Bzprpg - Kumu Islets

[Tabby: Toa of Cats]

IC: Vilor looked annoyed and mad. That wasn't at all atypical, of course, but today there was a valid reason for it. He was trying to solve a perplexing problem. For the longest time, the Black Inferno had been on a closed recruitment policy. This ensured that only the best of the best worked for him. But recent recruiting efforts had been failures, and betrayals had reduced their numbers as well. Ziraul had failed his attempt to recruit an elite Kakama squad and several other Toa, and Tirax had gotten into a dispute with his brother. The only advantage this gave him was that he would not have to bend the morals of these Toa to his will, and from what Ziraul had sent word of, they happened to be very devoted to the Toa Code, especially this Miraul in paticular. At least, this gave him grounds to torture Ziraul and Tirax for some time-not that Vilor often bothered with grounds for such anyways. Perhaps worse was the recent defection of Dovorachk. One of his best marksmen, the Toa of Gravity had been useful. He would pay the price of death for his crimes. But not until he could be located. The Toa who had brought him to serve Mata Nui, Cyclonis, would pay the same price. One of his three elite had already been lost to that Toa of Gravity. However, now shorthanded on "employees", Vilor was forced to consider open trails.It might not produce anything, but Vilor's need for new criminals to expand the enterprise prompted him to consider this for the first time in a while. Eventually, he made up his mind. Open trials would be held near Xa-Koro. Summoning Takari and Makkan, he issued his orders. Several hours were spent drafting up posters. Takari and Makkan were dispatched to Xa-Koro and the rest of Koros to deliver them. They read as follows:

Now Recruiting

The Black Inferno

Hate Makuta?

Looking for profit?

Want to cause destruction?

On the run from the law?

The Black Inferno may be for you. Open trails will be held on the beach south of Xa-Koro.

All welcome. Specially seeking Kakama wearers, Toa of Lightning with Kanohi Matatu.

A short trip by boat later, Vilor and Matatu arrived on the beach south of Xa-Koro. They were ready for whoever might come their way.OOC: Posters now up in Xa-Koro. Takari, Makkan, now dispatched to all koros to place posters.

[a goose]

IC: Xylak & Reichenbach"Seeing how happy you all are to have me here, I think I might just take my leave." Xylak patted the (still under attack) Kinika on the back and walked away. "Oh brother dear, I'd like to report an assault on my person.""Get a life, Xylak." Reichenbach hissed, before calling over two large Skakdi of Magnetism who approached Kinika, just as Xylak finally finished with his attack -- and he was now far enough away that it would take a lot of strain to even find him in order to attack him."Oh, and I would like you to pay for a new set of armour."Reichenbach glared at Xylak, before calling over an employee to repair the damage. "The only reason I'm on your side is that I am required, by policy, to be. Not only did you act in self-defence, you didn't do any permanent damage. But believe me, under any other circumstances--""I know, Trikey, we've had this same conversation almost every other time I've been here." Xylak sighed."Funny, that."Instead of answering, Xylak simply walked away -- he didn't have the time or patience to put up with his brother right then.Instead, he sat down at the bar, picking the perfect seat from which to see almost everywhere on the floor, and tried to pick out that Toa of Iron he'd seen earlier. Not the violent one, the handsome one.

[Let's Henshin!]

IC: SevHowever as Dorian exited his room, he found a sight he probably was at the very least annoyed at by now, it was Sev, his cocky grin still resting on his face. "Well, that was interestin', do ya do that to all the girls ya meet or jus' those ya find weak." He shrugged, "Not that it matters, I needed to know if there was anythin' in particular ya needed me to check out. Also tha' Toa I was speakin' to he appears to be naturally suspicious of folks, somethin' we can probably use to our advantage."

[shadow pridak money gang]

IC: Dorian (The Final Problem, Xa-Koro)"Alright, listen, I need you to do me a favor. There's a girl in my villa - yes, she's alive, stop looking at me like that - that is pretty obsessed with me, and I need her to stay off me until the heist starts. She's the mark's first cousin, and she has unique knowledge of the vault and how to get in. But I need you to keep her off my tail while I finish up running recon. You cool with that?"Without waiting for a legitimate reply, I began to walk back to the casino floor when Sev cleared his throat."Uh, kid...ya' got somethin' on yer lip..." he said, and my hand instinctively moved to my mouth, where a trickle of blood ran steadily down towards my chin. I pushed it onto my fingertip and winked at Sev, giving him a finger gun with the bloody appendage before slurping it like pasta sauce and spinning around, humming to myself. About a minute or two later, I was on the casino floor, and who did I see but..."Hey! You! Heyyy there!" I yelled, grinning at Reichenbach and walking over. "Just the casino mogul I was looking to see. Uh, if it's not too much trouble...mind if I lodge a complaint?"-Teezy

[a goose]

IC: XylakThere!He spotted Dorian, approaching Reichenbach, and began walking forwards, just enough to be able to hear the conversation without being noticed. This will be good...IC: ReichenbachReichenbach turned, and frowned at Dorian. "What about?"

