soularin

IC: Lannon watched her disappear. Something tells me it's going to be a while before I get used to that. A soft tickle of a smile lingered on his lips. He pulled back the neatly made bed covers, and placed her Sanok gently against the pillow. It seemed odd to tuck in a mask as if it were a small child, but he wanted her to be as comfortable as possible. He tip-toed over to the chair and plopped down with a breathy sigh. The rain was finally beginning to let up outside. From his position by the window, he easily spotted the waning moon as it peered down at him through the clouds. He didn't resist the enclosing darkness as sleep overcame him.

IC: "Mata Nui is the name of the Great Spirit. Many believe that he created this world, and all of us who inhabit it." He continued to study the nondescript ceiling. His eyes remained oddly focused, but his tone revealed that he was uninterested in the existence of such a spiritual entity. "The elders who discovered this place named it in his honor, I guess. I'm not exactly what you would call a believer, but I think it helps some people to believe in Him so that the horrors and burdens of this world are easier to deal with." He glanced at her briefly. "You've landed on a pretty diverse island though. People here tend to believe in a lot of different things."

IC: "Well it's quite the sight to behold. Maybe we can go sometime." His voice trailed off to a murmur. He leaned backwards and laid his head in his hands. The ceiling was made up of plain wooden planking, but there was more to him in the swirling grain patterns. He saw churning waves and the gentle sway of a sailboat adrift in dark waters.

IC: "Uh, yeah I'm good," he answered. "Just thinking about Ga-Koro. I've been away from home for a while now, it seems." He sighed and plopped down onto the bed, which was indeed unexpectedly soft and comfortable for an inn mattress. He wanted to ask Luten about the things she had experienced over the course of her first day alive, but guessed it was probably too soon for her to talk about. He wasn't intent on making her cry again, that much was for sure, but he couldn't help but be curious. "Have you seen the ocean yet?"

IC: His gaze remained on the floorboards, focused and unwavering. In many ways, he missed those simple days in Ga-Koro. He missed the boisterous laughter of the fishermen, and the way their sails fluttered in the early morning breeze, perfectly in tune with the morning rays that speckled the waves with iridescent light. It seemed like a time long past, and the memories themselves seemed almost alien, as if they were those of another person entirely. He observed Luten's form flicker out of existence, only to reappear a second later. The movement pulled him sharply from his daze, but he shook his head a little for good measure to rid himself of any remaining reminiscent thoughts. "I see.." he replied blandly. There clearly wasn't a whole lot that she did know about herself. He almost felt sorry that she had been tossed into such an unfair place of existence, marooned on an island with a swarming population of belligerent, elemental-wielding freaks. It seemed as though all one had to do was walk twenty paces to find oneself in some kind of predicament.

IC (Lannon): "Ga-Wahi, actually." he replied quickly, blushing slightly at the "mister" part she had decided to add in. He scratched the back of his head and cast his eyes anywhere but towards her. "At least that's where I washed up. Everything before that is a little fuzzy." He missed the ocean. The white sands of Naho Bay, the crystalline sky, the fresh salty breeze against his face... It was the only place he knew as home. "What about you?" he asked Luten. "Do you remember anything before you were uh... born this morning?"

IC: I was still sitting there with a handful of bula berries, only now I was also slack-jawed in astonishment. All I could say was "That's one ###### of a piece you got there." In actuality however, I was more awestruck by the fact that Mr. Time Machine had fixed the guy's rifle so fast. It had been a mere matter of seconds. Clearly I was a bit out of the loop here. He was certainly a more esteemed handyman than I had previously suspected... That's when a sudden realization hit me. This Matoran had to be none other than Farzan, arguably the most well-known inventor and tech extraordinaire on the face of Mata Nui. Most people, especially those in my line of work, had heard of this kid. He was most famous for inventing the diskette launcher itself, along with the wrist-mounted Volo Lutu. In other words, if there was anyone on this ###### island that could help me get my hands on a new firearm, it was Farzan. It had been several months since my erm... incident... and well, I was feeling more than a bit naked without my signature fire stick on my hip. I have a feeling that I'll be sticking around here for longer than I thought.

