Palm

IC: Chand Kura - Odaiba - Western Wilderness I almost let out a little huff of frustration as I hesitated to listen. I wasn't interested in being fussed over, but the truth of course was that this Dasaka was right. And maybe, if she hadn't seen anything yet, it meant that this place was safer than others for whatever reason, "Yeah. I... OK," I stowed my attitude, and sat down atop my feet on the bedroll. It was softer than the grass, and I found myself suddenly relaxing - it had been a long time since I had experienced something as luxurious as a cushion. I told her everything. How I awoke to find the Long temple under attack, how the large things struck down capable warriors so casually, and even those unable to fight for themselves. Their glowing eyes, clawed hands, and faces which opened to hiss or bellow. I explained how they seemed to pursue me, and even though it wasn't clear that they were communicating, how they moved as if they were a coordinated platoon. Then, how I came to be here, hiding where I could, sleeping even less frequently, and eating just as often. And after all of this, I paused, the stranger still in the process of bandaging me up. I looked at her and realized, I never even asked for her name, "Thank you, for this. But what is your name?" OOC: @capMARVELOUS

IC: Chand Kura - Odaiba - Western Wilderness "The Dragons? I've seen one over Sado, but it's the hunched over spined things that have been on our heels," I turned and lifted my arm, showing the stranger my side, pointing with my free hand, "One strike with their staff did this. And they're everywhere too," fortunately, I had found that the further away from Koshiki I went, the less of them I saw. Maybe this Dasaka truly had not seen them yet. For a moment, I wished it was true, then I realized it didn't matter now. As far as I was concerned, we were both in danger so long as we were alone. The stranger looked tough, sure, but even my masters had barely been able to fight the things. OOC: @capMARVELOUS

IC: Chand Kura - Odaiba - Western Wilderness "Last one is how I was starting to feel. I've been looking all over for weeks and you're the first person I've seen since... those things... appeared," I began. I felt my pride as a Chand horsewoman begin to surface, and I crossed my arms, a bit defiantly. I fought not to visibly wince, and continued, "I know how to ride, and besides, I'm... mostly healed." I looked around the clearing, and back at the stranger, before pointing up over the trees and towards the Dead Mountain's peak, "Have you encountered any of those beasts since the Koshiki opened?" OOC: @capMARVELOUS

IC: N'ashka Akkataka - Irnakk's Tooth N'ashka felt her grin widen at Tarrok's words of confidence. It helped knowing he was committed. To think this morning that she believed he may have been somebody Ipsudir sent to finish the job. "First, Tarrok, I must retrain myself. I'm a shadow of my former self, but with practice, and with guidance from someone sighted, that will change," she took her sword, and with a few clicking and locking sounds, the blade retracted down to the size of its hilt. N'ashka nodded to the side slowly, "looking" in Tarrok's direction, "I will need somebody talented with a weapon to test myself against. Fighting me will be your first job." OOC: @Visaru

IC: Chand Kura - Odaiba - Western Wilderness "I've never felt so fortunate to see another person," I began, probably a little too quickly. I slid off the Soko, feeling a jab of pain in my side as I landed. I corrected my stance, and with one hand on Naiana's broad neck, I gestured to my chest with my other, bowing slightly. "Chand Kura." "I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw you, I thought for sure I was the last one left alive in the entire world," I looked at her more closely now. The fishing Dasaka was strong looking, and even handsome, I found. She wore a deep blue armor and fabric pants, hiked up just slightly at the ankles as not to get wet in the cool river water. She seemed very calm in contrast to my more erratic manner of speaking. Didn't she know it was the end of everything? OOC: @capMARVELOUS

