Mel

[Aboard the Ruki (Yukie)] It was the Plangori delegation’s turn to come to attention—they had heard about the massive insects that haunted the jungles of Mata Nui. They had nothing exactly like this in the jungles of Oki, but they had the training to react to similar threats. One of the Plangori Saihoko had already drawn a crystal machete, while the other gestured for silence from the rest of the crew. They would try to avoid conflict if they could. Meanwhile, Yukie reached out tentatively with his mind, carefully searching for the impressions of animal consciousnesses without directly confronting them. If the dark touch that had corrupted the rahi of Kentoku was anything to go by, he needed to avoid probing too deep.

@Krayzikk and @BULiK are our most available GM currently, although they do have a lot on their plates so I would encourage being patient with regards to how long approvals might take. Also, if you need to post more than once in 24 hours it's generally encouraged to edit your old post instead of making a new one. You can also tag other users in your posts with the [@] sign. Also, there's no need to rigidly adhere to the Toa Code--your character can have a personal moral philosophy but there's a fair amount of toa who have killed evil people, not to mention the toa that are straight up evil. Proportional force is encouraged, but your not going to get rejected by society if you defend yourself violently from someone trying to do violence to yourself or other innocents. Also I do encourage you to involve yourself with other people's storylines, as that's kind of the point of the RPG format. I know there are a some fresh toa in Onu-koro having some discussions who might be willing to have you join in.

[Aboard the Ruki (Yukie)] Yukie had remained silent throughout the conversation—at first, it was out of an initial surprise. He was not used to people jumping in front of him, especially those as obviously important as Commander Ayiwah. Well you wanted this, said a part of his consciousness that sounded suspiciously like Shuuan. Then he realized what the toa could do. The Dashi might have their reasons for meeting the display of power with contempt, but he was altogether aware of the closeness of his crystal armor, the way it kept certain parts of his body at bay. Once his thoughts had fixated on it, it took all his effort to keep his face placid as he tried to pull out of the nosedive of all the terrible things this woman could do to him, if she so chose. He waited for the answer to Ayiwah's question. OOC: @Geardirector @Vezok's Friend @Void Emissary

[Offshore, The Fowadi Internals (Talli)] Talli had met her fair share of infuriating people in her life, but this toa was a special case. At least Makua acted how she expected toa to. Jolek was irritatingly normal. Or maybe he’s just an idiot. That was the most upsetting conclusion, because if he was just stupid, he could learn, and become just like the other toa on this ship. “Yeah, you did. Skyra cares a lot about her friends on this ship. Just don’t do anything like throw a knife into a bunch of people again.” She peered at the Po-matoran guide, who was clearly annoyed at being interrupted. “Anyway, I should be getting back to the galley, and you should be talking to the captain. See you at breakfast.” Alcohol in hand, she turned and walked down the opposite corridor. OCC: @The Drink I release you

[Offshore, The Fowadi Internals (Talli)] I few weeks ago, Talli would have kept going, let this toa know how much his missing the boat was worth in comparison to the lives of people on board. But…no one had died. Maybe, maybe this wasn’t worth it. “Oh, the lieutenant’s mask? I think that’s the only talking mask on the boat. I guess…this boat is supposed to be for the people that don’t fit with standard operating procedure.” She frowned. "…hey, maybe you’ll fit in. Also don’t know what you mean by the last one.” OOC: @The Drink

[Offshore, The Fowadi Internals (Talli)] Talli tried to school her face, but there was no way the toa could have missed the expression of surprise at him actually asking her name. None of the rest of the boat had been quite as dismissive of anyone under a bio and half as Makua, but still—most of the toa held themselves apart. She knew it was because they were longtime friends, but still. She was trying to do better here. “Uh, you’re welcome. Galleyswoman Talli Anach. Maybe next time be careful about where you chuck your sharp objects.” OOC: @The Drink

[Offshore, The Fowadi (Talli)] The Toa locked eyes with her for a second, before saying something to the matoran leading him that she couldn't quite hear. She sped up her pace, hoping to catch them before the toa had some sort of interview--or whatever the captain was planning on putting him through. "Hey!" she spoke loudly, not quite enough to be a yell. Standard sailor voice when dealing with the background noise of a boat. "Got something of yours!" OOC: @The Drink @sunflower

[Aboard the Ruki (Yukie)] “About as well as can be expected, Commodore,” Yukie replied, inclining his head respectfully. “My people are not unused to living among vegetation.” He paused for a moment. This kind of communication, at least on behalf of the bulk of his clan, was unprecedented. The Plangori ringti had kept for themselves for centuries—then again, this entire situation was unprecedented. “…however, the journey was hard. Many of our dyers had never left the compound before now. They have been chased out of their home, with an army of demons on their heels, and thrust into an uncertain future. Many feel…rootless, without purpose.” He looked back towards the forest. “That is why I hope we will find someplace for them to put down.” OOC: @Vezok's Friend @Void Emissary

