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Unreliable Narrator

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  1. IC: Arero I may live under a rock in Onu-Koro but I know who Dorian is -- if Cipher is talking about the Dorian Shaddix of recent fame. Anyone who opened a newspaper in the past few months knew the mercenary’s name. Cipher’s story from our first meeting comes back to me. He was searching for friends who had gone ahead. Dorian had gone ahead. Who did they leave behind? Why? What was Cipher really traveling for? Was there more to his silence when I asked about toa Joske? I’ll trust him to tell me when he’s ready. For now I’m his matoran compass. I appreciate his company. At least he's not bad company. “Hopefully they’re here or in Ta-Koro. But now that we’re here I realize I haven’t thought about how to actually find them. Maybe she knows if Ga-Koro is housing refugees.” I nod toward the Marine at the bar. I saw her reach into the Ta-matoran’s bag earlier. She pulled out a glowing rock of destiny. I don’t want her to reach into mine. There’s a small book labeled “Reeds and Rushes” that’s actually about a certain Akiri of Ta-Koro. It’s banned in Ga-Koro because of a few choice pages. I should have left it at home.
  2. IC: Arero [Ga-Koro, The Great Takea] I remember. Cipher has good stories about his time diving for treasure in Xa-Koro. I wonder how the island would be today if Xa-Koro hadn't sunk beneath the waves. Of course, like most of Cipher's stories, everything goes terribly wrong and everyone is terribly lost before Cipher swings in and saves the day in the end. Maybe it's destiny. Maybe it's exaggeration. I wonder if traveling together will lead to a story of misdirection. I hope so. Getting lost sounds terribly exciting. Onuzek is still talking with the crystal covered toa from Kentuckit. I don't want to bother them. "So, um, Ciph... Am I wrong in thinking he's not who you were looking for in Ga-Koro?"
  3. IC: Arero “I’d take some too, thank you,” I reply after Cipher. The bar owner seems genuinely happy. Nothing bad came of sharing my menu suggestions and yet I still feel like I did something wrong. Accepting cactus juice is the least I can do. While she goes off to gather the drinks I turn back to my traveling companion. There’s a bit of wood shrapnel parked in the folds of his calix. It’s amusing to see him so rugged and so oblivious. “So, you’re not strangers with everyone here are you? Also, you got something in your calix. No, no, not there, look at where I’m pointing on me. No, your other left. Yeah there. Yep, you got it.”
  4. Wow, thanks! You've really helped me get in the swing of posting recently too. Been learning a lot about this game from you all.
  5. I didn't even know this game had arcs! I'm so excited for what's next. It's been a wild ride catching up.
  6. IC: Arero "Um, well, I uh..." I bite my lip anxiously. How to explain to a large dangerous bar owner that what's on her menu isn't good enough for the Onu-Koro bookworm. " Hi, sorry, I'm Arero. I was saying to Cipher earlier that I love the menu. Especially the wooden board backing. Very nice touch." Okay maybe not love, but it's a step in the right direction. Her tavern just got damaged. Telling her that using mismatched sizes for menu boards didn't assist the aesthetic would be rude. "But I was thinking that, you know, maybe you could have an option for crab and seaweed salad as a sandwich? It's currently a salad. "And you could maybe offer jicama fries in the appetizer section. If that's not too much trouble with the menu layout."
  7. IC: Arero As Cipher and I make our way back into The Great Takea I notice a group of Marines leading what must have been the cause of the brawl away. His head and shoulders bob above his captors. Must have been hurt in the leg. Something sickening and worm-like clings onto the back of his neck. I’d read about parakuka maggots before, but never seen on for myself. It’s disgusting. “Big guy,” I mutter as they turn the corner and disappear from sight. I step through the front door back into the tavern. I step carefully to avoid the shattered glass covering half the floor from where the window was smashed in. I can only imagine the damages inside the kitchen. “Oh. Bigger guy,” I say involuntarily as I take stock of the crowd gathering to give testimony. The giant purple and black armored toa that blocked my view of the port earlier is here and taking up the entire width of a corner booth. How he fit through the door I’ll never know. You could easily fit an entire skakdi in just his torso. He’s talking with a much smaller toa dressed in crystal armor. The toa that threw herself through the window of the bar to join the brawl. The smaller toa is blue and seems genuinely interested in learning about the giant in the room. Both wear the great mask of strength. Both carry the scars of previous battles. Looking around further I realize all the toa in the room have scars, dents, uniforms, or war wounds. I’m surrounded by combat veterans. A Ga-Matoran Marine is working on establishing order and starting to interview the brawlers by the bar. Is that a Ta-Koro guard in the group? I realize why I feel out of place now. Everyone here is a fighter, and their armor shows it. Especially the blue skakdi holding a piece of metal scrap with a makeshift handle. And I’m supposed to propose a meal suggestion to them? I don’t have dirt smeared across my armor. I hide my wounds. I’m not proud of my fall. It’s just another thing that stops me from dreaming. “Maybe I should wait on that. You know her place just got trashed. And preferably I can do it by mail. I Don’t want to be a bother,” I say to Cipher from the corner of my mouth. “Is she suing for damages?”
