BZPRPG: Ga-Wahi

OOC: Well, they won't necessarily die. It'll make sense when I find the post.IC: Jikal"I don't know." Jikal said, his tone still brimming with confused joy. His eyes narrowed, as he spied his arm. "What the Karz?"6:23:59:45

IC: Kitsune, Ga-Koro"What's that?" Kitsune asked, peering at the timer on Jikal's arm.OOC: Meesa so confuseeded.

IC: Jikal"It... Looks like a countdown. But to what?"

IC: (Tarcvor/Ga-Koro)Tarc couldn't help but feel a bit left out. So, he decided to enter the conversation quickly."My name is Tarcvor."

Ic: With the fading light of day, locals were retreating to their huts which made it a perfect time for someone like Stannis to solicit. A perfect time... but Stannis still hated doing it. Aurax said Stannis was the best with people, but that only went so far as proving himself, convincing people to see the best in him and others, not in asking people if they knew other people like some sort of depraved bounty hunter. "Excuse me," he drawled at a passerby, "but do you know a--""Sorry, gotta go, bye!" the woman said, likely creaming "Stranger danger! Stranger danger!" in her head. And that was what Stannis hated about this strategy. It was the only way to find the others, of course, but it was still an embarrassing way to do it.No less embarrassing than looking for matoran who are dead, he reminded himself, thinking back when he was in Onu-Koro looking for Taipu's ghost. With renewed vigor he continued asking about. He did this for half an hour more and was already utterly exhausted, still not having had any notable rest in two whole days and enduring more than most anyone during that timeframe, including getting the most important pieces to his puzzles, seeing a turaga die, having his destiny change and trekking down a mountain into a muggy coastal region. He had not eaten, his drink had been meager and his company had been dry. Stannis may have been a hardy man, but he had his limits, and after keeping his adventurous life for the last few months he had overdone himself then.He fell, tired and deprived of life, and stared off the lilypad he was on into the clear water under Ga-Koro. The water! How could he have been so stupid not to realize that one of the three things he needed so much to live was all around him; truly his mind was number more than he had wished to admit. He eagerly scooped up the liquid and brought it to his lips, slurping the lifegiving water with earnest."Are you okay?" he heard someone ask him. It was another woman; surprise surprise, it was Ga-Koro. "You look throttled.""I'm fine," Stannis recited like it was an automatic reply he always gave. He weakly rolled onto his back, taking a break from the exhausting exercise of drinking from the bay and looked up at the woman. It was an unfamiliar face."No you're not, you're an absolute wreck. You look like you came a long way, too." She clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth in pity. "Poor thing. Is there anyone you know in town?""Do... do you know anybody by the name Sulov, Reordin or Oreius?" Stannis muttered. It was a shot in the dark, but hey, might as well..."Actually," the woman said, cocking her head to the side a but as she narrowed her eyes, "I know Oreius. He's in town, too. He comes by my shop sometimes. Why?""Then you're exactly the one I wanted to meet right now," Stannis smiled pathetically. "Can you help take me to him?"

IC-Nokth:Nokth looked around slightly, before he pointed."That one, right there, in the impound dock," he said. "Well, at least we know where it is."

