pokemonlover360

I couldn't leave forever even if I tried. Bzpower's still my homepage. There is one thing I do have a question about for anybody in the know: What's been happening with the Dasaka expedition to Mata Nui?

I might have lived down what I've done in the past, but only because I haven't really done anything in the past. If you're really worried about only being known for one thing that you did before, you'll just have to do more things.

IC Hogo Glendalla- Arohi School of the Mind: Glendalla awoke, still tired despite the sleep she had just been having. It was the same as it had been ever since her training session with Tapui. She glanced at her right hand, checking that the bandages were still secure. The worst of it was covered, but the burn marks continued a few inches down her wrist. The burns ached less today, which was an improvement, but she was still wary to remove the bandages. Securing her blades to her waist, she made her way to class. Her progression in her training had been greatly hampered by the current condition of her soulsword, but she had persevered, learning how to fight with her left hand as the dominant one. She wondered if the other students continued to tease her or not. She hadn't been keeping up with the social sphere at school. A free period arrived later in the day, and she made her way to the training area as she always did. It was time to try once again. She set up a training dummy in front of her and extended her left hand, beginning to focus her mind. Visualize the sword, focus your energy, connect to past memories that give the sword power, etc. The flow of it all was coming much more naturally than it had in the past. That wasn't the problem. All that was left to do was release the energy to manifest the sword. She knew what was about to happen, but had to try again, no matter the consequences. Energy is ready, it's concentrated in my hand, now manif- The fear and doubt arose once more, cutting off her connection in an instant. The built up mental energy in her hand tried to emerge into her blade but lost direction and discharged into her hand. She let out a yelp of pain as the energy once more burned her hand, dissipating soon afterwards. She fell to her knees, hissing from the pain in her hand. The energy had left a scorch mark on her left hand, still smoking from the heat. The doubts and fears in her mind dispersed once more into the recesses. She knew they'd be back when she next tried her soulsword. She had to find a way to stop them. OOC: Glendalla open for interaction.

IC Yasurek- Infernavika: "Some shore leave is probably in order," Yasurek agreed. "We still have a reward to get from the Po-koro guard afterwards for assisting them too." He mulled over the idea of shore leave before asking, "What exactly do we do during shore leave anyway?"

IC Yasurek- the ta-wahi ocean: After a slight pause, Yasurek broke the surface of the water with a gasp. He worked hard to remain on the surface. "It turns out that carrying tons of spears with you has a negative effect on one's bouyancy," he observed. "Can someone please explain what just happened?"

IC Yasurek: "I wouldn't be surprised if there actually was a criminal mastermind somewhere in Doomslayer's head," Yasurek remarked. He was seated next to the others, roasting a marshmallow over a heatstone. "Marshmallows are tasty."

IC Glendalla: Glendalla had not slept well. Her brief moment of rest had been filled with clashing thoughts and worry. This time her thoughts were conflicted about the guard duty she was about to partake in. When she arrived at the classroom, the sight of clear clan boundaries in what was to be her comrades in arms did nothing to allay her worries. Fortunately, Tapui soon arrived to give her a respite from standing awkwardly by herself. She had few friends within the school as is, and not even a Hogo to at least relate to. Glendalla glanced down to ensure her katana and wakizashi were still sheathed at her waist before responding to Tapui. "I'm about as ready as I can be, but I still have some doubts," she admitted. "I trust you and me to heed the toroshu's words and work together in spite of our backgrounds, but I don't know any of the ones here. Even though there probably won't be an attack, I can't let myself rely on that feeling. One of the primary guidelines in being a Hogo guard is, 'Being complacent never helped anybody guard anything successfully ever.' None of us want an attack, but we have to be ready in case it does." Realizing that she had given a bit longer answer than Tapui's question actually required, she quickly added, "How about you?"

