Hanako Herupa

IC: (Kino) I awoke from my daydream, realizing that I had slipped away for several minutes, my cheeks reddened slightly, especially with Angelus's bemused smirk. "Oh it's nothing, just thinking. So what do you do in your spare time, you know, when you're not Captain of the Guard?" I asked. I realized besides some reading here, some shopping there. I wasn't doing much, ahhh when did I get so boring! Maybe I should take up Kohlii, I have been rather bored lately.

IC: (Hari) "Thanks Krayn," I replied, giggling as I wrapped my arms around his neck, sitting down in his lap. I could swear my De-Toa boyfriend's only grew redder by it, he can be so adorable sometimes. Skyra had to bow out, apparently her mother had returned! Good for her, Skyra has us, her friends, but that doesn't mean it isn't good to see family once in a while. I visit Mom and Dad when I can, they've been gone so long, all I really remember is their names, but I do remember bits and pieces. I told Mom and Dad about Krayn, my friends, about being part of the Guard. I'd like to think they agreed with most things I do. I was told they were rather free spirits and that I emulated that, and they would have been proud to have a daughter like me. I hope so, I was a bit of a klutz, and I guess wanting to live life as fully as I could made me a little strange, I shook away the sad thoughts. "Hi Onuzek, I don't believe we've met before, I'm Hari Korari!" I said to the gargantuan purple and black Toa. He seemed very cuddly, especially after Skyra hugged him and he seemed to be generally happy to be around his friends again.

IC: (Kino) "Painfully average? You're not Jungle Boy," I chuckled, looking up from the menu. My grey eyes met his baby blue ones, he seemed so comfortable, so relaxed, so happy in this moment. "Well I'm going to get the soup and seafood platter. We can swap plates so you can try what I'm getting and I take a few bites of what you're getting." I liked having a diversity of food to pick from in my meals, and I don't think Angelus would mind much. The waiter came by and I gave him my order, and then handed him the menu. The Vortixx waiter walked over to Angelus while I drifted into a short daydream. Shut up, it's not like...it's not like I ever got to do anything like this when I was younger. There was so much running around, so many bad guys to put in their place. With Angelus everything seemed to slow down, everything was peaceful.

IC:(Braen) "Who are the Company? Haven't had any dealings with any group that goes by the Company. So no, I am not with the "Company," Braen's eyes narrowed in annoyance. "No, I'm looking for him for my own reasons. I want results, on an island with so many mercenaries you'd think you'd find competent ones. I want something who can work alongside me, and I have no doubt in my mind that they will complete their task. That requires someone whose is skilled, intelligent, and deadly. I'd prefer it though, to have a team of people who are competent, people who aren't ones to botch delicate planning. That is why I called you here, not only for him, but because I know you are a man who is good at his job. I'm asking you to relay a message, payment will follow, as will future employment if you wish." Braen leaned back, and sipped his tea. Awaiting a response from the assassin.

IC: (Kino) I couldn't help but giggle when Angelus' arrow passed through my cherry stem heart. Well color me surprised, I was worried I was going to be the only one flirting this evening. Perhaps this night wasn't going to happen exactly as I expected before. That was much more exciting though! Nice to have Angelus keep me guessing, instead of me knowing exactly how he was going to react. I took a handful of chips, placing them onto my plate and munching away at them, before taking a few sips of water and then speaking. "Hmm, I'm still mulling over what I should get. What are you thinking of getting?" I asked, looking through the menus, but not being able to settle upon one thing in particular just yet.

IC: (Ripple) Ripple smiled as she took Daken's hand, and it was strange, considering that just a few minutes before he told her she was the one Norman wanted to be killed as an example, and yet, Daken ignored that. For her, maybe for himself, but it also felt like he didn't want to lose her, and the fact Daken hold told her what Norman had planned, only weakened any trust she had in the man who had hired her to rescue Daken. Instead she trusted Daken more than ever, lucky as she was Daken and the man who employed him would have planned around her mutation, that well, made her rather hard to kill. While McDonald's wasn't exactly her first choice it what was available, and god she felt hungry. The day felt so much better knowing Daken believed in her and she believed him, but considering Daken this was a dangerous path, she knew this, but Daken hadn't steered her wrong so far, and what could she say, he was cute, and he liked her, and he was dangerous and powerful, she felt safer with him than anyone else.

