BZPRPG: Ga-Wahi

IC (Merror)A pair of red feet treaded slowly along the bridge into Ga-Koro. It was two whole months since those feet had entered a village, and their owner was glad to finally be able to return to civilisation.Two piercing green eyes surveyed the village from behind a Calix. After that isolation, the noise and bustle of the Village of Water was music to his ears.Merror had been through a lot those past two months, and some company would be most welcome.

As the Toa of Fire walked through the lilypad streets, he reflected on his ordeal. Battling Echelon, and eventually trapping him in Ko-Wahi. Trekking back towards Le. And then the Skapoka... Merror grimaced at the thought of it.But his thoughts were interrupted by a flash of red and gold. A small group of Toa was nearby, and two of them were familiar. One of those two, however, was a great surprise.Joske. Kolhii star of Ta-Koro."Joske?' he said, almost in disbelief.

OOC: I'm aware of Tank, Tuara, and Kearstrunn, there may be more.IC, Perkahn:(Beach)Perkahn, rounded by this group of crewmen, battleaxe in hand just in case, made his way towards that poor, damaged-looking gang of Mark Bearers that the Toa of Iron he saw escape terrorized oh so well."Why, hello," he said as they approached into the Mark Bearers' hearing range. "Can't help but have noticed the marks on your shoulders. Can't help but have noticed I think I may have seen you at Tillian's wedding. Can't think but notice we currently are in a bit of a predicament here."He paused, waiting for the Bearer group to make any response.

IC (Kelp)"We were wonderin' if you'd like us to take care of those others," Kelp said. "For a price, of course, since I'm guessin' it won't be easy."

IC (Cael)Joske was starting to look irritated again as more beings approached, clamouring for his attention. Inwardly, Cael berated herself for dumping so much information on him at once.He doesn't need a lecture, he just needs rest. You've probably confused and overwhelmed him, and he doesn't need that.Unconsciously, Cael had slipped out of her healer persona while talking to Joske. She had tried to talk to him as a fellow Toa, not as a doctor, and the results had been good at first. But without her professionalism to curb her tongue, she`d rattled off enough facts to make Onua woozy. She supposed it was time to try and be the healer again. That`s what Joske needed: care, as he tried to reorient himself. He didn`t need more people shoving things down his throat, he just needed help to figure out what was going on.Her hut was just ahead. Cael placed a hand on Joske's shoulder and guided him towards it, speaking over her shoulder to the Toa who had gathered around them, somehow drawn to Joske like moths to a flame, and somehow knowing who he was, even though he had just undergone the biggest transformation of his life.Cael adopted her best healer voice, the no-nonsense tone that you couldn't argue with. "Joske needs rest now. If you would like to visit him later, that would be fine, but for now he needs rest."

IC (Merror)Merror placed a gentle hand on Cael's shoulder."Please. I'm here to help," he said. He spoke slowly and kindly. "If I'm right, then I know why Joske needs rest, and I agree completely. But that's not all he needs. Becoming a Toa is a mental and a physical transition - but also an emotional one. There are things he needs to know. Please - will you allow me to help him in this?"There was true compassion in Merror's eyes, yet also a kind of sadness, and a weariness."I would also very much like your opinion on something."

IC-Skeldan:"Hoy, what is this?" A strong baritone voice called out. "Why, there is a literal swarm of Toa here, right in the middle of Ga-Koro! Careful, mates, you'll scare away the Matoran!" Soon enough, the figure who called out came into view, a tall-ish Toa of Ice, his silver armour gleaming over white body as he had a small smile on his face."Oh, don't mind me," he said calmly, sitting down. "I'm just interested, is all."

IC: Tawara (Briani's Hut)"Well, I guess our best bet is to just wait for the killer to come after us or get bored and leave. We should take turns keeping watch for assassins while the others sleep." Tawara turned back to her book.

IC: (Tarcvor/Near Joske's group, Ga-Koro)The buzz around Joske's transformation had drawn quite a crowd. And among the many admirers, a lone Toa of Stone stood. Tarcvor, young Toa of stone, stood in awe at his idol. But Joske, however, looked kind of tired. So Tarc fought back the urge to have his axe signed, and continued to gaze in awe.