IC: Chand Kura - Odaiba - Western Wilderness Naiana and I had stopped at the riverbank in a thick forest to drink and rest. She huffed a little as even she sat down to rest, having spent twice as long as I at the water's edge drinking. I reached forwards, finding myself wincing still at the pain in my side, and stroked her neck. Not only had she saved my life while atop the Dead Mountain, she had been mine since I was a barely born. The only one left alive who had been with me from start to finish. I found myself uttering a short prayer under my breath, thanking Zuto-Nui for Naina. I stopped stroking her, and put my fists together, nodding my head, eyes closed to mark the end of my prayer. After some time, she and I stood again, and we crossed the slow river together. It was here that the beautiful range of trees behind us suddenly thinned out to smooth rolling grass, blowing very slightly in the soft breeze. Birds behind us sang in surprise at the sudden sound of us splashing gently about. I had chosen to step in myself, to cool off. I felt struck by the beauty of my Odaiba, and equally as angry that these creatures had taken so much of it away from us. It was now, that my mask sensed movement. I looked in its direction immediately, and there, down the river, was a Dasaka. I uttered another prayer of thanks, under my breath, as I hopped on Naiana again. After eight weeks of wandering, I had finally seen somebody. We began trotting over, and I reached up with one hand to the sky, waved, and called out to the stranger in a Tajaar greeting, "T'ull a'jaar!"

IC: Dastana Arsix, Crowned Rora of the Dastana Republic - Private Chambers Arsix nodded at Morie politely, "Of course, Toroshu. There's plenty of work to do for myself tonight regardless." She turned to Rayuke, "I'm sure you've got some questions yourself, Lord Rayuke, unless my brother managed to fill you in on his own." Truth be told, she wanted a chance to speak with the man herself too. OOC: @Mel @Haman Karn: A Magical Girl IC: Kura Chand - Odaiba .: You won't see me again, until I know the truth. :. I took a long, deep breath, feeling the hot air being drawn into my mouth, and into my lungs. It stung inside my chest, snapping me out of my mental haze. My thoughts had been clouded by my shock, and with this renewed clarity, I willed my body to move. The creature, which had only moments before, cut down my master and mentor before my very eyes, had advanced on me, sensing my weakness. The shadow, dancing and warping with the flames behind the beast, suddenly cast over me. It rose its staff to the sky, and I watched as my body finally listened to my command, bringing both of my arms up, and covering them in hardened psionic energy. I side-stepped as the spear came down, and twisted, bouncing the weapon off of my deflection so the rest of the staff would slide into the floor. When it did, and the earth was cut into with the force of the attack, the creature simply spun at the hips, and struck me so hard in the ribs, that the only thing which overshadowed my sudden intense pain was the fact that I had been sent flying nearly twenty feet away. I spun over and over, bouncing on the rocky ground, stopping finally on my back, unable even to cry out in pain. It was there I lay still; shaking, and hardly able to breathe, and I had all but accepted my fate. But, before the sky could turn dark, and all the stars would be snuffed out, I felt deep in my chest, the pounding of hooves growing closer. Then, I realized, I could hear them too. I turned my heard towards the source, and before my blurry tear-filled eyes, Naiana appeared, whinnying and snorting in excitement. I reached up, and as the fire continued to spread around us, and more beasts began to appear, I took hold of the Soko, and forced my broken body onto her back. Without a moment's hesitation, Naiana turned and began dashing away from the screeching creatures, nearly bucking me from her back as she kicked up dust and rock on the mountain face. All around, the sound of fire, the sound of Long monks and Rahkshi locked in mortal combat, and even the sound of my own breath began to fade - much like my vision. The sky did turn dark, and all the stars had been snuffed out. .: You don't deserve to know the truth, Kura. :. * * * * * .: Then you surely will never see me again. :. For eight weeks, I ran. Licking my wounds, hiding in the wilderness while Zataka's daughters spread across Odaiba. I trapped and foraged to feed myself, and tried my best to tend to the three broken ribs, which made riding Naiana painful - though fortunately not impossible. I had spent so many sleepless nights in small caves, under the twisted branches of trees, and atop Naiana, fleeing advancing Rahkshi and the death they heralded. It was only my tears, which outnumbered the beasts each night. Scared, and alone, save the Soko, I made my way west, hoping that I could find somebody. Anybody.

