BZPRPG: Ta-Wahi

Loren- Ta-koro

 

IC: Breathing a sigh of relief, Loren set the Matoran down and started unraveling the chain from him. In an apologetic tone, he spoke.

 

"Sorry I put you at risk like that. Are you alright?"

IC Kirgan and Hile

(Ta-Koro, outside Soli's forge):

 

"That's unfortunate", Kirgan said in disappointment. "Ta-Koro is the capital of forges though. Maybe we can find a Rau somewhere else in this village?"

IC: Azthran

 

"Maybe. But should we wait for Xaron first? Perhaps do something while we wait?"

IC Kirgan and Hile

(Ta-Koro, outside Soli's forge):

 

"Yeah, we should", Hile said. "I think we should find a proper mask-making forge and get the Rau. Someone can wait here for Xaron. We wouldn't be leaving the village."

 

Kirgan stood quiet.

IC: Azthran

 

"I could wait here for Xaron." he said to Hile.

IC Kirgan and Hile

(Ta-Koro):

 

"Fair enough", Hile said. "I'll go and look around. You too, Kirgan."

 

"Sure", Kirgan said a bit absent-mindedly and followed Hile to the village center.

 

As Hile had suspected, it did not take long for the two Matoran to find a forge selling both powered and powerless Kanohi. After all, being a village of fire, smelting and forging was one of the most profitable things in the region. They went inside one of these forges and were delighted to see a nice assortment of masks on a large shelf. The mask greeted his customers with a friendly smile.

 

"Welcome to Keret's Forge", he said happily. "I specialize in masks, but will make shields if requested."

 

"We would like a Kanohi Rau", Hile said.

 

"A Great or Noble version", Kirgan added.

 

Keret nodded and walked to his shelf.

 

"A Noble one will be cheaper than a Great one, but you know the drift... a Great version's power is usually worth it."

 

Hile and Kirgan discussed for a while and decided to go for the Great Kanohi. After all, you could never know what else you would need a Toa to translate besides text. Sharing the cost, the two friends purchased one Great Kanohi Rau and left the shop while Keret counted the widgets with delight.

IC: Orderin smiled, "Thank you, I'd have never thought Tivanu would part with that bird of his." Orderin placed his hand on Viima's shoulder, "Fare well."

IC: Azthran

 

"See ya guys later!" He said to both Kirgan and Hile.

 

OOC: Azthran is open for interaction. Well not until Kirgan and Hile return.

IC Viima

(Ta-Koro, Hospital):

 

"You too, old friend", Viima said, trying his best to hide the resolve he felt for leaving his friend just when he was recovering from injury. He had to remind himself that Surina would not wait. It was time to act.

 

With a last wave, Viima left the room.

 

*

 

Outside, Tivanu saw Viima exit the hospital with his head bowed down.

 

"He knows now", Viima said.

IC: Xaron

"Wait, hold up." I waved my hands. "Can I speak to Stronin on the specifics? After all, I don't want to be dissatisfied with my pokey object."

Xaron, it's a dagger.

And I'll poke people with it. To death.

That's unusally violent of you.

I only do it if they try killing me, duh. Jeeze, do you think I'm crazy or something?

Yes.

Oh shut up, you stupid slug. I didn't ask you, I asked my brain.

Yes.

...Oh.

IC TuroThe shuriken clattered to the ground besides the group, the skakdi already fleeing. Turo, muttering something about how things always ended before he got involved, started tracking the Skakdi with the chain before remembering the other skakdi. "Should I follow this one, or the blue super-skakdi?" he wondered. Dropping down to the ground, he walked up to Loren. "What now?" Turo asked.

Loren- Ta-koro

 

IC: "For now we make sure that everybody is safe, we can always go and find those skakdi another time. That fight had some collateral damage and I was unable to see if anybody was hurt."

IC (Stralix)

 

Loren was dealing with the hostage situation - which, pragmatically, left it to Stralix to cover the original target.

 

Even as he turned his attention to the blue Skakdi, the great brute vanished, reappearing in the street below.

