Burnmad

IC: Barius - Warskak Garage

The Skakdi sneered at Boss' strange, ritualistic instruction, chest shaking with a single bark of laughter as he peered into the orb, staring into one of its three glittering eyes. He clapped twice, mockingly. Whether he was mocking 'Miss' or the Boss, an outside observer could not say for certain.

In his head, he forcefully thought a series of words, hoping that they would be heard by the spirit within the tiny, spherical prison - and that the same would heed them.

I would offer you a chance at freedom, demon. All you must do is tell me of Nektann's weaknesses.

Aloud, he uttered a question only slightly more innocuous. "What kinda slug would make me the most powerful?" He grinned.

OOC: @Unreliable Narrator

IC: Barius - The Scrapshop

Barius' grin faltered. He'd expected more of a reaction from the Boss-- he'd half expected the larger, older Skak to gut him on the spot. Or try, anyway.

But his grin returned in force when he heard the 'reward' he would be offered. He knew just what to ask of the Aspect that Boss had held captive all these years. It was so obvious, he couldn't help but wonder whether it was a trap.

But fortune favored the bold; if it was a trap, he would spring it, and win anyway.

"Very well. I graciously accept. How do I communicate with him?"

OOC: @Unreliable Narrator

IC: Providence - Mesi Tunnels

Providence sighed. "There's a lot to it, but... Essentially, it's called a Kraata. It's a sort of... symbiotic lifeform. It attaches to a humanoid being - such as yourself - and... links its own life to yours." To phrase it nicely. "But it also offers an ability, of sorts, in return. What kind of ability, depends on the type of Kraata in question."

Though he was speaking softly to Vent, the others could also just overhear him, if they strained their ears. "Ah, here we are," he said, louder. They had reached their destination, and Providence called some of the shadows back within himself, so they could see from their new vantage point.

OOC: @Dane-gerous @Snelly @Sparticus147 @Vezok's Friend

IC: Morangad - Cargo Hauler

The Tiokaha faltered as the vehicle jolted beneath him, beginning to move across the land far quicker than any living thing could. Unnatural...

He distracted himself by looking at the girl laid across the back seat. Based on the words - and thoughts - of the others, it seemed as if she was the one responsible for the event that had occurred back at the swamp. He looked at the large, reptilian being beside her, whose name seemed to be Irna. "May I ask what happened back there?"

OOC: @Conway @TL01 NUVA @Toru Nui @Tarn @Keeper of Kraata

IC: Barius - A Scrapshop Formerly Belonging to Mega

With the long strides of his power armor, Barius stood before the garage in but a few steps. He took the time to wipe the grin off his face, replacing it with a confident smirk.

Lowering the wreck of the E Street down to about chest level, he stepped through the large garage door, and set the chassis down in front of Boss.

"Found this buried in a hut back in that shantytown we just raided," he boomed. His voice was normally loud, but he played it up even more, so that all could hear over the sounds of the shop. "Thought you might like to have it back."

He couldn't help but grin slightly again as he eagerly awaited Boss' reply.

OOC: @Unreliable Narrator @Nato the Traveler @Conway

IC: Barius - Mega's Scrapshop

The Skakdi's grin widened as he watched his prediction come true. He turned back to the Aspect he'd bet against.

"I'll get you that heartlight after our next stop, then?"

He was tempted to use the Toa strapped to Cor's vehicle, but he figured that one might be of some use. Plus, he was hoping to dramatically kill him in front of all of Po-Koro, when they inevitably failed to put up the tribute demanded of them. Besides, he didn't want to push Boss' buttons too much in one day.

Speaking of which... His thoughts turned to the wreck he was still carrying/dragging along with him. With the Matoran just having departed, everyone's attention was on the garage where Boss was sitting... which made it the perfect time to present the E Street. He hefted the twisted chassis unsubtly over his head. "'Scuse me for a sec, boogeyman."

OOC: @Conway @Nato the Traveler @Unreliable Narrator

IC: Providence - Mesi Tunnels

Finding a route to a better vantage point, the Aspect tapped his allies' on the shoulders, prompting those of them who could not see in his shadows to form into a line, joined to himself by a chain of joined hands. "This way, friends,"  he said as he led the crew upwards.

