ARROW404

IC: Gashril The former leader of the Tahtorak band brought up the rear of the group, having stopped back at her "throne" for something on the way out. She stayed quiet as she followed the group, not that she had much choice. The battle with Jojak played in her head, wondering how things would have gone had she acted differently. An all-out blast at the beginning, possibly enough to put her opponent out of commission from the start... Hmm, at the cost of an ally's hearing for several days. Throwing the match? Too many variable to know what kind of effect that would have had. Foregoing the sword? Her mind eventually turned to other things, examining the group they now comprised. She was surprised they had come with so few. This couldn't be all that Razorfish had to offer, could it? No, no group this small could hold a fort. She disguised her frown at the lack of Ga-Skakdi, too. You would think a water-based fort would be ripe with them. And again, the Nakihl caught her eye, getting the gears turning. A warlord that accepted openly practicing Nakihl? It was too soon to make any real judgment calls, but this was an interesting troupe, for sure. Her musing was cut off at their fearless leader's cocksure suggestion. Gashril tried not to gawp. She wasn't serious was she? Attacking a rival fort with a bunch of fresh recruits? Well okay, they weren't green by any measure, but they'd had no time practicing together to synergize their techniques. This was asking for a humiliating defeat... Oh, but what kind of weapon was that? Looked sophisticated... Snake-people tech? She withheld all her comments though. Right now, assessing the situation was most important.

IC: Balian - Kanohi Dragon Forge Truth be told, he was a little disappointed the Toa was heading out. Granted, he would finish the mask quicker this way, but the chat had been pleasant. Rain check, then. Setting down his staff, he stepped up to return the bump with one of his own. He couldn't remember every having done one before, but the gesture felt familiar. Nostalgic, even. Another little relic of his past, he imagined. "Will do, lad. What ye say we plan ahead? Me mates an' I gather at Pumice Pord's Pub most evenin's. Name a day that works for ye and we'll see each other then."

IC: Balian - Ta-Koro, Kanohi Dragon Forge "Yeah, that's what I've been telling myself..." The mask maker observed the Toa out of the corner of his eye as he finished the riveting process only a Ta or Pa being could do. The Toa wasn't convinced, and Balian could understand that, even if he felt differently himself. He fetched two long, roughly triangular pieces of metal and clamped them onto the 'jaw' portion of the mask now, setting to cut the same holes and set the same rivets as the decorative forehead plate. He was about to comment when Jolek rose and counted out some widgets. The Turaga sat for a moment in puzzled silence, wondering what those were for, until the guard offered them to him. "For the trouble." Balian barked a friendly laugh, "It's no trouble a' all, Jolek. Way I sees it, we'e chums now. How about instead a payin' me like I'm ye landlord, ye buy me a pint some time instead, eh?" He set a rivet and melted it into place, adding more softly. "You don't sound convinced by wha' I said, an' I ain't surprised. Iss noffin ta be ashamed of. Ye made a decision based on wha' was goin' on around ye, and it turns out, long term, it weren't what ye were meant for. Happens all the time. If ye sure you're meant ta be elsewhere, then ya should go look for it. Tha'ss me take."

@BULiK@Goose@Keeper of Kraata IC: Priicu - Wise Man's Archive, Ko-Koro The librarian's eyebrows rose in mild surprise. He hadn't expected such a well-dressed Toa to be involved. She wasn't a fighter, not a member of the Kalta. But he supposed she could still be a personal contact of Cyrix's. He had expected backup, albeit more combat-ready. "Oh, no, please enter," he welcomed, opening the door wider and stepping back. "Apologies for delaying you." He left it at that, and ushered her into the darkened library, showing her the way to the back room.

It would be interesting, but both threads are really active, so I was hoping to maybe spice up another Wahi. Any of you guys have characters that aren't getting anything done at the moment?

Got myself a dragon now. But where to put him is the question. What parts of Mata-nui could stand to be livened up with a sudden dragon?

Keep up the good work, mate. Dang, too busy just to post? Hope he frees up soon, I'm interacting with two of his characters at the moment!