IC"Been through that already." I said, my voice dripping, that statement thrown in the direction of this new Toa of Fire that just showed up... WHO ALSO KNEW MY NAME! And I never even seen this guy before. I didn't look THAT similar. Mata-Nui, did I have a sign taped to my forehead or something? I spent months is quiet obscurity here in Ga-Koro and suddenly I turn into a toa and now everyone suddenly wants to "help" me like I'm some sort of sick invalid.I just want to be left alone!"Hoy, what is this?" A strong baritone voice spoke out to my right. "Why, there is a literal swarm of Toa here, right in the middle of Ga-Koro! Careful, mates, you'll scare away the Matoran!" There was a pause as yet another toa came into view, a stupid smile on his face. "Oh, don't mind me, I'm just interested, is all."A little part of me snapped.Grabbing Cael's hand I pulled off my shoulder, growling and spinning around to face a rather surprised crowd of toa. My fists were clenched as my mind spun, trying to spit words out. "I... no, errr... just, stop... I don't need... I... just.... gaaaaa! Leave. Me. ALONE!"Leaning against the hut next to Cael's was a fishing spear. Small, simple, made of wood, but most importantly a shaft. Staffs I knew how to use. I knew how to use them well. I grabbed it, spinning it deftly in my fingers as the air hummed threateningly. My plan was to use it. My plan was to beat the snot out of one or two of them, most likely the ones I didn't know. My plan was to beat out my anger and frustration because one, using my power really didn't seem to help last time and two, a wood stick was something familiar in this sea of unfamiliar I was now drowning in. That was my plan. Instead what happened was that when I grabbed it with both hands, it burst into flame. This bio-long, wooden shaft that I was holding out in front of me exploded in fire, due to the fact that I had concentrated on if for a split second, just a single moment. It burned momentarily before going black, then turning to ash in my hands, the black and grey power falling away and blowing off in the gentle sea breeze.Now I was standing there holding nothing, shock and very much surprised at myself. I finally managed to get a grip and just spased slightly."I'll... I'll... I'll pay for that." I finally got out, feeling like Ussal dung. During this entire rant I tried not to aim my anger at Cael. In fact, I did my darnedest not to aim it at her. Over the course of the last hour or so she had literally been bending over backwards to help me when really there was no reason to, not to mention inviting me over stay at her house of all places. So far I have been acting worse than I normally do and she seemed to take it in stride. I would never say this openly but I admittedly felt a little shame at my behavior in front of her, considering her kindness, but for the first time in my life I honestly could not control myself, and that was terrifying. All that bottled up emotion I had either stuffed or thought I had worked out over the years practicing and playing Kohlii was now running rampant through my system, tied to this urge to burn things. no longer held down by my sheer force of will. It was here and now that I finally learned the terrible truth about the power of fire:Either you quickly learn to control it, or it will consume you. And I was rapidly careening down the latter.I didn't even look at anyone; I simply turned and walked inside Cael's hut, the door closing heavily behind me. While I didn't take a good look at the inside, I did notice that it resembled the small clinic here in Ga-Wahi; several beds, a first aid station, small medicine cabinet, alchemy lab... for the first moment in what felt like forever, I was alone. Blessedly, silently, completely...Alone.The last of my mental fortitude melted away, my subconscious telling my body that it was safe and ok now to let go. Slowly I sank onto a bed and buried my face in my hands, a single hot tear streaming down my mask.So much for the great Toa-Hero I had berated Rit about earlier. Now I was just as hypocritical as they were. For the first time in my life I felt like I actually failed at something. It was a truly foreign feeling

IC: PirokAs Pirok walked through Ga-Koro, he noticed a gathering of Toa. He tried to avoid it at first, but then he noticed the very Toa he was looking for among them. Serendipity? Coincidence? Destiny?He walked over quietly, but distanced himself slightly. He just wanted to check that it was really Merror. Also, a Toa had just burnt a stick, something wasn't quite right.

IC-Skeldan:"New," Skeldan noted as he slowly played on his lute, a simple, relaxing tune...for him at least. As he played he watched as all the others moved about, and as the Toa of Fire he'd been watching walked inside a hut. Ah, he could remember when he was new. It was a fun time, always freezing things up, walking about, causing snow storms anywhere he went...Okay, maybe not so fun. Ah, well.He looked over to the more experienced looking Toa of Fire, the one who had mentioned something about the younger."Hullo," he said to the man. "D'you know that Toa?" He asked, cocking a head over by the hut Joske had walked into.

