IC: Puroruk [Po-Koro]
The burly carver stood within the courtyard of his house, the harsh light from the twin desert suns beating down on his back, the bronze trim of his armor gleaming in their merciless light. There wasn't a cloud to be seen within the sky, no relief proved from the dry heat. Before the man was one of the finest collections of three dimensional art on the island. Wood from the jungles of Le-Wahi molded seamlessly with the red stone collected from the quarries from Po-Wahi, while both dull and shining metals mined from the great catacombs of Onu-Wahi held together and supported the sculptures. Metal transferred to wood and wood to stone without interruption of the piece, the different materials both adding to the work as a whole and complimenting the rest. It was, as Puroruk thought with a look of mild interest, quite elegant in its execution. Of course, each of these intricate sculptures had been crafted with his own deft hands.
As one looked closer, the sheer attention to minute detail was amazing. It was Puroruk's philosophy that it was the smaller details that made a piece grand. The smaller things coming together into a larger picture, each elegant on their own, and magnificent together.
Earlier that day, Puroruk had spent his time with the army. It was perfectly normal for him to spend large amounts of time outside of the village itself, working on larger projects within the quarries themselves. Normally those to large to transport by ussal for any considerable distance. It served as a perfect excuse to travel outside of the village without questions being asked. After arriving at the force stationed here, Puroruk had made it a note to personally meet each of the commanding officers. He needed to know the individual pieces to know what the army as a whole was like. After that, he had searched through the force of warriors, picking out those who were quick in their mind and hands. He had informed them of their new positions as weapon smiths, which they had taken without protest. Soon, he would test their current capabilities, just as the Po-Matoran that instructed him did when he had first begun his life as a craftsman. While he did not expect them to become artists within a short amount of time, they didn't need to be. They only needed to be able to maintain, and possibly create, the army's weapons and armor. It didn't need to be pretty, it just needed to work.
Puroruk was a believer in functionality over style. In his opinion, the beauty came from how well something -or someone- executed it's intended task. If a sword was meant for slashing, then a blade that could cut through solid metal was a beautiful blade indeed. If a statue was intended to liven up a room, then a statue that brought the room to life had no equal. This was how her approached all of his works. There was a reason why none could copy his “style”. Others that tried only saw what his works looked like, not what they did.
And that, was the key.
OOCHi Gravity! Bet you didn't know someone actually had a character in your army!
IC- Laki - Peer's Army; Po-Wahi canyon
Laki turned the metal.
IC: Aria
Aria nodded, looking at the envelope.
"Very good then. Two questions. Do you require proof of execution? Also, the one that I'm not killing, what level of injury is acceptable?" she asked.
IC: [Casterly Rock – Destro]
Destro paused a second for thought. Having the body of an unnamed Toa brought to his home might seem a little suspicious if the local authorities were ever to come by. “The only thing I require is his Kanohi. As for the Ira, he should come willingly. He, like you, received invitation to come to this house. I merely wish for you to act as his chauffeur, bringing him back here safely and intact.” He said with a clever little smirk. “So do we have a deal, Aria?”
IC: Gunner - Infernavika
For possibly the first time in the whole day, I actually, honest-to-God smiled at Tellus, "If they do decide to fight us, they may want to insure their little boat. We're not exactly ones for going down without a fight..."
-Void
OOC: giving The Clockmaker an accent. IC: The ClockmakerDeciding the others were too preoccupied to pay attention to him, he continued to wander the deck a little. He stopped when he caught sight of a bird bundled up in a makeshift nest near the door leading below deck. It was Ilu, the Rahi that Kehuri had left when he headed to Le-Koro, although the Clockmaker didn't know that. He squatted down, "'Ullo there! Are you a talking Rahi?"The bird stared blankly at him. "Well, clearly not yet at any rate. Wot are you doing 'ere?" Not expecting an answer, he shifted the rags that made up its nest. Spotting its splinted wing, he let it be, though he sat nearby, studying it carefully. "'Ang on, I've seen one o' you before. You're one of those bird that does learn to talk!" He squatted in front of it again. "I 'aven't seen one o' you in a long time. I wonder 'ow you got your wing like that..."
IC: Hewkii – Hewkii’s Hut
-snip-
IC: [Ril]
Ril frowned for a moment. "Say ... what was the name of the Ta-Matoran ... because I have an idea ..."
