Bzprpg - Ko-Wahi

[EmperorWhenua]

Ic: "Oh, I see," Visenya said. She wasn't too concerned with the goldenrod toa's vanishing act anymore, especially if the others expected him to go find this friend of his. Realizing that speaking jovially in a memorial service within a reverberating hall violated a few social norms, she pulled at Darien's hand and ushered the group back outside so they could speak freely.

 

Her joy returned and she earnestly smiled at her brother, "Darien, you must tell me what became of you in your journeys, and right this instance!"

[25K Now!]

[iC: Rannin]

 

Usually Rannin would try and go down the ravine to help find his friend, but it would be rather difficult, especially when the ravine was rather deep and dark and filled with bad juju. So he decided to do what most people would do if they found a place that had bad juju.

 

Go to Ga-wahi and find someone who could get rid of the bad juju.

 

OOC: Rannin to Ga.

[AuRon the champion]

IC: Aurel:

 

"Iegasa... Are we waiting for someone?"

 

Aurel sat nearby the fire inside the Shrine. She wasn't quite particular to be seeing any of Iegasa's 'friends' any time soon.

[Snelly]

IC: Darien - Outside the Sanctum, Ko-koro -

 

Darien smiled. "Alright Visenya I was just getting to that." He took a deep breath, there was a lot to tell.

 

"You recall that our father sent me off into the desert to rescue on of his scouts?" His sister of course nodded, remembering. "Well, after I got news of our family's demise at the hands of Makuta..." He paused, the memory of opening that letter and reading that everyone he knew and loved was no more still haunted him, though at least he had his sister back, he continued. "...I decided to stay in Po-koro, do what I could to defend the village and keep it's people safe, that's where I was for many months, until I found Wokiya in the desert that is." He looked at Wokiya as he said this with a memorable smile. "Found her unconscious from the heat, we got to know each other a bit as I escorted her to Po-koro..."

 

Darien continued to explain how he ended up volunteering to help Wokiya find her brother, Wokapu and how that eventually led them to Ga-koro where they found Lekori, who was a friend of Wokapu and led them to a Kofo-Jaga nest in Onu-Wahi, where they found him. From there they had traveled to Wokapu's home in Ko-Wahi, and learning about Nuju's death traveled to the Sanctum.

 

Darien allowed Lekori and Wokiya to fill in any details he might have missed, and allowed them to decide if they wanted his sister to know about anything to do with the Cultured Gentry and their mission to bring it down. Ultimately they felt like they could trust Visenya since she was Darien's sister and informed her off Wokapu's plan to turn expose the Cultured Gentry's involvement with the Makuta and how Wokapu was going to turn himself in for his part in it, and similarly protect Niici from having the same fate as himself.

 

"...and that's just about everything I believe." Darien finished, practically exhausted from the explanation.

 

"How about you my sister? Have you been here in Ko-koro all these months? I'm sorry that I assumed you were among the dead, I should have come looking for you." He said sadly.

OOC: Wraith from Ga-Wahi

 

IC: Wraith - Ko-Wahi -

 

Wraith trekked through the icy winds and the endless snow, though he was hardly phased by the harsh weather. After all, he was a Toa of Ice, and this was his home, this weather was nothing.

 

He was not far now, soon he'd be at the doorsteps of the 'Lord of Winter', as some called the cold-blooded killer. There before him the the huge chasm, a chain was still dangling from the ledge, which undoubtedly led to Hiemalis' cave. He had found it once more, but this time intentionally.

 

"Lord of Winter! Come out and face your destiny!" Wraith shouted into the chasm. Though there was no answer...at least not yet. "You failed to kill me once, do you not wish to correct your mistake!?"

[25K Now!]

IC: [iegasa]

 

"We could be, but that's in the future. Right now, I am more interested in cleaning up the shrine."

[Emzee]

“…

Dim moon-eyed fishes near

Gaze at the gilded gear

And query: "What does this vaingloriousness down here?" ...

 

Well: while was fashioning

This creature of cleaving wing,

The Immanent Will that stirs and urges everything

 

Prepared a sinister mate

For her — so gaily great —

A Shape of Ice, for the time far and dissociate.

 

And as the smart ship grew

In stature, grace, and hue,

In shadowy silent distance grew the Iceberg too.

 

Alien they seemed to be;

No mortal eye could see

The intimate welding of their later history,

 

Or sign that they were bent

By paths coincident

On being anon twin halves of one august event,

 

Till the Spinner of the Years

Said "Now!" And each one hears,

And consummation comes, and jars two hemispheres.”

 

--The Convergence of the Twain, Thomas Hardy

 

IC: Niici & Wokapu – Niici’s Home

 

Time froze as the two Toa made contact. Wokapu's eyes sang of happiness as well as urgency, but Niici's eyes sang a different song. Wokapu noticed little as he spilled everything that he had been through over the past couple of months. He spoke of his encounter with Lekori, the Matoran he described as being a member of the Gukko Force, and likely having an infatuation for his sister, Wokiya. He also elaborated on how Ronkshou found him, and broke his back, leaving him to die in a Kofo Jaga Nest. Wokapu then went on to talk about Wokiya's friend Darien, the Toa of Plantlife who found her in the Motara Desert, nearly dead from dehydration. He talked about how they became friends and found Lekori in Ga-Koro while Wokapu was being healed by a Toa of Water named Cael, who used her Mask of Healing well (though Wokapu was sure to avoid playing up the healer's looks in front of Niici). Finally, Wokapu went on to talk about how he, Darien, Wokiya, and Lekori returned to this village to find Niici, and while at Nuju's funeral, encounter Darien's long-lost Pa-Toa sister, Visenya. Wokapu mentioned that the sister would probably be travelling with their group.