  8. IC: Arero "Sorry. I got scared." I say while crawling out of Cipher's bag. "Didn't know where to go once I was outside, but didn't feel safe just waiting in the open. The dark was calming." I pat myself down as I stand up. My left foot is a sleep, and I feel the pinging of pinched wires. The crowd has mostly cleared out. "So, um... we okay?" I look Cipher over. "You okay?"
  9. IC: Arero Cipher’s bag is comically large. I’m comically small. It dawns on me how to escape the eyes of the marines while remaining within Cipher’s inevitable path. There’s plenty of space after we ate the food purchased for the journey from Onu-Koro. It dawns on me that it’s too dark to read inside his bag. And he should wash it. At least no one commented on me slipping inside. With a little bit of luck on my side I’d be Marine free for the foreseeable future.
  10. Is there an already established bookstore in Ga-Koro?
  11. IC: Arero Cipher never mentioned how absolutely heavy his bag is. It's understandable. I'll forgive him. I figured he'd want his bag out of the combat zone, so I dragged it with me. Unfortunately, I couldn't carry his long staff weapon thing. That's still in the bar. Along with someone new to the fight who jumped through the windows. I groan when they do. If only I knew the property damage estimate before it went into the paperwork when we were inevitably arrested. I could go to sleep tonight if I knew that number. Even in a cell underwater. I have time to look at the docks while I'm standing in the crowd. Seeing the boats bob in the water confirms I want nothing to do with life on the sea. Something large and under guard piques my interest. "What's that?" I ask a Ga-matoran next to me. "That's a submarine from far away," she replies. "Honestly, how have you not heard of of them? You been living under a rock?" "Uh, yes, as a matter of fact. Onu-Koro. Sorry." "Oh, Well yeah they're new. From some place called Kentuckit. They wear lots of crystals and they think they're better than us." She crosses her arms and turns away. I tug Cipher's bag a little closer. Kentuckit sounds interesting. I wonder if the sailors from there have any books I can buy. Or a map. A yelp in the alley behind the tavern draws me back to the present. "Come on Cipher, I need you to get to Ta-Koro." I grumble to myself. I didn't want to have to find a new bodyguard. Besides, I liked Cipher. He had a good sense of humor.
  12. IC: Arero This has gone on long enough. I'm standing in a tavern without ordering and there's a brawl in the kitchen. How did I think traveling to Ga-Koro would be better than relaxing at home with a good book? I could have been reading a book about Ga-Koro taverns. I hear Cipher yelling at someone behind the closed kitchen doors. I look around the room to see everyone fleeing. The server is standing by the entrance waving customers down. She's obviously done this before. "You, let's go," she says to me and points with her notepad, "outside. The Marines are on the way." I take a step toward the door. Then another. My mind is racing as I step out into the street with the rest of the customers. Would I be considered a part of the brawl because I'm with Cipher? Because I tossed him the crossbow? I'm sure there's an honest explanation, officer -- some version of the truth paints us in the best light. I'm just a traveler looking for my refugee friends. I'm Arero of Onu-Koro. It's not that I don't want to go to jail. It's that I don't want to go to jail again. Repeat offenses are the worst.
