BZPRPG: Ga-Wahi

IC (Ahren, Ga-Koro):

"I know it fell," the elder Toa replied. "Nothing else, and certainly nothing specific." He reached up, undoing his cloak and removing it from his person. In a quick swirl, it went from hanging off his shoulders to hanging off one arm, showing the scars that covered Ahren's body much like they covered his heavier armour. Were one to look up, they'd notice his face looked about as grim as might be expected from a veteran of enough battles to be so decorated as he was.

"Ko-Koro was my home, once. If I am able, I would right the wrong that has befallen it."

IC (Leah):

 

The Toa of water was silent for a moment, as she quickly replayed the events that had taken place since then. She nodded, slowly, then said: "Yes, I have. But that was many sunrises ago."

 

She didn't notice the Le-Koro colloquialism slipping into her words. She motioned for Korero to follow her as she returned to her meditation spot next to the pool of water near the center of the room. Sitting back down, she indicated for him to do the same. Then she began to recount how she had left the village of fire together with Reordin.

 

"After our encounter in Ta-Koro, we decided to take a detour through the dark walk on our way here to ascertain the status of vault. Apparently Sulov had the same idea, we crossed paths later. But by the time we arrived it was too late. Whatever Zaktan and his band of monsters wanted, they managed to get into the vault and get it - and more: They've figured out how to command Rahkshi. We ran into Hakann and his entourage as we tried to listen in on what was going on inside the vault. The coward sent his new-found pets after us. We put up a good fight, but then they got reinforcements and we were outnumbered. I used up most of my power to take out at least some of them in a flash-flood and get us to safety. Reordin and Sulov went on their own way afterwards and I came back here to recuperate - I haven't felt that drained since the fight against Makuta."

 

She sighed. "That's the quick-short version of it, brother. You are the first of the team I have spoken to since then."

 

A few seconds passed, as the Toa of air took in the information. And while he did, a small smile returned to Leah's face, hinting at the happy-go-lucky spirit in her and she said: 

 

"But there is good news as well." 

IC (Korero)

The Toa of Air cupped his face in his hands as he took in Leah's account. He had not forgotten how easily the Piraka had trounced his team in Ta-Koro (and still seethed at the memory of his ignominious one-hit-KO at the hand of Zaktan), but after focusing on Ko-Koro's troubles for so long it was troubling to be reminded that the Legacy was but one facet of the threat they now faced.

He glanced up as her tone changed, however. For all his intrinsic optimism, he hadn't expected there to be any 'good news'.

IC: Vilda Mako (Chisai Ryuu)

 

:Works for me: I replied simply as I took one moment to make the necessary wardbrobe change we'd now been mandated with. My tunic was too stylish, so I dug up some Saihoko robes from the cargo hold and threw 'em on instead. No crystal armor, and simpler clothing, just as instructed.

 

I could almost pass for one of the locals, I'd wager, just so long as I kept a low profile.

 

Which, considering Kama and who I am, wasn't very likely.

IC (Dakte)

Mako found his newly-appointed student waiting in the gangway leading to the submersible's hatch.

Dakte, still skeptical of Asa's idea but wary of disobeying an order from the Commodore, had arrived at a compromise. Much like the Datsue, he had found some plain canvas robes (they might even have been made from repurposed sailcloth). Unlike Mako, however, he had made sure to retain as much of his crystal armour as possible beneath the fabric's formless folds. His sword and cape had to go, of course, so they were now tucked underneath his bunk in the crew's quarters.

He acknowledged Mako's arrival with a nod, pushing himself away from the wall he'd been leaning against.

"Any idea where you'd like to go?"

IC: Wraith

"Echelon and his Legacy, along with the brotherhood attacked without warning. The city was not prepared for their attack, some of them had strange powers and weapons I'd never seen before. The city was taken over rather swiftly, the hospital on the outskirts of the koro was also attacked. I, along with some others, held the attackers off long enough to evacuate the hospital...but we had no choice but to retreat in the end." Wraith was a man of little emotion, but there was anger and rage hidden in his words. "Many lost their lives that day." 

IC (Dakte)

 

He acknowledged Mako's arrival with a nod, pushing himself away from the wall he'd been leaning against.

 

"Any idea where you'd like to go?"

IC: Vilda Mako (Chisai Ryuu)

"I've got half a mind to seeing the outside of town. After all, we got veritable front row seat to the town proper last time we went outside" I replied with a touch of bitterness.

"Seriously, though, I want to see some of the wilderness on this island, think we can manage that?"

