Keeper of Kraata

IC: Skorm (Metru-Koro, Cargo Hauler) Disgust and anger flickered across Skorm's kanohi, and the Twi-Toa stepped forward, maneuvering himself between Keitara and the healers. "Just because you healed her doesn't entitle you to treat her like some science experiment. If she wants, Keitara can answer your questions later." Skorm himself had been curious about the kraata when he had first sensed it when he had first met Keitara, but hadn't asked about it on the trip, figuring, she'd tell him if she wanted to; he figured it was a sensitive topic. Something was... off about the being that had healed Keitara. Skorm narrowed his eyes as he focused his elemental senses: the kraata attached to Keitara was still affiliated with Light... but this stranger was heavily composed of Shadow; it was almost intoxicating. He almost didn't notice the kraata beneath Waveahk's arm plating. However, now was not the time for an inquisition. The Twi-Toa leaned down, putting his hand on Keitara's shoulder. "Hey," he said, putting effort into sounding softer. "Kei, we're almost back. We're healed. Do you want to come back with us into the Koro?" OOC: @Sparticus147 @Kal the Guardian @Snelly @Tarn @Conway @Burnmad @Toru Nui @TL01 NUVA

Name: Kaylus Breed: Aspect of Makuta Faction: Aspects Brief Description: Kaylus possesses a humanoid body that he constructed himself; it is about the height of a tall Toa, though much broader. His shoulders are broad and armored, and his gauntlets hold massive retractable blades. His faceplate is carved as a shortened Kraahkan. Background/Occupation: Ever since his formation in the Kumu Islets, Kaylus has had a fascination with the biomechanics of other being's bodies. He eventually moved from the Islets to mainland Zakaz, settling and constructing his laboratory. From here, Kaylus works to perfect his knowledge of biomechanics and perform experiments. He will often roam Zakaz heading from settlement to settlement on arcane errands. Flaws: Though immaculately shaped and powerful, Kaylus's armor does not lend itself to a full range of motion, leading to difficulty in some situations and an effective blind spot behind him that Kaylus is unable to reach (physical flaw). Smug in his superiority over solid life, Kaylus refuses to suffer indignities, and will go to great lengths to soothe his wounded pride (psychological flaw). Powers/Equipment: As an Aspect of Makuta, Kaylus has command over elemental shadow, and is proficient in its use (primary power). In addition, Kaylus possesses the level two kraata power of Adaptation, allowing him to adapt quickly to extreme environmental conditions, as well as overcome challenges such as capture in novel ways beyond the norm (secondary power). Through rites of Desecration, Kaylus can spawn kraata to bond with supplicants and advance his Grand Wish (breed quirk). Kaylus's current body was built with his keen knowledge of biomechanics to build a powerful, armored, and deceptively agile body, reinforced with internal components increase its strength and integrity. While this body possesses clawed gauntlets, in battle he extends three long retractable blades, each the size of a small sword. His right gauntlet also has a built-in Zamor launcher, which can be filled with Kaylus's own antidermis.

IC: Skorm (Metru-Koro) Once Skorm had fully absorbed the energy of the root, he crumpled the shriveled husk and tossed it to the ground. His head was feeling better at least, but he still felt weariness and pain to the core of his being. He glanced back at the cargo hauler, and did a double take as he saw that the others were getting out and were being blasted by a somebody with a rhotuka, yet were still standing. "Aw Karz," Skorm cursed as he climbed back into the Muaka, shifted to reverse, and jammed the accelerator. It wasn't long before he had reached the cargo hauler. After some confusion, Sorilax hit him with one of the healing rhotuka. The weariness was still there, but the nausea was gone, and most of the blisters had disappeared. Skorm's voice was still hoarse. "How's Kei doing?" OOC: @Kal the Guardian @Toru Nui @Tarn @Snelly @Conway @Burnmad @TL01 NUVA

IC: Skorm (Metru-Koro) Stifling a dry heave, Skorm took the root and squeezed it, absorbing its energy as quick as he could. "Do you need a ride out to the cargo hauler? OOC: @Biological Chronicler

IC: Skorm (Metru-Koro) Snarling, Skorm batted away Pardehi's hand. "The pain isn't the problem, I can handle it. The problem is that there are seven more people who got badly exposed to radiation, one of which is already comatose." Skorm looked to the parked cargo hauler in the distance. "Save your medicine for them first." OOC: @Biological Chronicler

