Mel

[Sado, Streets(Morie)] Now that Morie could see the little menti more clearly, it was a clear that she had been lacking food and water—and possibly sleep for a significant amount of time. Had she been a prisoner?—unlikely, Morie decided; she didn’t look like could break her way out of a privy after accidentally jamming the door. She sighed and spoke again, this time out loud. “What is the last thing you remember when you were outside in Sado, Daikura Suzume?” OOC: @Perp

IC: [Ga-koro, Docks (Pradhai)] After their little interview, the trio of old-timers moseyed on down to where the Vilda ships were parked. Pradhai’s quarters were in a well-used little sloop by the name of The Righteous Oyster, but she was more interested in the flagships. “It’s a bit of an elderly vessel, but that suits me just fine. Now, lets see how the best people are doing shall we?” ::What ever the rest of the council says, I’m sure Robalta will be interested in where her daughter is.:: OOC: @Endless Sea (Alaki Nuva)@Geardirector and @Toa Fanixeif you're here.

[Hanaloi, Observatory Entrance(Fanai/NPC)] “We leave the same way we came here then,” Mari said, and took up her position in the front; the others followed, though Murasaki kept a skeptical eye on the ceiling. ::I trained under a Daikura master of willhammering. The specific technic is a way of…emptying the self, so your mind does not appear on the mental plane. It is hard to teach, and takes many years, but if you allow me access to your mind, and can guide you to a facsimile of such. It is not perfect, but will be better than completely revealing your position to the willhammering rakshi.:: OOC: @Keeper of Kraata [Hanaloi, Forest (NPC)] “T'ull a’jaar, cousin.” There was a breadth of silence in the air, and then two dashi emerged from the undergrowth. One, shorter and wearing a noble miru, stared openly and Caana with an excited gleam in her eyes. The other, who wore a mask of clairvoyance, had fixed her gaze on the place where the Jahagir had appeared just a minute ago. She unhitched the recurve bow at her back, headless of the menti with hands on her weapons right not four paces from her. Then she continued to speak in Vulgar Taa. “I lay down my bow.” She tossed her weapon on the ground in front of her, and she inclined her head, tapping a fist to it and setting the ebony whorls of wood on either side of her face swinging. Her companion repeated the motion and the words, her masks rings catching the light where the wood had been carefully inlaid with bronze.“I lay down my knife.”The greeting had acquired the rhythm of a chant as the two dashi deposited their truly impressive stashes of knives on the ground, the crystal clinking in unison. “I am Kuychar Semraed.” “I am Kuychar Falki.” “I open my hands and they are empty. If I carry anything, it is in my heart, and in my heart also I will sheath all that might cut and wound. I come riding peace like a steed. I come with my ears open, to be filled with the sweet water of companionship.” Their ritual seemingly finished, Semraed, the taller of the dashi, spoke in common this time. “Jahagir, it seems we have been separated by circumstance. Please, let us greet you properly as cousins should.” OOC: @Keeper of Kraata @Goose [Sado, Streets(Morie)] ::I am Plangori Morie. Toroshu of my clan.:: Something unfortunate about the menti’s manner told her she would need this context. Unlike Suzume, she was very skilled in triangulating mental noise and was able to step out in the street were the younger woman could see her. (Followed, of course, but several other menti at her back.) She made sure to leave enough space for Suzume to notice her, she had a feeling the menti would run smack into her otherwise. ::It is not safe here. You must come with us.:: OOC: @Perp

[Ga-Koro, The Great Takea(Shuuan)] I leaned on the table and looked at the creature I’m pretty sure the Empress was wetting her royal panties over. No, creature was the wrong word—despite the whole look of it—him, the dragon’s mind was much like the other “toa” around here. Thankfully, his consciousness was the same sort of muted as theirs to. Maybe I was going to last through tonight without a headache, and even get some fun out it. “Hey dragon, got a name?” OOC: @otter @Vezok's Friend @Void Emissary @Emzee etc. [Ga-Koro (Ranok)] “Well, the Great Takea’s always got a good crowd and an ear for music—they’re always packed to the gills though, don’t know how you handle crowds. Then there’s The Crucible, not much really going on there until the fights start in the evening. The Little Ussual’s in the less-touristy part of town—always friendly and drama free but the fair’s on the more simple…” The matoran trailed off as he caught sight of the scene at the newly open Great Takea, calculating in his head if the massive golden figure was going to be a draw or distraction for him. OOC: @BULiK @Umbraline Yumiwa

