BZPRPG: Ga-Wahi

IC:

"Malak? As in, Malak'et, or something like that?" Eutuchia asked, looking up. "I just sent him off to the guards to get a full appointment with Hahli set up. He keeps trying to get whatever random poisonous plants of his in..." The Matoran of Plantlife shook his head. "He's got no job, not with us, and if I have any say in it after this - he won't have any, ever. Where'd he go after you spoke with him?"

IC Jarkale

(Ga-Koro, Great Takea):

Jarkale seemed intrigued by this.

"Exactly how old are you?"

IC: Helios (Hahli's Hut)

And that settled that. I gave myself a mental slap up the back of the head for my oversight. Colx would've expected better.

"We agreed to meet outside the Marine HQ" I answered.

IC: Voulge

Voulge looked at Vail for a very long time.. It was as if he was trying to decipher him

"Interesting.. You shun the very thing that from the sounds of it saved you.. I would call the ungrateful but that is just me."

As Voulge stood up from his chair he looked down at Vail

"Before i leave.. Ask yourself this.. What is truly light and darkness, good and evil, whatever you wish to call them, but merely a construct of society.. a way to label others. Did you not just admit to killing someone.. Would you not be labeled evil because of the murder.. Yet you kill not out of some emotion or command but because you must.. Does the lines between good and evil not blur at this very moment.. Just by me not killing you or reporting you to authorities would cause me to be labeled.."

He leaned down and got his mask right in front of Vail's before speaking again

"With what i just told you.. Do you really think good and evil are defined?"

IC:

"How many thousand years? 75. Yes, that's it. 75 thousand years, that's exactly how old I am."

Tuarn laughed,

"That's why I say I'm a bit old."

IC:

"Wonderful." Eutuchia grabbed a few sheets, finished signing them, and then set them back down. After a moment of reorganizing things he stood, gesturing to Helios.

"Lead the way down there. And be ready to catch him if he tries to run off, which I don't doubt he'll do, once he knows that his little shenanigan has failed."

IC:

Voulge's breath was warm against Vail's face. The Toa of Fire considered the Fe-Toa's words very carefully before forming a response.

"No. You are right, Brother. I have seen good hearts fall to shadow, and tortured souls climb back up to touch the light once again. Good and evil are just simple words. I believe it's the actions that decide a man's fate, and I am ashamed to say mine have been selfish and cruel for far too long."

Vail clasped Voulge shoulder as a new lighthearted vigor shone through his eyes.

"Thank you for reminding me what is most important. I won't forget it, and I wish to repay you with whatever it is you want, as long as it is within my power."

Vail let his hand return to his side. He took a theatrical bow, yet his tone remained completely serious.

"So tell me, Voulge the mighty, what is it you desire?"

IC

IC: Voulge

Voulge smiled rather widely to Vail as he heard this

"Well i am glad i could be of help to you.. But if you really want to repay me.. i have a task for you."

IC: Crasaro

The body of the Tarakava fell before Crasaro. Two crystal discs were buried neatly into the beast's skull, and they entered with just enough force to hit the brain and kill the Tarakava.

Just in case, Crasaro poked the Rahi with his sword. It didn't move. He looked up, and decided to head back to the clearing. He could hardly see, and luckily made it back to the clearing without tripping and breaking his head open on a rock. Upon entering the clearing, he saw the body of another Tarakava on the ground. Nearby, another still form sat sprawled out on the ground. It took Crasaro some time to realize it was Liano.

The Toa of Crystal rushed over to his fallen team mate, and looked over him. It was clear a Tarakava hit him, but Crasaro couldn't tell the extent of the damage in the dim light.

"Liano, are you OK?"

IC: Liano

Liano's response came as a muffled grunt accompanied by a thumbs up. Instinctively, he reached for his side and gently, he applied pressure to the wound, poking it to examine the extent of the damage. Pain shot through his system upon contact, though it wasn't unbearable and certainly not enough to be a handicap. At most, the large bruise would swell up, which would prove painful for a while, and maybe he had cracked a rib. Nothing a mask of healing couldn't fix.

