BZPRPG: Ga-Wahi

IC: [The Fourth]Four returned half an hour later to meet up with Dekal. "So, I'm back."

OOC: Behold! A rather long post! Part previous RP, part Nuju/myself jam session, all awesome.IC"I DON'T HELP THEM BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT ME!"He attempted to throw a punch at me, but I easy blocked it, a resounding smack resounding and his fist hit my palm. With ease I held him there as he continued to whine. "People have told me time and time again that I'm a freak. They didn't want me to be a part of their society SO I'M NOT. They still go about their little lives without me, like they always have done. If there's someone you know who would accept me, even want or need me, point the way.""That is nothing but an excuse!"I shoved his fist, and therefore his whole body, back several steps. Angrily I pointed a finger at him. "Since when do others dictate your destiny? The future is not set in stone, buts YOURS to forge! It is YOU that needs to go forth and find out what you're made of. Yes, there will be many failures and stumbling blocks along the way, I should know, but the true test of a person is if you can overcome your inhibitions and fears to create a path that YOU want to walk on. Don't rely on someone else to tell you you're needed; MAKE yourself needed!"I withdrew my finger, my voice lowering. "If you let others run your life, you are nothing but a slave, a machine, a living nobody. People aren't going to come to you; they never do. That is, until they know who you are and need you. You want to be accepted? Go find the people that will do so. I already gave you several ideas of where to go and what to do, but you are so wrapped up in your own self-pity to even take the help. You are so convinced you are too far gone that when someone DOESN'T tell you you're a freak and TRIES to help you, you can't even register it. If you're not willing to work at something and prove your critics wrong, then why stand here whining? There's a bay right behind you; go use it."I never got to hear the reply.---------------------------------------------A single call, issued from the guard on a spindly wooden tower erected in the sand, drew the focus of everyone on the beachhead."Tarakava!"In that same instant, the beast emerged fully from the surface of the ocean, standing up to its full height. Glistening with seawater, the tall teal Rahi was perhaps ten yards out from the shore. It opened its sharp maw and roared, a harsh metallic resonance; all heads whipped around in fear, and immediately the crowd panicked. The Rahi was close that the Matoran below could see the malevolence in its amber eyes; in the adrenaline-fueled hyper-focus of the moment, many of them also noticed the infected mask on its nose. This was one of Makuta's beasts.The beach, tranquil just moments earlier, was suddenly flushed with pandemonium as civilians pushed en masse for the one bridge that led back into the sanctuary of Ga-Koro. The Tarakava, long arms swinging, closed in fast on the bridge and the Rahi beat most of the crowd there; with one of its powerful forearms, the Rahi slammed aside the floating bridge, capsizing everyone who had been on it and cutting off reentry for those still on the beach.I admit, I was just as stunned as everyone else for the first few seconds. At a glance, should we really have been that scared? How many crazies came through port every day? How many psychopathic maniacs killed and destroyed dozens of people every year here? How many deadly storms a month during monsoon season swept across the bay? A single wild rahi should not be that scary.Wrong. It was terrifying.There was something primal that rose to the surface when confronted with a wild animal: sharp teeth coupled with the metallic roar; powerful punching forearms; malevolent and hungry eyes; and of course the rusted, spotted, pitted, oozing infected kanohi. This was not a learned fear; no, I knew what learned fear and respect was. This was much deeper. A fear that one is born with, that is as innate to us as breathing. The abstract terror that one can never be truly rid of - this is what we all felt. You either deal with it or you don't. And right now everyone wasn't dealing with it.Including myself.I only became conscious of my own actions when the beast knocked over the bridge, dunking dozens into the bay and stranding many more. I realized I had stopped running because I could no longer go forward. I didn't know where Wiremu was, or even those other people I was just talking to just moments before. I really couldn’t go back without fleeing into the jungle, and something deep down wouldn't let me. My competiveness? My urge to never back down? Maybe that "can never lose" mentality wasn't so great sometimes-I felt myself grow cold as it roared again, clearly having everyone where it wanted them. For a moment I stood there in abstract terror and indecision, only bios away from a monster that could easily swallow me in one bite, and it looked hungry. Unable to think rationally despite my best efforts I acted on impulse.Before I knew what I was doing I felt the wood of my staff slide cleanly through my hands. I was moving without any conscious effort, without command...THWOCK!What happened next was both burned into my memory and happened in slow motion. Somehow I had taken my staff and with a perfect swing hit a rock on the sandy beach, the circular, stony mass spinning through space at the Tarakava with deadly accuracy. While the sound didn't carry that far, many of those around me heard it and watched with incredulous faces as the rock-CRACK!If they weren't looking before, they were now. The screams momentarily subsided as the sound of stone on metal echoed across the bay, everyone wondering what happened. Somehow I had missed the mask but hit him squarely in the face. All eyes turned towards me, including those of the beast. Yes, those malevolent, amber eyes.They were furious.For what seemed like an eternity nothing happened as it seemed to size me up. All I knew was that my heartlight was racing a million beats a minute and I could feel it in my throat, realizing that I had just turned myself into target number one for one of the possibly most dangerous creatures on the island. I was frozen in time, unable to-"Run."My voice croaked, and it seemed to break the spell momentarily. Hurriedly I took a breath."RUN! Get away!"I was waving my hand maniacally at the crowd, sensing this might be their only chance to get some distance between them and the beast. As it finally bellowed it finally hit me I had inadvertently become the only one who could buy time for everyone else.-----------------------------------------------The Tarakava strafed a little, side to side, sizing up this new foe. Its face was dented on one side by the rock, the eye almost put out; the Rahi was clearly incensed, but its posture remained guarded. The Tarakava tossed out a couple swinging punches, lazy ones that Joske easily ducked, as if to measure the Matoran's speed. Then, immediately after one such slow strike, the Rahi broke the pattern and took a straight, powerful lunge at Joske, its hammer-like fist aimed squarely at Joske's torso.I saw it coming. Saw it from a mile away. I even knew it was coming; I mean, how could I not? In this case however it didn't matter. I simply wasn't fast enough-BAM!One cannot aptly describe getting hit in the chest at full speed by an incensed Tarakava for the simple reason that if you felt something similar, you're probably already dead.CRACK!As my body wrapped around the fist I could feel my armor, then my chest, break as I physically wrapped around it, the force of impact making by body go rag-doll. I could feel him push me back-CRUNCH!Oh Mata-Nui...My world exploded in stars and purple dots. As my vision cleared I knew three things: First, I was miraculously still alive. Second, half of my body was broken. Third, the reason I was broken was because I was slammed into a nearby rock face, that fist still embedded deeply in my chest. There was a strange wheezing sound, and an odd grinding sensation - then it hit me. The Tarakava was pushing and rubbing my body against the wall, and the wheezing sound was my own breath escaping my lungs. He was trying to snuff me out.I yelped as he pushed harder, trying to get me to stop squirming, by head exploding with more stars and pain, inadvertently causing my arms and legs to grip the fist with a vice-like grip. Confused, it pulled back its fist... and me with it.I really don't know what exactly happened in the short ride there, but I do know the end result: somehow during the quick withdraw he shake me loose, but my momentum kept me moving forward and I ended up latching onto his nose. Broken, terrified, in excruciating pain, and now staring eye-to-eye with a Tarakava, gripped that infected mask with everything I had. I could feel the beast under me begin to shake, then move violently, finally bellowing in frustration as this matoran was latched to its nose, refusing to come off. As it thrashed about in the shallow water I hung on for dear life, knowing that if I let go I would be dead. With one final effort it jerked its head upwards... The mask came off, and the Tarakava flopped to the earth. Joske, utterly exhausted, was lucky enough to be on the side that didn't hit ground first, and when the Rahi collapsed, he rolled off its snout, limp. The crowd on the beach, which had retreated to a safe distance when Joske had begun his duel with the beast, moved gradually back in, once they realized that the creature was truly limp.Then, one Matoran broke free of the slow throng, and rushed to Joske on the ground. It was the Ga-Wahian fisherwoman that Joske had appraised mere minutes earlier. "Somebody help me carry him!" she called.Volunteers sprung forward immediately, now that the stillness of the moment had been broken. Joske, barely conscious, was carried by the fisherwoman and three others. The good swimmers among the crowd worked together to bring the leaf bridge back into alignment, and citizens inside the Koro quickly opened the gates. The Matoran bearing Joske led the column of anxious, tittering citizens inside again.----------------------------------------------------------I didn't feel myself hit the ground. In fact, I couldn't feel much of anything. All I knew was that I hurt, I couldn't move, and that was because it flet like every bone in my body was broken. I wasn't sure if I was still gripping that mask or not. I just didn't know. Did I win? Was it dead? Was I dead? I just didn't know. I just...Didn't...Know...My world blacked out.

