Toa Fanixe

IC: Ezrak shook his head. He didn't leave the Wahi much, or meet many people. It was kinda hard when you couldn't have a normal conversation. Serith? he wrote, wondering what Gollan wanted with this other Toa.

IC: Ezrak nodded slowly and gestured for Gallan to bring the chair over. Why here Onu? he wrote, pointing at Gallan.

IC: Too late Ezrak wrote. His voice took a bitter tone as he remembered what had happened.... Nothing here. Rahkshi out there he continued writing, pointing at the door. He didn't mean Onu-Koro - he was talking about Mata-Nui as a whole. There was an infestation of Rahkshi and Makuta followers that needed to be stamped out. Looking at Nokula and Dhalgria, he wrote Tell? and nudged his head at Gallan. Writing out everything again would take too long.

IC: Only enemies he wrote. He didn't take his eyes off the stranger as he walked over and apologized. He cleared the slate and wrote Who?. Then he pointed questioningly at the newcomer.

IC: Ezrak nearly choked on the Ussal meat when the huge Toa crashed through the bar doors. It took a few moments of sputtering and coughing to clear his throat and relax. He didn't especially like loud noises. He rolled his eyes as if he was saying "some people". The Matoran ended up staring at the newly arrived Toa. Ezrak had never seen him before, and he couldn't be too careful these days. Friend'd scare him he wrote to Nokula, pointing quickly to the Toa.

IC: Ezrak continued to grin rather devilishly. Big friend. At home was all he wrote on the slate. Some thing's couldn't be properly described using only chalk and slate. Some things needed to be seen in person to truly appreciate their size. And Exo-Matorans was big. Sure, Ezrak could have written out what Anvil was, but the machines were rare enough most of the population wouldn't even believe their existence. A few lines on a board didn't do justice to Anvil. After they finished eating, maybe, Ezrak would bring Dhalgria and Nokula to his house and show them the exa-matoran. Dhalgria had already seen it, but Nokula hadn't. After she did, Ezrak didn't think she'd have as many reservations about hunting Rahkshi. He ate some of the food. Pretty soon, Makuta's sons would be as dead as the ussal on his plate.

IC: Ezrak smiled gleefully. He held up three fingers. Anvil too. And find others he wrote. He nodded in Dhalgria's direction, then waved his hand at the rest of the room. There were many people on Mata-Nui.

IC: Ezrak flinched and pulled his arm back reflexively as Nokula tried to place her hand on his. He looked down guiltily when he realized what he'd done. He quickly scribbled Sorry. She was just trying to comfort him.... but he wasn't ready for that. No, he didn't want comfort, he needed revenge. Looking at the Le-Matoran opposite him, Ezrak saw the same fire. It was the look of anger in Nokula's face that made Ezrak see a kindred spirit in her. Maybe she'd learned to quiet it down, but it was there. Need help he wrote onto the slate. Thinking for a second, he drew a line threw help and replaced with another four letter word. Team.

IC: Ezrak's cheerful face turned sour. He didn't especially like talking about the mission. It brought up too many memories of what had happened before, and those were times he never wanted to talk about, let alone think about, again. All Ezrak wanted was to finish his mission, no matter how long it took. But he knew he would need help. He and Anvil were strong, but he needed a team with him. He took a deep breath. He composed himself. He didn't look angry now, just serious. Revenge he wrote on the slate. Hunt Rahkshi he continued writing. Ezrak wondered what the Le-Matoran would say to that.

IC: Ezrak gave Nokula a quizzical look. She was acting pretty nervous. But, Ezrak, supposed, it couldn't be comfortable for Le-Matoran to be underground in Onu-Koro. Also, most Le-Matoran were pretty strange. The Onu-Matoran added the word home to the slate beside Onu, and tapped it twice. Then he wrote down three more words. ​Waiting for mission. As the barkeep brought over some food Ezrak erased the slate and wrote another message. What antiques?

IC: Ezrak genuinely laughed now. He erased Nokula's name from the slate with his arm and then wrote his own name. Ezrak. He followed it up with a few words to help her understand the situation. I no speak. Write only. A server came by with three drinks. Ezrak had only ordered two, but it looked like the barkeep had been paying attention. Writing did tend to take a lot of time, so Ezrak tried speak-see. Maybe he'd have better luck with Nokula than with Dhalgria. He shrugged his arms as if asking a question, pointed at Nokula and finally at the ground. He added the word Onu to the slate to help get question across.

