Sergei Rahkmaninoff

IC: Vlad / Gym

Wait really?

"Vell, er... I guess ve vill continue to get along, zen," the glowing Vorahk remarked.

* * *

IC: Thurisaz / Gym

A spike-launching gauntlet was remarkable anyways, but one that magically returned the spikes? "I'm impressed," the worthy Turahk asserted. "Was that just lying about in the Armory?" He hadn't thought such elaborate weaponry so freely supplied.

IC: Gaever / Forge

"Certainly. Compared to a Rahkshi suit, a staff can be modified with relative ease," Gaever assured her. She was already sketching out a latch design in her head.

IC: Gaever / Forge

"Hmm..." She thought about it as they approached the forge. It should probably be something effective in combat, yet with use outside of it; it should be not complex, unusual, or cruel. And it had to fit on a rather lengthy staff. A spear seemed too minimal, a shovel too useless...  "An axe end seems suitable," she soon decided. "Practical and effective in combat, but perhaps outside as well."

She considered the staff. "The shaft itself could also be modified to split into two smaller shafts, if you so desired," she offered. "Different attachments might be feasible then." She would understand if Phantom preferred not too, though. For some, there was value to a thing in its original state.

IC: Jayar / Forest of Kaam

"Well, the Matoran hate and fear us. For the Makuta we're a nuisance to control. The Dark Hunters would as soon kill as impress us," Jayar pointed out patiently. "And apparently Toa will attack us on sight. Other Rahkshi seem our best bet." He was attentive to any special reaction to any of those, Toa in particular.

* * *

IC: Thurisaz / Gym

"Alright. Let's see..." Thurisaz glanced around the room briefly. "I think you would get along with Kororia," the helpful Turahk decided, indicating the small Rahkshi of Elasticity. "She's the short squishy one; she's very friendly and welcoming." Impressively so, to win over even Ezec.

* * *

IC: Vlad / Gym

He realized how silly that sounded.

"Vell, in zer same vay a typical Rahkshi ist 'afraid' of zer light," he tried to explain. "It pains zem, blinds zem. It's like zat... but vith darkness." Absurd? Probably, but what ill-fated student of Corpus Rahkshi wasn't?

IC: Vlad / Gym

Vlad tried not to look too incredulous. "Er... have you noticed me?" he asked Diode. "Afraid of zer darkness, absorbs energy, long cloak, veird accent... zat ist a vampire. Vhether or not zer description comes from stories, it applies to me."

* * *

IC: Jayar / Forest of Kaam

Jayar tensed as Era's loose speech upset a delicate balance.

"There aren't many sentient Rahkshi wandering around," he told Reach. "We thought maybe we could learn from you." It was not false, for him at least. These were six incredibly powerful and experienced Rahkshi, and considering their apparent sanity and that peculiar encounter with the Toa, he was increasingly uncertain in the Order's assumption that they were behind the killings. They certainly had much to teach, if they were willing.

IC: Jayar / Forest of Kaam

"For now, talk," Jayar proposed, with cautious confidence. "They don't seem hostile so far."

* * *

IC: Vlad / Gym

"I am a Vorahk," Vlad answered Garrotte. "But I try not to use my power on other Rahkshi... I can get... carried avay. So... all in all, you could say I'm a... vampire, of sorts."

There, he said it.

If there were any Rahkshi who could put up with that, wouldn't it be these?

* * *

IC: Thurisaz / Gym

The thoughtful Turahk closed his eyes and took a deep, meditative breath, focusing on smoothing the sharp edges of his thoughts.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," Thurisaz apologized compassionately, raising his empty palms in a gesture of peaceful intent. "I just thought I could help you find a team."

IC: Thurisaz / Gym

His faithful vassals departing, Thurisaz turned into the crowd. It was evident that most Rahkshi had already found a partner or two, but a handful still looked to be wandering alone. One Rahkshi of Mind Reading looked particularly wavering.

The sociable Turahk wandered over to Oshi. "You look nervous," he remarked gently. "Having trouble finding a team?"

* * *

IC: Jayar / Forest of Kaam

"Almost certainly," Jayar said to Shield. "They match exactly."

