Corpus Rahkshi

IC: Jayar / Hallway

"I keep telling myself that," Jayar agreed. "I know it's true... but it doesn't make this any less painful. We hurt her. I hurt her. A lot. That guilt..." Era had been Sontiri as well. She should understand. "It can't be escaped."

Forgiveness, and a warm embrace, could melt it away... but, he realized sadly, that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. Somehow he would have to bear the crushing weight alone.

IC: Era - Hallway.

"If there's one thing I've learned from being.... the way I am...." it still felt weird talking about my blindness, even though Jayar had a better idea than most of what Hoto and I go through, "....its that there are some things that can't be changed or controlled. We just have to accept them." 

I pointed back to the infirmary. "I feel bad about lying to Hoto, but I have faith that everything will turn out alright in the end. Stop beating yourself up about what happened in the past, and look to the future instead." 

It was easier for him that it was for me. He could actually look to the future. 

IC: Jayar / Hallway

This time Era's words did help Jayar. "Yeah... I suppose that's true." It did make more sense to figure out how to fix everything he'd messed up than dwell on it... For a brief moment it occurred to Jayar that he had failed Hoto yet once more by dwelling on his own mistakes, rather than working to remedy them. But he shook that guilt, at least, away. It would be foolish to feel guilty over feeling guilty; he would be caught in an infinite loop and destroy himself. That would help no one.

"I think I needed that. Thank you, Era." Jayar said, some of the stress from before gone from his voice. He was still upset, but not as much.

IC: Silver - Causeway

I made my way to the middle of the ground, fidgeting with my staff absent-mindedly.

IC: Era - Hallway.

"Come on, then," I was glad to have been able to help someone feel better, "let's see what this announcement is about." 

IC: Lucid / Causeway

Lucid found herself staring into the flames. They were pretty, even if they were so bright as to hurt her eyes.

For a moment, behind the curtain of fire, she saw Omega stand up. Not the melted, warped Omega, but Omega fully alive. (The molten Omega was still there, but who cared about him.) The living Omega gave Kat a salute in return to her own, nodded at Fang, then turned away and faded...

Lucid believed in spirits, and that she could see them. Sometimes she chatted with the Toa who had died in her cave. So this was really no surprise to her. What was a surprise was that if Omega's ghost, then the Porter couldn't be Omega's reincarnation. Still, no big deal. Ghosts were so much cooler than reincarnation anyways. She shot a glare at the Porter for lying to her and then continued gazing into the dancing flames.

IC: Jayar / Causeway

Emerging onto the Causeway, the first thing Jayar noticed was not any preparations by Tridax or Suvak - though he was privy to the knowledge that the Terrain Crawler would be involved, Suvak had told him - but a glow in the distance. It was surrounded by numerous Rahkshi, among them Fang, Kat, Alpha... and, at the heart of the glow, there seemed to be a slowly melting Rahkshi.

Could it be... Omega?

"There's Fang and Kat," he told Era as he approached them. Then, solemnly, "It looks like they're... holding a funeral. You met Omega once, right?"

IC: Era - Causeway.

"I don't think so...." I didn't remember meeting him, "....was he the one who kept going after Exxan; the one he killed?" 

IC: Hoto - Infirmary

As the voices faded into the usual murmur of the school, Hoto lifted her head and rolled over. The brief motion allowed her a glimpse of the Infirmary around her. It was nearly empty, for once. All of her friends had left.

At last, she allowed that question that had been lurking in the darkest parts of her mind to slip into the light. Were they her friends?

She had had enough of the scorn and dismissal. It was all the Rahkshi had given her when they walked past her, back at the spawning grounds. So many days, lost and forgotten except to be jeered at. She had thought it would end when she saved his life. At last, she had someone who couldn't ignore her or laugh at her. But then... that too had crumbled. She was left alone all over again to fend for herself. Her travels had made her gentle, yes, but they had also made her strong. Strong enough to be there, no matter what her friends were going through...

Pain. Deafening noise. She could feel the sky falling around her, tearing into her back and... wings...

She pushed the memory aside. She didn't want to remember. Era and Jayar didn't want her to remember. But were they her friends?

