Emzee

OOC: Don’t mind if I do! IC: Ra’lhen Kodin (Onu-Koro, Outside Akiri Nuparu’s Hut) The Toa of Lightning had remained silent, digesting the words of this Matoran newcomer. An old friend of Sulov’s apparently, he had come with a proclamation so shaking that Ra’lhen had to stifle a gasp. Ra’lhen’s worst enemy, his nightmare, his former master… alive because of this man? It was preposterous, surely. He was present with Stannis during his interrogation by that unshakeable lawyer. Ra’lhen thought he knew the story. Actually, that was always just part of it. It explained why Makuta was alive. But how he returned remains a mystery. As Ra’lhen regained his nerve, he listened as Sulov they continue the conversation at his home. He followed Stannis, Sulov, and Private Tarnok, eager to learn more about their resurgent threat. (Onu-Koro, Sulov’s Home) Ra’lhen remained silent as he stood alongside Stannis. “We all thought he was dead,” Tarnok began, “The five of us from Mata-Nui, I mean. Soraya— the Dashi— wouldn't have known either way. We weren't suspicious enough when the Ta-Matoran gathered us. With the Makuta gone, who could know so much about us but Mata-Nui?” What’s a Dashi? Ra’lhen had not heard that title before. And after a time, the Vo-Toa started to wonder if he missing more pieces to this story then originally thought (incidentally, if they had only stopped at newspaper stand on their way out here, Ra’lhen might have seen the Mata Nui Daily’s newest cover story and gained all the context he needed). “We met at Kini-Nui, and he lead us to a portal,” Tarnok continued, “It would take us to the Kentoku Archipelago, but it would only work once. I'd take you there to see it, but...“ Ra'lhen didn’t feel the need to intrude, there was a tension in the air, for reasons he knew he couldn’t know fully. Best not speak until he truly had something to say. “He said we'd never find that Place again without the right guide,” Tarnok said, “I don't know that area well, but Leli— Major Leli— patrolled Le-Wahi for years. She said she'd never even heard of a place like it before that night, let alone seen it” “You remember what this Ta-Matoran looked like?” Sulov asked. “He wore a hood. I could tell he was a Ta-Matoran by the coloring of his hands,” Tarnok replied, clearly trying to remember more details, “A bit shorter than me. I never saw what mask he wore, but I remember thinking it was strange. It was some shade of blue, from the brief look I could get in the right lighting. Maybe one of the others had the chance to see his face clearly” Ta-Matoran? Shade of blue? Ra’lhen winced as an intrusive thought bore through his skull like a miner’s drill through the soil of Onu-Wahi. The Toa of Lightning had experienced this before, but he wished he had been more prepared. Even though Makuta’s chains had been broken for years, Ra’lhen’s mind still bore certain scars. There were very few living creatures on Mata Nui that had such a strong CAPTURE ON SIGHT mental commandment. There were the members of the Wanderer’s Company. But they merely inherited the persecution that had been planned for another company. The only Ta-Matoran with possible shades of blue on his mask that Ra’lhen could recall was the leader of the deceased Chronicler’s Company. That, or this Ta-Matoran had a mutated pigmentation. Ra’lhen, a Toa of Lightning with a naturally red torso, was no stranger to that phenomenon. Ra'lhen's eyes shifted to Stannis', then to Sulov's, and then back to Stannis'. The Vo-Toa's face had clearly indicated that he had recognized such a description. Assuming he wasn't going insane, something would be clicking within the two Toa Maru. OOC: @Void Emissary@Krayzikk@EmperorWhenua

IC: (Onu-Koro, Outside Akiri Nuparu’s Office) Ra’lhen nodded. The idea of other Toa joining the expedition put him even more at ease. It had been so long since Ra’lhen had been part of a real team—not the Sentinel squads that often resented his presence. “Sulov, I understand the Ussalry still manages to deploy extensively through the tunnels. Could we use the Ussalry's activity to desguise our efforts until we are well into the Walk from here?” he heard Stannis ask, “Po-Koro is not as thoroughly inserted, so if we entered from our ingress point our presence would likely be detected immediately.” Ra’lhen looked to see what the Toa Maru pf Earth would say. OOC: @EmperorWhenua @Void Emissary

