BZPRPG: Kini-Nui

IC: The Heretic.

The Heretic bent over, picked up the stones and looked them over. The first two gave him pause. The last made him sigh dissapointedly. These beings wouldn't understand.

He moved a little ways away from the group, into a clearing just within sight of the temple. He remembered this place well. It was here that his life had changed forever.

On the edge of the clearing was a small mound, where he had buried the remnants of the Rahkshi that had saved his life all those years ago. Kneeling down, he placed the mute's three stones on top of the mound, to serve as markers for the grave.

"I'm sorry I waited so long to return here," he apologised, knowing full well that the long dead Rahkshi couldn't hear or understand him. "It seems that I am too late."

He stood up and walked over to a tree stump. Sitting down and placing his staff across his knees, he began to meditate. It seemed he had come all of this way for nothing, but he refused to lose heart.

He would endure.

IC: Trauer

After getting little in the way of response to his inquiry, Trauer stepped away from the Toa and continued to observe. He was surprised at the arrival of another Lesterin some time later. He had rarely seen others of his kind. The Lesterin appeared to be fond of Makuta, and the group removing rubble didn't appear pleased with that. After they left, the Makuta-loving Lesterin picked up the stones the Bo-Toa had tossed at him and took them to a nearby spot and placed them on the ground. He then went to a tree stump and sat down.

Intrigued by the Lesterin's appearance, motives, and beliefs, Trauer slowly approached him. He could see the other was meditating, and Trauer didn't want to disturb him, but his curiosity got the better of him.

Clearing his throat, Trauer said, "Excuse me? I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm curious: What would drive someone, especially one not native to this island, to worship Makuta?"

OOC: That's you, Nato/Roman.

IC: The Heretic.

"I didn't at first." The Heretic sighed, opening his eyes. "I spent a long time on this island, at this temple in particular, and became intrigued by the worship of Mata Nui. I became a priest of Mata Nui, and spent long months wandering the island and preaching before returning here to meditate."

He sat up straighter, glad to have someone to talk to who didn't seem to think he was completely insane. "One day, while I was in this very clearing, I was ambushed by a wild Muaka. I lost my staff, and so all I could do was pray for Mata Nui's protection. But it was Makuta who answered my prayer, in the form of a Rahkshi that fought and defeated the Muaka at the cost of its own life."

He pointed at the grave mound. "I buried what was left of it over there, and came to realise that even Makuta, the so-called god of darkness and destruction, was capable of mercy when his brother seemingly was not."

IC: Trauer

Trauer turned his gaze to the grave. "I guess I know where you are coming from," he said quietly. "I prayed to Mata Nui for help once. He didn't answer." He looked down at his feet. "Or rather, he did, but at that point, it was more like a cruel trick than help."

IC: Mahrika

Mahrika followed Savnung inside. "Do you need any help?"

IC: Savnung

"Not really."

IC: Mahrika

"OK.

... What do you plan on doing after we finish this rebuilding?"

IC: Savnung

"I do not actually know."

IC: Mahrika

"... I plan to go around the island and preach Mata Nui's way to people. And maybe run a diving business."

IC: The Heretic.

"The way I see it, we all have light and darkness inside ourselves. Even the darkest force in existence has the potential to do good, if given a chance to prove itself."

IC: Trauer

"Maybe. But then, even the lightest force has the potential to do evil. Does that make it evil?" Trauer shook his head. "Doesn't seem right. Seems like weird logic justify one's beliefs."

IC: The Heretic.

"Too true." The Heretic tried to think of a simple way to explain his beliefs. "Look at the sun. That's the light. Now look behind you. That's your own shadow. In our vain efforts to prove ourselves to the light, we commit actions that bring out the evil inside of us. The light brings out the dark in all of us, for no being is purely good or evil."

He gestured around him. "We need equality for the followers of both gods if we wish to bring balance and peace to the island."

IC: Savnung

"Huh."

IC: Mahrika

"Are you planning to stay with this group, at the very least?"

IC: Trauer

Balance. Now that was something Trauer understood, and he nodded slowly to reflect his understanding.

"I see. I've never thought about this--" he gestured around him "--like that, but what you say makes sense." He frowned. "Though I've often wondered if darkness doesn't have something to do with light's judgment. I mean, there was only mercy, and no judgment, how could the light exist at all. Maybe darkness is an absence of light, but isn't it also what makes the light desirable?" He shook his head, unsure if that made sense. "I guess what I'm trying to say is, I don't like the darkness, evil,  whatever you call it, but I agree that it can't not exist."