 

"Niici, I can make sure that you get none of the flack for this!" Wokapu promised, his eyes glowing with sincerity. He extended his hand lovingly, hoping that Niici would take it, "Just come with me and we can end this, together. We'll put everything from before behind us, and work as friends to right such a terrible wrong on this island"

 

So that was it. The twenty minutes of straight blabbering about his past adventures was finally over. Wokapu wasn't sure what to do now, as he was slightly regretful that he unloaded all of that information onto Niici at once. But time was of the essence, and he knew that Niici wanted out just as badly as he did -- he had to practically beg her to become the new Chief of Operations.

 

He waited for Niici to make a response... to say anything.

 

Niici, at this instance, couldn't say anything even if she wanted to. The mere shock of what she was seeing (and what she had just heard), still trying to register in her mind. Soon, however, Niici's brain kicked into high gear, and it began calculating the situation.

 

I suppose that signifies how much our Prime Stakeholder cares, Niici thoughts raged against the Toa who stood opposite of her.

 

As the seconds ticked, her will to keep up her excited and loving visage became increasingly more taxing. Silence fell upon the two occupants – one was a patient silence, the other was a stark, agitated silence. The Toa only stared at each other, each having a growing sense of confusion.

 

What must I do? Niici asked herself. Does she finish the job? Kill the genuinely kind Toa who was still in love with her? Even after she pretended to finally requite his affection? What did that make her?

 

No, this isn’t any different from other time. Shake him off and move on! Another part of Niici mind raged against her. For years, people looked down on her, cast her out for being a burden and a “freak”. Even when her peers got more mature, no one wanted her affection, not once they knew her ailments. Her acceptance into the Cultured Gentry reminded Niici of her potential – of what she could do with just money, looks, and smarts.

 

Strength wasn’t a factor in this club. One could gain control of an entire guild or even a whole village just via the influence gained through being part of the exclusive circle of aristocrats. She was admired – nearly worshipped!

 

No, Niici thought. The thought of giving all of that up pained her like a stake to the stomach.

 

Wokapu stood there, hand still invitingly extended. Why wasn’t she taking it? Was she afraid? Did she not have faith in Wokapu’s ability to protect them after all?

 

“You can trust me, Niici,” Wokapu said softly, “I will take the fall on everything. What else is there to fear?”

 

“What else is there to fear?”

 

How about the loss of everything I’ve worked for?! Niici thought, How about losing the followers I’ve gained, the grace and beauty that I’ve become known for?!

 

It was both funny and sickening how Wokapu resolved to just throw this all away. True, he was nearly killed because of his membership of the Gentry, but that was something that Niici concocted. The Toa of Ice knew for a fact that she would be safe. In fact, she would be better than safe.

 

Once the Makuta was defeated, there would be no more offerings. Niici could claim the seat of royalty for herself.

 

And she would.

 

Wokapu’s patience turned to confusion as Niici’s beautiful smile melted away. Her arms slowly but deliberately rose and crossed one another.

 

Wokapu’s confusion then turned to anxiety.

 

“Seba, we’re out of milk,” Niici said to the approaching butler, who gasped in surprise when he saw Wokapu.

 

“Um,” the butler stammered, “Yes madam”

 

The Matoran quickly grabbed his coat and headed out the front door. Niici’s gaze then returned to meet Wokapu’s glowing eyes.

 

“I’m sorry, Wokapu,” Niici said, her expression becoming plain, “I can’t give this up”

 

The Toa of Ice realized that she still felt cold even though a day had passed since that encounter, and she involuntarily shivered. Wokapu simply stood there, bewildered.

 

“Can’t?” Wokapu stuttered; he rested a hand on Niici’s left arm, “Why?”

 

The Toa of Air then found himself flying backwards through the long hallway that rested behind him. He crashed onto the floor and slid across a door onto a cold metal surface. Once his vision cleared, Wokapu realized that he had flown through the hallway and was now inside the metallic safe, which was open for some reason. He then looked down at the sizable dent in his chest armor.

 

Niici had done that with an unarmored fist.

 

When Wokapu staggered to his feet, his eyes met Niici’s; they were maculated by a dark rage.

 

“I would advise against doing that again,” Niici seethed, briefly favoring her arm as if Wokapu’s touch had further contaminated it.

 

“What… happened to you?” Wokapu asked with bated breath, his eyes misting. He could vaguely smell the alcohol in his friend’s breath.

 

Niici watched the Toa of Air with eyes overflowing with raw hatred. Niici had trouble trying to determine which day was worse – the past day when she was shocked to the core in an encounter that she would never forget, or today, when the one lynchpin of her plan didn’t even work out as it was supposed to? Normally, Niici would have had even greater pain to carry this through herself. There was a reason she had made all of these arrangements, otherwise she could have just killed Wokapu herself.

 

She didn’t like being just an object. She didn’t like being used. She didn’t like being considered common. And she didn’t like being expected to do one thing when she wanted to do another.

 

She would rectify this, and she would remove the whistleblower and all of his party.

 

The two were now both standing inside the safe, and Niici unceremoniously used her mask power to close the door, turning the large dial that resembled the wheel that was aboard a ship. Finally, the foreboding sounds of deep clicks and whines ceased.

 

Something happened to her, Wokapu thought with anxiety. He had to get Niici's head clear and get her out of this shark tank before it was too late. The traitor was already making his moves to grab the Chief of Operation’s chair. What Makuta did to Wokapu, he would do to Niici as well. All the traitor would have to do is-

 

Then, suddenly, Niici whirled around like an ice-skater, sending a white, cold shard into Wokapu’s abdomen.

 

“I am the ‘traitor’,” Niici said in an uncharacteristically low voice and saying that last word mockingly. Her voice sent as many chills up the back of Wokapu as there were through the front.

 

Wokapu had stepped off the metaphorical ledge, and was now floating in an abyss of stupor. He looked down to see a rather large icicle penetrating his stomach, red life fluid spilling out. And holding it was the girl he thought he had finally understood.