Despite the injury, he got back up in one fluid motion. After checking to see if Crasaro was unharmed, the hunter scanned the perimeter for any more sign of imminent danger. When everything seemed clear, for the time being, the tense, predatory look in his eyes softened, however the one he gave his fellow Toa of crystal was expectant, demanding of an answer.

Not that he held his gaze for very long. An idea sprung in his head, one that would lessen the workload on his shoulders. Literally.

"Help me carry the Tarakava back to Ga-Koro."

It only made sense. Originally, Liano had the intention of skinning the Rahi and merely harvesting whatever spoils he could from the kill but now, with the combined effort of two people, they could bring the whole thing back, albeit with some difficulty. They were quite heavy, after all. In fact, if they were quick enough (and lucky, to say in the least), the pair could return for the second body before rot could start to settle in, or some other Rahi fancied themselves a feast.

Not waiting for a reply, he quickly set off to pick up the Rahi, now waiting for Crasaro in silence.

IC: Crasaro

"Uh, ok then." Crasaro stood up, and walked over to the Tarkarva. The Rahi looked extremely heavy, but two people could probably lift it. Crasaro moved to grab the body by the upper torso, and started lifting it. It certainly was heavy.

IC (Lohkar)

"I'd have thought you'd be used to it by now," Lohkar replied.

IC: Helios (Naho Bay)

"Will do" I replied with a polite nod, opening the door for the Bo-Matoran.

I lamented the fact that my weapons had remained at my office. Well, Colx had foreseen that eventuality, and he'd shown me a thing or two about unarmed combat, hopefully I would now get a chance to use it.

If nothing else I think I just rose a few steps on Eutuchia's ladder, so to speak.

IC Jarkale

(Ga-Koro, Great Takea):

"Indeed you are. You could become a Turaga, you know. Why haven't you?"

IC:

"Yer' no fun," Floria grumbled out loud, before proceeding to turn around and drink some more.

IC:

"I feel like I can do so much more. I still have a destiny to finish and I plan on taking all the time I need."

Tuarn sat and seemed to ponder this,

"Maybe it is time. I think I'll at least see this Red Star quest to the end first."

IC:

Vail clasped his hands together, and his fingers laced themselves neatly into two rows. His smile was one of eager curiosity. What did Voulge have in mind? Was he planning to have someone killed, or was this task something more benevolent?

"I'm listening." Vail said obediently.

IC Jarkale

(Ga-Koro, Great Takea):

"If you decide to give up your power, what would you do it for?"

IC: Voulge

Voulge smiled maliciously

"I want you to capture me a baby ussal,,, One of the tiny variety.. But it must be a wild one so no going and buying one.. understood."

OOC: The Ussals strike again!

IC: (Mons Shajs)

"Soo, first matey-a'wheres me grog?"

IC:

Vail stared, wide eyed. Was he serious? Vail hadn't ever even tracked an Ussal before, much less a baby one.

"Um..."

Well, if Papa Ussal insisted, he wouldn't disappoint. After all, how hard could it be?

"Right, understood." Vail gave Voulge the best salute he could manage. "I'll snatch you the best baby Ussal I can find, and I won't stop searching until I'm satisfied with the result."

He paused to consider his word choice.

"And you can always send me back out if you're not satisfied." he added quickly.

OOC: LOL, this Ussal-napping post is going to be a fun one to write xD

IC: Voulge

Voulge nodded slowly

"And i wish it to be dark colored.. None of these cursed vibrant colors.. But i shall be back in the village.."

And with that voulge walked off.. not even bothering to destroy his chair

OOC: I hope so.. it should prove interesting for everyone when voulge has a ussal he can carry around

OOC: ohai Rynekk interaction

IC: Lyna (Temple, Ga-Wahi)

Lyna had been sitting in the darkness, enjoying her own company to the best she could, when she heard footsteps. Now, this was a tad unusual -- it had been a while since she'd last heard footsteps in there, and she was fairly certain that even then they'd been her own. They echoed, though, so it was difficult to be certain. She sometimes felt someone was following her. She insisted that it was paranoia, but she hadn't seen paranoia in years and he was an imaginary companion to begin with.