It was the one thing that always kept her going. Every night she was too sick to move. Every failed attempt at finding food. Every village she entered only to be thrown out just for the reflection she could never see. Instead of giving up, just letting death take her, she looked forward. A whole school of Rahkshi. There had to be someone there that... she could call a friend. It was all she ever wanted. Someone who didn't cast her aside just for being a Rahkshi or for being useless. She would have gladly endured her trials a thousand times over for just one word of friendship.

But she had found much more than that. Or so she had thought. Kat. Era. ...Jayar. They had never thrown her aside. But... then they had lied. To protect her, yes. Because they saw no other option, sure. But it still hurt. Friends didn't lie to each other... did they? It was so hard to tell. She didn't know how terrible it was to bear. There were only brief glimpses. She wished she knew, just long enough to judge whether they were in the right...

But as she strained her mind, trying to dig through the broken pieces, follow the trail of memories she had recalled, she drew up... nothing. No reason for any of it. The lies, the "Kaita," the pain...

She was not as strong as Era. As she lay in the Infirmary, not quite alone, she cried.

IC: Root - Library

His cunning strategies had worked. His foe lay on the ground, incapacitated. Careful to avoid Shield, Root sent a few vines to entangle Deadeye once more. The poison should keep him down for a while, but to ensure their safety...

Hark! The Porters bring tidings of adventure! He waved to Shield and followed them out to the Causeway. They could undertake the confrontation with Torch at a later date.

IC: Rain - Hallways

She had been waiting long enough. It was time...

Oh, look, a Porter. It chirped its message at her. Once more, she was interrupted in the middle of a vitally important activity for... a silly announcement. Scribbler's death would have to wait. She sighed heavily and gave a swing of frustration at the Porter. The battered creature stumbled back for a moment before rolling up and off down the halls again. She glared at its colorful carapace until it vanished from sight.

"Nice paint," some strange Rahk called. The complement caught her off guard. He... liked it? Not even that other "artist" had bothered mentioning it. She didn't know what to say, but he was long gone anyway. She coughed awkwardly and started off towards the Causeway at a leisurely pace. Her staff, with all its threatening curves, swung out in front of her in lazy circles.

IC: Deadeye

"LET ME GO!" The villain yelled, struggling against the vines. The small rahkshi quickly, using his hatchet, attached the vines to the bookshelf, leaving Deadeye tied up on a shelf. The small rahkshi quickly scurried off in pursuit of Root.

IC Causeway

Busy day! Busy, busy day!

No time for a long post, needless to say, the rubberrahk had joined the herd milling about the Causeway.

Actually, a school or murder might be a more apt term for group of rahkshi.

IC: Jayar / Causeway

"Yes. It would seem that Kat and Fang are putting him to rest at last," he explained solemnly. "I'm... going to pay my respects."

He'd not really known Omega, but he found himself quietly approaching the pyre anyways. He, and every other murdered Rahkshi, each deserved their moment of reverence from the living. And, in a way, it brought things back into perspective. What had seemed a tragedy became less so when you stared solemnly at the collapsing body of a Rahkshi who had once lived, but no longer.

IC: Era - Causeway.

I smelled smoke, heavy and acrid. The stench made my nose burn, and I couldn't help but wonder what part of this entailed paying respects to the dead. It didn't seem very respectful. 

IC: Fang - Causeway

A murmur of conversation grew in behind them. Fang turned, trying to get a hold on his emotions, to see the student body pouring out. Must be another assignment. Nothing else gets this aggressive group together.

He noticed Jayar and Era coming closer, and gave them a quick nod. "It is done," he stated.

IC: Tube - Dorms

Tube perked up when they heard the roll of Porters and the announcement. "Should we go?" they asked Whak.

IC: Glass

"What do you feel about the growing resentment against the Academy?" I suddenly asked.

IC Vaalku

Vaalku looked around. He was getting tired of waiting for Palma, and decided to look the room over. His attention was caught by the curtain.

Something was different about it. Maybe less dust, maybe a different position... Someone had probably been added to the pile. He decided to take a look; It would be good to see Omega again. Drawing it back, he found it Omega-less.

Did someone do something with his body? maybe Fang and the others buried it, or maybe Deadeye dragged it off. Either way, he couldn't help but feel responsible for Omega's demise. He had made it his business to guard him as best he could, and turned his back once. Karzing Exxan. Yet still, he had to make amends, and would as soon as he was better.

