BZPRPG: Onu-Wahi

IC: XerovAh, Onu-Koro, village of... um... dirt. Yeah, not much else really interesting about it. Not much at all really interesting about it. Why am I even here? Probably should've thought this through. It's not too late to turn back.I turn around. It's dark. It's... really dark. It definitely wasn't that dark when I was walking here. Alright, so, I know I'm supposed to grow out of these things, but the dark? Not nice. I mean, it should be understandable, I mean, Makuta controls shadow. He probably picked darkness because IT'S SCARY. Yes, I find the dark scary, so does everyone else, let's move along now.So onwards towards dirt. Yay. This idea is seeming more idiotic by the minute.OOC: Xerov open for interaction. 'Cause, y'know, leaving characters open for interaction totally works.

IC: [Arkrak]"What were we doing again?"

IC: Incommodo"Hoping that Chronn hasn't gone inactive again."

IC: [Arkrak]"I see."

IC: Incommodo"We should probably just leave him to it and go have some form of adventure."

IC: [Arkrak]"Sounds fun."

IC: IncommodoIncommodo looked around, hoping for an adventure to present itself.Nothing happened.

IC: [Arkrak]"It doesn't work like that."

IC: Incommodo"It's not like I have experience in this stuff, I'm usually busy being a captive." Incommodo pointed out.

IC: [Arkrak]"Let's just look around for something to do."

IC: Incommodo"Didn't I just do that?"

IC: [Arkrak]"No."

IC: IncommodoIncommodo folded his arms and pouted. "I did too."

IC: [Arkrak]"You were just turning your head around. We need to physically move around and look for something to do."

IC: Incommodo"Is that allowed?"IC: XerovMata Nui, it's dark down here. Really, really dark. Do you know where isn't dark? Ga-Wahi. I miss Ga-Wahi.But Joske is probably still there. He'll kill me. Well, 'kill' is probably an exaggeration... he'd injure me. Severely. Possibly fatally. But, note the 'possibly'. Not definitely. There's... there's just a chance of it.Y'know where I'll go? Ko-Wahi. That means I'll go somewhere and I won't get bothered. Maybe I'll find someone who'll accept me there. Alternatively, I might die. Either way, it's better than this Karzhole.I am walking towards Ko-Wahi. To Ko-Wahi. Going to Ko-Wahi will be fun. Let's go to Ko-Wahi.OOC: Xerov to Ko-Wahi.

IC: [Arkrak]"I assume so."

IC: Incommodo"Well, where do we look then?"

IC:"We'll just have to ..." began Arkrak."HI THERE!" said a Toa of Magnetism, popping up right in front of the duo. "Say, you two look bored. Want to help me catch fish?"

IC: Incommodo"There's always a bigger fish."

IC: [Quada]"Hm? Of course there's always bigger fish!" said Quada cheerfully. "So, want to come?"

IC: Incommodo"Why not?" Incommodo shrugged. "Lead the way, oh fishy individual!"

IC: [Quada]"Okay you two," he said, beginning to walk down a tunnel. "Let us head towards the underground waterhole of awesome!"

IC: Incommodo"There's something fishy about this." Incommodo noted.

IC: [Quada]"Of course! We're going fishing!"

IC: Incommodo"Arkrak. Help. I'm running out of fish puns." Incommodo whispered.

IC: [Arkrak]"Why are you trying to make fish puns?" he whispered back.

IC: Incommodo"For the lulz."

IC: [Arkrak]"I ... see ..."

IC: IncommodoIncommodo then did a perfect imitation of the thing which he did not know was a trollface.

IC: [Arkrak]"You look ugly."

IC: Gravity"Karz," I cursed as Onyx left on the express rout to the Void. Fun. Hound seemed almost there, with a sword sticking out of his side. "Kirian....?" I asked, my voice unnaturally quiet.Now that was hard for me to take in... All of it. Hajia, Hound, and even the Ga-Matoran Gahuari. It make me want to bring Onyx back, only to beat the snot out of him again. Not very Toa-like, huh? Well, Karz, it was hard for me to take.

IC-Raxa:Luncora may have said that she was gone, but Raxa didn't believe that completely. He knew that Sinina still had to be somewhere near them. He put up all of his weapons, before taking the sheathe for Luncora's zweihander."You won't be needing this, it looks like," Raxa said, closing Luncora's eyes. He then stood, the sword still held out."Hound...I'll be back soon," he said, moving out of the room and on to his hunt.