[Hanaloi, Observatory Entrance(Fanai/NPC)] Mari’s mouth was set in a thin firm line. “No more hasty moves, Askha. I don’t care how well you think you know this island—it’s not worth any of our lives.” She looked towards Somei. “What’s the safest way out of here?” Fanai had hesitated before, but now she regretted keeping her ideas from the rest of the party. ::Askha.:: Her ideatalk gently bumped against the other menti’s consciousness. ::If you use your mask again, you must let me willhammer you first.:: OOC: @Keeper of Kraata [Sado, Streets(Morie)] Morie frowned. This was certainly not a creation of Zataka, but she did not want to risk moving her convoy out into the open. ::I am several streets over girl, have you never heard ideatalk before? What is your name and clan?:: OOC: @Perp [Hanaloi, Old Dock (Ilykaed)] It was an hour before the archers began to relax, and an hour more before Ilykaed allowed herself to hope. Perhaps…perhaps the creatures had been distracted. But by what? Certainly not something she was willing to stake would last through the night. It was Falki who caught her then, her mask painted with frustration. “The Sokomaster caught something in the woods—she’ll only talk to you.” It was very clear that Falki had decided to disagree with her elder. Well, the koshi zrupgar could disagree all she liked, as long as she respected the judgement of her superiors. Ilykaed walked, slowly and deliberately, to the place where the Sokomaster kept her vigil, watching for movement herself in the thick canopy. But her eyes, so well trained for the movements in grass, able to trace even the movement of a gafna, confused themselves on the play of shadows that defined the forest. This was not her home. She stepped next to the other woman, trying to follow her gaze as she spoke. “What was it that you wanted to speak to me about?” “Ah. Falki told you? Good. I saw a most wondrous thing some minutes ago.” “And you tell it only to me?” This was something new. The sokomaster was a taciturn woman to say the least. Words such as “wondrous” were few and far between with her. The sokomaster pursed her lips. “I do not know if all should hear this. Falki does talk.” “So what was it?” “I saw a warrior—imperial perhaps, but clad in armor—“ her voice wavered “—metal armor like none I’d ever seen. And she was speaking to an ash bear, like you might to another zrupgar, Jahagir.” “A what?” “I think I might have some idea.” She sighed. “About the bear at least…the Kaazi, they were distant relatives of our own clan and unlike us—” Did Ilykaed imagine the anger in her voice? Was it built up from a long tradition of defensiveness for her ancestors that did not burn for their precious ideals? “—they retained their sacred arts. It was said they could fight with an animal about them like a skin, a skin that only the most skilled in the mental arts could penetrate.” Ilykaed took a deep breath. This was good, wasn’t it? There was another clan of Taajar on the island, and they were at least neutral. She had no doubt the other warriors would have attacked the Kuychar already if they had any ill will. Still…it was strange, to keep themselves hidden so. The Taajar had squabbled among themselves nearly as much as imperials, but in times like these neither of their peoples could afford to keep to themselves. She turned to her sokomaster. “I am going to send Falki and Semraed to see if we can make contact with these refugees.” “Hmmm.” “Falki won’t talk if she’s out there,” Ilykaed said in response to the wordless doubt in her fellow warriors voice. “And Semraed will keep her in line.” Ilykaed knew that the two koshi zrupgar were sweet on each other, and possibly on Sedskar. Not unheard of, and not worth quashing. It would give them more reason perhaps, to tread carefully in the presence of an unknown and possibly hostile clan. Feelings molded to purpose were what she needed, and ultimately whatever thoughts they had were not as important as their actions. OOC: @Keeper of Kraata and @Goose , you might have some visitors soon.

[Ga-koro (Ranok)] “I can think of something better—watching that all from an inn with generous tippers.” OOC: @BULiK @Umbraline Yumiwa

