BULiK

IC: Nichou [Po-Wahi, Desert Trail] "Last time I talked with him was right after he fought at Ko-Koro," Nichou responded. "Needless to say, those three questions weren't on his mind," the tradesman continued before a momentary pause. "At least - he never brought up anything of the sort." "We mostly talked about you being dead and how he never found your grave afterwards. He also mentioned some kind of 'Keeping Place'-" Nichou made quotes in the air with his fingers for effect "-underneath Kini-Nui where he likes to meditate. Apparently it's a big secret and even the other Maru don't go there - he didn't go into much detail about where it was or what it was 'keeping' - maybe they trapped Makuta in there?" OOC: @BBBBalta Lekua might recognize some key words from here

IC: Nichou [Po-Wahi, Desert Trail] "The 'why' will only take you so far." He paused for a moment, looking down from the cloudless sky to look member of the group in the optics. On reflection, it was a very un-Nichou-like thing to say, so he took the time to explain it. Perhaps as much to explain it to himself as to them. "I've had a lot of time to think about the 'why' while you were dead - or, wherever you were," the Onu-Matoran continued. It was tempting to get sidetracked with how little they knew about what happened do Aurax, but Nichou maintained course. "Why some of us in the Companions were 'chosen'. Why you were the one who died. Why Lepidran didn't become a Toa, and why Stannis did." "It's not worth it. Too... abstract. Does Mata Nui need to give a reason? If he did, would we even be able to understand it?" Nichou paused, simultaneously for effect and to form his words. It was the same as if he took a chisel to a slab of marble in Po-Koro: visualizing the carve he needed to make to reveal the statue it would become. Measure twice, speak once. He had slowed down for a moment physically as well. He put his hand on Aurax's shoulder and looked him in the optics. "I've always wanted to understand why these things happen - that urge is why I joined up back in the day - but it took me years to accept that I didn't need to understand the 'why' to appreciate the 'now'. You don't need to understand your reincarnation to take advantage of it." Nichou let go and continued to walk, readjusting his pack on his shoulders by pulling the straps. The pace picked up again. "We should also consider that Makuta's return might make as little sense to him or his forces as your return does to us. That new lands opening up is neither good nor bad, but what we make of it. Regardless of why it's happening now. That's not to say we shouldn't be searching - if we can understand more of the 'how', it could help the heroes who will be doing the fighting."

IC: Nichou [Po-Wahi, Desert Trail] "Certainly*," Nichou shot back with a different, slyer intonation. "*provided enough widgets are involved, of course." Joking aside, he brought the tone back down to earth. "Perhaps it's a little early to start checking real estate trends. Not to mention - you don't strike me as someone who's going to settle down somewhere any time soon." Nichou kicked a slight outcropping of sand, the dust scattering as it fell. Their footprints would be swept away just as easily by the whims of nature. "Then again, stranger things have happened; supposedly Lepidran is still cataloguing bugs somewhere in the jungle. Atiel must have settled down at some point, too - I never caught wind of what he or Dece did after we split up. They could be anywhere. Now that travel between and outside of the Koros is less dangerous, the island feels so much bigger than back during The War." "Maybe that's just because I've seen more of it now. Enough to understand how much I don't understand."

IC: Kihr [Burning Steppes, Outskirts] Kihr hadn't turned to watch Rezena approach. From his perch on the berm, he puffed his cigar while the Kaiakan introduced herself to the other team members. His mechanical breathing continued along at its undisturbed rhythm.

IC: Nichou [Forsi] The Onu-Matoran was glad he had tinted lenses for his Kanohi - even with them protecting his optics the light was on the edge of unbearable. His gaze had been at the sandy dirt underfoot. Nichou still wasn't quite sure what to think of this whole 'resurrection' business. He had been quiet for some time until now "After the Turaga were killed, Makuta was defeated, and the Akiri had stepped up to lead, things got tense for a bit. Lot of damage to repair. Po-Koro turned inwards to heal and rebuild - made itself hard to find. There were some strange attacks going on all over the island, even with Makuta gone. Was getting scary - but the bigshots eventually put aside their differences and things cooled down." "And then... well... Matoro was killed and Ko got taken over by cultists and scoundrels. Last major gee-oh-pol-iti-kal thing that happened was when the Maru liberated the city. Not everyone made it though..." Refocus. It's all about perspective. Nichou thought back to the bitter-sweetness of sunset. "Quite the mess to clean up. So my point is - that's how I wound up getting into architecture."

