BZPRPG - Onu-Wahi

[Geardirector]

IC: Ferron (Ferron's Forge)

 

"I don't think I would've taxed my old, ailing lungs with referring to you as my assistant if I didn't plan on you still being around for a while" Ferron replied, sounding surprisingly stern even as he smiled whilst saying it.

[Makuta Miras]

IC: Kajak (Papa-Nihu Reef)

Part 1, Book 1, Chapter 1

This isn't meat, Tsuda... Kajak thought to himself as the Ta-Toa shoved past him in his apparent eagerness to test the integrity of the bridge's structure. He offered the handful of burnt carrion to the others, but when they all turned it down, the Po-Toa encased the carcass in an orb of ebony obsidian and threw it into the shallows.

"Tsuda, we could all do with a bit less sarcasm and lip from you, if you're even considering doing something that isn't totes selfish for once. You're a Toa; make sure you don't lose sight of why you were chosen to be one," Kajak said to his team-mate pointedly. "And for your information, lightning seeks the fastest way to the ground; the highest point in the area. So if you don't want to become a samurai-style lightning-roasted kebab, then we'd better get a move on."

With that, he set off across the patchwork bridge, indigo thunderclouds gathering overhead.

 

OOC: Okay, Akari timeskip to Onu-Koro coming up. In a bit. Probably not until the New Year.

[Nato G]

IC: Akili - Papa-Nihu Reef

 

"About time," Akili said brightly, following Kajak across the bridge. After a few steps, she turned around, looking at Lehti and the others and flashing them all a bright smile. "Are you slowpokes coming or what?" 

[Daniel the Finlander]

IC: Lehti (Papa-Nifu reef)

 

"Slowpoke?" Lehti questioned with a smile, and activated her Kanohi. She rose above the bridge and announced "I'll check if the road ahead is clear, and try to find some shelter." She then quickly winked at Akili and flew away.

 

 

IC: Oliphko (Onu-koro, Ferron's forge)

 

They seem to be good friends. Great, that totally won't make me feel like a complete outsider. "So, um, Ferron, I'm going to visit the Wise Man's Archive. I guess we can start, eh, doing apprentice stuff once I come back?"

 

 

IC: Danaku Ran (Onu-koro prison)

 

"I have an offer, Kavala", Danaku said after spending a while in thoughtful silence, "If you lead me to the Vault, I'll help you reclaim your home. Of course, taking down an entire fortress is a near impossible task, but maybe I can help you somehow. Would you be interested in this?"

[Geardirector]

IC: Ferron (Ferron's Forge)

 

"Of course, Oliphko" Ferron replied, grabbing his hammer to prepare for a last round of smithing work for the day.

 

"Hopefully we can also find time to get to know each other a little better soon, too"

[Daniel the Finlander]

IC: Oliphko (Onu-koro, Ferron's forge)

 

I nod and head outside. I don't actually know where Wise Man's Archive is, but I'm sure that I'll find it soon enough. Well, I could ask someone for directions, but I would.. rather not. At least I'm not in a hurry, so I have time to navigate this maze of huts and forges.

[Not Quite Dead]

IC Tsuda

 

"Ah, lighten up, leader. Someone has to keep a cheerful disposition between the six of us"

 

Noting that his overly long sword was the highest point between them all, he untied the sheath and sword from his back to hold it. Being the shortest of the male Akari, he felt much safer. "I think you're the highest point among us now, leader." He quipped before following after Lehti and Akili

 

His sarcastic remarks did hide a high degree of respect and feelings of comradery for Kajak, memories of his effective and fair leadership starting to come back to him as he recovered from their ship wreck. But he also remembered his reactions to his own sarcastic remarks, they were much more entertaining than a feeling of mutual goodwill would've been

[PancakeShiners]

Fionne cast a neutral gaze as Kajak and Tsuda argued.  Things were starting to come back to him now, even if they were really only feelings... there's trust in Kajak, naturally, but for Tsuda he seemed to have a hint of dislike, and watching him, Fio couldn't say that he didn't understand why.  However, all he really gave was a slightly irritated glance.  Fionne was always the type not to get involved, unless dealt with directly, so decides to ignore Tsuda for the time being.  