To return to the subject at hand, footsteps were approaching, and Lyna was not sure how to feel about that development, so she decided the best way to find out was to look. Shortly after deciding this, she stood up, walked out a little, and having grown used to to the levels of light in the amount of time she'd spent there, looked over the tall figure who stood in her hallway. "And who the ##### are you?"

IC:

Vail watched as Voulge sauntered off into the underbrush. For once in his life, Vail felt like there was someone in the world he could trust, someone who he would strive to keep as an ally.

He felt strange, like something was bubbling up inside of him. Energy flowed through him like he'd never experienced, and it wasn't from the Lesterin's blood.

No, this was something completely different.

Vail ran his hand along the frame of Voulge's chair, as if he were trying to convince himself that their conversation had been real.

He smirked silently to himself before walking in the general direction of the Koro.

IC: Liano

Pleased by Crasaro's compliance, Liano joined his partner in a combined effort, hauling the Tarakava's rear end onto his shoulder. Upon feeling the weight sink onto him, he knew that it would be a long and tiring trek back to Ga-Koro, difficult indeed.

Together, they began walking, Liano in front as their guide, aided by night vision. For a while, only the sound of their heavy footsteps perturbed the forest's silence, along with the odd crack of a branch, the rustling of leaves and other distant noises.

Suddenly, the Toa of earth spoke.

"Why did you follow me?"

IC: Crasaro

"I have no idea, really. I guess it was because you just went poof. Gone. It was unusual." Crasaro would have shrugged, if not for the Tarakava he was carrying.

IC: Destian grunted in agreement and pushed back through the door.

Iraanus turned to Rhow as he departed. "Still, though," he said thoughtfully. "It really has been too long since we've broken any limbs or blown anything up, hasn't it?" She didn't respond immediately, and he continued, pacing. "I'm restless - you are too, I can tell - and so is everyone else. Most of us weren't built for settling down, Rhow." He drew a dagger and examined its blade. "We've accomplished what we set out to accomplish when we opened this place - we're back in shape, and we've got cash and weapons and all that Taoki's been building..." He grabbed the paper and sliced out a small section with his weapon. "The island hasn't slowed down to match out pace, either. Unexplained deaths and disappearances, these "Piraka" or whatever they call themselves, Makuta's old friends hiding out in the shadows, karz, I don't know." He slid the dagger back into its sheathe. "We've been gutting ruki long enough, Rhow. It's time we went back to gutting Makuta-worshipers."

IC: Rynekk -- Temple

Footsteps.

Not my footsteps.

The grip on my spear tightened slightly, tilting the weapon downwards slightly so that the tip was perfectly aimed to puncture the skull of a fellow Toa. Call me racist, that's who I expected to be coming down the hallway towards me; Stendhal was a Toa, the other Rynekk was a Toa, Tadris was a Toa. Stood to reason, y'know?

As it turns out, reason has no place down here.

A pair of yellow eyes peered out of the dark at me, a good two feet below my orange ones. Attached to those points of light was a body that looked like it hadn't seen a square meal since Mata Nui was a pup, but whose strong posture confirmed its Matoranhood.

(matoranhood, is that even a word?)

"And who the ##### are you?" the spectre asked, a feminine, if weary, lilt to its voice.

The grip on my weapon didn't loosen for even a moment. "I could probably ask you the same question, ma'am."

-Void

IC: Lyna (Temple, Ga-Wahi)

"Yeah, well you're freakishly tall!" Lyna argued. "You already have an advantage with your spear and your height, so you're answering me. Speaking of which, put that away before you hurt someone, you're ready to poke some invisible giant with it and I'm not comfortable with a point hovering a foot over my head. What if I have to jump? Are you taking responsibility for that?"