OOC: alright kids, pay attention: I am about to use my favorite tool in the RPG box:TIMESKIP!**please note I will start using timestamps in my posts again to help clarify when and where my character is, and whether of not I will interact with youIC[Next morning; pre-dawn]With a deep breath I awoke.The world I saw was that of a grey hue; light existed, but it was faint and murky. I recognized this light; it was that of early dawn, the time of day where the world was visible but the sun had not yet risen. I was laying on a cot, a blanket covering my body; strange, I remember passing out before... actually, I don't even remember hitting the bed. Someone must of done this after... Cael, she must of. Stiffly I sat up, yawning and spreading my arms, doing an upper-body stretch. Pre-dawn now. Last I had checked it had been late morning.I had been asleep for almost a full day.I took my time observing the room in the dim light; bed, dresser, rug, window, nightstand, note... wait, note? Reaching over I snatched it, taking a few moments to read it fully. Agni. Interesting. Finished, I re-folded it, tapping it against my leg, thinking. Should I take the offer? Memories of the last twenty-four hours flooded my mind as I tried make a proper decision...No, not now. I needed some me time.Swim. I was going to go for a swim.Casting off the blanket I stood up, making sure I had mastered the art of balancing with this new body. I needn't worry, it came naturally as if I was still a matoran. As quietly as I could I exited my temporary bunk room and tiptoed across the house, making sure not to disturb Cael or any patients she might of picked up over the day. Again I needn't worry, there were no other sounds besides me as I exited through the back door.The scent of morning sea air invaded my nostrils, the salty odor giving a distinct sharpness to the world around me. Now I understood the grey; there was a thick blanket of fog over the bay, making visibility poor and diffracting the morning light. With the fog came the coolness, the temperature pretty nippy for this time of year. On top of that the world was utterly silent, those doing early fishing already gone, the rest not yet awake, the occasional sound of the local wildlife sharp and eerily beautiful. The water as still and reflective as glass. A perfect morning.Especially for me.Taking off my upper body and lower leg armor I placed them neatly in a pile by the door, leaving the waist pieces intact. Placing my palms together I took a breath, and dove into the bay. Had anyone seen me I can imagine their confusion; a Toa of Fire willingly going for a swim? Yes, actually. I had always enjoyed the water, though deep water brought up a fear of drowning. Now that fear seemed to have disappeared upon my transformation as a toa. My powerful arms and legs propelled me across the water, faster and more streamlined than I had ever remembered going. I lost myself in the rhythm; stroke stroke kick kick stroke stroke breath, kick kick stroke stroke kick kick breath... It wasn't long before I made contact with land and like a ancient story I rose out the water and walked onto the beach.By now the sun was actually beginning to rise, slowly chasing the fog away and brightening up the landscape. The water quickly resumed its perfectly smooth state, looking like a solid grey substance I could actually walk on. I looked down, seeing my own reflection in the mirror.Tall. Handsome. Confident. You could see the defined and sculpted muscles now that wasn't wearing my armor. Yes, I could see the similarities, but now that I finally had my first good glimpse of myself I realized just how changed I had actually become; really I was a different person. At least on the outside. On the inside... ? I didn't know.That was for me to find out.I began to jog along the beach, watching the sunrise over the bay as the fog dissipated. Yes, this was the best time to think. I've had more than a full night's sleep and I actually feel recovered, if not a little stronger; my body has had time to adjust and adapt to this sudden change, not to mention I am very mentally cool and stable right now. I just feel amazing after sleeping for all that time... Growl.I look down, a sharp pain accompanying the noise. Except that. That would be my stomach, and now that I was paying attention to it, it began to complain very loudly. That's right, I haven't eaten in what, three, four days? I was famished. By now my pace had allowing me to circle the bay, my stride so much more faster than my old matoran run. Taking a breath I dived into the cold water once more, swimming back to Cael's hut. By this time was beginning to feel fatigued, but I was certain that was because of lack of food. Grabbing the lillypad's edge I hoisted myself up, water streaming off my body back into the bay, and in fact now steaming slightly as my core temperature had risen. Now outrageously hungry I stepped back inside through the front door, heading for the small kitchen, opening drawers and cupboards in search of nourishment.I had completely forgotten that I had left most of my armor outside the back door.

IC: Tawara (Briani's Hut)"A bomb?" suggested Tawara. The Matoran had sheathed her knife.OOC: (Troping Time!) The BZPRPG: Anyone Can Die

IC: Havon - Hospital, Ga-koro -Havon paled a bit. "We need to find Miha...she's got this...ghost named Iris inside her that was controlling her!" Havon started to get up out of the bed, despite the pain.

IC:NPC Ga-Koro Nurse"Is Miha the Le-Matoran you brought here earlier today?" The same nurse that Havon had been helped by earlier asked, walking up to Havon and Co.