 

When Akili offers a playful remark, Fionne looks at her with an amused smile.  He would activate his mask of quick travel to prove a point, but aside from his strength, Fio doesn't usually show off or mess around too much.  In truth, he's more concerned about other things, such as what they were going to do next, or his apparent amnesia.  But one thing was certain: they had to keep moving.  He actually felt a bit uneasy walking over water, which clearly showed when he cautiously took a few steps, but eventually began walking more steadily.

 

After a moment, Fio stopped and glanced behind him at Tio. He'd watched her part in creating the bridge with fascination, though he wasn't sure why. She'd done a good job; but perhaps it was something else, but he supposed it didn't matter for the time being. He shoved it to the back of his mind, but offered the Ko-Toa a smile. "So, uh... It's Tio, right? Perhaps you'd like me to walk with you while we travel to... wherever it is we're going?" He paused, noticing that like him, she carried a blade. "...or we could... spar or something later? Somehow I expect I'm a little rusty." His posture was casual and polite; he remembered how beings of the ice element could get, so in a way he was expecting a hostile reply, but sort of hoped she would say yes as well... it was good to socialize, after all.

[Banana Gunz]

IC: Orphos- Cafe in Onu-Koro

 

Orphos finished off his coffee and pulled out his hand to shake Crystalia's.

 

"Nice to meet you, the name's Orphos! What be you doing in here? What plans do you have and you have plans on traveling?"

 

As he talked, his miniature ussal skittered over to Dax, Wekar's ussal and started trying to steal some of his peanuts.

Edited December 29, 2014 by Banana Gunz

[Specter Knight]

IC-Arkhal

 

"Careful, Orphos." Arkhal warned. "This Toa may be a little mentally unstable. I would be cautious around her..."

 

OOC

Cue Crystalia thinking Orphos is a past victim.

[Flex Lord Splash]

IC: Crystalia

 

When Orphos came towards her, Crystalia's emerald eyes were wide with fear. At first she saw his hand coming towards her rotten, and stiff with death. His mask lifeless like all the others.

 

She slammed shut her eyes, missing all of his questions. Her eyes then opened once more and it was like everything was normal again. The dead were gone. He was gone.

 

She looked up at Orphos and got her feet. "Sorry about that..." she said softly, glancing at Arkhal.

[Specter Knight]

IC-Arkhal

 

"It looked like you had a bit of a Wild spell there." Arkhal tried to comfort the visibly shocked Toa. "But at least you're safe, that's all that matters. Fancy a drink?

[Flex Lord Splash]

IC:

 

"This never happens to me," she shook her head. "I don't know what happened, sorry you had to see that. I think I saw a ghost from my past or something." she trained her green orbs on Arkhal.

 

"Sure, I'll take a drink thank you. My other one sort of shattered." she glanced at the broken glass on the floor. She then raised her hand, lowering the gravity of the glass so it lifted into the air where she began to easily catch the shards before tossing them into the trash.

[Krayzikk]

IC:

 

"Yes, Uyism, I think we can probably be going. No problems here."

[25K Now!]

IC: Uyism

 

Uyism nodded.

[Geardirector]

IC: Wiremu (Onu-Koro)

 

After taking his much-needed break, Wiremu was on the way back to work, his mind already musing over different ways to improve the designs to the mining prototype.

 

“How to reduce… hmm, maybe, but what if?”

 

“No, not an option, too volatile. Maybe consider… mm, no.”

 

Wiremu was cut off by the sound of commotion coming from… all around him really. Something was happening at the entrance to the Koro that drew a crowd, a crowd that smothered the smaller Wiremu and dragged him along.

 

“Hey, excuse-oomph.” Wiremu cawed in failure to get the crowd’s attention as he was dragged towards the source of the commotion.

 

Wiremu felt like he was being squeezed, getting even smaller. He began waving in near desperation to get out of the mob and get back on track, but to no avail.

 

Finally, the crowd dispersed a little as it spilled out in the larger entrance to one of the tunnels leading out of the cave Onu-Koro was nestled in. Wiremu dusted himself off and, a little reluctantly, followed them to where the commotion was causing uproar.

 

Wiremu’s eyes widened when he saw a small group of Ko-Matoran nearly collapsed from fatigue, fear fresh in their eyes. Onu-Koronans, curious, well-meaning or both, had gathered around them to hear a frightening set of news they had to tell.