IC: Long Dihunai [Ga-Koro, The Yukanna] Though Dihunai held the right to speak, she knew this was not the time. With great restraint, she avoided pointing out what Yumiwa had neglected to mention. Dihunai didn't offer the correction that there were free Dasaka on mount Koshiki, who did not submit to imperial law. Dihunai didn't point out that her fellow monks were the first that the monsters began to purge, nor that these aliens had begun corrupting the dragons. Corrupted by an evil force unleashed by... the foreign 'Dashi' and Yumiwa's uncle? (What???) This Toa's “I’m sorry,” didn't cut it for Dihunai. The warrior said nothing, but the swirling red and violet aura around her spoke volumes to Leah's Ruhaku.

^ yeah this isn't a question for BZPower, that lego universe server is just an unofficial thing that I posted on this forum a while ago. Any support should go in that topic or its associated discord server where support is more rapid. Thanks @Valendale for pointing them in the right direction

OOC: I was hoping that becoming BZPRPG staff would not teach me the habit of perpetually postponing so many posts... and yet... IC: Skrall [Trail, Roxtus ->Bone Hunter Stronghold, Lead Cart] Skrall had been content to let the nosy Skrall do all the talking. The story, far from the blunder Skrall had presumed,it would be, actually wound up having useful information for his new fate. He tried his best to not show it, but he was listening throughout. IC: Atakus [Trail, Roxtus ->Bone Hunter Stronghold, Lead Cart] "Skrall are not invulnerable," the chariot-driving agori shouted above the rattling wheels. "It is possible to have a lapse in judgement, such as spending more time trading in rumor than in minding your station." "I had expected our navigator of these wastes to point out that we are nearing our first destination." He pointed at a mesa to their east, and with a few whips of the Spikit, motivated them to increase their pace as he guided them towards the Bone hunter stronghold. The dunes grew in size further from the sandy riverbed. As if they had entered churning tidewaters instead of a calm lake. OOC: The important thing is: we're so back. I love all these posts, but let's actually have worlds collide here soon.

IC: Skrall [Trail, Roxtus ->Bone Hunter Stronghold, Lead Cart] "Quickly. Slashed all over - some more than others. Only Skrall blood was spilled - and the ambushers left none of their weaponry behind."

IC: Skrall [Trail, Roxtus ->Bone Hunter Stronghold] "My honor and life are forfeit. Your beliefs are not my concern."

IC: Skrall [Trail, Roxtus ->Bone Hunter Stronghold] "If these details were known, perhaps I would not have to suffer this interrogation," Skrall retorted. "Alas..."

IC: Skrall [Trail, Roxtus ->Bone Hunter Stronghold] "They did not listen, and neither will you," Skrall repeated, somehow bored of the only conversation that had broken the monotony of the bumpy excursion.

IC: Skrall [Trail, Roxtus ->Bone Hunter Stronghold] "Silent death," Skrall muttered. He squinted at the sky. Was that a cloud or - no, a moon. He spoke out of boredom, rather matter-of-fact for what may have been his most traumatizing memory. "Long range rearguard patrol. No enemy for days upon days. Go a ways away to take a #### while Skrall sets up camp. Hear commotion. Run back. Everyone dead."

IC: Skrall [Trail, Roxtus ->Bone Hunter Stronghold] Skrall scoffed, not giving the captor the satisfaction of looking him in the eye. He was focused on the cloudless blue above them. "There is no 'why' - they did not listen, and neither will you. There is no act you speak of, no choice was made. I have no answer."