[Hanaloi, Observatory Entrance(Fanai/NPC)] As the others examined the creature, Fanai spoke. “I felt its mind—it was very much like a rakshi, but the rakshi has something that…enhances it. I do not know. We would need to keep a live one to find out the difference.” She didn’t need to spell out the impossibility of that experiment. Meanwhile, Murasaki coughed—she had attempted to use her machete soulsword for its most appropriate purpose and been rewarded with a foul smelling cloud of pollen as she cleared away the plant growth. “Whatever that thing was…it left behind…eaaaagh.” “We can do science experiments later—that thing came from somewhere” Mari said, looking at Somei. “Where’s that old compound that the Taajar mentioned?” OOC: @Keeper of Kraata [Sado, Streets(Morie)] Glory was not one of the three virtues. Granted, it was necessary to have figures to aspire to. The Dasaka needed their Rakumetsu Toroshu to give them hope, and Morie did not begrudge Kilanya her title—it was one she had earned, and one she had payed for. Morie, however, knew she could never be that to her people. An artist of subtlety, she could only watch from the back, secure in the notion that she could prevent at least a good amount of the young Willhammers from throwing their lives away trying to match their will to Zataka’s. Thus, here she was, guiding them through a relatively safe area of Sado’s outer streets. Safe until now, at least. She hated being right. Yet, as she began to brush, ever so slightly, as she had taught others to do, against the consciousness moving through the streets, she sensed none of the signs of a demon wearing the guise of a Dasaka. Still, she waited, examining it several times. The rakshi had not yet produced a variety that could fool a willhammer, but that did not mean they would not. Finally, after a couple minutes of strained idea-talk conversations among the group, Morie sent a psychic thread out to the consciousness wobbling through the streets. ::State your name and clan and your reason for being in this area without notifying the war council.:: OOC: @Perp

[South of Spineless Bay, Fort Garsi (Ipsudir)] After thoroughly pounding Grolasch into the ground and teaching him the finer points of sarke, Ipsudir Garsi took a cold lunch and prepared for another, much more politically important meeting. Fort Garsi had been for the last several years keenly aware the growing activity in the Warrens, particularly because their current warlord had been running up debts he couldn’t pay. Ipsudir counted another spit she owed her father’s grave—but at least she stood comfortably the other end of all of his red ink. Mining (and copious raiding of forts) had its advantages. She’d come to look forward to these little bouts of verbal sparring she had with the little salamander who called himself the broker. Cowards who were forward about it were at least refreshing. The warlord’s entourage halted, waiting for the escort to take them to their appointed negotiating place. OOC: @Ghosthands

[Hanaloi, Observatory Entrance(Fanai/NPC)] “We should talk, but I doubt refugees will have room for—” ::Something evil. Above you.:: Mari sidestepped just as the writhing slug dropped down, mindarm tugging a knife free—but there was no need as two blazing lights cut through the darkness. Trained reflexes and reach won out in the space of miliseconds and the creature was divided by a line of magenta. Murasaki stepped back, barely avoiding a cut from the soulwhip herself before glancing upward, glowing machete still in hand. Mari glanced only briefly at the steaming corpse of the slug that would have—without a warning from Fanai, latched onto her mask, and then her gaze returned to Askha. ::Pull her up. Now.:: OOC: @Keeper of Kraata

[Ga-Koro, The Great Takea(Shuuan)] I wasn’t exactly eager to invite back in the churning flood of idea talk that I had been trying to blot out for most of the day, but my curiosity got the better of me. I squinted, trying to make sense of the hubub that was for now blessedly far away. “There’s something…like…a dragon? On the Ryuu? No…not on the Ryuu…it’s hard to make sense of because the ship is also a dragon. Somebody attacked the Ryuu, which is the ship…I think…might be the dragon. But if somebody attacked the dragon I think there would be a lot more screaming.” I shrugged. “Somethings definitely happening.” OOC: @Void Emissary @Palm IC: [Ga-koro, Inner Port(Yukie)] “While your charity is most welcome, my clanswoman are proud, and I think what they truly want is customers. We have very few warriors with us, most of our clan delegation is weavers and dyers. If you have anyone interested in well made and beautiful clothing I think they would happily provide.” The complex politics of Dasaka succession could wait for now. OOC: @Vezok's Friend [Ga-Koro (Ranok)] Ranok spoke easily—it was one of the things his parents had taught him: Never hide what could be spoken out loud. And so, over those few days down the river, he told them about his parents. He told them about loosing them, about having to rediscover a home in the places between other people’s lives. He told them about Bee, that little gukko who deserved better—and he sang a song about him too. That was the way he learned to lessen his sorrows, and he suspected it worked for the others too. Stories were the only trade where both participants both earned something more and kept what they had given. He looked over the sparkling bay—made all the more radiant by the ships in the harbor. “Well, shall we go?” OOC: @BULiK @Umbraline Yumiwa

[Ihu-Koro, Snowcap Inn (Ranok)] “Ah, the fleet of crystal ships from over the sea. Now that’s a story.” He paused a second, his green eyes lingering over the other two matoran, openly studying them. “Though…to be honest, I’m more interested in yours. Could I…join you?”