 

“Ko-Koro has fallen, Makuta’s forces has conquered it, Echelon rules there now.”

 

“Ko-Koro has fallen…”

 

“Echelon…”

 

“Makuta…”

 

“NO!”

 

“How did this happen?” Wiremu demanded as he ran up, a Matoran wearing a half-torn Sanctum guard badge just looked at him for a long time before answering.

 

“I… I don’t know, everything happened so fast. I was sitting by my control panel first and then…”

 

“Control panel?” Wiremu asked, already getting worried about the implications.

 

“For the aural security system we got from Onu-Koro. We destroyed the manuals but I think they got it working anyway” the guard muttered.

 

“I worked on that system!” Wiremu said out loud, completely unintentionally. The Guardsman gave him an unsympathetic look!

 

In his mind, Wiremu was frantically working through the information he’d just gotten, his heartbeat racing for the second time in a single day.

 

“They’re abusing our work. Abusing my work.”

 

“My work… is being used for evil.”

 

Ko-Koro, Mata Nui’s Crown Jewel, had fallen. Who was next? What would Makuta’s forces bend to their evil will?

 

“No, no, no, no, no, no, NO.”

 

“I need… the Akiri… tell news” Wiremu stammered while backing away, before eventually spinning on his heel and breaking into a sprint towards Akiri Nuparu’s office.

Edited December 30, 2014 by Rucks

[Nuju Metru]

IC:

Wiremu burst through the door of the Akiri's hut uninvited; but this didn't shock Nuparu. He'd long ago told his engineer that the formalities others owed - making an appointment, waiting for the guards to let them in, that sort of thing - didn't apply to old friends. Besides, Nuparu knew Wiremu, and knew that Wiremu had his best ideas as epiphanies; Nuparu didn't want to miss out on those, and so had encouraged his brilliant inventor to share them immediately. It had taken Wiremu a few visits to get used to the informality Nuparu had asked for, but by now, the little mechanic came in and out of Nuparu's hut with as much ease as if it'd been his own home.

 

When Nuparu looked up, though, and saw the look on Wiremu's face, he knew at once that something was wrong. "What's happened, Wiremu?" he asked.

[Geardirector]

IC: Wiremu (Nuparu's Hut)

 

It brought Wiremu some comfort to see his old friend hard at work like always. Wiremu had often heard the phrase "the more things change the more they stay the same" used to brush off a big change or development, but in light of his current situation the phrase sounded oddly appropriate.

 

"I... was down at one of the tunnel entrances, where a group of Ko-Matoran refugees had come in. Yes, refugees, they... they said that Makuta's forces have conquered Ko-Koro, Echelon has taken control."

 

The stressed out inventor strided towards Nuparu, getting more stressed out by the second.

 

"I said... no, they said. Something about the aural security system... my work, our work, they're using it, they have it"

 

Wiremu nearly collapsed on Nuparu's desk, all out of breath he didn't know he'd been holding back.

[Palm]

IC: Tio - Onu-Wahi

 

I replied very simply, "I'll walk with you," and with a little pause, "I'll be rusty too. I've no idea how long it's been since I've fought. It honestly feels like forever since I've used my element."

[PancakeShiners]

Fionne smiled ear to ear at her reply. Short and simple; he liked it. "Great!" he responded with a hearty chuckle. "I can certainly agree with you on that; I will have to get readjusted to using mine as well. Perhaps we could assist one other in that sense." With a quick nod, Fio took only a few steps forward, before glancing over his shoulder, waiting for Tio to head across the bridge. In truth, he was a little nervous walking over water on an elemental bridge, but the satisfaction he got from the Ko-Toa's answer was enough to keep him confident enough to actually cross.

[silo]

IC: (Silo/Onu-Koro prison)

"Are you mad? The stuff in the vault'll turn you into a- " lunatic like Kavala!

Silo stopped himself just in time. " -more powerful being, but it'll also...can make you funny in the head. Sometimes."

[Krayzikk]

IC:

 

"The city... Makuta... Echelon."

