Corpus Rahkshi

IC: Exxan - Refectory. 

Having been sitting right near the refectory door ever since Vaalku had abruptly run out on him, Exxan had overheard Omega's interesting discussion with Cautchouc, and his later one with Fang as well. Finally, he realised that sitting around on his own while his enemies strengthened their alliances within earshot of him wasn't the best idea. They were growing bolder, starting to plan, organise. It was time to act.

He set off towards the gym, telling everyone and anyone he passed that whoever had a grudge to settle with him could come meet him in the gym, where they could settle it properly. Exxan had finally reached the end of his tether. He'd had enough of the backstabbing, and the plotting, and the alliances. If someone had a problem with him, they should have the guts to say it to his karzdamned face. 

Arriving at the gym, he waited to see if anyone would answer his summons. 

IC Kat: "Hoto.... Fang didn't even know you were here until I brought it up.

I'm sure if he'd known, he'd have found you sooner."

IC: Omega

Omega was rather off at Exxan. He had seen him talking to the others and decided to finally confront him. He left the infirmary and went to the gym to confront him. "What the is your problem?" Omega asked, angrily.

IC: Love Guurahk

"Also personally do you like the stuff?"

OOC: Thank you TPtI/Ultron, I appreciate it. As Pohatu hasn't posted in a few days, I'll just have it so Short had fun with Squid and then went to sleep.

Metal / Infirmary to the Gymnasium, Open for Interaction IC:

Metal woke up in the middle of Palma's surgery and stifled a scream as best he could. He simultaneously felt amazing - he was almost fully patched up - and in excruciating pain - his nerves were screaming at him. Still, the muffled noises emanating from the Kraata were likely to give Palma a mild headache. With a mix of grimace and smile, Metal slowly sat up and said to the healer, "Thanks Palma. Sorry about - cough - that." He slowly got up and hobbled toward the exit. The Twins' disapproval of his music gave him an idea to talk to Suvak, and he hoped the Skakdi would be in the Gymnasium.

Short / Hallways, Open for Interaction IC:

Short and Squid had a good little time talking about "dip-a-lomacy." The little Rahkshi also probably scarred the Squirahk for life. Short strutted happily along the halls in the general direction of the Refectory (her favorite place, as it seemed), looking for something to do.

IC: Exxan.

"My problem?" Exxan said calmly, turning to face Omega. He'd had a feeling Omega would show up. "You people are my problem. I haven't done anything wrong, by any of you, but despite the fact that I've talked things over with Fang - if you can even call that a discussion - he still has people talking to him about killing me. Yeah, I heard your talk outside the refectory. That jerk Raptor still wanted to join the kill-me mob, and I'll bet he isn't the only one either. You and Fang have stirred up a storm of discontent that isn't just going to lie down and die." 

He took a deep, shaky breath. "This is the only way to deal with it. No more plotting, no more lies, no more going behind people's backs. If someone wants me dead, they can come here and try." Exxan had finally had enough. "My question for you Omega, is this. Do you hate me that much? Or is it yourself you really hate?" 

It was time to end this, once and for freaking all.

IC: Omega

Omega shook his head. "I hope you realize I absolutely HATE Raptor. The lynch mob is gone Exxan. Fang was just trying to help me out. Raptor had no idea what he was on about and to be honest I don't really care."

IC: Exxan.

"Well, if no one shows up, then you'll get to say I told you so," Exxan replied briskly, "in all honesty, I'd rather be proven wrong for once." The truth was, though, that he didn't trust Omega.  

OOC: And here's where it gets awkward having two close characters. I feel bad about dragging Kat into this.

Well, look who's holding the grudge now, Exxan?

IC: Fang and Hoto - Infirmary

Fang nodded. "I... I wasn't sure if you would make it. I'd done what I could, but it was hard for you then. Look at you now, though! I've... I've heard you've been doing well."

A bit of a reluctant grin crept onto Hoto's face. She'd practically rendered Fang speechless. Even he thought she wouldn't make it. Wouldn't he be amazed to see what she'd learned? If... her hearing was recovered, that is.