IC (Merror)The door opened quietly behind Joske. Merror slowly walked in."I'm sorry about what happened," he said gently. "It's not easy, especially not with practically an entire village on your case. If you want me to leave, I will."He came closer, and placed a reassuring hand on Joske's back."But if you let me, I can help. I can teach you to control it. I was a new Toa too, once...and I know how hard this is for you."EDIT:OOC: Sorry, Grochi, you ninja'd me XD

IC: Tank - Ga-WahiKearrstrun gave Tank a look. He knew killing another Bearer was breaking a "rule" according to Kearrstrun.Tank just sort of breathed heavily, eying up those that stood before him, "Just how do you expect to find a group of super-powered crazy beings who have a knack for becoming invisible?"He chuckled, "I can't stop them. You can't either. Not without a full on army."

IC: RitAs I stood looking at the border of Ga and Ko, for once in my life enjoying the feeling of the cold air brushing against my face, I heard a voice behind me. It belonged to Vaisaga, honestly though I didn't even listen to what he had to say. I merely had one question for him. "Why are you here, wouldn't you rather go off with Joske like the others? After all he is the hero, and I'm the villain."I'm not sure why I was being so antagonizing, Vaisaga didn't quite deserve but at the same time, I guess I was just taking my frustration out on him. Once again I had refused to have people keep telling me just what I was supposed to do. Once again that decision meant that I was isolated, shunned from others. Evidently Toa were not entitled to free will. I wasn't entitled to my own freedom. Sometimes I wished I could just throw away my powers, abandon it all, but then how could I protect the weak.Evidently speaking the truth to people just meant I would end up with the short stick of life. However you know what, I know longer cared. Let them think what they will, I was done. I had had enough of their hatred. I would continue what I felt was right. If I got shunned for that, so be it. I would take their hatred, atleast it meant they felt something. I would show them all, I would show Joske.

IC (Kelp)"There's more'n one way to skin a Muaka," replied Kelp. "You might be surprised. What'd be in it for us if we managed it?"Kelp's barnacle-encrusted arms were folded, and he leaned on one leg. His posture was one of casual challenge.

IC, Perkahn:(Beach)"Not to mention, you're forgetting one detail," Perkahn said, crossing his arms. "We're, it so happens, the Crew of the Infernavika. We're not some dilettantes, some amateurs who don't know what they're doing. That over there's Raknar...""Captain Raknar.""Captain Raknar, scourge of whatever number of seas you can think of, and Grochi, Gunner, and Yasurek, legends in their own right. I'm Perkahn, and if you lived long enough and cared long enough, you'd sure find a glimpse of me in your memories. You think we need an army? Every one of us is an army all in himself. In fact, it's a surprise we've not fought each other... much... yet."His eyes narrowed, challenging the Mark Bearers in a manner alike to Kelp, though less reliant on persuasion and more on intimidation. How much of the speech he'd just given was real did not really matter - they were kind of dilettantes, just extremely cool and professional ones. And their own histories he'd long exaggerated."So yes, Kelp asks right. What if we brought you your others? I ask, personally, only one thing. Give me their ringleader, that prettyboy Toa of Iron. Skyra's told me a bit about your troubles, and I am willing to give him to you for a time; but then you're handing him to me. And I'm handing him to the nearest Guard."

IC: For better or for worse, Cipher's reasonable side won out."Fine. Not my business." he said, returning his escrima to the bag and hoisting it back up on to his back. As a percaution, he deigned not to deactivate his Calix. He wasn't out of the woods yet."See you." he said, raising a hand as he passed, egressing calmly from the combat zone...And soon finding himself sitting on a bench, next to a certain archer."So," he said, reclining and relaxing in the warm sun. "How long you plan on keeping that drawn?"

IC: Dorian (Ga-Koro)Eyebrow raised, I followed Cipher with my gaze, watching him walk down the street and towards the market, where he sat down next to a Toa I recognized as the one who had been with Anthyn earlier. Her bow was drawn back, arrow already loaded and aimed at...me. I turned back to the Valkyr with both eyebrows raised now and flicked my wrist: one of the iron arms stretching from the dome moved and blocked us off from Savina's line of sight. Then I pulled out two of the multiple Protosteel knives I had been making and whipped them around my hands casually.That wasn't all I'd worked on, either. In the two or three minutes Cipher had given me, I had produced a throwing axe, two hard iron war clubs which were now holstered on my thighs, where my gun would normally be, and another two knives that were tucked into my sleeves. I had created myself a veritable little arsenal; the perks of being a Toa of Iron were never ending, and though I wasn't exactly on even ground with those wings of hers, I was no longer defenseless, either. What's more: I had plenty of juice left in me. Those days off at the casino really did me some good...-Teezy

