IC: Rahzahkea shrugged and nodded grudgingly. His grin had faded now. "You...you are correct. But we are Toa. Nature is our weapon. Or more aptly, a tool to combat life itself, to hack and carve a world we can function in, a world where the Matori need not be sacrificed for any mad devil scheme." The Toa frowns and breaks his pose, putting a finger to his chin as if in deep contemplation. He seems troubled.
"Something bothering you?" Vashari couldn't read minds, but he could read body language.
IC: Rahzahkea pauses, his head drooping down to stare at his own armored feet. He falls silent.
"You have that mark, the Mark of Vashari, right?" "...don't you ever get tired of it? The war? Endless, endless war."
He stares at the small figure of Mata Nui, blearily, as the Psi-Toa wipes at his brow. "Torok, the Wrathbringer, Necrosis, Kirathel, Kiyara, the Demon Kings....it's just....tiring. We have to fight for peace, for our order....but..."
"..."
"...sometimes when I'm alone. When I have no one else around, I have these little fears. Like worms, crawling in my heart. Fear that all this, all I do, all we do, is pointless. That nature, the universe, or whatever deity-of-the-week, always sets all our striving back to zero."
"..."
"....I'm just tired. Don't mind my," Rahzahkea laughed humorlessly, rubbing his mask with one hand. "My antics. I'm-I've always been overdramatic."
"We're Toa. Nature is our weapon." - Rahzahkea
"You. No matter what spell you were under, this was your doing. Remember that". - K̞͍̗͚̘a̶g̰̥e̳̦̞̝̻̕
Nekra Corp. Facility - The Wastes "Don't you think, Pheore?" Pheore's eyes snap back into focus. It's subtle; not something most people see. It still feels like cheating, maybe even more so because she never gets caught.
"Yes, sir." She has no idea what Malvo was talking about. It rarely matters. If he wanted a debate, he would talk with Syreio. Which he appeared to be doing.
"Pheore's a warrior, not a scientist," the Vortixx hedges. "No offense, ma'am." Pheore's shoulders twitch in a shrug. "But a warrior's mind is different than a scholar's. Honed for different things." Syreio continues the debate. Pheore continues to not care. It feels like a betrayal. What's worse, she's not sure she cares anymore. Once upon a time, the words of superiors had been doctrine. They were priests and she their most zealous disciple. That was how one survived, after all. Follow orders to the letter. Do as you were told. Not a sycophant; a soldier. Obedience mixed with competence. A dash of independence thrown in. Temper with rationality and reliability. Serve at all times.
And Pheore had done it. She had survived, fought loyally and fruitfully for Vulcanus while others suffered and died. She had long since given up on Lync's idealism and Kiina's ramblings of another world. There were only two ways out: as a failure the likes of those slaughtered by the Skrall in Atero, or an aged trophy too beloved to be thrown away, such as Ackar. Pheore had been determined to achieve the latter, among other things.
It almost seemed like a dream. Or a nightmare. Lync, well, Lync was right. A better world came. As things were going now, she would be tacking 'and went' to the end of that soon enough. But here she was, in an age where she could do almost anything. Where she had a stable job and a less than daily threat of dying. This is what her obedience had bought her. This is what she wanted.
Right?
IC: "...which would be more efficient," Malvo finishes with a grand sweep of his arms. He, Syreio, and Pheore stand on a balcony above an assembly line, the current subject of debate between himself and the Vortixx. The location is exclusive. Removed. Easily visible to those maintaining the machines below him. They can look up and see him standing above them. See him, the one protecting and guiding them, observing and deciding. That feeling is one that Malvo hasn't been able to get enough of. It's intoxicating, liberating. Finally, finally, they look up to him. See him for who he is, not what.
Next to him Syreio thinks, eyes roving over the machines in question. Quite a temper for such a docile Vortixx. She did well to keep it hidden, masked behind logic and patience, but it came out occasionally. He could tell she was doing her best to not have today be such a time.