 

What did he understand about her? Apparently nothing… and yet he understood her as well as he understood himself. He then noticed a dark voice slithering into his ears, and peering its way into his heart.

 

“I took the money from your account,” Niici whispered, “I spread the news of your supposed betrayal to the rest of the Gentry. I made sure Ronkshou found out, and I made sure that he would kill you. I got everything right… except one”

 

A crimson puddle grew between the two Toa, and Wokapu’s mouth hung agape, as if he had given up and was about to relinquish his life, letting his soul escape through his mouth and into a more peaceful plane of existence.

 

Wokapu heard Niici’s words, but he still could not comprehend them. The quick-witted Toa’s mind had now slowed to a crawl, and he found it difficult to even form complete thoughts.

 

Indeed, the heart and the mind have a mutual dependency, shatter one, and the other will struggle to work normally.

 

Wokapu had not said a word thus far. No plea for mercy, no appeal to her morals. This should have made the act all the more easy. Instead, Wokapu’s silence made his elimination all the more painful. It was clear that the Toa of Air had not seen this coming – not in a million years. He was blinded by his infatuation, and with that gone, it seemed that Wokapu wasn’t anything at all.

 

This wasn’t a clean murder by any stretch; nothing romantic about it whatsoever. It was like most killings – an irrational response to something that you fear. Because of that, a scene of mutual confusion arose. At that instance, neither had a clue of what they were doing. Sure, they had goals, but their aspirations were hackneyed and clouded – like an endpoint with no path.

 

And so, Niici and Wokapu were here; one committing the act of murder, and the other accepting it, not with a sense of honor or nobility, but with cowardice and abulia.

 

 

Cowardice…

 

The word had spontaneously appeared in Wokapu’s mind, and it stung the Toa just as much now as it did when his sister carved it into the snow in the drifts. He had long ago resolved that he would never join “that fight” again, that he would never compromise more good people for a line of work that he proved amateur at. He had promised himself that he would never fight the Makuta.

 

However, another thought began to bubble up deep within Wokapu’s soul: what about himself? What about those whose darkness charged beyond that of the Makuta?

 

No, Wokapu thought, Nothing is darker than the Master of Shadows.

 

That was the truth, right? The vile acts that the villagers committed were the acts of Makuta. Everything evil was the Makuta, and everything good was Mata Nui.

 

No… that was wrong. Makuta is but a slaver and a conqueror who coveted his brother’s throne. Wickedness, that comes from within – the people themselves. And people were easy to beat… Wokapu spent much of his career defending his business rivals in the ore-mining industry. He didn’t have to take on the Makuta… not the Ultimate Evil… just the wicked villagers of the island.

 

Naturally, it was a person who was killing him now; not the Makuta… just some girl… who apparently has quite the list of issues.

 

More blood spilled out of his abdomen, and Wokapu felt his knees buckle and give way. In less than a second, Wokapu found himself slamming against the cold metallic floor, the ice shard still protruding from his lower torso.

 

“I can’t let you take this away from me,” Niici whispered, her once beautiful voice now as vile as a serial killer’s, “What I’ve been through, what I’ve put up with… I had to kill you. I’m just sad that I’m the one who had to do it”

 

Niici turned on her heel and walked out of the metallic chamber. Wokapu heard the deep, reverberating clang that signified that the safe door was shut and locked.

 

 

IC: Wokiya & Lekori -- Outside of the Sanctum

 

Wokiya looked around, bewildered. Wokapu really had ducked out without her. Blood began to boil inside her. She and Lekori followed the group outside, eager to hear more of this newcomer's story. As much as she was happy that Darien had found a part of his family that he thought he lost, Wokapu just getting up and leaving them unsettled her.

 

“Something’s not right here. I dunno – maybe I’m just paranoid…” Wokiya said while Darien and his sister momentarily ceased talking. She then threw her hands into the air in frustration, “Why would he just leave? I thought he had gotten over the whole keeping-secrets thing, but I guess not”

 

“Time is of the essence,” Lekori said, trying to calm down his friend, “Wokapu probably just wanted to hurry and include her in our plan while we paid our respects”

 

Wokiya grunted and looked in the direction of Niici’s house, an expression mixing a scowl with a look of worry.

Edited January 10, 2013 by Emzee

[EmperorWhenua]

Ic: "Well, we all have our priorities," Visenya said as she hugged Darien's left arm and rested her head on his shoulder. She may have gotten a brief rundown of the story up to the moment but without the strife and intrigue the rest of the team endured, the disappearance of Wokapu wasn't quite as bittersweet as it was to Wokiya.

 

The entire clan seemed to look in unison at Niici's house as if expecting Niici herself to come to the balcony and wave down at them with reassuring messages. "Wokapu is here and we are talking!" she would say. But no, the director did not step out and all they had to go on was Wokapu's disappearance from their midst and a destination.

 

"Well, we can't just go and visit them," Visenya said, "so let's stop worrying and do something! What do you like to do for fun, Wokiya?" Visenya's bubbling joy was still in stark contrast with the more somber company she was with, even when without the Sanctum.

Edited January 10, 2013 by Daenerys Targaryen

[Dapper-Sama]

[iC] Petorgas stepped out into the clearing. He had just recently gotten through the Fau Marsh, and was now moving north to the local city, Ko-Koro. Well, he had a long, long while to go. He started moving up the hills of snow and ice.

[ARROW404]

IC: Hjalmar

A large figure lumbered into Ko-Koro. Except it wasn't just one large figure, it was two smaller ones. One carrying the other. And the other left a thinning trail of blood behind it.

 

Hjalmar the Skakdi scanned the village, thick fingers buried in the fur of the Rahi on his back. It was quiet here. Virtually no sound other than the wind's breath. Good, that was the way he liked things. He wandered the village in the hopes that someone might want to buy some Crystal Climber teeth, or something like that.