 

Teleportation, he thought grimly. Just as reported.

 

Stralix had never heard of one of his species having so many powers. Even with his flamethrower and technological arsenal, the blue Skakdi was still too much of an unknown quantity to risk a head-on attack.

 

So as he dropped off the roof and quietly followed Vezok, he carefully slipped a small canister out of his bandoleer. Its design was similar to that of his highly successful grenades, but sported a number of differences - most noticeable was the multiplicity of holes in the outer casing - but the real difference lay within, in a specially chosen mixture of chemicals that sat with the powder itself. It was one of a set of new Photothermic grenade variants he'd been working on, specially for Guard use, and it was about to see its first use in the field.

 

The street his target had turned onto was relatively empty. Perfect. With a quiet click, he primed the grenade, and brought his arm back into a throw. He lobbed the grenade high over Vezok's head, to land on the street ahead of him.

 

A second before the device struck stone, Stralix ducked down, turning his head away and screwing his eyes shut, fingers in his ears, lest he too suffer its effects.

 

The grenade was a flashbang.

IC:"I hit him as hard as I could and he didn't flinch." The shopkeeper said with more than a little annoyance once he was breathing easily again, arms slightly crossed, glaring after Iasmir. "I went to all the trouble of coming up with a decent line, and he didn't even have the decency to acknowledge it.""Mushroom munching spined grinner." He spat venomously, before looking back to Loren. "Hmm? Oh, I'm fine. Bruised, but fine. I think I might be able to write a story about this."

Loren- Ta-koro

 

IC: A chuckle escaped Loren's lips at that. Patting the Matoran on the shoulder he spoke,

 

"You certainly have a bright burning spirit. If it makes you feel any better, he also shrugged off a pair of shuriken. That skakdi had some pretty think armor."

IC:"Burning spirit, ha, that's a clever one. I'm a shopkeeper." A pause, and a shrug. "I'll let you get back to your work, officer. Even I can't be unlucky enough to be attacked twice in one day."

IC Kirgan and Hile(Ta-Koro): "Fair enough", Hile said. "I'll go and look around. You too, Kirgan." "Sure", Kirgan said a bit absent-mindedly and followed Hile to the village center. As Hile had suspected, it did not take long for the two Matoran to find a forge selling both powered and powerless Kanohi. After all, being a village of fire, smelting and forging was one of the most profitable things in the region. They went inside one of these forges and were delighted to see a nice assortment of masks on a large shelf. The mask greeted his customers with a friendly smile. "Welcome to Keret's Forge", he said happily. "I specialize in masks, but will make shields if requested." "We would like a Kanohi Rau", Hile said. "A Great or Noble version", Kirgan added. Keret nodded and walked to his shelf. "A Noble one will be cheaper than a Great one, but you know the drift... a Great version's power is usually worth it." Hile and Kirgan discussed for a while and decided to go for the Great Kanohi. After all, you could never know what else you would need a Toa to translate besides text. Sharing the cost, the two friends purchased one Great Kanohi Rau and left the shop while Keret counted the widgets with delight.

OOC: Mask purchasing is allowlwed, right?IC: Sulkua and FeranFeran saw the two of them exit with a Rau."Let me see that. I'm a forger of weapons but I know a little of mask quality."Feran inspected the mask."Looks good. Who's going to be using it, Sulkua?""Me? I'm not used to using the Rau," Sulkua said."But I'll try to if you want."OOC: Toatapio is getting a new mask allowed? I think the rules are fairly strict about it.

IC: Tivanu

 

Tivanu looked down at Viima and noticed his look and shrugged

"You act like you are leaving him forever.. it is just for at most a day or two while we deal with Akiri hahli.."

 

Tivanu looked at Kive-phu and in the skakdi language he told her to sit on the windowsill of a specific window which turned out to be orderin's. And with that kive-phu took off from his shoulder and landed atop the windowsill with a slightly loud thud before seeming to get cozy and watching Orderin out of the corner of her eyes

 

Tivanu watched her fly off before turning to look at Viima

"Welp that is done."