IC: Yoka - Abandoned Oki Village 「I believe you have have been noticed,」came Ikyazu's whisper. Yoka's brow furrowed. That was... unlikely. Ikyazu caught the look impassively.「Regardless of what you may think, this is a good opportunity. They have calmed down, and are likely to move on soon. Attaching ourselves to them would improve our chances of survival.」 Yoka sighed. Survival. What point was there to survival when she had nothing to live for? Ikyazu sighed in turn, recognizing the look of resignation in Yoka's face. They had discussed this at length in the past. 「If you will not, then allow me.」 She nodded and activated the mask, drifting out of their body. Ikyazu took her place with practiced ease, and levered herself silently to her feet. "Observe them," she whispered, and Yoka's spirit drifted toward the strangers, ahead of her as she began to slowly approach them, crystal glaive held non-threateningly like a walking stick. OoC: @Keeper of Kraata @The UltimoScorp @Lady Takanuva Cleared some stuff up with a mod- The spirit form is detectable and affectable with Menti powers, but only if one knows they are there to be targeted in the first place. Spirits are also indeed unable to use their Menti powers, and their voices do come over IdeaTalk, but again, only if you know what to look for. Seeing them physically is still limited to bearers of masks that allow them to be seen, like Iden and Rode.

IC: Balian, Ta-Koro "I signed on after the bombing, like a lot of people," "Mmmm..." the Turaga rumbled in recognition, nodded, mismatched white and green eyes meeting Jolek's. That had been a rough day for lots of people. The sort of event that defined a place, made a mark on its history. "I'd known Captain Angelus for a while before that, and always had taken up a bit of a vigilante streak to keep busy. Had ventured out towards Ga a little bit before that, but honestly hadn't ended up doing much on my own. Came home in time for the siege." Balian nodded again, remembering that terrifying moment. He'd considered slipping on a Kualsi and making a run for it at the time. Not his noblest moment, but what else was a Turaga to do? Give a Rahkshi's head a couple of whacks with the tip of his staff? During the explanation, he'd finished curving the sheet, and taken up his staff once again. using it to channel his flames into a narrow stream, essentially a plasma cutter, which he used to slice off two sections with practiced ease, in the precise shape of the indents on the mask. "During the bombing, I'd kind of just... Wandered into the alleyway facing the East side, a little after the explosion. Bunch of other people all lined up out there trying to smoke a couple of them holed up in there out, so I fell in with them— eventually they ran right into us. I owe the blue one a dent in the back of the head." He glanced up and caught the moment of emotion in the Toa's eyes, pausing for a moment, before continuing. "If I'd just been able to see the brakas..." "The buggers ya can't see 're always the hardest ta deal with," he commiserated, shaking his head. The one person you couldn't see with an Akaku was the one standing behind you. As the two slices of metal came off one at a time, he let them thud onto a wooden workbench, leaving behind the outer area that now was clearly the forehead region of the Miru, with the thin line running from front to back. "Well. After that, I figured that if I was gonna post up in a house around here and liked fighting anyway, I'd better join up officially. Be on call for when my buddy needs me. Help out since it's basically what I've got for a home, now that I'm outta the jungle." He glanced up at the mention of the jungle. Seems both of them must have spent a little while in Le-Wahi. The Toa huffed then, and Balian recognized the dissatisfaction there that he'd seen in Matoran and some other Toa at the pub, when they talked about how much greater they could be, somewhere else. Balian couldn't say he could relate, but he recognized it. He clamped the metal plate onto the side of his workbench, and picked up a box of rivets, and the base mask. "Except that kinda day hasn't really come. I'm just out on patrol trying to fill the time, because every shift's been feeling the ****** same. So do the roads... Bet the food would too, if I didn't go and catch it on my off time. Guess I've been doing some second-guessing." The mask maker clamped the mask and plate together at three points, where a contrast between the metals became evident. Where the base mask was the clear dull silver of a mask waiting to be put on by an elemental being, the plate was darker with a more polished sheen. With his staff, he flame-cut a series of holes through both layers with even spacing, and dropped a lighter silver rivet in each, waiting for the next step. "Second-guessin's normal," Balian said as he worked. "Folk like to pretend it ain't, but it is. Eeeeeeveryone has at least one moment where they feel ou'a place. Most 've several. They just tend not to talk abou' i'." He finished laying one side's rivets and switched to the other. "Way aye sees it, wai'in' for th'danger ta show up is exactly wot we got the bobbies for. Ya might feel wasted 'n all, bu' tha's 'cause it's workin, i'nit?" He looked up, cocking his head. "I know it ain't crackin' heads, bu' yeh doin' the same good as if ya were. Stoppin' the baddies, bu' before they gets up te no good." The rivets laid, he moved to the inside of the mask, carefully melting and shaping the base of said rivets to the insides of the mask, ensuring they were solidly attached. "Pu' another way: ya say "that kinda day hasn't really come", an' aye can't say for sure i' has, but I s'spect i' did. Or rather, i' would'a happened, if you an' the guard hadn't been there ta discourage i'. No doubt, Ta'd be Rahkshi food by now if ye weren't mannin' the walls." His accent had been getting progressively thicker. It was a habit. He started off more proper and intelligible, but the more comfortable he got with someone, the more his accent slipped in.

