BZPRPG: Onu-Wahi
Onu
IC Viima
(Onu-Koro, Wise Man's Archive):
"If you didn't happen to snatch any in between", Viima said. "Then yes, I did."
IC: Xaron
Yep, I was certainly unconscious again. Very, very unconscious.
Well, I was pretty sure I was unconscious, at least. It didn't feel like it. Or look like it.
I sat in the room, the husk of the robot unmoving, where I killed it. Nothing inside moved. The little drone that was fixing my arm was frozen, as was Azthran.
Everything was unmoving, and it freaked me out. I probably was just experiencing the very last image I saw in my unconscious mind. Or I was awake, and time stopped for some reason. Probably not the latter, but you can never rule out the weird.
Oh well, I didn't really care. I sat there, in my unconscious freeze-frame of the world, waiting for when I would actually wake up. It was starting to get boring in here.
OOC: More of a filler post than anything.
IC:
"I haven't had any this whole time. I'll be fine though."
OOC:
Keep in mind, everyone, that only about thirty seconds or so, at most a minute?, have passed since Rhea went back in to fetch Surina. So don't start getting too impatient quite yet. 
IC: [ Rhea / Nero ] - Onu-Koro / Wise Man's Archive
Now, the entire Surina conspiracy was old news in every underworld circle on the island. Rhea, being who she was, had been one of the first to piece together the full facts of the story; the hardest part had been sifting the gossip from the truth, and even that hadn't taken her more than a few days of discreet inquiry. And so, although she had never seen Surina in her life before today, she had realized almost immediately who she must be, and Viima was perhaps a bit more well-known to certain individuals than he realized.
But of course, Rhea didn't tell Surina that. No point in ruining the atmosphere of dark intrigue, and besides, there wasn't time.
"It doesn't matter in the least, Surina. We're running out of time here; I'm going to cut you a straight bargain. You surrender peacefully, I trade you for cash to Viima's group, and en route to Ga-Koro, I send one or two of my associates to break you free. I get money, you get freedom; we both come out on top. It's risky, and for all you know, I could be betraying you, but the alternative is that I simply hand you over and don't give you an escape opportunity. Yes or no?"
For once, the Toa of Plasma meant what she said. Surina had potential, and if she could find a way to exploit it without endangering herself... it would be a good day's work, indeed.
Nero shifted his weight restlessly, feeling the tense impatience growing outside.
IC: Demos - WM'sA
Click. Back door locked. The library's owner moved towards the front to get that. He didn't want to risk another escape attempt. Along the way, he closed all the shutters he passed. He'd unlock them once everything was settled.
IC: Torvoth
"Oh, man! An adventure!" the lean Vortixx grinned excitedly at Ardoku. "Let me go pack my bags. Oh, wait... "The Judge", check, Chainblade, check, cunning intellect of dubious sanity... I guess I'm ready!"
OOC: So sorry, Toa Onaku - I somehow missed your post.
IC: Ardoku
Ardoku charged through the door with a tired frown on his face, heading towards the mouth of the ever-spanning cave system.
IC Surina
(Onu-Koro, Wise Man's Arcive):
Surina wanted to say no, to strike at Rhea with her bare fists and die battling several oppnents far stronger than her... it certainly would've been her style. But she forced away thoughts like hat, if only because of self-preservation instincts.Death was a casual subject to her now anyway, so why not take the chance?
Besides, if she betrays me, I'll just haunt her, Surina thought with what se considered humor. The black kind.
"Fine", she said. "I don't trust you Rhea, but I will agree to your terms. Just remember that my staying alive might turn out well for you in the end as well. We are not exactly on opposite sides in life, just business."
With that Surina surrendered, for it was all she could do.
IC Viima
(Onu-Koro, Wise Man's Archive):
"I'm sorry", Viima told Orderin. "I should've saved some for you. I get a little carried away when it comes to muffins... and doughnuts."
IC: Tivanu
Tivanu reached into his satchel and pulled out a preserved piece of meat that he ussually fed to Kive-phu and took a large bite of it. He grinned at Viima and waved the meat
"This is why i always have this.. And you need not worry Viima.. As i said i have a plan.."