  13. IC: Arero The Po-koro sentinels had a program they taught to civilians during the dark days: run, hide, fight. When confronted with an armed and violent individual or group you pick one and stuck with it. I choose to hide. I see the ta-matoran take off toward the kitchen with a knife. The server is standing still, unsure if they should run, hide, or fight. We’re not the only customers in the tavern. Most are still seated. They’re tense. But living in a world of constant violence under Makuta’s reign dulled their sense of morality. So what if a violent armed brawl starts in the kitchen? I have fries with mahi cheese curds to finish. “Arero, crossbow!” Cipher yells from the kitchen. Okay, crossbow. Got it. I yank the crossbow off from where it’s strapped to Cipher’s backpack then crawl out from under the table. It’s a pretty heavy crossbow. I’m glad it’s sturdy because the kitchen door is probably twenty feet away and I’m not the best shot putter. But if this is how I can help Cipher I know I have to try. “Incoming,” I reply and throw the crossbow. So much for committing to hide.
  14. IC: Arero While Cipher smelled something strange from the kitchen I smelled jicama fries from the bar. "Jicama," I mutter behind the menu. "Jicama, jicama... ah. Oh no." It's not on the menu as an appetizer. It's only available as one of the options with the burger. Getting the same order as Cipher would be weird. Asking for an additional favor from the waiter would be presumptuous. Maybe as a fallback then if they can't turn the crab salad into a sandwich though. I lean in closer to the menu as the light from the window disappears. It's probably a cloud blocking the way. Looking outside I find I'm wrong. It's not a cloud. They're just huge and blocking my view. I lean back into my seat. Should I be planning to slide under the table? Maybe I should have gone to the place with sundaes.
  15. IC: Arero A Ta-matoran looks up from her meal when I enter. She looks at me. I look at her. I look away because this is awkward. The table Cipher and I are escorted to is a plush booth with a window at the edge of the tavern. There's a great view of the door to the kitchen behind the bar and the main entrance. I let Cipher have the tactical view while I disappear into the large menu book. "Bacon burgers, huh? They seem to have lots of toppings here. Look, third from the bottom. That one has seaweed on it. Oh, sorry, it's a crab salad not a burger. Do you think I could ask for it to be a sandwich? It wouldn't be too much trouble right?"
  16. Awesome thanks! The search function is now live and I found out more from the character profile of who owns the location. I just didn't want to redecorate the place on accident.
  17. Is there somewhere to look up previous descriptions of locations? I've been trying to learn the game lore, but the geography doesn't seem like it's the same as MNOG or MNOG2?
  18. OOC: Okay thanks! Is there anywhere to read up on the Great Takea location? Search doesn't seem to work. IC: Arero "I'm not quite sure that's the issue," I mutter as we pass into the city of water. The soft lily-pad beneath my feet ripples with the tide buffering beneath. I gather myself by reading a tourist map posted near the entrance to Ga-Koro. It's the kind of map with the you are here marker and the color-coded neighborhoods designed to please those who aren't trying to actually read. "It looks like we just need to keep on down this road, then make a left once we're at the docks." I say as my finger traces the route. "I think I know where we're going now." Ga-Koro is a marvel unlike the other cities because of its aquatic architecture. Ta-Koro may be built into a volcano, but even it can't match the creativity of building out into the bay on lily-pads. I watch matoran diving off the streets to lower levels of business. It's physically impossible to escape the smells of raw fish and seaweed. Flowers grow in abundance in window boxes. I lead Cipher slowly through the crowds to avoid losing him. "I think this is it," I say as we turn the corner on the docks. Ahead of us is a large structure built to toa heights. It smells warm and cozy once we get closer. Dusty from the road I reach out and push open the door... OOC: hello anyone in The Great Takea?
  19. Ooc: how big is Ga-Koro? Is it still small like in MNOG or is it more developed up to a town or city? IC: Arero I think about going to a diner full of Ga-Koro Marines. It doesn’t sit well with me. What if I violated a small clause in some legal document or they saw me J-walk before entering the premises? I needed a bath. I wasn’t presentable in a diner. What if the book I was reading had been banned earlier this week and I didn't know it because of traveling? A brunch place with a tavern-y vibe however… “Let’s go to The Great Takea. You seem like the tavern-type. Who knows, maybe you’ll see Dorian or one of your other friends at the bar? I’ll bother someone for directions once we’re in town.” I lead the way down the sandy bluff and across the beach. The buildings are well developed. Impressive estates line the coast and the rest of Ga-Koro is on lily-pads stretching out into Naho Bay. The sounds of rigging clacking against the mast and the thrumming of boat engines carry across the water. At few Marines stand by the gates to Ga-Koro proper. “Excuse me,” I pipe up and throw in a timid wave. “I don’t mean to bother you but, um, well…” I look at Cipher with eyes that say help.