[Po-koro Streets(Ranok)] Ranok, in his short stint as a gukko rider, had learned how to fall, to be cognizant of the rush of air and relax in anticipation of landing. The jump to the water tower went about as well as could be expected. However, his brain barely had time to register the creak, to start to analyze how severe of a bending of metal it entailed, then he was flying through the air again. The deep breath he was holding in escaped as a startled yelp as they hurtled right toward the dome of the suva. Adrenaline dimmed the pain of contact, and he was sure glad nothing broke (he knew what that felt like), but he knew he would feel the bruises later. Luckily, the dome was not a perfect half-sphere—the curvature was gentler, and the carvers has taken out a series of stepped rings. He couldn’t hug it like this, he wasn’t doing any good facing inward. He turned, scooting his bottom back so it hit the edge of one of the steps as he took another breath. No time to question Kanohi’s decision, to make that connection between the creaks and the nausea. It was time for him to do what he was best at. “HELP, MAKUTA WORSHIPERS ARE HERE!” Ranok was not lying about his ability to be loud—but it was more than the volume. His voice projected over the square, landing perfectly clearly on the ears of the crowd with a clarity hard won from nights in crowded bars. “SENTINELS, TOA, HELP! DEATH WALKS AMONG YOU!” One could hardly blame him for indulging in his flair for the dramatic. OOC: @Harvali @~Xemnas~ @a goose @BULiK @Lady Takanuva @BBBBalta @Rahisaurus @EmperorWhenua @BULiK @ARROW404

[Po-koro Streets(Ranok)] Ranok would normally have spent time reviewing the buildings, but he knew there was no time to waste—their pursuer was close at hand already. “There.” He said, pointing to a small water tower just outside the temple complex. It was no Le-wahi, but the pipes and maintenance ladders leading out the building offered an enough of an escape route for these desperate circumstances. OOC: @Harvali @Rahisaurus @~Xemnas~ @BBBBalta @Lady Takanuva @Tarn @BULiK @EmperorWhenua

[Aboard the Ruki (Yukie)] The newly elevated toroshu of Clan Plangori examined the jungle with an eye filled more with evaluation than apprehension. Unlike the bamboo groves of Odaiba, the jungles of Oki had still remembered their wildness and still resisted, whether by royal decree or something deeper hidden power, the taming hand of the Dasaka. Yukie knew the cost of the jungle’s embrace well enough; it was the reason he had neither father nor grandparents. But it was from those collections of tangled trees that the Plangori had discovered the key to their success: the rich browns of cutch, the red of sappanwood, tumeric—both a fragrant flavoring and golden yellow, the depths of indigo, and above all—the murasaki, the precious gromwell that lent its deep purple to both the Plagori themselves and the royal Umbralines. The ringti of the clan had managed to salvage a few of their supply of dye plants, tended carefully over the long weeks at sea, but they desperately needed ground that would accept this precious cargo. Or better yet, native varieties in the jungle. The two clan saihoko that had accompanied him discussed possible ways of exploring the underbrush with hushed tones, but Yukie watched the shore in silence. Despite the importance of the mission, he found his thoughts wandering toward his sister. He truly hoped Ko-koro would give her the peace she needed, but this island was full of surprises. OOC: @Void Emissary @Vezok's Friend

[Drifter’s Inn, Outer Ko-Koro(Shuuan)] Oh. Huh. He just…replied to me. No veiled insults? No unnecessary formality? It was kind of hot. I really need to raise my standards. “Uh, I guess,” I said, scanning the menu chalked over the bar. “Some member of your…ruling council? I thought you didn’t mess around with bunches of ‘toa’ being in charge and chose da—er—matoran as leaders.” [Ko-koro, Rhanus’s Inn (Pradhai)] Pradhai had certainly dealt with animal minds that were less regimented than the toa’s idea-talk, but it was clearly the tone of someone who had little practice. ::Oh I think the main square is a little harsh for these old bones at this time of night, dearie,:: she replied. ::Perhaps we could make your acquaintance in the common room of the inn we are patronizing, or arrange to meet somewhere tomorrow?:: OOC: @a goose @Keeper of Kraata

[Po-koro Streets(Ranok)] Ranok detected the ominous whistling sound soon after Timak. His lack of elemental powers gave his hearing less deliberate focus, but all the same it seemed to cut through the landscape. Something about it was wrong. He sped up his pace so he was walking alongside Aurax; the resurrected matoran had seemingly taken up the position of their leader. “So, when should I start screaming?” OOC: @~Xemnas~ @Tarn @Rahisaurus @Lady Takanuva @Harvali @ARROW404 @EmperorWhenua @BULiK @BBBBalta @ARROW404

[Po-koro Streets(Ranok)] Kanohi’s terror was infectious. Ranok was usually good at multi-tasking, good at holding a vast amount of ideas in his head. But it was one thing to be the conduit of a story he had collected from his travels and quite another to be in the center of it. “We need…” his brain, unusually, went ahead of his voice “…a tall place, good-viewed, and a way out. If I hear anything bad, I’ll scream. I can scream really loud. There have got to be other toa here.” He was rambling, but he didn’t see how Aurax could be so calm. Wasn’t he the one who was Makuta’s target? OOC: @~Xemnas~ @BULiK @Harvali @Rahisaurus @Snelly @Lady Takanuva @ARROW404 @Tarn @EmperorWhenua

Basically all of this. Also, it might sound harsh and utilitarian, but Matoro was really the best one for the sacrifice--he wasn't a fighter, athlete, or survivor, he was a translator. I say this as someone who identifies the most with him, and know I would be know better in the same situation. Heck, I'd probably collaborate with Makuta too. He translated himself into the universe, and saved his friends in the process--caring for both the macro and micro at the same time. Couldn't have asked for a better way to go. And in addition, why is everyone's instinct to ship Hahli with the most story-relevant male character? I'll admit into falling into this myself, but now I just want the girlie to shine on her own. Mahri Nui was her year--she's one of the most powerful and effective water toa the story has ever seen, and helmed her own game when she was still a matoran. She doesn't need to be shoved next to Jaller or Matoro to be an important and effective character.