And with that he made a sharp click sound and Kive-phu flew back to his right shoulder and nestled against it. Tivanu handed her the rest of his meat which she hungrily devoured. Now for those who may not know Kive-phu was larger than your average Lava hawk and was large enough to hold a matoran in the air with no problem, as the detective matoran Khervos can attest to. And with her darker color pattern and sharp talons she could be quite the intimidating figure to matoran sized beings.. However when she was with Tivanu she seemed to nearly melt and become like a simple canary. Yet her eyes still held that dangerous glint.
IC: Feran
Feran peeked and felt under the feet of Onua's statue and only found a rat. As he scampered away from it, he turned to Hile.
"Any luck?"
IC Hile
(Onu-Wahi, Onu-Kini):
"Perhaps", Hile replied. "Tell me, what do you know about Onua?"
Hile was looking at some carved words on the base of the temple.
IC Kirgan
(Onu-Wahi, Underground lake):
Kirgan, Shadd and Sulkua arrived at the underground lake shown to them by the map. It was much larger than they had thought, completely filling an enormous cavern and reaching deeper than the eye could see. It would be no easy trick finding one small key from there.
"The water is cold", Kirgan reported. "You should be able to handle that, Sulkua... but do you think you'll be able to find a key from there?"
IC:
Darkness is comforting. Darkness is familiar. Darkness is home.
Not this.
It hurts. Nothing is clear. Everything hurts.
Too cold.
---
A sea of sludge. An apt metaphor for the situation. Escape is impossible. Attempts at movement are futile. Nothing can be done but slowly sink deeper and deeper, never knowing if there even is a bottom. The world, for all purposes, does not exist. It is too indistinct. It is too dark. Void of any substance. Yet from time to time, flashes of light appear for split seconds, but they disappeared just as they came.
Alone in the sea.
Shivering.
Too cold.
---
"... Naming Day?"
"It's a holiday we hold every year. There's a ceremony for those who have done great things - their names get changed."
A name change. The custom is highly foreign. Names allow for ease of communication and identification. To change them would complicate matters. Recognition of those who have achieved greatness is understandable. But why? Should they not already been known by their deeds? What is the need for a new designation?
"Oh yeah, and us Matoran give presents to each other. It's nice to gift things. Also Mata Nui turns up sometimes on a Hau-shaped sled to grant us wishes."
Pause. Rewind.
"Mata Nui turns up sometimes on a Hau-shaped sled to grant us wishes."
Gifts are ... expression of relationship? Possibly understandable. Yet unnecessary.
However: Mata Nui.
"... Who."
"The Great Spirit! Don't you know him? Don't take that last part seriously by the way - he doesn't turn up."
Tears.
"H-he's asleep, yaknow?"
Figure of adoration. Compromised. Highly regarded by the Matoran.
Further elaboration on who Mata Nui is or what his purpose may be is not required. Naming Day is considered to be a time of deed recognition and .... the word was constructed similarly to:
"... Philanthropy."
"Uh, what about it?"
No reply. There is no real need. Nor is it possible to convey thoughts to companion in an ideal fashion. The tongue of the overworlders is difficult to master. There are too many new concepts. It is a challenge.
Maybe it might be interesting to attempt mastery.
The ... "wind" has arrived.
Too cold.
---
The feeling of constantly falling stops. A light flickers in the distance. There is no point in reaching out. The oppressive weight of the world will crush all attempts. The light will disappear in time, and the void will return to darkness once again.
But it does not disappear. It continues to flicker, but it is fading quickly.
Curiosity has taken hold. Reaching out is futile as usual. The gravity is too strong. Far too strong to resist. And the world beings to fall once more. The light is disappearing into the distance, its presence becoming one with the void that surrounds everything. Why try when there will only be absolute failure awaiting?
Dig.
Everything is beginning to suffocate. Start to lash out wildly. Claw at the force that pushes everything down. Something moves. A spark of hope is ignited, but there is no energy to struggle again. The light is shining again. But it is too far away.
Light is bad. It hurts. Too much. Too much light.
The wind is picking up. Cold hurts far more. The cold will not triumph. Push back against the oppression above. There is nothing but the light in mind. That is the target, and it will be reached.