[shadow pridak money gang]

IC: Dorian (The Final Problem, Xa-Koro)"Um..." I said, casting glances around and looking for all the world like a confused young man who was about to admit something I would rather die than confess. "I kind of got lost on the way to the bathroom earlier, and when I found it...well, I was just wondering if you could try and post signs or something directing patrons to the restrooms, as well as signs saying which restroom is which. I kind of walked into the women's room and I...well...yeah."This was too easy; Reichenbach appeared to be drinking in my words, and he had an eager smile that practically screamed he'd love to help me, among other things. Perfect.-Teezy

[a goose]

IC: XylakThis does not seem like the chap I saw earlier at the poker table...IC: Reichenbach"I'm sure I could get one of my employees to take care of that for you." Reichenbach grinned.

[Riisiing Moon]

IC--Beast [Final Problem]Beast stood leaning against a counter across from Dorian as the Toa strode lazily past, an amused smirk spattered across his face. He strut over beside Reichenbach. "Your system here's far beyond the legality it should be at."He gazed knowingly at Dorian--the Toa may have been a clever criminal, but in terms of years Beast knew himself to be the wiser. He had his morals and experience. Still, though, this Dorian character was utterly...fascinating. Intriguing.

[shadow pridak money gang]

IC: Dorian (The Final Problem, Xa-Koro)"Thanks, broseph. I mean, there was this old lady in there, and...yeeeeesh," I said, shuddering and grinning like a parent watching his kid graduate. "Remind me never to get old, will ya? All the...wrinkles."Hey, look. Beast. That was interesting; the guy had caught my eye earlier, and he certainly looked like the criminal type. He could come in handy sooner or later. Maybe I'd start recruiting him later...-Teezy

[a goose]

IC: ReichenbachReichenbach nodded, before turning to Beast. "Legality and Xa-Koro--"IC: Xylak"He's a mafia boss hanging out in Xa-Koro for kicks, I hardly think this is the most illegal thing he's done in his career." Xylak smirked, speaking slightly louder than normal, just to make sure that Dorian and Beast heard his words clearly.

[shadow pridak money gang]

IC: Dorian (The Final Problem, Xa-Koro)I turned to look at the newcomer, a perfect little "o" of surprise on my face. Wow, this guy was handsome. Not Dor level, not Shadow Toa level, but...good looking in his own right."Wow, man, that's a real accusation to make..." I murmured, even if I knew entirely too well it was true.-Teezy

[a goose]

IC: Reichenbach & Xylak"Don't mind him," Reichenbach sighed; "He's just a local drunk, he comes in ever now and the to--""That's no way to speak about family." Xylak pouted."Stir up trouble." Reichenbach hissed."I don't 'stir up trouble'. Other people stir up trouble when they get bored, and my attitude makes me a target.""You know full well that there have been very few fights in here that weren't your fault, Xylak.""Just because some people don't appreciate my keen wit and sharp sense of humour doesn't make me a fire-starter. That pyromaniacal position is reserved for the arsonist in our little circle." Xylak grinned at Reichenbach, completely aware that he was getting on the other Toa's nerves. "Now, I'm off to chat up your staff. Ciao."

[Riisiing Moon]

IC--Beast [Final Problem]Beast raised an eyebrow. He was in the mood to push some buttons and pull some strings. To irritate any simple machine, really. "Looks like there's some bad blood in the family. At least you're the one who owns the casino and he's the one attached to the beer."

[a goose]

IC: Reichenbach"You have no idea.."IC: Xylak"Also, for the record, I'm not actually a drunkard. That's what he tells other people to hide the fact that I'm more intelligent than he could ever imagine." Xylak added, walking away slowly, almost as if he was expecting to be followed.

[Let's Henshin!]

IC: SevSev shrugged as Dorian left, time to find this friend of his. He thought as he walked towards the villa, stopping before he reached it. Going on, or being to close to it would just arose suspicion. Sev had a different plan in mind, instead he walked a little bit away from the direct line of sight from the door. When the girl walked out she would find that some clumsy oaf would happen to bump into her. Said clumsy oaf, was Sev.