OOC: Norik, the Rau is a pre-approved mask. And as long as Sulkua doesn't carry two masks at a time, there shouldn't be a problem.

 

IC Kirgan and Hile

(Ta-Koro):

 

"Yeah, we got it!" Kirgan proclaimed. "Quite easily too. Sulkua or Azthran, either one of you can use the mask. We can translate the tablet while we wait for Xaron."

 

IC Viima

(Ta-Koro):

 

"Who knows what will happen when we find Surina", Viima simply said. "If we find her, that is."

IC: Tivanu

 

Tivanu arched his brow slightly as he hears this

"I truly thought we would report to hahli and if Orderin had not joined us yet we would stop by here pick him up and then continue on?"

IC Viima

(Ta-Koro):

 

"If we're on time, and Hahli still lives", Viima said. "We should get going. How do we get to Ga-Koro the fastest?"

IC: Tivanu

 

Tivanu seemed to consider this for a few moments

"I would think just going straight through the forests would be the quickest."

IC Viima

(Ta-Koro):

 

"Let's go then", Viima said, already hurrying out of the village of fire.

IC: Tivanu

 

Tivanu followed behind Viima as they left the village of fire and proceeded to head towards Ga-koro

 

OOC: Viima and Tivanu out of Ta-koro to ga-koro

IC: Azthran

 

"Ill try it on." Azthran said.

 

"I wonder what's taking Xaron so long."

 

OOC: Haven't heard form you for a long time Norik.

IC Kirgan and Hile

(Ta-Koro):

 

"We will not leave Xaron", Hile said. "But while we wait, we might as well translate that tablet."

 

Barely able to contain his excitement, Kirgan took out the pieces of the shattered stone tablet and started arranging them on the ground.

 

"I accidentally broke it when I found it", Kirgan explained. "But it's quite easy to put back together."

 

Soon enough the assembled tablet lay on the ground, waiting to be translated.

 

"There", Kirgan said. Nearby, Hile held his breath.

OOC:

 

IC "I'm not exactly a philosopher," Oreius chuckled. "I'll just agree with whatever you said."

IC: Rounds pass. Pieces taken. Queen advances to defend my forward.

 

(29. Qa4.)

 

"The Maru will die."

IC: Rounds pass. Pieces taken. Queen advances to defend my forward.

(29. Qa4.)

 

"The Maru will die."

 

IC

 

Each move was calculated, a perfect offensive strike designed to meet Sulov's barricaded line where it was weakest, while at the same time attempting to bring Oreius' own guard up against imminent attack. The two players (three, including Inu) were perfectly matched, which almost surprised the Toa of Fire. He had never been particularly good at the game.

 

But Inu had a keen eye for strategy, and it was often his sudden, twig-snapping insights that saved them from crushing defeat.

 

"What do you mean?" Oreius asked. "Of course, we'll all die eventually. Do you mean we're in danger?"

IC: Sulkua and Feran

Both Toa and Matoran watched as Azthran took the mask and put it on.

Feran was trembling with excitement.

"What's it say?"

Sulkua simply watched and waited.

 

OOC:@Toa Kranan

Yeah, sorry. I kept only seeing the Viima-Tivanu conversations.

OOC:

 

Sorry for the delay. Too busy watching YouTube :3

 

Note: The / signs means the words have either been scratched or damaged and can no longer be read.

 

 

@Norik Same here

 

IC: Azthran

 

He looked at the tablet closely. "Well this might take a while." he said to Feran

 

"We are greatful to the Great Spirit for reaching out into our world and letting his sacred, mighty servant inspire a new dawn, which we will work night / achieve. We are blessed to have been visited by the Great Spirit through the hand of his servant and to be enlightened to see a wider scope of life. It is our great concern that we repay for these wonderful works by seeking others he has helped in this world, and / common interest.

We are ready to harness that which the Great Spirit has given, the endless void of space beyond our planet. But there is even something more complex / cannot perceive with any of our senses. There exists the great continuation of our time, with the past, present and future flowing in a rational pattern, thanks to the Great Spirit and his hand.