IC: Skorm (Metru-Koro) Pardehi found Skorm leaning against the side of his interceptor, shivering despite the heat and his burnt, blistered armor and mask. Skorm glanced at the bo-matoran, taking a moment to recognize the Metru-Nui medic's armband. Breathing a sigh of relief, he sagged against the vehicle, smiling slightly. "My name is Skorm, I'm part of an expedition Turaga Sans sent to the south. We were exposed to-" Skorm hesitated. He knew what it was, roughly, but it might be difficult to explain. "We were exposed to direct solar radiation, I think. A toa of light with us accidentally unleashed it. I was able to shield myself from some of it, but I still got hit bad. There are... seven more exposed outside the Koro, including one that's critical." @Biological Chronicler

IC: Skorm (Metru-Koro) The Twi-Toa felt like his insides were on fire and melting at the same time, and his head felt like it was going to burst though his mask. The Muaka screeched to a halt, not far from where he had parked only yesterday. He had beat the cargo hauler back to the refugee village; to Skorm, that meant he had to get help before everyone else arrived. Skorm fumbled with the door, eventually managing to push it open, and he stumbled out, struggling to breathe. "Medic..." he wheezed. "Medic!"

IC: Skorm (Retreating Convoy) Alone. Alone, again. He gunned the ignition and mashed down the pedal. The Muaka took off, easily catching up to and overtaking the cargo hauler. He checked the batteries; fully charged, after whatever Karzahni-spawned lightshow Kei had done. Small mercies, he supposed. Skorm glanced back at the cargo hauler, which was growing smaller and smaller behind him. He eased up on the acceleration. By all rights, Skorm felt he should be angry right now. He had nearly been killed, and the expedition was a disaster. Kei's little radiation stunt had nearly killed all of them, had poisoned the land, and endangered innocents, the last thing that Skorm wanted. But Skorm wasn't seething with anger because the one most in danger right now... was Keitara herself. He looked at where she had been sitting beside him riding out, now empty. Irna knew his past because of their shared history; Tekmo knew out of necessity. But Skorm had opened up to Keitara in a way he never had with anyone else. She might die. Skorm couldn't let that happen. He wouldn't let that happen. He powered though the pain, the fatigue, focusing on the route ahead, leading back to Metru-Koro. He broke out in another coughing fit. Once he was done, he spat a glob of organic material he had hacked up out the side of the vehicle. Some fearful chittering broke Skorm's concentration, and he glanced to the side to see IV coming out of the cargo compartment. "I don't know, some sort of solar radiation. Kei's hurt bad. I would be passed out next to her, but I think I managed to shield myself most of it after the initial exposure. The blisters..." he winced as he picked at one of the burned pockmarks on the front of his armor, which he now realized had been the areas that Orm had left directly exposed to Kei when she started her sunburst, "... I think those are because it was Orm that took the blast so close. He was vulnerable, element-wise, like a Ta-Toa versus a Ko-Toa." IV whirred somberly. Skorm looked at the fohrok-va. "Hey, buddy, I need you to do me a favor. If I start passing out on the drive back to Metru-Koro, I need you to wake me up. Pinch me, slap me, stab me if you have to, I need to make it back." To Skorm, making choices regarding his own fate was new, but he had already decided. He was going to make it back. For his own sake, for Keitara's, and for everyone else in that cargo hauler. OOC: @TL01 NUVA @Toru Nui @Snelly @Tarn @Conway @Burnmad

IC: Skorm (Swamp Exclusion Zone) Taking one last look at the cargo hauler, Skorm stumbled back to the Muaka. "Hey, swamp-man. If you want the ride to be over faster, ride with me. I'm also going to need someone less exposed to keep me awake." OOC: @Burnmad

IC: Skorm (Radioactive Swamp) Groaning, Skorm released his shadow, again feeling the sunlight. Blisters were formed all over his body, even his mask. It burned. Well, everything felt burned, but the sunlight didn't help. The toa clambered to his feet. "... I'm okay, just a bit scorched." He looked around; Skyra was landing, Irna had Kei, good. Skorm then doubled over and spit up the remains of his meager breakfast back at Metru-Koro. "... I may not be okay." Then Skorm felt it; words echoed around his head, feeling like someone was throwing a spiked ball around. Turning around to face the swamp, Skorm backed up, nearing the vehicles. "Did anyone else... feel that?" OOC: @Toru Nui @TL01 NUVA @Conway @Burnmad @Tarn @Snelly