 

OOC: Hjalmar open for interaction, peeps!

[Emzee]

IC: Wokiya & Lekori – Outside of the Sanctum

 

"Well, we can't just go and visit them," Visenya said, “so let's stop worrying and do something!”

 

Why not?! Wokiya thought in response, still worried and not at all happy that Wokapu was with Niici. The Toa of Ice just gave off some sort of vibe to Wokiya that Wokapu never picked up on and always vehemently denied whenever she brought it up to him. Some would say that Wokiya might have been overly protective -- an anomaly considering that she was Wokapu's responsibility. However, her brother didn't always make good decisions, and some of his decisions from his younger years almost radically changed how he would have become today.

 

That unless, until Wokiya decided to pay more attention to him than her own friends. Yes, everyone found that odd.

 

A little sister is not supposed to be so protective of their protector... but Wokapu and Wokiya were far from typical.

 

“What do you like to do for fun, Wokiya?” Visenya asked, breaking the Ga-Matoran’s train of thought.

 

“Uh, well…” Wokiya found herself stammering. All she had really been thinking about for the last few months was the insipid avarice of herself, her brother, and the rest of the Gentry, followed by simply staying alive. She had to think way back before all of that, back when she was considered the most beautiful Ga-Matoran on Mata Nui – resistible to no one. What did she do for fun back then?

 

“Shopped…,” Wokiya answered finally, “I just shopped for clothes at a store that only the most affluent can afford to step inside. Watched plays, attended concerts, get front row seats to Kolhii games…”

 

Wokiya felt worse with each activity she listed. Everything she had spent her life doing essentially boiled down to flaunting her wealth and doing things for the express pleasure of knowing that the 99 percent wouldn’t afford to join you.

 

“… honestly, none of that stuff is really fun, just exclusive and sophomoric,” Wokiya said solemnly, “What are princesses supposed to do for fun?”

 

IC: Wokapu – Inside a dense, metal safe – Niici’s Home

 

Once again, Wokapu lay dying with only the darkness to keep him company. How did this keep happening? Every time Wokapu tried to be the good guy, he failed, bringing danger to himself or to others.

 

Thoughts of Ra'lhen then coursed through Wokapu's mind, making him wince at the painful memory. At that moment, he remembered why he founded the Cultured Gentry, why he refused to continue taking up the helm and fighting to save the island. He remembered why he abandoned it all, and then had the nerve to build an alliance with the Master of Shadows.

 

Wokapu wasn't a hero. He wasn't destined to be a hero.

 

However, Wokapu couldn't consider himself a bad person. Wokiya, instead of casting him aside and staying with her friends and the social limelight, she abandoned it to give Wokapu all her attention in order to figure out why he had such... dark... troubles growing up.

 

Then, the day came when he was recruited to join the Toa Horo. Vo-Matoran Ra'lhen stood alongside a Toa who would later become a Turaga, beaming and extending his hand to the Le-Matoran, asking him to join his crew. Wokapu was shy at first, but his sister assured him that this was the path that he had to take. She didn't accept no for an answer, and neither did Wokapu's father for that matter.

 

His father's decision generally settled everything, despite the fact that he later would object to Wokapu being part of the Toa Horo. However, when Toa Ra'lhen was captured by the Makuta, and coerced into killing off anyone who tried to free him, including his own Toa team, Wokapu's father made the decision to start something new. Wokapu was to find a smarter way to help the Matoran while retaining the honor of his family.

 

And so he did.

 

No... Wokapu had to take responsibility. He had to be the good guy. Even if his "best" decisions were never his to begin with, and his own decisions often resulted in catastrophic fates, Wokapu had to try.

 

Wokapu looked up to see four figures in the distance, against the iron door of the safe. A Toa of Water, Toa of Ice, Toa of Gravity, and Toa of Plasma were smiling encouragingly at him -- the Ga-Toa was even nodding, as if you say, "Don't give up hope! You can do it!"

 

The Toa of Air's eyes narrowed with determination. Before, he had accepted his fate, long agreed that it wasn't his place to be a hero. But now, now Wokapu had resolve… he had determination… he had Willpower.

 

 

Wokapu would stop Niici, he would bring down the Gentry, and he would cast a brutal blow to the Makuta. He didn't care if he failed again. He would not let his sister down. Nothing would stop him from righting the wrong that he started.

 

Wokapu would join the fight. He would join not because of the Makuta, but because of Evil.

 

Keep the earth below my feet

From my sweat, my blood runs weak

Let me learn from where I have been

Keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn

Keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn

 

The Toa of Air clutched his stomach, and with all the strength of a hero, began to rise to his feet.

Edited January 11, 2013 by Emzee

[Snelly]

IC: Darien - Outside the Sanctum, Ko-koro -

 

"Actually, everything you mentioned sounds like the same kind of things Visenya used to do." Darien commented, looking thoughtful.

 

"And I agree, it doesn't sound very fun to me either." Darien said with a shrug.

 

Of course, Darien's idea of fun had always been fencing or sneaking out at the middle of the night and doing random acts of vigilante justice. Of course that had been before their father had died.

[EmperorWhenua]

Ic: "Mmhm! That's what princesses are supposed to do. And what I used to do," Visenya echoed. "Of course, times have changed. I can't call myself a princess, not anymore. In the months since the doom of our family I have adopted more simple things and recently started to play games -- backgammon being my favourite. I tried making a handful of widgets at a few parlours, places I wouldn't normally step in, but what's to hold me back now?" she explained.

 

"Have you ever gone to the arcade here, Wokiya?" she asked, curious as she pulled Darien and, as a result, away from the Sanctum and toards the game hall she visited before.