 

The Ko-Toa couldn't manage much more than that, his words coming in starts and stops in between ragged breaths. That he managed so much was impressive. The tattered insignia upon his collar identified him as a Sanctum Guard, though the symbol was nearly unrecognizable. Splotches of dried crimson dotted armor that was once as white as snow, accompanied by stains of mud and grime. The officer walked with a limp that spoke of an untreated sprain, a spear serving an a makeshift walking aid. The crowd he escorted looked little better, scattered and staggered refugees walking up the street in ones and twos, with a Guard or enlisted fighter tucked away in their midst here and there.

 

The Toa's meaning, however, was not lost upon the Ussalmatoran he spoke with. Tarnok nodded, almost imperceptibly, though the gesture gave away none of what was going through his head. The ramifications of the Guard's words were endless. A force had managed to overwhelm the entire Sanctum Guard and take Ko-Koro. A dark force of such a scale had not been seen since Makuta's reign, when last that Dark Lord threatened Mata Nui. And it had massed only a Wahi away. 

 

"Rest." He said to the Toa quietly, almost sympathetically. "You've come a long way. I'll have someone escort your wounded to the hospital and make sure somewhere is found for you to stay."

 

After a pause, the Sanctum Guard nodded and sank onto a bench just outside of the Ussalry building. Tarnok pivoted on the spot and reentered the building without hesitation. It seemed he had spoken to Uyism too soon. He had little doubt the Iroiit was beside him as he paused at the secretary's desk once more, bracing himself against the desk out of precaution.

 

"There are refugees from Ko-Koro out there." He stated softly, though his tone was urgent. "I want you to have someone see them to the hospital. I need you to send someone to interview them and get the details. And I need you to make sure that they have a roof over their heads tonight."

 

"Shouldn't I inform Onepu?" The Matoran asked hesitantly, unsure of what to do. The Ussalmatoran didn't have the authority to issue such instructions, though he seemed to have no problem doing so anyway.

 

"I will be." Tarnok said seriously, the look in his green eyes leaving no doubt that he intended just that. "Worry about dealing with them. I'll speak to Onepu."

 

After a long pause, almost too long, the secretary nodded. Satisfied Tarnok turned away from the desk to stride towards the Captain's office. He moved, despite his earlier weakness, with purpose and power. Emergency had once more inflamed his resolve, resolve fueled by the knowledge that someone had struck a blow against the people of Mata Nui. He would not allow his village to suffer the same, nor would he permit Ko-Koro's fate to go unpunished.

 

Reaching his destination, he rapped on Onepu's door loudly with a single fist.

[Daniel the Finlander]

IC: Danaku Ran (Onu-koro prison)

 

"Make me funny in the head?" Danaku repeated, "Or perhaps recover my lost memories? Makuta is a god, after all. Surely his 'stuff' can achieve such a simple task." He turned to look at Kavala again. "So, what do you say?"

[25K Now!]

IC: Uyism

 

Uyism followed Tarnok.

[Banana Gunz]

IC: Orphos- Cafe in Onu-Koro

 

Orphos had to admit he was pretty spooked and startled by Crystalia's crazy trance, Or whatever that was... How can we tell if she's lying? She could be corrupt...

 

He decided to push the thought out of his mind. He would keep an eye on her, but at the moment he didn't know enough about this one to make good judgement. Besides, toa live hard lives and it would make sense if something from her past was coming back to haunt her.

 

"Just, try and relax for a bit. Have a drink and stay calm... Well anyways, any of y'all headed out of koro? It's been a while since I've traveled, and I could probably use a trip out of town. I have some nice goods I might be able to trade for a fair price outside of here."

[Dallior]

IC Wekar:

 

Wekar sighed and raised his hand. "I'll go. There's not much to do in the mines, and..." A stubby Matoran came into the cafe, and pointed at Wekar, yelling, "Yur fired!" Wekar sighed, "Yeah, that." The Matoran boss NPC stumbled out of the cafe.

 

OoC: Onwards to adventure?!

[Specter Knight]

IC-Arkhal

 

"If you're going out of Town, Allow me to accompany you two." Arkhal suggested. "A good Toa is always there to protect Innocent Matoran, and I am no exception!"

 

OOC

Oh yeah.