IC: Skrall [Roxtus, Stables] Skrall didn't win battles by not fighting them, and he didn't lose campaigns by the result of a single skirmish. He resigned himself to another day, with his last act of defiance being spitting on the ground as he was lifted to his knees. Straining against the shackles, Skrall lifted himself into the cart. It was a nontrivial task, given he had been deprived of his full free range of motion. The sooner they got underway, the sooner opportunities would present themselves, and he could begin the next phase.

IC: Nichou [Forsi, Papa Podu's] "Yeahhhh," Nichou agreed, trying to guide the conversation back to the two wayfinders among them. "So - Sigrus, weren't you navigating for ships? Do you even know the land routes?" OOC: @EmperorWhenua@Mel@Tarn

OOC: Busy few weeks for me but I'm back on the grind IC: Skrall [Roxtus, Stables] Skrall once again experienced a lack of breath, however through different means to a few minutes prior. The grapple's yank tripped him flat on his face, dazed long enough for one of the nearby Skrall to disarm him.

IC: Frii'Glokk [Ostia, The Dancing Crab] The armored skakdi, observing with his signature intensity until now, raised his gun-arm to the air. A strange parallel. "Grass is always greener." Having split the difference between the realistic and optimistic views of Zakaz given by the two Ga-Lesterin, the Fe-Skakdi looked Tailua in the optics and lowered the arm-gun back to his side. Time to finish the point. "Sometimes you need to get prepared on a different island before you're ready to return for payback." OOC: @Emzee @Ghosthands @ARROW404 IC: Quoribay [Iron Mahi, Middle Cargo Car] We waited for moment. No movement. Aside from the 'everything' that was constantly in motion because, we were on a train, I guess. No unexpected movement. Looked like we were in the clear. Still couldn't shake that feeling creeping up the back of my spine, but what the Karz, we had a job to do. "No and yes, respectively," I ordered Skrol. "You head the opposite of the way I go. If that isn't it then we double back to each other's car" I made my move, creeping up to the door that lead to the final train car. I opened it, bracing myself for the noise and the rushing wind, then carefully crossed to the other car. No wonder they typically don't want passengers to cross trains - that felt dangerous. Because it was dangerous. Not that I couldn't handle it - because I did. Effortlessly. OOC: @Krayzikk@~Xemnas~@a goose OOC: Nichou from Ga-Wahi IC: Nichou [Forsi] Forsi was on the border of Po-Wahi and Ga-Wahi, so much so that people from either city might disagree about which region. While it was nestled in the fertile crescent of Naho bay, If you took a short walk from the docks you would see the telltale tumbleweeds and cracked clay soil of the Motara desert's outskirts. Po-Wahi - A dusty museum of the duality of memory: Traveling with the companions. Hafu's kidnapping. Meeting Kyhra on a caravan to Po-Koro. Kyhra missing in action since the invasion of Ko-Koro. Traveling to Po-Koro with a reincarnated Aurax. ... Well, there wasn't a second calamity yet? Maybe things were getting better. CUT TO SCENE 27, IRON MAHI STATION Nichou lead the team to the Iron Mahi station, but it was closed for some unknown reason. The first indication of this before they could make out the 'CLOSED' signs was the line to complain to the ticketmaster. It stretched around the corner from the station, even longer than the line that the massive group of travelers created wherever it went. Waiting for a meeting that long would be a black hole of unparalleled proportions. Not that the group was in a rush or anything. There was just some excitement about Aurax's return home. Time for plan B. CUT TO SCENE 28, PAPA PODU'S FRANCHISE STORE #3 Near the end of a hasty lunch at the nearby Papa Podu's. The discussion picked up for the plan for the next phase of the journey. "Anyone here used to navigating the desert paths? Or should we just walk along the tracks?" OOC: @~Xemnas~ @Harvali@ARROW404@Mel@Lady Takanuva@Tarn@BBBBalta@EmperorWhenua@Rahisaurus

IC: Skrall [Roxtus, Stables] There were a lot of words in lieu of action. Focus on words drew focus from reality. The pull on Skrall's shield was strong. Resisting would sap his power. So Skrall charged, intent on plowing into Skrall shieldfirst.