IC: Balian - Ta-Koro "Funny how it works like that." The Mask Maker spared a glance at Jolek, making a brief attempt to figure out which aspect of who he was had stuck with him from before... well, before. Guard duty? Protecting others? Or maybe just scooting stools around using elemental energies, he thought humorously with a smirk. He still wasn't totally sure which the Toa was- silver was such a ubiquitous color. Magnetism or Iron were probably the best bet- Magnetism being the best match for his color. "Some days it feels like I'm lucky I knew my name when I hit the shore, but getting in dustups just... ran deeper. Never doubted it." Ahh, so it was fighting. He smirked, turning back to his trade, just slightly indenting the metal in the shape of the two sort of half-circle patterns. "Don't know I've rightly met a Toa who weren't made fer gettin' in scraps. Not all of 'em really take to it though. Can't say I can imagine meself doin' much of it before. Bu' who knows, eh?" "It's good to find a calling that quick, though. Happy for you." Balian offered the guard an appreciative smirk and a nod. That kind of heartfelt well-wishing didn't come easily to him, nor to anyone else he knew that well, really, so he didn't rightly know how to react. He did appreciate the sentiment though, even if he didn't say so out loud. Jolek then settled into a pensive silence, and Balian let his mind wander to questions he might carry the conversation on with, while his hands followed their practiced motions, finishing the outline of one half and beginning the other. Before he settled on a particular question though, Jolek spoke up again. "What's it like, seeing someone wear one of your masks?" he asked further on, taking a moment to glance back over his shoulder and towards the displays before returning his gaze to the craftsman. "Kinda like looking at a face you made?" The old smith examined his chisel for a moment while he pondered the question, then set back to work once more. "I 'spect I've come ta see masks differenly 'an most folk do. Vey ain't so much of a par'a someone as most fink. They're art, sure 'nough, but armor an' tools as well. So when I sees someone wearin' my work, mostly wha' I feel is pride. Pride knowin' I'm the one gave 'em the power an' good looks 'ey're wearin'. Ye'd fink a' first i''d be weird seein' yer 'andywork movin' an' lookin' about wiv minces- eyes, sorry- 'n a mouf 'n all, but nah. I 'spect it did feel weird the first time. But I don' rememba the first time!" he shrugged with a mirthful grin. He removed the mask from the clamp holding it in place, then set it aside, the two sections well and neatly outlined, but still at the same level as the rest. Instead of continuing, he set the mask aside entirely, and instead brought out a roughly triangular sheet of metal and set to heating it through with his staff. "Still though, there's that par'a me wha' gets all giddy inside, when I sees my work, ou' in the street. Makes me wan'a grab the nearest bloke 'n tell'im that's me work, 'n pass out cigars," he barked a laugh. The metal heated, he picked a wider hammer up and started to curve the metal plate around the curved side of the anvil. "My turn for a question, mm?" he asked, grinning up toward Jolek. "Wo'd it take ye to findja spo' in the guard? Wen' on an advencha first? Ran inta a patrol and got talked into it?" OoC: I hope the Cockney rhyming slang isn't too hard to follow when it slips in. I can stop using it if it's too much. Or else Jolek can act as confused as you feel, and get a little culture clash moment organically!