IC: (Kino Iho) God Angelus was a tough nut to crack. He just takes everything in stride. I bet you were any other Toa, and their hearts would have jumped out of their chest, if I sly called them an "appetizer" but nope, Angelus just keeps deflecting like the greatest Kohlii goalie of all time. I continue to twist the cherry stem in my tongue, until...there we go. I managed to form a heart, I wiped it off and showed Angelus. "Look it's a heart!" I chuckled, then again perhaps this little tricks of mine, weren't that amusing to him, but I was so excited, Angelus had actually came through on going on this date with me, how could I not be excited?

You're awesome, then again you've always been awesome. So proud of you! <3

IC: (Hanako) I led Yumi down to the cells, to the one where the assassin had been kept and died. I waved to the Guard as we came up to the door, it was a Hogo, I had a great respect for that house, turning out so many solid soldiers and guards. The difference between a Herupa and a Hogo is that Herupa were specialists, we could be trained to fight and we often were, but if you wanted to talk about someone who was balanced, who had that mentality of a soldier, and the willpower of one, you were talking about a Hogo. They were the Umbralines loyal retainers, soldiers who had stayed by the Royal Family's side, my family tried to stay above the affairs of the other clans, but the Herupa's weren't ones to squander the attention they had received since I had become handmaiden to Yumiwa Umbraline. "Hello, The Chojo and I wanted to come down, see where the Umbraline's prisoner was kept, rather peculiar what happened," I said, making small conversation, while Yumi tried to get into contact with her sister between all the levels of stone and crystal, seeing if a trained Menti really could reach this down far with their mind, if such a thing was true, then we probably had a real threat in the Royal Palace, something that would need to be remedied and soon.

IC: (Thok) Miss me? Oh don't lie, I know you did, as always I'm here to make sure my "friends" don't kill and maim as many people as they originally intended. I mean I can't rule an empire of ashes can I? My "friends" don't see the potential of this place, except maybe Zaktan, you never know with Zaktan. Meanwhile murder is Reidak's stress relief, getting in his way too much usually means having your spine snapped over his knee. Not a fate I'm exactly charging forward to greet. Hakann is a sadist pure and simple, death is his meat and terror is his wine, he relishes in the screams of those he eviscerates, for him there is a certain pleasure when the blade breaks the skin and draws the blood. Avak is a engineer who cares only if his inventions work, if they kill better than before, he's a genius by all rights but don't let tell him that, he doesn't need anyone stroking his ego. The destruction of a good chunk of the Lavapool Inn, and ruining my chances of having both a Toa of Water and a Vortixx, I mean let's be honest the Lavapool might have been a place people commonly came to, but it wasn't really that great. I'd say it was average, beyond the occasional cute Vortixx and Toa, there weren't that many real gals that were worth my time. So I guess, the destruction of the Lavapool was something I'd was okay with. Personally I didn't want to get my hands dirty, have you tried washing blood out, it's just so red, and the smell, blech. I'm not squeamish, but I'd prefer to not get blood on me, unless there's a cute Toa gal there to help me. Supposedly this was a "rescue mission", but Vezok never needs rescuing, like at all. I would be surprised if he already got out of prison, I mean he lacks the flair, and my silver tongue, you'd be surprised the places it's gotten me. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you could please evacuate Ta, especially the attractive people, it would be a really tragedy if we lose anymore of the hot ones." I yelled out, ushering Toa along, I "accidentally" kicked a few of the vertically challenged along, they're the matoran, right? Why burn Ta to the ground? It has some nice things, and they could keep Vezok, ###### if they killed this team off, I'd be free to do what I please. Then again I still need Zaktan's villiany to build my image, as the peoples' one true savior. "Ah, Thok," Zaktan hissed, suddenly directly behind me. Where had he come from? I could almost feel the air between our heads shivering. "The people aren't listening to you. But then, words are so paltry beside explosions... are you going to let our dear Avak outspeak you?" IC: (Kino) "Ah, nothing, I forgot that being Captain gave you some perks," I chuckled, and sipped my Bula juice as well, I ordered a whiskey sour with a cherry, so they next time they came around we could figure out our appetizer. Well at least Ta was finally quieting down.