IC Glendalla: "Cool. I'll see you then." As Glendalla left the training room, she considered what Tapui had said. It probably was a good idea to take a break and get some rest, as well as some food. Rest was especially important since it was a night watch. In that case, she thought, best to do a quick shower, grab some food, then a brief nap. Showering and eating were completed without incident, though Glendalla noticed hints of unease within her fellow students as she passed them. She didn't know what clans they were members of, but the current conflict was giving everyone reason to worry. Maybe it'll be over quickly, she hoped, but there were doubts in her mind. She soon returned to her quarters. It was sparsely decorated, a bed, chair, and desk being the primary furnishings. Her class notes were on top of the desk, along with some writings about soulswords and Hogo legends. She sighed and sat on her bed, thinking about what she'd been through today. "At least I made a friend," she said to herself. While her mind was exhausted, there was still one thing that she wanted to try before taking her nap. Her work with Tapui had failed, yes, but the mindset they she had reached was definitely what she needed to use to manifest her soulsword. She extended her hand, reaching out to those past memories, feeling the determination and strength in her words and promises. She combined her thoughts together and forced them into her outstretched hand. As she gave the thought to ignite her sword, a sudden rush of fear appeared her mind. Fear, confusion, anxiety, all flowed into her head, a moat between her mind and her blade. She gasped as the energy she had collected discharged, sparks of soulsword energy scattering out of her hand. After it was over she clutched her hand to try to stem off the pain coursing through it. She was sure the pain would go away, but what concerned her was the negative feelings that had ruined her attempt. All feelings had a voice within her mind, but the voice that accompanied the fear and anxiety didn't sound like hers. Best to sleep on it, she thought as she began to nap. I'm sure I'll figure it out with time.

IC Glendalla: "I'm okay, just shaken" she told Glendalla. "What about you?" Glendalla had some doubts that someone who had gone from standing up to controted on the ground could be 'just shaken', but she pushed it aside. The residual pain in her chest from the mental stabbing was also starting to subside. She gave a long sigh and dropped to her knees. She too was surprised that she could have remained standing for so long, but most of it was due to her legs feeling more like lead than normal tissue after the experience. As to Tapui's question, she wasn't sure how to respond. She decided that it would be best not to mention the experience of being stabbed by your own subconscious, since Tapui had almost certainly suffered plenty in her own way. As her mind cleared enough for her to answer, she paused right as she opened her mouth, a voice within her mind screaming words of pessimism and doubt about whether Tapui would still be her friend after this. The pause was short though. "I'll admit, my brain is taking its sweet time getting back in gear," she replied. "Some minor limb throbbing, not enough to keep me from being on the watch tonight." She spoke again before Tapui could start feeling any blame. "It's not your fault. We probably just went a bit further than students should go when it comes to entering our minds. I guess some part of my brain isn't quite ready for a full-blown soulsword yet. On the plus side, what we had going definitely felt like the right way to go, so using those feelings should let me do even better the next time I try manifesting my blade. So, minor success." She looked over Tapui again. "Are you absolutely sure you're alright? You are sprawled on the floor, it's possible you hit your head when you collapsed. We both need to still be ready for tonight."

IC Glendalla: Once again, I focus my will. Outside the mental plane, I can feel my breathing slowing and calming. In my mind I take the memories I showed Tapui and push them into the energy forming in front of me. They are what makes me who I am, what sets me apart from others. They are the building blocks of my mind, the glue that holds me together. They are me and I am the sword. I can hear the chirping of birds in my mind's ear, but a calming presence suppresses the noise, as if punching those noisy birds in the face. Elsewhere, the sound of chatting students is silenced, a friendly hand shoving them aside. The mental energy in front of me is ready. All that is left is for me to grasp it. I extend my mental hand towards the mental bundle, feeling the power flowing within. My mental hand brushes past memories, feelings, dreams, searching for the best place to grab. It grabs onto the promise I made to my mother, to become the best menti I could be. I draw my hand back, and the mental energy comes with it, swirling around the focal point of that promise, collecting itself into a shapeI know, the shape of my katana. In the physical world, Glendalla's soulsword flared to life in her outstretched hand, rapidly taking a solid shape, its emerald glow illuminating the training room. So far, everything is going like a dream. I have my soulsword out, no distractions ahead, thanks to Tapui, and this time, I think I've got a good handle on how to manifest it successfully. Maybe not outside of controlled conditions, but still, improvement. I move to swing my mental sword, assuming my physical self will follow. Basic diagonal swing at where I know the training dummy is. The mental blade doesn't move with me. I try again, but the sword doesn't move. I try to examine it, but it breaks out of my grip, only to hover just out of reach.I'm not sure how it can even do that on the mental plane, but I have no knowledge on the nuances of mental plane physics, so that's what it's doing from my point of view. This sword of my subconscious points its blade at a target threateningly. At first, I think it might be pointing at me, which would seem odd, but then I notice it's pointing at the only other force in the mental plane with me. It's pointing at Tapui's mind. "Don't do this," I think, trying to convince my subconscious to stop. "She's helping us, she's not some invading willhammer trying to do something bad." I move to stand between it and Tapui, but it starts to move towards us. "I think my subconscious is getting overly deffensive," I try to communicate to Tapui. "It thinks you're trying to manipulate me. We should stop the connection before it tries to hurt you or something." I'm sure a trained willhammer would have little to worry about, but Tapui's a student like me. I don't know what being stabbed by my subconscious would do to her. The sword starts to approach faster, and I start trying to actively push Tapui out of my mind. The blade is close now. I reach out my hand to try to stop it, block it, anything. It impales my hand and keeps going. I hold back tears and try as hard as I can to separate our minds, even as the blade reaches my body... ***** On the physical plane, Glendalla clutched her hand over her torso where the mental blade had struck. Her breathing was ragged, coming in short gasps. Residual sparks of soulsword energy fell on the floor in front of her, the blade having dissipated. Trying to take her mind off the pain, she turned to check up on Tapui. "Are you all right?" she asked between breaths.