From the ancient tales that / future, the Great Names of those with unhindered knowledge of the Great Spirit can be derived. Beings both old and new are touched by the holy substance of our world, given the power to / universe’s greatest secrets. Never cheapen their meaning / will know.

There is Hangi, who gave / to strive in. Alsru, called by a future name, embodies the kind heart of Mata Nui. A follower of the greatest of prophecies, Ilona repeats what was foretold. Rhan and her sincere / into our lives. No one is as strong as Theulek, a mighty cliff never to collapse. Stronin, with resolve like iron, is the example we should always remember. Of great speed Lerian is to derive. Sewre is a hope for the weak. An / is Jakeko, who is also the weaker witness.

As generations come and go, the Great Names will flow as smoothly as time, each blessed with the great wisdom promised to them by Mata Nui. With them in mind, we have dedicated our research to them and the Great / his servant. Our creations will serve to unite the peoples of the universe, of the past and the future, of all plains of existence, into one whole in service of the Great Spirit / brothers who do not stray.

Already the construction of unity stands before us and will be sent to reach other worlds and civilizations, to be followed by us when the Great Spirit so wishes. As / every day to live a better tomorrow, we will continue the pursue of mastery of time. One day you will see us come and you will know that the Great Spirit will / forever.

Mukava
The Recreators
Onu-Koro Research Community"

OOC:

IC

 

Each move was calculated, a perfect offensive strike designed to meet Sulov's barricaded line where it was weakest, while at the same time attempting to bring Oreius' own guard up against imminent attack. The two players (three, including Inu) were perfectly matched, which almost surprised the Toa of Fire. He had never been particularly good at the game.

 

But Inu had a keen eye for strategy, and it was often his sudden, twig-snapping insights that saved them from crushing defeat.

 

"What do you mean?" Oreius asked. "Of course, we'll all die eventually. Do you mean we're in danger?"

 

IC: I trade and trade, but do not lose defense. I grind it out in each exchange. Pieces lost are position gained and vice versa.

 

"Unity dies as well."

IC

 

The fire in his chest, so eager to lick up any trace of food, found a foothold in Sulov's mysterious comments. Oreius struggled to hold back his impatience as he carefully ordered his miniature army against the Toa of Earth's granite defence.

 

"If you have something to say, I'd like to hear it," he said calmly. He had grown skilled at keeping a calm demeanour in spite of Tahu's hot-headedness. "I only spoke briefly with our brothers and sister at the Akiri's Summit, but they all seemed well. And since then, the Koros have only come closer together. Why do you think otherwise?"

IC:

 

Orderin stepped out of the hospital, his newly fitted cane in his hand. Although he had just come close to dying he felt more alive then ever. Somehow, mortal peril made it seem more like the old days.

 

Orderin stood, watching pedestrians pass by, wondering if any of them could even fathom what he had seen and done.

 

OOC: Orderin free for interaction.

OOC:
Kongu and Korero from Le-Wahi

IC: Akiri Kongu - Ta-Koro - Jaller's Office

 

The idea by teleporting from closed office to closed office, was that there was no way to be traced. It would be impossible for anybody other than Jaller, Korero, and Kongu himself to know that they had even left. Not when the guards outside Kongu's office had been told to prevent them from being disturbed. Not to mention Korero teleporting Kongu around Le-Koro wasn't exactly something that was uncommon. It happened often whenever Kongu needed to get from one place to another in a hurry.

Nobody but Jaller could and would ever know that they had been there.

"Here we are."

The Ta-Matoran intoned, pulling a large key from his pocket, and sliding it into the lock of the door before him. The lock itself was set into the wall between two stones, not even really visible except as a small gap, and with a click, it disengaged. Jaller gave a hard shove, muscles straining, and a panel swung inwards. The door, in truth, was solid metal, the exterior coated by a stone facade. When closed, it appeared no different from the rest of the wall, further kept from view by the fact that the trip getting there alone had taken several minutes down several long hallways, with the sounds of activity getting further and further away, and the appearance of other beings getting fewer and fewer.