IC: Skrall [Roxtus, Stables] His foe relenting his grip, Skrall immediately reached his right hand towards his back to withdraw his shield. As he brought it in front of him, he saw Skrall make his throw. He angled the shield and tensed his stance. The crate impacted the rounded surface, contents creating a muffled cacophony as they bounced inside. Skrall didn't have to stop the entire mass so much as absorb enough to deflect it to his right side. A growl. Three Skrall were ahead of him. Two had blades drawn, while the lackey resorted to words. Skrall consolidated his position by stepping backwards in pace with the one approaching to his left flank, while retaliating in kind. "I may be headed to the mongrels, but no Skrall surrenders his shield."

IC: Skrall [Roxtus, Stables] When the soldier began to move for him at orders from special forces, the delinquent saw his options and chose the path of greatest resistance. He raised his hands in front of him, level with the ground. But as Skrall took hold of Skrall's right hand, Skrall's left hand was moving away. In fact, all of Skrall began to move in that split second from Skrall's grip finding purchase. His torso rotated counterclockwise as his entire body threw its force behind a punch towards the ground on his left. The sudden jerk to the left and down was meant to drive the latched-on Skrall off of his footing and into the dirt floor. Skrall's left hand reached the handle on his hip. It unsheathed the black blade of his shortsword and raised it to the ready. "No."

IC: Skrall [Roxtus, Stables] Skrall continued to stand somewhat dazed, putting up no resistance. But at the question, his eyes glowed bright red for a moment.

IC: Quoribay [Iron Mahi, Cargo Car #?] Having stowed away in cargo, naturally, we found ourselves to be in one of the cargo cars. But which? Obviously not the one with the ussal-less-carriage we were after, but we needed to find a way there so it was ready to unload once Dolbren made his way back here. And deal with any lingering threats along the way. For now though, the coast (aside from the ghost) was clear. To each side of the car was a door. Within that door was a window. Pretty easy to tell that to either side of us was another cargo car, but with the glare and how dim the insides of these cargo cars were, I couldn't tell which one was the prize. Or which way was the front of the train - until there was that loud creaking of metal to my left. Dolby was at work cooking up some chicanery. So that unintentional-but-definitely-intentional signal told me that the car on my left side was towards the front of the train (car number three out of five for any of you folks counting along at home) and the one to my right was the last car. Given the guards were distracted by the... uh... distraction that Surdo had choreographed, it was probably best to check that one first, right? WRONG! Now, rule number one of running a heist is to never fully trust your crew, especially if you plan on double crossing them. Skrol had successfully not ####ed me over so far, but who's to say the blind ####### wasn't just lucky? If the guards hadn't moved up front due to the whole hostage situation, they sure as Karz would want to check out why the train was screaming and being split in half. With a whispered "shh!" I tugged Skrol's shoulder to tell him to follow me, and then ducked behind another of the large crates on the floor. Luckily I didn't forget to put the lid back on over our old crate in the process. We would listen in case a guard ran past out of the caboose. OOC: @~Xemnas~@Krayzikk@a goose

IC: Skrall [Roxtus] Skrall stumbled forwards at the prompting of Skrall, paying no attention to Skrall and Skrall infighting. They wouldn't get it.

IC: Quoribay [Iron Mahi, ?th Car] I was so glad to be free from that little box, let me tell you. Finally, after the painstaking setup process, it was my time to shine. When Skrol gave me the secret signal, he began opening the secret compartment, pushing past the decoy fruits to reach the crate's lid. I took the liberty to grab a bula on my way out. One for the road, eh? I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, but superstition wasn't gonna stop me. I gracefully lowered myself to the floor, all daintily-like in case Skrol had made a massive ####up and the coasts weren't completely clear (true). While I had confidence in the plan... the shivers did give me a bit of a spook. If you recall, priority number one was figuring out just where the Karz I was. Situational awareness, they call it. OOC: @a goose@Krayzikk@~Xemnas~