IC Hogo Glendalla: Glendalla calmed her breathing as Tapui did, trying her best to synchronize with her. She wasn't a willhammer and had no idea whether or not that actually helped, but she wanted to do what she can to help someone she had just met enter her head. Why does it sound so weird when I think of it like that? she thought ***** It turns out that the mental plane seems like the interior of my head. Given that I'm in my own head, I'm not fully surprised, but still, you'd think there'd be some sort of visual difference. I always hear about how each willhammer has their own representation when they enter someone's mind, like an element or animal. Lucky them. Speaking of, that nudging I feel must be Tapui. I'm no expert, but she seems cautious. Makes sense, we have just met. I'll just have to break the ice a little, try to sum myself up for her. I reach out to her mind and do my best to try to lead it in the right direction. It feels like she might be following me, but I don't even know if moving around on the mental plane is actually a thing. "...Following his defeat of a demon infiltrator in the protection of his liege's daughter and holy treasures, he was given the name of Hogo-sha by the warrior queen, as well as the duty of protecting the authority of the imperial family." I've spent my entire life hearing that tale, along with stories of my clan's exploits throughout history. How we're the guardians of the imperial family and its treasures. I admit that I may have bought into it a bit much. "When I grow up, I'll be the best royal guard there is! Nothing will get past me, and everything will be peaceful in the empire." Zuto Nui, child me, you're going to embarrass me in front of my new mental friend. Besides, we both know what happens when you say things like that as a kid. "The best royal guard? Hah, more like a generic mook!" "Everything's already peaceful. Why would they employ somebody with such a big head?" "I'm sure the royal family could make use of your skills. For custodial work that is!" Every time someone made fun of me as a kid, I'd always run as far as I could and mope. Maybe they were right. Maybe I couldn't do it. I mean, almost all Hogo were guards. I'd be competing for a job opening with my entire clan. "How am I supposed to have honor for my clan if I'm just going to do what everyone else does? I'm supposed to respect my social position, but how can I stand out? I don't know how compatible with these virtues I can be." "Glen, what is the virtue of power?" "Strive to be better than you are, stronger than you are." "And also to strive to improve yourself and your clan. Power isn't about being the strongest or the best, it's the desire to improve and the determination to keep trying to get better. No matter what you set your mind on, you need to work hard to get better at it. Even if you choose a discipline that isn't what the rest of your family has chosen, it doesn't make you any worse than us. It simply means that you have to keep at it." "Whenever I try to be humble and only talk about my clan, everybody laughs and makes fun of me. I just don't understand." Glen, if you want to honor Clan Hogo, you need to earn that honor by doing what only you can do: being the best you can be. Even if you feel alone while at school, your family is behind you. And to prove it, take these." "Crystal swords? But-" I know you've wanted to be a soulsword for a while. These blades may not have the same flash, but even if your mind isn't enough to stand up to challenges, you'll have your clan by your side." "... Thanks, mother. I promise you, I'll go to the academy, and I'll become the best menti you've ever seen, no matter how long it takes. Just you wait." My mother always was filling my head with encouragement. I can only hope that I'll be able to keep that promise. Now I just need my own sword to listen to me. "Tapui, how's the connection?" I say.. I mean, think to her. Hopefully my trip down memory lane hasn't put her to sleep. I'm feeling pretty confident about this though. Maybe it just feels nice to share with someone. Oh wait, am I being too forceful? Too late to fix it now, I guess.