IC: A look of bewilderment took ahold of his features, and an awkward pause ensued. "Huh..? .... Oh! I'm sorry, my head wasn't in the right place." He knelt down and opened up his palm as if he were about to shake someone's hand. "This is a way people greet each other sometimes, especially when you're meeting someone for the first time. I only held out my finger to you because your hand is a bit.. uhm.. small." He tentatively took her dainty little hand between his thumb and forefinger. "See? Like this." He shook it carefully, but firmly.

IC: Thank Artakha she has a name. I couldn't even name a pokawi if my life was on the line. "I'm Lannon," he said, extending his index finger for her to shake. He smiled. "It's a bit serendipitous that we're both L's, huh?" Wow that also sounded really dumb. The entire situation was quite peculiar really. The day had definitely not turned out the way he'd expected, and he was still unused to her presence. She was like something out of a storybook that a mother might read to her child.

IC: The Fe-Toa couldn't help but chuckle at her obvious excitement over such a simple pleasure. It was easy to forget that this was her very first day alive. He took off his drenched jacket and hung it over the back of the chair to dry, grateful for the warmth of the room's interior. He watched as raindrops snaked their way across the window pane. Something suddenly dawned on him. "Say... What should I call you?"

IC: Lannon thought it safe to assume that dissipating meant reverting back to her original "mask" form. "Uh sure, go right ahead. That's very kind of you." He felt the weight of her suddenly disappear from his shoulder. The pleasant tingle of a bell resounded as he entered through the inn's front door. The innkeeper's eyes flicked up from the pages of a book. He was a Le-Matoran, with slightly plump features and round crystal spectacles. Lannon cleared his throat. "Hi I'd like a room for one please. Just for the night." "Sure thing," the man said. "That'll be 7 widgets." The Toa of Iron nodded and retrieved the amount from his wallet. He counted each piece out on his palm before handing them over. "Thank you sir. Room five, up the stairs and to the left. Breakfast is served at eight o' clock. I hope you enjoy your stay." He passed Lannon the key. "Thanks," the Fe-Toa replied with a quick smile. The room was easy to find. He had to jiggle the key in the lock a bit, but made it inside without too much trouble. He locked the door behind him. It was a quaint little space. The bed frame appeared to be hand-carved, along with the chair that sat in the corner. He set the mask down on the bed. "Well, I think the coast is clear."

IC: "Whoa there, boy!" I raised my hands defensively, a bit taken aback by his excitement. I had spent enough time in Onu-Koro to know where ussal crabs liked to be pet though. I tentatively ran my palm along his carapace, and gave him a friendly rub between the eyes, careful to avoid his pincers. Ussal weren't exactly known for being the most cuddly of rahi, but he certainly was cute in his own way, and he had the energy of a muaka cub. I put my cigarette out in the sand. By the way his claws were snapping about, it seemed he was trying to communicate with me. "Sorry buddy, I wish I had a Rau on hand." I gestured to my Omnus and made a sad face, hoping he would understand. I suddenly remembered something, and reached into my pocket to withdraw a small pouch. I untied it and pulled out a handful of bula berries. I wasn't exactly sure if he would like them, but I used to feed them to the ussal in Onu-Koro and figured it would be worth a shot. I myself was quite fond of them, and often carried them in order to keep my strength up while traveling. I displayed the berries in front of him gingerly, so as not to startle him. His hexagonal pupils regarded me curiously.

Welcome back Rorschach!

IC: "You could say that," I said, a slight smirk tickling my lips. I was already beginning to like the guy. There was a spark to his eye that burned with energy and creativity, and I could tell he was observant as well as astute by the way that yellow orb darted about. The ussal crab surprised me with its shrill chirps, and caused me to jump slightly and use Artakha's name in an inappropriate way. I honestly had no idea it had been lurking in the shade behind the doorframe until now. "Who's your little friend there?" I asked with a sheepish smile. I must still be on edge from when that kid tried to mug me this morning. Anyone who knows me knows how much I hate being snuck up on. Call it reflexes, PTSD, or whatever the you want, just don't ever do it.