IC (Cael)Joske's outburst wasn't exactly a surprise: the Toa of Fire had obviously been getting increasingly frustrated as more and more beings approached him, wanting his attention, wanting to help him, wondering what was going on. It was enough to drive anybody crazy. But Cael still felt a little disappointed, mostly in herself. It was unfair to Joske to have people continually talking to him, asking him questions, giving him advice, especially after he'd just undergone such an immense change that left him completely out of balance physically, mentally, and emotionally.It wasn't all her fault, but she had been part of the problem, stuffing facts and advice down his throat when all he'd needed was rest, and time to think. So when Joske stormed into her hut and closed the door, she didn't follow him, despite her uneasiness at allowing a new Toa of Fire with a fiery temper inside her home.What have I gotten myself into? she asked herself. I want to help him, but how far do I need to go?It was her responsibility, she had decided, to help Joske, both as a fellow Toa and as a healer. The new Toa needed care, and it was her job to provide that. But she still wondered if she was doing the right thing. There were surely better people than herself to teach Joske, even in the areas of balance and concentration, which she had long since mastered on her journey to becoming a healer. In reality, she was just a doctor. She wasn't a teacher, a trainer, a warrior, a martial artist, a guru; she was a healer. She took care of people. Was that what Joske needed?She wished she knew. But, for now, she would simply help him as best as she could. And if she couldn't give him what he needed, she would help him find someone who could.Right now, though, she knew he needed rest. As a healer, that much was crystal clear to her. So she put on her best no-nonsense voice again, the one she'd had years as a healer to develop."All right, please move along," she said to the crowd of Toa. "Joske needs rest; you don't need to talk to him right now."Her attention briefly occupied by the veritable crowd of people outside her hut, Cael noticed too late that Merror had slipped in. She winced, and waited for the explosion, though she prayed with all her heart it wouldn't come.

IC (Merror)Merror looked up as Cael entered. He touched a finger to his lips, his eyes apologetic.Mata Nui, I hope she understands...Merror knew what Joske was going through, and he knew how to help. Joske didn't just need physical and mental help; he needed someone to set him on the right path. Becoming a Toa shook up all sorts of things, and without the right guidance, one could easily slip onto the wrong one. Too many Toa had fallen to darkness or even been driven mad by their transformation. Joske needed to know why he had become a Toa, and he needed to learn how to control his abilities.And also, there was a purely practical reason for Merror's presence. If Joske were to have another elemental outburst, Cael would need Merror there if she wanted to keep having a house...

IC (Kelp)"There's more'n one way to skin a Muaka," replied Kelp. "You might be surprised. What'd be in it for us if we managed it?"Kelp's barnacle-encrusted arms were folded, and he leaned on one leg. His posture was one of casual challenge.

IC, Perkahn:(Beach)"Not to mention, you're forgetting one detail," Perkahn said, crossing his arms. "We're, it so happens, the Crew of the Infernavika. We're not some dilettantes, some amateurs who don't know what they're doing. That over there's Raknar...""Captain Raknar.""Captain Raknar, scourge of whatever number of seas you can think of, and Grochi, Gunner, and Yasurek, legends in their own right. I'm Perkahn, and if you lived long enough and cared long enough, you'd sure find a glimpse of me in your memories. You think we need an army? Every one of us is an army all in himself. In fact, it's a surprise we've not fought each other... much... yet."His eyes narrowed, challenging the Mark Bearers in a manner alike to Kelp, though less reliant on persuasion and more on intimidation. How much of the speech he'd just given was real did not really matter - they were kind of dilettantes, just extremely cool and professional ones. And their own histories he'd long exaggerated."So yes, Kelp asks right. What if we brought you your others? I ask, personally, only one thing. Give me their ringleader, that prettyboy Toa of Iron. Skyra's told me a bit about your troubles, and I am willing to give him to you for a time; but then you're handing him to me. And I'm handing him to the nearest Guard."

IC (Kelp)"Well, Cap'n," said Kelp, glancing at Raknar. "Looks like there's little profit t'be had here. What's it to be?"