IC: Voulge

The two traveled for only a short while longer, soon arriving at the gates of Ga-koro. Before actually entering the village Voulge glanced towards Lily

"Well I suppose this is where we part ways. I'm sure you are more than capable of finding a decent restaurant that is affordable."

IC:

 

The Menti gave a single wave, watching the Onu-Toa leave before pivoting to face the bar once more.

 

.:I await you outside, Commodore, Daijuno.:.

IC:

I made my way to the door, casually poking my head outside the jam to see if I could spot White-HOT! one last time, but only getting a glimpse of the ocean glittering at night. Which, admittedly, wasn't a half-bad view; but it didn't have an exposed midriff, so it still sort of paled in comparison.

Alas.

"All right ladies," I said, hands in my pockets. "What's next on the ol' Foreign Dignitary's Fun Night agenda?"

IC: Melna (Ga-Koro)

IC:

Lux liked to consider himself a practical, no-frills sort of guy guy, but even he had to admit that his life had been wasted without coconut cups with straws and little umbrellas.

Heck, two months ago, he wouldn't have even dreamed he'd find himself on a beach chair on the shores of Ga-Koro wearing only a pair of board shorts, drink in hand (and, of course, in a coconut cup with a straw and a little umbrella), watching the sun glitter on the waves of the ocean and the beach bums and beach babes carousing around the water.

There was a small growl in the back of his mind as he leaned back in his chair, pressing down on his back even further.

Lux sighed.

He guessed that that wasn't the only thing he hadn't dreamed of.

Not that the Parakuka hadn't been useful -- heck, it'd only been because of him that Lux had gotten out of the Dark Walk alive and intact (and with that Rahkstaff and the title of "Rahkslayer") -- but the Po-Matoran still wasn't sure how he felt about having another presence in his head. Least of all when that presence was a trigger-happy, hateful chauvinist who came from the depths of the Makuta's sanctum and who started sulking whenever Lux checked out another guy.

Speaking of which, where the heck is Day?

OOC: Lux open for interaction.

-Void

IC:

There probably was paperwork waiting for her at HQ, but Whitehot Munequita had a promise to keep first.

She caught a telltale flash of metal - the Marine's sharp eyes caught it while it glinted against starlight, and she raised a hand over her brow to squint and make out the buoy's distant outline. It wasn't much of a swim, all things considered. Slower on the way back, with the weight of the metal, but nothing her Pakari couldn't handle. Fifteen minutes, maybe twenty, she'd get a swim in and Daijuno could be rich.

This was such a dumb idea. But so was hitting on her friend. And that had gone...disastrously okay. A swim would do her good.

Kicking aside her jacket, shorts, and hatchet, the Toa of Earth dove into the salt water of Naho Bay, tepid and comfortable, and floated out to the buoy with only minimal effort on her part. It was peaceful, and took her mind off the fact that she might have just hamstrung any fledgling chance with Sinshi because she was more interested in picking a fight with her commander. ...Well, took it off a little. 

Her zen could've used more work. 

clunk

She felt her hand scrape against the buoy softly, and she closed a fist around one metal coil. Something in her dumb, dumb head made her want to lug it without the Pakari. I can be strong without a mask.

...

...

...

EUUUUUGH THIS BETTER MAKE YOU REAL IN RICH DAI

True enough, the swim back with the buoy was at least twice as long as the swim towards it. Without her mask, it was more like thrice as long.

Planting one foot deep in the sand and turning the upper half of her body, Whitehot tossed the buoy onto the beach with a loud curse and heave; it kicked up sand towards her, but none actually made it far enough to cling to the Marine's body, which she counted as another victory. A walk in sandy clothes would have pushed the scales from maybe worth it to Daijuno. As it was...she was now the proud thief of Ga-Koro Boundary Marker #8, which was just about what she needed to cap the night off.

"Wallahi!" she cried out with one fist victoriously above her head; then her shoulders slumped and she fell back against the buoy, exhausted and yawning. HQ wasn't in the cards any more than Sinshi at the moment. She just needed...another...yaaawn...

When she blinked, somehow, her shorts were back on and her jacket was bunched up into a leather pillow, a buffer between her and the cold metal buoy. When she blinked again, the tail of the Wall of Stars danced above her bright green eyes. Her third blink lasted a long time, and in the darkness she heard Parakuka screeching, the sound of Sinshi coughing for breath, and a carefree, boyish laugh that made her gut ache. 

-Tyler

IC: With a much, much lighter and slimmer wallet, I eventually left Altedor's smithy, one new sword and accompanying accessories in my possession. Sighing to myself, I now shifted my thoughts in a new direction, with the easy part now being over.