IC: One day?! It was no wonder she seemed so childlike, because in fact she was one. Lannon couldn't imagine what it would be like to be born into a world and then immediately witness the first person you meet die. She was clearly confused, frightened... And in need of a friend. Friends were hard to come by these days. Lannon lifted her up to eye level. She was slightly plump, with subtle curves and a round face that somewhat resembled the Sanok that housed her essence. She gave off a glow not unlike a lightstone, but far more faint and subdued. The crystal that made up her body shimmered and danced with color, and became increasingly more beautiful in the lengthening darkness of night. "There's a lot I don't know too. You're the first Anxilia I've met before, so we'll have to seek out some answers if we want to figure out exactly what you are." He regarded her with gentle eyes. "You're people are scarce here on Mata Nui." He stood, and placed her upon his right shoulder. The sound of the rain was calming and invigorating all at once. He paused for a moment before stepping out from beneath the overhang to touch his mask. It was part of his identity somehow, with it's smooth edges and sharp contours. He didn't want to give it up, but at the same time he wanted to help her seek the answers she was looking for. He was the one who had found her, after all, so it was his responsibility to care for her for the time being. He cupped his right hand above her head to shield her from the elements, then stepped out into the torrent. The Sanok was tucked neatly beneath his left arm as he made his way towards the Inn.

IC: "That's what I thought," Lannon replied. "I can carry both of your forms easily though, don't sweat it." He placed his hand face up in front of her so that she could step aboard with relative ease, then delicately placed two fingers beneath the brim of the mask to assist her in getting out from under it. "You're an Anxilia, right?"

IC: Lannon was transfixed by her pocket-sized stature. It was dreamlike to watch her move, as she only stood about six inches off the ground, and could easily fit into the palm of his hand. He inhaled sharply as he watched her heft the Sanok (undoubtedly the bulkiest mask in existence) with relative ease. He hated to admit it so quickly, but she was utterly adorable. There was simply no better way to describe her. He was beginning to become accustomed to her voice within his head. Although still a bit invasive, it was also soothing in an odd way. He smiled for the first time in a while, and offered her his hand. "I know it's dermis shell weather out there, but please, allow me." The Fe-Toa was still crouched low to the ground so as not to tower too high above her. "If you wan't, you can catch a ride on my shoulder. I won't bite—" He squinted towards the dimly-lit village square. Although it was hard to see through the torrential shower, he good vaguely make out a sign that read: "—and our destination is only a stone's throw away."

IC: The intensity of the emotions she was experiencing took Lannon by surprise. He hadn't ever spoken to a living mask before. The whole experience seemed very alien and surreal, and she was clearly suffering from some significant trauma. He wasn't exactly sure what to do, being the steel-hearted Fe-Toa that he was. Kindness and gentle words of assurance weren't exactly in his vocabulary. There was an interval of silence. The rain continued to come down relentlessly. "I'm sorry..." What else could he say? He hadn't been there to see what had transpired, or how her master had died. She was a bodiless mask, detached from something that she needed in order to function at her full capacity. He guessed that it must be extremely draining for her to stay in her current form, but it was the only way she could move freely on her own. "You must be tired," he said, trying his best to sound as compassionate as possible. She seemed so childlike, so vulnerable, there was no way he could just leave her there. "I can get us a room for the night if you like. I know it's not much, but it would at least do you better than this rain." God I sound like an idiot Did Anxilia even need sleep? He hadn't the slightest clue. Either way, he had to do something to help her out. She seemed just as complex as any person, and certainly didn't deserve to be left abandoned. Plus, she was probably widgetless in addition to having no place to go. He was surprised she had even managed to carry that bulky mask around in her puny, appendage-like arms.