  20. OOC: from Onu-Wahi, and thanks Razgriz for the PM regarding your character's thoughts. Arero: During the first day of travel with Cipher I learn two key things about him: he lives out of his monstrous backpack and he has absolutely no sense of direction. It becomes obvious that simply walking in the intended direction and having Cipher follow along like a hapaka is the safest way to get to Ga-Koro. I stick with that system for the next three days. Cipher also is a survivalist. What I learn in books Cipher learns through first-hand experience. I appreciate that he’s so willing to teach me to start campfires and stops me from eating the wrong berries. Often he has a small anecdote about his past, I love learning about his adventures. When I asked about a scratch on his armor Cipher said; “Fell into a Kofo-Jaga hive once. Not fun burning my way out of that.” Despite his misadventures with direction, or perhaps because of them, he’s good at fighting. The second night of travel I get him to show me how to throw and block a punch. I want to say I learn fast but I know he doesn’t want me to get hurt. I ask about his friends and what it’s like being a mercenary for a living. Day three. I feel the border of Ga-Wahi about an hour after I see it on the map. The ground becomes sandier underfoot, even near the end of the trade tunnel Cipher and I walk. The sounds of coastal birds echo down the tunnel to welcome us back into the sunshine. It’s a bright morning. “Here we are, Ga-Wahi.” We’re on a sloped hill that leads down toward the coast. In the far distance I can make out Naho Bay and the city of Ga-Koro floating in it. “I’m glad we didn’t take the dark walk. It would have been faster but less likely we’d live.” I remember the rahkshi attacks on the cities with a shudder. If Joske and the Maru hadn’t defeated Makuta I probably wouldn’t be here as I am. I almost felt indebted to my heroes. “Know any good places to have brunch in Ga-Koro?”
  21. IC: Arero Safe passage with a stranger purchased via handshake. What a novel feeling of adventure. What a painful handshake. "Alright then, first challenge: get to Onu-Koro so I can pack. Lucky for you I know just the way." I slide my foldsack onto my back and set off down the cavern pathway to the city of earth. I'll need several items for the journey. Most importantly a few tools and my maps. I take one last look at the stars before the cavern ceiling makes them disappear. "Think we'll ever have a star up there?" I whisper to myself. Then I jog ahead to keep up with Cipher's toa gait. OOC: Arero and Cipher to Ga-Wahi, unless you have anything else you want to post.
  22. IC: Arero “Crossed my mind,” I reply. “If I set out tomorrow morning I could probably catch a trade caravan using the tunnels.” It would take a couple days of travel at most. I could use the time to write letters. Or I could read another book. “Piraka.” The slur feels wrong in the mouth. I feel my teeth grinding together. “I don’t like them already.” The tea is gone. I cap the carafe, return it to my foldsack, and look to Cipher. “I’m assuming you’re traveling too, right? Why not travel together? You can keep me safe and I can read a map.”
  23. IC: Arero Cipher’s eyes betray loss and internal conflict. I watch him stare out across the rocky hills for a long time. He’s holding something back. Something that hurts and pulls at his conscience. I understand. I reach up and pat his shoulder. His muscles are strong. His armor is a record of violence. “Hey, it’s okay. Whatever happened, it’s okay. I’m sure you did the best you could. You’re a toa-hero, after all. You even have a star.” I point up to a dancing light in the night sky. It feels like the right one. “I had friends in Ko-Koro. I hope they made it out. They probably would have gone to Ta- or Ga-.” My friends. That is a word used liberally. During my time in Onu-Koro no one has sent a letter. I care about them all the same though. “I should make sure they’re safe.” I take a sip of tea. It’s calming. It staves off the Southern wind from Mount Ihu and reminds me of the desert. “You said Ta-Koro was also attacked?”
  24. IC: Arero “I’ve had my mask stuffed in the pages of a few choice books over at the Wise Man’s Archive. I’d been getting all my news from my neighbor,” I lean toward Cipher, “and that means nothing but niche basket-weaving gossip.” “You said Ko-Koro was attacked? Were you there? How’s the new Akiri, uh…” I try to remember who took the post after Matoro then give up. “I’m not crazy for thinking all this Makuta-stuff has been getting worse then? I thought the Maru defeated Makuta and that toa Joske was protecting the island. I read about him in a Kohli journal.”
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