OOC: This jam was brought to you by Jenny Quantum, Spirit of the Twenty-First Century, LONG LIVE TYLER, the guy with unlimited swag and class, and me! Nia Teppelin, Daughter to Lord Genome! :3 IC: As far the expedition went while many could go in our stead, Yumi and I would continue to cultivate a positive, diplomatic image of which the Yumi had already started. Personally I think the team would need to be small, a Menti too many and it would look like we were intending military occupation. Instead if we kept the expedition force small, and concentrated without compromising security at home, things should run smoothly. Now though Yumi wanted to start with the investigation of the assassin and her death, I was more concerned about seeing the body, and getting a second look to determine cause of death, but checking the cell first couldn't hurt either. "Of course Yumi, though I feel examining the corpse of our would-be assassin ourselves might show us more, in case something was missed the first time through. However, the place of death is also interesting, I do hope both ventures will yield results. So we can solve this mystery soon." If our investigation was to start tonight, we would be heading to dungeon's where our assassin was jailed and then died, but not by any of Yusanora's warriors. Someone was tying up a loose end. The last thing this investigation needed was for the trail to run cold this early. "Yeah," I agreed. "The cells and the medical centres are both below the Gardens, though, so it won't take us too far at all out of the way." I figured my girls would want to check the body out but I was more interested in the scene of the crime. What if there was something left behind, a telltale poisoned jewel or some sign of struggle from a tormented soul, and I strode forward with my trademark casual authority. Inokio taught me once to look at the details, now obviously a precursor lesson to today's earlier grand scheme of things nugget of wisdom. However unlikely to exist, even the smallest clue of anything was important to me. Of course I also felt it important to ask the guards what, if anything, they saw after the death. Since it happened sometime in the night prior whoever was on duty then would be back on the job for this graveyard shift. We continued our walk to the Gardens, and I mulled over the information I had, to be honest though I'm not sure if my observant and analytic nature was something I choose, or something I had been trained to do, felt like it was training. I was naturally fiery, that's what my mother always said, but my family, my clan, the Herupa used my flame to fuel my training, and now I was the highly skilled, and hyper-focused servant of my lady, Yumi. I was also her friend, and I would support her, I was juggling all the thoughts, from Yumi's plans for the party, to expedition, and now this. "Well it would won't be long until we reach the cell, maybe we'll be able to glean at least a sliver of information on our assassin and the one who gave them their mission." It's the root of the crime that interests me the most, though most specifically it's whether or not the Fursics had anything to do with it. I wasn't going to come up with any predetermined explanations but it was an answer I always had to keep in the back of my head. The future of the empire relied on peace in the realm and history had a clear impression of the Fursic legacy—my mind had to be open to the possibility. Turning to my prodigy of a sister I sought her general opinion. "Desde, you've been able to think about this case for a while now. What are your thoughts?" She was pulled out of her thoughts roughly; Yumiwa's voice was a bullwhip on her wrist, yanking Desdemona from the most intimate, lock-and-key corners of her mind and memories into the Gardens, to be a real girl once again. The sensory overload washed over the frail girl with the intensity of blows to the head. The moon's tendrils shone and swirled in the pouch of crystal spheres around her neck - cool air brushed her face tenderly, like the fingers of their mother, and Princess Desdemona Umbraline grinned for a second at the simple, rare pleasure of being alive, out and about on a night like this. The moment was as fleeting as the wind that was its prelude; the siren song of birds and breeze wound down its refrain, and again the oddity stood in her shoes, awaiting the click of a locking tower door. "Desde? Thoughts?" Blink blink. Absurdly, Desdemona thought she could actually hear the sound of eyelids opening and shutting; they sounded like the wings of ladybugs, deploying and retracting. Life will have to wait, I'm afraid. Sister comes first. "I would be taken off guard if someone attempted poisoning or strangulation," she hypothesized softly, falling in step behind her sister. The wind had carried with it a ghastly chill, and Desdemona had never been one for sudden gusts, but curling up to the crown princess for warmth would have implied an affection beyond Yumi's station or desire. She is Yumiwa Umbraline, heir to Yusanora, she is the chojo and future Rora of all the Archipelago, and she is a girl on a mission. Sometimes, though, when her hands couldn't cover her arms and she couldn't curl into a tight enough ball to stop from feeling chilly, she wished that all of that would go away so that Yumi could be just be her sister instead; but that was a bitter and jealous thought, and fleeting as the wind. "It's clumsy - almost as clumsy as a