She turned back, grinning a little more. "I did more than make it. I'll have to tell you about what happened on the way! I learned how to identify powers, like Kat's a Rahkshi of Fear. And I walked through Matoran villages! Some of them were actually nice." No use telling him about the rude ones. He would only get angry.

IC: Omega

"Oh trust me. There is more people after me than you." Omega said.

Short / Gymnasium, Walking into the Wrong Place IC:

Short strolled through the doorway of the Refectory - wait, this was the Gym. I guess that's not too bad. I feel like exercising, she though to herself. As Short walked through the Gym, trying to figure out what to do, she ran into an argument. A rather calm argument. Surprisingly so. Short noted, however, that violence might occur if the seething, icy mood was not lightened. Thus, the little Rahkshi jumped in between Exxan and Omega and said, "Hey y'all! Nayow wha's the issue? Y'all soun' layke y'all's brakases 're on ayce an' y'all gon' bite each other's hayed's ouff."

Metal / Gymnasium, Looking for Suvak IC:

Metal was slowly recovering, and by the time he reached the Gym he was walking straight, with a normal gait. He certainly did not have his usual strut, but he didn't look like he was going to pass out. As he entered the expansive room, the power scream Rahkshi looked around for a figure that would stick out among the Rahkshi - Suvak, the trainer Skakdi of Corpus Rahkshi. Metal wanted some entertainment and he wanted his talents to be recognized. Ultimately, he figured Suvak would be able to provide both if everything went according to plan.

OOC: That's you, Ultron/TPtI.

OOC:

 Well, look who's holding the grudge now, Exxan? 

IC: Exxan.

"Trust you?" Exxan exploded. He couldn't help but laugh. "I don't just give my trust away, and you haven't earned it." 

IC: Omega

"Well according to you I can't even talk to someone without being branded a traitor. Nobody is after you Exxan, Fang has calmed down. And I agree that Raptor is a jerk, I should know."

IC: Exxan - Gym.

"You weren't just talking though, were you?" Exxan countered, "Even if Fang's little mob fell apart, you were still part of it. I don't trust you, and right now, I don't think I ever will. But if you aren't here to try to kill me, perhaps you should just go away?" It was a suggestion, not a command, "I have real threats to deal with." 

IC: Omega

"You really think that everyone is out to get you, don't you?" Omega said, frustrated.

IC: Exxan.

"No, I don't," Exxan said flatly, "I suspect that there are some students who are out to get me, but I'd love to be proven wrong." Exxan knew full well that he wasn't paranoid. There were people in this school who wanted to attack, perhaps kill him. He was one of the most powerful students in the school. That kind of position made him a threat to all kinds of people. What he wanted to know was if any of them had the courage to act on it.

If not, then he could sleep easy. 

IC: Suvak was running a band of students through an obstacle course formed in one part of the Gym, making them leap, crawl and climb to get from start to finish. One of them seemed to forget themselves and swung into flight to overcome a few of the obstacles...but was immediately shot down by Suvak, his laser vision burning the student's feet and startling him out of the stance. Grunting in satisfaction the Skakdi spotted Metal lurking nearby.

"You'd better have a purpose for lurking like that," he said, "I already got one shadow, don't need a second."

IC: Omega

"Just know that I'm not involved anymore. And neither is Fang." Omega said, turning back to go to the infirmary.

IC: Raptor

Raptor had heard about Exxan's summons earlier. Without a second thought, he headed for the gym.

"You are Exxan?"

IC: Omega

Omega went back to the infirmary and waited behind the door for Fang patiently.

IC: Exxan.

"Yes, I am." Exxan said flatly, as Omega walked away. He turned to face the new arrival. "I'm Exxan." This was the same Rahkshi he'd heard talking to Fang earlier, the one called Raptor, the one who'd still been interested in joining the now-nonexistent anti-Exxan mob. "What do you want?" 

IC: Raptor

"I'd like to know what happened between you and Fang. Since my method of finding out through a union with Fang himself didn't work, I thought I'd ask you directly. I've repeatedly tried to help him, and every time I'm pushed away. All I want to know is why."