IC: Skorm (Fau Swamps, Crab) Pull it’s focus? Irna was insane. Then Keitara tackled Orm to the ground. The shadow entity was crawling to his feet when the gigantic crab swung its claw again, this time with Keitara meeting it. Then she started glowing... painfully. Orm could feel layers of his essence peeling away under the radiation. He collapsed to the ground, withering under the assault. With one shaking hand he reached out, summoning forth his own shadow. He extended it forward to protect himself from Keitara, enveloping him in a wedge of pure darkness. There he could only whimper as he smelled his own blistered armor and body. Sko looked back from the Muaka, which he had turned around to begin an escape, when the wave of radiation hit him. He grimaced at the unpleasant feeling, then reached forth his hand, absorbing the light as it hit his body. Hopefully converting it to elemental energy would reduce its harmful effects on him. Leaping to the ground, Sko took off towards the radiation-spewing Av-Toa. ”Keitara! You’re cooking us alive!” Sko looked at her. He had doubts she could stop. He glanced at his other half, no doubt quivering on the ground from being next to that assault. The light entity dashed towards the wedge of shadow, diving in. Sko’s partial absorption did little to mend the damage that Orm had already sustained when they re-merged, and the sudden wave of fatigue kneecapped any chance of Skorm springing into action. He felt sick. ”Kei... you gotta stop.” OOC: @TL01 NUVA @Conway @Toru Nui @Tarn @Snelly

IC: Skorm (Fau Swamp, Expeditionary Convoy) As the titanic manas rose from the swamp, Skorm cursed under his breath. Fumbling with the controls, he hastily slammed the lever that converted the Muaka back into car mode. Then he heard Keitara, and felt the flash. His eyesight was unaffected, but the brightness burned him to his core. Leaning forward, he saw Keitara rocketed down into the muck. As he looked over the controls, he heard IV begin squealing an alarm pitch. Getting out to help her would mean leaving the vehicle, the only way they could outspeed this monstrous rahi that, for some reason, reminded Skorm of his old boss, Carapar. Fortunately, Skorm had some advantages in situations like these; his kanohi glowed, and he began splitting into two beings. The wheel struts realigning wasn't a fast process. As Sko flipped switches, he checked the batteries. Impressive, Kei's sunburst had been absorbed by the vehicle as power. He grabbed the crystal scattergun strapped to the roof of the cab, working the pump. The heatstone in it hissed as it was partially fragmented. At this range Sko wouldn't be able to do much against the manas, but fortunately Skyra seemed to be eager to get its attention. "Just once," Orm muttered as he swung out of the Muaka, "I'd like to use the Occan to team up on one guy. It's always to even whatever ####### odds I get stuck with." He dashed towards the fallen Av-Toa, minding the colossal rahi. He skidded to a stop as he saw Keitara recessed into the swamp sludge, and grimaced. He grabbed Keitara's free arm and pulled, but only managed to free her shoulder before he heard a pop and stopped. Orm knelt, digging his hand under her shoulder for a better grip, but stopped. Glancing back at the enormous crab, he thought of something, and looked back at the dazed Av-Toa. "It's not the way I had hoped to get under you, but I could give it a shot. Just... that lightblast, please don't." Orm felt out with his elemental senses, feeling the minute pockets of darkness beneath Keitara. Reaching his hand beneath her shoulder, the Kra-Toa entity melded with shadow, gliding under Keitara's body. There was a sucking sound as he began to materialize, pushing her up. Finally, with an audible pop, Keitara was pushed out of the mud from beneath by Orm. OOC: @TL01 NUVA @Conway @Toru Nui @Tarn @Snelly @Unreliable Narrator

IC: Skorm (Fau Swamp, Expeditionary Convoy) Skorm shook his head. "Keeping stuff off the drivers apparently wasn't a design priority for this vehicle." Seeing the cargo hauler stop, Skorm pulled the Muaka up to its side. "We could go around the swamps if necessary, it would be a detour but possible, I think. But the Muaka has an all-terrain crawler mode." He ran his hands along the dashboard until it found the switch, flipping it. Grinding sounds emitted from the vehicle as the main cab rose on articulated wheel struts, which became crude legs. The wheels locked in place. Skorm looked sidelong at Keitara, noting the tension. "You can transfer to the hauler if you need to," he said softly. OOC: @TL01 NUVA @Toru Nui @Snelly @Conway @Tarn