IC: Wokapu laid there in the dark, cold cave. His only companions were his memories... memories of how something so great ended up so terrible. In retrospect, it all made sense - what doesn't.However, if Wokapu had only listened... maybe he would be here now, wasting his life away while Makuta's servants grew stronger. Now, who knows what would happen to Wokiya now. Within moments, Wokapu began to drift away into his memories, trying desperately to find the earliest point in the steady line to devastation…-------------“The meeting of the executive board of the Cultured Gentry shall now commence,” a young but slightly gruff voice echoed off the dense, icy, stone walls of the grand hall – a hall that was occupied by eleven esteemed individuals. Three figures donned in robes of the richest fabric sat at the front of the hall, behind an ornate table, carved entirely out of ice. The figure on the right was a Ko-Matoran – slightly taller than most and very lean. He was wrapped in thick, dark grey robes that signified his authority on the executive board. Because of his age, the Ko-Matoran looked almost like a Turaga. He was considered the guru of the ways and philosophies of the Cultured Gentry. The Matoran on the left was from Ga-Koro, also very aged. Her robes were a bright grayish-blue, and her wrists were lined with gem-encrusted bracelets. The natural light that came through the windows reflected off of her diamond necklace, making everyone in the room very aware of her presence. Finally, there was the gentleman in the middle. He was also a Ko-Matoran, and as wise as he was old. He always had the final authority in any matter in the highly exclusive club. His robes were as white as snow, and also had the most jewels embedded in them. The embroidery gave the robes a very majestic feel, as opposed to the feel that the wearer was just really rich, which was how the other two robes had come across. The Ko-Matoran who had announced the start of the meeting walked over to take his seat on the front row. There were only two rows of chairs, and most, but not all, were occupied. They were filled by the most devoted and wealthy of the club. Interestingly enough, only two Toa were present at this meeting. Every single other person in this hall was a Matoran. After a brief silent pause, the robed Matoran in the center began to speak.“We have one talking point that we must discuss tonight,” said the elderly Matoran, “We must make a decision regarding whether to host another charity ball – this one supporting the villagers in Po-Koro who are recovering from a recent plague.” A Ga-Matoran made her way to the short ebon platform that rested in front of the ice table. As she began to speak, Wokapu leaned to his right side where the only other Toa in the room was sitting. The Toa on his right was a female controller of Ice. She had gotten Wokapu’s attention for having an unexpectedly warm personality for someone who was raised in a perpetual ice world. “’New to the group, my maiden?” Wokapu softly but cheekily said to the lady. The look she returned seemed to cross vain politeness with slight apprehension. Wokapu noted this, but stopping now where would make things worse. He decided to get to the point.“I’m Wokapu, perhaps you’ve heard me?” Wokapu continued, “Entrepreneur? Philanthropist?”The female Ko-Toa sighed softly. Wokapu couldn’t really describe the looks of this girl. It was a level of classiness and attractiveness that said in bold letters YOU WOULD NOT HAVE A SHOT IN KARZAHNI IF YOU WEREN’T SO STINKIN’ RICH. Good thing Wokapu was the 1%. “Niici,” replied the girl. Wokapu wisely sensed that he wasn’t the first wealthy man to try and woo her. He needed something better. “Niici,” Wokapu repeated, “So, what do you do, Niici?”Niici had been facing the front of the room, where the Ga-Matoran was still presenting, now going over logistics. She stole a glance at Wokapu.“Entrepreneur, “teased Niici, “Philanthropist”“Too easy,” Wokapu quipped. “Isn’t it?” Niici replied mockingly, “I suppose some people are just more… simple than others”“Hey! I also happen to be one of the primary runners of the Cultured Gentry. Much of this happen because I wanted it to?”“Then how come you aren’t up there?” Niici asked pointedly. “The members decided that Ko-Matoran up there better for the job,” Wokapu replied nonchalantly, as if he himself supported the idea. He perfunctorily shrugged his shoulders.“Okay,” Niici said with mock understanding, “Can you tell me something you’ve started you can run well? Or are you more of an idea guy?”“Definitely an idea guy”“I see. Not a man of resolve?”It took literally 10 minutes of bickering for Wokapu to stop double thinking and accept that he was getting utterly beaten in words. Of course, if they had been talking for this long, Niici must still be interested right? She had the ice-cold demeanor that she could take out at anytime and use to silence Wokapu, but she hasn’t used it.“If nothing else,” Niici said, “You’re certainly not a man with regrets”“Of course. Why should a man have regrets? When you learn for the first time that two plus two equals four and not five, would it make more sense to apply your skills to expand your mathematical knowledge, or just sitting around hating for yourself for thinking it equaled five up to this time?”“I spent all of my kinder years depressed because up until then I had thought that two plus two was five,” Niici said with a straight face, “Never recovered” Wokapu stifled a chuckle, keeping his composure and his debonair. The two didn’t say anything for a short moment, which was just enough time for the Wokiya’s voice to cut through.“I want to help with this!” Wokiya volunteered. “Wokapu has the resources to make this work, and well be more than happy to host the charity ball”In basic instinct, Wokapu rose to his feet. “With whose money?”“The philanthropist’s?” Wokiya replied smugly, “That is what you call yourself right?”Oh you little…, Wokapu thought. Wokapu and his sister had not been on the best of terms recently. Apparently being successful is immoral. “How about I help? Both logistically and financially?” Niici said, rising to her feet as well. “After all, I do have a little experience planning social gatherings”Wokapu sighed. He wasn't really all that opposed to hosting the ball. It would certainly help his reputation, plus once they get all the charity money, he could just take his fair cut... right? Speaking of the charity, that raised a very serious question.“What’s the charity even for?!”Why no, Wokapu does not. He is a busy entrepreneur who does not have time to read meeting agendas. Ever. -------------Wokapu smiled at the fond memory. The beauty and wit of Niici put the broken Toa at ease, actually dulling the pain of his back ever so slightly. At least she was safe.