IC: Tuara Drigton - Ta-Koro Tuara looked across the table at her friend, watching the tea he set down, it's boiling beginning to slow. She leaned forward and put one hand over his. "I regret leaving you all in Ko-Koro, Agni. I regret a lot of things. If I could go back in time there is... just so much I would change. So many moments where I walked away, or I made the wrong call, and people got hurt or killed. I'd give it all up to have another chance. But I can't." She leveled a look at him, "I'm only now beginning to learn what to do with all my regret, and learning to cope better with what I can't change. And sometimes, it really gets to me," Tuara continued, choking back tears now. "But we can't let something uncontrollable, control us." OOC: @Vezok's Friend

IC: N'ashka Akkataka - Irnakk's Tooth "I just want you to understand what it is you're walking into, Tarrok." N'ashka let out a little grin, revealing the metallic caps on her incisors, glinting in the sun. "I know what I'm doing, and how I'm going to do it. The odds being what they are aren't going to deter me." OOC: @Visaru

looks actually sick, and i WAS looking to make a new Dasaka character

IC: N'ashka Akkataka - Irnakk's Tooth N'ashka felt her expression show some surprise at this. The show of respect from the man was enough to make her tip her head in a short bow. "I'm honoured to hear you say this, Tarrok. But..." she began, "I don't know if I'll even live long enough to ever pay you. All I've got left is what you see right now. Me sword, my teeth, and my body. It might not be enough to survive the week, let alone long enough to take my revenge." OOC: @Visaru

IC: Dastana Arsix, Crowned Rora of the Dastana Republic - Private Chambers Arsix nodded, taking her own sip of the drink. "The lumber alone is worth it," she began, "and the art represents Dasakan culture, which I imagine would improve the morale of many of our citizens in Sado. I'll ear-mark a ship returning from Iki for you, and Mashtet Ashka for this expedition." She nodded to an aide, previously unseen standing by the door, who turned on her heel and stepped outside to make such arrangements. "And if there's anything else you think you may need for this, just ask." OOC: @Mel @Haman Karn: A Magical Girl

IC: N'ashka Akkataka - Irnakk's Tooth Tarrok moved forward and N'ashka felt his hand snatch her wrist, and then the unmistakable feeling of a metal bludgeoning weapon hitting her square in the face. Her sword clanged to the ground as she grunted in pain. She felt her mouth turn from a bloodied grimace to a bloodied smile as she spoke, "I concede." She had successfully blocked an attack, and nearly made a successful counter. The man had pulled some punches, sure, but it wasn't half bad for a blind woman. The grip released, and N'ashka stepped back. "It seems one eye is better than none." She gave a snort of approval, "I'm glad we met today, Tarrok." N'ashka gave a respectful nod to where she thought he still stood and she put out her hand for a forearm handshake, "You've given me a lot to think about." OOC: @Visaru

IC: Tuara Drigton - Ta-Koro "I've played that memory so many times over now that I'm not sure I even lived any of it anymore." Tuara looked into her reflection in the tea, rippling slightly, distorting her face. She couldn't see the tears on her cheeks in the mirror image, but she felt them. "I don't think he knew what was going on, himself, Agni. I think they thought they didn't have much time... and I think they didn't want to risk anybody else." OOC: @Vezok's Friend