"Yes, having multiple lines run in parallel would mean more output. But it also condenses them too close together. With them all that close, you're just asking for something to go wrong. That's not even mentioning the increased power draw and heat build-up. Things which don't happen if we go for less units per space and instead focus on the efficiency of the units themselves."
"Which will still end up with less output."
"These things can only produce when they're working, sir. Downtime for maintenance is a factor in overall productivity." Malvo waves the concerns away.
"What of our other project?" Syreio shifts uncomfortably. Her eyes dart to Pheore. "Pheore is a trusted employee, Syreio. You don't need to worry about her." Syreio deflates slightly, leaning on the rail.
"Progress is slow as ever. The frame is complete, I've been working on filling it in." He can hear the other things she's learned not to voice. How it would be easier with a team. How it would be easier if she could focus on it. How it would be easier with Ticeli. That fool had burned the bridge himself.
"You are dismissed to continue work."
"Thank you, sir." With that, she turns and leaves.
IC: Seven Miles outside Nekra Workplant, Wastes Cliff Base
"Beautiful, isn't she?"
The words echoed out hollowly, unanswered, and Outlier-9 cringed inwardly for yet the fifteenth time, glaring at Outlier-7. 7 threw up his hands in surrender, the macro-oculars held in one hand. "I'm just saying." 9 groaned and buried his Kanohi in both hands. "You idiot. You're not even the same Karz'ing species. Stop it already. I have to stand in this Mata-Nui cursed heat and hear you try and swoon over a Vortixx, and plain one at that?"
He stopped and groaned as 7 titled his eyes in a manner similar to raising an eyebrow. "I'm being cosmetically honest. She's short. Completely normal. Boring. Why are we even doing this again-?"
"Because you were ordered to. And of our groups, the Outlier battalion is trusted for its loyalty." Both Toa spun on their heels, snapping to attention like puppets as the vast shadow of the Director fell on them. His normal armor had been swapped out for what seemed to be one of the experimental flight models, with a large, domed headpiece that made his white eye-sensors look yet more intimidating. The armored form loomed closer, walking until he was standing between both Outliers. "Trusted for your loyalty, and NOT your propensity for complaining."
The domed head swiveled to face 7. "Or your propensity to be attracted to members of another species." Outlier-7 made a placating gesture, looking like he was about to wilt. Even 9 felt a twinge of sympathy, although that too was stamped out as the Director's head module swiveled around. "Report."
Outlier-9 coughed and cleared his throat. "Well, uh, from what we've gathered, the subject is a Vortixx, under the name of Syreio. One of Nekra's top manager. As we see, she uh, she works at this plant they use for their engineering purposes." He pointed at the distant silver mass that was the plant. "We still don't know exactly why, but the radiant energy signature we detected on her has still not faded." The Director, or the drone, neither of the Stone Toa could tell, fell silent as well, unblinking white visual sensors staring out at the plant.
"So if she is so nondescript, so utterly bland and unspecial...well. WHY is there a radiant energy signature attached to her like some inescapable mark?"
Outlier-7, having composed himself, raised the scanning tool and held it towards the Director. "Sir, well, you see the energy signature we detected on her is the same as the....as the energy signature we detected in the storm." A dead silence fell as the dome-head swiveled, and even thru the robotic eye, the advanced armor, the two Toa could practically taste the fear rolling off their commanding officer. A moment later, the synthetic voice spoke.
"The same. The same. But that means-oh."
"....I...shall report this immediately."
He turned, waving a hand at both Outliers. "You are relieved. Return to base immediately and file your findings. I will set another observation team to gather more information before I present this to Malvo. No need to rile up our friends without more evidence, yes?"
Both Outliers nodded vigorously, taking only a moment to remove the long range scanner from the ground, shut it off, and deactivate the stealth emitter they'd used to cloak their presence. They followed in step behind their leader, the three mounting a mid-size Glatorian transport, with a stone-faced Vorox in the pilot seat. "Take us back," said the Director, and this time his mechanized tone had an almost tired quality to it. The Vortex nodded imperceptibly, and the transport moved, wheels turning as it chopped its way across the sand towards the base.