OOC: @Snelly @Sparticus147 @Dane-gerous @Vezok's Friend

IC: Morangad - Fau Swamp

The Tiokaha grimaced, half from nausea and half from the prospect of riding in one of these horrid metal contraptions. But the other beings - some of which he recognized as Toa, others less familiar - made good points. There were few other beings in the swamp. He'd heard of some folk trying to settle within, but as far as he knew, they were all dead. Killed by the swamp, as he had nearly been numerous times in the past centuries. No, it seemed his choices were between traveling with this group, or dying.

It was a harder decision than you might expect. Not only would he have to ride in the cargo hauler, he'd have to go to a settlement. One composed of people, presumably, who came from the giant head, which could bode only ill.

But after some moments' deliberation - during which some of them would likely begin to wonder if they would have to leave him behind - the purplish figure did finally step tentatively, hesitantly aboard the cargo hauler, resisting the urge to complain as he did so. When he was aboard, he simply stood around awkwardly, looking extremely out of place.

IC: Barius - Mega's Scrapshop

The grin on his face faltered, but only ever-so-briefly. "Are you accepting the wager, then?" He extended his hand, which was huge even outside of his armor, easily dwarfing the Aspect's own.

The word of a Skakdi meant nothing-- except when it came to bets. At least, ones that were made in public.

OOC: @Conway @Dane-gerous @Nato the Traveler @A-tak-nid @ZippyWharrgarbl @Unreliable Narrator

IC: Morangad - Fau Swamp

The Tiokaha's face scrunched up at the cargo hauler that the group was retreating into. "How far is this... Metru-Koro?" He'd never heard of such a settlement before. Granted, he hadn't left the swamp in some centuries, but... he wondered whether these folk were from the head that had crashed into the island last week.

Gods, he hoped not.

OOC: @Toru Nui @Conway @Tarn @Snelly @Keeper of Kraata @TL01 NUVA

IC: Barius - Mega's Scrapshop

Barius grinned. He appreciated the Matoran's spunk-- albeit in much the same way that one was amused by a skaklet getting sassy. But he reckoned Boss would feel similarly.

"For shorties, there's a wide range of... permissible behaviors between those that get ya killed. Ain't like a Skak-- one of us talks back, he gets beat at the very least. That's the way of things. But a Matoran can show a bit of spine just on virtue of the fact that they're pretty much harmless. I reckon she settles for not getting strung up, once she realizes her position, and she scampers outta here with her tail between her legs."

His grin widened as he looked at the Aspect. "How's about we wager yer favor? I'm right, I get a slug for nothin' but the heartlight ya make it outta. I'm wrong, I'll pull double duty; two favors."

OOC: @Dane-gerous @Conway @Unreliable Narrator @Nato the Traveler @A-tak-nid @ZippyWharrgarbl

IC: Morangad - Ground Zero

The figure neared the crew of the cargo hauler. He seemed wizened, but strangely vital at the same time. He wore animal-skin boots, and a raggedy strip of cloth over his mouth and nose. A spear was slung over his shoulder.

This time, he spoke aloud.

"Who... did this?"

His voice was raspy from infrequent use. As pointed as the question was, he didn't seem angry, per se. He had more the look of an elder about to launch into a lecture.

His eyes danced over the bunch, taking in the nauseousness that had rapidly overtaken them. "Eh, that can wait. We all require attention-- I feel... ill. I do not often feel ill."

OOC: @Conway @Toru Nui @TL01 NUVA @Tarn @Snelly @Keeper of Kraata

IC: Providence - Mesi Tunnels

"There seem to be some other entrances to the chamber up ahead," Providence whispered. "Perhaps we could navigate to a better observation point?"

He expanded his senses out into the shadows around him, trying to gauge the layout of the tunnels and find a path up to one of those higher vantage points.

OOC: @Dane-gerous @Sparticus147 @Vezok's Friend

IC: Morangad - Fau Swamp

"What... have you done?"

The question was addressed to all of the group around the cargo hauler. Curiously, they heard it in their minds, rather than with their ears.

If they looked around, they might see a purple man clambering down a tree in the distance.

OOC: @Snelly @Toru Nui @Conway @TL01 NUVA @Tarn @Keeper of Kraata @Unreliable Narrator

IC: Barius - Mega's Scrapshop

The Skakdi grinned conversationally at the Toa. He was annoyed that Parnassus was paying attention to Reson instead of hashing out the terms of their deal, but he suspected that was the point. Aspects were annoying that way; talking to them was all cloak and dagger.