IC: Xara - Beach.

"That's exactly the reason I don't want to stay here." I told Glass. "You remember what happened in the gym when the doors were sealed? All of that pent up anger and violence exploded as soon as those doors opened." 

I still remembered it vividly. Two students had died that day, and it was my fault. "Sooner or later all of the tension that's building up inside the school is going to break loose, and it'll make what happened in the gym look like a daydream." 

IC: Glass

I nodded. I knew what she meant. And the punishments afterwards...

I shuddered.

"There's something we should be able to do..." I muttered tiredly.

IC: Xara - Beach. 

"Sand, don't eat that, you don't know where its been!" I turned back to Glass. "You got any ideas?" 

IC: Glass

"No, sadly. Neither petitions nor armed violence can change that, I think... Maybe by teaching the others? To stop being idiots and be more..."

I didn't know what to say. Civilised? We're Rahkshi, for Makuta's sake.

IC: Xara - Beach.

"The stuff you're talking about, it can't be taught" I sighed, "it's something that has to be learned. Alone, individually." I knew from experience. It had taken me a long time to get to where I was now, and I had more than my fair share of regrets. 

IC: Jayar / Causeway

Jayar nodded. "I did not know him... But I know that he deserved to be set to rest, all the same. May he rest in peace." Beyond that, there was little to be said.

IC: Lucid / Causeway

"...rest in peace," Lucid echoed quietly. Then she turned to Fang. "That was beautiful... But, I think you got a bit distracted. Weren't you planning a funeral?" What did Lucid think she had just seen? The ways of her mind may forever be a mystery.

IC: Alpha/Causeway

I looked at the rainbowrahk.

"A cremation is a funeral."

IC: Shadow-Causeway

Shadow was at the Causeway waiting for the Assignment, I wonder what it will be. I hope it will involve a Cow, I need leather to make a Scabbard. thought Shadow, as he looked behind him, making sure the Painter wasn't there.

IC: Vorzorak-Causeway

"Hmm, so what is this assignment, Knowing what I know of the school so far, its probably dangerous." Said Vorzorak Quietly to himself

IC: Sanu-Courtyard

Sanu walked up to a Porter and asked "Hello Porter, can you tell me How this talent show is going to work, and when exactly it is?" He knew the only response he will get is a series of Beeps, and clicks. Maybe its Some sort of code? I'll go to the Library later and look it up in a book, codes, where in the Library would that be?

IC: The students assembling at the Causeway would have seen the academy's Terrain Crawler parked on the beach, a black shadow  amongst the dark waters, its short but powerful legs scarring the sands where it dragged itself out the water. Suvak was waiting near the creature's head, a grim look clouding the half of his face that could actually move. And, perhaps more surprisingly, Tridax was also waiting, though he had elected to perch on one of the Causeway's pillars, elevating himself above the students and the Skakdi. 

"Normally, when we ask you to participate in one of our planned assignments," Suvak began, "we leave it a mystery what you will be doing. This is to test your ability to think on your feet, your ability to adapt to new circumstances. In this scenario though, both I and Palma believed that you needed to know in advance. Because the danger is high and risk of injury great. Those who chose to take part will be divided into two teams, which will then compete with each other in a Capture the Flag game. Pitting you against each other like that is hazardous in and of itself, especially with many of you increasing in power. But this will be an even greater challenge due to the game's location." He paused, turning and pacing along the sand, footsteps making neat little rows, "We will be taking you  south of here to Visorak. The natural fauna there would be dangerous enough, but we believe three currently rogue hordes have taken residence in their homeland. We have picked an area out of their hunting grounds to stage the game, but they may notice and take an interest in you. Do not underestimate the Visorak. They are as smart as you, as powerful as you, and will not fear you. And they are on home turf. Taking part in this assignment is not something that should not be taken lightly even with the safety measures we are putting in place, only step forward into the crawler if you are absolutely sure you wish to join. There will be no turning back."

IC: Silver  - Causeway

I smiled, twirling my staff. Then I stepped up and into the crawler.

IC: Whakatio

Whak nodded. "Let's do this."

IC: Vorzorak-Causeway

Vorzorak noticed his staff was missing, it was on the Gym floor still... He had already stepped onto the terrain crawler, No turning back now. but Visorak, I read about them, They're powers, Some can mimic people, others can Dehydrate them, they're dangerous Critters.