IC: Balian - Kanohi Dragon Forge @Razgriz A little snicker slipped by the mask maker's lips at the Toa's expense. Not recognizing a joke? This one must not get out much. "Jolek. It's a pleasure, sir." "Pleasure's all mine," he returned with a wave of his hand after setting his staff back, then reached for his hammer and resumed his work on the details. Aerodynamics were the key for any Miru, although it was a matter of principle for the most part. Toa didn't order Miru anymore, they got Kadin instead. The Miru was loved for its shape more than anything, and that meant the orders- this one included- tended to be for powerless Matoran Kahoni. "My first time stopping in, but I feel like I always pass you by on my patrol." "Mmm..." Balian hummed in recognition. That's where he had seen him before, he was a guard then. Yes, that did seem to jog his memory a bit. He looked up again from his work and have the Toa a second once-over, matching it to a memory. "How long you been making masks, Balian?" He examined the curve of the face plates through his scopes again, determining it was done, before dunking it into the oil once more. "Oh, longer 'n I ken remember. Last clear thing I can remember is wakin' oop on the beach in frun'a a jungle. Wan'ered aroun', findin' my way, until I ended up hea, in Ta-Koro. Picked up a Franz," he said, waggling his hammer, "And pre'y quickly figga'd out I was made f'r it." He appreciated the question, honestly. He wasn't one of those old crotchety masters so devoted to their craft that to even breathe in their presence was disrespectful. He set down the ball-peen hammer and picked up a chisel, then, noticing Jolek was still standing, pointed out a stool tucked away in a corner. Then he set to etching the forehead into the two sections Miru always had. "Y'know how it is, us off-islanders, can't remember who we were before 'n all that. Sometimes I'll have dreams though. Vague things, but somewhere in there I'm always in my forge. A different forge though, one from before. Maybe as far back as when I was a Matoran. So, I ain't got a straight answer, but iss been a looooong time. I knew it from the moment I started here in Ta." He tapped his temple, looking up at Jolek once again. "Memories migh've left the loaf, but me ol' brasses never forget," he said with a confident grin, giving his knuckles a crack.

IC: Kimala - Just outside the Great Takea, like everyone else The tall Toa of Crystal found herself just about dancing to try and not step on or run into someone as she followed the Matoran out, only to find herself in another crowd. She shot Timak an apologetic glance for contributing to what was likely sensory overload. "Why don't we keep moving and find a quieter spot?" she suggested. IC: Lapu The even taller Toa of Plants glanced down at the unexpected squeeze. A small smile touched his woody mask, accompanied by a nod of assurance. He wasn't overwhelmed, he just didn't like crowds. As such, he slowed his step as they approached, and folded his arms, standing a couple of paces back from the edge of the group. He didn't bother trying to follow the conversation- he'd just follow Kanohi or Hakari's lead once things had been hashed out. OoC: Well, I haven't had two of my characters meet face to face since Act 1! You're welcome for not indulging my urge to make Kimala and Lapu spend a whole paragraph each mentally complimenting the other.