IC: Havon - Hospital, Ga-koro -"Yes, do you know where she is?" Havon asked hastily, hoping she knew. IC: Savina - Ga-koro -Savina looked around for Cipher for a few minutes, and then finally decided he was gone for good. She sighed in relief. She sat down on the roof of the hut and panted loudly, catching the breath that she had been holding for far too long. She looked at Anthyn, who was still flying in the air.

IC: Kitsune & Co, Ga-Koro"Mata-Nui help us if it is." Briani said, her attention taken from the two broken walls to Jikal."Countdowns normally end in fatalities." Raion said calmly, appraising Jikal's arm. "I have a sneaking suspicion that yours will be no different."

IC:NPC Ga-Matoran Nurse"Umm... Yeah. The Marines rushed her over as fast as they could. She has quite a very unique case..." The Nurse said.

IC: Mimira - Infernavika, Ga-Wahi -"Yay money! We gonna go find hidden treasure? Or fight a sea monster? Or steal mean people's money? Or sail under a rainbow? Or..." She went on an on about random topics. IC: Havon - Hospital, Ga-koro -Havon took a breath. "The marines have her? That can't be good...that Iris guy must of..."

IC:NPC Ga-Matoran Doctor"Iris?" The Ga-Matoran narrowed her eyes. "Iris seems to be the root of this problem. Do you know who this 'Iris' is?"

IC (Cael)Cael awoke to the sounds of cupboards and drawers being opened and shut, of kitchen utensils being rustled through. She lay still for a moment, blinking away sleep. The sun had just risen, and was peeking between the curtains that she had drawn across the window the night before. She found it difficult to orient herself: she was home, she recalled checking on Joske the night before (he had been sleeping soundly as ever), she had gone to bed, and now she was awake... why? What was going on?The sound of a pot clattering to the floor woke her up completely, and the Toa of Water jumped out of bed, still a little groggy, but mostly awake. There was somebody in her house, rooting through her belongings. Obviously not someone particularly smart, as they were making a racket, but someone nonetheless.Slowly, silently, the healer tiptoed over to the door and opened it a crack. She peered into the main room of the house, and saw a red and gold figure in the kitchen area, looking through the cupboards. She opened it wider, trying to get a better look, and realized who it was: Joske.Cael sighed, and leaned against the wall, smiling at herself. You forgot about him, didn't you? Got all worked up thinking there was somebody in your house and he's been here for almost twenty-four hours.Still smiling, the Toa of Water opened the door and walked into the main portion of the hut, which housed the kitchen, a table and chairs, and a couch with several bookcases filled with books. She paid little attention to any of these things though, instead watching Joske as he attempted to find something to eat.She had taken only a few steps when Cael realized that Joske wasn't wearing his outer armour. Well, most of it. He was still wearing his waist armour, but had taken the rest off. His athletic life as a Matoran seemed to have transferred to his Toa body, as the Toa of Fire was muscular and healthy, without an ounce of fat on him. The Toa of Water started to blush, then closed her eyes for a moment and remembered: she was a healer. Nothing more, nothing less. She saw beings without their outer armour all the time.Walking over to the tall cabinet that housed all her medical supplies, Cael opened the doors, looked inside for a moment, then pulled out one of the long, white, linen robes that patients wore. She closed the doors and walked over to the kitchen, where Joske was stil rummaging through the cupboards. She noticed now that he was dripping water all over the floor. Had he gone swimming?"Good morning, Joske," she said. The Toa of Fire straightened up and whirled around, surprised.The Toa of Water held out the white robe. "Here. Ga-Koro can be very chilly in the morning, especially after going swimming. I don't want you catching cold."

IC: JikalRaion's words pierced through the euphoric fog suffocating his mind. Casualties. Death. Time. Mark. Suddenly, it clicked.Jikal's voice was no longer happily confused. It was carefully controlled, and lacking emotion. "When I was with the Bearers, I learned that a Mark can eventually kill it's Bearer. Normally, it would drive them insane first, but Iris might already have met that condition."He looked at his arm, feeling a strange sense of detachment. It just didn't seem real. "It looks like I have six days, twenty three hours, and fifty five minutes to live."