IC: RitIn just a split second things had drifted from a tranquil peace, to this chaotic mess. During my conversation with Wiremu, Matoran had started running towards, screaming something about a Tarakava. To me it mattered not what they had said, all I knew was that someone was in need of my help, so help I would. I had ran off towards of the source of the commotion, hoping to perhaps find just what had caused this fine mess that had occurred. Unfortunately I did find it, however I was a little too late.When I arrived things were already in chaos, through the bustling of all these Matoran I could not even make out the Tarakava they were screaming about. Instead all I saw was could only be described as pure turmoil. People were blabbing on and on about a Tarakava, some Ta-Matoran, a Kohlii stick, and all sorts of crazy nonsense, and all I could do was attempt to make my way true the crowds. It was like steering a boat through arctic waters.Eventually I managed to make it the scene where it had all taken place, and things were worse off than I had anticipated. I had found the Tarakava, but it was already limp and on the ground, next to it however was crowd of Matoran, they seem crowded around something, or maybe someone. Suddenly it began to dawn on me, the Ta-Matoran, the Kohlii stick, it was all making sense now. And then my suspicions were confirmed as I saw the crowd lift up another, it was that Ta-Matoran, Wiremu's friend, it seemed I had misjudged the #####. It sickened me as a I realized how I had treated him. I had to find a way to repay him, I owed him that much. There he was with injuries lying all over his body, as though someone had painted the bruises on. Cuts and scraps doting his body, I needed to help him.Then, as though my father was whispering in my ear, I realized just what I could do. However much I wanted to avoid it. One may abandon the path of becoming a doctor, but the mindset rarely leaves them, the urge to always help out those in need of their specialty. I didn't want to be a doctor, I had wanted to take a more active role in helping the weak. However before me now lay someone that perhaps only I could help, someone who required me to be a doctor, some one who needed the doctor in me, not the fighter.With a shake of my head, I chased after the group of Matoran carrying Wiremu's friend. He needed my help, and I intended to offer it. After all he had just done, it was the very least I could do. It seemed that in a strange twist of faith, the very thing I had turned my back on, I now required. Regardless of the means though, I was still going to be doing what I had set out to do. Helping the weak, and right now the one I needed to help was just in front of me.