[Dapper-Sama]

[iC] Petorgas continued walking up the footpath, which was only distinguishable by a stone here and there. It was an overcast day, and-as always-it was snowing. He eyed a sign, one that read:

- ->

Yes. Petorgas thought. He was on the right path.

 

[OOC] Who wishes to interact with Petorgas?

Edited January 11, 2013 by Dude w/ a Hat

[ARROW404]

IC: Hjalmar

The Skakdi continued plodding through the village, the last drops of his hunt's blood stopped long before, and yet he didn't feel the weight of the Crystal Climber on his back.

 

OOC: Hjalmar's up for interacting with Petorgas once they're both in Ko.

Edited January 11, 2013 by Marius Pontmercy

[Dapper-Sama]

IC: Hjalmar

The Skakdi continued plodding through the village, the last drops of his hunt's blood stopped long before, and yet he didn't feel the weight of the Crystal Climber on his back.

 

OOC: Hjalmar's up for interacting with Petorgas once they're both in Ko.

[OOC] Thanks. I'll just assume you're in the village already.

 

[iC] Petorgas continued walking up the path, until he saw a familiar face. The massive sculpted Toa's head that marked the entrance into Ko-Koro...

 

[OOC] That's the entrance, right?

 

[iC] ..., was easily recognizable, as Petorgas had been here dozens of times before. He could take the Sanctuary Entrance(as he had done before), but the front gate was far more safe and convenient. He approached the large snow-covered sculpture, and walked through it's mouth.

 

There before him was Ko-Koro, in all it's cavernous, icy, freezing splendor.

[Light]

IC: I walked into Ihu myself, leaning against the tree.

[Flex Lord Splash]

IC: Lathon (Ihu-Koro)

 

"So where are the others?" he asked.

[ARROW404]

IC: HjalmarThe Skakdi couldn't help but notice the Vortixx entering the village. He looked like he could use some raw materials from the Rahi on Hjalmar's back. In the Shakdi's eyes, everyone could use raw materials from his hunt. And so he strode forwards, shifting his kill so as to flaunt the armor and pelt on its back, "Hey!" He called out, "Need some metal? Fur? Leather?"

[Emzee]

IC: Wokiya – a few meters away from the Sanctum entrance – Ko-Koro

 

The wealthy Ga-Matoran had been to practically every venue in Ko-Koro, and the game hall was nothing new to her. She had made plenty of appearances there.

 

That’s when she realized that she had never played a single game over there. Just walked around and increased business to the arcades just by wearing her best outfit and acting like she was having fun playing with the “little people”.

 

Wokiya stifled a shudder at how she looked at the world back then. Was she really that egocentric all those years ago?

 

Visenya seemed excited about it though, and it probably did help to cool off and think about something else.

 

“I have,” Wokiya answered, “It’s quite the site. There’s very little that you can’t do. I… don’t really know how to play backgammon or any of those games though. I mostly just… got paid to grace people with my presence”

 

She rubbed her left arm in nervousness.

 

“It was as bad as it sounded,” Wokiya remarked with a snarky tone.

[Hanako Herupa]

IC: (Alrin)

 

It was a silent trip to Kai's execution. Our prisoner didn't say a word, he didn't put up a fight. Quite simply there was no struggle. To my fellows in the Sanctum Guard it must have looked like he had silently accepted his death. I knew better, after all this was my plan.

 

We reached the room in about twenty minutes I opened the door and the two guards lead Kai inside, strapping him to the gurney, since he would be carted off to be cremated anyways. There was no need for theatrics behind closed doors. No need to prove to the public that justice had been served. The room was white and silver, clean and in a way peaceful. Much like our executions a simple injection and the body just shut down and our criminals...they just slipped away. While the matoran doctor conversed with the Toa and the Skakdi I quickly replaced the syringe with my own.

 

"You know I get the feeling the public would have liked to see him die," One of the Sanctum Guards said, the Toa to be exact.

 

"Maybe, I doubt that though," I replied as I turned to the doctor, eyebrow raised. "Are you ready doctor?"

 

"Yes," He replied coldly, it wasn't hostile, it was just his nature. When your job was effectively being an executioner you needed to be emotionally detached. You need to understand to pull that trigger, to swing that sword. He took Kai's wrist, and pierced his skin with the needle, the contents of the syringe entering his bloodstream.

 

Kai's chest rose and fell, each time get slower and slower. Each time my fellows becoming more and more convinced these were the last moments of Kai.

 

When it was clear that Kai was "dead" the doctor announced the time of death. My men said nothing and I, I walked behind the gurney.

 

"I'm ordering you three to take some time off. We've had a difficult day to say the least, witnessing an execution can take a lot out of you, emotionally and physically. I'll take Kai to the crematorium," I received nods of acknowledgement, nothing more. I sighed as I pushed Kai to his next destination.

 

We had recieved news of Nuju's death, it was a blow to all of us and yet I felt nothing. People die, it was just something I got used to. Even the death of some beloved by many, a Turaga.

 

I grabbed a bag of gear, Kai's gear to be exact and another bag, some gear that I had grabbed, nothing issued by the Sanctum Guard since I knew that I would be giving that all back. The last step of this escape plan was coming up, the act, nearly finished.

[Dapper-Sama]

[iC] A Skadi huntsman walked up the path in his direction, proposing handouts. "Well, sure. I don't see the harm in it." Petorgas said. He handed the hunter some widgets.

[ARROW404]

IC: HjalmarThe Skakdi's eyebrows rose, surprised at how easy that was. But truth be told, he wasn't totally sure how transactions worked. He looked at the widgets, "How much would this buy...?" He mused, dropping the Rahi. "Alright, this could take a bit." Sti wondering about the widgets, he dug his clawed gauntlets into the Rahi's armor, and with a mighty flex of his wilderness-hardened muscles, tore off its external armor. Setting that aside, he carefully peeled a section of its fur off before ripping the rest off its back with a quick tug, revealing more mechanics and bare, pink skin beneath. He brandished the gleaming black fur before setting it on the snow. With a proud grin, he waved his arms at the products of his work. "Metal, fur or both? The fur will have to be cured before it can be properly used, mind you. It's still fresh."His silly pride masked the embarrassment of the situation. He figured he'd get better if he did it more often.