How was I going to convince Miss Sinshi to take this thing? She was still pretty ######-bent on adhering to those outlandish cultural norms of the archipelago, even though the whole point of buying this was to stick a fat one to that particular system...

Was I thinking straight when I made this purchase? If this went wrong, what was I going to do? Return the sword.

My second and third thoughts, as troublingly necessary as they were, found themselves coarsely interrupted by the sound of something heavy and metallic thudding onto the beach nearby.

"Wallahi!"

Do not look.

Do not stop walking.

Whatever you do, don't acknowledge it happening. Today was enough.

...
 

IC:

You know very well who you are

Don't let em hold you down

Reach for the stars

You had a goal, but not that many

Cause you're the only one I'll give ya

"...Tarkus?"

...Good and plenty.

The sergeant groaned, and when she sat up her jacket slumped behind her and into the sand. She blinked the sleep out of her eyes and focused them on the Toa of Gravity. His bag still hung at his side.

"...Hey." She stifled another yawn behind her dazed smile and ran her fingers under her chin to wake them up. "How'd the test review go?"

-Tyler

IC: I found myself returning the smile, in a similarly tired manner. "Good evening, Sergeant."

Walking down off the path and taking a seat of my own on the sands (feet crossed, sword in my lap to avoid any wear), I looked up at the same stars she was gazing at for a moment before continuing.

"Pretty well. I'm much better acquainted with Fractions and Decimals than I was three hours ago." I replied with a wry grin. "Pretty sure she's ready as can be, now."

I looked to the buoy the Marine was resting upon, and thrust my confusion into the open air. No sense not addressing the elephant in the room.

"So, is that for the Dasakan's metal supplies, or are Herculean feats just how you pass the time?"

In hind-sight, the kind of smart-aleckery that was better suited to narration like this, but you had to give me some leeway here. Seriously, that thing had to weigh... a lot more than I'd ever lifted, disregarding the house earlier today. If this was the Marine fitness standard, I didn't see how we had to worry about any threats any time soon. Could probably just tear Rahkshi in half.

IC:

"Oh. This," she laughed, patting the buoy and sitting up straighter, "this is both, actually. I promised Daijuno I'd help her crotch-punt the Sado economy. I guess I just...stayed out here. The open sky helps me sleep. Spend enough time under dirt and rock trying to get a glimpse of sunlight, and you learn to appreciate it."

She hadn't meant to fall asleep, though.

"What are you doing out? It must be midnight by now."

-Tyler

IC: I smirked. 

"Something like what you're doing, only a little less... economically minded. More like a personal vendetta against their system."

Carefully, I drew the Rapier from the scabbard, polished and lethal steel gleaming in the light of the moon. Not like I'm one to brag, but I was pretty sure I'd gotten my money's worth with that purchase. Not gaudy and gilded, but deadly beautiful in it's own functional way.

Easily more aesthetically pleasing than Hrunting and Naegling, at any rate, which made it all the better.

IC:

...

Whitehot blinked at the sword for a couple seconds, as if her still-waking brain was having trouble figuring out what Tarkus had whipped out, but when her eyes made the connection she smiled wearily.

"Sweet piece of steel," she complimented. "Good buy. She'll really like it."

Whitehot craned her neck and rested the back of her head against the buoy.

-Tyler

IC: "I'd hope."

I doubted liking it was the problem though.

"Now I need to get her to accept it from me."

IC:

"I wouldn't worry too much about it. She can be casual. Wouldn't take many leaps to get her to accept it as some kinda cultural exchange thing." She balled up her jacket again, dusted off the thin layer of sand on one lapel, and then put it behind her head again. "She has favorite foods. Doesn't trust people who eat ranch dressing with fries. She has favorite drinks. She definitely doesn't have any love for the system."

The Marine's smile grew momentarily wider.

"Finally got her to call me just Whitehot tonight."

-Tyler

IC: ...

I felt like we weren't exactly on the same wavelength here.

"That's good to hear. But while she may not hold any love for it, she still plays by the rules. I'm still pretty sure I need to work out a loophole. Find some technicality in the decorum that'll make it justified."

IC:

...

She felt like they weren't exactly on the same wavelength here.

"If she knows how sincere it is, she'll take it."

-Tyler

IC: Sliding it gingerly back in it's sheath, I let loose a sigh. 

"I hope you're right, then. I doubt I'm going to come up with any tricky plans any time soon. Is every day this insane?" I asked, getting off the subject that had pointlessly sprung up a classic optimist-cynicist dynamic between us. I didn't feel like continuing it, and given that she'd seen Miss Sinshi more recently than I, she probably was right. Misunderstanding between two weary minds.