OOC: It was a while ago. xPIC-Nokth:"I fear that may not be the best idea," Nokth growled. "As you can see, it is in the impound dock, and the captain is nowhere to be seen. No, I fear we may have to look for a different ship." He sighed slightly."Well, there goes the only ship I know of. You see any that look familiar?"

IC: Tawara (Briani's Hut)"And there's an assassin who's bent on shortening that time. Well, that stinks," said Tawara, not batting an eye. "I suppose what most people would do at this point is live a life of crazy excess and hedonism for their remaining time, but I wouldn't recommend it."

IC (Oreius)Oreius waved goodbye to the fisherman and started back to the inn, fifty widgets jingling in his wallet. He had put in a hard day's work on a fishing boat, throwing out nets nad pulling them in, adjusting rigging, cleaning everything... it was a hard job. Not necessarily difficult, but long and tiring. Oreius didn't know if he would be able to put in that kind of work day after day after day as so many of these Ga-Matoran did. It was a hard life.The sun was setting as Oreius walked through Ta-Koro. Lights were beginning to be lit in huts, and lightstones were beginning to shine. The air was soft and sweet, and smelled of the sea. Oreius couldn't get enough of it. In Ta-Koro, the air never moved; it was always hot and dry. The air here was fresh and cool, and there was always a breeze sprining up off the sea, caressing the village.Oreius liked it here. He wouldn't mind living here.The quest hadn't faded from his thoughts. At night, the Matoran's words whirled around his brain, and he wondered and questioned and pondered who the Wanderer could be, and when he would come. But it had been so long. Each day was full enough as it was, and there was little time for pondering, except in odd moments of rest here and there. He still felt that nagging restlessness he had felt in Ta-Koro, like there was something he needed to do, places he needed to go. What was happening on the island? Where were the Rahkshi? Where were the Turaga? But he quieted these thoughts with the words of the Matoran:"Wait for the Wanderer; he will find you."It wasn't much. Oreius didn't know how long he would have to wait. He didn't even know if he could really trust the Matoran. But, for now, he would simply trust.

IC: Lasinia"We are gonna capture some people and get money!"

OOC: Profile coming later. I'm having comp problems.IC - Bllietes - CrucibleThe sound of bullets rang out in the stone structure, as a Vortixx stepped onto the field. His voice was loud. He stood ominously, gun pointed upwards."Much blood has been spilled in this place!" he shouted, "It will stop today!"A shawl wrapped around his neck had already adapted to the conditions, mostly protecting him from the wind and blocking out the sea air."The fighting stops now."More bullets were fired, one nearly hitting a guard to show he wouldn't hesitate. The look in his eyes firmly supported that."Everyone out, now!"He had lost one too many friends in this place. No more death would occur today. He would make sure of that.

IC: The MageThe mage walked down the streets of Ga-Koro, looking for, well, she didn't know what she was looking for just yet. "This isn't like me," she thought. "This wandering, lost me certainly isn't the me I was when I defeated the dark wizard and got my staff from his hands. This isn't me at all!"OOC: Open for interaction, preferably from Merror's group.