[Emzee]

IC: Niici – Niici’s Home – Ko-Koro

 

“Dear Spirit, what do I do?”

 

Niici cradled her head in her hands as she sat at her finely carved kitchen table. Wokapu was eliminated, but this whole plan was concocted with the express purpose to avoid getting blood on her hands. Wherever Wokapu was, Wokiya was never too far behind. It would only be a matter of time before she came a-knocking.

 

Niici then picked her head up and leaned back in her chair, breathing jaggedly from the stress of unanticipated murder.

 

If Niici simply accepted the inevitable, then she had more time than she originally thought.

 

Yes, Wokiya would come, as would this ‘Darien’, ‘Lekori’, and ‘Visenya’. Lekori was a trained fighter, and Wokiya came from a family of generals and soldiers. Mix that with the two Toa and Niici soon realized that she couldn’t take them all down herself -- not without drawing unwanted attention.

 

The Toa of Ice rose from her kitchen table and walked briskly to her office. After feverishly opening one of the drawers and taking out several large pieces of parchment, Niici began to scribble down the physical description of Wokapu. After writing down some basic stats, Niici began to sketch the Toa to the best of her ability. She knew of a media service that would duplicate and release dozens of nicer-looking fliers on her behalf. Right now, she simply had to prepare.

 

After about half an hour, Niici set her stationery down and picked up the parchment, sweat beading on her forehead from the intense scribbling and anxiety. Before her was the bounty sheet for Wokapu.

 

Now, it was time to start on the others. Niici knew of Wokiya and Lekori already, but only once their group arrived would she have the visuals of Darien and Visenya that she needed.

[Dapper-Sama]

[iC] "All of the above, my good kinsman." Petorgas responded. He opened up his meticulously organized satchel, and pulled out 4,200 more Widgets(most of his earnings.). "Say, is there any meat on those bones?" He inquired.

Edited January 15, 2013 by Dude w/ a Hat

[ARROW404]

IC: HjalmarThe Vortixx's use of the word "kinsman" confused him. That was what Ice Skakdi had called each other back home. Well, whatever. "Sure is. I was figuring I'd eat it myself, but there's enough to spare." That Crystal climber wasn't big by Rahi standards, but they were larger than Matoran, with densely packed muscles.

[Dapper-Sama]

[iC] "Ah, thanks. I, personally, am amazed that you would show such kindness to a random stranger. I will purchase some supplies in a few days, and repay this debt. It's much appreciated." Petorgas said. "In fact, I'll be right back." He added. He entered the nearest store, and bought a beverage for 24 Widgets. He returned to the kind Skadi hunter and tossed him the drink.

[ARROW404]

IC: HjalmarThe Skakdi was surprised at the stranger's kindness too. This one was full of surprises. "Think nothing of it," he said uncertainly, taking the drink, "I can always catch more. Crystal Climbers can keep me for about tree days." He uncorked the bottle and sniffed it, "What'd you get me?" He hoped it was mead or something similar.

[Visaru]

IC- Alyo - Outside Sanctum

 

 

Alyo walked down the steps of the Sanctum, still upset by the loss of Turaga Nuju.

He flicked open his portable sundial and let it rest on a nearby bench, checking the time. Two-thirty. Still afternoon.

He scratched the back of his head. Now that the initial novelty of being a part of the Cultured Gentry and getting a private letter from Ambages had worn off, he was trying to get business back to normal. Papers to sign, contracts to get ready, a dead delivery girl to worry about…

He shook his head. Not to mention his Cultured Gentry duties had caused him to miss a meeting with that Mafia guy. Alyo couldn’t place a name, for the individual kept changing it to keep his anonymity. He had even got by the boring, obvious title ‘The Mafia’ at one point. An impossible person to track. His illegal business was equally important to Alyo’s legitimate one, and the buisnessman really needed a way to contact him- a need that could not be fulfilled.

And when was Ambages going to show up?

Alyo pocketed his sundial and walked down the street, head bowed, absorbed in his many worries.

[EmperorWhenua]

Ic: Visenya led the way to the arcade with dignity, Darien beside her and Wokiya close behind with Lekori. She heard the Ga-Matoran speak of her former life as an upper class baby, recalling how she was when things seemed like they would never change.

 

“I have,” Wokiya answered, “It’s quite the site. There’s very little that you can’t do. I… don’t really know how to play backgammon or any of those games though. I mostly just… got paid to grace people with my presence.” She rubbed her left arm in nervousness. “It was as bad as it sounded,” Wokiya remarked with a snarky tone.

 

"That all sounds very familiar," Visenya chimed in recognition. "As princess of Ta-Koro, I had to fill in some of the gaps left when my mother vanished..." she trailed off. "But that's the past, for you and I, Wokiya," she said as Darien opened the door for the entourage and Visenya entered.

 

All around her were games of all kinds, machines that churned out trinkets and tabletop games that cost just a widget to operate. There were a few people already in the place, playing dice and card games in a few places. It pleased Visenya how this establishment wasn't there to break dreams or even raise them; there was no gambling here, just fun. "Hey, let's all play foosball over there. Teams of two?" she said with a wry grin.

 

• • • • •

 

It was afternoon when the dikapi steed faithfully brought Ambages to the gates of Ko-Koro and he reluctantly let the mount go free before entering the town, though not without handing it an apple. The architect finally returned to the city, his city, the city of dreams. His dreams. A light snow descended into the town as it always did and he shivered under his heavy coat and walked through the gates of Ko-Koro. The dikapi came up behind him and bolted ahead into the streets, likely looking for a new owner. Ambages couldn't blame it.

