BZPRPG: Ga-Wahi

IC(Tajeh): Tajeh hopped down from the stool and ran after Tirus into the street. "I don't need your help! Or Hound's!" he shouted after him, "I'm gonna find whoever started this!!" He turned on his heel and stalked off in the other direction. "And I'm gonna finish it, even if I die." he said darkly.

OOC: Introducing the first of six new characters. Time to get the immersion going!IC:How long had it been?Hours? Days?Possibly even more than that.For an island this tainted by shadow, haunted by nightmares that had been vomited forth from the netherworld to stalk the living, just on the edge of plunging into an eternal darkness from which there was no hope of escaping...it was awfully bright. From high above, the birghtness came. Even here, in this thick underbrush of the jungle, the trees above were of little use. If anything, they just gave colour to discomfort. Rays of light that were falling down almost vertically at this time of day mercilessly exploited every gap, every leaf brushed aside by the soft breeze or moved by a passing bird, trying to reach the bottom.Especially here. Coming through an opening between the branches above a small clearing, they fell on a motionless figure that lay there. She was lying on her side on a patch of soft moss which thrived there. Perfectly still as she was, it would have been an easy mistake to presume her dead. But she was not.It was shortly before noon.The light was falling through the treetops above at just the right angle now to fall into the holes of her mask. At first, nothing happened. Then a small frown formed across her brows.She began to stir softly in her sleep, trying to turn her head away from the light. But the effort was futile, as the kind embrace of sleep fell away from her. Reluctantly, she opened her eyes, blinking as she returned from her dreamless rest. Her vision was blurry. Circular patches of different shades of green, arranged in caleidoscopic fashion stretching out in front of her. She blinked once more. The blur vanished instantly as her yellow eyes focused. She could make out every blade of grass in her field of view in perfect clarity.But it did not rid her of the blur in her memories. She let out a long breath and pressed her hands into the soft moss, pushing herself up until she was sitting upright. She turned her head from side to side, scanning her surroundings, to get her orientation back. Yes, this was definitely the clearing that she had fallen asleep on...when? How long had it been? There the question was again. It was always like this at first. She knew the feeling well, the merging of days until her mind recuperated after the long journey. It annoyed her. A big bubble of wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey stuff. Letting out a long breath, she stood up.At least, she knew where she was now: Mata Nui, Ga-Wahi, boung for the Koro of water. Back to the sea. A small, sad smile crossed her lips. Silence; the sounds of waves; these had been her home at one time. Now they were just another memory of the past. And yet, it always managed to pull her back, to return to the beaches, wherever she walked.Rewera reached up with her hands, to her shoulders and pulled the hood attached to her collar over her head. Ga-Koro was just a short walk away, to the west. She turned to her right and started to walk...

IC: [septimus]After finally sitting down once more, Septimus stared curiously at his friend, who seemed to have lost semblance of most things in life. It was rather strange to see the once heroic and proud Vortixx brought down to such pathetic levels, and it was rather jarring seeing his friend be in such a state."So ... do you know who I am?" the Plasma Matoran asked.

IC: ThrakThe Toa of Plantlife stepped in as soon as he heard his name. "Yes...?" he asked simply, his eyes going over the beings in the hold.

IC:Bhuta"And where exactly are you going?" Bhuta asked, as Thrak entered the room. He turned to the strange Toa of Plantlife. "Bauglir(Character that has the same rank in the slaving colony as Thrak and Bhuta.) wants us at Odhrán's Cove. What do you think?"

IC: ThrakThe Toa of Plantlife shrugged. "Lets see what he wants," he said after thinking it over, "We have plenty of time."IC: GravitySoon, without meaning to, I fallen asleep in the chair. I didn't want to, as sleeping in chair isn't very fun for me.