IC Hogo Glendalla: Glendalla took the hand and pulled herself to a standing position. She hesitated while introducing herself, she thought. No doubt because she's a Dastana. She's still willing to help me though.I should probably reassure her before we work together. "I would very much appreciate your help," she said to Tapui. "Before we start though, I wanted to make sure that you know what I think of all the political issues going on. "Let me first say that you are not my enemy. We don't have to fight each other and be tense just because our clans are on opposite sides of a conflict. As Toroshu Ihi emphasized, we are the future of Dasaka society, and we don't have to participate in this conflict. Now, I may be a Hogo, and my clan may be fighting with yours at the moment, but that isn't what being a Hogo is about. A Hogo's duty is to protect and serve the Rora. We're not some personal army of the Umbralines, we're the protectors of the royal family. Thus, there's no reason for me to be your enemy unless you attack the royal family, and I trust you not to do that." Classic Glendalla, directly stabbing the underlying issue in the face with the subtlety of a guillotine, she thought to herself. "I'm ready to begin when you are," she said.

IC Hogo Glendalla- Arohi School of the Mind: Glendalla's musings were interrupted by the entrance of orange and blue Dasaka. "Hey. What's on your mind?" she asked Glendalla. "It's nothing too important," she replied. "I'm just trying to get the hang of my soulsword.I can get it to manifest, but it never stays corporeal long enough for me to do anything with it. I was just doing some extra training because I'm part of the first watch tonight. Don't want to make a big fool of myself." She paused, remembering that she was actually talking to someone else. "Where are my manners? I'm Hogo Glendalla, but if that's a mouthful you can feel free to call me Glen," she said, extending her hand.

IC Hogo Glendalla - Arohi School of the Mind, Sado: Glendalla listened to Toroshu Ihi's speech to the students with undivided attention. While she was not a member of either of the clans most embroiled in the conflict, as a Hogo, it would be her duty to protect the Rora. Until I finish my learning and become a guard, I'll just have to do my best to protect the students. It'll be good practice for the future, she thought to herself. Once the Daikura had finished her speech and the crowd of students moved to depart, Glendalla wasted no time. Rather than make her way through the crowds and fight to reach the notice boards, her mask glowed and she soared into the air. A quick jaunt and she was in front of one of the main notice boards. Other students were taking the time to look at their patrol schedules, but she paid them no heed. Scanning the list for her name, it turned out that she was part of the first watch. At least I'll get to show off my skill soon. Looks like my classes aren't for a while either. Wandering away from the notice board, she wondered what she could do until her next class. It didn't take long for the usual response to come to her head. Time for some training! Arriving at the training grounds, Glendalla set up a training dummy and moved to a ready position. She started to reach for her katana, but then thought better. "Might as well try the soulsword again," she muttered to herself. She closed her eyes and focused on her breathing, the rhythm of her pulse, The ground beneath her feet. "To manifest a soulsword, is to turn one's own will into a tool to achieve one's goals," she recited. "Calm your mind, focus your will through your hand, and feed your psionic energy to it." As she spoke, she gathered her willpower in her head and reached her hand down to the opposite side of her waist from where her katana was sheathed. Focus your will through your hand. My will is a blade that protects not only myself, but the royal family, my clan, and my fellow dasaka. I am of clan Hogo. I am a mook guard. My will is my blade. Come forth! From her waist, she drew her hand forward, a blade of emerald energy emerging from the air, drawn from an invisible sheathe of nothingness. She could feel the energy crackling in the air, but waited until her soulsword was fully drawn before opening her eyes. Upon looking at her sword and how much the energy was crackling and writhing, she glared at it until it had refined itself into a copy of her crystal katana. My will appears to be very unoriginal, she observed. I already have a sword like this. At least it's something that I can use. Now let's see how sharp my mind is. She held her sword in a ready stance, pointed at the training dummy. "Better start start with something basic, a simple diagonal slash. Nothing can go wrong," she said to herself. She lifted her sword in preparation. 'chirp chirp.' What was that? 'chirp chirp.' She glanced up to see a pair of birds in a tree near her practice ground making quite a racket. No matter, she thought. Don't get distracted. Bring the sword down, slash the dummy. 'CHIRP!' Too focused on her swing, the sudden loud chirp surprised Glendalla. Her concentration broken, she could only let out a short "ack!" as her soulsword lost it's stability. What impacted against the training dummy was less awesome bladed willpower and more crazy ramblings of a distracted brain. The energy will too blunt and merely smacked into the dummy, leaving little behind but a char mark on the dummy's side as the energy completely dissipated. "Karzing birds!" she growled in frustration. She kneeled down, catching her breath. Every failed attempt to manifest her soulsword exhausted her reserves. She let out a sigh. Every time, there was a bird, or an announcement, or a passing conversation, or something that took her mind off the moment. Especially in times like these, she couldn't afford to block out the world. Enemies could be anywhere. One day though, I'll make this thing work. One day. OOC: Glendalla open for interaction at the school of the mind.