Ic: The matoran was thankfully a very compassionate woman and helped Stannis to her hut, which was not far away. There she let Stannis sit and rejuvenate. "You've been through a lot. What's your name?" she asked."Stannis," he answered. He sipped a bowl of broth. "Stannis of the Massif.""Vara," she introduced herself simply."How do you know Oreius?""Oh... I run a morning fruit stand. He usually comes by every other day or so, sometimes every day, and buys some of my wares for his breakfast before he goes to work. I hear he's helping out on the docks as a hired hand of sorts. My fisherman friends tell me he does alright for a Ta-Matoran but he's too hot-headed to be a real rigging master. Hehehe!""Where do you think I can find him?" Stannis pressed. "It's very important that I meet him as soon as possible.""Wow, you still want to move even in your shape? That must be why you were so worn out to start with -- you men, you never stop!" she jokingly mocked."Vara, if I told you what I'm doing this for you would never believe me, but let's just say I can never have an idle hour," Stannis replied seriously."Wow, okay, I was just kidding," she defended, then became suspicious. "You're not a criminal on the run, are you? Are you one of those mafia types who kill people for money!? What are you looking for Oreius for!??" she screamed."Julius, calm the dickens down, Vara!" Stannis said, his voice biting right into Vara's mania. "No, I'm not a fugituve or hitman, I'm a man on a mission for Mata Nui. I and several others, Oreius included, were somehow picked by Mata Nui to be a team and save the island or something. I have to find Oreius because he has been waiting for me to come. To him, I am simply 'The Wanderer,' and I need to tell him my name and bring him into the fold. Does that answer your question, lady?""Yeah..." Vara eked out. "Sorry, I... I just--""You were concerned for your customer's safety, I know.""No, he's more than a customer. It's just that Oreius is such a strong and handsome man, and he's a Ta-Matoran who swims! He's so brave and charming, and every time he comes by and buys my fruit I can only hope that he thinks the same of me. If you take him away for who-knows-what sort of mission, I don't want any harm to--""Julius, not again! Vara, calm down," Stannis almost yelled. "I thank you for telling me my ally is in town and for taking me in, but spare me the agony, please. This is hardly the time for mush mush," Stannis said insensitively. "Some of us may die in this mission, and it's not that I don't care for your feelings about Oreius, bt destiny picked him and there's no stopping that. Now I can find him with or without you, and he will follow me. But if you love him so much, then you should be able to let go of your feelings for him because if you do, he can reach his true potential and greatness as a hero of Mata Nui. You get me?""Yeah..." Vara said even more quietly.They didn't speak or look at each other for a while, the only sounds between them being Vara's breathing and Stannis' bowl of broth being sipped. That and the sound of lapping waves on the piers. Finally, Vara spoke up. Stannis expected more female babble, but surprisingly she came to her senses. "Oreius is probably in the best inn in town. I can take you there... if you'd like."Stannis set the bowl down. "I would like that very much. But I can't have you go with me to speak to Oreius himself; it would only serve as a distraction to his mind in the purpose he has been called to. Now, I will remember your affections for him, and when the time has come and our mission is accomplished, I will send him to you.""Okay," Vara managed to say. "You want to go now?""I would like that very much, yes," he repeated.They quickly left the hut. The last of the sun's rays were fading and only the tops of the trees briefly held the last golden crowns before the world was cast into the start of night's shadows. Vara led Stannis through the town, the explorer-commander using one of his pikes as a walking stick as he followed her closely. The streets were empty save for the last few people who smoked or relaxed in the shade of night and it made for easier navigation for Stannis. Finally, they arrived at the inn. Vara led Stannis to the desk and asked in his stead, "Is Oreius in this inn?""Yes, actually," the keeper said. "Room eight. He just checked in for the night a half-hour ago.""Thanks.""This is where we part ways. Thanks for your help, Vara," Stannis thanked her. "Now go back home and rest assured you did the right things today.""Bye, Stannis. May the light of Mata Nui always shine on you and your travels."But Stannis said nothing more as he walked to room eight and left Vara to leave to her own hut. Stannis knocked on the door once, then twice.

IC-Xilecki:"I would recommend you calm down," Xilecki said to the Vortixx near the front of the mead hall, who had come in while he was congratulating Sulov and Cylund on their winning over their opponents."And, in response: No, I am not going to leave my home and place of business. In fact, I would recommend that you leave."