IC: Gravity [Catacombs]I wrapped an arm around Hajia and pulled her close. At this point, it was one of the few things that made me feel relatively better. Hajia was safe, mostly, I was there, she was okay. With Hajia still clinging to me, a spared some attention to the Ga-Matoran who I was holding up with an arm and a tentacle.Karz, Gahuari looking in worse shape then Hajia, if not physically then mentally. The Ga-Matoran seemed to be in a coma-like state, staring strait ahead, unmoving.

OOC: I doubt that Raxa's hunt in going to be succesful.IC: Catacombs Kirian worked with painful slowness, carefully easing the sword blade out of Hound. The Denuian's brow was covered in sweat, his teeth clenched and grinding together, but he did not shout curses or scream in pain. Tirus, hoping that Tajeh would be fine, ran towards Hound, hoping to be of help to their leader. Hajia squeezed Gravity tighter, looking as if she was attempting to burrow inside the Ba-Toa. Putting her face to his, she continued to sob and make unintelligble whispers. In a few seconds, Gravity would realize that the whispers were not unintelligble; Hajia was describing her pain in quick, horrifying sentences and words, telling him how they cut her, how they abused her.

IC: Wokapu continued to think about the charity ball…-------------“You know, it’s rather difficult to make a strong case against skinning when you’re wearing the animal’s fur…”, Wokapu chided his sister.The Toa of Air was not quite sure what had got inside Wokiya’s head recently. For as long as Wokapu could remember, all Wokiya cared about was how rare the gems we received were. She wanted, and always was given, the best of the best. She was the most envied Ga-Matoran on the island of Mata Nui. Wokapu’s only guess was that maybe the many jeers from jealous villagers were starting to break her will. Being good at what you do comes at a price – the price of not being in the 99%. Wokapu and Wokiya had always agreed that that was a small price for success. What changed?Wokiya didn’t say a word. She walked through the pristine kitchen and into the spacious living room of what was known as the nicest dwelling on Mata Nui – Wokapu’s house. Half of the walls in this room were full windows, exposing the beautiful snowy landscape up in the Ko-Wahi mountainous terrain. In the middle of the living room sat a sturdy, wooden couch. In front of that couch was a beautifully carved ice table (though it was currently cluttered with designs, letters from sponsors, and other papers), which complemented the landscape exposed by the wall-sized window. “Who have you been talking to?” Wokapu asked sincerely. He had always worked hard to keep Wokiya at ease, and now something was causing her unrest. “The only person I’ve been talking to recently is you,” Wokiya said with a slightly sharp tone. The light jab flew over Wokapu’s head. “Are you sure? It sounds like someone has been putting you in a bad place… emotionally speaking.”At this, Wokiya looked away from his brother and began examining the glittering blue and green-hued stones that covered much of her fingers. The silent treatment, Wokapu thought. He knew all was lost at this point. Calling it quits, he turned around and left the living room.-------------“She’s definitely been talking to someone – more likely, some people,” Niici said, “The question is, why has she chosen to take what philosophies these people have to heart? I’m sure someone like her is constantly getting pleas to live a more simple life and sell those gems for some aid”“Of course,” Wokapu replied. The two Toa were inside the massive ballroom that was near Wokapu’s mansion. In each of Niici’s hands was a strap of cloth – one cyan-colored and one deep blue, almost sapphire-colored. She was tried to decide what color scheme to use for decoration. Dozens of Matoran were also running around in groups of two or three, planning the music, food, seating chart, the works!And of course, Wokapu didn’t do a darn thing. Niici was a natural at this. It was like her brain was the this intricate drawer of drawers of drawers of drawers of drawers, and each little cubby at a catalog of details for a particular aspect of the goal she wanted to accomplished. To say that she was detail-oriented would be an insulting understatement – Wokapu was detail-oriented. Niici was actually talented. Wokapu walked up to Niici, who was standing on a ladder examining one of the torches that was arranged high on the wall. She was considering putting a covering over them to give them a hue. “Decide on a color scheme yet?” Wokapu asked.