dagger in the grip of an untrained handmaiden. If we can look for subtle tells - a capsized chair, a little body language - we can see if a Menti discipline is the root of the assassination. It's a decent opportunity for an initial lead." "So, uh," I started and cast a nervous glance towards both Hana and Desde, "I hate to be the one to bring it up, but do we have an identity of the handmaiden in question?" I said in a rising pitch then smothered my voice to a whisper. "And is she a Herupa or Eiyu?" If the former than maybe there are links Hana can navigate better than my sister and I, and if the latter then it's all the easier since the Eiyu have always been small. "A Herupa. The courtier has had Mother's ear for some time now, and her advice is rarely anything but prudent. I've done some digging, and the handmaiden is a cousin to the one that serves the Hogo. Just enough blood ties to get her close to her target, but otherwise no notable affiliation." Desdemona was quiet for a second to let the information she had attained seep into her sister and the handmaiden, and then smiled wryly, as if the entire scenario were some keen joke. "She's the kind of person I would pick to do a job like this - if I were still a child, and had the finesse of a crystal club to the side of the head. Through picking someone so anonymous, it's all but obvious there was a scheme at play here. It's almost enough to disappoint me, sister; I've spent so long trapped in the closet that I was almost hoping for a real plot." "Hana, honey..." I murmured and wrapped my arm around her shoulders to comfort her. "She was from your clan. That has to make you feel something." My girl's always tried to be above distractions emotions that could set her back from serving me, but this was unheard of. Clan Herupa had always been regal and neutral, dedicated to assisting their masters through peace and self-defense. Assassination? That was a new, disturbing low, and one Hana was bound to be impacted by. She may be my handmaiden but she was also a daughter of the toroshu. This had to mean something to her. "What do I feel? That I will drag the traitor behind this to receive the Umbraline's judgment." I replied, my tone still even, and cold. Assassination was not something Herupa were supposed to do, while our combat training might have made us capable ones, one agreeing to assassinate a member of the royal family was unforgivable...but as much as the assassin made me angry, the one who had used their servant as such, for something so low, so despicable, that was a person I'd drag behind my horse into the courtyard, because as much as I would like to administer the pain for that, it was the Rora who would decide the sentence, not me. I squeezed Hana more tightly at her blurt. Our bond was closer than close, we were like crystals of the same formation and when one had an emotion it reflected on the other. I may have had a distant relative threatened, but Hana was betrayed by a clan sister—and it took it's toll on my dear. I glanced up at Desde and we exchanged knowing looks with a curt, assured nod. "I'm sure our uncle will dispense the Rora's justice well." He always did. Rayuke wasn't the Royal Executioner in title alone; his steel was always sharp and quick. "But alright now. We have to catch the villain first. Desde, lead the way to the cells." "What, all three of us?" Yumiwa stopped and turned back to her sister, almost incredulously; Desde shrugged, standing her ground, and looked back at Hana with a gentle smile. "There were guards around the cell. Willhammers," she reminded her sister. "They didn't pick up any presences in the cells - like we said, she just sort of...died. Maybe it wasn't in the cells? What if someone was out here?" "She died in the cell," I maintained evenly. "That's why I want to check it out." I swear, it was like Desde was in a rush to check out the morgue... "Yeah," Desde conceded patiently. "I'm just asking what if the killer was in the Garden? Think about it: unless it was one of our courtiers, how would anyone get this far into the dungeon complex? Depending on skill, what if a Willhammer could breach the handmaiden's mind? I'm the best Willhammer here. I'll stay out here, you guys check out the cell, and then we'll bounce our minds back and forth and see if it's possible. It would totally explain the lack of visible cause of death or any markings." Willhammering through several stories of ground, medical levels and into the cells seemed unlikely, though it was still a possibility I wasn't going to rule out, especially considering how mighty Desde's powers were in particular. She brought up a useful point and the idea would kill two birds with one mental burst. "That's fine by me," I said. "I'll hear from you soon." I didn't say anything, Yumi had already said what I was going to say anyways. No need filling the air with useless sound. Instead I turned my thoughts inward, getting my emotions back in check. Silent, focused as I was Desde and Yumi could see the pain write all over me. The way I stood, the way I spoke it carried that angry air. I am better than that, to be controlled by my emotions, by the fire. No, I would keep the fire under control, and I would direct such fury towards the one responsible. I lead Yumi to the cells, occasionally scanning the area to ensure her safety, even though we were in the Royal Palace my guard would never drop, that is the reality of bodyguard, of a handmaiden such as I.