IC: Luka - Streets of Tajun “Not a bad strategy. I could work with that” Luka looked around once again at the bustling streets. More people were occupying the shops and the place was getting more and more lively. He took note of the armed visitors—there were more of them now then a few minutes before. “More and more fighters are coming in for this exhibition,” he said to Avinus, “Wonder who I’ll square off against. It could be any of these people” OOC: @Nato G

IC: Niici (Ko-Koro, Akiri Tarkahn's Office) “Your skepticism is valid. I had similar questions, and to be honest, we are still in the early stages of our research; nothing is guaranteed,” Niici said. “That’s why, in order to eliminate waste within the government and this company, I’m proposing a multi-step process” Niici took one of the scrolls she was holding and unfurled it. At a quick glance is just look like 4 or so horizontal bars of different colors sitting next to each other, bisected by several lines clearly indicating times and dates. “We’ll start at step 1 here. This will cost your government the least, but it’s the most important step. Experts and field researchers will take what reports we do have, conduct interviews, and compare possible substances with the documented traits. If we cannot find this substance by the end of the four week period, then this project will terminate and the company will reimburse those expenses” Niici then began to move her index finger from the left end of the graph towards the right. “But if we do discover this substance, then the next steps will be breaking down the substance, analyzing and removing toxic parts, tests, and finally, Matoran trials. The most expensive part of this operation will be the distribution of this medicine, but by then we would’ve reached success already” Niici then set down the scroll onto the desk for the Akiri to see. “Now to your original question: what do we know about this substance? Well, we know that it’s extremely rare, that it can augment the body if ingested, and that overexposure to this substance has led to side effects and even death,” Niici said, “Even more reason to investigate and find where it’s coming from. If the substance can’t be made beneficial, then we must neutralize or purge it from the island” OOC: @The UltimoScorp

Wokiya just left, but I feel like she really needs to be part of that.

IC: Makua (The Fowadi, Aft Deck) The stars seemed brighter than normal that night. Or maybe Makua was new to looking up. Either way, the solemn reminder of the vastness of this universe gave the Toa of Ice some pause. Makua stifled a chuckle at his momentary bout of daydreaming. But something about the rhythmic work of the crew as the set sail from the sure seemed to put him in a bit of a lull. Even with the movement of the ship and all the discussions going on, he had not missed the newcomer “boarding” the Fowadi. Makua had wanted to say something snarky, but heck—here he was on this ship too. And he’d paid. OOC: I failed to keep track of who is exactly where. @Krayzikk @Snelly@otter, and anyone else on deck

IC: (Onu-Koro) Ra’lhen shut his eyes for a moment as if trying to conjure up a good answer. They had what they needed. He knew it would be good to send word to Akiri Lichtgheist at once so preparations could be made. But what about them? “We could try seeing if Ta-Koro would want involvement. Having a third city contribute to this project would have an incredible impact,” Ra’lhen said, “Though... since the original agreement was just between Onu- and Po-, that could lead to us needing re-negotiations”. Plus… things were not so great last time ‘I’ was physically there, Ra’lhen thought. The only regions he had really ventured since he was freed from Makuta’s hold were Le-Wahi, here, and Po-Wahi. Venturing into the City of Fire would likely trip up memories. And the City of Water was likely to never be an option for him. Good thing Ga-Koro wasn’t on the list. “Or, we could set up two teams: one for Po-Koro and one for Onu-Koro. Each would go into the Dark Walks and scout them like you said, Stannis. The teams would handle threats and bring reports back to their respective Akiri” OOC: @EmperorWhenua @Void Emissary

IC: The Waif (Ostia, Rooftop of the building in front of The Dancing Crab) The Waif laid on the baking roof of the neighboring building, as still as stone. Taking in the sounds around her—from the occassional breeze, to the very dulled rancor from inside the tavern, to some murmurs clearly coming from the site where the fallen Tenderfoot had been wrapped up and taken away, and finally to the footsteps. Every being had a rhythm to their walk, and each one was different. This talk did not belong to her supervisor. Could it be that green Toa? With her right hand, the Waif pulled out one of her daggers and waited. The Reaper Vortixx (Against the wall of a motel, near its back door) The Vortixx frowned as the Toa of Air walked towards the building opposite of The Dancing Crab. Was he about to become the Toa of Water’s problem. Nothing she couldn’t handle. He had seen her in action before. But this could prove to be a grave distraction. It would just be when there’s a fight outside that their target happens to leave the tavern. The hooded figure hook his head. The roles may have to switch. He would become the Blade if he encountered the target first. He watched and waited to see what the Le-Toa would do. OOC: @Void Emissary Stalemate! Stalemate! IC: Tailua — Ostia, The Dancing Crab The one-handed Toa had ordered a rather expensive dark-colored drink in the meantime, and appreciatively took a sip after handing the barkeep the expected currency plus a hefty tip—not nearly enough to cover the damage to the window, but still. “What kinda job would I be workin’ anyway?” Tailua finally asked, “For saving my life from those killers I’ll do it of course, but now I wanna know” OOC: @Ghosthands @ARROW404 @BULiK