OoC: Not at all, in hindsight, I ought to have come up with the details of the shop myself, but alas, I was never one for purple prose. I didn't include it, because it didn't make much of a difference for me, after all! IC: Balian the Mask Maker, Kanohi Dragon Forge, Ta-Koro The boots at his door announced the knock before it came, and the well-practiced smith's strikes did not falter, though curiosity did cause his eyes for flick to the door momentarily at the timing of the knock. An observant fellow, whomever it was. "Cammon in," he called, loud enough to be heard clearly, but just under what would be considered a yell. His accent was quaint, and what some would consider 'lower class', and others would call 'neighborly'. He held his torch-staff to the mask as he observed the Toa who entered, maintaining the heat. Green-scoped, and natural silver eyes examined the details of the individual. A number of elemental possibilities sprang to mind at the muted color scheme- Iron, Magnetism, maybe even Earth or Gravity. Sonics was out of the question though- no earmuffs. He might've seen the boy about in the past. Rather, he was certain he had, but couldn't place where. They certainly had never spoken though. A face in the street, likely. "Yo," the customer said, youthful voice thrumming out from the lungs a little louder than normal to carry into the bright spot of the forge. "'Ello," Balian greeted back with a nod, before turning his face down to the mask again to resume hammering the unique aquiline features of the Miru. "Wa' can I do for ya?" "You mind if I watch for a bit?" The mask maker paused on his next strike, leaning back a little, his portly frame settling on the leg farther from the Toa whom apparently was in fact not a customer, brow furrowed lightly as he discerned whether he was serious or not. "Pardon the intrusion." The old codger's brow rose, and he nodded with a shrug, then held his hammer out as if pointing at the visitor. "No harm in it, as long as you're ready ta cough up some widgets. Show ain't free, ya know." He grinned, clearly jesting. "Nahhh, have a seat 'n take a load off, lad. Ma name's Balien if ye didn't already know that. Wass yours?" As he spoke, he turned back down to the mask, setting the hammer down to give it another little burst of heat.

OoC: Time I finally officially joined Ta-Koro! IC: Balian the Mask Maker - Ta-Koro, "The Kanohi Dragon Forge" Ting! Ting! Ting! The Turaga lifted the mask with a pair of tongs and inspected it, the green lens of his Akaku widening as he focused, taking in the details of the metal in ways mere eyes could not. Surface irregularities imperceptible by the untrained were as clear as black and white to him. Or they would be, if there were any. And impurities under the surface could not escape the penetrating scope of his mask power. Again, there were none. He smiled in satisfaction and dunked the mask into a cauldron of cool oil, which hissed violently as hot met cold. The process was not yet finished though, so once more he picked up his staff and held it over his anvil as he placed the mask in place once more. What remained of the elemental power he had once possessed, long ago, heated the metal to his precise expectations. The green lens clicked shut, and the small red one clicked on, irregularities in the heat displaying for him alone to see. When it was ready, he picked up his ball peen hammer and took to lightly tapping at the softened metal, coaxing it into the precise optimal shape he had made a hundred times before. He would be at the task for the rest of the day yet, but already the distinct shape of a Miru could be discerned. One of the trickier shapes, but always a popular one. His smile persisted through his labor, happy as could be with the role he filled in Ta-Koro. One would be hard-pressed to find a Matoran, Toa, or Turaga more in their element than he was. OoC: Balian the Mask Maker is now open for business, and for interaction! Note, he doesn't usually sell the masks he makes, aside for commissions. His usual fare is sold by mask salesmen (some of which are happy) elsewhere.

IC: Lapu - Ga-Koro The plant-clad Toa was, as ever, not a fan of the idea of going somewhere there were many people. He exhaled in resignation though, figuring it did make the most sense. If only he had some way to track their quarry, this would go a lot faster.