IC:

"I have no idea. Being a Toa of plantlife I can't do quite as much when I release all my power as, say, a Toa of fire. I guess I would probably turn some Matoran into Toa."

Tuarn leaned back in his chair,

"That's probably a long time coming though."

OOC: Toa Power is the same in every Toa, regardless of the element. So no difference between a Bo-Toa and a Ta-Toa when it comes to sacrificing Toa-hood.

IC Jarkale

(Ga-Koro, Great Takea):

Jarkale quivered with excitement as his mind conceived a beautiful idea.

"Ya know, I'd love to become a Toa some day."

OOC: I didn't mean the level of power. I was referring to the fact that a Ta-Toa, when releasing it's power, can blast fire all over the place or stuff like that, turning a Matoran into a Toa isn't the only way to sacrifice Toa power.

IC:

"I think I understand what you're thinking."

OOC: Sadly though, only staff members can turn Matoran into Toa

IC: Liano

Unusual, yes, but surprising, not so much. It wasn't a rare occurrence for Liano to mysteriously disappear here and there, and by now, sudden adventures off to Mata-Nui knows where should be expected from him. Still, an understandable reason really, so he merely nodded his head in acknowledgement.

Once more, the pair fell into silence, wasting no breath on conversation, the only exception being necessary directions or instructions on Liano's part. Each step took them closer and closer to the edge of the forest, though for a while, there was little sign that they'd be nearing the village any time soon. Eventually, the burden both Toa carried began to take its toll, as their shoulders started to ache and burn under the Tarakava's weight. Breaks were sparse, short even, solely meant for the intake of water or to catch a much needed breath.

In the end, they had made it back safe and sound, however exhausted they were. Standing on the sandy shores that surrounded Ga-Koro, the village stood out like a beacon in the middle of Naho Bay, illuminated by the moonlight bouncing off its waters. The sight seemed like a reward in itself, and Liano seized the moment to take in its beauty.

In fact, the young man felt it was okay to just sit down, relax and enjoy it all. Payment could wait a few minutes and by the Great Spirit, was he tired. Gently, he settled the rear end of the lizard down onto the sand before he too sat down, sighing in relief.

Not too far away, the crashing noise of the waterfall could be heard, soothing to the ears.

IC: Helios (Marine HQ)

As Eutuchia and I were approaching the entrance to the Marine HQ, still not visible from the front porch where I was expecting to see Malak'et waiting, I took a deep breath as I let my limbs flap around a little.

"Alright, take it easy, focus" I told myself, remembering the rule Melna had made up: when in trouble, keep calm and DFTBA.

"Alright, he should be waiting around the corner here" I said to Eutuchia.

"I think I'll try to lure him inside, that way it'll be easier to bag him, do you mind waiting? I think he'd start growing suspicious if he sees you."

My black cloak was draped loosely over my figure again, hiding most of my golden armor away, as well as the fact that I was shivering with anticipation. I would pull this off, it was destiny.

It was go time.

IC:

Malak'et didn't quite trust the Toa named Helios that he'd met before. Toa that served "the greater good" were so often quite stupid, their minds filled with absolute rubbish like 'Duty' or one of the other Virtues. Malak sometimes wondered why Fate had been so cruel as to have created him a Toa. Oh well, perhaps it was to build his character.

Or maybe it was all preparation for what would come to pass in the next few months.

Whatever the reason, Malak didn't walk in the Marines HQ or wait by it's entrance, as he'd told Helios. Instead Malak walked into a nearby cafe, taking a seat by the window with a good view of the HQ and ordering a drink. If Helios had lied to him and told Eutuchia his name, chances were he'd be arriving with a retinue of guards to imprison Malak, which wouldn't do at all - Malak would simply stay in the cafe until they left, and that would be the end of that. And if the foolish Helios had actually managed to do as he'd promised, without compromising Malak's identity, the Toa of Plants would walk out and congratulate the Koro's employee for giving him access to the greenhouses. All Malak had to do was wait and see.

Malak lifted the cup and took a nice, long sip of the warm coffee.