IC: ValjaValja had walked around the whole of Ga-Wahi once. She was very bored and hadn't met any of the major factions in the area. Finally, she returned to the tavern and started listening again.OOC: Open for interaction...

IC: Terro and FuronTerro and his companion had been living in Ga-Koro for quite some time, but the Toa of the Green had grown quite tired of it. As they wandered around the streets, looking for a food vendor, Terro activated his Kualsi and vanished, leaving Furon behind.He reappeared far away from Furon, intending to head for Le-Wahi once again.OOC: Terro to Le-WahiIC: FuronFuron looked around in confusion as his friend vanished. He noticed another Toa (Valja) and called to her."Hey!" he shouted, running over to her, "you! My guide disappeared. Can you help me?"

OOC: FYI, Valja is a turagaIC: "You're the first person to mistake me for a toa today," the TURAGA said while walking towards Furon with an air that resembled a toa more than a turaga. "What can I help you with?"

OOC: Sorry >_< I didn't really have time to read the profile pages.IC: FuronFuron frowned."My friend vanished and now I have no clue to get around this place."

IC: Valja"Ok, where d0 you want to go?" said Valja, twirling her badge of office."I know all the major landmarks around here, but if it's something super specific..."

IC: Furon"I-er-uh..." Furon stuttered, "that's a good question."

IC: Valja"Are you looking for major landmarks or just the local tavern?" Valja asked

IC: FuronFuron shrugged."Tavern I guess," he said.

IC: Valja"COme with me then," and she led the way to the tavern she had just been at.

IC: FuronFuron followed.

IC: tanguraTangrua and the others covered there ears just in time, as dekuna's shout filled the air. "If they are anywhere on the island they would've heard that!' he exclaimed.OOC: Maybe we should pm them.

IC: Tangrua"Now all we have to do is find havon and Miha"OOC: Have they had any name changes? Snelly and Biobeast I mean.

IC: "Well that shouldn't be to hard" Dekuna replied as the group walked into Ga-koro, before he added "Block your ears".He placed a field of silence around his own head to keep from deafening himself, before amplifying the sound of his voice and calling out"Havon, Miha! If you're still in Ga-koro, you've got visitors! And Zealokan's shouting you Epic Tea!"