IC:The sound of falling water was getting louder as the female Toa continued to walk down the hillside, towards the back of a cliff. To get here, she had come by a trail only she could see, tracing small indications that it had been trodden before, though neither by Toa nor Matoran. She followed a trail of small details, snapped twigs, torn leaves and soft indentures in the earth, possibly the tracks of some feline. But whatever kind of beast had created the track, it was hers to follow, in order to get through the growths under the trees.Yet despite her relatively quick pace, it was no easy walk. For the past twenty minutes or more, she had felt the decreasing slope of the ground beneath her feet and more than once, she used her claws to cross the rotting trunks of fallen trees. Even so, her pulse remained steady, the inconspicuous evidence of decades of training. But aside from the trees, no other obstacle had blocked her path and not long afterwards, the jungle began to thin out until it eventually she had nothing but grass under her feet and the top of the cliff in plain sight.Ahead, she saw a line of bushes, and beyond, nothing but the clouds in the sky. A thin mist rose behind the bushes, evidence that the source of the falling water was just beyond them.Finally, Rewera reached them and pushed aside branches and leaves, until she could look out freely over Naho bay. Just below her, she saw that the water she had heard was coming from somewhere underground, most likely from the mountains rising up behind her back. She also saw that the villagers had carved the face of the cliff around the opening into the shape of an enormous Kaukau.In the distance, the Island stretched out towards the south, until the perpetual cloud of ash drifting from Mt. Mangai became a veil, obscuring Le-Wahi's jungle from sight. But in-between she saw Ga-Koro, floating atop soft waves, sparkling in the mid-day sun.Her long-distance sight reveiled the villages rather busy walkways that connected its buildings. Apparently even being under seige by evil itself could not stop the markets. That was good. Even though, she did not hold those interest in nothing but the making of money in high regards, anything that showed the shadows that they were powerless was good in her books. And besides, she had seen too many ghost towns in her travels already. Here she might even be able to help save them.But she couldn't do that alone. Not against a darkness this potent. She could feel its presence, though weak, all around her. No, to stop the evil on this Island, she needed her bretheren. And maybe even more.Which of course meant finding them first, the whole point of her walk through the woods. Looking around, she spotted the beginning of stairs, steps hwen into the rock of the cliff, which led down to the beach. She quickly walked over and began followed them down, until her feet touched down on the sand.From there, it was only a short walk over to the villages gate. The Ga-Matoran standing guard there reminded her a bit of her own youth, but the look in their eyes was all too familiar as well; the knowledge that they were facing odds that were clearly stacked against them. It was a look she had worn for a long time herself.She passed the guards and crossed the main walkway, until she arrived at the center of the village of water. Rewera noticed a few people giving her sideways looks. Not surprising, considering her black armor and yellow eyes.Ignoring them, she continued on her way through the crowd, looking for somebody suitable to begin her search.OOC: Rewera is open for interaction!

OOC: I think I'll accept that, if you don't mind, VF.IC: RavageRavage spotted a Toa, something of an oddity herself it seemed, walking through the village. Without another word, the Rahi-Toa turned, and bounded quietly in her direction, careful to evade detection. He began to follow her discreetly, at least as discreetly as a beast can, watching her every move.He made almost no noise, as his career had trained him not to. He was technically visible, but he stuck to the shadows, where his black armor allowed him to hide with ease. Rewara might not even notice anything amiss. After all, for an assassin, old habits die hard. And Ravage hated asking for information. He found people usually lied.

IC:Rewera continued to walk along with the crowd of Matoran, occasionally stopping to closer inspect a stand with wares, or seemingly just to enjoy the scenery. This continued for perhaps another ten minutes, at which point the atheltic Toa vanished between two huts, where she waited calmly. She did not have to wait long though. A few moments later, she heard what she needed to. Her yellow eyes coldly looked down the empty alley, but she knew she was not alone."The shadows might mask your appearance from the unsuspecting, but it does not obscure your smell. Reveal yourself."

IC: RavageRavage sighed quietly, though it sounded more like a quiet growl. The Rahi-Toa stepped out of the shadows, though they seemed to stick to him like a second skin.Now that he was not trying to be quiet, as quiet click could be heard with every step as his metal claws struck the ground. All in all, he seemed more beast than Toa."Clever." Ravage's voice traveled easily through the quiet alley. It seemed rough somehow, like it wasn't his primary language. "Not many could have noticed me."

IC: Tirus, Ga-KoroTirus heard the Matoran's parting comment. By Mata-Nui, don't let him go up against Onyx. The Toa of Iron thought with a sigh.

IC:"It took me about half a minute to realize you were there." Rewera replied calmly, studying the other Toa's features. "That's closer than anybody got in the last decade. Nicely done."She tilted her head slightly to her left and crossed her arms over her chest. "I suspect you have a reason for following me?" she asked. "Or is that just your way of introducing yourself?"

IC: RavageRavage laughed, a strange sound. "You are an oddity in this place, and you walk with a sense of purpose. That is more than enough to get my attention. So few seem to have any purpose to their lives, these days."The Toa's eyed Rewara. "I find that most people lie. So asking them who they are, and what their purpose is does nothing. So I see with my own eyes their purpose. Does that answer your question?"

IC(Tajeh): Tajeh was furious. Tirus, Hound, Gravity, Ravage.....it didn't matter! They didn't understand him. If I could just find.....if I could just find whoever did the attack, maybe I could talk to him...or her.....whoever. Tajeh wasn't good at detective work, but he seemed to be in the right part of town. "Maybe if I stay around for a while, if the attacker is still in town, will show himself...." he muttered.