IC: Tellus
Tellus grinned, an expression far from uncommon for the cheery Toa of the Green. "Aye, I reckon that we'll put a dent in their pretty Guard boat that they won't soon forget, should it come to that."
IC: Lasinia
Hello there.
"Who are you?"
I'm the subconscious representation of your inner self that looks upon the world and wonders: "hey, this place needs some cheering up"
"I didn't understand that at all."
Neither did I - I'm you remember? It's too complicated anyway.
"So why am I talking to myself again?"
Because I'm mad.
"I already knew that though. It's a requirement for all Toa to be mad on some level."
Except I'm on a completely different level - I blame my suspiciously convenient amnesia.
"I liked that boat. It was sad to see it crash against the rocks and explode into a shower of wooden splinters. It was comfy to sleep in."
I know. I had fun failing to navigate around.
"So why am I talking to myself again?"
I'm bored.
"Well waiting on Captain Lohkar does lead to boredom, especially when I have nothing to do."
Have you ever noticed I only call him Handsome Blue Guy, but never Captain Lohkar?
"It's more descriptive really."
Good point. Although it's like I don't really consider him much of a captain.
"I preferred Raknar - he was more interesting."
You mean because I could peak on him and Song for fun.
"Well yeah ... how did I do that anyway?"
Uhhmmm .... ugguuu~?
"Did I just kill my subconscious?"
No, I think I just stopped thinking for a second or two because I have no idea how I actually found myself everywhere on the ship.
"I heard that some people subscribe to the theory that I'm a representation of the Infernavika's soul."
That's a stupid hypothesis anyway. No experimental proof. At all.
"It's cute though."
Is there anything I don't consider cute?
"Floria. She's attractive instead."
I consider Tellus, Gunner, Lohkar, Yasurek ... everyone attractive."
"I don't consider Mimira attractive."
She's the cute little sister I never had. Don't think I had a childhood, really.
"All I remember is the boat and nothing before it. Although I think there was something about being alone a lot."
Think I was an orphan?
"Probably. Or maybe I can be more cynical and say that my parents just didn't care about me."
Am I usually this sad?
"Well I could argue that I throw up a mask of cheerfulness to hide my inner pain, but I have no inner pain. At all."
Yeaah ... what am I doing again?
"Thinking that Tellus and Gunner make an adorable couple?"
Yep, I think that was it.
"They're a perfect fit for each other! One's serious and the other is less serious!"
I actually use their actual names for some reason.
"Never bothered to forget their names I think."
Hmmm ... saay, does Yasu have a birthday?
"Dunno. Should ask him. I need to buy a present for the guy. And fulfil my promise to take over the island's economy with him."
Yasu's cute.
"I agree. Yasu is cute and adorable and handsome and stuff."
I'm saying this out loud you know.
"Really?"
Lasinia blinked, and looked around at her fellow crew-members.
"I'm not crazy," she said cheerfully.
IC: Floria
....
....
....
....
...........
"Thank you. That was...most entertaining. It's fine, continue. Far more interesting that this boredom, anyway."
IC: Tellus
No response came to Tellus. He simply stared at Lasinia for a moment, then said, ".... I think I need a drink." He promptly went belowdecks in search of some rum.
That was the most unexpected, awkward one-sided conversation he'd ever encountered. Hands down.
IC: Gunner - The Infernavika
Well. That was....something.
My immediate response to the situation was just to stand stock-still, staring at Lasinia, my mouth slightly agape, with only the occasional blink or two to prove that I was, in fact, still alive. Fortunately, I was able to regain my composure (or at least whatever was left of it) quickly enough to avoid looking like a complete moron.
"Well," I announced, quietly clearing my throat, "I think I'm just going to ignore that part about me and Tellus and grab myself a drink..."
And I turned on my heel, already heading down to the stores to make good on my promise.
~(15 minutes of drinking later)~
I soon found myself lying on my bed (well, technically Raknar's bed, but no one has yet to point out that I stole it), with a half-empty bottle of whisky clutched in one hand, all the while staring distractedly at the label on a nearby crate of Bula Berrys:
Ga-Koro's Finest Bula Berrys: Guaranteed Fresh and Delicious! Hand-Picked in Sunny Ga-Koro by Trained Professionals!