IC: Fyura (Po-Koro Outskirts) Fyura had tried not to appear too crestfallen that their target was a settlement, rather than a rig or a convoy. She was a pursuit specialist, not a terrorizer. She held back with several other vehicles. Spare rides, reinforcements, outriders, they were sometimes called different things. Rear guard, Fyura thought gloomily as she put her feet up on the dash. The door was open, and her crew were hunched over their weapons, observing the battle. Fyura picked a branchy weed out of the ground, sapping it for its strength. It was a just a pick-me-up, but it gave a little rush, like a morning cup of coffee. It just wasn't giving the same feeling anymore. As the bosswagon turned and blared out a signal, Fyura and her crew scrambled to seats. They were heading out. IC: Skorm (Expeditionary Convoy) The Twi-Toa smiled. "I'll be honest, I think I only got half of that." Noticing Keitara glancing at the cargo compartment, Skorm's eyes widened. "Oh, those kraata I found on those skakdi I killed are gone, I disintegrated them with light back at Metru-Koro. They were giving me the creeps. Never heard of this Shadow Sickness, but I'm guess of this expedition, you and I are probably the best-equipped to deal with it. Light and a little bit of shadow and all that." They drove on, behind the cargo hauler. The Muaka's engine easily matching the speed of the cargo hauler. "I'm glad you're getting along with Irna. I've worked with her in the past; she's reliable. Though from my experience, most rumors about the Zyglak are just that, they're just people like everyone else. Nasty if they're aggressive, but that's hardly unique to Zyglak, you could say the same about Toa." OOC: @TL01 NUVA @Toru Nui @Tarn @Snelly @Conway

IC: Skorm (Zakaz - Expeditionary Convoy) Chuckling, Skorm smiled grimly. "I wouldn't exactly call them friends. Tekmo and Irna are the only two I've met before yesterday, and of those two I tried to kill Tekmo last time I met him." Remembering his promise to the Zyglak, he kept the details about her vague. "Tekmo is actually the main reason I'm here at all. I was fighting him and two other toa when he managed to disrupt my kanohi," Skorm said, pointing to his own mask. "It's rare, maybe unique; it allows me to split into two different beings, each embodying an element. Though now I think it might work differently. I thought it was because my Light was partially drained and replaced with Shadow, but I think it really fragments my personality." He gripped the wheel with both hands, intently focusing on the route ahead. "Turns out I'm good at compartmentalizing. My mask split me into the components of my psyche. As far as I can tell, they did something that neutralized the brainwashing." Skorm shrugged. "I don't know, it was all very metaphysical at the time. Bottom line is, when I was pulling myself back together, I promised the three of them I'd find them. And," Skorm looked at the cab of the cargo hauler to where Tekmo was sitting, "Tekmo is the first I've found. Figured I owed him one favor, and this is it." From behind them, IV chirped solemnly. Skorm smirked again. "After all, it was the first thing I decided to do with my free will; might as well follow through." Skorm was silent for a moment as they drove. He still couldn't hear the other group's conversation. "Thanks for the offer to lend an ear. But now it's your turn." The Twi-Toa glanced at Keitara. "Back in that Turaga's hut, I brought out those shadow slugs, and you recognized them. What's up with that?" OOC: @TL01 NUVA

IC: Skorm (Muaka, following Cargo Hauler) The cargo hauler with the rest of the expedition aboard grew ahead of them as Skorm drove. "I..." Don't tell her don't tell her don't tell her Skorm's eyes flicked to the scattergun strapped to the ceiling of the vehicle for easy access. He leaned back in the spacious seat and dangled his arm out the window, feeling the whipping wind as he channeled some light energy into the paneling. "I don't remember my transformation, either. Back on the inside, during the War, I worked for Takadox. I don't know if he was responsible for whatever happened to me, but the first thing I remember is him giving me orders, and they felt right. He had me in his thrall for years, until his brainwashing was broken just before everything fell to pieces." As the Muaka caught up with the cargo hauler, Skorm turned slightly to ride its flank. "For your sake, I really hope that there's a different reason for your memory problems. OOC: @TL01 NUVA