IC: XerovI stand, and I watch, as people move forward to either look at or tend to Joske. I know that there's some truth in his words, but I don't want to accept it. I have my own ways, my own rituals... there are certain rules that I must follow. I have habits, a lifestyle, I'm not just going to pull away from them because an idealistic Ta-Matoran hit me (which, by the way, was a surprise -- I really thought he would've used the rock). I'm never going to forget what he said, though.And he just took down a Tarakava. That is... that is ridiculously impressive. I mean, he probably killed himself trying to do it, but... still. The point remains.I push my way through the crowd, earning a few glares and curses, so that I can get a closer look at him. The Toa from earlier, the one he manipulated, she's over there now. Where's his friend, the Onu-Matoran, what's-his-name? I suppose it doesn't matter, if he isn't by his friend's side already he will be soon enough.I'm near the front of the crowd, now. I can see him pretty clearly, and he does not look good. My thoughts from earlier come back to me; 'he probably killed himself trying to do it'. What if it's true? How would he feel, knowing that the advice he had given mere moments before his death would be ignored?Even if he wasn't dead, he wouldn't be playing Kolhii again for a while. Judging by how good he was at it, Kolhii was likely the driving force in his life. Admittedly, I myself don't see much in it, but that's not what counts.Maybe I will go out, into the world. Maybe I should try to climb out of my shell.Or maybe I'll wait until later. Maybe I'll go out into the world tomorrow. I mean, I should probably find out what happens to Joske, seeing as he gave me all that advice. I'll just stay here, in Ga-Koro, just until I know he's fine, and then I'll leave. I might even wait a little while after that, y'know, just to settle into these new ideas. Figure out where I'm going. Get the right supplies.Yes, okay, I'll admit it, I'm a coward. But, you know, cowards do have longer life expectancies. I mean, take a look at the Toa, and Takua, and all those people -- they weren't cowards, and look where it got them. Really, it's a sort of a defence mechanism."If you let others run your life, you are nothing but a slave, a machine, a living nobody." No, don't try and remind me. I'm going to follow that advice. Just... just, not right now. "You are so convinced you are too far gone that when someone DOESN'T tell you you're a freak and TRIES to help you, you can't even register it." I am registering it, thankyou very much. I've got the idea, now I just need to figure out how to stop your advice echoing in my mind. "The true test of a person is if you can overcome your inhibitions and fears to create a path that YOU want to walk on." Y'know, I'm pretty sure that came before the other stuff. "If you're not willing to work at something and prove your critics wrong, then why stand here whining? There's a bay right behind you; go use it." Well, maybe I will. Oh, right. The crowd. Yeah, that might get in the way a little. "Don't rely on someone else to tell you you're needed; MAKE yourself needed!"Okay, FINE. Will THAT work? Will you shut up if I get over myself and just LEAVE? Will that work? Will it make me better in your eyes if I go out and try to use these 'gifts'? Well, maybe I will. EVEN MY OWN MIND IS TURNING AGAINST ME. Big help, that is. I'm actually arguing WITH MYSELF. Seems like the kind of thing someone completely mentally stable would do. But I'm still going to wait. "That is nothing but an excuse!"Okay, I'm leaving. Just putting one foot in front of the other. Just walking back, through the crowd. Yes, you can move in front of me, I don't need the dirty looks, god, stop being so self-absorbed, guy on the road to redemption here, yes, okay, I stepped on your foot, is that really such a problem? Look, I'm leaving? See? You don't have to shout at me. You're sounding a little hoarse there, you should probably get that checked out. Excuse me, pardon me, moving through, YES I GET IT YOU DON'T LIKE OTHER PEOPLE MOVING AROUND YOU, GET OVER IT.Well, that was easy. Look, I can see the gates from here. Oh, yeah. Those are the ones I just walked through. Nevermind.Y'know, walking away is pretty hard work. No, I'm not saying I'm quitting, I'm just saying that if the other stuff is half as hard as this I'll just have no choice but to turn back. Yep. Just gonna turn back, if it gets harder than this. Where was I going to go, anyway? I haven't really thought this through. When he told me to go out into the world and find people who would accept me, I don't think he meant to just plain walk out. But, it's too late now (oh, there's the cowardice again, but on a different side. Even the part of me that told me not to do this is changing its mind. That's either a good sign or... I'm not sure what it would be if it wasn't a good sign. A bad sign, probably), may as well keep walking. There's a... not sure what to call that, really. If I remember correctly, I'd have to go this way to get to Onu-Koro. So I'm just going to walk to Onu-Koro. Sounds pretty tiring. But I'm still going to do it. Probably.OOC: Xerov to Onu-Koro.

IC: "Well, it was the fastest way" Dekuna shrugged to Tangrua and Uar. "I didn't want to go searching through all of Ga-koro for people who might not even be here. Done that before, and it didn't end well. Before we were half done, Miha was fighting pirates out in Naho Bay. I guess it did lead to meeting Zealokan and Payiges, though, so it wasn't all bad.""Havon's in hospital?" Dekuna spluttered when the Ga-Matoran nurse came up and announced Havon's location. It wasn't unlike the toa of fire, but it definitely had him concerned. "What happened to him?"

IC: ValjaValja and Furon were still at the bar for some reason. Nothing had happened to them. At least, Valja was. Furon...

IC: Tegam"what are the extent of his injuries? I assume someone with a mask of healing is there, but if not...." he taped his own mask.

IC: [Vaisaga]Vaisaga silently followed Rit, wondering why he hadn't acted sooner to help the Matoran.

IC: FuronFuron thanked the Turqga and went inside.

IC (Cael)The inside of the hut was a peaceful blue, lit by several jars of phosphorescent jellyfish hung from various points in the ceiling. It was almost like being underwater, the way the light rippled and undulated as though refelcting through countless fathoms of water.It was peaceful here. Cael had purposely made it that way,all the better to promote an atmosphere of healing. Though many people thought injuries were strictly physical, the Toa of Water knew that was not true. Healing was a process that involved mind, body and spirit, and a mind and body at peace would be more open to healing.Cael finished wrapping up a Matoran's arm in a sling of seaweed. The arm had been broken in a fishing accident, but now you could hardly tell. The Toa of Water had used her mask and elemental powers to soothe and set the damaged joint, and now all it needed was rest. Some users of the Mask of Healing believed in using their powers to immediately cause full healing, but Cael was not of that school of thought. Her years of healing had taught her to let as much of the healing happen as naturally as possible. The broken arm was mostly mended, but a few days of rest would return it to full working condition, as good as new.The Matoran thanked the healer and left, and Cael began cleaning up her supplies. She'd hardly put away her bandages, however, when another Matoran burst in, his eyes wide."Healer! Come quick! There was a Tarakava attack!""Tarakava?" Cale replied with a worried frown. Without a second thought, she grabbed her satchel and followed the Matoran outside into the Ga-Koro sunshine."How many hurt, and how badly?" She asked."A dozen or so people were thrown off of the bridge connecting the village to the shore," the Matoran replied, breathing heavily as the two ran through the village. "But one stupid Matoran -brave too, I guess- tried to attack the Rahi, and it punched him straight in the chest."Cael quickened her pace. She'd tended her share of serious injuries in the past, but getting struck in the chest by a Tarakava? The sea Rahi were famous for the strength of their blows; it would be a miracle if the Matoran wasn't dead already.Another few seconds of running, and the pair turned a corner to find a crowd of beings, all chattering with fear and excitement. At the front of the procession, a group of people carried a limp figure hardly recognizable as a Matoran.Cael's heart jumped in her throat. "Put him down!" she shouted. She ran towards the unconscious Matoran and his bearers, her Mask of Healing already beginning to glow. "You're going to kill him! He needs help now!"