IC: Lantz frowned unhappily as he waited for the duel to begin. This was ridiculous. They had a Maru here. The Maru was surrounded. And they were giving him the chance to win the freedom of all the captive Ta-Matoran? It was all a waste of time and energy. Still, he wouldn't interfere. If the others wanted to play their little games, so be it. If Eisen managed to slay the pompous fool of a Ta-Toa, fine. But if Oreius won the duel... then Lantz would step in, along with the others he was sure, and put an end to the miserable Maru's life. Plus, it wouldn't hurt to have less competition here amongst Makuta's followers, with Eisen being dead. So he stepped back and leaned against the wall, one hand resting comfortably on his sheathed sword hilt. "Anyone got a snack for the show?"

ooc: there's actually a Tiokaha in the booth too. IC: The newcomer Le-Matoran obviously hadn't seen Dhalgria from her vantage point or she wouldn't have been so quick to ask for the seat. Ezrak didn't really mind though. He didn't speak, so one-on-one conversations weren't quite his strong point. He thought back of the Exo-Matoran in his home. Now THAT was his strong point. He smiled cheerfully at the Le-Matoran and gestured for her to sit down. "Ezrak, I didn't pick you for such a socialite" the barkeep said with a chuckle. Ezrak gave him a dark look, which prompted a bark of a laugh before the barkeep went back to work. Ezrak picked up the slate and chalk and wrote out one word. Name.

IC: "Yes we shall." To Kulrik, the Plangori culture was entered around misdirection. He had expected a decadent and ostentatious home for the clan that produced the finest dyes and clothes in the Empire, but had instead found one that was much more... utilitarian? Was that the word? Probably not, but it was close enough. There was Yukie, the First son that wasn't. And there was Shuuan, whose looks certainly hadn't matched his expectations for a clan that provided beauty to the the rest of the Archipelago. And more strangely was the annoying way thoughts of her had of creeping to the back of Kulrik's mind, no matter where he was. Hopefully this dinner would do the trick. Right, dinner. Kulrik had thought the food might be a little spartan and plain, in keeping with the local architecture, but instead it was ample and ravishing, if the smell was any indication. And the First Son's dinner companion brought the whole scene together. Kulrik wouldn't mind spending the next few hours staring into those eyes. Kulrik put a few of the vegetables and a small portion of the fish on his plate. Taking a small bite of it, his mouth was filled with savoury, sweet flavour. "This is delicious, Akiyo. If your clan ever decides to branch out in terms of business, cooking seems like a safe bet." He scooped a portion of the of mystery gelatinous food onto his plate. "So what kind of business keeps the most beautiful daughter of the Plangori busy on a day like today?"

IC: Ezrak waited in the booth at the bar for Dhalgria to respond. ooc: Open for interaction with other people.

IC: :Mako, Casanuva says his team is ready to leave right away. Can you bring my stuff once you've got Dakte? It's packed on my bunk, and don't worry, it's light.: Soraph thought about Zueya had said about the enemies in Ko-Koro. :And maybe bring along some extra weapons: "Are we going to be stopping for supplies anywhere, or have you got extra? If Ko-Wahi is as cold as they say it is, I don't think what I'm wearing is quite enough" Soraph asked the Kalta, using her free hand to gesture to the clothes she had on.

IC: Soraph turned her head to Zueya, looking slightly confused as if she'd forgotten someone else was there, or wondering why someone would interrupt her and Casanuva. The expression was gone in an instant though, and she wore the same charming smile as before. "Vilda Mako will also be coming - he's what you'd call a Turaga. A Menti by the name of Dakte will also be along for the ride. He's a nice enough guy, but he's a little quiet if you ask me." She turned her head back to the Toa of Magnetism. "We're just supposed to be doing some recon, no going into the Koro itself or anything. Too dangerous. I told them we'd have the likes of you protecting us" she said, squeezing Casanuva's hand, "but the Commodore insisted. Still, I think we'll be able learn a lot about the place, and each other, on the trip" Soraph said with a wink. "Are you and the rest of the Kalta ready to leave now? It shouldn't take my group too long to pack our things."

IC: "The good news is that the Commodore is letting a small group of us leave Ga-Koro to scout out Ko-Wahi. The great news is that you get to be my personal tour guide" Soraph answered with a small prod to Casanuva's chest. "And I want to see everything."

IC: Lantz looked from Oreius to Eisen, then back to Oreius. Here was a Maru, one of the vile beings that had blunted their Lord's expansion across Mata-Nui, all alone without any of his allies. In the centre of political power in Ko-Koro, surrounded by Makuta's most unswerving servants. And Eisen was willing to let him go if Oreius could beat him in one-on-one combat? "We should all just attack and kill the fiery little Toa" he whispered to one of the Piraka.