Not like Skakdi at all. Skaks were treacherous, but they were hardly subtle about it. How could they be, when their entire species was presumed as being up to no good at the outset? Barius himself was getting ready to make a rightly treacherous play himself, but it was the kind of thing you could see coming. The kind of move you had to respect, even when you were on the receiving end of it. There was a sort of mutual understanding among Skakdi in that way.

But Aspects thought themselves higher and mightier than others, and everything they did was a psychological power move. A natural consequence of being the only source of slugs, he supposed-- he preferred Nektann's way of dealing with that business. Aspects cowed you around physically and verbally, just for the pleasure of making you bow to their whims.

Essentially, Aspects played chess while skaks were playing checkers. And Barius thought chess was about as fun as skimming slag.

But he wanted a slug, so he played chess.

OOC: @Conway @Nato the Traveler

IC: Providence - Mesi Tunnels

Providence looked around. "Huh?" He couldn't sense the duo in his shadows anymore; it was just him and Vent.

OOC: @Dane-gerous @Snelly @Sparticus147 @Vezok's Friend

IC: Barius - Mega's Scrapshop

Barius was annoyed that Parnassus was leaking so much about the desecration process, but he didn't let it show on his face. There was a certain degree of bowing to an Aspect's whims that was required in order to successfully broker a deal with one. "I do," Barius answered.

He caused his colossal power armor to open up, and part of the front side folded down to allow him out. He hopped out onto the ground, where the back of his neck, and the Kraata growing there, were plainly visible to Parnassus-- and somewhat visible to the distant, upside-down Reson.

OOC: @Conway @Nato the Traveler

IC: Barius - Mega's Scrapshop

The Skakdi grinned out at the captive from within his power armor. "This fella's an Aspect, Toa. You'll hear 'em called demons, boogeymen-- skaklets are scared of 'em." He looked into Parnassus' eyes, leaving the obvious unsaid: He was not. "Barius is right, stranger. And I reckon I'll get a chance to put those bargaining skills of mine to good use again, real soon." He nodded in the direction of the fleet of war rigs. Some of the skaks had gotten out to stretch their legs; others remained within their vehicles.

"Whaddaya say: First kill from our next stop, I rip their heartlight out, just for you?" He was annoyed that the Toa would gain an inkling of the rite of desecration, but he wasn't going to pass up this chance.

OOC: @Conway @Nato the Traveler @Unreliable Narrator

IC: Providence - Mesi Tunnels

It wasn't dark anymore... until it was. Providence pulled the shadows from up the tunnel and all around, twisting them around his party so that they could hide within them. "Here," he whispered. "I'll help us remain unseen."

OOC: @Dane-gerous @Sparticus147 @Vezok's Friend

IC: ??? - Fau Swamp

Nearby, a figure squatted low, perched in a tree as he watched the giant crab shrug off all attacks. He'd seen this all before, several times in fact. He wasn't keen on getting involved, but he'd try and urge them away. And if the fight drifted near to the tree he was in... perhaps he would join the fray. He hated to see unwary travelers become the beast's dinner. Unless they were Skakdi, of course.

He reached out to the airborne being he'd felt earlier. "You and your companions must flee. You cannot hope to beat her..."

OOC: (That's Skyra, @Snelly)

IC: Barius - Mega's Scrapshop

Barius chuckled genuinely as he overheard Parnassus' observation. "It's sayin' the shop's closed. Means no one's home."

He lugged the wreck of the E Street over to the demon. "You got a nice bike there. Was a pleasure to work on." His tone suggested that he was fishing for something-- the Aspect could no doubt figure out what.

OOC: @Conway @Nato the Traveler @Dane-gerous @Unreliable Narrator

IC: Providence - Mesi Tunnels

Providence stopped for a moment, staring up at Varian, before bursting out with practiced laughter. "Hahaha! I'm inspired by your confidence, Varian. Let us continue, then."

He resumed walking, at an increased pace, in the direction of the drums and chattering.

OOC: @Dane-gerous @Snelly @Sparticus147 @Vezok's Friend

IC: Providence - Mesi Tunnels

A thrill of concern ran through Providence. Not for himself, of course-- but for his companions. Zakaz was a hazardous place for its denizens.

"Oh," he said, sounding only slightly worried. "Should we go back...?"