[Hanaloi, Observatory Entrance(Fanai/NPC)] Mari sighed. “I hope whatever you’re keeping there is worth telling my Toroshu about,” she said. “If we’re going into a dark tunnel, it seems only obvious that I take point. Rina will be behind me—she knows my fighting style. Aska, you and your elder stay in the middle—we can’t afford to loose you. Fanai, you take the back, inform us of the mindscape as we go. ‘Saki, support her.” "My name is Murasa--" the Plangori soulsword fell silent as her complaint was clearly ignored. Fanai simply nodded. Privately, she spoke in Askha’s mind. ::My cousin instructed me only to keep you safe and see you through your mission. She will be told only what is necessary.:: OOC: @Keeper of Kraata

sorry boys too much wine

[Hanaloi, Near Observatory (Fanai/NPC)] The Dastana warriors and their Plangori allies began to spread out slightly, although both Fanai and Mari stayed next to Askha. The later loosened the weapons on her back with her mindarm, eyes and mind alert for the signal from the willhammer next to her. Rina flickered out of sight once again, seeking to get lost in the undergrowth. Fanai walked forward, all senses psychic and otherwise focused on perceiving. OOC: @Keeper of Kraata

[Ihu-Koro, Snowcap Inn (Ranok)] Cryptic replies—alright, Ranok would bite. Sigrus seemed nice enough, for someone who clearly spent most of their time on philosophy. “Sojourner—good word, although it feels a little glamorous for what I do. A bard needs to move if they want to eat. I was actually planning on moving on from here soon. The lack of humidity is hard on my instruments, and it’s so dam quiet everywhere.” OOC: @Umbraline Yumiwa @BULiK

[Ihu-Koro, Snowcap Inn (Ranok)] Ranok gracefully returned the fist bump before turning back to his meal. “The Winedark, eh? Now that’s a title—you have to tell me how you earned that one. OOC: @Umbraline Yumiwa @BULiK

IC: [Ga-koro, Inner Port(Yukie)] “Not my ship, no—the Ryuu is the submarine that carried our original delegation to Ga-koro.” He put a hand slightly above Tuara’s shoulder, not actually touching her. “We probably she stay back, the Navy is present and they’re much more equipped to deal with any ship issues. OOC: @Palm @Vezok's Friend

IC: [Ga-koro, Inner Port(Yukie)] “As a Toroshu, my first duty is to make sure my people are safe,” Yukie said. “After that…I’m not sure, to tell the truth. If you’re also fighting the same evil that we are, I’m sure there’s something I can do.” He frowned, following Agni’s gaze. “That’s where the Ryuu was docked…” [Ga-Koro, The Great Takea(Shuuan)] I took the card—woo, fancy. Who uses crystal for cards? It probably would offend someone in my clan’s delicate sensibilities, which made me like it even more. “Can’t promise anything long term, my cousins have unfortunate ideas about Saihoko.” I grinned in response to Rhow. “Clan that lives near us. They really like animals. So much that they make a habit of setting up birds to spy on us sometimes. Naturally, we learned to deal with that.” OOC: @Vezok's Friend @Void Emissary @Palm

[Ihu-Koro, Snowcap Inn (Ranok)] “Believe me, I know,” Ranok said, picking his drink back up. “Songwriting isn’t about dwelling on the past—at least for me—it’s about releasing the past into a place where it can be free.” A sharp, painful look passed over his face, and then it was gone. He leaned over to get a better look at Sigrus. “Sorry—I didn’t catch your name…?” OOC: @BULiK @Umbraline Yumiwa

[Ihu-Koro, Snowcap Inn (Ranok)] Ranok put his drink down, a lifelong curiosity and the sense that acting to excited would be beyond tone deaf warring in his head. “You knew Aurax? I…I am sorry. I’m glad I was able to honor his memory.”