Somehow, I doubted any of that was a lie, even most of it couldn't be called the "whole" truth by any stretch of the imagination. No doubt some Matoran in marketing came up with some clever name for that trick of half-lying, but I didn't care enough to think about it.
Suddenly, the sound of harsh cries roused me from my (admittedly inane) thoughts, and I rolled my head around to see Raknar (the monkey, not the Skakdi) leaping around in his cage, obviously very uncomfortable and most likely a little put out from having been left in a dark store room for hours on end. I would have to have some serious words with Mim and Lasi about the responsibility of taking care of a pet....at some point. Not now though. Most certainly not now.
No, no, right now I was busy thinking. Introspection; it's a bad habit I picked up during my wanderings across the island (one of many, if I have to be frank). Just don't tell anyone; wouldn't want the crew to think I was, y'know, deep or philosophical or anything like that. It'd destroy my reputation as a Grade-A antagonist.
Anyway, I was thinking: about lots of things, really. Raknar, Grochi, Perkahn, Floria, Xa-Koro, the Guards who've been sitting next to us for I-don't-know-how-long, Malinus, Raknar (again, the monkey), bula berrys and getting some more whisky as soon as I was willing to get up.
Mostly, my brain was intent on repeating some of Raknar's last words to me, though for what reason, I have no clue in Karz. It was a wonderful, no wait, masterful work of words illustrating my pathetic lack of substance. I couldn't remember the words precisely, but I knew he did a good job of explaining why I sucked as a being.
One of these days, I really need to get that Skakdi to write that speech down for me. And maybe hang it on a wall somewhere for me too.
I grinned, despite the overall grim context of the memory, and swung my legs up onto the bed properly. Much more comfortable, methinks. But, yeah, Raknar, anyway. I do sorta wish we hadn't left under such a cloud (or perhaps thunderhead would be a better noun here), or at least that I could have the chance to talk to him again; explain to him how much I had grown since he'd verbally knocked my teeth out. Karz, I could even thank him, though I doubt I ever will, for pushing me onto the track towards improving myself.
Or maybe it was Grochi who did that, since, out of the two of them, he was the first to put me in my place for being such a...well, I'm not gonna describe in detail what I could've been called (and probably still do deserve to be called), but it wasn't good. I'd like to thank him too, if I could.
Karz, if I was that sort of person, I might even thank the whole bleedin' ship for fixing me. My entire stay on the 'Vika has been like one big self-help seminar, only with more whisky and less preaching.
But, of course, the chances of me ever vocalzing such things are probably close to nil. I'm not really that sort of guy, y'know, mainly 'cause my brother was never that sort of guy. Not saying I'm like Malinus, but for the last few years or so, I've been disturbingly similar to him.
Thanks Raknar, you brakas.
Another harsh shriek erupted from Monkey-Raknar's maw, and I resigned myself to the fact that I would have to get up soon.
Thanks Grochi, though burning my sandwich was a bit much.
I staggered to my feet, inadvertently defying common knowledge that said a person couldn't climb while lying on their back, and stumbled my way over to his cage.
Thanks Lohkar, you bloody drama-queen, you.
Taking another swig of whisky to steady my frayed nerves (ironically, also from the whisky), I took hold of the container's handle, picking it up.
Thanks Yasu, and Lasinia, and Mim, and Tellus, and Verak, and Doomie, and Perkahn...thanks, all of you weirdos.
With a final, dazed smile, I began climbing back up onto the main decks, and into the bright Po-Wahi sunlight (what I wouldn't give for some of those obsidian glasses right now).
"Alright, who left Raknar down in the store?" I asked, holding the equally-uncomfortable monkey up for everyone to see.
-Void
IC: Lasinia
"Oops."
IC: The Clockmaker
Overcome by a need to explore, the Toa of Iron gently picked up the parrot-Rahi and placed it on his shoulder. He examined it from below for a moment. "A boy!" he said at length, more to himself than anyone else. "I wonder if it's got a name..."
Any attempt to come up with one was interrupted by the bird's cry. "Ilu! Ilu!" it cawed, flapping its good wing.
"Ilu, eh?" said The Clockmaker with a grin, "That's what I'll call you then. Until I find out if it really is your name or not."