The room inside, when they entered, was relatively small, perhaps only the size of an office, if even that. A few chairs were present in the dim, dusty room, and the walls were lined with cabinets. He swung the door closed, and for a moment, they were in near total blackness, until a spark flashed, and he lit a torch set into the wall, turning to light another, and another, until the room was fairly well illuminated. Slowly, he sank into one of the seats, before finally breaking his silence once more.

"This is an old part of the design. Doesn't show up on any of the plans, and it's about as far from any activity center as can be. Originally designed as a safe house, if the fortress ever fell prey to assault. If we can't talk safely here, there's nowhere in Ta-Koro that we can."

"Let me guess. This is about the letter from Ko-Koro?"

Kongu glanced to Korero before turning his attention totally to Jaller, "Yes," he sighed but quickly pulled back with full composure once more, "The letter presents us with a series of problems that are going to outline our near future; as I'm sure you are aware. But before we discuss any further, I need to know what exactly you know about the deaths of our Turaga. Specifically those involved," Kongu slowed a little. He didn't want to have to ask Jaller of this. But if his list of names was increasing, Kongu needed to expand it to whatever length he could.

Jaller's eyes narrowed slightly, almost imperceptibly. He was silent for a few moments, studying his friend intently, watching every move, every facial expression. Finally, as if reaching an internal decision, he shifted, reaching into a pocket, and withdrawing a slip of paper.

"I have a list of names. Names of the people who carried out the assassinations. This isn't the original, though I'm sure you guessed that, but it's exactly what is written on the original. I was reading it before you came, looking for a connection. I haven't found it."

Kongu took the paper in his hands and gazed at it, taking it in, bit by bit, memorizing the patterns of the curves and corners of the letters. He nodded methodically, as he passed the paper back to the Akiri of Fire. He breathed in, the tattoos on his chest expanding along with it, "The connection is that there isn't anything connecting those names there," his calming facial expression matched the tone of his voice, "If they did have a connection, it would have been centered around an ideological belief or lack of one. It certainly was not chaos they wanted; we would have died that day too," Kongu paused, allowing Jaller little time to think that over. Jaller was sharp enough to follow, "A month ago, Dorian Shaddix walked into my village with Joske Nimil. It was that night that Dorian fell apart, spilling information into the ears of my people in a bar.

I offered the man protection in exchange for what he knew."

"I knew about the incident in the bar." The Akiri of Fire admitted, returning the list to its pocket, and crossing his arms slightly. "Word of an incident like that travels, and a villager passed the event along to me. They did not know the details, but Dorian Shaddix is a known enough man for that sort of thing to be remembered."

"And the latter statement doesn't surprise me. What did he know?"

"He didn't want protection," Kongu eyed Jaller, "He wanted a single Tuara Drigton to be protected instead. You are familiar with her yes?"

The Matoran inhaled sharply, silent for several moments. It was well known that, unlike most of his element, Jaller had an astounding control over the outward symptoms of his emotions. But even with that, it was clear he reacted to the name.

"... Yes." He admitted, slowly. "She was more than likely the best deputy I ever had. Certainly the most competent. She was the best one to deal with the Mark Bearers, during the early stages of their arrival. I didn't expect what would turn out to be."

"She came back... Different. She vouched for Dorian, got his bail arranged. I let it happen because I knew he didn't kill Vakama. Not personally. She never outright admitted it, but there was, is, something there."

Kongu nodded before continuing, "It outlined for me what he cares about," he paused, "If his compatriots are meant to antagonize him in any ways due to his giving information, what could they go after that would hurt him?" He raised an eyebrow, "Tuara seems to be the only real option. That being said, he had not outwardly moved to protect her before my offer. Which means either he has nothing else of value that could be used against him, or he doesn't fear his compatriots."