IC: Luka - Streets of Tajun Give the people a good show. That's what matters I guess. It wasn't bad advice. The talk around these fights always sounded like high-stakes when Luka was growing up. Some have even been banished over it, after all. The young Glatorian was elated that maybe the tournament wasn't all like that. But now Luka had to think about being entertaining. One thing he's been told multiple times by different... potential mates. He was not entertaining, funny, or anything of the sort. Apparently rattling off fighting stats was not the widely accepted example of a good time. "I'll have to change my strategy up a little then," Luka said. "I haven't always been seen the most fun person". OOC: @Nato G

IC: Luka - Streets of Tajun "Wow, I guessed I never thought of it that way," Luka shrugged, almost sheepishly. There was so much more to this tournament stuff than he ever would have assumed. Luka had watched the tournaments and heard of the stories as a young kid. He had watched countless Glatorian spar. He never considered the story. He never thought there was a story. "Entertainment," Luka said, echoing the words with a new sense of wonder. "I suppose when it comes down to it, that's what the people come for" OOC: @Nato G

OOC: That was good. IC: The Waif (Ostia, Rooftop of the building in front of The Dancing Crab) The lithe Toa was pacing about, scanning the tavern, when her peripheral vision picked up the slightly hurried movements of a taller being (Toa? Lesterin?) moving with purpose out of the front door and around the side of the building. The Waif kept her cool for beat, continuing her pace until she detected the grey and green armored being turn the corner and head into the dark alleyway. Then, she slunk down to her knees before then touching her nose to the rooftop, ending up flat on her belly. She could turn her head to the right and see front of The Dancing Crab, and the dark alleyway next to it where her superior, an experienced Reaper, had last been seen. The Waif didn’t get a good look at the grey and green armored Toa (something about the way he walked seemed more Toa-like than Lesterin-like), but they didn’t seem like they were new to their current surroundings. The hooded Toa steadied her nerves and readied herself. She was the Blade. Killing Tailua was her mission. * * * The Reaper Vortixx (Against the wall of a motel, near its back door) The hooded figure had passed through the narrow, dark alley and emerged in a wider, better lit one that was flanked by the back doors. This one had enough space for cart and ussal traffic. He was skulking along the wall of a motel (opposite the sunlit alley behind the tavern) when he heard the footsteps. He had detected the coming footsteps almost subconsciously, the stone walls flanking that first narrow alleyway and amplifying the noise. The Reaper put his back against flat the wall. He was close enough to another alleyway, this one as narrow as the one he initially ran though. He could conceal himself there assuming the individual lacked a Mask of Vision. In a swift three strides, the towering, hooded Vortixx was back in the shadows. What emerged from that narrow alleyway by The Dancing Crab was a green and gray armored Toa. A fast mover with a sword he clearly knew how to use—definitely a Toa of Air. He hoped this Toa wouldn’t be a problem. They were well out of sight and sound from his subordinate, a fresh Reaper. He could depend on her and had many times in the past. But he was an entire building away. Not even the deadliest Reapers in the Fellowship would sense if anything went wrong—not with her set of elemental and Kanohi powers, anyway. With that, there was nothing for the Vortixx to do but wait in the shadows. He stood flat against the side wall of the building. OOC: I'll let you decide how sharp of an eye Gunner has @Void Emissary.