IC: (Braen) "Yes indeed it is, one of my biggest concerns is meeting an acquaintance of yours, he's not exactly the easiest man to find, and I was hoping that you would be able to put him in contact with me, relay a message of sorts." Braen smirked. "There is much work to be done, and the sum of money for simply being a courier to him for me, well you'd find that pretty profitable. I will need men and women of a high caliber, at least in the beginning, I need no fools to ruin what I've been planning for a long while." Braen sipped his teeth, the Vortixx awaited his response from the other Vortixx, Zadron was a talented men, such skill could be put to great work. Lana would do anything to please him, her loyalty was assured. Zadron in the meantime was a man whose loyalty primarily relied on coin, something Braen had much of, so as long as he was paid, Braen hoped he would complete orders to the letter.

IC: (Kino) "I was just resting, wasn't sure when you'd be here, digging yourself out of all that paperwork, glad to see you survived. Don't worry, it won't take me long to get ready," I replied with a smile. Patting his thigh I got up and walked to my room, closing the door behind me. I spent a short time in the bathroom, freshening up as needed. I must admit I was rather giddy, but also a bit nervous and it, I hate to admit this. This was my first real "date" if you could call it that. Yes, I know how awkward and sad, but literally the last twenty years of my life have been pure , and those first ten weren't all that great either, not a lot of time for the small things. No, I'm not talking about Pae, not yet at least, it's a sore subject so we'll leave it at that. After striding out of the bathroom, I shed my casual clothing, and slipped into something more appropriate for a night out. I went and got this dress in Le-Koro about a month ago, and I saw this thing and I just had to have it. It was this jet black evening dress, with blood red trim, the dress was cut to reveal nearly my entire left leg, while retaining decent enough modesty, it was so perfect, the red and black went so well together, and when I tried it on before I absolutely loved how it loved, it just fit so perfectly very classy and yet very tantalizing, something I'd say fits my personality well (some dispute whether I have any class though, they can kindly off). Patting it down, and gathering my stuff for evening out I opened the door, and spoke. "Well, what do you think?" I asked, interested in Angelus' response.

IC: (Kino Iho) "You weren't the only one to grow up in a jungle, granted mine was made of stone and concrete," I smirked, still keeping the blanket wrapped around me. Not sure why though, Ta was freaking hot, and that meant usually slept without the blanket, trust me if I lived in Ko, or it was an chilly night in Ga, I'd be wearing more layers. However, when your town is the middle of volcano, where there is forges everywhere billowing out heat. Lighter armor and clothing means I'm more comfortable, that and I also like the look on my co-workers' faces. After a second though I was just getting way too hot. The gesture was a nice one and I smirked more as I slid back off my shoulders. "Ah, I don't really need the blanket, gets hot enough in Ta, if it go any hotter, you would have probably see me answering that door in just a towel, it's the only one thing I don't like about this place. Besides that, it's alright, work is good, people are mostly nice, and it feels good to be here," I chuckled and winked. "Thanks for the produce by the way, I was actually running low, was going to have make a pass by the market soon." Angelus seemed pained, like always, but he was one of those guys, he didn't talked about Tuara just up and left. I heard rumors of there was something between him and her, and then she just left with Dorian Shaddix. It would break my heart if I was just left like that. Then there was the fact he ascended to Captain of the Guard, so there were those stresses too. Poor thing was carrying the weight of Ta-Koro on his back, he needed to relax.