Short / Gymnasium, Being Ignored by Exxan, Omega, and Raptor IC:

"Hey! Y'all hear mae? Ay'm ayskin' why y'all look so solemn and ayngray under the surfayce!" Short said, mildly irritated that Exxan and Omega ignored her. When Omega started to walk away, she exasperatedly looked at Exxan and yelled, "ARE YA DAYEF?!" Then Raptor walked up, and Short started to become even more annoyed.

Metal / Gymnasium, Speaking with Suvak IC:

Metal stepped to stand not-too-close but not-too-far from Suvak, intimidated by the Skakdi who was more mechanical than most. The Rahkshi could easily see why Tridax valued him as a drill sergeant. However, time and rumor had all but confirmed that Suvak was less imposing than he first appeared. Thus, with courage, Metal cleared his throat and took half a step closer to Suvak.

Now at a conversational, even secretive distance, with a tone of reverence Metal started the conversation with, "I have heard that, despite the fact that Headmaster Tridax is against activities that do not directly further education or prowess, you have taken interest in extracurricular functions. As of late, multiple students - myself included - have taken interest in pastimes such as music and art. I believe that many of us wish to display our talents, but as of now we have no officially sanctioned place to do so.

"For example: earlier today, I was attacked completely unprovoked by two students why thought that I should not display my talents. I sparred them both for the honor of my music and because we happened to be here in the Gymnasium. Still, I felt that this place would be perfect to display my musical abilities. A similar story occurred in the Library and the Dormatory. As of yet, the only location in which my powers have been appreciated has been the Refectory, and even I can see that a cafeteria is not the prime place to play music," Metal stopped for a second to let Suvak decide to either sympathize with him or to become annoyed with his whining. He hoped desperately that the Skakdi would take the former opinion.

After his pause, Metal continued, "What I propose is that maybe the school could hold a - competition of sorts. A show of talent. Something to drum up interest in the various arts and intricacies that us Rahkshi have learned and created. We could have an event which will show just how interested and talented the general populace of the school might be in artistic endeavors, and maybe such a display might lead to convincing our great Makuta to be more fond of extracurricular activities." He let the offer hang in the air, waiting with baited breath for the Skakdi's response.

IC: Exxan.

"Could you please speak a language the rest of us can actually understand?" Exxan snapped at Short, before he turned back towards Raptor. "What happened between Fang and I seems to have been resolved, and it's no one else's business anyway. Do yourself a favour, and stay out of matters that aren't your concern." 

Perhaps Omega had been right, and Exxan had overreacted. It seemed there really was no one who wanted him dead. Sure, there were still those who held grudges, but it seemed those had died down. Exxan didn't feel disappointed to be wrong. It was a relief, in all honesty. 

IC: Raptor

"I hold no quarrel, honestly, with either of you. Had Fang displayed anything other than 'Get this dude away from me!' I'd sympathize with him more. I want to know more. I have to know more- after all, every minuscule bit of information brings me closer to Level 3. That's how you achieved it, right?"

Short / Gymnasium, Being Ignored by Exxan, Omega, and Raptor IC:

Diplomacy class or not, Short was now both annoyed and hurt. Thus, with more than a little sass, she flew up into Exxan's face and yelled, "AY AYM SPAYKIN' THE SAME LANGUAYGE. I understaynd WHY payple would hate ya nayow! AY HATE YA!" It took all that was in Short to keep her extremely short fuse in check. As it was, the offense she had taken was very close to bringing her fist into contact with Exxan's face.

OOC: Funny how my heavy metal rocker character is much more level-headed than my "diplomatic," "nice," Southern-girl type. X3

IC: Raptor

Raptor leaned in to the short one.

"I'm intrigued by your speech. Do you know any reason as to why you have such an accent?" 

IC: Exxan.

Exxan blinked a few times, then calmly stepped around Short to resume his conversation with Raptor. "If you wanted to learn more about me, you could have just asked. Joining a mob to hunt me down is not the way to do it. I heard you talking to Fang just before, asking him yet again if there was still a mob. That's not science, just violence." 

IC: Raptor

Raptor pointed at his nearly non-existent muscles.

"Fight? Violence? Dude, the only 'weapon' I was gonna bring was my notebook, to take down notes of your interactions. The bow's just for show. Oh hey, that rhymed!"