Dig.
Each motion takes longer and longer. Giving up is growing to become a more desirable option.
Keep falling. The darkness is nice.
But digging further is life. Energy flows once more. Determination fuels each push. The light seems closer than before. It will be reached. Hands are becoming distinct. They continue to claw away at the darkness, digging towards the light that is now everything that matters.
Just keep digging. The light will be reached.
It is so close now. One more push, and it can be grasped. But something stops the digging. Everything begins to fall again. Frost grows along the hands. It is cold. It hurts. The cold hurts. The digging had been for naught. Suffocating underneath the force. The light begins to fade.
Stop fighting. Relax. Let the cold wash over.
"This village needs its heroes."
Dig.
No.
There is a roar.
The barrier breaks. It could not withstand the strength of the final motion.
"And I'm sick of having to pretend to be one of them."
Who?
I AM.
---
"Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaah~!!~!!~!!"
The nurse recoils, her entire body trembling as she falls back against the wall. Uyism has no idea why. She looks around. When did she get to this ... hospital? It does not mesh clearly with what she can remember. But the Iroiit pushes those thoughts to the back of her mind. There is a incredibly fearful Matoran in front of her right now, and that is something to be dealt with.
Indistinctly, she remembers that positivity assists in calming down overworlders.
Saying something positive may help.
Her throat is raspy. Strange.
But no matter.
"Congratulations," croaks Uyism, the only non-Matoran (formerly) member of the currently-defunct Seventh Ussalry Squadron.
A second later, the nurse faints.
Unexpected.
IC: Torvoth
As they marched out of Onu-Koro, Torvoth was curious as to the origins of the tunnels that came into view when they reached the far outskirts of the village. "Hey, Ardoku?"
"Yes?"
"Where are these tunnels from? Who made them? I haven't really been outside much, as of late."
IC: Shadd
"I have a lightstone," offered Shadd.
IC: Mirehu
"You."
The single word uttered by the noticeably tiny Toa of Crystal somehow managed to sound like a particularly colourful curse, a proclamation of excruciating death for the receiver, and gleeful exclamation of happiness all at once. To say the least, it was slightly disturbing.
It was followed up by a flying, literally flying in this case, a Mirus let one do stuff like that, hug. Before Mirehu unwrapped her arms from around Raxa, stepped half a step back, looked him up and down, and slapped him.
She seemed satisfied after that, and proceeded to hug him again.
IC:
Or, at least, it looked as though she attempted to slap him. In actuality, Raxa's jaw simply absorbed the blow (and its energy) and redirected it through his body into the floor, as though he'd never been slapped. In fact, it barely even occurred to him that he'd been slapped until Mirehu stepped forwards and latched onto him again. He reached around, patting the girl on the back - wow, she seemed happy to see him again - before pulling away, gesturing to the small present he held.
"See, Mirehu, home in time for Naming Day, and with a present too!" the tall Toa of Crystal said, smiling at the other. "Knowing you, you'll like it immensely...just try not to hurt yourself after you see it."
IC:
Without missing a beat, Tarnok conntinued on in to the hospital, pausing at the front desk long enough for the receptionist to make note of his presence. His visits were a fairly common occurrence, so the receptionist didn't do much more than give a silent nod of acknowledgement before waving him on in to the long ter patients ward. The route to Uyism's room was quite familiar, one he'd taken so often over the past few months that he could most likely have walked it blindfolded.
There was no indication that this particular visit would be any different. That is, of course, until a loud cry of surprise came from the direction of her room, acompanied swiftly by a loud thump, Without pausing to see if his companion was following, the Onu-Matoran sprang into action, drawing one of his knives and leaping into the room, prepared to deal with any threat-
"..."
Almost as quickly as he had sprung into action, Tarnok warily lowered his wapon.
"Uyism?
IC: Uyism
Tarnok.
When did he return?
It did not matter.
This was Tarnok.
"Yes?" she replied, voice croaky.
IC:
Slowly, Tarnok sheathed the knife entirely, taking a moment to check on the nurse. A cursory examination of her vitals showed her to be perfectly fine. Most likely, she fainted upon seeing the Iroiit awake once more.