IC: (Kino) I was lazing about in my apartment when I heard a knock upon my door, and shot up from where I was lying on my couch, especially after hearing the familiar voice of Angelus, and to a bored Toa of Air like myself, any activity was better than lazing on the couch, you know unless you had some to do it with. Cheerily I walked over to the door and opened it, to see my favorite captain, since I wasn't sure if I was going to be getting company I was wearing the shorts and a midriff baring tanktop, that well people shouldn't be answering their doors in, but really I'm Kino Iho, you think I care what people think? If your answer is yes, you don't know me, but you'll be getting to. However when I answered, I don't know why but I felt a slight tinge in my cheeks, as if they were growing warmer, upon seeing that Angelus had in deed brought some fruit, pears to be specific. Truth was I hadn't gotten anything that was remotely anything like a gift in a long time, and Angelus, well he's just nice, despite some of the was that was thrown his way, murmurs about Mark Bearers, and his breakup with Tuara, the woman who was once deputy to Jaller himself. "Uhhh, heeyyyy Angelus! How about you come inside? I don't think you've be inside my apartment before." Trying to play off that my mind drifted a little. My apartment wasn't too big, was decent enough. Had various books, mostly ones on the various history about the island, including one rather scathing one about my home. I was tempted to burn that book, and then kill the man who wrote it, but I figured I had to not give into that. Even though I wanted to, would reflect poorly on Ta-Koro Guard, lose good friends, not really worth it. I had a kitchen, but I'll be honestly I'm not much of a chef, or a baker, suppose I could learn, my bedroom, was rather roomy and attached to the bathroom, overall it was small, nice, and manageable, was a good place to relax, but at times felt emptier than it should have.

IC: (Braen) After gathering the food and drinks Braen set them down at the table, sat down in one of the chairs. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Zadron. Part of me was worried you'd turn the invitation down. However I'm glad to see that side of me was wrong. Have a seat, take a bite of my food, have a drink on me. My home is your home, during this awful blizzard," Braen said, smiling. Braen was in no hurry, but then again, Zadron looked like the kind of guy who was immediately suspicious of anyone who employed him, understandable, one could not be too careful in situations that usually called for assassins. Braen wouldn't be surprised if Zadron wanted to get to the point, most people did. No flair for theatrics.

IC: (Hari) I breathed a sigh of relief, considering the slight mishap earlier, I could see Skyra wanting to call an end to this. Instead though, for all the awkwardness she seemed to be going through, she was enjoying herself. I hugged her happily, glad that while I was pushing my friend out of her comfort zone, it wasn't so bad as to be unfair to her. Now however, I had at least one thing I wanted to try on. Well one outfit I mean. "Alright! Well how about you go show Tillian your new look, in the meantime I'll get ready!" I said, gleefully. I ignored her initial protest, but the dressing room barely gave space for one person, let alone too people. I gave her one more shove, hearing laughter from Tillian again. Probably fell into his lap for a second time. Oh Skyra, so silly and clumsy! Where was I? Oh yes, I had picked out the perfect set of clothing. First things, first, I found this mini skirt, turquoise, blue, and black, all to make this perfect little plaid skirt. Removing my external armor, I placed that on, next was a cute shirt, that honestly looked as though someone stopped halfway, was of a black shade, I slipped that one one, but left my stomach exposed, didn't mind much, it's rather hot and humid in Le, I lived in a much dryer area, so not being stuffed inside armor felt great. Finally was the black leather jacket. Supposedly it was favored by those who rode in the Gukko Force. I looked in the mirror, spinning, moving bits her and there until it was perfect. Unlocking the booth I walked out. "Sooo, how do I look?" IC: (Valria) Dorian gave me a lot to think about, all the thoughts and ideas were still swimming around in my head, I walked up behind Agni, and wrapped my arms around him. It felt good, didn't care, just wanted to hug him. "You can still talk if you want, I don't mind," I chuckled.