IC: Dastana Arsix, Crowned Rora of the Dastana Republic - The War Room Arsix watched as Kilanya and Ayako began to leave, looking at the Toroshu rather closely. She had said nothing in response to Arsix, and she wondered if she had said the right thing. She returned her attention to Morie, however, having been asked a direct question. ::Of course, Toroshu Morie.:: Arsix began, her thoughts lighting up the mental plane the trio currently shared. ::We can convene in my chambers.:: Arsix made a few motions to some guards. Some, disconnected from the War Room's walls, and began to follow with her. Others, remained behind to watch over Jasik. She shot him a knowing glance as Relisai began to speak with him. There was little trust for Relisai between either of the twins, considering her time in prison, and her strange involvement with Sheika, the Dastana's former battle-master. It had never been solved, if Sheika was somebody in cahoots with Relisai, though it didn't seem likely. But still, Arsix had little love for the woman. She stepped outside, Rayuke and Morie close behind, and the trio - flanked by guards - made their way down the long hallway. * * * * * At the door to Arsix's chambers, an aide stood quietly waiting. As she approached, the aide nodded and stood aside. Arsix stepped inside and gestured for the others to follow. Inside, there were only a few decorations and artifacts - for a Rora, it was spartan. Inside, there were more guards stationed at the balcony entrance, standing watch over the only outside entrance to the room. "Toroshu Morie," Arsix began, using her mind to lift up a small pitcher up from the room's center table, and begin pouring wine into a goblet. Two more goblets appeared from the side of the room, floating forwards. "You have my undivided attention. Wine?" OOC: @Haman Karn: A Magical Girl @Mel

IC: N'ashka Akkataka - Irnakk's Tooth N'ashka began to let out a long drawn-out breath, waiting for the next attack. However, it did not arrive as anticipated. Was Tarrok simply waiting? Or, was he in the process of repositioning? N'ashka grit her teeth, and listened as hard as she could, muscles taut. She couldn't hear any movement until - shk! Metal on stone, undeniably. N'ashka inhaled sharply, and spun on her feet, twirling her blade so that it swept around her in a wide semi-circle towards the noise. Much to her surprise, the two weapons met low to the stone floor with a loud clang! N'ashka wasted no time celebrating, and focused on the sensation in her hands. She felt the hammer - not fully persuaded away - sliding up the edge of her sword towards her hilt. She kept pushing, hoping to ensure the strike would miss entirely, and that she could force an opening. With a great huff, she shoved with her full might, imagining the hammer-ended weapon being pushed away from Tarrok's center and to his side. Without a moment of hesitation, she pounced, stepping forward and swinging the sword again, but in the opposite direction, hopefully to strike his mid-section. OOC: @Visaru sorry for the hold-up, Vis!

IC: Tuara Drigton - Ta-Koro Tuara turned her face away and lowered her eyes. The pair sat silently for a few moments. Tuara bit down on her tongue while watching the steam rise from the tea held between both hands. When she looked back up, she sniffled a little, eyes glistening in the light. Tuara let out a little nod and a quiet, "It's ok." It was a half-lie, of course. Not that Agni had done anything wrong - in fact, Tuara counted him among her closest of friends and allies, and owed him a great deal. But Tuara had held out hope, even still, that Dorian was alive. That she hadn't made a mistake in letting him go by himself to the Mangaia. She could have pushed to make somebody go with him, or made sure he stayed in Ta-Koro somehow. But even this was a lie, Tuara hadn't been thinking straight at all - half-drunk, and completely diving off the deep-end. Knowing this, deep down, it only made Tuara hate herself more for her sorry state. She realized she was beginning to squeeze the mug, and quickly relaxed, lest she shatter it. She took two deep and long breaths, feeling the tears she was pushing down well up again. "Thank you for looking." OOC: @Vezok's Friend

OOC: @Vezok's Friend IC: Tuara Drigton - Ta-Koro Tuara straightened up with a start, before leaning in. She felt her heart begin to pound suddenly, a wellspring of emotions rising to the surface. In the weeks since her attempted escape, Tuara had learned from Angelus and Jaller that Dorian had been there before returning to Ta-Koro. It had also become Joske's suspected grave, based on what Dorian told Tuara. She found herself grinding her teeth. She should have been there too. Maybe she could have, had things been different. She shouldn't have put herself in this situation to begin with. If she hadn't, maybe she would have been able to save Joske. And if she couldn't have saved him, maybe she could have saved- Tuara stopped herself, realizing she hadn't said anything for a few moments. "What- what did you find? What happened?"