Outlier-9 turned, catching a last glimpse of the plant before it vanished from view. "Poor woman," he muttered to himself. "Mata Nui protect her."
****
Last Edit: Sept 18, 2017 22:30:44 GMT -6 by Kirathel
"We're Toa. Nature is our weapon." - Rahzahkea
"You. No matter what spell you were under, this was your doing. Remember that". - K̞͍̗͚̘a̶g̰̥e̳̦̞̝̻̕
Post by Free Lemon Water on Sept 18, 2017 22:56:56 GMT -6
IC: A cloaked man sits in the cold, rusted chamber. He was taking Tylenol. A lot of it.
Arilam sat on a worn, dirty bed. The sun shined through the broken glass windows of the abandoned building. He had tried everywhere at this point, where in mata-Nui's name could he be!? He scratched out a location on the map for the hundredth time. The options were quickly becoming more narrow. He was unsure whether this was comforting or worrying at this point...
Advena looked out into the wastes, her vision a blurry haze from the nearby sandstorm. The old world scrap she had collected wasn't exactly bountiful this time around, but it was getting dark. Being torn to pieces by the desert Rahi wasn't a very appealing idea.
IC: A cloaked man sits in the cold, rusted chamber. He was taking Tylenol. A lot of it.
Arilam sat on a worn, dirty bed. The sun shined through the broken glass windows of the abandoned building. He had tried everywhere at this point, where in mata-Nui's name could he be!? He scratched out a location on the map for the hundredth time. The options were quickly becoming more narrow. He was unsure whether this was comforting or worrying at this point...
Advena looked out into the wastes, her vision a blurry haze from the nearby sandstorm. The old world scrap she had collected wasn't exactly bountiful this time around, but it was getting dark. Being torn to pieces by the desert Rahi wasn't a very appealing idea.
OOC: Cloak takes Tylenol.
This is officially the best Bionicle pseudo-fanfic ever.
IC: A lithe, tall shape looks in through the window at Arilam, blocking some of the dying sunlight streaming in. The shape waves a hand, two blue eyes shining. "Arilam...can I come in? I wanted to talk with you."
Wastes IC: A small red speck appears over the horizon, a ways away from Advena. It raises a hand and waves, starting to walk towards Advena. It seems to be a Toa of Fire, wearing a dust-spattered Mask of Telekinesis. The Toa stumbles closer, approaching her.
"We're Toa. Nature is our weapon." - Rahzahkea
"You. No matter what spell you were under, this was your doing. Remember that". - K̞͍̗͚̘a̶g̰̥e̳̦̞̝̻̕
IC: A cloaked man sits in the cold, rusted chamber. He was taking Tylenol. A lot of it.
Arilam sat on a worn, dirty bed. The sun shined through the broken glass windows of the abandoned building. He had tried everywhere at this point, where in mata-Nui's name could he be!? He scratched out a location on the map for the hundredth time. The options were quickly becoming more narrow. He was unsure whether this was comforting or worrying at this point...
Advena looked out into the wastes, her vision a blurry haze from the nearby sandstorm. The old world scrap she had collected wasn't exactly bountiful this time around, but it was getting dark. Being torn to pieces by the desert Rahi wasn't a very appealing idea.
OOC: Cloak takes Tylenol.
This is officially the best Bionicle pseudo-fanfic ever.
IC: A lithe, tall shape looks in through the window at Arilam, blocking some of the dying sunlight streaming in. The shape waves a hand, two blue eyes shining. "Arilam...can I come in? I wanted to talk with you."
Wastes IC: A small red speck appears over the horizon, a ways away from Advena. It raises a hand and waves, starting to walk towards Advena. It seems to be a Toa of Fire, wearing a dust-spattered Mask of Telekinesis. The Toa stumbles closer, approaching her.
IC: "Hmm." Arilam nods, though he still seemed to pay little attention to the figure.