IC: Niici (Ko-Koro, Akiri Tarkahn's Office) She nodded affirmingly, her polished Great Matatu reflecting some of the light as she did so. "To put it very succinctly, the Cultured Gentry is a charity and service fraternity that's been around almost since the fall of the First Toa," Niici said, "Started by the burgeoning merchant class, we've expanded these past 100 years from simply empowering independent sellers to improving the lives of Mata Nui's most vulnerable citizens. We've sponsored charity auctions, benefit concerts, political action, and even scholarships! The Cultured Gentry are well-organized. Our members are always looking out for Mata Nui's best interests. And as Akiri, you can take pride and comfort in being a member as well. Dues waived!" Niici giggled at her own joke, "This, in fact, leads into why I'm here today. The Cultured Gentry would like to strengthen their alliance with our esteemed member by pursuing a new healthcare initiative. The terrible attack by the Legacy, along with other vices affecting Matoran across the island, have revealed a glaring void in that someone needs to handle. Infections, injuries, not to mention mental health" “A potential new company would like to work with the Cultured Gentry in order to research this new method for healing and restoration — a medicine. We’ve heard rumors of amazing discoveries believe to alter, improve, and augment the well-being of Matoran. However, we need scientists and researchers to verify. This new company would provide those people, the Cultured Gentry would provide the funds, and your government would provide support: permits, security, waivers, administrative help, and not to mention distribution if—no, when, we discover this medicine and pass our clinical trials.“ Niici grinned with unimpeachable confidence, “Don't tell me: you’d like to hear how this will help Ko-Koro, and you in particular. Yes?” OOC: @The UltimoScorp

IC: Luka - Streets of Tajun At first, Luka's eyes flitted, and the young Glatorian was taken aback. Hide my best moves? And give the audience bad expectations of me? To Luka, it had almost sounded like a trick. Did fighters really come to exhibition to study? Was Avinus being genuine? "I... I suppose," Luka said, a bit apprehensive. "But... so many eyes are watching me. Won't losing be judged poorly?" OOC: @Nato G

IC: Ra’lhen (Onu-Koro, Sulov Maru’s Trail Mix and Hookah Bar) At first, Ra'lhen didn't say anything. He simply nodded, affirming Sulov's commitment to their mission. The battle of wills and wits was a strong one. Somehow, Ra'lhen almost felt caught in the crossfire. He envied the wisdom of the two Toa Maru, but interestingly, Ra'lhen felt he could--should match their unwavering integrity and authenticity. Subconsciously, Ra'lhen straightened his posture. "Then I think we're all aligned. Akiri Lichtgheist will be pleased--assuming Akiri Nuparu and the Captain can be moved," Ra'lhen said. "Are we all settled?" OOC: @EmperorWhenua @Void Emissary

IC: Niici (Ko-Koro, Akiri Tarkahn's Office) Glowing sky-blue eyes reflexively scanned the Akiri’s office. Niici made an effort to remain neutral and smiled as she had when she first approached Tarkahn’s office. Are Akiri staff workers no longer a thing? And I thought the Good Doctor’s abode was dumpy. “I don’t believe we’ve formally met,” Niici said, her hand outstretched to the Akiri. “I’m Niici, chairwoman of the Cultured Gentry. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Niici paused for a beat and continued, “Does that name mean anything for you? I’m happy to do a spiel about what we do and what we’re about otherwise!” OOC: @The UltimoScorp

IC: Luka - Streets of Tajun "Yes, I hope I can get in," Luka replied, "I've been training for so long and want to--need to test what I've practiced at some point." Luka paused for a beat, as if there a reservoir of confidence he was trying to pull from. "I know I'd do well," Luka said, with a bit more conviction, "And being a formidable fighter in the Grand Tournament is a lifelong goal of mine" OOC: @Nato G