IC: (Hari) Ooops, I had just realized that first swimsuit I sent her out in was too similar to her skin color. Yeah, considering Skyra was still getting used to her new gender, a process that wasn't just something someone could accept and immediately recover from. She was doing well, and while sometimes we'd poke fun, or tease her. Skyra was my friend, and I would be there for her, just as she'd be there for me. Perhaps I'm a little more girly than the two of them, but whatever, people are people, and for the most part people shouldn't be ashamed of who they are. Personally so far it looked as though Skyra could put on anything and she'd wear it well. Giving it a second, and trying to step back as far as I could I look at Skyra. Yeah in some ways it was rather revealing, not as bad as that one swimsuit though. Feel kind of guilty that, that ended up in her choice of stuff to wear. After a few seconds I finally commented. "I think it looks great on you Skyra! I mean, it really does seem to go well, those green leaves and background for the top, and those bottoms, it all just fits together with you so well!" I giggled, and nodded. "If you're comfortable, perhaps you could see what Tillian thinks, but one thing first." I hugged her, strange I didn't do this sooner, was usually the first thing I did to people whether they were new friends or old ones! Mind must have been all muddled. "Skyra you're one of my best friends, and while I love doing this with you, it's not something you have to do, not if you don't want to. I mean, I don't have to do this for an entire day with you and Naona. We could do all sorts of things! You show us around Le, Naona could take us weapon and armor shopping, and I could do this for a short bit, maybe we could rope in a few more friends...which reminds me....where's Naona?"

IC:(Hari) "Oh my god, it's looks so great on you! I actually got you some other things to try on, here's some shorts and another top, tell me how those are..." I had realized that when I moved around in the rather cramped dressing room that I had accidentally pushed Skyra out and right into the lap of a snoring Tillian. Well he was snoring, his eyes shot open when Skyra landed right on top of him. I couldn't help but giggle. I could already see that familiar shade of red tinging her normally green cheeks as she got her bearings.

IC: (Valria) "What am I doing here, Agni? This team was well before me, and sure it as will be better off without me. I keep trying to convince myself that I'm contributing in some meaningful way, but whenever I open my mouth, nothing good comes out." I sighed, still not turning around. "Merror don't think is solely because of you, or really any of you. It's always been me. I've never been stable enough to be of any use to anyone. All I do is cause tension and look like a real , and it's probably because I am one. This team deserves better than that, better than me."

IC: (Valria) "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have opened my mouth," I replied, looking at my feet. "I think I'll just be going, it's probably better if the unstable element leaves the team, sorry for wasting your time." I said, sliding the chair back and getting up. "I don't think I'm good addition to this team. I'm sorry for my rudeness. I won't be wasting your time any longer," I was so ashamed in myself, I wasn't good enough for this team, wasn't good enough to be around them. I had become some sort of shade of who I used to be, and I had done nothing but screw up so far. I wasn't contributing and like always I was deadweight, perhaps that was thing, I was better dead than alive, because at least that way I was around to drag anyone down. Maybe it meant I could be at peace. Either way I needed to breathe and the inn wasn't giving me space. What was wrong with me? Everything, this scarred face of mine, this inability to hold myself together, the mood swings. I wasn't anything anyone should have to deal with.

IC: (Braen) Braen smiled, he had been expecting this traveler for quite a bit. Turning to his companion, Lana, he smiled. "Would you get the door for our guest? We have much to talk about, and it's been a long while since we have had guests. I'll go gather the refreshments from the kitchen while you do. The Tall Vortixx walked to his kitchen, grabbing the plate of meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables, as well as a bottle of Sanctum Brandy and three wine glasses. Braen saw himself as a hospitable host, even though he lived in the most inhospitable part of Mata Nui.

IC: (Valria) "I don't see any reason why Liacada shouldn't come with us. We're going to need all the help we can get to take Echelon down," I added. I distinctly remember Merror's cold reception, and to be honest he was a decent person. Doesn't mean I liked him much, he seemed to easily sit in judgement of other people, thinking he had the right to do so. I don't know exactly what Liacada did to earn the cold shoulder from him. She seemed decent enough so far, and like me, she had her own issues she'd need to get through, so I guess in some way I felt a sort of kinship to her. "Merror, the only worry I have now is that you'll let what you believe is right, get in the way of what actually is. That was the point I was making, some of you can live in this world where you're still allowed to pull punches, but when you realize the stakes, you'll understand that code you hold onto is outdated when we have men like Echelon running about. From all accounts Echelon isn't worthy anyone's mercy anymore."