This is officially the best Bionicle pseudo-fanfic ever.
IC: A lithe, tall shape looks in through the window at Arilam, blocking some of the dying sunlight streaming in. The shape waves a hand, two blue eyes shining. "Arilam...can I come in? I wanted to talk with you."
Wastes IC: A small red speck appears over the horizon, a ways away from Advena. It raises a hand and waves, starting to walk towards Advena. It seems to be a Toa of Fire, wearing a dust-spattered Mask of Telekinesis. The Toa stumbles closer, approaching her.
IC: "Hmm." Arilam nods, though he still seemed to pay little attention to the figure.
Advena stares at the approaching toa, wary.
IC: The figure vanishes in a gust of shadows, reappearing across from Arilam on the other side of the dim room.
It's Sylah. She seems unsettled somewhat,
"I wanted to talk to you about Orokal. I know he's been missing for a while now, and that you've been perturbed about this. I want to-well."
"I want to help you find him."
IC: The Fire Toa gives Advena a thumbs up, calling out as they get within a few yards of her. "Lovely evening, isn't it?"
"We're Toa. Nature is our weapon." - Rahzahkea
"You. No matter what spell you were under, this was your doing. Remember that". - K̞͍̗͚̘a̶g̰̥e̳̦̞̝̻̕
"Something bothering you?" Vashari couldn't read minds, but he could read body language.
IC: Rahzahkea pauses, his head drooping down to stare at his own armored feet. He falls silent.
"You have that mark, the Mark of Vashari, right?" "...don't you ever get tired of it? The war? Endless, endless war."
He stares at the small figure of Mata Nui, blearily, as the Psi-Toa wipes at his brow. "Torok, the Wrathbringer, Necrosis, Kirathel, Kiyara, the Demon Kings....it's just....tiring. We have to fight for peace, for our order....but..."
"..."
"...sometimes when I'm alone. When I have no one else around, I have these little fears. Like worms, crawling in my heart. Fear that all this, all I do, all we do, is pointless. That nature, the universe, or whatever deity-of-the-week, always sets all our striving back to zero."
"..."
"....I'm just tired. Don't mind my," Rahzahkea laughed humorlessly, rubbing his mask with one hand. "My antics. I'm-I've always been overdramatic."
"The universe dosent care who we or what we do. I help people, because it's important. It's simple when you think of it that way."
“No one ever stood atop the heavens before. Not you, or I, or even the gods. But the unbearable vacancy of heavens throne ends now. From now on, I alone will stand at the top.”
IC: "Hmm." Arilam nods, though he still seemed to pay little attention to the figure.
Advena stares at the approaching toa, wary.
IC: The figure vanishes in a gust of shadows, reappearing across from Arilam on the other side of the dim room.
It's Sylah. She seems unsettled somewhat,
"I wanted to talk to you about Orokal. I know he's been missing for a while now, and that you've been perturbed about this. I want to-well."
"I want to help you find him."
IC: The Fire Toa gives Advena a thumbs up, calling out as they get within a few yards of her. "Lovely evening, isn't it?"
Arilam seems startled at her sudden appearance. He looks up at her, clearly tired. "Not to be rude or anything, but how could you possibly even help with that? There's barely anywhere left to even look..."
Advena stands up, pulling the bag of metal scraps over her shoulder. She lets out a slight chuckle. "As 'lovely' as it could get out here, sure."
IC: Rahzahkea pauses, his head drooping down to stare at his own armored feet. He falls silent.
"You have that mark, the Mark of Vashari, right?" "...don't you ever get tired of it? The war? Endless, endless war."
He stares at the small figure of Mata Nui, blearily, as the Psi-Toa wipes at his brow. "Torok, the Wrathbringer, Necrosis, Kirathel, Kiyara, the Demon Kings....it's just....tiring. We have to fight for peace, for our order....but..."
"..."
"...sometimes when I'm alone. When I have no one else around, I have these little fears. Like worms, crawling in my heart. Fear that all this, all I do, all we do, is pointless. That nature, the universe, or whatever deity-of-the-week, always sets all our striving back to zero."