IC: LondarLondar had finished posting the signs. "There," he thought. "Back to Ta-Wahi."OOC: Londar to Ta-Wahi

OOC: If you wish to join, meet The Pyro IC at the suva kaita and send a pm to me. This new group is basically a terrorist group that wants to smash as much as possible. Each of our members is allowed to go on individual rampages; sometimes, I might organize group raids. Catastrophic destruction of canon locations such as the koros not allowed, but you are free to cause a little mayhem so long as 5/6 of the koro hasn't been razed.

IC: RitIt wasn't long before I arrived in the Healers hut as well, just in time to hear her speak. "He needs help now!" I took a deep breath, I knew what I had to do, what I had to say. I guess I never truly could escape the doctor in me. My voice finally spoke, some how it was still cold enough that it didn't betray any emotions."I'm here to offer that help healer. I happen to have training as a doctor, so I can help given the chance. However as this is you're home, I will only assist as you see fit. However if this Matoran's life is to be saved you need as much help as possible." Than I stopped talking and instead was ready to act, for we needed to act fast for Wiremu's friend, I would not let this Matoran down. I will not allow him to die. Now I only had to hope this healer would make the wise decision. After that was the only hope left to me, and the Ta-Matoran, I would not allow it to just be fleeting. Regardless of what he had said in the past, he had redeemed himself, and I intended to make sure it wasn't in vain.

IC (Cael)The beings bearing the unconscious Matoran laid him gently down on the lily pad. Even though she'd had years of training and experience dealing with sickness and injury, the severity of this Matoran's wounds took Cael's breath away.His chest was caved in in the shape of a giant fist, ribs snapped like twigs by the force of the Tarakava's blow, and he was covered in blood. The Toa dropped her bag and leaned over the Matoran, her ear poised over his mouth. He wasn't breathing, which wasn't surprising. His lungs had likely been punctured in multiple places, and even if they were sound, they had no room to expand in the crushed thoracic cavity.Cael sat up and turned to the Matoran who had brought her here, who was still breathing heavily from his sprint for help."Go get as many of my supplies as you can," she ordered. "Take some people with you, and bring a stretcher."The Matoran nodded, and, along with a few other beings, sprinted off in the direction of Cael's hut.The healer turned back to the Matoran, her mind racing as she contemplated his injuries, when a voice came from behind her."I'm here to offer that help healer. I happen to have training as a doctor, so I can help given the chance."Cael turned to see a female Toa of Ice standing behind her."I'll need all the help I can get," the Toa of Water replied, her mask beginning to glow with a peaceful blue light. "I need you to begin artificial respiration while I try to heal his lungs. We need to get him breathing again, before brain activity shuts down."That said, the healer turned back to the Matoran, and placed her hands on his pulverized chest. Her mask glowed brighter, and the blue light began to run down her arms into her hands, which also began to glow as she attempted to heal the Matoran's crushed lungs.

IC: Images flash through my mind with sickening speed, blurred and yet at once painstakingly clear. Momentary darkness eclipses the montage, replaced immediately by blinding light. Beach. Wedding. The scene slows for a few moments - slipping into the back row, unnoticed by all save for the Po-Matoran seated next to me. He glances at my arm. "Mark Bearer, eh?" His voice is hollow, a distant echo. "Friend of Tillian's, I take it?" I mutter some sort of agreement as my stomach drops suddenly, plunging me again into the abyss. The scene whirls violently and I find myself seated at the climax of the ceremony. My breathing quickens, becomes heavier. My vision tunnels, all fading to nothingness but the pair of lovers each gazing into the other's eyes. I am dimly aware of a faint tingling sensation in my arm, of rising and stumbling away, murmuring something about a stomachache--The world drops away and I am falling again, bombarded now by a schizophrenic burst of images exploding far too quickly to make them out, each tearing my mind to shreds more thoroughly than the last.But I know without seeing it what this final onslaught contains. Terror grips my heart, crushing me like the fist of the Makuta himself--My eyes snap open and are greeted by a wall of sand. I push off the ground with my right arm and roll over, propping myself up into a sitting position. Gradually, my heart slows, my breathing returns to normal. I take in my surroundings - the grit of the sand beneath me, the crashing breakers, the call of the gulls, the smell and taste of salt in the air. Somewhere in Ga-Wahi, then. Far along the shore to my left, I see a dark speck, small, but certainly there. Ga-Koro itself, perhaps? As I make so stand up, I lower my gaze.A bright orange glow fills my vision.My heart speeds back up.