 

He walked with brisk purpose over the chasms and gazed over to the Sanctum, where people still prayed and spoke in honor of Turaga Nuju's long life. He narrowed his eyes and focused his eyepiece at the sight of a familiar person. "Hey, Alyo!" he shouted. The holler was deafeningly loud for the softspoken matoran who already had hearing that could put an owl to shame, but it got across. He waved his arm about to get Alyo's attention and continued his walk to the other Gentryman.

 

"Hello," he said as they came close and he shook his hand firmly. "A pleasure to meet you again." A charming smile, a disarming glance. Alyo expressed his desire to meet him likewise and Ambages apologized for the delay. "I'm awfully sorry for taking so long, even more so if you waited since the last meeting in Le-Koro. ... You did? Oh my, I'm terribly disgraced for it. It almost makes me feel worse to say this but if you could wait just a little while longer I would appreciate it. I must wash and prepare myself for our meeting. In the meantime, though, how about you try old Rhanus' inn? I have a good stake in the business myself so I made sure it's top-notch. Tell Rhanus it's on me tonight, okay? When you're finished, come to my home and we can talk privately there."

 

They agreed to meet again in a couple hours and Ambages walked away. What great luck, he realized, that Alyo had not only been waiting all the while but had been there for Ambages to scream his name out. Anyone watching, either in Niici's employ or with another party, would have taken note of the uncharacteristic holler and all-smiles encounter. Alyo hadn't even sat down for coffee with Ambages and the framing was already in progress. As they parted ways, Ambages smiled to himself contentedly and walked to his apartments.

 

Not too long after he was showering under a hot stream of water, thinking of the dialogue he would use with his next conversation. This would be it, and with enough luck he would have it all ready before the Gentry meeting coming just around the corner.

 

Ooc: Okay, sooooo sorry for the delay, Visaru, but go ahead and have Alyo knock on the door now.

[sunflower]

IC:

 

The caressing touch of the algid mountain air, its eddies swirling around taunt membranes, gathering in dips, whistling past peaks. It bit at sharp edges, lightly kissed soft curves. It drained opposition of strength, while revitalizing allies with refreshing clarity. The frostic chill was eternal in its journey, relentless and single-minded. It brought blanketing cold, archaic storms of turmoil that devoured entire landscapes in smothering whiteness. It was an ancient force to be respected, but also admired.

 

Sunlight gleamed through crystals of ice suspended within, each unique and as numerous as the stars in the sky, the refracted light giving it a soft prismatic glow. It could be blinding, but it was also beautiful. A thunderous sound echoed through the air, like the beat of a giant's heart, pushing through the swirling pockets of ice and snow, resounding through the jagged mountains. A massive downdraft blasted the top layer of snow off the highest peaks, creating a brilliant plume of frozen mist and snow. Another sound, another plume of snow, and then silence.

 

A shadow fell over the white drifts below, flowing over vast ice caverns and slipping around the sky-piercing mountains. Brilliant, glittering scales shone in the sky like condensed starlight, painting nearby slopes with whites and blues. Two ancient orbs of liquid ice studied the ground below, while serrated teeth glinted from inside maw. Taunt muscles curled under a hide of glittering armor inside a corded neck, frosty wind clipped the tips of wings that glided on the morning light. Cold curled around rows of jagged spikes, releasing in eddies at the tip of a long tail.

 

Thump.

 

A beat of huge wings sent a blast of icy air downward.

 

Thump.

 

A hum of pleasure reverberated from deep within a corded body.

 

Thump.

 

Claws the size of daggers curled tightly.

 

Thump.

 

It was a wonder that lesser beings did not fly as well, feel the thrill of the whistling wind, the comfort of floating on air. Strange, it had been many... years, did they call it? Since this one had made its way over this area. Time was kept track of different here, the ones-without-wings did not use the advance and retreat of the ice to measure time, rather the cycle of the suns and moon. What a horribly bleak and ephemeral existence to measure one's days such as that.

 

A dark shadow passed over the village of ice known as Ko-Koro, blotting out the light of one of the morning suns, before descending on glittering wings towards the village. The massive form landed with a thud on one of the larger buildings, the brilliant wings folding against a muscled back, while claws scraped against the icy roof. A roar of pure enjoyment of the flight was let loose from the maw of teeth, announcing its presence to the village.

 

As it was, a creature of myth just landed on the roof of the Sanctum, in full view to all.

 

OOC: hi guys

 

hope you don't mind me dropping in

 

Soooooo

 

stoked

[Dapper-Sama]

[iC] "A wine. Or something." Peorgas answered the friendly huntsman's question. "Say, what's your name?" He asked.

[ARROW404]

IC: HjalmarThe Skakdi was about to answer, but was cut off by a roar. Whirling around to see what had made the noise, his eyes widened, looking almost as if they would pop out of his head. Could it be? "A... DRAGON?" A ravenous smile took the warrior's face, showing his mouth full of jagged teeth.

[Constructelf]

IC ThliverosShocked by the loud roar, Thliveros rudely interupted the funeral by dashing out. Turning to face the Sanctum, his eyes widened. "A dragon?" he said in confusion. "Okay," he thought. "First, let's see if this thing is capable of speechh. And friendly." "Good day sir!" he yelled even as he thought "Why a.m I talking to a rahi?"

[otter]

IC-Aclaraung:

 

Aclaraung, having recently come from the barren wastes of Onu-Wahi, was astounded by a singularly unexpected sight: another being such as him, just barely any larger than he was. His age-dimmed eyes viewed the new creature as it flew for the Sanctum, alighting atop it. And almost instantly various beings began to lend it their attention...and likely not in a friendly manner.