Short / Gymnasium, Talking to Exxan and Raptor IC:

One of the two Rahkshi ignored her, and the other was intrigued. This simultaneously made Short feel angry, annoyed, and slightly pleased. She was interesting? But apparently she was also able to be ignored! With even more exasperation in her voice, the little Rahkshi turned around and hovered right in front of Exxan's face as she replied to Raptor, "Wha' ayccayent? Ai spayk the sayum languayge as ye'. Wha's so differayent abayout mah voice?"

IC: Green

"Ambivalent."

IC: Dodge-256

"Should be this way, by the gym. They just renovated the place, so not too many people know about it yet." Dodge began walking in the ditdcuton of the gym.

IC: Raptor

"It sounds different, and that's cool. Differences are awesome. Seriously. And, being a scientist, I'd love to know why."

OOC: Might as well get this moving. 

IC: Fang and Hoto - Infirmary

Fang smiled at Hoto's enthusiasm. That at least had not changed. He looked back to the door to see Omega patiently waiting. "Maybe another time. Omega and I were about to visit the mainland, and I just wanted to see if you were alright."

Hoto wanted to come along. She'd only visited Nynrah once, during that terrible assignment, but she didn't feel she could safely navigate yet. Besides, she needed to rest. "That sounds like fun," she said, sadly. "Looks like I'll have to miss it."

Fang looked at her with pity. She'd been through a lot, only to come here into this mess. She needed her rest, but he promised to take her eventually. "What about you, Kat? Would you like to come along?"

Hoto managed a grin through her disappointment. "I'll be fine. I need to rest anyway."

IC: Exxan - Gym

Exxan was surprised. He'd come here expecting to end up in a fight, and instead here he was arguing with an idiot who clearly knew nothing about the scientific process. "By joining the mob, you condoned their actions," he answered logically, "no matter what your own intentions were. Therefore, I will not be aiding you in your endeavors. Now, if you don't mind, I think I'm done here." 

Once again, he moved calmly around the irritating little imp with the strange voice, and began walking towards the exit. 

Short / Gymnasium, Talking to Raptor IC:

Short was suddenly slightly happy, though still annoyed. As Exxan walked away, she raised one of her claws straight up with the others curled in his direction. She really couldn't figure out why she did it, but it felt offensive and somewhat right to be an angry gesture toward him.

Turning back to Raptor, she continued, "Ai don' hayer any differayence thayn what y'all's sayin'. Could'ja explain, mister science armor?"

IC: Raptor

"Wa-wa-wait! One thing of note! I ave done many, many different experiments with completely different methods during my time in this school. You have seen only a small fraction of those, if any at all. The mob? I'm trying something new. I can't be sure if something works or not without physically trying it out. You simply lack the information to say anything about me, really. I do things differently every single time. If you'd truly been interested, you'd opt to find out more about me before judging me, and I'm not going to open up and do something differently just to have a shot at persuading someone of my competence. I do different things different ways all the time, so please reserve judgement until after you have more substantial evidence. See ya!" He then turned to the short one.

"You pronounce things differently. For example, instead of saying 'I', you say 'Ah'. Sometimes you put the stress one a syllable that isn't commonly be pronounced that way. You speak the same language, but in a different dialect."

IC Vaalku

Vaalku snapped into reality suddenly. His mind had flung back to the meeting with the Toa, and then into a much more frightening memory. But now fang was gone. "I can never hold a conversation." he muttered, even though half the time it was his own fault. He didn't know who to trust anymore.

He quickly stepped out of the library and went looking for Fang or Exxan, to apologise to Fang for zoning out and to Exxan for darting away to talk to Fang. At the Gym, he almost ran right into Exxan. Raptor was also there, and some Rahk who was shouting and complaining about her accent. Weird...

IC: Love Guurahk

"Hum."

IC: Exxan - Gym.

Exxan stopped midstride, and slowly turned to look at Raptor. "You're insane," he said in disbelief, "you're actually, legitimately insane." Raptor had said so many words that made so little sense in such a short amount of time that insanity was the only conclusion he could arrive at. "Was your vat contaminated while you were being spawned, perchance?" Studying an insane new-gen Rahkshi might be a valuable insight for his behavioural study... 

IC: Raptor

"Believe me, if I could go back and check, I would."