Kongu breathed in, "That might not have held true if his companions were almost zealots. They are unlikely to hold ideals strong enough to kill our Turaga. My hypothosis is either they have all been threatened themselves, or they have a common employer, or both. That of course, was not enough for me to outwardly concern myself with potential threats. Not publicly at least. I have always had suspicions about a single man on this island being connected to the killings."

The Akiri of Air frowned, "An informant in Pala-Koro delegated information to me months ago when Makuta's zealots destroyed it. The leader seemed to strongly believe that the man who helped build their walls had helped topple them. Simply rumors of course. Nothing of real note. I am told they searched that man's home, and found no proof whatsoever, despite what most of that entire organization believed."

"That would make sense." Jaller replied thoughtfully, the slowness of the response deceptive when compared to the speed at which his thoughts raced. "I have personally spoken to, or had my deputy speak with, Liacada and Dorian. They come, based on what we know, from very different backgrounds, even their criminal behavior was different up to and after the assassinations."

"Occam's Razor indicates that someone pulled the team together to eliminate the Turaga. If we assume for a moment that the same person organized sabotage on Pala-Koro's defenses, then we begin to see a pattern. The strikes always come at a person or group important in the public eye, and it always comes in a way that leaves their hands clean."

"Matoro's death would fit the MO."

"Dorian mentioned the name of Matoro's cheif architect in association with the names of some of his compatriots. The same architect that has been accused of destroying Pala-Koro. The same architect who is very likely to push for Matoro's throne now that he is out of the way," Akiri Kongu bore burning holes into Jaller as his gaze intensified, "The only piece of information Dorian gave me to protect Tuara, was to refer me to the most recent piece of news in the paper. I am sure you have already figured out who's name I saw that morning already.

"It is only speculation to the courts, we could never truly put the man away by this alone, but it is enough for me to never trust Ko-Koro as long as he is within the framework of the village."

"Karzahni."

Jaller swore, as the pieces fit together, and the vast web began to be unveiled. Almost unconsciously, he stood and began pacing the rear of the room, each step in perfect time, evenly spaced. His agitation was clear, and his mind visibly raced.

"Ambages."

"I need to know if I can trust you to do what is right, even if I am lost before the end," Kongu's eyes became soft, despite the still rising intensity, "You have been my friend for a very long time, and I want to stand beside you when the story comes to a close. But I have to know now before night falls and darkness covers what we have left."

The Ta-Matoran ceased in his pacing for a moment, swiveling to face the other Akiri, and in that moment, his stance was clear. The Matoran was still young, by all counts still in the prime of his life, but in that moment, he seemed old. Not even the fires of his own temper could disguise the weariness, the solemnity, the severity in his posture and gaze. The Ta-Matoran had been in charge of the Guard for decades innumerable, almost since its inception. When it had become necessary, he'd even stepped up to take Vakama's place.

Though he'd never admit it, never acknowledge it, the years had worn on him faster than most. While still physically young, physically fit, his mind was old beyond his years, aged prematurely by the stress not just of leading, but of leading a seemingly never ending fight for decades.

But the fire was still there, the fire all those of his element possessed, in its purest form. Time had worn on him, but it wouldn't win. Not until death had taken every ounce of life he had left in his body, and even then the reaper would be in for a fight.

"I'll do it. As long as I'm still breathing, I'll do it. Even beyond morality, I owe you that. I owe it to Vakama, too. And I owe it to Matoro, may Mata Nui give him peace."

Kongu didn't say anything for a moment. Instead, he just smiled sadly before stepping forward and pulling Jaller into a firm embrace.

Jaller clapped him on the back, returning the embrace. The universe, it seemed, had a cruel sense of irony, that the murder of an old friend, was what it took for two others to sit down and talk for the first time in months. The silence reigned for a few moments, before the Ta-Matoran spoke.

"And for the record, if you go before I do, I swear I'll make you regret it in the next life. Got it?"

Kongu pulled back, laughing boisterously, looking at Jaller with eyes that narrowed as the laugh subsided and was replaced with a big grin, "The words of a fire-spitter never resonated so soundly in my ears, it will be hard to forget!"