IC: Skorm (Metru-Koro) It looks like the others already took off. Skorm gunned the ignition, and the Muaka's engine whirred to life. He took the interceptor alongside the tracks of the cargo rig, easing the accelerator to close the distance. "It runs off the sun, so there's enough juice for catching up to them and cruising. If it gets cloudy or we enter conditions where we need to be fast, like combat, you may need to channel some energy into the engine. For now though-" Skorm paused, looking into the storage pod behind them. "IV, grab one of the empty lightstones!" The drone hauled a canister with a drained lightstone into the front. "One of these can keep us going for a night. I'll charge the battery directly a bit as we drive and if we stop." Skorm tried to keep his focus on following the tracks. "Funny, my memory's shot too. I don't remember anything from before I became a Toa." OOC: @TL01 NUVA

IC: Skorm (Metru-Koro) Skorm led Keitara to where he had parked the Muaka. As the two toa approached the vehicle, mechanical beeps and chirps emanated from inside as IV poked its head up from inside. "Oh, right. Keitara, this is IV. It's a fohrok-va drone I found back when I was fighting inside the head. Helps me with tech stuff, probably would never have figured out how to work this thing without it." Pulling himself into the cab, Skorm shooed the automaton from the passenger seat and wiped dust from its surface. She's going to ask what you did. Where you were fighting in the War. She's going to learn, and she's probably going to try to disintegrate you. He powered up the vehicle. "You're actually the first Toa of Light I've encountered. I'm not sure if I can count myself, being half-and-half." OOC: @TL01 NUVA IC: Fyura (Northern Wastes - Nektann's War Party) The air stank of acrid motor fumes. Still, as Fyura felt the wind on her face aboard her buggy, she thought it to be better than the stench of decay around the Fau Swamps. The fe-skakdi jammed the accelerator and her buggy shot to the front of the pack. She stuck her head out the window, fist raised in the air, whooping in excitement. "WAAAAAAAAARGH!" OOC: @Unreliable Narrator @Nato the Traveler @Burnmad @Conway

IC: Skorm (Metru-Koro) As Skorm was walking up to the group, he took a moment to look over the cargo rig. It was carrying a boat that would carry their expedition to the Kumu Islets once they reached the coast. It looked to be big enough to store the Muaka if the boat was removed, useful once they had to leave the land vehicles behind. "Hey," Skorm said, banging on the door to the cabin as he walked past. "I know we can all fit with in this one, but I have my own ride, I can run escort. There's room for a passenger, too." Skorm looked over the expedition members and took stock of what he knew and observed. The Le-Toa appeared to be no longer drunk (though possibly under the influence of other behavior-altering drugs, but there was a possibility it was just her), the large Ta-Toa was looking through a manual for the vehicle along with the Steltian. The Steltian just plain wouldn't fit, despite the Muaka being built for Skakdi. Tekmo was... being Tekmo. Irna could possibly fit, and having her close during the voyage wouldn't hurt. The last one, the Av-Toa... "You're Keitara, right? I think I could use you riding second with me." The Twi-Toa cocked his head towards the edge of the Koro, where he had parked his interceptor. "The Muaka has a solar engine, runs off of sunlight or lightstones. I can charge it enough on my own, but having another toa of Light would make it a lot easier." OOC: @Toru Nui @Snelly @Conway @TL01 NUVA @Tarn