[shadow pridak money gang]

IC: Dorian (The Final Problem, Xa-Koro)"Uh...sooooo."Good Lord, this was awkward. Watching the two brothers go at it had made me realize that meanwhile, back at the ranch, Bad Company was probably on the edge of civil war. Sev was tailing Nikarra, I was standing here like a statue waiting for something to happen, and Grokk...well, sending Sev in to interrupt Grokk during playtime would be neverending laughs, but the problem was, Sev was needed alive. And Grokk was needed out of handcuffs. So that was out of the plan. Well, I'd figure something out later. For now, I might as well let everyone know the plan was on...I blew a kiss at Reichenbach and said I was gonna go and send a letter back home real quick before walking outside of the Final Problem and leaning against the front wall of the casino. I could already feel the decadence rolling off me, slinking back under the door like a beaten pet, awaiting judgement from its master; I lit up a cigarette to calm my rapidly fraying nerves as I began to write the letter, and as I began to think over what I wanted to include, I couldn't help but let out a sigh. Things had gotten out of hand, what with Nikarra, Naara, Vospula, and Grokk. Especially Grokk. I hadn't expected them to cut the scouting portion of the mission this close...Daddy Dearest,We have the reservations at the casino finished up and ready for you to look over them. Just waiting on the rest of the family so we can start the reunion. G and I miss you, hope to see you tonight.-Prodigal SonI sealed the envelope and put it into the mouth of a waiting Dikapi, who scampered off towards the bunker as I took the cigarette and rolled it around my hand before taking a drag and sighing again. For better or for worse, this started in the next twelve, maybe eighteen hours if we managed to get themselves together. Heck, any minute now, people could start popping up. Here's hoping that the rest of the team realizes that the money isn't the prime objective here, because I'm not willing to die for the greed of any one man. But hey. Maybe I was just being cynical: maybe the rest of the team did have their priorities in line. After all, it's not like they'd all get greedy. I could count on Illicia, at least, to stick with Brykon. She'd do anything for me.With that slight comfort in mind, I went inside and began to brainstorm on how to get Grokk out of his little stupor...-Teezy

Edited August 10, 2012 by Tyler Durden

[Relapse]

IC - Kinika - The Final ProblemKinika looked back at the two Skakdi approaching him. In his honest opinion, they were infinitely better company than the obnoxious Toa of sound, and even a bit prettier. One of them gruffly slammed him on the shoulder. It was literally a half-second before he grabbed the Skakdi's arm and slammed a conjured metal spike into his eye before he could even react. The other threw a punch at his face, but he caught it with such supernatural strength that the bones sliced out. He drew out the spike and slashed it into his opponent's temple.Sitting down as if nothing had happened, he tossed out three blood-stained jacks.

[Eyru]

IC (Ketan)The boat drifted into the harbour, propelled more now by its occupants and thier elemental powers than its motor. It slid through the water, coming to rest in an empty berth with hardly a bump.The two Toa got out of the waterborne vehicle, stepping onto the wooden docks of Xa-koro. They began to walk down the dock, towards the town, when a harried-looking Toa approached them, clutching a tablet."The price is five widgets for the night," he began without preamble. "And-""I'm not interested in your money," Ketan interrupted. "That is, my money, as it is mine and will remain mine."The pair walked past the Toa, who turned and looked at their retreating backs with an annoyed look. "I'll report you!" he shouted. "You won't be seeing your boat again!"Ketan ignored him, instead muttering to Baruk, "Someone is always trying to establish order on these isles, but it's doomed to fail; those who live here do so mostly because they are already in trouble with the law."The Toa of air and gravity entered the main street of the harbour city, bustling and filled with noise and crowds and foreign aromas. Streetside vendors cried their wares, and strains of music and racous laughter drifted out of open doorways and windows. Xa-Koro was full of life, though perhaps not the most honest life.After a few minutes of walking, Ketan turned and entered a bar, a weatherbeaten sign on the outside proclaiming it "The Black Muaka". He found a table inside, at which both he and his companion sat down. The Toa of air ordered a drink, and settled into his seat.He glanced at the Toa of gravity, knowing his question before he asked it. "Now, we wait," Ketan said softly.

[a goose]

IC: Xylak"Did you enjoy the show?" Xylak asked, now leaning against a wall just inside the entrance of the casino. He had, of course, been waiting for Dorian to come back in.