OOC: Per the GM announcement, one day has passed since this post. IC: Wokiya & Catarix Vint-Rasque (Ga-Wahi airspace) The two matoran needed to book it back to Ko-Koro, and so they decided to travel to Ko-Koro by Gukko-flock. Wokiya and Catarix were on one Gukko bird, while the rest of Wokiya’s coworkers were on one of the rear Gukko birds. There were nine Gukko birds in total, each carrying 1 to 3 passengers. The formation had four birds on one side, and four on the other side with the captain’s Gukko in the front-and-center. It was a common formation for passenger commercial air travel. These “follower” birds seemed specially trained to remain in the flock, so that one pilot (and copilot) could direct 9 Gukko birds to a common destination (or maybe the Gukko were all following each other? Wokiya didn’t really know how birds worked). A side-effect of this setup was that each Gukko bird felt like its own private pod. Despite Catarix and Wokiya being on the 2nd Gukko of the port side, the two Matoran felt (and were) free to discuss some of the more sensitive matters of their trip—especially Catarix’s talk with Libelle. Wokiya could hardly believe that the Ga-Koro branch of the Mata Nui Daily had been infiltrated and basically taken over by Cultured Gentry backers and cronies. Honest journalism was such a precious ingredient of Mata Nuiian culture. It felt dirty. The Ga-Matoran reporter was also more than a little scared of the new tactic. She remembered Niici having some ancient beef with Ga-Koronans, but while Libelle may have been a successful exercise in spite, now that it worked, there seemed little stopping Niici from trying the same tactic on all the other branches—including Ko-Koro. “That had to have been a test run,” Wokiya muttered to Catarix, who was in the seat in front of her. “With Libelle’s direct ties to Aelrie, I believe so. Though I’m not sure how Niici plans on replacing me. I’ll let the Ko-Koro branch publish reactionary slop only over my dead body!” A pensive silence overtook them for a brief moment. Wokiya wanted to respond, but thought better of it. She knew better than anyone (besides her brother) how Niici was not above murder to achieve her goals. “Thank you for the notes, Catarix,” Wokiya said in an attempt to change the subject. She was quite proud of the story she got from the Dashi ladies in Ga-Koro. With some sharp observations by Catarix, Wokiya was able to put something together that was sure to boost sales of the next issue of the Mata Nui Daily. While such cultural exchanges weren’t the biggest part of why Wokiya got into this field, she couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of fulfillment each time she did a story like this. “Just doing my job,” Catarix said, smiling ever so slightly. Wokiya looked behind her as the floating village, still crowded with ships as ever, continued to shrink from view before being obscured by the cliffside. OOC: Moving to Ko-Wahi

IC: Luka - Streets of Tajun "Well, at least I'll have that going me," Luka said, before laughing. "Here's hoping the arena doesn't change me too much." OOC: @Nato G

OOC: Per the GM announcement, one day has passed since this post. If you need a refresher, this should do it. IC: Niici (Ko-Koro, Sanctum) *click* *clock* *click* *clock* The chairwoman’s heels had a distinct sound to them as her steps reverberated through the halls. The clacking usually heard was instead a rounder, darker sound. It was as if Niici’s high-heels acted as trumpeters announcing the arrival of a queen. Under the Toa’s arm was a bundle of scrolls. Each one outlined talking points and proposals that the Cultured Gentry's lobby team guaranteed would allow for a smooth introduction. If things went well, Niici hoped for an opportunity for a proper alliance with Tarkahn’s administration. Naturally, this required a lot more diligence than what was required for the last administration, and Niici hoped that her team still had that edge now that the chairperson of the Cultured Gentry and the Akiri of Ko-Koro were no longer one and the same. Niici stood the archway leading into the Akiri’s office. Guardsmen on each side nodding as they permitted the Ko-Toa entry. OOC: @The UltimoScorp

IC: Luka - Streets of Tajun "I'll try to," Luka said with a smile. He looked away from the Fire Glatorian and back to Avinus. "In my earliest memories, I didn't have much. Neither did anyone else. Only way we survived was to be there for each other." He was about to say more, but stopped himself. He didn't want to potentially burden his newfound friend with stories of the Raid that shook him to his core. That was something he needed to shield away from other Glatorian if he wanted to be taken seriously. It may have been a long time ago, but to Luka, it still felt like there were voids in his soul--scooped out by those Bone Hunters all those years ago. "Too many people on Bara Magna only care about enriching themselves," Luka said. He was trying to sound casual and probably sounding more serious than he intended. "And I know I'm far from the only one who's been on the rough end of that worldview. But I'm not going to just take from others in the hopes it'll replace what others have taken from me." Luka shrugged, "Or maybe that makes me an idiot". OOC: @Nato G