IC: Soraph smiled back at the Toa of Magnetism and returned the wave the wave hello as she clambered out of the submarine with the ease of a sailor that had been a on a months-long journey. Jumping onto the decks, Soraph broke into a slow run before stopping a few feet in front of Casanuva. Behind him were the rest of his team, though Soraph didn't pay too much attention to them. "So I've got good new and I've got great news. Which do you want to hear first?"

IC: Soraph's face brightened immediately when she was told that Ayiwah was letting them leave the Koro. "That's wonderful news! The village is nice and all, but honestly, it's too much like the Empire. Now we'll actually get to go out and explore this island! Oh, Ko-Wahi is supposed to be cold, but you can imagine a climate that's below freeing all year around? Can you imagine the kinds of animals that live there, and the plants that grow? It must be unlike anything back in the Archipelago." Overcome with excitement, she bent down and hugged Mako a little harder than she'd intended. "Thank you so much Mako! You know, I told Casanuva to meet me up at the docks, he's probably there now, I should go tell him the good news. I'll see you in a bit once you've gotten ready." The Vilda Menti turned and ran up a ladder, heading out of the submarine to look for a certain Toa.

IC: Relisai stood frozen in place as her enemies convened around her. She had been so close. So close. Here she was at the docks, on a ship with a crew could take her straight back to Oki to her throne in Vilda Castle. What stood between her and that seat? A few nautical miles, some rough waters if the sea, as temperamental as she always was, decided to change things up a little? Maybe a few stops for food and depending on how well the boat was supplied given the unexpected journey. Overall, there was very little preventing Relisai from returning to complete freedom on her lands. Except for the might of the Imperial Navy. "Vilda Relisai! You have no hope of escape! Surrender at once!" Relisai felt the tug of Somei's Mindarm and let it pull the sword out of her hand to drop to the floor. She ignored the blinding light that appeared in her eyes, another one of the Datsue's machinations. The Toroshu of the Vilda stood resolute, facing the open ocean and imagining the forces she could no longer see that had arrived to apprehend her. There had been what, two Menti back near the prison that had tried to stop her? And there was Yukie, that had hounded her all the way here. There was Somei, and now dozens of Menti and Dashi on two Imperial ships, all of them here to stop Relisai from escaping. It was quite compliment. It took so many people just to apprehend her? It was a testament to how much the Empire feared her power. Relisai represented autonomy and freedom, and the Empress was scared that Relisai's tenacity would make her glass tower crumble. All in good time, Relisai thought to herself, all in good time. She started to laugh. "I surrender." She raised her hands, still laughing while she continued to speak. One day, she would make all these people pay. "But I do hope you understand; I was offered a deal for my freedom, and you never refuse the Dastana."

IC: "I understand completely" Kulrik replied. "Appearances are a precarious thing and you never know who might be watching or why. Seigyo can stand guard at the door tonight while we dine - she's of the opinion that if she's busy eating, she's not busy protecting me and fulfilling her duty and her oath." Kulrik bowed his head slightly and motioned to the papers on Akiyo's desk. "I think I should you leave to your work now, if I want to see you later. Good luck, and until tonight." He turned to leave. ooc: timeskip to dinner?

IC: Ezrak led Dhalgria back to a tavern on the outskirts of Onu-Koro. It wasn't the best part of the village but it was safe, and nobody was going to be bothering them with Anvil around. No one with half a brain, anyways. He opened the door and walked in, setting the Exo-Koro in a corner while he scrambled out and into a booth. He held up two fingers and the barkeep nodded. Ezrak was a regular here, preferring not to cook his own food, and the owner of the establishment had developed a sort of shorthand with him. While the food was being prepared, the barkeep brought over a slate and some chalk. Ezrak held up the slate, trying to figure out how to communicate with the Tiokaha. He drew a rough map of Mata-Nui, pointed at it, then Dhalgria, then he shrugged as if he was asking a question.

IC: Soraph rubbed her knuckles, relaxing the taut joints as they'd been clenched nervously the past half hour as she'd walked around the submarine, finally deciding to go the Commodore's cabin and ask her about her decision. The submarine had grown claustrophobic to the Menti that grown up either in the jungle or the vastness of the sea. There were too many walls, too many corners, and every hallway eventually led back to itself. And while Ga-Koro was nice, it felt too much like home. Like much of the archipelago water was in sight everywhere, and the primitive village reminded Soraph of the fishing clans that dotted the Empire's more bountiful coasts. No, the Vilda princess had come to Mata-Nui to set her eyes on sights no Dasaka had seen before, and that meant venturing out across the island. She saw Vilda Mako walking in her direction, away from the Commodore's office. "Everything all right?" she asked her clan's elder.