[shadow pridak money gang]

IC: Dorian (The Final Problem, Xa-Koro)I turned to look at Xylak as he spoke to me, and I rolled my cigarette absently around my fingers as I took a second to get a judge of his character. Handsome, from the looks of it, but not much else: this was no Hiemalis, no Naara, no Shadow Toa, no mystery or enigma I would have to spend my time puzzling over. A schemer, perhaps, but not one used to fighting at the head of his legions. This guy was a puppet master. I might as well at least pretend that he was stringing me along; maybe it would lull him into a sense of security."The show was cool until the intermission," I noted, taking a drag on my cigarette and giving him a pearly white grin; sure enough, even this Toa was unaccustomed to a guy like me giving such a full look of happiness, and his steady smirk slowly evolved into a small, if begrudging, smile. "The supporting actors weren't the greatest, drinks were cheap, and don't even get me started on the script."-Teezy

[a goose]

IC: Xylak"It was very ad lib." Xylak noted, nodding slightly. "Still, I get some small fun from taunting him. The name's Xylak."

[shadow pridak money gang]

IC: Dorian (The Final Problem, Xa-Koro)"Interesting," I said, leaning back and taking a drag as I watched the seat Reichenbach had filled just minutes earlier; of course, this guy was anything but interesting, but I'd play along with his little game. For now. I didn't bother offering him my name: if he didn't know it, he didn't need to.-Teezy

[a goose]

IC: XylakXylak noted Dorian's reluctance to give his own name. "Might I ask what your business here is?"

[shadow pridak money gang]

IC: Dorian (The Final Problem, Xa-Koro)A little fwip resonated through the air as I demolished the cig with a quick iron dart."You can ask, sure," I replied easily, sitting down in one of the chairs of the casino lounge and watching a guy start to go to town on a slot machine that had eaten up his widgets. "I'm on vacation."-Teezy

[a goose]

IC: XylakXylak grabbed a chair of his own. "I see. And why would you choose here of all places to have a vacation?"

[shadow pridak money gang]

IC: Dorian (The Final Problem, Xa-Koro)"Because here, people are generally left alone," I laughed, and though the sound was one of merriment and goodwill, my eyes glinted in slight annoyance as I noncommittally jerked my head over at the poker table where I had been sitting at an hour earlier; specifically, my eyes met the chair of Kinika, the mad as a hatter Toa of Iron who was as unstable as a one-legged table and not half as well put together. "That kind of atmosphere comes in useful around people like...that."-Teezy

[a goose]

IC: XylakXylak followed Dorian's eyes to where Kinika sat. "I wouldn't enjoy being in his company for much longer than I was. He tried to kill me. I know a lot of people who would be happy if he succeeded, though."

[shadow pridak money gang]

IC: Dorian (The Final Problem, Xa-Koro)"Shame, that," I said, clucking sympathetically and drawing a small chuckle from Xylak. "That's the thing with musicians: no one wants you dead unless you don't throw an encore or two after your show."-Teezy

Edited August 2, 2012 by Tyler Durden

[Riisiing Moon]

IC--Beast [Final Problem]Beast plopped a seat beside Xylak. He suddenly felt himself reeling backwards--into himself, into time. The sensation seemed to pull himself out of himself...suddenly he was with Arok and the gang again, at a casino. No signs of age--he was his lithe, youthful self again, naive arrogance providing him with a sort of sly confidence that had won him out of his more dangerous situations back in the old days.And there was Arok, throwing away literally his entire salary...Beast glared gruffly at his partner, apparently the only one in the crew not thoroughly entertained. The hall was whooping with cries of that foolish brotherly love...Arok won another hand, tossed Beast an amused look, a proud one...the man was always proud, no matter his stupidity...the stench of reeking alcohol, spilled atop archaic tabletops...flash forward, Beast was kneeling at the ground, blade to his throat and already threw Arok's...heads dangling, blood spilling, voices shrieking tears flooding memories worlds flashing dying--And then he was here.He shook himself back to reality (he wasn't sure if that'd been just a memory--felt as if his soul had been ripped from his body and dragged through time) with a primal huff."Vacation? F-from your girlfriend, right?" His voice had cracked a little. Get a hold of yourself, Beast. That has nothing to do with this...But he couldn't really let go. Memory remains to be preserved, and even at the price of its haunting he would honor it.

[a goose]

IC: XylakXylak allowed himself to smirk slightly inside, although he didn't allow it to show."Girlfriend? It appears that you have commitment issues." Xylak frowned. "You can be bothered with it."