IC:

"Normally my foe has surrendered to my natural charm and good looks by now." I replied cheerily, watching as Edubard withdrew into another ready stance. His intention was clear; draw me into attacking. He wasn't going to attack, he was going to wait, and if we played that game, we'd be here all night and the winner would be whoever took the longest to fall asleep.

In light of that, I think I'll give the offensive a try.

Steadily I drew my sword back up into my original guard. At least, that's what I made it look like. My foe would likely believe that that is very much what I was doing, based on my behavior, but instead of drawing it back and waiting, I instead turned it into a quick forward jab at his chest. However, it was a feint; a moment before it would have reached, I yanked back, quickly thrusting forward again, this time towards his shoulder.

Let's see what he does with this. Assuming my head continues to operate as it should, we'll go from there.

IC (Jin)

Why was I here again?

No time to think about it now. I struggled to my feet; the tidal wave had passed, but my hangover hadn't, and to be honest I was just doing my best not to throw up. I accidentally kicked an empty bottle as I stumbled towards the bathroom; I didn't need 20/20 vision to tell that I'd probably drank the whole thing last night. Or two nights ago. It felt like ages since I'd been awake.

I splashed some cold water on my face, washing away the salt, then cupped some in my palms and drank. It was freaking cold, but my mouth was dry as a bone and I felt thirstier than 'd ever been in my whole life, so I drank until I couldn't hold any more.

Eyes open. The bathroom swam into focus, lit by a glass of blue jellyfish things. I blinked away the water, then threw up in the sink.

So much for the water.

When I left the bathroom a few minutes later, I wanted nothing more than to just throw myself back into bed and sleep everything away. That was the plan, at least, but then I caught sight of a familiar piece of paper on the nightstand.

I picked it up, surprised that I'd been sober enough to place it on the nightstand instead of on the floor, and strained my eyes to focus on the blurry handwriting.

Dear Jin,

I hope this letter finds you well. I suppose you’re not the kind of woman who likes it when somebody beats around the bush too much so let’s get straight to business.

So far, so good.

I’ve heard whispers and rumors about you. That and a certain Toa of Iron went through a mental breakdown and shouted your name.

#####. ##### ##### #####.

What I want to offer you is something very few people can offer but in giving this to you, you own your allegiance to me, as I will need your particular sets of skills in the coming days. In return you name your price, whether it’s money, protection, a new life.

Seeing as Shaddix just away my chance at starting over, it sounded like a good deal.

I’m willing to take the cost off your hands think of it as a favour for a favour. There’s the possibility of a team but I don’t believe it will limit you in the slightest. You can find me in my residence, just outside Ga-Koro.

Okay. Ga-Koro. I glanced out the window, and managed to make out a palm tree through squinted eyes. Bingo.

Enclosed are the directions and a stipend of a 100 widgets for travel expenses, if it’s not enough I’ll compensate the cost. I do look forward to meeting you in person.

Sincerely,

Vera Polzin.

I didn't know who the that was, but it sounded a whole lot better than Jaller. And if I didn't want to be hearing that name anytime soon, it was my only choice.

Time to get dressed and get moving, hangover and all.

IC: Rynekk -- Temple

"Well, I'm not actually that tall and ... S-Shut up!" I exclaimed in a vain attempt to hang onto any sort of credibility that I still possessed. Can you tell how successful I was?

Anyway...

I sighed. "Look ma'am, I can either put away the spear, or I can answer you. That's my deal, now pick your poison."

~ ~ ~

IC: Tyrus -- Cin Residence

"His last mission, as I recall, was a treasure hunt-turned-assault on a group of Xa-Koronan cannibals," Tyrus explained. "The Corporal was hit by a foreign projectile shot by their leader, but the weapon was stolen before we could examine it, unfortunately."

The Lesterin glanced over at "Captain" Shajs, as he asked for grog, and replied, "One moment sir."

He leaned in close to Liara and whispered, "Would you happen to have any anaesthetic around here?"

-Void

IC: Lasinia

"I'm hungry," declared Lasinia.