 

Boredly, Aclaraung drew himself aloft, flying over to the Sanctum as well-there was room for the both of them, what with how it had been repaired after recent events. So he landed next to the new creature, looking at it with a rather skeptical eye. Down below, he heard other beings shouting at him and it, and so he responded.

 

"Quiet, child," he said to Thliveros, before setting an eye on Hjalmar. His own eyes narrowed, an evident appearance of hostility, an unspoken warning being sent to the Skakdi, before Aclaraung turned back to the large draconic being beside him.

 

His eyes, still narrowed, appraised the being. Icy blue scales gleaming in the light of the cold sun, snow seeming to drop with every movement of the creature's muscles. A large, slightly blunt maw, filled to the brim with menacing teeth, not unlike, Aclaraung noted, his own. The eyes were dimmed and smoothed with age, though they had not yet acquired the dignity of Aclaraung's wisdom. The wings were of a translucent blue, opposite to Aclaraung's maroon-coloured wing flesh, and a Pakari-shaped Kanohi sat like a crown upon the being's head-this, Aclaraung did not share.

 

However, there were striking similarities to him, and moreso, to somebody that he had known many years ago...more than most beings on this island would have recorded.

 

"I was not aware," he said quietly, likely only now drawing the other being's full attention, "That any of my children had survived the first years of exile. You, however, seem to be descended from them."

Edited January 15, 2013 by The Otter

[ARROW404]

IC: Hjalmar

The warrior's eyes (and smile) widened as the second dragon descended, and only got bigger when faced by its glare. "Rithorak," he said breathlessly, "To think there were any on this island..." He turned halfway to his Vortixx friend and downed half the bottle before shooting him a much smaller grin, "Too fruity for my tongue, but it's been too long since I've had good ol' alcohol pumping through these veins." He pocketed the Vortixx's widgets, "Take the whole Rahi if you want, this day's good enough to merit some extra generosity."

 

Downing the rest of the bottle, he stepped closer to the beasts to listen in, never losing his enthusiastic grin. As much as he loved a good fight, the Rithorak weren't hurting anyone.

[Visaru]

IC- Alyo - Ambages' apartment

 

 

Alyo walked briskly through the freezing streets of his home.

 

He was excited, for after all this time, Ambages had finally arrived.

 

Why did the De-Matoran want him? Why had Ambages waited so long before meeting with him? And what was so important that they had to meet in private, away from the Cultured Gentry?

 

Alyo could only conclude that Ambages was up to something. He didn’t know what, or why, or what his goals were, but Alyo had experienced and become part of enough intrigue and shady dealings to suppose that Ambages had some secret illegal plot to get money, power, or tools to gain money or power.

 

He wondered if he was to become part of it, and what Ambages would offer and why Ambages wanted him.

 

He turned off the street and walked to the door of Ambages’ expensive apartment. He paused he brush himself off, make sure he looked respectable, then rapped smarty thrice on the door.

 

He waited, filled with excitement.

[BenLuke]

IC: Kethrye (From Le-Wahi) -

 

As the herd of charging bison that bore the ILF team came to the where the great glaciers of Ko-Wahi began, most of the Kane-Ra broke from the stampede and scattered for Mata-Nui knew where, and soon only the ones being used as mounts remained. The Kane-Ra attempted to break free, but they were tired from ours of running and the beings riding on their backs soon prodded them back in the proper direction.

 

Kethrye's gaze took in the sweeping vistas surrounding them and almost felt his heavy heart lighten. He wished it really was leisure that had brought them back to his homeland, his last visit had hardly been a pleasant one, and he hoped that this own might be different.

 

Pfft, as if, he thought, turning his head back to the others. Ko-Koro was only a short while off by this point, and he need to brief the rest of them on what they aimed to accomplish there.

 

"Okay, listen, our mission in Ko-Koro is two sided," said Kethrye. "One, we're here to investigate the scene of Turaga Nuju's muderer, see what clues the guards have turned up and whether they've missed any. Second, we're here to break into Ambages's abode, see if he's been lax enough to leave any incriminating evidence lying around and arrest him assuming he's not hiding in some great-beingforsaken hole on the other end of the island

 

The ILF leader turned back to the way ahead of them."That clear, everyone?"

Edited January 15, 2013 by Javert

[Visaru]

IC- Verak - ILF

 

Verak raised his hand. "Hey! I'm still here!" he grinned. "Two things: why is Nuju dead and who is Ambages? Such a strange name."

 

He grinned at the men around him. "Don't look at me like that- Of course I'm goin' with ye to investigate a murder and break into a rich guy's house! How much more fun can ye have in a Koro?"

 

He spoke the truth. For lack of a better thing to do, he had been riding with the Island Liberation Squad for hours, enjoying trying to tame his angry Kane-Ra and enjoying the mere idea that he was riding with a small regiment of righteous Toa-heores. Whatever they were doing, it was more fun that doing nothing in the jungle.

[Constructelf]

IC Genno*faceground*.Genno too had been tagging along. He had nothing elsebetter to do, and besides, with Ril gone, SOMEBODY had to make sure that Peho didn't get into trouble. "Your approach of the matter is... well, not that appropriate for a situation like this," Genno said. "But yeah, I've just been tagging along to make sure Peho doesn't get into trouble-me and Ril were helping him out; what's going on?"IC Genno*faceground*.Genno too had been tagging along. He had nothing elsebetter to do, and besides, with Ril gone, SOMEBODY had to make sure that Peho didn't get into trouble. "Your approach of the matter is... well, not that appropriate for a situation like this," Genno said. "But yeah, I've just been tagging along to make sure Peho doesn't get into trouble-me and Ril were helping him out; what's going on?"

[Dapper-Sama]

[iC] A massive, winged beast was floating above the village, issuing a gentle roar every now and then. "Magnificent..." Petorgas whispered to himself. He looked down at his gifts. "Well then. This'll be difficult to move."