Name: Fyura Breed: Skakdi of Iron Faction: Nektann's War Skaks Brief Description: Fyura is a female skakdi of average height and a lean, feral build. Her armor is primarily ochre and gunmetal, and her kraata is attached to the left side of her neck, descending back under her spiny frill. She wears a canvas kilt to store her gear, with a beltbuckle depicting a maskless matoran hanging. On her neck she wears a necklace strung with skakdi teeth taken from both her victories and fallen comrades. Background/Occupation: Fyura is a warskak in service to Nektann. She savagely worked her way through the hierarchy of raiders until she proved herself a reliable blackthumb and raider. As a rite of passage, Fyura underwent desecration by Lrrthxx, being granted a Kraata of Hunger in exchange for service to him. She remains on the mainland, raiding with other members of her clan; however, she eagerly wishes to make her kraata more powerful, both to empower herself and to advance in rank. Flaws: Fyura tends to throw herself into her struggles, and failing tends to lead into long, depressive episodes (psychological flaw). In combat, she will often over-commit to an attack or maneuver, leaving herself vulnerable to any followup (physical flaw). Powers: Being a fe-skakdi, Fyura possesses control over Elemental Iron, but only in conjunction with another skakdi (primary power). She also possesses spellbinder vision, which allows her to disorient and stagger her enemies (secondary power). Lastly, she has undergone the First Rite of Desecration by Lrrthxx, gaining a stage 1 Hunger kraata, allowing her to siphon small amounts of energy from surrounding plantlife (breed quirk). She calls him Vayde. Equipment: Fyura's primary weapons are a protosteel battleaxe wielded in one or both hands, a useful weapon in both combat and boarding vehicles. She also carries a wrist-mounted crossbow capable of channeling her power over Iron, which allows her to fire metal bolts with some control over the shape of the tips, or to be used with pre-mixed flare and thermal charges. Fyura carries a chain wrapped around her other wrist; this can be used to bind prisoners, be attached to a grappling bolt for boarding, or simply used as a weapon. Lastly, she carries several lightstone and heatstone capsules for emergency situations, as well as several rugged tools for fixing up her ride. Battle Trike Type: Battle-Modified Transport Description: The Battle Trike is a souped-up transport with two wheels in front for steering, while the back of the vehicle is supported by a large central tread. The cab houses the driver and up to one passenger, and the open back bed can be used for either cargo or (more likely) up to two warskaks. Crew: Fyura's battle trike can be driven by a single driver, but a full crew is usually 3-4; one driver, one co-driver, and one or two gunners in the back. It could transport a single ACR instead of gunners, if the ACR was fairly light. Technologies: The only built-in weapon the Battle Trike possesses is a harpoon launcher for snagging transports. The trike can also drop a claw behind the vehicle as a braking system; while this can be used while driving normally, this is normally used to slow down other vehicles the trike is grappling. The driver can operate the braking claw, but only a gunner riding in the back can operate the harpoon. History: Fyura's battle trike part of the fleet literally assembled by Nektann's Warskaks. Its rugged nature means it has been rebuilt and tuned countless times, and the current driver has used it in raids against convoys, stragglers, refugees, and static settlements.

IC: Skorm (Metru-Koro) Skorm sighed; he had thought this might have been the case. "Fair enough. I'll respect your privacy as long as you respect mine. I've already been ejected from one settlement for being ex-League. Glad to see we both ended up out of that mess." The Twi-Toa turned so that Irna couldn't see the uncertainty in his face. He had served under Takadox, true, but was hardly innocent. Executions, destructions of holy sites, he was still guilty of being a League soldier. "Let's get back to the group." OOC: @Conway

IC: Skorm (Metru-Koro) "I didn't leave," Skorm replied, crossing his arms. "I was freed. In the assault on Ga-Metru, I ran into Tekmo and several other Toa. They managed to jar me loose from Takadox's programming and mind-control." Skorm sighed, looking back to the rig, and the others talking. "I made a promise to those three when the world was falling apart. A promise that I'd find them. First thing I decided to do of my own free will that I remember, so that's what I'm doing That's what brought me here; so here's my question. What are you doing here, hidden among the refugees of the people you were fighting?" OOC: @Conway

IC: Skorm, Metru-Koro Seeing Irna approaching with Keitara, Skorm put a hand on Tekmo's shoulder. "Just a moment, shout if you need me." He left the Bo-Toa and made his way over to the approaching zyglak and toa. "Morning. Irna, we didn't get a chance to speak yesterday, sorry. Do you want to speak now, or..." Skorm trailed off, glancing suspiciously at the Av-Toa. OOC: @Toru Nui @Conway @TL01 NUVA

IC: Skorm (Metru-Koro) "Your chariot, maybe," Skorm said, jerking his thumb back at where he had parked the Muaka. "I have my own ride." Sleeping under a roof for the first time in a week (and for the first time in this new world) had been a change that Skorm was still getting used to, but it looked like he couldn't get too comfortable with it. OOC: @Toru Nui @Snelly @Tarn

IC: Skorm (Metru-Koro) The Twi-Toa wrinkled his mask in confusion as he followed Tekmo out of the hut. "What... rumors?" OOC: @Toru Nui