[shadow pridak money gang]

IC: Dorian (The Final Problem, Xa-Koro)"More like culinary issues," I corrected. "I love my girl, but lawd almighty, instead of cooking to save her life, she's cookin' to end mine. Know what I'm saying?"IC: Venedico (The Black Muaka)Dico felt momentarily sated as he walked towards a shady looking bar - which, in a place like Xa-Koro, wasn't very specific, but that was really the best set of words that could be used to describe this establishment - and plopped down in a chair in the corner, silently marveling to himself that the stool hadn't snapped under the sudden weight of a person sitting on it; after all, it looked unfit to hold a dust mite, let alone a person.The place was rather empty as he looked around; at the bar, a Toa of Air and a Toa of Gravity sat, silently conversing, and at one of the tables, a Vortixx munched quickly on an undercooked looking burger, taking breaks only to wash it down with some even more undercooked fries. Venedico silently signaled for a drink as he contemplated ordering a burger of his own - of course, they would have had to cook it much more effectively than the slab of meat and blood in the Vortixx's clutches...-Teezy

Edited August 2, 2012 by Tyler Durden

[a goose]

IC: Xylak"Of course." Xylak lied. He highly doubted that someone of Dorian's... 'aesthetic qualities' would only have one girl in his life.

[shadow pridak money gang]

IC: Dorian (The Final Problem, Xa-Koro)I didn't try to formulate a reply to Xylak's lie; his concurrence was easily noticeable as such, almost offensive in its transparency, and I decided to merely lean back and toss the rest of my pack of cigarettes into the air, conjuring a war club similar to the one that Brykon used in his fight against me and swinging it like a baseball bat. The pack of cigarettes was decimated, and plant, paper and cardboard meshed into a giant ball and slammed into a chandelier before ricocheting off a waiter's forehead and into a shot glass, which went flying all over the new dress of some businessman's wife."Mission accomplished. I am credit to team."-Teezy

Edited August 2, 2012 by Tyler Durden

[Riisiing Moon]

IC--Beast [Final Problem]Beast shrugged uncomfortably...the innocent didn't deserve to be messed with. That was a part of the thug life he'd never really adjusted to, and it was such a basic aspect of it he sometimes found himself totally contradictory. In this profession, he really shouldn't have morals. Morals were bad."Not gonna tell why you're really here, huh?" He leaned back about, eyes out of Xylak's vision. He tossed Dorian a blank expression that spoke in its silence. We both know I'll end up knowing anyways. He patted his belt, flicking the steel of the blade. Whether by blade or persuasion.

[a goose]

IC: Xylak"Well, Dorian, despite just how interesting our conversation has been, I need to leave now. I have to find my cousin." Xylak stood up and began walking away before he could see Dorian's reaction to being referred to by name.

Edited August 2, 2012 by Vorex: Keeper of Time

[shadow pridak money gang]

IC: Dorian (The Final Problem, Xa-Koro)I wasn't worried that Xylak knew my name, I was irked. I had gone through a lot of trouble to make sure no one besides Nikki - who, I had to admit, I was kind of cool with trusting something like that to - had figured out my name, and the fact that this guy pulled it out of his hat in the quarter of a second meant one thing: someone had told him. And seeing as he had no clue I existed until I came here...well, either Nikarra had told him - impossible, since she's been in my bedroom or in my arms for days and I'd never seen this bro before - or...Spy in Bad Company.Well, if that ain't a...-Teezy

[Riisiing Moon]

IC--Beast [Final Problem]Beast smirked. This whole thing was pretty entertaining, really--absorbing, even, like a play. " Mr. Shaddix?" He chuckled. "I take it you were going to some trouble to keep that one a secret. I see why."

[shadow pridak money gang]

IC: Dorian (The Final Problem, Xa-Koro)"Eh. You don't hear me complaining. I'll just take care of it later," I replied, giving him a suggestive grin so he could know what "take care of" entailed. "So, now that that particular cat's out of its bag...name really is Dorian. Pleasure."-Teezy

[Riisiing Moon]

IC--Beast [Final Problem]"Pleasure's mine. Trust me. I enjoy modern art." He gestured to Dorian's outfit. "Name's not really Beast, if you figured that out, but I don't remember my real one. So, you gonna tell why you're here?"

[shadow pridak money gang]

IC: Dorian (The Final Problem, Xa-Koro)I moved over to Beast's seat and leaned in close to him, close enough that when I spoke, my lips came a hair's length away from brushing his ear; I could feel the hardened mercenary tense at first, and then relax as I spoke - he was very obviously a pro, and he was proving more and more useful by the second."I'm robbing this place blind."-Teezy