes, Ko.” Gears were already turning in Muir’s mind, the next steps along their path becoming clear. “I wonder what Toa Reordin makes of his apparent replacements as ordained protection.”

IC: Muir (Akiri Renaka's Home, Po-Koro)

"I will do all I can to see that your trust has not been misplaced." Muir inclined his head slightly as he spoke. "Until we meet again."

With that, he joined Vrill in making their way out.

IC: Muir (Akiri Renaka's Home, Po-Koro)

Muir stared at the badge for, perhaps, a moment longer than might be expected. When he took it from Renaka, he did so gingerly, treating the stone with unwarranted care; his face, throughout, was stoic, his usually predictable thoughts beyond the reach of Vrill and Renaka. His eyes held the sole clue: a glimmer of sadness beneath the deep blue.

Those same eyes, now hard and resolute, locked with Renaka’s as Muir offered her his hand. “Thank you, Akiri Renaka. I will honour this task, and this responsibility. I look forward to our next meeting.”

IC: Merrill (Peak of High Eyrie)

"Hmm…" Merrill paused, and stumbled to her feet, squinting at the banners. "Nah, not this one. They've got spirits, though. Kaiakans make great poitín."