IC (Oreius)Oreius sat on his bed and rubbed his eyes. It had been a long day. Not the longest, but still long. He was looking forward to a good night's rest, and maybe tomorrow he would take a day off.Yawning, the Ta-Matoran looked around. This room had almost become home. The innkeeper had rented it out to him in exchange for his doing dishes every day, but after Oreius found work on the fishing boats, he had been able to pay for his room and not worry about chores.His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door, which was repeated a second later. Frowning, the Ta-Matoran stood up and walked over to the door. Who could that be, and at this hour?Twisting the lock, Oreius pulled the door open. Just outside stood a gray Matoran with orange armour and an orange Hau. His armour was scratched and scraped, and looked as though it hadn't been repaired for awhile. In fact, the Matoran himself looked like he hadn't had much of anything for awhile. He was dusty and unwashed, and carried himself as though his body were a great weight that had to be borne for a little longer, his back bowed slightly with weariness.The only feature that stood out was his eyes. Gray and intense, Oreius felt as though they could see into his heart and mind. Not in a menacing or dangerous way, but it was a little unsettling all the same.Oreius cleared his throat. "Can I help you?"

IC: (Valria)I got up dusting myself off. I was stupid, what the Karz was I thinking? Now he was definitely going to follow me. I didn't want that. I didn't need that. I didn't need to responsible for anyone else anymore. I couldn't take it. Right now I would have too. Cause I still had two friends who need me. I still had Mef who deserved a proper funeral. He didn't deserve a funeral though, not how people would think. He didn't deserve the die. We didn't go to the Kumu Islets for him. We went there for me and that son of Muaka took him from me. Like he had everything else. This universe had taken everything from. What was I supposed to do? "Just forget what I said. We need to get Mef a proper funeral. Standing around here moping isn't going to get anything done." I said, hefting Mef's heavy body in my hands. I made my way towards the gangplank. I didn't even know if I could cry anymore. Cried too much already, so the wells were dried up. My shoulders dropped slightly and I felt weaker. I was burying someone who cared about me and got killed for it. Why did I bring him into this? Why did I live?IC: (Hari)"Strange how initially bad circumstances can lead to really great things. Like sharing a beach with a cute Toa of Sonics." Hari chuckled.

IC-Kalios:Kalios grinned brightly, his eyes losing their formerly dark aspect."Good enough, then," he said happily, "Let's head off! Besides...We're more than proficient enough to defend ourselves from any guards that might feel like attacking us, right?"

Ic: Stannis winced a bit as the door was opened too quickly for his tired reflexes and looked at the matoran who stood inside the room. He was stocky with big shoulders and a look of a man who was both well drilled and versed, and the scar on his Hau added an experienced touch to his appeal. Black and red, Stannis was able to instantly deduce that this man was a Ta-Matoran, possibly even a guard. "If your name is Oreius, then I am the one who can help you," he answered the man.

IC: EndriinHe nodded, and slid a finger across his neck. He slid the Meta down into his hand, keeping it collapsed, ready for a fight if necessary, then started walking in the general direction of Kalios' house.

IC (Oreius)Oreius looked a little suspicious at this, but his heart began to beat faster. He didn't know this Matoran, but somehow the Matoran knew him. Could this be...His experience in the Guard stopped him from making any rash moves, closing his mouth before he could open it. This man could be the Wanderer, but he also might not be. Rather than assuming anything, he would let the Matoran explain himself. Still, he couldn't help but hope. His waiting could be over. This could be it."That's my name," he said neutrally. "May I have yours?"

IC-Kalios:"So, Endriin," Kalios said to pass the time as they walked, "Care to tell...well, write...me about yourself? Such as, for example, why you can't speak?"OOC: Last post for the night.

IC: EndriinHe didn't bother getting out the scroll and quill.He simply reached up and traced the cross-shaped scar on his neck with his finger.I don't speak because I can't, he thought to himself.

Ic: "My name is Stannis," Stannis said, "though you may be more familiar with my title instead." He cocked his head for effect. "I am the Wanderer. Can I come in? I'm sure you have many questions for me."

IC (Oreius)It was him!After so many days of waiting, of wondering; the Wanderer had come. Just as the Matoran had promised he would.Oreius allowed himself to smile. He was relieved and happy and excited, feeling so many emotions at once, but he only allowed himself to smile. Finally, the time had come to begin his journey to whatever Mata Nui had in store. Finally, that choice he had made in Ta-Koro was bearing fruit. Finally, destiny had come knocking."Yes, come in!" he said, opening the door wide. "Come in, Stannis. Is there anything I can get you?"