IC: Raknar (Infernavika, Ga-Wahi)"Dark and evil things generally have bounties on 'em," replied the captain with a shrug. "Kelp, you weren't here when we kidnapped the Turaga. You got any outstanding problems with any of the Guards?"-Teezy

IC, Perkahn:(Beach)Perkahn scratched his chin. Saving Mata Nui was a goal he'd long given up on, but he wasn't so selfish as to not sympathise with such a one. His... friends, here, though? Who'd support him in a fight for no profit and only a vague goal? This was it, he realized. At last. That breaking point. Never imagined he might personally bring them to it. Here, he'd break the Crew. Oh, he would. Everyone who's a friend would go with him, everyone who's a friend but cares for other interests more... would stay. Here it ended."I will side with you, Bearers. Profit or none. I've my reasons, my redemption. I'll hunt your madmen down."

IC-Grochi:"Remember what you're getting into, Perkahn," Grochi admonished quickly. "Examine it from every possible angle, and check the gains and losses from each before you make your decision."

IC:Agni sighed. "As you can see...it's hard to hide who you are with a known face like yours, Joske, no matter how tall you grow." he'd said, but the reply had been lost in the arrival of more Toa. Agni had quietly come along with the group. After all, there was nothing else for him out there and unlike some of the other newcomers, he was not going to force his advice on anybody. Especially not on a famous Matoran turned Toa who had enough trouble dealing with publicity as it was, being an ace Kolhii-player. Now a Toa, that plus his new form was like he had lit a signal fire. Which he kinda had a few minutes earlier. Literally.The Toa of fire couldn't believe how much attention the mere presence of Joske attracted. Toa he'd never seen before, or only briefly during his travels. Ranom passersby staring. It began to make him feel uncomfortable as well. So when the young Toa lost control once more, ruining a perfectly good fishing spear and running off, the last thing one should do was to go after him...something the other besides Cael seemingly did not realize as well, or maybe they had not seen the full destructive capability of a Toa of fire without control and in rage. All, except one...which surprised Agni, because Merror, only known to him by name, was the first to slip into the hut, before Cael could stop him.Agni shook his head. He could very well relate to the wish of being left alone right now. He briefly thought about staying outside, but he decided to do otherwise. The doctor was right, Joske needed rest and probably her expertise more then he needed a lesson right now. Quietly, the Toa followed Cael. Inside, he gently put a hand on Merror's shoulder from behind, nodding towards the door, ushering the other Toa of fire out. "Come on.", he instructed quietly.When they were back outside the door, Agni looked at him with a frown. "You of all people should know not to push this." he said, very seriously. "I know you're trying to help. But it's not the time for lessons yet. Leave him be."

IC (Kelp)"None at all, Cap'n," Kelp replied cheerfully.None of the crew could have known that he was lying.OOC: Do I detect puppeteering, Vezok? Merror's not moving until Tuck replies.And there have been far too many gentle placings of hands on shoulders today XD

IC, Perkahn:(Beach)Perkahn's eyes narrowed, fixing onto Grochi, an analyzing, but not cold at all glance, examining what this man's decision would be."I have, Grochi," the Toa of Iron said, nodding. "It's been long overdue. I've ran from what I was, though there were hundreds of occasions when that caught up to me. I'm still Perkahn Highwind, last man standing at Ered Krom Pass, and I'll no longer run from my long hatreds and fears and everything. I'll turn and face them. As a free man. And then... I can just plainly come back home."

IC-Grochi:Grochi nodded silently-he'd figured Perkahn had reached such a conclusion, but he wanted to be sure."Let it be known, then that I stand with you," he growled. "Even if your stupid ideas are going to get me killed."

IC: (Valria)Valria did her best comfort Agni earlier. She even went as far as hugging the Toa of Fire. So it was finally over. At what cost really? At least two people on her team had died. One in Po-Koro with something not even related to their quest to find her memory and then defeat Telric. Now Mef was amongst the dead. Kuyre had barely made it and she had gone further than she wanted with his torture and death. The realization at what she did, how she enjoyed, caused her to go leaping for a pail. Valria could feel her stomach lurch as it emptied whatever contents were still left inside. She washed out her mouth, cleaning it up and wiping her face."I wished I just died back in Kini-Nui, I don't even know what to do anymore. Mef is dead because of me. You nearly died because of me, Agni has probably broke some rules because of me. All of this can be traced back to me. And how I all lead you here. Can't be happy can we? No, this universe just keeps on screwing us over." Valria said, her voice flat and her eyes glanced off in the distance at nothing in particular. "Besides burying Mef, I don't know what to do anymore. Except one thing. We bury Mef and you stay away from me, you find other friends. You move on, and you forget me. It's what's best for you."OOC: KNI, time to interact as Kuyre.