IC: Luka - Streets of Tajun "I suppose that's where we come in," Luka said with a grin, "For me, I just can't resist the heroics that can come with being a Glatorian. I know it's not a super common trait, but I dunno. I've always been a helper-type myself. Glatorian are the best equipped to be protectors and heroes, as well as revered athletes and entertainers" As the blue-armored young man said this, he continued to look out at the shops and people bustling along. Glatorian of all Tribes seemed to grow in number, and they all looked like they had somewhere to be yesterday. Many of them had weapons strapped to them that Luka had never seen before. A remote part of Luka's mind was cowering. Any one of these titanic warriors could be Luka's opponent—and none of them looked friendly. One particularly brutish-looking Fire Glatorian had done a sideways glance toward Luka as he stomped into a nearby weapons shop. He wore the emblem of Vulcanus and had the unmistakable red and yellow hues in his armor. Luka had tried to will the rest of his mind and soul to combat this lapse in bravado. Luka knew he could compete—otherwise how had he been spending his time the past several months? Hopefully not a waste of time. Instead, the heroic hopeful gulped as that towering Fire Tribesman trudged inside and slammed the weapon shop door behind him. OOC: @Nato G

IC: Tailua — Ostia, The Dancing Crab “I suppose you gatta point,” Tailua said, “While I ain’t expecting da worst, I ain’t hopin’ for da best either!” Tailua then pondered for a brief moment. Should he order a drink as well? At the very least, he should probably offer to cover the damage he did to the barkeep’s window… The Waif — Ostia, Rooftop of the building near The Dancing Crab The lithe, hooded figure continued to pace around the rooftop of the neighboring building. With all exits accounted for in her mind, she twirled a poison dagger between her fingers. She tracked her supervisor as he circled the tavern's rear, dipping in and out of view even to the Waif’s expertly trained eyes. The last she saw of the taller hooded figure was him dipping into a pitch-black alleyway. The cries of terror that had flooded the streets earlier had died down to whimpers and moans before just becoming a quiet shuffling of people. Someone had moved and covered the failed Tenderfoot’s cadaver with a worn tarp. Barely sparing a thought to the lost potential, the Waif continued pacing. OOC: @Ghosthands @BULiK @Void Emissary

IC: Ra’lhen — Onu-Koro, Sulov Maru’s Trail Mix and Hookah Bar The Vo-Toa nodded in agreement. “Stannis has the truth of it. You and your people help Po-Koro map and fortify our leg of the Dark Walk. And we Po-Koronans send our best to help map and fortify yours. It'll guarantee better security for both of our villages.” “It won't be a quick set of missions, but a longer multi-part plan to raise our defenses piecemeal,” Ra'lhen continued, “Map and fortify, then map some more, and fortify that. Over and over” Ra'lhen glanced from Sulov to Stannis and back to Sulov. OOC: @EmperorWhenua @Void Emissary

IC: Luka — Streets of Tajun "Sure does," Luka said, "I enjoy seeing the new faces passing through here. Makes things interesting, aside from the fights that break out." Luka paused for a moment, appearing to ruminate over past conflicts he's witnessed. It almost always happens at some point, and it wasn't too surprising with how disparate the different tribal cultures are. Combine that with your typical competitive spirit and... "You ever come across some particularly passionate patrons having a slugging match?" Luka asked.