IC:Agni hadn't slept very well. In fact, he had hardly slept at all during the night; and if, then only by his body not being able to keep his eyes open anymore. It had been an eventful day; and though it lacked the physical action, he could not help but feel exhausted. Dealing with the Ta-Koronan temper of a freshly transformed kinsman, investigating a crime-scene left behind by a mark-bearing Toa and a supposed angel...a lot had happened in just a few hours. But what really bothered him was neither of those things. It was the reports he'd filed with the liason yesterday. Retelling the story, trying to remember everything exactly as he had lived it, it brought back memories and feelings. It was as if all of them were suddenly back, no matter how professional he had tried to deal with the situation; and they returned with a feeling of guilt that put a lump in the Toa's throat. He had walked around the building and village aimlessly for several hours after he had left the Matoran, every step of the way restored freshly in his mind, wondering where he could have changed something. He went through every moment, trying to find where he could have acted different, could have made a different call, even save Mef... But the harsh truth gave him no respite. Mef was dead, dead because he'd wanted to help; and there was nothing he could do for him now, except to hope he found peace and to give him a proper burial. Eventually, when his footing had become unstable, he had returned to the base.The Marines had, with apology for not having something suitable, acommodated him on a bunk that was too small for him and even though he had slept like a stone for the first few hours, he eventually had to accept defeat. In the wee hours of the morning he had suddenly awoken, even before the sun was. Unable to rest anymore, he had made his way to the mess-hall. There was always something to eat there, for all the shifts on duty. The Toa of fire settled for a very early breakfast, rich in energy, to replenish his elemental reserves again. It was enough to make anybody feel full, but Toa of fire seemed to work a little different, and instead of full, all he felt was new energy coursing through him. Perhaps that was all I needed in the first place. he said to himself, as he put away his tray and made his way back outside, into the still-sleeping village. As he stepped outside, the Toa looked around himself slowly before starting to walk. One could definitely tell it was morning by now, the sun rising, but with the light obscured by early fog, a haze that covered the bay like a blanket, creating rainbow-colours in mid-air if when viewed from certain angles. Agni continued to walk, in the direction of the beach. The meal had lifted his spirits somewhat, and being virtually alone this early made him realize he was free to do what he wanted for the first time in a long time. A small grin krept onto his face. Yes, he would definitely take the opportunity of the early hour. First, he would go through his training and meditation; and then he would check with Cael how Joske was doing, before helping Valria with preperations for the funeral. He had not seen her in the past day, but he assumed she was taking her time to say her goodbies to Mef, which was all to the good. He would visit her later, to see how she was doing.Agni was almost at the footbridge leading to the beach, when a soft breeze blew over the bay, rustling the leaves of the jungle behind the stretch of sand, and stirring up the fog. It tore up in a few places, letting the first unobscured rays of the sun shine through. And just as they did, the Toa noticed something out of the corner of his eye, where the light was glinting off of a reflecting object. Curious, he walked over to the edge of the lilypad to see what it was.When he got closer, he realised it were several pieces of armor, red and gold in colour, neatly stacked up near the edge of the water. Kneeling down, Agni picked up one of the shinguards. They were in prime condition, not a single scratch on them. And the colours only left one conclusion. Shaking his head with a soft chuckle, Agni gathered up the other pieces of the armor.Caels hut was under a minute's walk away and Toa of fire quietly arrived outside. He thought he heard low voices through the closed door, but considering how early it was, he did not knock on the door. Instead, he placed the armor in front of the doorstep, stacking it up just as neatly as the owner had, before he turned and resumed his walk to the beach.