Ic: "Then you are useful enough for me," Anthyn said with a dollop of coldness, though in all Savina's blindness she did not sense it. Anthyn saw Savina as a pet, a toy, and perhaps even a tool or weapon, but that was the point: Savina was a thing, not a person, and definitely not a friend. Anthyn would have little remorse for the item sitting with her, and her care for Savina would only stretch as far as her pleasure. A herbalist with a wild heart and a bow and arrow was fitting for a savage, and the Valkyr saw Savina as such at best. It was to be an interesting match.Anthyn flopped on her back elegantly and writhed in the sand to stretch.

IC: Hajia, Ga-KoroWith a soft moan, Hajia opened her eyes. "W-What?" She asked, sleep slurring her voice. "The pain's-" "Gone." Finished Hound. "Kirian worked wonders once again." The Denuian continued. "W-where's Gravity?" Hajia asked quietly.

IC: Gravity For a time I slept. By that I meant I slept for about five minutes. The rest was a sort of half-sleep: I was awake, but not that aware of my surroundings. Funny, I thought I heard someone talking... No, two people. Hound and... Wait a second. I opened my eyes suddenly, and practically shot out of the chair I was in."Hajia! Are you alright? How's the pain? Did that stuff work?" I asked, rapid-fire.

IC: Hajia, Ga-Koro"The pain's nowhere near as bad..." Hajia said, feeling the now-closed wound with her hand. "What did Kirian do?"

IC: Gravity"Well," I started, "if it wasn't the kiss, the it was probably that stuff he put on it. Don't know what it was called..."I would have to ask him... And pay him back somehow.

IC: Hajia, Ga-Koro"Stuff he put on...?" She asked slowly, her eyes growing wide. "Someone hand me the bottle." She said quietly, and Hound recoginzed the tone, a tone that comes before a scream. Lurching foward, he grabbed the vial before handing it to Hajia."This..." She started to say, sadness in her eyes. "This cost all the money he has... and more..."

IC: Gravity"... What...?"Was pretty much the only thing I said. My mouth was open a bit in disbelief.

IC: Hajia, Ga-Koro"He has no job... and he spent all of his money..." She said, tears in her eyes. Hound smiled slightly. "Hajia, Kirian is one of our own. We will take care of him. He is in no danger."Suddenly, a third, cold, and subtly raging voice filled the air. "Thanks, but I don't take charity." The Toa of Ice said from where he was curled into a ball. "Nice to know I'm being thought of, though."

IC: Gravity"Could we like... Force it on him?" I asked, half serious. I was gonna repay him, somehow, whether the Toa of Ice liked it or not.

IC(Tajeh): The whiskey was way too much for him. He had never drank that much before. In his life. Tajeh staggered into an alley and vomited on some garbage. "Mata Nui, where does my destiny lie?" he asked, more to the garbage then to the sky. He sat next to the garbage and fell asleep.OOC: Yeah, I RIPPED that line from the movie.

IC-Raxa:"I do believe, Kirian," Raxa said, "That I could help you find a job if needed. Though I doubt Gravity or Hajia will let you leave until they repay you, though," he smiled at the two. "After what Gravity just said."He'd come back after a while walking around the Koro, and he still had his Upright Bass on his back. He'd gone surprisingly unnoticed, so far.

IC: Kirian, Ga-KoroKirian remained quiet after a few minutes, his eyes slowly going from Hajia, Gravity, Hound and then finally resting on Raxa. "Must I repeat myself? I. Do. Not. Take. Charity." He said, standing up, his boney frame becoming straight once more. He reached for his bow, slinging it over his shoulder, and then drawing his hood over his eyes. "And I do not need to be repaid." He finished, dissapearing as he spoke. There were no footsteps, but Kirian was an excellent stealthist, and he was perfectly able to walk without making a sound. For all they knew, he could have slipped out the door Raxa had left open, or had simply moved to another part of the room.Hound remained quiet after Kirian vanished, only half whispering, half mouthing one word. Fool.Hajia seemed genuinely frightened. "Hound? Hound, where is he going? You know what he... can do." She said, searching for the right, unoffensive words.IC: Tirus, Ga-KoroA few yards away, leaning against a wall, a frown on his wrinkled face, stood Tirus, watching the Matoran of Ice. "Wherever your destiny lies, it's certianly not in the garbage, lad." He said with grim humor, picking up the Matoran -with his spare hand- as he spoke.OOC: Is that K'? Or did you have other plans for him?

IC-Raxa:"Hopefully he hasn't actually left, though I highly doubt that," Raxa said after a moment. He sighed, setting the Bass down, mumbling a quick "If you want it gone, tell me," to Hound, before setting down his crossbow on top of the instrument. He then looked out the door, attempting to see any trace of Kirian-though he knew he wouldn't. Sometimes the prey was too stealthy for the hunter to find, and this seemed one of those times."Unless we have an idea of the most likely places he'll go," the Toa of Crystal thought out loud, "It seems to me that one of the best options might be to wait and hope nothing bad happens." Raxa didn't add a 'to him, or anybody who messes with him.' He figured they all knew it anyways.