OOC: With Mef gone and Krayzikk still gone for something else I'm once again back down to one character in Ga-KoroIC: (Valria)Valria picked up the knife after it cool, increasing the gravity around Telric once again to keep him rooted to the ships deck. Any harder and he would have started making dents and perhaps starting to break the ferry under his weight."I don't really care what you think. The only reason you're still breathing is because you're of use to me. Honor your deal." Valria growled. "If you lie...I will find you and it is as simple as that." Valria crossed her arms and awaited the answer.

IC*GASP!*Suddenly I found myself conscious, scared and very much confused. My body was trying to breathe, but for some reason there was no air going into my lungs. It was a very strange sensation, awake but not breathing, trying very much to obtain oxygen with nothing visible blocking my airway. I could feel my arms begin to flail as my air-starved body tried desperately to breathe, and that's when I got a glance at the rest of my body.My chest, which should have been convex, was now concave, leaving no room for things like heartlight, ribs, lungs, or any other viatal organ. There was fluid everywhere, and had it not been connected to my head I would not have recognized the body. Clearly this was the physical remains of dead matoran, one who no longer had a chest cavity or anything in there. Yet, I was alive. Conscious. Observant.I panicked.No amount of training can train you for this. I didn't matter how many times I'd been hurt before, how many hours of practice with the Guard I had put in, no amount of physical torture I had placed on myself to perfect my sport, not even the mental fortitude I prided myself having; none of that mattered. I should be dead on the table, yet here I was trying desperately to breathe, several what I assume to be toa standing over me.Mata-Nui all I wanted was air. Just a gulp. And these oversized so-called heroes were crowding my space, preventing me from getting it, trying to push them aside... I just wanted to breathe... oh why did my head hurt, like something was slowly fading away, shutting down... where was I again?Oh yeah, I wanted air. Why wasn't I getting it?OOC: unless I go dream sequence (which I might) I can't post legit until you two get him stabilized and in a safe locale... that is, if you're going to