"I doubt I'll ever be in the market for waterfront property after today."

Not that I had anything close to the money to be.
 

IC:

Whitehot was finding it harder and harder to stay still as she woke up more and more; she rested one wrist on her right knee and looked at Tarkus curiously.

"That really was a ###### of a thing you did," she said gently. "There are a lot of people who'd never give you credit for it, or say it's your duty as a Toa or some ######, but if every Toa did their duty well, then we wouldn't have wasted so much of our lives trying to reach Makuta. Those people are idiots. You saved the lives of everyone in that house."

-Tyler

IC: "Thanks," I replied, smiling and leaning back. "I just went with the first thing that came into my head after I came to.

"...Well, the first one that wasn't 'run'." I wanly admitted after a moment. It didn't sit right with me to lie as if I wasn't scared. That was terrifying.

She was right, though. I'd probably made a large part of the difference between what happened and what might have happened there. Fear or no fear, that was something to take pride in. I'd done a great thing today, and I could say it without an ounce of arrogance. 

"Feels kind of miraculous, though. Everything that happened seems so... unreal. Never thought I'd be able to say I saved lives, you know?"

Which star up there was mine, I wondered? 

...Probably something in the Little Dipper. Ursa Major would be too high-profile.
 

IC: Wraith

 

"Echelon and his Legacy, along with the brotherhood attacked without warning. The city was not prepared for their attack, some of them had strange powers and weapons I'd never seen before. The city was taken over rather swiftly, the hospital on the outskirts of the koro was also attacked. I, along with some others, held the attackers off long enough to evacuate the hospital...but we had no choice but to retreat in the end." Wraith was a man of little emotion, but there was anger and rage hidden in his words. "Many lost their lives that day." 

IC (Ahren, Ga-Koro):

Ahren's mouth set in a hard line as he heard Wraith's words, his face starting to show the anger that Wraith had in his words. "Attacking a hospital is low, even for them," he spat, shaking his head in disgust. "I take it you're wishing to find people to help free the Koro?"

IC:

"You sound like my brother." Whitehot's smile had more than a tinge of sadness. "We grew up at rock bottom, but the only way up was the Ussalry. That's what I focused on all my life - never school, never learning any real skills...I was just a girl who loved to make friends and get in scraps. The Ussalry took all kinds, figured why not me? It was Red that always wanted to protect people. That was it. Full stop. But he always sounded like he was in awe. Like he couldn't believe he'd been chosen for it. And then...one day he wasn't."

The Marine's voice broke off.

"It's natural to want to get out or die trying. Staying the course is what makes you better than the rest...even if it takes you somewhere you never even imagined seeing."

She followed Tarkus' gaze up to the Wall of Stars slowly, and her eyes - green where her brother's were blue, wild where his were gentle - had the family sense of wonder.

"First thing I did after I got settled in Ga-Koro was buy my parents a week here. Get them out of Onu-Koro," she confided. "Second thing I did was go into the Residential District and spend two weeks worth of nights looking for a house with a balcony and the very best view of the Wall of Stars. It's gorgeous."

-Tyler

IC: Wraith

"Yes."

IC: "Yeah..." I agreed, for some reason hearing bells ringing in the back of my mind to start off some tune I was pretty sure I'd never actually heard.

There was Deneb, Altair, and Vega. The first trio of stars I learned to pick out and name, funnily enough. Nothing anywhere near the famous constellations, but three I always found nonetheless.

Well, if we didn't count the Red Star, but that one was sort of a given.

"How did they like it out here?" I asked. It was comforting to get back to idle chit-chat. Relaxing.

IC (Ahren, Ga-Koro):

"Then allow me to take this moment to pledge my sword to your cause," Ahren replied, just as simply. "As I said, if I am able, I will help to right the wrong, so consider me the first to join your company." He looked at Gabe and Seventh. "That latter statement applies to the two of you as well, not just him; don't worry, my eyes are still functional."

IC (Leah):

Leah began to smile knowingly as Korero looked at her. "Oh yes, you heard right: good news."

She moved her head slightly, chin indicating the front door. "Say, did you notice a new addition to the pier when you arrived here by chance?"

Her brother's eyebrow rose in response.

"We've had some new visitors recently. Visitors who have some rather impressive psychic powers. Visitors from across the endless sea." she said, letting the words sink in. 

"As it turns out, they know our Piraka as well - in fact, they have some unfinished business with them."