IC: Shadow-Causeway

Shadow was ready with his sword, he stepped onto the Terrain Crawler, Please don't be teamed up with the Painter, Please no... He thought

IC: Sanu-Courtyard-Hallway-Causeway

Nobody was at the courtyard for the Talent show... Figures. They all went off to the assignment, Oh well, I guess I'll join them, he thought walking away sadly, it should have been AFTER the Assignment, as he passed by the gym, it was empty, he saw one thing in the middle, it was a staff, maybe... Yes... He ran in, got it, and ran out, Nobody's using it, Right? That wouldn't make me a thief. he walked towards the Causeway, and when he got there Students were assembling on a Vehicle. a Large one. Follow the Lead I guess. he thought as he walked up to the Vehicle, not knowing exactly what he was getting into, He thought about it for a moment, Yes? No? Maybe? Well everyone else is participating, but, Where were we going? Somewhere dangerous? Somewhere Fun? I guess this will answer my question. thought Sanu, as he missed the announcement telling everyone where they were going, but Curiosity got the best of him. he stepped one Step on. The Next step on, he Got fully on, he was excited, Extremely. 

IC: Fang - Causeway

He gave a somber nod to Jayar's contribution, but it was quickly interrupted by the colorful Rahkshi's interjection. He stared at her in confusion for a moment before deciding she must have meant his hesitation... or the pyre itself. Whatever it was, surely it must have made sense.

Before he could put together a response, Suvak made his announcement. Fang turned suddenly and glared at the headmaster. More division among the students? Possibility of injury or death, not only in the claws of the Visorak, but even at the hands of their fellow Rahkshi? All for a... game, put together by Tridax? It was... sick.

But whatever the motivation and possible consequences, it was also an opportunity. He could have no impact if he remained behind. Then there was Kat. She had always shown promise in these assignments. Surely she wouldn't want to miss it. And if she was leaving, he would follow.

He turned to her with a questioning glance. "Should we go?"

IC: Tube - Causeway

It didn't take Tube long to find their way to the Causeway again. They started searching the crowds for Checkers before remembering he wasn't there. Tube drooped in disappointment and pulled closer to Whak.

"It sounds like fun," they sighed, "but it won't be the same without Checkers. Should... should we try to find Legion?"

IC: Rain - Causeway

The area seemed to brighten as her golden paint emerged from the school. Or so she imagined. Surely someone here could appreciate all the work she had put into it.

As she idly gazed around at all the pathetic Rahkshi, talking amongst themselves and preparing to begin, her eyes fell on the Terrain Crawler. She couldn't resist grinning. It was just as beautiful as she remembered. She wasted no time in running up and inside. This assignment sounded great...

IC: Root - Causeway

'Twas fortunate that he had prepared his full armaments previously, for it appeared there was another quest in progress! 'Twould be utterly unheroic to appear late to such an occasion, even if 'twas for his own preparations!

He harkened unto the headmaster's words. This quest promised much danger, but he would emerge from it all the more victorious, against all odds!

But first, he must consider his new companion. Perhaps he would find such violence... distasteful. "I w-w-would not think l-lesser of y-y-you if y-you ch-chose to st-st-stay," he stuttered.

IC: Whakatio

", he still has my guns." Whak faceclawed. "Yeah, we need to."

IC: Shield

"A good guy never retreats, right?" Shield grinned.

IC: Revenge-Causeway

Revenge had run out to the causeway. Once he had herd the anouncemet he was conflicted about what to do  He wanted to go on the assignment and test out his new skills, but he had also been practicing for the talent show.  Either way he would probably need his launcher.  He turned to Toxin.  "How long do you think it will take them to load up?"

IC: Hashan (Causeway)

Hashan sighed when he heard the announcement ring out. How many assignments will they push out? He walked up to the causeway and waited. When it was said that they were going to Visorak, he suddenly perked up. This could be a time to show himself.

IC: Siren (Causeway)

Siren waited until the others had left to the causeway. She walked up to the burning remains of Omega, and laid a small flower on his head. She then quickly walked over to the causeway. The speech was already throwing that they were going to Visorak.

Great.

She looked up at Tridax staring down at them, judging them. Was she being ranked on her tardiness?