IC: The Heretic.

"You don't have to like it," The Heretic replied, "accepting it as a necessary evil is enough."

IC: Savnung

"I honestly don't know."

IC: Mahrika

"Eh... Well, one never knows what lies ahead in the future. A single instance could be enough to change our entire life's direction."

IC: Savnung

"Indeed."

IC: Mahrika

"... Do you remember how you got here? With this group, I mean."

IC: Savnung

Savnung looked strangely at her companion. "Of course? Why do you ask?"

IC: Trauer

Trauer looked at the other Lesterin.

"I do accept it," After a brief pause, he said, "I don't suppose you would take me on as a disciple of sorts? I've been wondering lately what my place is in this world, and I don't believe my meeting you was merely chance. If I could help you achieve balance, as you say, well..." He shrugged. "I would be doing something worthwhile."

IC: Savnung

 

Savnung looked strangely at her companion. "Of course? Why do you ask?"

IC: Mahrika

"I was just curious. I actually don't know anybody here too well. Given that we were discussing the oaths our lives would take, I was interested in knowing what your path up to here was like."

IC: The Heretic.

"A disciple?" he'd never before considered the idea. "I can see the merits of such an idea. But I have no plans as to where to go from here. Would you really be willing to follow a complete stranger into the unknown?"

IC: Savnung

"I was just another little sister, really," said Savnung with a shrug. "Joined up because I needed something, and this just ... clicked."

IC: Trauer

He smiled. "I'd be wandering aimlessly into the unknown anyway. At least this way I can do it with a purpose."

IC: Mahrika

"Huh..."

"When i arrived on the island, I worked full time as a diver. I would take Matoran on diving tours as well as recover lost items. A lot of them were mindful if Mata Nui; I guess it rubbed off on me. So when the Maru emerged victorious, I went on a pilgrimage."

IC: The Heretic.

"Very well," The Heretic mused, "do you have any suggestions as to where we can travel from here?"

IC: The Recluse

The tall Toa listened silently for a while. Being among sapient beings again was a rough transition, and he didn't see himself remaining there forever. The jungle still called him every moment. But he had a feeling that restoring faith in the great spirit could help remind others that Mata nui had provided them with all that they needed.

Eventually, he tapped the butt of his hammer-staff on the ground for attention. He gestured at the temple. They had work to do, and he was anxious to get back to it. Being idle was a foreign notion to him.

IC: Savnung

"How are you finding it?"

IC: Mahrika

"It's... Different, to say the least," Mahrika replied as she nailed a board down.

IC: Trauer

"I... I don't know. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to look for like-minded individuals, but I wouldn't know where to begin looking for them."

IC: The Heretic.

"Most worshipers of Makuta are violent and destructive. They would just as likely kill us on sight as they would be open to discussion. We need to search for more... open-minded beings."

IC: Trauer

"That's kind of what I meant by 'like-minded.' But as for where to find them..." He looked in the direction the Mata Nui worshipers had gone. "I don't think we should bother with them, that's for sure."

IC: The Heretic.

"Why were you here, then?" The Lesterin asked. "Since you don't seem to approve of them." he inclined his head towards the radical Mata Nui worshippers.

IC: Savnung

Savnung nodded, returning to her nailing of planks as well.

IC: Trauer

Trauer frowned. "I don't disapprove. I was merely pointing out that they didn't seem very... receptive to your point of view." He shrugged. "But if you think you can convince them..."

His expression turned dark. "As for why I was here, well, as I said earlier. I was seeking a purpose. I thought I might be able to find that with Mata Nui, and, by extension, them." He pointed toward the Mata Nui worshipers.  "After talking to you, however, I remembered some things, like what I said earlier about Mata Nui's cruel joke." He shook his head again. "I realized that's not for me."

It sounded weird saying it out loud, and Trauer wasn't sure it made sense. To be honest, he was still trying to figure it out himself. All he knew was that what this Lesterin said made sense, and it was... well, it gave him purpose.

And really, that's what Trauer needed.

IC: Mahrika

Mahrika picked up a toolbox, looking for a screwdriver. "Anybody see the cross screwdriver...?"

IC: Savnung

"In the box next to the door."

IC: Mahrika

She found the wrench, as Savnung had told her.

"Thanks."