"Do you know where, and when, you are?"
IC: Uyism
Uyism stares at her friend.
"Hospital ... when?"
IC: [ Rhea ] - Onu-Koro / Wise Man's Archive
Rhea nodded slightly, then deftly slipped the protosteel manacles over Surina's wrists, behind her back, and locked them shut with a harsh metallic click.
"Take a seat, please." she said, gesturing briefly to a nearby chair that had somehow escaped the scuffle and was still standing upright.
Without waiting to see if Surina did so, the Su-Toa stepped to the door and flicked a beckoning finger at the Skakdi of Gravity. "Everything's under control. Step inside, if you please, and let us discuss."
IC Surina
(Onu-Koro, Wise Man's Archive):
Surina did as she was told, though she cursed in her mind. It was never good to have someone else holding the strings.
IC: Ardoku
"I don't know, I don't care" He tiredly said as he strutted into the tunnels.
IC:
The barest hints of a smile tugged at the edges of the Onu-Matoran's face as he carefully lifted the nurse, and set her down in one of the open chairs. He himself took a seat in one of the visitors' seats near the bed, crossing his arms and leaning back into the chair. The Iroiit really was awake again, as hard as it was to believe. She'd been out almost six months, and she didn't seem to remember any of it, but the fact remained; she was back.
Mata Nui had seen fit to give one of his allies, one of his friends, back to him.
"Uyism, you've been in a coma for about half a year. You've missed a lot."
IC: Uyism
"Half a year."
Uyism pondered for a moment, converting the Matoran term into a more familiar system.
It did not seem to be a "long" time to her, but it seemed that the Matoran considered it "long".
"Much?" she asked, voice still raspy.
IC:
"To start with, the Rahkshi attacked in force months ago. As it turns out, they did so because Makuta was looking for a fallback plan when the new Toa team, including none other then our former commander, ventured into Mangaia to defeat him."
A pause, as the Onu-Matoran ordered his thoughts. "After Makuta's fall, the technology produced by the village increased dramatically. Nuparu is in charge now, so I suppose it was to be expected. The Ko-Toa who injured you is dead, as well. Following the casualties inflicted by the Rahkshi 's attack the Ussalry was restructured, with Commander Gavarm promoted to head of Heavy Division, and Commander Leli to that of Light."
"That is the incredibly condensed version of what happened while you were comatose."
IC: Uyism
A lot happened.
No matter.
"Okay."
IC:
"..."
The Onu-Matoran paused for a moment, as if determining whether he' forgotten anything, before nodding. "How are you feeling?"
IC: Uyism
"Voice. Tired."
IC: Tivanu
Tivanu looked at Rhea and merely shot her a sucrepulous glance before turning back to Orderin and Viima
"You two stay out here.. Make sure nothing happens."
However he approached Rhea and said rather seriously yet in a professional manner even as Kive-phu stayed perched on his shoulder
"Just you and I and surina in the room.. Perhaps one of your allies just to make sure the ga-matoran tries nothing while we discuss.. The rest of your allies can wait out here.. I think this is more than fair for it still keeps the odds 2 to 1 in your favor.. Agreeable?"
IC Viima and Tuli
(Onu-Koro, Wise Man's Archive):
"There he goes", Viima said idly to Orderin.
Tuli walked over to the two.
"I was expecting more of a struggle, but this will do just fine", she said.
IC: [ Rhea ] - Onu-Koro / Wise Man's Archive
"Perfectly agreeable." returned the Su-Toa without hesitation, countering the Skakdi's measuring glance with one of like nature. Turning back into the dimly-lit conference room, she added, "Mar, would you mind stepping outside for a moment? Terms of negotiation."
IC: Mar (The Wise Man's Archive)
I nodded scarcely, nudging at Karv to follow me outside. As I walked past her I beamed a whisper into her ear, inaubidble to anyone but Rhea.
"I'm assuming you want some privacy, so I won't be listening, but I will be watching, in the event of a negotiations breakdown"
Karv got everyone else's attention by greeting Kive-Phu with a treatening growl as we walked outside.