OOC: I'll save you, Tucky!! Also, Onarax: I do bunny your character a bit in the following post. My apologies. Let me know if it's too much. IC (Cael)As Cael activated her mask, she could feel the pulses of energy flowing from her Kanohi, down through her arms and hands, and into the Matoran's pulverized body. As she had learned long ago, the power of her mask was directly related not only to her level of concentration, but also to her knowledge of the injury. Her years of experience had provided her with a vast amount of knowledge, but all of it paled in comparison to the wounds suffered by this Matoran, so the best she could do was guess.With her experience, it would be a good guess, of course, but her mask wouldn't work as well as if she were healing merely a broken arm. That was a given, though.Her first priority was to restore the Matoran's lungs and heart. She hypothesized that the lungs had been punctured in several places by shattered ribs and armour, and possibly crushed completely by the sheer force of the punch. Either way, they and the heart needed to be restored before the Matoran died from lack of oxygen.Suddenly, the Matoran came alive for a brief moment, thrashing and flailing like he was drowning; and in a way, he was. Cael hoped that the Matoran wasn't conscious: the terror and pain he would feel would be tremendous. She told the doctor to immobilize the Matoran with bonds of ice, but before she could do so, the patient's movements subsided, and he went limp again. The doctors made the bonds anyway, freezing the Matoran's hands and feet to the surface of the lily pad.You can do this, Cael.Placing her hands once more on the Matoran's chest, the healer sent pulse after pulse of blue energy into the wrecked body. She focused with all of her might on the lungs,and the heart, attempting to pull the fractured ribs out of the tissue and repair any damage. After about thirty seconds of this concentration, she let the flow of energy cease, and motioned for the doctor Toa of Ice to begin artificial respiration.Cael's hope was that there would be enough room in the thoracic cavity for the lungs to expand even the smallest amount, allowing them to keep the Matoran alive just a little longer, giving them just a few more minutes to fix the damage. But after a few breaths, the Toa of Ice shook her head. The lungs had no room to expand. They may have been healed, but they were immobilized by the Matoran's crushed armour.The Toa of Water racked her brain, desperately trying to come up with a solution. They needed to bring the thoracic cavity back to its proper shape, or the Matoran would drown on dry land, his lungs frozen in place. They needed to expand his armour...Then, in a flash of insight so brilliant Cael was surprised there was no flash of light, the healer found the answer. At least, she hoped she found the answer. They needed push the armour back into its proper shape to allow the ribs to be set and healed, and the lungs to expand.The Matoran and his friends had returned with a few bags of Cael's supplies, along with a stretcher. The Toa of water ignored the stretcher; it would only be useful if they saved the Matoran's life, and that was touch-and-go right now. Instead, she reached for a smaller bag, and riffled through its contents until she found what she needed. She pulled out a long surgical knife, as sharp as a Muaka's tooth, and prepared to make an incision in the unconscious Matoran's body.She lifted a piece of dented armour and carefully made a small, neat incision in the flesh beneath, opening a small hole into the Matoran's thoracic cavity. Placing the knife down, she then placed her hands over the incision, and began forcing a small, thin stream of water into the Matoran's chest.Some of the watching beings looked horrified at this evident malpractice, but those who had seen or heard of Cael in action before simply stood and watched. She was known for her skill with water, which she claimed was 'the healing element', and she had never let a patient die. If anyone knew what she was doing, it was her.The funny thing was, she didn't. Rather, she had an idea, a theory that might or might not work. She hoped beyond hope that it would, but there was always that chance...She shook the thought away, and activated her mask again. The peaceful blue glow enveloped both healer and patient as Cael poured water into the Matoran's body. Focusing with all her power on healing, on returning the Matoran's body to full health, Cael turned to the doctor Toa of Ice."Hold him down."The doctor looked quizzical, but did as she asked, placing her hands on either side of the Matoran's torso.Cael ceased the flow of water, then used her mask to heal the incision. She then stood up, over the Matoran, and closed her eyes. Her mask glowed brighter, shining like a fallen star, as she concentrated with all her might on the healing of the Matoran's shattered frame.Then, with what looked like a martial arts move, Cael reached down towards the Matoran, then threw her arms up, as though she had grabbed some invisible rope and yanked it up. The Matoran's body responded; as though there actually was a rope, the patient's torso was yanked into the air, held down by ice-bound feet and hands, and barely by the surprised Toa of Ice. The Matoran had hardly fallen back to the ground when Cael did it again, a wild, graceful gesture that pulled the Matoran's body off the ground.She was pulling the water in his chest.The Matoran's body glowed with a faint blue light as the healer poured all of her focus and energy into her mask's powers. As Cael pulled the water up again and again, there was a visible change in the pulverized frame. The Matoran's chest was beginning to return to its proper shape, the water violently forcing the armour back where it belonged, out of the body it was supposed to protect.After a few more of these elegant gestures, Cael dropped to her knees and, grasping the knife again, she cut another incision near the Matoran's collarbone. Throwing her arm towards the ocean, she pulled the water out of the Matoran. It streamed out, a horizontal waterfall red with blood, and splashed into the ocean.Placing her hands back upon the Matoran, the healer continued to focus. Her hands roamed over the Matoran's chest, feeling for the remains of his shattered ribs. Blue light pouring from her mask, she knit the ribs back together as best as she could, but she could feel her strength fading. Carefully, as gently as she could, Cael pieced the bones back into the semblance of a ribcage, the light from her mask continually dying as she did so.The crowd held its breath, waiting to see who would give up first: the Matoran, or the Toa.Then, with a gasp, Cael fell back, landing on the lily pad. The glow from her mask faded entirely as her chest heaved, panting for air, much as the Matoran had done minutes before. With the last strength she had, she motioned towards the doctor."Breathe... him..." she gasped.The Toa of Ice was already there. Placing her hands on the Matoran's face, she pinched his nose shut and pulled his chin down, opening his mouth. She placed her mouth over his, and blew a long breath into him. His chest rose and fell, but nothing happened. His heartlight, repaired a little but still mostly cracked, remained dim.The doctor moved her hands to the Matoran's chest and gingerly pressed once, twice, three times, obviously trying not to break the fragile ribs again. Five times. Ten times. Fifteen.Back to his mouth. She breathed another long breath into the Matoran's lungs, watching as his chest rose and fell, but that was the only response.The doctor continued with the cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Fifteen pumps, then a breath. Watch, listen. Repeat.The heartlight remained dim.Breathe. Press once, twice, three times. Five. Ten. Fifteen. Breathe.The village was silent. Not even a seagull made a sound.Breathe. Press once, twice, three times. Five. Ten. Fifteen. Breathe.They were too late. He was dead.Breathe. Press once, twice, three times. Five. Ten. Fifteen. Breathe.The heartlight blinked.

IC:ReaverShe saw something flickering on her wrist out of the corner of her eye. She held it up, and saw numbers, flickering down. 'What the...' Her head darted upwards. 'Emotia....' No sooner had the name escaped her lips, she was off, sprinting, nodding an apology to Cipher.She eventually found her best friend, and held out her wrist. 'Oi oi, any idea what this-' Reaver's eyes widened in shock. 'You've got one too.'

IC: (Uar)Hotheads... Uar thought at Dekuna's comment. Toa of Fire were known to be a reckless lot. "Anyway, I don't think it could be that bad..." he said to the group in general.IC: (Enara)Meanwhile, a Vortixx, her attention having been attracted by the loud shout of a Toa of Sound, was watching the group's movements, which was all she could discern from the distance, from the beach.

IC: [Vaisaga]Vaisaga let out a silent sigh of relief upon seeing the survival of the Matoran.