IC, Zijak: Zijak walked up to Raknar. " Oi, Captain, who's this?" he asked, unsure if Kelp was a friend or foe.

IC Yasurek-with mark bearers and Infernavika crew:The events transpiring before Yasurek were very surprising to him. It seemed like his fellow crew members were actually showing some ethical thinking rather than purely thinking of profit. He hadn't really known Perkahn all that well, but what he was saying reminded Yasurek of his own past. He had left the guard and Ko-koro so that he could do good for the world without having to worry about laws and rules. He had wanted to be free, but still keep his morals. Ofr course, he had become a pirate, which wasn't the most morally sound job in the world, but he had kept his own moral code even now. And here was a chance to do good, despite the lack of profit and high probability of death. There was only one choice he could make."I will stand with you as well, Perkahn," he announced. "Mata Nui knows doing some good would be a change of pace. Also, technically I wasn't on the ship when you guys kidnapped the turaga and I hadn't done anything actually illegal before that, so I don't have to worry about getting pulled over by guard members unlike most of the rest of you."

IC: Gunner - BeachI strode forward, "I'm with you too, Perkahn. Maybe, once this is all over, I'll be able to come out of hiding from the Guard."What I said was true. I was hoping to clean my criminal record. But there was more to my decision than that. Raknar and Grochi's words to me had all sunk deeper than anyone could know. I may have been aware of just how horrible and pathetic I was, but their speeches really drove the point home for me. I was tired of hating people, I realized, and I was tired of being hated. I was sick of having to watch my back against my allies before they tried to kill me. I wanted to be able to count on them to watch mine.-Void

Ooc: Dangit, Raz! What exactly is the sense to mindlessly insert a wrench into set-up a situation simply by way of stupid conversation that truly accomplished nothing good? I'm not happy.Ic: Anthyn's mind whirred at the new hand dealt to her. Savina had been a useful component of the standoff, but thanks to the interloper she had been eliminated as a usable ace in the hole. While Anthyn was okay with this -- Savina remained a curious pet to her rather than a survivalist archer -- she still would have liked to know an arrow could come in at the best moment as needed. Of course, Dorian's new arsenal was an interesting addition, and she thought of ways to counter each weapon. Her warriorlike mind imagined individual scenarios and ways the weapons would be used and the best ways to parry, disarm or break each one. Of them all, it was the knives that worried her the most. Somehow, in her deep memories, she knew that that shiny metal was and why it was to be feared by smiths all around. But she still was an unknown to this Dorian, and she could still surprise him.She grinned ever so slightly. Oh yes she could.The flames on her arm turned to smoke and with a wave of a wing she scattered it around her, effectively creating a smokescreen that completely enveloped the two fighters in a thick grey cloud. In the murkiness she created, Anthyn took flight -- a short flight, not far, clandestinely rising up and arcing down on Dorian like a hawk zeroing on her prey. Even as Dorian felt reasonably safe at his back, nearly pressed against the wall of iron behind him, he was still vulnerable. In the blindness he felt a pair of hands gently touch his shoulder at first and then tighten an instant later before the full weight of the Valkyr was upon him. Anthyn pounced on him with savage force, driving her fingers under his shoulder pauldrons, feeling the warm blood as the vessels under the metal plates blew. Her weight, maximized with a driving punch of power from her wings, pushed Dorian down to his knees again, and then Anthyn let go. She flipped in midair, somersaulting and delivering a final kick with her heel to Dorian's head before she moved aside and tumbled away.The entire maneuver was done under the screen of smoke, and all Dorian ever saw was a glimpse of alabaster in the murky grey that enveloped him. After the humiliating display of force was over, the screen lifted and dissipated seemingly naturally, leaving him with nothing but wounded shoulders, bloody arms, more pain and no Valkyr in sight.