IC: Yasurek also peeked over the side. "I agree with Lasinia's assessment of the situation," he added. "As for the guy shouting the captain's name, I defer to our captain's judgement about how to deal with him."

IC: Yasurek caught the cup and examined it. "How are we supposed to make it without access to non-sea water and heat?" he asked. Not that he wouldn't eat the noodles without proper preparation mind you, for he actually did really like noodles.

IC: "I am always open to the prospect of noodles, Lasinia," Yasurek replied.

IC: Yasurek returned the grin. "Tellus only says things when he needs to. It'll be fine." He extended a hand to Gunner. "Now, let the battle be joined anew and all that."

IC: Yasurek released his grip on Gunner's leg and stood still for a second, staring off into nothing. After a short pause, he looked up at Gunner. "Alright, I'm starting to feel rational again. However, if Mimira is starting to take after you, then I'd better come with you. I'm slightly more responsible than you, so that'll cancel out some of the bad habits she's picking up." He looked around the deck of the ship. "As for the 'Vika, we should have someone take care of it, but I'm not sure who's still here and trustworthy enough to leave in charge. I suppose we could just anchor it here and hope nobody steals it. I'm sure Captain Lohkar wouldn't mind."

IC: "I'M NOT CRAZY!" was the response that Gunner received. Yasurek turned his head from the helm of the 'Vika to look at Gunner. The matoran looked tired, drained of life. As he started to walk towards Gunner, various joints creaked in his body, as if they hadn't been used in a long time. "How long does it take to crash a ship into another ship?" he spat once he got closer. He paused for a few seconds, his mind catching up to what was currently happening. He grabbed onto Gunner's leg. "Thank Mata Nui you're here! Please don't leave me! I'm okay with the responsibility of taking care of the ship while you guys are out but it's so boring and I feel really unhelpful and I already did that and I'd like to do something else and Mimira's with you isn't she? That's so like her."

IC: A spear suddenly planted itself in the deck by Gunner's feet. Tied to the spear was a note. The Infernavika, which had just pulled up behind the hijacked pirate ship, quickly turned to sail out of range, not that it necessarily needed to while the Longest Ship Collision EverTM was going on. The note read: Dear friends, The 'Vika has no guns, and no armor suitable for ramming. Once you're finally done ramming the enemy ship, I'm planning on coming over and joining the fight personally, and leaving Raknar the monkey in charge of the 'Vika. You all left me here and there's nothing to do. Curse you all. Also, has anyone seen Mimira? -Y- P.S. I'M SO LONELY GUYS PLEASE LET ME COME HELP YOU THERE'S NOTHING TO DO I CAN HELP I SWEAR.

IC Yasurek- Infernavika: Everything seemed to be going according to plan. It looked that way to Yasurek at least, though to be fair he was not in the immediate vicinity of the plan and thus did not have the best intell as to the degree of its success. But he was doing a good job at keeping the 'Vika safe while the other members of the crew were off having their elaborate banter-filled action sequence. With no real weapons though, the 'Vika had little battle capability. Thus, Yasurek would have to do something to pass the time. Seeing as he was driving a pirate ship, there was only one thing to do. It was time for a sea shanty. "Yar har, fiddle di dee, being a pirate is alright to be. Do what you want cause a pirate is free. You are a pirate!"

IC Yasurek - Infernavika: "Before you two descend into witty banter, if you could please give us some thrust Gunner that would be most excellent," Yasurek commented from the helm. Looking out at the enemy ships, he could see their attempts at cutting off any escape. Fortunately, the Vika wasn't trying to escape. Instead, they were going on the offensive. At his signal, wind filled the sails and the previously immobile ship shot forward, darting through the gap forming between the enemy ships. With a large amount of precision, Yasurek guided the 'Vika through the waves, using the larger ones as makeshift cover from a possible broadside. The smaller enemy ships, already turning away from the 'Vika's course, would be hard pressed to turn and mount any sort of offensive. Soon, the 'Vika was coming up behind one of the smaller ships. "Commence boarding when ready, Captain Lohkar Sir." OOC: edited to better fit the cunning plan.