[Flex Lord Splash]

IC: Crystalia

 

She nodded and sipped the new drink that Arkhal had gotten her. Yes, I need to get out of this place... too many memories. This is where he brought me up, trained me... he loves the shadows. Its time I stepped out into the light.

 

"I'll go," Crystalia said suddenly. "I think getting away from Onu-Koro might do me some good. That is if you'll have me. Promise I won't go all crazy again." she said with a smile now. She glanced at Wekar and Arkhal, she had just met both of them but so far they seemed nice enough.

 

There was a time when she probably would have taken a contract to kill people like them. She wouldn't have given it a second thought. But those days were over. She realized she had no friends, she had a friend once. Another assassin, he'd been kind to her. The last time she'd seen him was right before he'd helped to assassinate Turaga Matau. It was so long ago now she didn't even remember his name...

[ARROW404]

IC: Onepu

He grunted as a knock sounded on the door. This day just wasn't going to end, was it? Well, he wanted a break from this tedious talk of legal fine-print, and this would do.

 

"Excuse me," he said to Eretas, before striding over to the door and opening it. "Tarnok?" He said, surprised and suddenly wary. This visit had a high chance of bearing bad news.

[They]

OOC:  A little BZP-Time, but this post takes place before the public arrival of news from Ko-Koro.  Sorry for not posting sooner; life has a way of sweeping one up in the flow.

 

IC: Ahkmou, Onu-Koro (Outside Ferron's Forge)

 

The road outside Ferron's Forge was a winding tributary of the larger highway heading south to Le-Koro, breaking from the dark pavers into small meandering alleyways of packed dirt, wooden crates, and increasingly developed stone homes.  The glowing lightstones dangling from the eaves of every roof illuminated the streets, giving a soft light bright enough for the surface dwellers to see, but not too bright to blind the natives.  In it, Ishi made out the hazy outline of business logos printed along the sides of ussal carts, some common like Horseman Shipping and Polzin Company (seeing his name reminded Ishi of the unfinished vendetta with his sister), others less known and owned by private merchants yet to sign over their souls to a corporation.  

 

"Waiting's never been my strong suit," Ishi admitted to Dervish, "unless it's at the deli counter, or while a ga-matoran's removing her armor... to be fair I'd probably be taking it off, so forget the last one.  You, however, get the chance of a lifetime.  Why don't you try and find out more about our Turaga friend while I rent a room?  Meet you at the Golden Pickaxe tonight."  He watched her face briefly, looking for a sign of treachery, then bounced back a few steps before turning away. He strolled down the road, following it back to the highway, and from there down to the Bazaar, while softly singing:

 

How many eyes

How many eyes

How many eyes do I see in the dark

Those eyes in the dark are mine

 

The Golden Pickaxe was a three story development, each floor from a different era.  The bottom, round and squat, was beginning to sag to one side from the weight, while the middle looked like a strange ship had landed atop, supported by pillars, and the upper story clung against the side of a massive stalactite.  A motley crew of patrons sung miner's songs on the open veranda of the second floor, complete with pan pipes, bells, and drums.  A great pickaxe, the inn's namesake, hung over the front door.  Ishi wondered if a vortixx had ever impaled themselves on it.

"How can we help you?" Called a bulky onu-matoran as Ishi entered the hubbub of the Inn's drinking area.  "Needing a room, or just a drink?"

 

"Both, if you got them.  Been needing a stiff one since I got here." Ishi replied.  

 

OOC:  Open for interaction.  Anyone want to buy Ishi a drink?  Preferably a merc. wanting to get hired.

[Relapse]

OOC: I'll take you up on that one, Kughii.

 

IC: (Sucogu)

 

"Two shots of Sal's for the Matoran and myself," called a voice from a few tables over. Ishi's eyes swept over to see a dark crimson in full armor and cloak, armed to the teeth with a variety of swords, knives, and explosives, and a repeating crossbow hanging from his belt. As the drinks were brought to his table, Sucogu beckoned him to take a seat and claim the shot he'd bought for him. The garb Sucogu was clad in made it clear that his intention was to be hired as a mercenary, though not that his true intentions were to investigate the 'Ahkmou's' actions and perhaps bring him to justice.

[They]

OOC: OH HEY THERE KNI!  Let's get this party started. :3  Question about your last sentence: how does he know Ishi is going by Ahkmou, or even Ishi? 