IC: Tivanu
Tivanu nodded to Rhea as he followed her into the room. However when Karv released his threatening growl to Kive-phu she inturn uttered a piercing warning shriek at the wolf rahi. However that was she did as she turned back to focus on the direction Tivanu was facing. Tivanu on the other hand sat down at the table and looked at Surina and merely offered her a dip of his head
"Surina.." He said rather respectfully.
As he positioned himself in his chair he sat his staff directly in his lap where he could grab it at a moment's notice. Tivanu now rested his full attention on Rhea as he cleared his throat
"So before we go any farther how about i get your name? Since you have yet to give it to me and for the life of me i can not remember if i gave you my name yet either."
OOC: I am basing Kive-phu's shriek much on a peregrine falcon's shriek would sound like since i am basing Kive-phu very much on the peregrine since i have some real life experience around them.
IC Viima and Tuli
(Onu-Koro, Wise Man's Archive):
Viima and Tuli, for the first time, saw someone come out of the conference room. They had truly expected someone as suspicious as Mar, though they were still surprised, somehow.
Tuli gave Mar a glare, while Viima looked at Tivanu instead, as his Skakdi friend entered the room for discussions. In a corner of his mind, Viima still suspected Tivanu might betray him and Orderin. He tried to shove those feelings aside. He had been dared by Tivanu to trust him, and he'd have to play by the rules.
"Soon we'll see him come out again with Surina in tow", Viima said, not sounding as he believed in his own words. "You'll see..."
IC Surina
(Onu-Koro, Wise Man's Archive):
Surina hadn't known that Tivanu was the one after him, either. It surprised her greatly.
"Tivanu", she gasped. "What did you do, become a police? I remember you as a crook."
IC: Mar (The Wise Man's Archive)
I spared a moment or two to assess the Skakdi's comrades up close. I wasn't impressed.
The Le-Toa looked only half the veteran he claimed to be, while the Le-Matoran carried with him the distinct appearence of a hunter. I recognized the limber way he carried himself, but I also saw the naivité in his eyes.
The Ta-Matoran looked like an awkward smaller-scale version of Rhea; evidently ex-military, very attractive by her species' standards, and with a similar fire to her eyes, I would have to watch out for that one.
Then again, I was supposed to be watching Tivanu.
So I turned my back to them, discreetly peering through the wall to see Tivanu had already taken a seat.
Karv, on the other hand, sat dutifully with his watchful eyes at the three, in case they tried something.
IC: Ardoku
The dynamic(ally stupid) duo explored through the tunnels, meeting nothing but dark, tight corridors of rock and tunnels spiraling ever downwards. Ardoku held his lightstone up, lighting the shadow-filled caves.
IC: Tivanu
Tivanu turned to look at Surina for a second.. His eyes held a very professional feel to them even though this was the least professional thing he could be doing. And in a voice that held an air of seriousness he spoke to her
"Surina my dear.. I was never a crook.. You and that blasted turaga never told me you were wanted criminals.. Though in the end it worked out for me.. The turaga gave me the full payment for being your bodyguard upfront so even when i handed you over to the vortixx, single-handly sealing your and the turaga's fate i came out ahead." He said rather cruelly to the ga-matoran "But i am no police.. i am just a mercenary and my own life always comes first."
He now spared a moment to look down at his golden wristwatch and noted the time before he brought and elbow onto the table and rested his right hand against his chin which revealed a silver ring on one of his fingers. He seemed to be studying Rhea as he waited
IC Surina
(Onu-Koro, Wise Man's Archive):
"Well, I guess we're not that different from each other then", Surina mumbled. "I would've done the same thing."
IC: Torvoth
The Vortixx glared at his Toa companion. "I thought you said we could find stuff in here. Right now - I've found darkness, rocks, and more rocks, but I wish there was something... better?"
Ardoku gave him a tired glance that most persons would have understood as meaning "shut up". Torvoth was not most persons. As he opened his mouth to continue, no doubt with something of great wisdom and intelligence, he paused. "Hold up. I think I hear something." The irate Ardoku sighed and stopped, while Torvoth craned his head this way and that, trying to glean some hint of sound. Right as he was about to call off his auditory search, his keen ears picked up a noise. "Do you hear... footsteps? Big footsteps?"