IC: Lannon was just about to it pick up, when... It spoke. The voice was soft and effeminate, and resounded faintly in his mind, as if from far away. There was an odd, fluttering sensation in his chest. It was then that he noticed the mask sitting on the ground next to the small, crystal being. It appeared to be a Sanok. Lannon didn't know much about the entities known as the Anxilia, but he knew enough to deduct that this little creature must be one of them. He still wasn't sure how she could move about freely without the aid of a Toa's energy. From what he had heard about them, they relied on a Toa's power in order to take physical form. Perhaps her companion was somewhere nearby? He stooped down and touched the edge of the kanohi with his index finger so that he could communicate with her easier. "Hello." he replied cooly. "Where is your master? Are you lost?"

IC: Lannon (Le-Koro) The dreary weather was depressing, to say the least. The dampened wooden planks beneath Lannon's feet creaked along with the swaying tree branches that hung ominously over the village perimeter. Raindrops cascaded down the face of his kanohi and settled uncomfortably in his jacket collar, but he payed them little heed. He spotted a Skakdi operator standing a few meters away beneath a large umbrella, and approached him. "I'd like to take the lift down to the forest floor." "What?" Apparently the man hadn't heard him over the downpour. "I'd like to take the lift down!" He said, louder this time in order to make himself clear. "You want to leave in this weather?" The Skakdi regarded Lannon with a look of bewilderment. "I'm sorry sir, but I'm afraid you'll have to wait until this rain clears up a bit. It's not safe to operate under such conditions." Lannon furrowed his brow and gave the man an icy look, but decided against pressing him further. "Very well." He made his way towards a row of shops in hopes to find a dry place to wait. The day had been a series of inconveniences for him, and he was more than ready to high tail it out of the Koro. He ducked under an awning. The streets were nearly completely empty due to the weather circumstances, which wasn't surprising really. The wooden platforms and walkways that made up the village's foundation tended to get dangerously slippery. The Fe-Toa pulled his jacket more tightly around himself. ######, it's cold. It was then that he noticed a small figure situated beneath an overhang across the street. Its diminutive body was completely crystalline, unlike anything he had seen before. He had heard of the crystal-armored beings that had recently arrived on the shores of Mata Nui from a distant land. Perhaps it belonged to one of these newcomers? It almost looked like a discarded toy, left out in the rain by a forgetful child. He was curious nonetheless, and began to approach it steadily. The closer he got to it, the more life-like it seemed. It certainly couldn't be a doll. It appeared to be situated in a somber, sitting position. Lannon continued to examine it from a safe distance with his hands in his pockets, unsure of how to proceed. OOC: Hey there, Scorp

IC: His least favorite way to spend time is when he's not being amazingly clever, so he wants to build a time machine? I laughed a little at that. Is he some kind of inventor or something? Maybe just a simple craftsman. I scratched the back of my head, a bit taken aback by the sudden onslaught of information. His scope eye seemed to be probing me for answers, assessing my every movement. I exhaled a puff of smoke and watched it dissipate in the light breeze. "A time-traveling device would certainly come in handy." I agreed. "As far as ambitions go though, I've gotta say I'm not exactly your guy. I find it easier to take things day by day, ya know?" I slid down the wall and took a seat on the warm sand. "So you like building stuff, huh? Any new projects you're trying tackle? Other than your time-machine, of course."