IC: Catarix & Libelle (NPC) — Ga-Koro, Café Kaukau Ko-Koro’s finest chief editor was fighting to contain his exasperation under a veneer of professional cordiality. Catarix Vint-Rasque could not deny the truth: this woman who now ran the Ga-Koro branch of the Mata Nui Daily publication was an utter mess. Catarix struggled to count on one hand the number of original, sensible thoughts Ms. Libelle held in the space between her audio receptors. Catarix wanted to prod more, to learn just how deep the Kofo Jaga pit went. But Mata Nui-forbid he discover that his fellow chief editor was illiterate. Some things just aren’t worth finding out. The Ko-Matoran had hoped that he could just provide a little advice for the new editor during one of the most challenging times for a journalist. However, Libelle had flown past the field of not caring and into a realm of “anti-caring”. Somehow, Libelle was rallying her team around the most reactionary of coverages. If continued unabated, the Mata Nuiian public’s perception of the Dasakan refugees could be horribly damaged — not to mention what it could do to the reputation of Ga-Koro’s leadership. “There’s something I still don’t quite understand,” Catarix said to Libelle after watching her pay their combined check, “Why would Ga-Koronans even want to know about… well, how ‘rich’ the newcomers are, or what their crown princess likes to do in her free time? I cannot claim to have lived here for any notable amount of time, but my understanding of Ga-Koronans is that gossip is not their way of life. Kind of gets in the way of that whole ‘Unity’ virtue, if I recall correctly” Libelle flashed a sly smile and replied, "Unity might be a virtue, but curiosity fuels intrigue, and intrigue sells papers. Besides, who said unity couldn't coexist with a bit of harmless gossip?" Catarix raised an eyebrow. “Gossip breeds distrust, and it’s hard for villagers and refugees to be unified without trust” Libelle leaned back, her eyes searching the room as if the answer lay in the patterns of the cafe’s ceiling. "You see, Catarix, it's not just about caring for the wealthy refugees," she began. "It's the stark contrast between their opulence and the struggles of our villagers. Jealousy and resentment can fester in such situations. Ga-Koronans might question why their hard-earned resources are spent on others who seem to have plenty. They might feel forgotten, their needs overshadowed. That's where the seeds of distrust take root. We need to navigate this delicate balance with grace and understanding, lest unity crumbles under the weight of misperception." Libelle's expression turned earnest as she finished her explanation as if she believed that her insight would bridge the gap between Catarix's doubts and her approach to journalism. Catarix blinked haphazardly. “I have to ask Ms. Libelle, how hard was it to receive this promotion? I’ve heard so many stories of tribulation and triumph from my peers—to say nothing of my own story…” Libelle's gaze softened, appearing to reminisce about her journey to the coveted position. "It wasn't an easy road, I must admit," she said with a thoughtful smile. "I started as a humble reporter, just like many others. But I embraced each challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow. I strove not only to report the news but to understand the heart of our community. Unity is a powerful virtue, and I found that when we collaborate and support one another, we can achieve remarkable things." She paused, her eyes locking onto Catarix's. "And that's where you come in, Catarix," she continued. "We may have taken different paths, but now fate has brought us together as fellow chief editors. Our shared purpose should be to uphold the integrity of the Mata Nui Daily and to serve our readers with the truth. By pooling our strengths, we can create something exceptional, forging an unbreakable bond that will inspire unity not only within our team but among the entire island." Libelle extended her hand toward the Ko-Matoran. Catarix eyed his colleague’s bejeweled digits for a beat before he accepted the handshake, his eyes narrowing. Libelle’s grip had a new firmness to it. "While we do live on opposing halves on the island, we still have a connection," Libelle said, "Believe it or not, I do have personal ties to Ko-Koro. And I want to see its publication succeed." “Family?” Libelle nodded slowly but did not speak. “Can’t say I’m much of a family man myself,” Catarix rambled on, “But I did try to aptly prepare for our meeting by looking a bit more into your local connections.” Catarix leaned back a bit in his seat before continuing. “I think I remember some article mentioning your elder sister Aelrie. Does she come to visit often?” Libelle's smile remained steady, but her eyes sharpened. "Ah, Aelrie," she replied casually, though her heart raced at the mention of her sister. "She's a busy individual, but yes, she does visit from time to time." Libelle then decided to respond in kind, her tone measured and deliberate. "And speaking of connections, do send my regards to your protege, Wokiya. She's quite talented, isn't she? Oh, and her brother too, of course. It's fascinating how our lives intersect in unexpected ways, isn't it?" She paused as if waiting to see if Catarix would catch whatever unspoken message was behind her words. For Catarix’s part, his face remained unreadable. Bingo, he thought. “They’re doing fine as far as I know,” Catarix said, checking his watch. Almost noon. “Well, I’m afraid that’s all the time I have for such regaling views and insightful discussions,” Catarix said, “I need to go check on my staff” Libelle gave a nod. "Of course, duty calls." Catarix — Ga-Koro, Town Square The Ko-Matoran people watched as he waited for Wokiya & The Gang to return with the narrative spoils. His copy of the newspaper unrolled as he glanced between it and the passers-by. He was no longer worried about Libelle or the state of Ga-Koro’s Mata Nui Daily branch. Sure, its journalistic integrity was still in danger, but it was a familiar danger. When given a choice, Catarix Vint-Rasque almost always preferred to dance with the devil he knew. If Chairwoman Niici really was starting her campaign of aggressive expansion, Catarix and Wokiya would be ready with their counter-offensive.