With the newly re-named Ilu perched on his shoulder- he saw no reason to put it back- he wandered the Fowadi's deck once again. "Say, 'oo's bird is this anyways?" he asked anyone within earshot.
IC: Floria
"Its ok. Just take less rum next time. Or more."
IC: Tera pulled her sword out of the practice dummy. You know, you should really stop swing-slicing that so ever-hard. The Po-Toa didn't respond to her mask, instead swinging the sword into the dummy even harder. She sighed, putting the sword back in its sheath and leaving the practice area.
OOC: Open for interaction.
IC: [Treize]
Treize was still hanging around the headquarters because she was waiting for her crew members to think of a reply.
IC:
"Didn't you say we were going to Ga-Koro?" Beynii asked.
IC: [Treize]
"Alright! Let's go!"
IC:
"Lead the way then," Beynii said, more content to follow her captain. The Mystix behind her couldn't help but agree.
IC: [Treize]
Treize promptly tripped over.
"Ow."
IC: Gunner - The Infernavika
I sighed, gently shoving the cage into Lasinia's hands, "It's your responsibility to take care of this guy, whether you like it or not, I'm afraid."
-Void
IC:
"Trieze!" Beynii shouted, "Are you alright?
IC: [Treize]
"Don't worry," she muttered, pulling herself up. "I'm fine."
IC: Rynekk - The Fowadi
"No idea, sorry," I said in answer to a smart-looking Toa with some kind of bird perched on his shoulder. I may not have been an expert, but I didn't think there were any birds native to Po-Wahi, so it might have hitched a ride with the ship from the jungles. Either that, or someone onboard decided we needed a pet (for the record: we don't).
I walked over to the being with the bird, eyeing the avian creature carefully, "Where'd you find this little guy, eh?"
OOC: That's the Clockmaster he's taking to, Drae.
-Void
IC: Lasinia
Lasinia took the cage carefully, opening it up to hand the monkey inside a banana.
"Sorry for ignoring you Rakkie."
OOC: Thanks, void! Also, phone post. IC: The Clockmaker"Right over there," he answered, indicating the bundle of cloths next to the door leading below deck. "'E 'ad 'is own little nest, so I was led to assume 'e's been 'ere for a day or so. I think 'is name is Ilu."
IC: Maioro (Po-Koro Streets at night)
He'd seen it all.
As The Fire King exited the bar, there sat a lone Toa on a bench across the establishment, listening and watching from a distance. Keen eyes observed the poor Matoran's fate through one of its windows, sitting throughout the gruesome show without lifting a finger to help.Only then did he witness the tell-tale signs of a masterful elementalist; the stranger's hand tightened into a fist before roaring flames burst into life, engulfing the building behind him with flickering tongues of fire.
Fearsome. Maioro's smile broadened.
Blood-chilling screams accompanied the light show, both presences surely attracting attention from the local area. It was only a matter of time until the authorities showed up, followed by questioning later on. To his delight, the being of earth wouldn't need to endure that since Araedrex did the smart thing: walk away. Now whether Maioro was playing the game smart was questionable.
He'd begun tailing the Toa of fire, maintaining a safe distance while keeping his pace casually slow. No effort was made to shadow his presence and no precautions were taken to ensure his safety from this...enigma. He'd be discovered soon enough. Why, Maioro didn't know, but this being was intriguing and curiosity held a firm grip. Something told him this was what he'd been looking for, that this possible madman may give him purpose.
And if not? Clearly the worst that could happen wasn't a mere 'go away'. Still, what did he have to lose? Now it was Tenebras' turn to play. All Maioro had to do was wait.
-IC: Araedrex Tenebras-
Araedrex remained silent, a crimson specter unobtrusively leaving the smoldering scene of ruin. He continued to walk down the sullen streets of Po-Koro, his crimson features softened in quiet reflection, as his greatcoat's tails fluttered in the wind, illuminated by the cold moon above, and its multitude of stary companions. It seemed that this surreptitious Ta-Toa had yet to realize one was following him, as if he was oblivious to his presence, or perhaps deep in thought. Araedrex turned on a corner, several minutes later, momentarily out of sight. If Maioro followed, he would discovered an empty street where he expected the furtive Toa of Fire.