OOC: @Vezok's Friend IC: Tuara Drigton - Ta-Koro Tuara gave him a bit of a side-long look at Agni while he stepped into living room. There was something a little strange about how Agni was acting. Normally he seemed rather sure of himself, but there was hesitation in the hug, and again in his voice. She took some steps over to the counter-top, and reached into a cupboard for a second mug. "Things are good." Tuara lied, a little more flatly than she would have liked. Quickly, she continued, her tone becoming a bit more regular, "I'm just glad the trial is over finally." She turned to look at Agni as he began taking a seat on the couch. Tuara gave him a tight-lipped smile and a nod, indicating her own complicated feelings about it all - including some guilt in the part of the crime she had played, "And I'm happy to be back at the house again." There had been a period of time with Tuara in house-arrest at a run-down apartment located downtown with a view of the mono-rail, until the court found a resolution. While she used the tip of her thumb to boil the water in the small metal teapot, her mind flashed to moments waking up in a heavy sweat, head pounding, seeing things that weren't there. Another wash of complex memories rushed along her body from head to toe. It had become so cloudy, every memory melded together as if it all had happened at once. She was hardly coherent during any of it. There had even been a time that she had lost track of the passing days. Tuara decided to shift the conversation away. "What about you, Agni?" As she sat down across from Agni in the love-seat, she set down the teapot, and both twin mugs, leaving the tea to steep. Tuara watched him carefully. "Everything good with you?"

IC: Tuara Drigton - Ta-Koro At the sound of Agni's voice at the front door, Tuara quickly took Kitea's letters she had been reading through, and shoved them hastily into the drawer of her nightstand. She slid off the side of her bed onto her feet and made her way to the bedroom door into the living room. "Coming!" As she crossed the room Tuara wiped at her eyes with pointed fingers, blinking repeatedly, trying to disguise the fact that she had been crying only ten minutes prior. She looked over to the various tea-bags and mug left on the kitchen counter hours ago, unfinished. Tuara stopped at the door, took a deep breath, composed herself, and opened the door. Agni saw his fellow Ta-Toa, bright-eyed and smiling, standing in the entryway. She stepped forward and embraced her friend. "It's good to see you!" Tuara pulled back and leaned against the doorway. "Want to come in? I was just in the middle of making some tea." OOC: @Vezok's Friend

IC: Dastana Arsix, Crowned Rora of the Dastana Republic - The War Room "Odaiba is our greatest priority now, Toroshu, and there is no doubt in my mind that it must be so." Arsix's expression remained unchanged, though her voice had become a bit softer as she turned again to Kilanya. The pointed remark about Kilanya's people and Arsix's people did not go unnoticed, and there may have been a time when a younger Arsix might have made her own jab in defense, suggesting that Kilanya did not answer a Rora's direct question about strategy and press again. But, things had changed. This wasn't a flippant party - although there was a fair share of posturing going around all the same - this was life or death for the people that stayed behind while the old Empire ran. Arsix knew Kilanya had put her life on the line for the Ageru, and would likely die if it meant saving them. For that alone, Arsix could not help but respect the jab. At least it meant that the Toroshu was willing to do what had to be done, for her people to survive. The Rora's voice softened further as she put one hand back onto the table at her side. "I can expedite some of the battle-ready fleet near and around Iki to arrive in Odaiba within a day, foregoing rest if you believe it is necessary. Three-hundred Menti to bolster the Ageru. After that, two-hundred more within three days. Any more and we'll be risking the security of the some ten-thousand Dasaka who we are currently tasked with protecting within Sado." If the reports in Odaiba were accurate, then it would nearly double what forces were present on the island. And without directly stating their losses, five-hundred Menti was over half of what the Dastana had before the invasion. It was a significant commitment. Arsix had gone from making up 50% of the Dastana Republic's power, to closer to 30%. Still more than any one clan, but outnumbered when of course combined. Iki was important, yes, but Odaiba required more immediate attention now. The Menti left behind would be minimal in Iki to make up for the push elsewhere. Arsix pushed up off the table again, pausing, and gazed directly into Kilanya's eyes, "And just to be direct, since I know you prefer to be," she paused, standing entirely still, "The Dastana fleet has its own share of dead Menti, Toroshu. Killed in defense of Sado, and in the campaign on Iki for the benefit of all Dasaka. I wish I could stand here and tell you that I do not know your loss, and that even one clan left behind has been privileged enough to say so. But sadly that is not true. I can respect if you don't feel this way, but in my mind, there is no longer 'my' people and 'your' people, and I do not appreciate the implication that 'mine' have been engorging themselves while yours die needlessly." She turned away and to the table, addressing the entire war room after a pointed pause, "I believe every Menti loss is ours to share, no matter our personal feelings for one another, and if you do not believe me, Lord Rayuke is welcome to prove you otherwise with his Kanohi." Arsix stepped back as the rest of the room looked to the enormous Dasaka, punctuating her point. "We'll snatch our fate from Zataka's jaws together, or not at all." She looked around the room, before nodding to the Sighteyes who dissolved the map before them. "Now, there are matters we all must attend to. If there are any other questions or concerns, I'll hear them afterwards. Otherwise," she gave a curt bow of the head, "until we return." OOC: @Ghosthands @Mel @Constructelf @Toa Fanixe