IC (Kelp)Kelp watched as most of the crew moved over to side with the Mark Bearers. Raknar's leadership had failed. It looked as though most of them were actually considering leaving pirating.It was time."Well, lads," said Kelp, walking up between the remaining pirates and the Bearers' group. "Isn't this an interestin' turn of events?"The sailor's body language had completely changed. Suddenly he was upright, walking with ease and a slight swagger. His speech changed too - from a gruff and hoarse undertone to a clearer, lighter, charismatic voice."It appears that our dear Captain 'as failed to keep control of 'is crew," he said. "What a disappointment. Seems it's time ta play me hand."Those blue eyes glinted."Y'see, Raknar," he said, turning to the Skakdi, "I'm afraid I haven't been completely honest with ya. Firstly - "He took off his mask, and held it up briefly before tossing it away - " - this isn't a Kaukau. It's a Garai."His face was still obscured under the shadow of his hat."Secondly - I'm not a Toa."Blue eyes under the hat. That voice was terribly familiar..."Thirdly, my name is not Kelp..."The being reached down, and pulled off the scrapmetal armour on his legs, revealing sleeker blue beneath."Now, it seems to me - "Off came the greatcoat; the pirates could see a sheathed cutlass that had been hidden under it." - that what this crew needs - "Off came the remaining armour - beneath it was streamlined blue-and yellow, spiked at the shoulders like fins." - is a REAL captain."With that, he swept off the wide-brimmed hat.Captain Lohkar grinned at the stunned crew."Savvy?"

IC, Perkahn:(Beach)One thing was to be remembered. Perkahn had an idea Grochi might join him, wasn't surprised by Yasurek either. But Gunner, that was indeed remarkable. He never seemed like the type to choose honor over profit. It was a nice thing to have been proven wrong, he thought, as he shook Gunner's hand. He turned at Raknar."Sorry, Raknar. Never intended to tear apart your crew. Never intended to leave any more than alone---"and then Kelp did his little spectacle, turning out to be, in fact, someone entirely else. Something about his appearance spoke that this man was Captain Lohkar, the old captain of the crew, who Raknar threw off."Captain Lohkar, I presume. Forget this," Perkahn spat on the ground, "I quit. One captain or another, one man or another, this piracy thing isn't for me. Grochi, Yasurek, Gunner? You can choose again, I won't blame you. But I choose to be me."

IC: Dorian (Ga-Koro)Ohhhhhhhhhh, my God.The world around me spun like a child's top; little mini Kanohi Hau danced like ballerinas around my head, and I could already feel a thick purple bruise developing underneath my right temple from where her heel had met the side of my head. Lifting my arms was like trying to arm wrestle the Great Spirit, and with every wrong move, blood spurted slightly from underneath my shoulder pauldrons. Not even against Brykon had I been so...decimated. She was insanely powerful; obviously, the souls she had stolen weren't simply for decorative purposes. Pushing myself up with the power of my arms could've put me in more jeopardy: instead, I lifted up with my legs. My Mark was glowing - I had long since transcended irritation with the Valkyr - a bright blue as I lifted my hands up into the air in one of the few natural positions I could.Boom.As if it had never been a dome at all, merely a construct of insects, the prison originally designed for Anthyn split open into millions upon millions of tiny iron spikes and flew in every which direction around me. If Anthyn were around, it would've been like thousands of bee stings, hitting her at once: the strength of the iron would tear through her wings and leave them resembling feathery, powerful swiss cheese instead of the majestic tools of flight that they really were. At this point, I couldn't care less or not if she was still around. If she was, cool, I'd hurt her a bit - okay, maybe moderately. If not, then I got to vent a bit. IC: Raknar (Beach, Ga-Wahi)"Err. My. Gerd."-Teezy

IC (Lohkar)"Exhibitin' your usual eloquence there, Raknar," Lohkar observed, still grinning. He looked over to Perkahn. "Please ta meet you too."He turned back to the pirates."Now, tell me..." he said. "Who put armour on my ship?"

IC: SongSong stared at the, apparently former, Crew of the Infernavika. She'd just woken up from a nice, long, refreshing nap.And was met with this chaos. Approximately half the crew was leaving. She had no clue why. The new guy who she had never met when he wasn't-who-he-was had turned out to be the former captain of the ship, whom it seemed Raknar had ousted. It was quite clear Raknar wasn't coming out of this with the position of captain, whether she helped or not.Come on, Song. Think. What are you going to do?

IC: Raknar (Beach, Ga-Wahi)"Welp."Raknar had returned to his usual accidental charm and shrugged."You're gonna want to talk to the Pa-Toa over there about the armor. I, meanwhile, am going to go and buy my own ship since living on this one has driven me almost to the brink of genocide. It's been..interesting. Perkahn, I like you still, Gunner, I guess there's still hope for you, Yasurek...it was nice seeing you around whenever you weren't hiding, and Grochi...Grochi."-Teezy