OOC: @Dane-gerous @Snelly @Sparticus147 @Vezok's Friend

IC: ??? - Fau Swamp

As Skyra scouted ahead of the cargo hauler crew, flying above the swamp with her jetpack, she unexpectedly felt a presence brush against her mind. Something in the swamp below had become aware of her.

OOC: @Snelly

IC: Barius - Among the Warband

"Nah. We also work on our rigs, and scrap among ourselves," he answered with a snide grin. "But the raiding is the best part."

OOC: @Nato the Traveler

IC: Barius - Among the Warband

Barius only chortled in response.

OOC: @Nato the Traveler

IC: Barius - Among the Warband

He sneered. "I hope you don't intend to appeal to our pity. It's not going to work out well for you."

OOC: @Nato the Traveler

IC: Barius - Among the Warband

The Skakdi's face took on an expression which suggested a mixture of pity and exasperation. "You should have. You should have done something to us. The minute you crashed here in your giant robot head, you should have started putting Skak heads on spikes."

He looked into the Toa's unfocused eyes, jaw set. "I don't know where you lot came from, but it isn't like here. This place is cruel, and you'll be cruel too, if you don't wanna be on the bottom of the pile."

OOC: @Nato the Traveler

IC: Barius - On the road

"What was the point of all this?" Reson asked. "We didn't do anythin' to you."

It was the kind of question that could send you spiraling into metaphysical contemplation if you let it. Barius didn't let it.

"Yeah, well, maybe you should've," was all he said in response.

OOC: @Nato the Traveler

IC: Providence - Mesi Tunnels

The Aspect's face lit up as the group began to realize what the sound was. "Drums! That means people playing them, right?" He started moving eagerly in the direction the sound was coming from. "C'mon! I wanna see what kind of people live down here!"

OOC: @Dane-gerous @Snelly @Sparticus147 @Vezok's Friend

IC: Barius - Catching Up to the Warband

Barius frowned. The rest of their walk passed in silence, and eventually they caught up with the rest of the raiding party.

OOC: @Nato the Traveler @Unreliable Narrator

IC: Barius - Leaving Po-Koro

Barius cursed under his breath. He shouldn't be blabbing so much in front of the captive.

"None of your business," he snapped.

OOC: @Nato the Traveler

IC: Barius - Leaving Po-Koro

"It's about image, Cor," Barius said. Though younger than his companion, he adopted the tone of an elder imparting a vital message. "On its own, I'd never give him back the rig he lost on his own. But when I set the Wagon in front of him, and everyone sees that he lost it, and I got it back? That change in perception is as deadly as any blade."

He chuckled, and his tone became casual once more. "Deadlier, ever since he got his hands on that last Kraata." Jerk was bouncing javelins off his skin. But Barius, too, would get his to that degree of power, someday.

OOC: @Nato the Traveler

IC: Barius - Leaving Po-Koro

"No," Barius replied, before laughing once. "'Least, not yet."

OOC: @Nato the Traveler

IC: Barius - Leaving Po-Koro

"Persistent is one word. Annoying is another," Barius replied. His thoughts went back to Kat, and to the Toa mere feet away from him that had volunteered to take the place of that Matoran. Still, annoying as they were, he had to respect them, in a way. They adhered to their principles.

So far, anyway. He reckoned he'd eventually get to see how they held up when the chips were down.

"I'll let 'Boss' make that decision. But I figure we'll wind up lettin' him go in a couple weeks. Give or take."

He grinned at the Toa. "Depends if they've got that tribute waitin' for us, I guess. If they do, no reason to provoke 'em by breakin' our word."

OOC: @Nato the Traveler

IC: Barius - Po-Koro

Barius took a deep breath as he carried the Wagon over towards the breach. Was he really gonna get away? Hahaha, gods. I am good.

Getting the wrecked rig he was holding through the uneven piles of supplies that filled the hole in the wall was troublesome, but with no one daring to interfere, he got through with it in but a few moments, with only a little bit of additional damage to the E Street. It'd buff right out, really. Maybe.

Once he was clear of the walls, he followed Corrivalis in the direction that the rest of the war band had gone. It was hard to believe that he was home free after such a tense encounter, but it seemed that was the case. He settled into his armor, releasing a massive sigh, before bursting into a fit of laughter. "Hahaha! Cor, that was great! Thanks for the help back there."

Grinning, he leaned over to examine the Toa that was bound up on the back of the lizard. He wasn't sure what they were gonna do with him, but having him was definitely a plus, right?

OOC: @Nato the Traveler