"Good." The Ta-Matoran replied with a touch of humor, sighing loudly. "Times like this, it'd almost be better to have a solid foe again."

Kongu's smile tamed before stepping back away again, looking to Korero, "I will see you again soon. Until then, take care. Stay safe, Jaller old friend." Korero took Kongu's hand and flashed out of existence.

OOC:
Kongu and Korero to Le-Wahi

IC Kirgan and Hile

(Ta-Koro):

 

Kirgan was silent. He did not know what to say. Next to him, Hile was busy writing down whatever he could about the message of the tablet.

 

"What do you suppose this means?" Kirgan finally asked. "Some kind of a prophecy?"

IC: "The Forerunner

 

"Here is how you can help, if I get captured or die, read this." I threw a small notebook on the ground.

 

Picking up a few bags of photothermic powder and the small photothermic disk, I slinked towards the club house. Being very careful as not to be seen, I slipped the disk, in under the sand in-front of the gate. Then I slid over to the other side of the building, picking up a rock. I then created a sphere of smoke around it.

 

With some vigor, I threw the smoke bomb at the window of the shack, and began to douse the house in smoke.

 

IC:

 

I hate them all. I hate Reidak because he's a brutish nincompoop; I hate Thok because he's a manipulative wanker; I hate Vezok because he's a paranoid little twit; I hate Hakann because he's a little creeper who gets off on the sight of blood; I hate Zaktan because, well...yeah. So it's not like I don't despise and abhor the very existence of each of these men in turn.

 

But when you make a move on us, you do so at your peril, because together the Piraka are well and truly unstoppable.

 

Sudden action in the bungalow was never a good thing, because it generally meant we were going to have to restart the large "We Have Had [Number Here] Successful Days Without An Assassination Attempt" counter hanging from the rafters from one to zero, yet again. For once, though, it wasn't us; I came out of the workshop, Pickaxe already raised to brain somebody, and saw that Hakann and Thok were both in similar states. Reidak got up, lumbering around like the Tree Trunk that Stole Naming Day, and revved his buzzsaw in warning.

 

"Was that you?" Thok asked, looking behind me into the workshop, and I shook my head emphatically. If everyone didn't have a hand on a weapon then, they did when my head shook. Reidak opened his mouth to say something (did I say say something? I meant grunt about beating something to death) but what gleaming nugget of wisdom he had for us never went heard as we all looked down at the smoke bomb at his feet. It exploded.

 

It was just a smoke bomb, I knew, but it was hard not to feel a second's worth of optimism that perhaps Reidak's feet had been blasted off, or he'd been killed outright. That hope was smashed when I heard him roar, and then degenerate into a fit of coughing as the smoke took hold in everyone's lungs. Quickly I paced back into the workshop and switched on all the cooling fans I'd devised to try and clear the smoke away. It took a minute or two, but when it lifted I was holding the Pickaxe, ready to fire away in one hand, and in the other the Zamor Launcher, ready to...also fire away. Reidak wielded that buzzsaw of his like a guitar, ready to smash over someone's skull; Hakann had that weird little grin he got when he wanted to burn off the flesh on someone's hands and make them fan him off with the strips, and Thok was standing all cool and composed and what he thought must have been attractive against the wall, leaning back and looking out the window with faint distaste.

 

"Everyone man a window," I commanded, and to my total non-surprise everyone snorted derisively. Hakann in particular started to laugh. I should have just thrown him out the window and let the pesky little assailant try his luck and kill him, but I shook my head instead with a sigh - you can't invent a vacuum for idiocy; that's why the gods gave us Reidak - and walked out towards the back of the bungalow. If anyone came at us, we'd be ready.

 

They could count on it.

 

-Tyler

IC: The staccato rhythm of a pursuit echoed throughout Ta-Koro's back alleys.

Fikou! This guy...

The lead was a Toa of Fire, tall and slim, of a rather young age. Every so often, he would glance back over his shoulder to reaffirm that, yes, his pursuer was still there and keeping pace. Didn't ripping the box cutter out of his hand satisfy him?