IC: Lumune - Near Ostia "I know, boy, too many smells, not nice," she soothed, patting Idas's shoulder. The lion grumbled irritably, but Lumune had yet to lead him astray, and she helped him catch food much easier, so he trusted her. Sliding from his shoulder, she led him toward the port, glancing frequently from him to the settlement, gauging his reaction. He stiffened visibly the closer they got, and as they came up to the outermost signs of civilization, stopped moving. "That's alright," Lumune said, patting his leg. "That's a good lion. You'll get comfortable in time." Of course, given she wasn't entirely comfortable in civilization, that was a lie. But it was the tone of voice more than the content that calmed the large Rahi. "Niiiiiice catch, trapper!" a voice called. She glanced over her shoulder and spotted a gruff Ba-Matoran who looked right at home in the port settlement. "Bet he'll fetch you a nice price!" "Nicer than you can afford," she shot back, smirking. Straight-up telling him he wasn't for sale would probably just make him want Idas more. "Hoho, I wouldn't be so sure of that. Healthy, obedient, rare... You could buy your own Kumu Islet!" She pulled two wild Mahi off of Idas's saddles, dead but fresh, good for meat, hide, and parts, and slung them over her shoulders. "I hunt for the pleasure," she said back. "I wouldn't know what to do with myself on an island. Besides, he's not as obedient as you think. Now be a lad and tell me who might want to take these off my hands." The other Matoran relented. "Bunch of folks could have various uses. See the butcher, right at the Dancing Crab, two houses down on your right." "Much obliged," she said with a nod, and headed into town, lugging her load along. OoC: Lumune is open for interaction. Idas too, at the land-side entry to the port.

IC: Priicu - Wise Man's Archive [CLOSED] back room, Ko-Koro Old Town Some of the things they brought up had cropped up in his research, but many gaps remained. He was puzzled, but satisfied that the Toa were all cooperating, and seemed to even be making progress, putting their respective puzzle pieces together. He almost missed the knock at the door, and for a moment was confused- people didn't knock on library doors. But as he turned and opened the door, he remembered he had had the place closed. Glancing back, he wished he didn't have to miss part of this potentially historic meeting, and so hurried to the door. He was surprised to see a very prim and proper-looking Toa on the other side, once whom looked familiar, but not enough to be recognizable. Socialites did frequent the library from time to time, but those who did were usually regulars. "I beg your pardon, madam," he mumbled hastily, "There is Toa Kalta business being taken care of inside, so I must keep the shop closed for the day." OoC: Feel free to cut off his sentence at any point if need be. I can edit it. @BULiK@Goose@Keeper of Kraata

IC: Priicu - The Wise Man's Archive back room [CLOSED], Ko-Koro He stepped away from the door, slightly alarmed as he felt the vacuum forming halfway over the spot he had been standing. His heartlight flashed quickly for a moment, but he didn't interrupt. He felt like a fly on the wall that shouldn't have been there, as one of the protectors of his home Koro spilled his secrets to the few in the room. Still, a part of him took note of the events as they were described, committing them to memory. A future biography of the Toa Kalta maybe. With permission of course. He didn't allow the thought to distract him, though, taking in the raw emotion of the story in silence. Was this how Takua felt when he chronicled the Toa?

IC: Yoka - Abandoned Oki Village The lone, scarred, and tattered Ronin didn't look at the people inspecting the village. She didn't want to give her position away by the glow of her eyes or heart, and she didn't need to anyway. Ikyazu was looking, and she would tell her all she needed to know. 「They appear harmless,」she said.「But I don't need our body to smell their fear.」 Yoka nodded. An abandoned village was always a place of fear. The fear of not knowing what had caused it to be this way. Combined with the off-putting mix of the familiar with the unfamiliar, the uncanny. Closing her eyes, she found each of their souls and probed them gently with her Will, learning only what she needed to. As her mind glided across that of the individual known as Ahri, she detected the panic. "One is panicking," she whispered. "Why?" Ikyazu was silent for a moment. Yoka knew she had gone to look. The next she heard her was the answer.「Nothing. There is nothing there.」 "A panic attack," she whispered softly. She should have felt pity, but she only felt numb. So many had been scarred mentally in recent days, herself included. 「Let us stay here for a moment and allow her to calm down before adding to the confusion.」 Yoka nodded and waited. @Keeper of Kraata@Lady Takanuva@The UltimoScorp OoC: Say hello to my little friend! Yoka/Ikyazu is inside one of the buildings they haven't checked, and has been quietly keeping tabs on them as they wander around. Ikyazu is in Iden spirit form, which I have confirmed with Krayzikk means she can be heard and targeted by Menti abilities, but only if they are already aware she is there.