“We’re going with the deep blue,” replied Niici, “We’re just going to go with it, and we’re going to stick with it so I that can move on to something else!”“Sounds like a plan,” Wokapu said, “So was this your business. Is this how you made your millions?”Niici chuckled. “Honestly, I kind of wish. Shamefully, I inherited most of my funds. I’ve just been investing in different things and making sure they run successfully – such as the new Kolhii ball design. Y’know the one after the design that came after Comet Ball incident”“Huh, you invested in that?” Wokapu was rather surprised. The current Kolhii ball design (though technically not new anymore – the Comet Ball Conspiracy happened several centuries ago, and this design had been around for nearly 200 years) wasn’t very impressive in Wokapu’s eyes. But of course, telling Niici that she probably just got lucky would not have earned Wokapu any points. Still, the Toa of Air was curious.“What made you decide to invest in that, if you don’t mind me asking?” queried the Air Toa.“From knowing the people, and taking into account what they truly wanted,” Niici said. “The other Kolhii ball design was better quality, but it would have cost too much, and a slow mining season meant poorer Po-Koronans which meant that they wanted a cheaper ball.” She then looked at Wokapu from the top of her ladder.“If you satisfy the peoples’ needs, then everything else is irrelevant,” with a perceptive grin, “The villagers simply don’t have the luxury to demand for any more.”-------------Wokapu chuckled at the beliefs that they had shared. He ran Niici’s words through his head again; while they weren’t new to him, she was the first Toa to actually say what he had been saying for a long time, up until recent events.If the Cultured Gentry has the capacity and the initiative to do so much good for the island (most of the time staying in the shadows and taking none of the credit), then who cares if they’re allied with the Makuta and his followers? Outside of the infamous Comet Ball Conspiracy, the people of Mata Nui have never suffered as a result of deals made by the Cultured Gentry.Lives were improved.And it was thanks to the Makuta.A sharp pain in Wokapu’s lower back brutally reminded him what this eventually led to though, and his morale plummeted when he constantly thought what all it had cost and possibly will continue to cost him.

IC(Tajeh): Tajeh, in zombie-like daze, moved towards the nearest wall and sat down, laying his back against the smooth stone. He could feel the tiny gears in his head whirring faster and faster as he tried not to freak out. A difficult task, but it needed to be done.

IC: ValjaValja was bored. On to Ko-Wahi!OOC: Valja to Ko-Wahi

IC: Lekori walked through the jagged tunnels of the underground cave, lightstone in his left hand. He felt like he was a detective, but the direness of his search had weakened the pleasure a little bit.After his hut was robbed in Le-Koro, the Gukko Force cadet had spent his time searching for the bandits, winding up in Onu-Koro to search for clues. He found some, and he was able to make the bandits fairly pay for their crimes, but new mysteries had grown in this underground city – like endless vines. To make a long story short, the two bandits who had robbed Lekori were involved in a plot against a high-class and exclusive group of people known as the Cultured Gentry.Normally, Lekori would not care what a bunch of rich snobs were doing, but if what he had heard was true…Then something needed to be done.Lekori had always been a man of action. He didn’t like when people stole from him, and he especially didn’t like cowardice.The Le-Matoran needed to be sure that the Cultured Gentry wasn’t committing both.

IC: [Quada]"Well, we're here!" he said, happily gesturing to the small underground lake.