IC: Maioro
Maioro continued to follow from a distance, never allowing his target out of sight. Time passed, boredom seeped in and the Toa of earth wondered what game Aradrex was playing at. His presence was all too evident, just how it would be handled puzzled him. Would the man disappear? Burn him to a crisp? Finally turn and speak maybe?
As Maioro pondered the question for a moment, the Firestorm King turned a corner, forcing his pursuer to quicken his pace. He rounded the intersection, only to find a desolate street with no inch of red in sight.
His smile faded.
IC (Lohkar)
"So," Lohkar cleared his throat. "Are we actually goin' to...ah...do...anythin'?"
There had been an awkward silence on the Fowadi's deck for a few minutes. Everyone was apparently distracted by the talking bird who couldn't talk...
"Mates," the Lesterin addressed the Guardsmen, "you've made your case. I'll help with this however I can, an' I mean that. I know I've done things you lot aren't exactly beamin' with joy about, but there's a difference between a little armed robbery an' what these Piraka 'ave done. So I hope that we can set our differences aside," he flashed a dangerous grin, "an' give 'em karz."
-IC: Araedrex Tenebras-
There was the faintest sound, an infinitesimally subtle thud, unnoticeable by all but those paying the most attention. Araedrex Tenebras, who had, apparently, somehow managed to scramble up one of the nearby buildings, before hiding atop the roof, expected that Maioro could be called one of those people. He stood behind the Toa of Earth, his crimson hands still stuffed deep into his pockets, but his posture now different, his stance stronger, unyielding and sturdy. As he stared at Maioro's momentarily unprotected back, he remained disturbingly silent, unacting.
IC: [Ril] Ril frowned for a moment. "Say ... what was the name of the Ta-Matoran ... because I have an idea ..."
IC: Hewkii
"Orieus," Hewkii answered. "What's this idea?"
IC: Maioro - Desolate Street
Araedrex's expectations were rightly so. Assassins rely heavily on their senses, honing each and every one of them to percept even the faintest of details. Despite Maioro deserting the profession for some time now, old habits died hard. Several seconds of silence passed, both men's stances set in stone for the time being. However unlike the one standing behind him, the Toa of earth's posture remained slack as if he didn't have a care in the world that death might await him.
Finally, his head gently deviated to the side, then his entire body in one fluid motion which bore no hostility until they stood facing each other. There it was again, that slight curve of his lip, coupled with an air of curiosity while he studied the rather unique-looking warrior standing before him.
"Why?"
IC: [Ril]
"So these Parakuka things are sorta connected to people yeah? Well if it was on Onewa, then maybe it could have seen through the Turaga's eyes, so we might know who the person who had attempted to kill him was."
IC: Zieta.
Zieta pulled the vehicle in at a parking station just out side Po Koro. Matoran eyed the car up and looked at the 5 Toa jump of of it"
"I hate this place" She said, brushing the sand of her armor. "Lets go to the local bar. I know a Matoran there that can give us some information Hes not very loose lipped, but he'll talk once he gets a few drinks down his throat."
She looked at a shady Matoran admiring the vehicle. "Touch it" she said, in a firm voice, "and this axe will be the last thing you'll ever see"
-IC: Araedrex Tenebrae-
Maioro's question lingered in the night air, unanswered, before being absorbed by the dark silence of the moonlit, derelict street. Araedrex stared at the Toa of Earth, his unnerving eyes, infernos of abysmal apathy, watching silently, unwilling to respond or in any way interact."Why?" Araedrex repeated, his mouth moving normally, but his words utterly alien, in a tone impossible for a normal Toa to create.
"Why, in the name of whatever deity you care to worship, not?" He paused, letting his words sink in, before resuming. "Why should I act at all differently?" He stopped once more, his stare never faltering, his face displaying no emotion.
IC: Tayis
"What makes you think this Matoran will know anything about Six-hand?"
"His names Valuki. He is a Ko Matoran and used to be a ship loader on Ga Wahi. He would often help smuggle slaves onto the ships. Hes no angel I might add"
IC Mayhaka
"Well then let's go get our little no-angel for a little talk" He wispered, he reformed the vehicle back into his warhammer. "So since you know him the best, get him to talk then" he smiled to Zeita watching the shocked face of the matoran, when the vehicle reformed.