IC: Vlad / Gym

What could he do? "Vell, I've been through a fair share of fights, unt can hold my own," he started. "Unt I... can't easily be blinded by lights..." There wasn't a lot more to it, really.

IC: Jayar / Forest of Kaam

Why had he assumed they would understand? They language they spoke must be a New Breed invention. Or something inherent to it?

A fascinating question. But not exactly the thing to contemplate now. He nodded confirmation of the Shadow Kraata's query. Then he turned to Era.

"I guess that for reasons even the Makuta haven't yet pinned down, we're sentient," he suggested. "That somehow, we are something new."

IC: Thurisaz / Gym

The crimson Turahk's grin was icy as he strode away confidently. "Insufferable, I agree," he remarked tersely. "Arrogance is the tragic flaw of most of my family. Those two, though, go so far as declaring themselves gods." He clenched a chiseled fist. "And if nothing more, I plan on watching their defeat."

He cheered up somewhat with that. "So. We can probably prepare. The three of you should go to the Armory and gather a few things our team lacks that might be handy in this urban environment. I'm mostly thinking ranged weapons, for firing from rooftops or across alleys, and some rope or chain for setting traps or keeping hostages. But grab anything you think we'll need." His ruby eyes glinted craftily. "I'm going to help some of the stragglers find teams."

IC: Jayar / Forest of Kaam

Jayar whirled around at the laughter, prepared for a confrontation, but the sardonic laughter didn't seem malicious. At least not right now.

It was embarrassing though, being belittled so by a member of the Hand of Spiriah.

In the ensuing silence of his companions he briefly considered calling Reach by name - for the Shadow Kraata of Adaptation surely must be he, the leader of the Hand. But it was decisively a bad idea to reveal they had such intel. "Are you only here to laugh at us?" he eventually asked cautiously.

IC: Thurisaz / Gym

"Later," Thurisaz assured Paladin and Tube grimly. They were, after all, about to enter a combative competition. He stepped smoothly past Paladin and Tube and stood toe to toe with Aza, fiery reflections of his carmine eyes burning in her own. "To have gods at your back is to ask to be stabbed there, sister of mine."

He stepped away as elegantly. "Anyways, I think we'll be going," he announced. "See you in the assignment, sister." He winked conspiratorially at Ezec and Kororia, then turned and lead his companions away from the seething self-proclaimed god.

IC: Thurisaz / Gym

"I've got it," Thurisaz soothed with electric calm, putting a tensed defusing hand on Paladin's shoulder. The vivid Turahk was almost basking in Aza's indignation, poised yet to respond should she snap. "No? Well, now's your chance to prove yourself," he assured her. "Some VIP will be very lucky to have you in their service."

IC: Thurisaz / Gym

"Well it's nice to hear that you care about them," Thurisaz replied affably, "even if your concerns are so misplaced. My companions have a team unrivaled in loyalty and unity. Do yours?" He paused, feigning an awkward realization with a roguish grin. "Or, will they, I suppose. Whenever you find some."

IC: Shark / Hallways

"I don't mind. I just hope you find it for yourself," Shark told them.

At Dissent's diatribe he looked up coolly. "This Rahkshi was visibly upset, so I came to try comfort them," he explained, not moving.

IC: Shark / Hallway

Shark shrugged. "Physical resemblance," he offered, indicating his single finlike spine. "...And youthful ambitions," he admitted pensively, "now tempered with experience."

He paused, expression thoughtful, before continuing, "If you don't mind me asking, what can I call you?"

IC: Vlad / Gym

"In any case, yes, ve do need a fourth teammate. I think you're velcome to join," Vlad told Helkyrie. This was indeed a band of misfits and unusual characters, no doubt. That was okay. In Corpus Rahkshi 'normal' was bloodthirsty and 'popular' meant diabolical.

* * *

IC: Thurisaz / Gym

The lofty Turahk granted his rivals the acknowledgement of a reserved nod, his relaxed attitude calming anxious comrades. "I've a few loyal companions," he agreed modestly, his ruby eyes yet gleaming satisfaction. "I'm sorry to see you've had less luck, Ezec. Does our sister keep scaring them away?" he guessed lightheartedly.