OOC: Recommended listening: IC: (Valria) "Personally I think it's best if I join Agni in the hunt for Echelon," I said, looking to Cael and then Agni, into those molten golden eyes, looking for reassurance. I don't know why I did, I guess I just never felt like I belonged here, wasn't even sure if I belonged anywhere anymore. No matter how much I tried to rage against it, I felt like I was just some ghost from Agni's past. Not even worthy enough to stand on my own, and in truth I probably didn't, it was my ###### up that Echelon got away this time. We wouldn't have been in this situation if I was strong to hold him, smart enough to have seen that blow coming, but I wasn't, maybe I can be, maybe I could stop Echelon this time, make up for another failure. So I continued speaking. "So I know I haven't really been much help of late, I'm sorry for that I really am. And I don't think anyone wants to hear what I'm going to say next but I have to say it." All the eyes turned in my direction, it didn't give me strength, that feeling like a spotlight right on me, and I could feel the heat of it. "Echelon needs to be killed, he's too much of a threat for us to bring him in alive," I said, solemnly. Looking down at my mug again, trying to gather the strength to make my case, and that strength was waning because I didn't like it, the truth that I had to violate something I once held dear in order to keep people safe, that I had to throw my morals away for it. Even the lives that would be saved, unlike my previous mistake with Telric, people wouldn't be at risk anymore if Echelon laid dead. I didn't want to think about Telric, I didn't want to think about that day in the harbor, I didn't want to think about that sickening crack, as a man who was nice enough to try and help me and Agni get justice for people who had died in agony, whose last moments were filled with a pain few can imagine, and even fewer could bear, scars that cut to a person's very soul. I took a deep breath. "I once last everything to a rogue Toa of Lightning by the name of Telric. I lost so many friends to him, one of my teammates doesn't even remember me anymore, doesn't remember herself because of the level of trauma he put her and so many others through. Agni and I tried to bring this monster to justice, and with friends it seemed like we were going to bring him to Ta to pay for his crimes. That wasn't going to happen." I sighed, I could her my own voice waver. "One of my friends, someone that actually survived, he had contracted a sickness from Kumu Islets, he was dying on us and all because he was trying to honor the fallen. Agni managed to negotiate but as Telric escaped he killed another of our group, a Toa of Earth who Telric lashed out on and killed before we could stop him." I could feel the tears on my cheeks, and here I was thinking I had cried them all away, not that this surprise was pleasant. "We chased Telric down with the Marines, Agni and I. I broke his bones, I made him suffer and left him to die, I was cruel, because I wanted it, or I thought I did, but it didn't truly make me feel any better." I remained silent for a bit, and the room itself remained silent, I could bear to look the rest of them in the eyes, the shame hung around me like a weight around my neck, pulling my eyes downward. "Why am I telling you this? Because if I just killed Telric on the Kumu Islets, the suffering would have ended there. People would still be alive, but they aren't, and it's because I placed justice above doing what needed to be done. It's a price a man paid for his life for and a lesson I learned but didn't want to acknowledge. Echelon needs to die."

IC: (Ripple) Asa's eyes grew wide, she gave Daken another squeeze but it wasn't his bicep this time. It elicited a low chuckle from Daken before she pried herself away from him. Oh this job kept on getting better and better, she could do without Mr. Grumpy (aka Nate), the snarky Angela Dean fun enough to hang around. On the bright side he made an excellent cushion for Daken and her. She chuckled outfitting herself with about three grenades, a decent number of clips for his pistols and a few modifications for her sniper rifle. She pocketed some money for "business expenses", you know, just in case. Finally she plucked a pair of keys, knowing exactly what they were for. Spinning the the keys around her fingers she turned to the rest of the group with that typical smirk of hers. "I'm driving, you're free to call shotgun."