 

IC: Ahkmou, Onu-Koro (The Golden Pickaxe, first floor bar)

 

The few lookers turned aside as the odd colored matoran joined the red toa at the bar.  After hopping up onto the toa sized bar stool, he gazed at the wizened lines of the matatu buying him a drink.  "You're too kind, Sal's are my favorite," he said while sliding his hands for the shot.  Then, with a wry laugh, he added;

 

"Well, this poses a problem... any chance you got a straw?"

[Relapse]

OOC: Well, whoops. I guess we'll have to disregard that little bit for now. X) Essentially Sucogu is looking for corruption.

 

IC: (Sucogu)

 

The Toa's instincts kicked into overdrive as he read the Matoran's behavior and movements. Physically, there wasn't a whole lot to read outside of the fact that he literally had no fingers and wouldn't last for very long in combat. Lucky for him, Sucogu worked better alone and as such would not need his assistance in a fight.

 

"You're too kind, Sal's are my favorite," Ishi thanked, eyeing the red mix of alcohol and pure death.

 

"It certainly has a special kick to it," Sucogu agreed.

 

Salamander's Revenge. A drink which had originated in Ta-Koro but which had found its way to the booze-mongering pubs of Onu. Some, after drinking it, said it made endless hours of mining more bearable. Others, after drinking it, were far too plastered to offer such an opinion.

 

"Well, this poses a problem... any chance you got a straw?" Ishi asked, struggling to partake of the drink without fingers to do so with.

 

"Fresh out," Sucogu said with a wistful shrug.

 

He set out to get down to business then, nearly offering a handshake but deciding against it quickly. "I am Sucogu," to further introduce himself, he lifted his palm and conjured a miniature spark storm, "powerful Toa of lighting and excellent swordsman. As you can see, I also make use of a variety of other weapons when the situation calls for it. However, I've been running low on funds as of late and as such have sought out work. Unless you're planning on staying in Onu-Koro for awhile, you'll be traveling soon, and with your decisive lack of fingers you'll need a bit of assistance in doing so. That's where I can help."

 

He took another sip of his drink. "How much are you willing to pay?"

[Krayzikk]

IC:

 

"There are refugees from Ko-Koro filtering into the village. People have been dispatched to get their wounded to the hospital, and find somewhere for them to stay." The Onu-Matoran wasted no time in getting to the point, clasping his hands behind his back at attention. It hadn't been all that long since last he saw his superior officer, but the difference in his bearing was marked. Tarnok had too long been quiet, loitering about unnoticed and obeying his orders in silent compliance. 

 

Now, however, a fire had returned.

 

"The City of Ice has fallen to Makuta's forces, led by the Necromancer. Echelon."

Edited January 1, 2015 by Ninth Krayzikk

[They]

IC: Ahkmou, Onu-Koro (The Golden Pickaxe)

 

With the question of payment hanging in the air, Ishi placed his palms against the sides of the shot, and raised the glass to his lips.  The liquid was red, deep red, almost as much as the mercenary's armor.  In a flash, he drained the glass and slammed it back down on the table.  It was fire going down his throat, but the warmth was welcome after the cold of Ko-Wahi.

 

"Guess I made do without the straw.  You're certainly forward I'll give you that, Sucogu.  As you've been so honest and up front, I'll give you the same courtesy."  He winked.  "I'm on the trail of deceit, like a hapaka you could say sniffing out a sand tarakava, and it smells more rotten the deeper I dig, savvy?  Tell me something: you a man of morals, of faith?  Ever watched someone's eyes fade by your blade?  A warrior and mercenary you may be, but toa have a habit of letting their enemies see the dawn."

Edited January 1, 2015 by Kughii

[Relapse]

IC: (Sucogu)

 

At this Sucogu shifted back slightly in his seat, withdrawing physically and mentally. Indeed, Sucogu was a good man- at the very least, he had standards -but he had never stayed a killing blade when the situation called for it. The wizened warrior's thoughts drifted to the cold, cold days when he'd traveled with a group of Toa and been forced to slay his young protege; corruption existed, this could not be denied, and it had to burn where it stood. Sucogu would never hold back from doing so.