About then, a small squishy Rahkshi arrived, asking for assignment details. "But look, right here's your chance! I'll distract Aza, you make a friend," he suggested mischievously.

Considering that the Seventh Assignment page on our Wikia can be better updated by everyone, it's replacing my list here as the definitive one.

I'll be doing my part to expand the wiki with my characters' pages as soon as I get the chance, too.

IC: Vlad / Gym

"Er... Helkyrie, zis is Garrotte," Vlad attempted clarify. "She's fairly new. I vas showink her around vhen zis happened, unt now here ve are."

Turning to Diode, he added, "Unt zis ist... er..." He actually didn't know this Rahkshi's name, he realized awkwardly. "...vhat ist your name? I don't think I heard it," he finished apologetically.

IC: Shark / Hallways

"Call me Shark," he said, for Orloc's sake crouching down at a comfortable distance closer to her eye level. "I'm here to look after students in distress, as you seem to be."

IC: Thurisaz / Gym

Thurisaz's grin showed mild mirth. "Take no offense," he assured Paladin. "Tube speaks clumsily, but with good intentions. Understand 'power' or 'ambition' in place of 'evil,' and it makes more sense," he elucidated. "After all, the most impressive beings are often conventionally notorious."

* * *

IC: Vlad / Gym

Vlad nodded. "I'm villink to team up vith you two," he agreed. He scanned the crowd for other familiar faces. There weren't a lot of Rahkshi he knew well here... he had fought alongside a lot of people in the past, but most had drifted away somehow.

He did find one familiar face though. "I know her, her name is Helkyrie," he said, indicating the deathly Rahk. "Ve can invite her."

Reda is approved! And Click resumes his four-letter name trend once more.

IC: Thurisaz / Gym

Thurisaz was wearing an excited grin. "Good timing, Tube," he told his breathless vassal. "Icarax has just announced an assignment; we need to get into teams of four." He surveyed his three associates with clear satisfaction. "All of you up for joining mine?"

* * *

IC: Vlad / Gym

He thought a moment about how to answer Diode's question. "I have an unusual condition," he explained. "Vhere most Rahkshi can't stand bright light, I am pained by deep darkness. I vear zis cloak so I am alvays comfortably illuminated." The cloak, he realized, was still burnt in places. Probably his faceplate too. He had to get that fixed sometime.

In the meantime, Icarax had explained the assignment. "A VIP game," Vlad murmured. That certainly wasn't going to be overly violent. "Are you goink to participate?" he asked his two companions.

* * *

IC: Jayar / Forest

"Is there a path to trace?" Jayar asked, kneeling again to consider this latest evidence, the larger disturbance where Kat and Cao, apparently, had vanished.

* * *

IC: Shark / Hallways

With Thurisaz' assignment concluded, and indeed Icarax himself now presiding over a labyrinthine assignment in the Gym, there was no longer any reason for Shark to keep vigil there. But another aspect of a Prefect's duties was to patrol the hallways, intervening in violent scraps and maintaining order among the student body. So Shark took to drifting through the halls, monitoring them for chaos or strife.

He was in a relatively quiet part of the building when he heard distressed footsteps reverberate through an adjacent corridor, then slowly slump to a stop. His sedate approach soon brought faint weeping fading into his hearing as well. Soon he came upon its source: a scrawny maroon-robed Rahk, clearly desolate.

"What's wrong?" he asked compassionately, a giant gentle in concern for a student crying.

In the interests of helping everyone arrange a team for the assignment, here's a list of everyone currently in the Gym for it, and everyone who seems to be headed that way. I'll update the list with teams and new arrivals as they appear.

Edit: Because it can be better kept up to date, the Wikia page for the seventh assignment is replacing this post as the definitive list of teams and participants. Access it here.

IC: Lucid / Courtyard

"What? No, this actually is..." Lucid tried to explain, now herself the confused one, but it was too late. Orloc was already fleeing in anguish.

She considered going after them, but suspected that might do more harm than good right now. Disturbed to have upset someone so, she trudged over to the Porters and sat down drearily. "You remain obscure, your majesty," she told the Uncrowned King. The stoic machine accepted the verdict passively and continued gardening.