"..."
"....I'm just tired. Don't mind my," Rahzahkea laughed humorlessly, rubbing his mask with one hand. "My antics. I'm-I've always been overdramatic."
"The universe dosent care who we or what we do. I help people, because it's important. It's simple when you think of it that way."
IC: Rahzahkea sighs and one of his fists clenches, almost reflexively. "Perhaps. I don't really care what the universe wants, in that case. I want peace. I want to help New Atero. And so I shall. So we, the Vanguard, shall."
He stares at the Mata Nui altar, in an almost tranquil manner.
"We're Toa. Nature is our weapon." - Rahzahkea
"You. No matter what spell you were under, this was your doing. Remember that". - K̞͍̗͚̘a̶g̰̥e̳̦̞̝̻̕
Posts: 8,250
Species: Human. I'm pretty certain of that. Kanohi: Kanohi Bluglass, Mask of Anti-Glare Prescription Glasses Weapons and Equipment: Equipment: Flat caps. A wallet. A driving permit.
Weapons: I have an awesome katana on my wall.
Pilosus reveled in the worship of the crowd as he leapt--not walked, leapt--from his chamber on one end of the stadium into the light of the arena itself. He hoisted a sword in the air, the light catching its magnificent blade. He was wearing the helmet he usually wore in the underground Glatorian fights. If the New Order found this hideout, he'd probably be punished, but who cares? He'll work around it. Or through it. He locked eyes with his opponent, a Vorox they had captured and penned up. He liked the wild ones. Pilosus stomped the ground challengingly, awaiting the charge. For being so feral, the Vorox were surprisingly predictable. The charge he expected came, and Pilosus stood his ground, sword held ready to stab. The Vorox leapt early, landing in front of him instead of on top of him, and stabbing at him with his tale. The Glatorian narrowly deflects the tail as his sword thrust forward to attack the Vorox he thought would be right in top of him. He smiles.
The Vorox repeatedly attacks with its tail, and Pilosus repeatedly batters it aside. He fires three shots from his Cordak at the beast, which recoils from the small explosions as the percussion caps strike the ground where it had been. Now Pilosus goes on the offensive. Keeping the Vorox at thrusting distance, he drives it away, making sure it doesn't flank him. Then he just stops. He crouches in front of the Vorox, sword held at his side. The Vorox tries to take advantage by leaping--it's big mistake. Pilosus rises up to meet him, both hands on his sword, and connects with the Vorox's chest. He throws it over his shoulder, the blade in his hands cutting at its chest armor. Lying on the ground, stunned, Pilosus wastes no time in brutally hacking at the Vorox until it is thoroughly dead.
Pilosus reveled in the worship of the crowd as he leapt--not walked, leapt--from his chamber on one end of the stadium into the light of the arena itself. He hoisted a sword in the air, the light catching its magnificent blade. He was wearing the helmet he usually wore in the underground Glatorian fights. If the New Order found this hideout, he'd probably be punished, but who cares? He'll work around it. Or through it. He locked eyes with his opponent, a Vorox they had captured and penned up. He liked the wild ones. Pilosus stomped the ground challengingly, awaiting the charge. For being so feral, the Vorox were surprisingly predictable. The charge he expected came, and Pilosus stood his ground, sword held ready to stab. The Vorox leapt early, landing in front of him instead of on top of him, and stabbing at him with his tale. The Glatorian narrowly deflects the tail as his sword thrust forward to attack agh Vorox he thought would be right in top of him. He smiles.
The Vorox repeatedly attacks with its tail, and Pilosus repeatedly batters it aside. He fires three shots from his Cordak at the beast, which recoils from the small explosions as the percussion caps strike the ground where it had been. Now Pilosus goes on the offensive. Keeping the Vorox at thrusting distance, he drives it away, making sure it doesn't flank him. Then he just stops. He crouches in front of the Vorox, sword held at his side. The Vorox tries to take advantage by leaping--it's big mistake. Pilosus rises up to meet him, both hands on his sword, and connects with the Vorox's chest. He throws it over his shoulder, the blade in his hands cutting at its chest armor. Lying on the ground, stunned, Pilosus wastes no time in brutally hacking at the Vorox until it is thoroughly dead.