IC: “What’s in this again… ?” The bartender’s arm continued to move in a vigorous, circular motion as he wiped down the counter. “Only my finest whiskey, aged in oak and flavored with a few... special ingredients. You like?” I raised an eyebrow slightly. “It’s unlike anything I’ve tasted before.” “Good, good!” Thankfully the man had taken that as a compliment. I peered back down into the dark liquid, wondering what those “special” ingredients could be. An occasional bog leech at the bottom of the bottle was fine by me, but this definitely didn’t taste much at all like the flavorful Le-Koroan whiskey I was used to. I took a moment to study the tavern’s interior, making note of the weird stains on the walls and the forlorn, empty tables. A single window by the door illuminated a swirling cloud of dust motes that hung lazily in the afternoon light. The place was a bit of a hole in the wall to say the least, which was made even clearer by the fact that I was its only customer. “Are you waiting for someone?” His voice startled me, and my chin nearly toppled from where it had been perched on my knuckles. “Oh, no,” I responded, somewhat amused by his assumption. “I’m just here for the tornado juice.” I raised my glass for emphasis. He chuckled. I could have sworn there was only a single tooth left in his mouth. I was beginning to feel like this wasn’t my idea of fun, especially on such a scaldingly hot day. I shut my eyes tightly and downed the rest of my drink as fast as I could, wincing at its bitterness. Now you must understand that I’m a guy who likes bitter booze, so whatever it was that I had just consumed was some seriously questionable stuff. It was so bad, I couldn’t even refer to it as 'grandpa’s cough medicine’. I placed a few widgets on the bar and thanked the guy regardless, then headed for the door. I needed a ####### cigarette. The street was pretty crowded, so I ducked into the nearest alley to light up. I inhaled greedily, and exhaled with a simultaneous sigh of relief. The azure sky was perfectly clear save for a few small, fluffy clouds. I shielded my eyes against the sun’s blazing rays for a moment before continuing on my merry way. Or at least as merry a way as one could pursue in such uncanny heat. After only a minute or so of walking, I leaned against the side of a building in a cool patch of shade to finish my cig in relative comfort. A Matoran was sitting on the stoop a few feet away, seemingly lost in deep thought. He was a slim little fellow, with peculiar, yellowish eyes and jet black armor. I almost asked him how he was still alive on a day like today, but then thought that might come off as a bit of an odd first impression. Still, I had to say something. “You got some pretty stellar shade right here man. ######, that sun is relentless today.”

Oh, hey there. It appears as though I have returned. I've been gone for a long, long time, so I don't expect to be filled in on everything, but I hope to get back into the groove of things eventually. Dang, I missed you guys! I'm looking to start off as fresh as possible. I wont be super active due to my schedule, but I'm shooting for consistency at the very least. I'm bringing back Cadmus as my main PC, and possibly Vail, however the rest will probably stay dead. From what I've heard, The Outsiders sort of dwindled out after a while so I don't have any high expectations at all in that regard. I'll be using Cadmus to jam with Gear for the time being, but if anyone's interested in starting something up, feel free to contact me via Skype or PM. Also, fair warning, I've been away so long that my memory will likely be quite hazy on a lot of things, so try to bear with me as I regain consciousness as a convenient amnesiac in need of CD. ~Requiem

IC: Vail (Vault Door) "Hm, well let's see..." The Toa of Fire stepped slowly towards the door to absorb the meaning of each phrase. The words bounced around within his cranium, and his eyes closed meditatively. He seemed to be on the verge of an answer... Suddenly his eyes shot open, and his hand dropped from where it had previously been caressing his chin. "Yeah, no, I doubt this door is moving an inch. Sorry fellas.... However..." He arched an eyebrow, and jabbed the air with a thumb in the direction from whence they had come. "Didn't we pass a staircase back thataway?"

IC: "The pleasure is all mine." Zero replied, bowing her head slightly. After all, you have helped me become more wary. She then leaned against the windowsill once more, savoring the icy air as it filled her lungs. She let out a steamy exhale and cast her gaze toward the slopes of Mt Ihu. Time was beginning to wear on her. She was nearly past her prime now, and it wouldn't be long before her body began its slow process of deterioration. Zero was too stubborn, and had too much pride to simply crumble away like that. She would go out in a furious blaze, the roaring flames of bloodlust still dancing in her eyes. But that time has not yet arrived. There are people who still depend on me. She sighed into the open air. The leader of the Outsiders was growing restless. OOC: Zero open for interaction