Would be sick to run a tourney where a bunch of PC's pull up

OOC: @Visaru IC: N'ashka Akkataka - Irnakk's Tooth The sound of metal on metal rang through the air. N'ashka felt the familiar feeling of her blade against another's, vibrating through the hilt and into her hands and forearms. She tried to imagine the position and angle of Tarrok's blade, but found this difficult. So difficult, even, that she forgot to anticipate Tarrok's next move. N'ashka heard him move, something hardly perceivable, and then immediately felt a great weight strike her midsection. She pushed out a great breath, and was knocked backwards, tripping over something - stone, perhaps? - and falling flat on her back. N'ashka heard the sound of some laughter from passing pedestrians, and felt her cheeks begin to flush. She kicked herself onto her feet, nearly losing her balance again before righting herself, shaking her head to try and tune out the nearby sound. N'ashka put up her blade again, this time in a defensive stance, focusing hard on Tarrok's position, trying to imagine what he might do next.

IC: Dastana Arsix, Crowned Rora of the Dastana Republic - The War Room Arsix caught Morie's look from across the table as Relisai spoke up. The Plangori Toroshu had always been a woman that Arsix held some modicum of respect for during the Before days, even if she knew the pair agreed on little. Morie cared about advancing the position of her family, like any good Toroshu did. And even if they didn't always get along, Arsix at least could understand that. The truth was, at this current time, Relisai now held some control over resources the Republic sorely needed. Arsix may not have great trust in her, but there was no changing that, and nobody could say she hadn't put her own life on the line since the fighting began. Arsix would have preferred one of her daughters here, certainly, but there was no changing the facts that Relisai was here, and they were not. For the time being, she would keep Relisai on a short leash, and if she were to step out of line, would quickly receive some undesired attention from the Rora's personal forces. "First, on the weapons," Arsix began, nodding to Morie, "These staves exhibit power of their own. Some have been marked for research, but I believe most will be made useful being turned on their own allies." Arsix motioned to a guard to step forwards, who promptly handed her the weapon. She held it up, examining it with cool blue eyes, watching the twin edges glint in the light. "We will supply a good deal of this cache to those involved in Odiaba's campaign." Arsix deftly twirled the staff with her wrist, and placed it back in the guard's hand. "Your own researchers are welcome to examine these themselves." "And there is no word from the fleet." Arsix turned to Toroshu Relisai. "We'll hear your idea, Relisai." The Rora then turned her attention to the Ageru Toroshu, Kilanya. "Much of my forces are still returning to Sado, but I'm willing to put my own Menti forward to Odaiba again within three days." Arsix began. The less she could commit to, the better, as far as the Dastana family's position was concerned. However, it was a simple fact that all the Dasakan peoples needed Odaiba, and any funny business could easily result in all Dasaka's demise. This was an area Arsix was not interested in playing games with. "How many do you believe you'll need, Toroshu?"