[Ihu-Koro, Snowcap Inn (Ranok)] Ranok let go of Nichou’s hand and picked up his drink. “In my line of work, I don’t really have much to but the research,” he replied. “Every fresh bard knows five songs about how the Toa Maru kicked the rakshi’s arses. I’m more concerned with the cost of it.” He took a drink. “That’s what really effects how the rest of us live, anyway.” OOC: @BULiK @Umbraline Yumiwa

[Ihu-Koro, Snowcap Inn (Ranok)] Ranok had a very expressive face, only muted when he truly desired not to be seen, which was not very often. Thus, the two matoran were able to clearly catch the consternation that flashed across his face—and how quickly excitement followed it. He began picking his banjo, sending a muted minor arpeggio drifting through the in, as he started to speak. “I hope you don’t want the official version…I mean, I know it’s the words of the dead and all but there’s so much direct rhyme — it sounds like ‘there once was a man from Ko-koro.’ Do you think Mata Nui does workshopping sessions?” Faint chuckles came from some of the patrons—this was Ihu-koro, after all, a village that wrenched victory from destiny’s hand, and there were many here who had little reverence for prophesy. “Anyway…here’s The Ballad of the Wander’s Company.” I was there on the day that the first toa fell I saw the great darkness close in I wandered long o’er the steps of the road Yet never would I choose to be chosen And still I have heard of those that were touched By Destiny’s hand, a task that means much For all of us here, yet they were not born With strength and power o’er their shoulders Before, before let us tell of before Those lonely and small drawn together Balanced on the edge of Mortality’s knife Each others’ hands clasped tight Yet they fall Yet they fall again… The song continued, thoughtful and mournful, chronicling the journey of the Wanderer’s Company—focusing on the both the people and lives they had lost. It was impressive, how much the matoran had put together from rumors and stories—he even managed to mention the correct location of Aurax’s tomb. The closer it came to the battle of Makuta the more obscured and metaphorical the song became, and even as the Maru triumphed remaining mournfully contemplative. The chorus returned several times, questioning the value of all those lost, yet never were the words quite accusatory, but instead desperate and searching. Tell me what is Destiny What does it mean? Is only the plans of the Gods? When I must soldier forward Is the path true? Tell me why does it all go wrong When the singer finished the last chorus, it was to stark silence, and he wordlessly put his instrument away, gently cleaning the drum and relaxing the strings before placing it back in its case. As the bar crowd returned to their muted conversations, Ranok slid next to Nichou and ordered a dumpling soup and warm drink. “I suppose I should thank you—I’ve been wanting to try that one out for a while. I’ve also been wanting dinner, and I know nothing that gets me a break so surely as killing the mood—Ranok Selli by the way.” He extended a hand to the other matoran. “To whom do I owe the pleasure?” OOC: @BULiK @Umbraline Yumiwa I apologize for the lack of Wanderwall...

[Ihu-Koro, Snowcap Inn (Ranok)] As the two companions entered the inn, it was to the last ringing bars of a song. I got no money, but the change That jangles in my pockets Reminding me how little I have But as for time. As for time. It’s mine. It’s mine. He opened his eyes to a smattering of applause and one amused heckler. “A little on the nose, don’t you think? Are we not tipping you enough?” The singer bowed his head, betraying the perfect mix of sheepishness and mischief in his expression. He turned his startlingly bright eyes on Sigrus and Nichou. His speaking voice was much softer, but it betrayed a hint of the power his song had wrung from the air. “Perhaps the new customers would like to suggest something…” OOC: @BULiK @Umbraline Yumiwa

IC: [Ga-koro, The Tidalpool Inn(Pradhai)] Pradhai’s already significantly wrinkled brow grew more wrinkled. “I can take that first one. We come from the Kentoku Archipelago—it lies many weeks to the east of here. It was not as verdant or large as your own island, but it was our home, until we were driven from it by an invasion of rakshi.” “As to how we discovered your existance…” she looked at Mako. Funny, she’d think other questions would be more urgent, but she wasn’t a reporter. “I believe you were closer to that tragedy, weren’t you Mako?” OOC: @Geardirector @Toatapio Nuva @Endless Sea (Alaki Nuva)

 [Ga-Koro, The Great Takea(Shuuan)] “My clan’s whole sheebang is a touchy feely ‘subtle willhammering’,” I replied, looking at Daijuno. “That and catching Vildas. Probably could ask around, find out if some distant cousin doesn’t have too much of a stick up her rear to do a job on the side for uh…” I looked at Rhow…hopefully the whole “resemblance to the chaotic six” wasn’t a huge sticking point “an acquaintance.” OOC: @Vezok's Friend @Void Emissary