IC: San

The slop now lay as a slightly-muddied grey liquid that now covered most of the floor and his feet. The announcement rang out.

Assignment? What an odd idea. Perhaps I could speak to the highers about the chance of the pudding.

He made his way over to the "Causeway", where his first look at his colleges lay.

What an odd bunch. Not like me.

It was announced that the party would be travelling to the island known as "Visorak". He had heard of that island from his Makuta, nasty place.

OOC: everyone open to interaction

IC Kat:

I considered it carefully. There was a good chance that there would be injured during this assignment.

On the other hand, I needed all the experience I could get, especially if I wanted to lead a group of students out.

"I'm going."

IC: Fang - Causeway

"Very well," he said. He began walking to the Crawler without any argument. He wasn't leaving Kat again.

IC: Tube - Causeway

"Okay!" Tube chirped up. They got up as high as they could and began scanning the crowd for the Lehrak.

IC: Root - Causeway

He nodded his acceptance, though his wide grin was hidden beneath his foliage. "G-g-good," he chuckled softly. "L-let us d-d-depart!"

Root waved his staff as he span about and strode towards their transport.

IC

His first thought was "a challenge, physical contest, yes!"

It was soon tempered by thoughts of self doubt, that last mission had gone sideways and quickly. Not to mention, Kat's offering of herself as a martyr. Why hadn't the rubberrahk stood up and told the truth? Hard to say. Could've been any number of things.

"I'll go." Caoutchouc walked forth into the waiting mechanized beast.

IC: Vorzorak-Causeway(On the terrain Crawler)

Vorzorak had an odd mixture of Fear, and Excitement, it was strange, the excitement part, they were heading to Visorak. Visorak!

IC: Sanu-Causeway

Sanu was on the terrain crawler, he was messing with his staff, adding features, 

OOC: Open for interaction.

IC: Shark / Causeway
 
 
An intense competition on a remote island crawling with vicious Rahi? It was almost too good to be true. There would be myriad opportunities for murder, and equally numerous ways to present it as an accident, or even frame other students. Shark tried not to show any signs that he was ecstatic as he took his place in the crawler. This was going to be fun.
 

* * *

 
IC: Lucid / Causeway
 
 
Lucid gave Alpha that piercing 'obviously you don't understand' glare for a moment before listening to Suvak's announcement. Sounded like it might be fun. She walked towards the Terrain Crawler and was surprised to see the potted plant from the Library. Approaching him, Lucid asked, "Are you going on the field trip?" That would make sense. Plants grew in fields, after all.
 

* * *

 
IC: Jayar / Causeway
 
 
Jayar listened skeptically to Suvak's announcement. It seemed inherently foolish to put so much at risk just to play a game. Even so, he might have gone. Kat and Fang could probably use him on their side (assuming, that was, that Suvak didn't wind up requiring them to oppose each other), and at level three he was a more useful ally than ever. But there was someone here who might need him more.
 
"I think I'll pass on this one," he said to Era.

IC: Silver - Crawler

I saw the finned Rahk from earlier climb in and walked over.

"Does this stuff happen often here?"

IC: Shark / Terrain Crawler

Shark recalled the Rahkshi from the hallways earlier. Clearly he was new, and perhaps would benefit from - and trust, Shark thought sneeringly - a mentor. And he, Shark, could be that mentor. At least, until he saw fit to end their partnership permanently...

His face betrayed none of his inner schemes, though. He appeared merely happy to help a younger Rahk. "Not really," he explained knowledgeably. "Since the founding of the school there have only been five, and that's including this one. That's only one every 60 pages. This one's the most dangerous to date, it would seem, though."

IC Kat: I joined the myriad of other students in the terrain crawler, idly wondering if Tridax had forgotten.

IC: Sidonas - Recoil's Dorm

As Sidonas finished his tale, he heard the Porters blaring announcements. "Guess that's our cue. We can talk about this later." He said to Recoil. At that Sidonas grabbed Hook and went to see what all the fuss was about. He saw something large, and other Rahk were getting in it. A type of vehicle perhaps? He had no idea, but hey, Suvak was there and this looked like a job he might be needed on, so he hopped aboard and grabbed a seat, asking Cao near him, who he remembered from when he was stabbed. "So, what did I miss?"