However...

I know these streets better than this guy. I know them better than anyone!

Cutting a sharp left, the young would-be mugger dove into a side-alley to throw his pursuer off.

Wait... why didn't he follow?

Frantically, he glanced around, wondering where the steps had gone.

He couldn't be behind him, there was a wall the-- Wait! There was another entrance just 10 yards beyond where he had gone!

Oh, karz...

Calmly, his pursuer rounded the far corner, stalking towards him and staring him down with frightening steel in his golden eyes.

 

He didn't even seem winded by that wild goose chase, and yet here I am gasping for air?

"You've got some nerve, y'know?" said the pursuer in question, an athletic and lean Toa of (as he was frightened to discover) Magnetism. He tossed the scavenged box cutter up and down in his right hand as he walked, as if it was casually handed to him rather than very forcefully taken. "Threatening a guy who minded his own business and did absolutely nothing to you. You think just because you have this dinky little thing,"

The tool fell to the ground with a small yet deafening clang.

"You can just take what you want?"

"Who the karz are you to talk, nearly taking off my head!" the kid responded, backing up and being reminded that, yes, there was a wall. No way out except through that crazy son of a brakas.

"And here I was told 'Highwind' was a warrior's name around here. Guess we aren't so recognizable after all."

"'Highwind?' That's a load of fader dung, you aren't Perkhan!"

Even a mouse will fight when cornered. Assuming the Toa was trying to use the well-known name to cover up a lack of prowess, the young toa of fire surged forth, fist ignited.

"Nope."

The Toa of Magnetism remained composed even as his opponent swung for the fences. Keeping a tight guard, he slipped the haymaker and twisted his hips and torso into a crushing left hook, resulting in a meaty thud as knuckles collided with jaw. The effect was immediate. The flames died, and the Toa of Fire's legs gave out under him. Body crumpling, his eyes rolled back as he fell, limp and removed from his consciousness for a fair bit. Shows what happens when you keep your rear hand down.

"Jolek."

 

 

Some time later, the Guard found themselves in the possession of one would-be-mugger.

OOC: Open for interaction, roaming the streets.

IC:

 

A knock on the door - brisk and sudden, a little impatient, it caused Angelus to snap up from the folder on the Turaga killings he was "reading" and stash it into his desk. The captain looked around his room for a second, uncomfortably aware that he'd nearly dozed off at his desk, the way the old guard always said Jaller used to. That was a slippery slope, if ever there was...

 

"Come in," he called, and as though she'd already been halfway through the process of doing so Kino sauntered in and flopped down on the couch across from hsi desk. Oh.

 

"Uhhh...hi."

 

-Tyler

IC: (Kino)

 

I smirked, lying there on that couch, Karz this thing was comfortable, I mean don't get me wrong my chair was comfort, but this couch...so soft, and right across from Jungle Boy's desk, you couldn't ask for a better view. Well you could but that's neither here nor there.

 

"Hello there Angel...how has your day been? I was wondering if you would make good on a promise tonight..." I smirked, my light grey eyes looking to his baby blues, a pout across my lips. I remember it quite clearly, Angelus told me to name a reward in order to help him and what I asked was probably something he didn't quite expect. Really though, it was something I was looking forward to. Teasing was fun but with Liacada apparently somewhere in Le, the days felt rather empty, unless I was here.

IC: Azthran

 

"Not sure." he looked at the tablet once more. "It says; There is Hangi, who gave / to strive in. Alsru, called by a future name, embodies the kind heart of Mata Nui. A follower of the greatest of prophecies, Ilona repeats what was foretold. Rhan and her sincere / into our lives. No one is as strong as Theulek, a mighty cliff never to collapse. Stronin, with resolve like iron, is the example we should always remember. Of great speed Lerian is to derive. Sewre is a hope for the weak. An / is Jakeko, who is also the weaker witness."

 

He paused. "Nine names. Stronin's one of 'em. Kirgan, do you know any of these names besides Stronin's?"