There was another short pause, her smile vanishing again. "And if I am not mistaken, news of their arrival has not spread yet. If we team up with them, we would have quite the advantage on our hands."

IC:

"I would not know. Perhaps a walk about the town?"

IC:

"Sounds good to me," I said, shrugging. "Whadda you think, ma'am?"

-Void

IC: 

If Lux looked close enough, he’d find his answer on a distant beach volleyball court where a certain De-Toa dominated the playing field.

At first glance, he didn’t look like the type to excel at the game. He lacked the raw height advantage and his limber frame was better suited for a sport of agility, something that required a little more finesse, like badminton. When they started playing, no one could have guessed just how high he could jump or what a cannon for an arm he had.

Bump. Set. Smash.

It was the same routine, over and over again. Basic, simple, but efficient, and it won more points than any other tactic ever could, game point included. One final exchange could win it for Day’s team yet again.

He waited at the net with his hands on his knees, heart slightly pounding against his chest. Sweat glistened on his forehead and streaked down the sides of his face, the sun beating on everyone relentlessly as it cooked them alive. He craned his neck to look at who was serving on his team, identifying the ball in the hands of a lanky Lesterin of fire. His eyes easily careened to his right however, drawn to a certain Vortixx. She was gorgeous, he thought. With a striking physique, confident posture and gorgeous sea green eyes, he couldn’t help but feel an attraction towards her.

She was even more impressive in action. They hadn’t spoken a word to each other, but they worked together seamlessly like a well oiled machine, her perfect sets being the ideal compliment to his deadly smash. Her eyes flicked in his direction, catching his gaze. She smiled.

Thump.

The game was on. The ball sailed over the net, crashing into the waiting arms of the opposing team with a successful block, a set coming up next. Day shuffled his feet to keep up, arms ready and knees bent by the time the other team’s hitter was getting in position.

Smash.

The ball collided with his hands, bending his fingers backwards as it tipped over. Someone behind him dove to save the ball, sending it towards the Vortixx on his right and into her hands. She gently pushed it outwards in Day's direction, lining up perfectly without him having to move, so he jumped. His waist almost reached the net and his arm, cocked and loaded for a devastating blow, swung with all its might, launching the ball straight past the blockers and into an undefended patch of sand.

Victory.

Where the others cheered, he only blew air out of his nose and managed a half-baked grin. He was tired. Walking over to the side of the court, he snagged his towel and wiped his face. It occurred to him that he probably smelled a little. A swim was probably in order, but sitting down was his first priority. After shaking hands with everyone and a small exchange of words with the pretty Vortixx, he walked off the court. Shielding his eyes from the sun, he found Lux sitting alone with two empty chairs beside him. In the blink of an eye, he traveled from the edge of the court to the Po-Matoran. 

"Hey."

IC (Ayiwah):
 

"I think that is a very good idea." the commodore said. "There really hasn't been time to properly get to know this place."

IC:

"In that case..." The Menti gestured at the village before them. "Which way? Do we wish to explore the village? Follow the coast?"

IC:

"Er, hey Day!" Lux said, nearly dropping his coconut cup (with straw and little umbrella) in surprise at his friend's sudden appearance. "You, uh, have a good game?"

IC:

"Let's follow the coast," I said, hands in my pockets, looking out at the ocean. "Watching you and Whitehot be all cute and young and stupid and ######'s got me feeling in the mood for a little romantic scenery."

-Void

IC:Iraxis

Iraxis looked up. People talking about Ko again. Echelon, Legacy, all the things he knew...

Well, if people actually died that day...

He just might have to kill someone. He decided to walk closer and listen in.

Eavesdropping wasn't illegal, was it? He forgot.

IC: Day

"Yeah." he said, sitting down and reclining back in his chair. He pulled a towel over the top half of his face to cover his eyes. "Where's Melna?"

IC:

Lux gestured -- with his coconut cup with straw and little umbrella! -- over to where Melna was sitting on a rock.

-Void

IC: Day

Day waited for a response but he didn't get any. Nothing audible, at least.

"Lux." He pointed at the towel over his eyes.

IC:

Lux looked over at Day and ... ohhhhhhh.

"Uh, sorry," he said. "She's sitting on a big rock by the water ... if you just turn your head a little and, y'know, take off the towel, you'll see her clear as, uh ... day."

-Void

IC: Day

"Yes, Lux?"

IC:

oh god make it stop

"Nothing," Lux said as quietly as he could, before turning his attention entirely to his coconut cup.

(With straw.)

(And little umbrella.)

-Void

IC: Day

Day smiled.