IC: Hound, Ga-KoroEven as Raxa spoke, Hound was standing up, his hand reaching for his ever-close spear. "You don't understand. You can't let Kirian just wander around." Hound said as he gathered his things. "When I first heard about Kirian, it was when he had a multiple-thousand widget reward on his head." Hound continued, testing the sheen of the spear's blade. "When I actually found him, he was in a deserted hut, the bodies of two or three dozen mutilated bounty hunters strewn about the ground." As he stopped speaking, he turned to Gravity and Raxa, sadness in his eyes. "Now do you see? Kirian may have good intentions, but he is wild. At moments, he may seem calm or friendly, but he always snaps at some point." He finished as he made his way out the door.

IC: Gravity"Are we going after him...?" I asked, not wanting to leave a certain Ga-Toa. Well, unless, of course; she was back to normal. Or someone else was going to stay...He killed over twenty-five beings at once, I though, be for adding, Sure hope it was at once, and he just didn't drag their bodies together.

OOC: I did, but I think this will be more interesting.IC(Tajeh): Tajeh opened his eyes as he was being picked up from the alleyway. "I don't nee-" he burped violently. "Mata Nui, what was in those drinks?" Tajeh wiped his mouth and looked at Tirus, a half-drunken and half-tired gaze.

IC: Hound & Hajia, Ga-KoroHearing Gravity's question, Hound paused in outside of the door. Turning around, he spoke. "Do not follow me. This is something I must do alone." He said quickly, anxious to leave as soon as possible. As soon as he finished speaking, he shot off towards Ga-Koro.Tears were in Hajia's eyes as she spoke. "Why would he spend all that money on me? He knows no one's going to hire him here. He's a sociopath. A nice sociopath, but a sociopath."IC: Tirus, Ga-Koro"Po-Koroian whiskey. Nothing else." The Toa of Iron said gruffly, huffing and puffing under the weight of everything he was carrying. The fact his rib-wound was still healing didn't help.

IC(Tajeh): Tajeh sighed and followed Tirus. Or at least stumbled after him. "Soooooo..." he slurred,"where arrrre we goingg?"

IC: Gravity"...I haven't the slightest idea," I said, shaking my head. Well, I hoped Hound could do... Whatever he was going to do. Shrugging, I turned to Hajia and asked, "So... You're feeling better now?"

IC: Tirus, Ga-Koro"I have everything I hoped to buy, I'm tired, and I want to see how Hajia's doing. Review those facts, and take a guess where I'll be headed, lad." The Toa of Iron said with his usual sarcasm.IC: Hajia, Ga-Koro"Yeah..." She said, scooting up so that she was upright. "I don't know if It's healed enough for me to walk, but it feels a lot better..." She said, absently rubbing the wound as she spoke.

IC-Raxa:Raxa listened to what Hound said, and his eyes narrowed slightly. "Huh," he muttered. "That story sounds familiar." The Toa of Crystal pulled out his two long-knives, reading the inscription on each. He barely nodded his head-something that would be undetectable to a being who was not a great reader of body language.He spun his blades around his fingers slightly, sheathing them quickly. He began to step out the door, then turned back to Hajia and Gravity, a blank expression on his face."I have somebody I need to go talk to," he said. "You two be good-and Hajia, remember to protect Gravity in case any rabid half-dead Toa pop up out of nowhere." Raxa smiled slightly, sadly, before ducking out of the room.The Toa of Crystal took a moment to gain his bearings, then headed for a small, hidden cave near the Denuian's hut. He moved quickly into it, following the unseen path to Onu-Koro.

IC(Tajeh): The only word Tajeh caught was 'Facts.' "We're going to aaaaa gamme shoe?" he asked, in drunken delight. OOC: He meant to say 'show' but, he's drunk.

IC: GravityI felt a certain spot on my back as Raxa mentioned rabid half-dead Toa. I winced at the memory, but forced it away. "Yeah, have fun..." I said at the Toa of Crystal left. Sighing, I sat down next to Hajia, and said, "Well, don't stain yourself...""I don't want you to hurt yourself any more."

OOC: Aw, Game Shoes are the best.IC: Tirus, Ga-Koro "Hound's, you bloody Brakas, Hound's!" The Toa said, his accent growing thicker as he anger increased.IC: Hajia, Ga-Koro"You're so sweet!" Hajia said with a laugh, reaching for his hand. "And concerned about me."

IC(Tajeh): "Oh....." he said, "Let's go then!" He started singing a traveling song, very off-key.

OOC: Edited Above post. In other news, I just published Tirus's origin story in Short Stories.IC: Tirus, Ga-KoroTirus trudged on, anger causing his face to become even more wrinkled.