IC: Priicu - The Wise Man's Archive back room [CLOSED], Ko-Koro The librarian smiled gratefully, first at Muir for pointing the cigarette out, then at 'Syzygos' for being so gracious as to put it out. The back room did have a lot of paper lying about it- unbound books, unfinished manuscripts, and the like- so fire was a serious hazard... even with three Toa to deal with it. His relief grew exponentially as the room's tension dropped. It seemed this antidermis matter was in fact something the two sides could calm down and agree about. Still, that hadn't been the story the Toa had told him before. What did this have to do with government corruption? At ease as he was, he still remained, by the door but not making any effort to be hidden from sight, hoping to find more of the truth. He guessed that was Muir's mask power, and not for the first time, wished he was a Toa... or maybe more of a Turaga.

OoC: Congrats on 10k! IC: Gashril - Tahtorak Encampment, Spineless Bay "Works for me," she croaked, then nodded to her tag-alongs before tilting her head toward Zanakra. They took the hint. Gashril wasn't the boss anymore, they had a warlord to follow. And follow they did, hastily gathering their things up, leaving the tents but taking what was necessary. Gashril kept some distance between her and Jojax, but not too much. She wanted to have a chat, but it would have to wait until her voice recovered. For the time being, silence was probably best, but not outright avoidance. Also it was probably better saved for a private discussion. For now, she'd see where they were going.

IC: Priicu - Wise Man's Archive [CLOSED] "She's worried about the proliferation of a dangerous substance called antidermis." Priicu gently opened the door to the back room as Vrill began to explain himself. Antidermis... he couldn't say he was familiar with the term. He looked around the room as he entered, frowning at the sight of a cigarette in the library, but saying nothing for the moment. His eyes wandered briefly to the completed crystal tablets on the workbench. It looked finished. Pleasing as that was, the tension muted his celebration. Remaining close to the door, he simply observed quietly, looking from one Toa to the next, and feeling very small.

IC: Ushadra "Echelon's ambitions led him to rise above the shadows where our strength lies," she agreed. Her image stepped off the ground and proceeded to hover alongside Eisen, her true footfalls muted with her power. A playful use of her power, but also one that kept her alert and practiced her skills, power warmed up and prepared for trouble. "Ahh, 'scout', how I love the word," she sang softly, her smile ever etched onto the image she showed, slightly widening at the prospect. "A task so uniquely suited to my skills. Do elaborate, partner of mine; I am at your behest."

IC: Priicu - Wise Man's Archive, Ko-Koro old town @Keeper of Kraata@BULiK@Goose The Matoran librarian sat still, eyes closed and steadying his breathing in Ko-Koronan meditation for a moment, finding his usual stoicism returning. He debated whether or not he should be observing the goings-on in the back room, and ultimately arrived at the conclusion that, yes, he should. It was his library, and he wanted truth. He left his desk and hung the "sorry, we're closed" sign on the door, then called quietly to Osru, the De-Matoran who worked for him along with Saat. Easily heard by the Sonics-aligned individual in the silence of the library, he was soon joined by his employee. "If anyone is still in the library, please have them leave due to an emergency. If they bought a day pass, refund them. When Saat returns, inform him that the two of you have the rest of the day off." When Osru expressed his concern, he reassured him, "It's more to put my mind at ease than anything else. Toa Cyrix may have to issue an arrest, and I would rather there be nobody in his way if it comes to that." Accepting the half-truth, the Matoran and his boss soon had the library empty, and the front door locked, leaving Priicu alone with the Toa. Satisfied, he hastened to the back room, making a little extra noise so he wouldn't take anyone off-guard. OoC: This whole process would have taken 5-10 minutes, so continue posting without waiting for me, until I decide to insert- or else have to open the door for Niici.

IC: Priicu - Wise Man's Archive, Ko-Koro old town He tried not to look overly nervous as one of the city's sworn protectors entered. He nodded stiffly and stepped closer. "He's in one of the back rooms. There um..." He probably should mention Muir. "There's another with him. A lawyer, he said, from Po-Koro. Also a Toa." He spoke quietly and perhaps a little too quickly. He couldn't get out of his head the thought that this might turn violent.