 

"I do what I must," he answered gravely, keeping his unfazed eyes locked on Ishi's the whole time. "If my opponent is a danger to others and cannot be otherwise incapacitated, I give you my word that he will fall and never rise again."

Edited January 2, 2015 by Relapse

[They]

OOC: the plot thickens..  like cream of mushroom soup.

 

IC:  Ahkmou, Onu-Koro  (Golden Pickaxe)

 

Ishi nodded, mulling over Sucogu's answer.  The toa was a veteran of conflict, the Informant had little doubt, with both the wisdom and skill to testify past successes.  A pragmatic warrior fit well with Ishi's plan.  He sighed, tapping his palms on the bar.  It was a movement of distraction, designed to seem innocuous while the rest of his senses were bent on seeking out potential listeners.  There were none.  

 

"Sounds like you're committed." Ishi replied.  "Put simply, I'm being tailed.  It's really like an elaborate game of tag, but with knives in the back instead of tapping someone on the shoulder.  You see, Sucogu, I've got a business meeting with a colleague of sorts at their home here, but they've been monitoring me through a spy.  She's a toa of electricity like yourself, wears a kanohi of invisibility, and has been traveling with me for some days.  Naturally, I didn't catch on at first, but now I'm sure of it: they mean to put me down at the meeting.  I need you to trail us silently, and if conflict arises incapacitate the spy.  Can you do that?

 

He paused, as if remembering something important.

 

"You asked how much I was willing to pay, and the truth is not much, but I'm not the one doing all the paying.  Do the words Polzin and Company ring a bell?  I'm a courier for their business enterprise, and I'm sure Lady Vera would be able to suitably reward you for services rendered.  At the moment, I have only a few gems and baubles you might convert in the bazaar, but that should be enough for the trip to Ga-Koro and then some."

Edited January 2, 2015 by Kughii

[Relapse]

IC: (Sucogu)

 

Stealth. Subterfuge. Guerrilla combat. Sucogu was well-versed in these disciplines, and quite capable of completing the job with little obstacle. If anything, this would be mundane compared to several former quests. He'd taken down brutal killers; a little bodyguarding would be exercise.

 

"You have my blade. Before we officiate this, however, might I inspect the contents of your bag in order to take stock of potential prizes? I need not place my hands on any of it, I simply wish to see with my eyes."

 

Indeed, he'd heard of the Polzin family, whose heiress was based near his home town of Ga-Koro. But if his little friend truly had access to such riches would he really be traveling on foot? It was simply good business to have a backup reward plan in mind.

 

...even if he had to procure said reward by force if it was not willingly given once the job was done.

[Light]

IC: The painting was taking shape.

 

Brush stroke and flourish, dip back into the paint... The eyes of a Hau swept onto the canvas, modeled after the mask at the Artist's feet. More strokes, a body appeared below the mask, perfect in bright red on the brown stone wall of the hut. A Pa-Matoran with a Hau, done entirely in crimson.

 

The Artist dipped his brush in his bottle of water, swirling the water off of it and stepping back to take a look at his masterpiece, compared to his subject.

 

He frowned. The subject of his painting was imperfect... But he could fix that. He pulled an iron ingot from the pack at his waist and heated it in his hands, smoothing it over the imperfection.

 

There. The Artist smiled and vanished, his Kualsi whisking him away, and leaving a beautiful scarlet painting... Above the body of a Pa-Matoran, iron covering the stab wounds to his chest.

[Nato G]

OOC: Dibs!

 

IC: Nariya. 

 

Nariya was on her usual trip from the markets back to her house when she saw something odd in one of the side alleyways. A glint of colour in the otherwise dank area. She'd walked this way every day for years now, and had never seen anything back there before. Cautiously, she stepped forward, and immediately wished she hadn't. There, almost entirely hidden amongst the shadows, was a very dead Matoran. She didn't need to put her medical skills into practice to know a corpse when she saw one

 

But that wasn't the weird part. It was the painting propped up above the body. A perfect, skillfully-depicted rendition of the Matoran who now lay dead before it. Without hesitation, Nariya ran back out onto the street, already shouting for the guards. 

 

OOC: That would be the cue for Ussalry folks and other do-gooders to show up. 

Edited January 2, 2015 by Roman Torchwick