IC: Dorian (Beach, Ga-Wahi)"Her name's Nikarra," I explained, suddenly growing very bored of this conversation and snapping the cylinder of my pistol into place before crossing my arms and holding it downwards. "She's the new girl, and good Lord, why is it that none of us ever have anything interesting to talk about? Okay, so maybe Utu might be dead. Let's just say that he is, which he's not: so what? Yuru gets to lead along all the people who are either too nostalgic or too stupid to realize the crucial truth that I've discovered recently."I lifted my pistol, pointing it at each Bearer - even Nikarra - in turn. "We don't need this," I went on, pointing my gun at Yuru. "He doesn't need this, New Girl doesn't need this, as a matter of fact, Tank, I think you're the only one that does need this. Nobody wants to lose their Marks. It's you forcing your mad desire for acceptance and atonement onto the rest of us, and if you really don't think we're good fits for the Mark, the Assistant here should have never chosen us! Isn't that right, Kearrstrun?"I pointed my gun at the Toa of Sonics now, keeping it level with his forehead for several seconds before turning."The point is, ladies and gentlemen, these Marks are ours now. We are not experiments anymore. We can do whatever we want with our lives, and whether we choose to do so with these tattoos is our choice. So don't tell me, Tank, Kearrstrun, that sooner or later I need to lose the Mark. Utu lived for centuries with his Mark: I didn't see him lose his marbles and then end up a wasted corpse--okay, well, according to you he ended up a wasted corpse, but not because of the Mark. Point is, with this Mark, fueling this Timestamp, I could live forever. For-e-ver. So what do I need you for?"Then my gun pointed at Tuara."And why are you even still here? Did you leave Angel for Tank? Wow, I'm not gonna lie, that's a bit of a downgrade, but whatever floats your boat..."-Teezy

OOC: this is fun ICI coughed.Not really. It was more like a hack, coupled with a gargle, with an overall feeling of throwing up a hairball. All I knew was that some sort of liquid of coming out of my mouth and lungs, and it burned. I could feel myself being pushed on my side, which allowed me to cough harder and more violently... my eyes finally focused enough to see what it was: water. I was hacking up water.That made no sense.To be honest not much made sense at this point, but my mind was working overtime desperately trying to piece together recent events. It didn't help that on a scale of one to ten the pain I felt was a fifteen, all centered on my chest. Not to mention at every beat of my heartlight it felt like my head exploded over and over again. At least I was alive and-Wait. I'm alive?...Wait, I died, didn't I? And... I'm alive? Again?...I... Tarakava...Wow.As I was rolled on my back again I couldn't keep my train of thought on track. Too much was going through my head... ow, that hurt! Stop touching me! Of course not, I couldn't speak, let alone breathe normally. Ok, so I'm alive. I survived. Somehow. All this activity was making me tired... maybe when I woke up later I would be able to communicate again...The last thing I remembered before my mind checked out into blissful unconsciousness were two female toa sitting over me...They were pretty... for toa.Blackness.

IC: Havon - Hospital, Ga-koro -The Ga-matoran nurse replied, "I do not know how he got his injuries, you'll have to ask him yourselves. He had several broken ribs and internal bleeding, but our doctors have already taken care of the worst of his injuries, he's just resting now. You may come see him if you wish."

Kale Ironshaper- Ga-koroIC: It seemed the extended periods of inactivity did not sit well with him. Kale closed the book and set it down on the table next to his chair. Standing up and stretching, he looked around at the docks and blue water around him. Deciding that he had been reading long enough, he jumped over the side of the boat and made his way into town. With nothing in particular to do, he wandered the streets, his head moving from side to side, allowing him to take in the entire view of the beautiful koro.Upon passing an inn with the name "Darksea" on the sign, he happened to catch sight of Dekal talking to a Ga Toa through the door as somebody else went in. Kale stuck his foot in the way to prevent the door from closing and poked his head in."Well hey there Dekal! Almost didn't see ya there! Whose your friend?"

IC: Dekal [Darksea Inn]"Kale you crusty old Seatoa," the Toa of Sonics said, grinning. "I'd like to introduce you to our newest crewmember, Four.""Get in here, introduce yourself, get a drink," Dekal added, using his First Mate abilities to order the Fe-Toa around.

IC: Dekuna didn't need a second invitation to go and see Havon: he was off walking towards the hospital the moment the nurse finished speaking. "Thankyou for that" he said over his shoulder, "Just one other thing, do you know anything of a Le-matoran who was with him?"

IC: [The Fourth]"Hello there."

IC: RitI let out a sigh in relief when I saw the Matoran awaken, he would live, I had not failed him. The Matoran had indeed been very brave, more so than many other beings I had met. I felt relieved in just being able to help. It was just one small way I could repay him, for saving so many lives. After making my way over to a bucket of water, I began washing the blood off my hands. Watching as the Matoran's blood flowed off my hands and onto the ground, how strange that even after all these years, the sight of blood still unnerved me a bit. One would of thought that while learning to become a Doctor I would've overcome it, but instead it remained. Perhaps that was just another reason why I chose to abandon the path of the docotor.However as the initial shock of the moment left, I realized something that had not dawned on me before, something that in hindsight was bit silly. I had performed mouth to mouth with the Ta-Matoran. In other words I had kissed the arrogant #####. Now sure, I may have been a doctor and gotten used to the concept, but in the case of this Ta-Matoran all it did was disgust me. I quickly began to scramble to wash my mouth, splashing water and gurgling it, when i realized how foolish I was being. Sure I performed mouth-to-mouth with a chauvinistic pig, but without he couldn't have survived. The Matoran wouldn't have survived, and I would've allowed an innocent to die, all because I was being selfish. Still seeing as he was chauvinistic pig, I splashed some more water in my mouth, just for added measure.