Ic: "No, thank you," Stannis said, limping over with his pike-staff to a chair and taking a seat. He would have told Oreius that he had a secret admirer and that she had tended to his needs well enough, but knew better and contained the narration. That would be his close secret until things were fine in the end... assuming there ever was an end.He slid his pike into his back again and attempted to give structure to their meeting. "Oreius, tell me about yourself. I realize I have been little more than a title for a long time, but you're the first person in the team I have found that I didn't already know, so I really am groping for needed information here. Tell me about yourself, and then I'll do the same for you. Were you a guard?"

IC, Cylund and Acissia: (Crucible)Cylund smiled, crossing his arms. "C'mon, I'm sure we can work this out. Really now."The Toa of Plasma jumped forward, doing a somersault and landing just in front of the Vortixx. He bowed, with a smile on his face. "What's your problem, anyway?"Cylund detested zealots who found nothing more fun than ruining other people's free time. He wasn't sure what the problem was, considering the battles here were done without spilling blood. Or at least without killing. This overreacting psychopath was going to ruin everything, oh yes he was.Meanwhile, Acissia contented herself with observing the situation quietly.(Ga-Koro Outskirts)Perkahn arrived on the outskirts of Ga-Koro, and after a brief incident with the guards where he had to quietly explain to the godforsaken Marines that he was, in fact, not Perkahn Highwind, and thus not a relatively obscure, twenty-years-before-exile from Ta-Koro, but rather Cephalos Karradyn, a world-class disk-thrower and burger eating champion. That aside, he then proceeded to pace around the gate, waiting for Arzanyos and Grochi to arrive.

IC (Oreius) Oreius closed the door and locked it, and took a seat in the chair opposite of Stannis'."Yes, I was a guard." He took a deep breath, then chuckled a little. "I'm not sure where to begin. I was a guard, but... it wasn't enough. I mean, it's not as though they don't do anything, but... I needed to do more."He looked up at Stannis, feeling as though he were doing a terrible job so far in explaining. It wasn't as though his life story were particularly complex, but he was excited and had never been the greatest speaker anyway.He took another deep breath. "It started after the Rahkshi attacks in Po-Koro and Le-Koro. I couldn't believe that these monsters were real. It was like old myths were coming to life, and it didn't seem as though we could possibly defend ourselves against them."Ta-Koro was -still is- everything to me. I protected it for years. So I went to Turaga Vakama, and asked him what we were going to do about the Rahkshi. About Makuta."The Ta-Matoran sighed. "And he told me that we would do nothing."He said there was another prophecy, and all we could do was wait for it to be fulfilled." He looked sheepishly at Stannis. "I didn't agree. I mean, I did sort of agree, but not about the waiting. I couldn't just stand by and let my people be slaughtered while we waited for Mata Nui to do something. He gave us strength and brains and tools to defend ourselves, not so we could sit by and wait for him to do everything."So I resigned from the Guard, and left Ta-Koro. I didn't know where I was going; I didn't have a plan or anything. But I came here to Ga-Koro, and... I met this Matoran."He told me exactly what I was feeling, as if he could read my mind. He told me that I had a part to play in the prophecy, and to wait for the Wanderer -you. Somehow, trying to do my own thing led me right back to the prophecy."Oreius chuckled softly. "The waiting was hard. I didn't know if I was being played or something; I didn't even get the Matoran's name. But I stayed here, and you came, just like he said you would."

Ic: "Your sojourn brought you to your destiny," Stannis said. "My story is not so cute. I left my village to find adventure and to make a difference on this island, to riddle out the secrets that I knew existed in spades. I created a team of matoran not unlike what is being made now, and with that team cracked almost every code and found all the secrets we could, more progress than anyone else had managed to do. We found five clues from the old Chronicler's Company and found the new prophesy. I've witnessed Hafu get abducted, Skyra flee, Whenua stammer, Nuju prophesize and then disappear. I have looked into the eye of this island, and what I saw was beautiful. "But I knew better than to think Mata Nui was done with me. First, Nuju bid me the Wanderer, and then the matoran who spoke with you and the others spoke to me. I, the chosen one among the called, was the final one to be told what was my destiny. And from that point on I have worked to follow this new path fate has given me, and it has led me to you first."