And the crowd goes wild.
IC: In the crowd, a white Toa watches Pilosus fight, a hand raised to the chin of his mask. He is silent, preferring to watch rather than clap along or holler. In fact, the noise itself is quite...bothersome. Perhaps someone else would enjoy all this noise, all this...but not him. This entire thing was...unnecessary.
He remained still as Pilosus buried the sword in the Vorox, to the adulation of the masses. The noise started up again, and his amber eyes narrowed.
He'd have to talk to this fighter...later perhaps.
"We're Toa. Nature is our weapon." - Rahzahkea
"You. No matter what spell you were under, this was your doing. Remember that". - K̞͍̗͚̘a̶g̰̥e̳̦̞̝̻̕
IC: The figure vanishes in a gust of shadows, reappearing across from Arilam on the other side of the dim room.
It's Sylah. She seems unsettled somewhat,
"I wanted to talk to you about Orokal. I know he's been missing for a while now, and that you've been perturbed about this. I want to-well."
"I want to help you find him."
IC: The Fire Toa gives Advena a thumbs up, calling out as they get within a few yards of her. "Lovely evening, isn't it?"
Arilam seems startled at her sudden appearance. He looks up at her, clearly tired. "Not to be rude or anything, but how could you possibly even help with that? There's barely anywhere left to even look..."
Advena stands up, pulling the bag of metal scraps over her shoulder. She lets out a slight chuckle. "As 'lovely' as it could get out here, sure."
IC: Sylah shrugs awkwardly, scratching at an imaginary itch. "Well. I want to try...we're...friends, after all. Right?"
She looked at the wall, going silent for a moment. The Toa hisses quietly then, eyes sparking. "Besides, I can't...I can't sense him as I could before. If nothing else...I want to know what happened to him."
IC: The Fire Toa nods and spreads their arms. Their armor is plain, painfully so, and built in a nondescript, ordinary, unsuspicious manner.
"I mean, I prefer New Atero and the Cities to the Wastes, but here....here it's...so calm. Empty."
"We're Toa. Nature is our weapon." - Rahzahkea
"You. No matter what spell you were under, this was your doing. Remember that". - K̞͍̗͚̘a̶g̰̥e̳̦̞̝̻̕
Posts: 8,250
Species: Human. I'm pretty certain of that. Kanohi: Kanohi Bluglass, Mask of Anti-Glare Prescription Glasses Weapons and Equipment: Equipment: Flat caps. A wallet. A driving permit.
Weapons: I have an awesome katana on my wall.
A lone Skrall rides across a grassy plain on a huge green rocksteed. The Skrall riding it was quite sizable himself, though he looked very tired.
Trotting further along the path only he seemed to see, an Agori of the rock tribe was riding to meet him on a smaller red steed. "Bayor! What a surprise!" The two Skrall stop alongside each other and share an embrace. "Ah, Ranaki, so good to see you again. How have things been out here?" "Decent enough. Not too much business, just Bone Hunters, some Vo-Zya, the usuals. I reckon you won't be staying very long?" Bayor looks over his shoulder. "Just tonight. My dreams are getting worse." Ranaki nodded knowingly. "Sorry to hear that. Wait--" He reached into a saddlebag and pulled out various currencies and goods. "Here's your share." He handed them to the Skrall, who bounced them once in his hand before putting the items in his own bag. "Thank you. I really don't deserve it." The Agori shrugs. "You're only the guy who gave us jobs." The two laugh and ride back towards the ranch house.
"The universe dosent care who we or what we do. I help people, because it's important. It's simple when you think of it that way."
IC: Rahzahkea sighs and one of his fists clenches, almost reflexively. "Perhaps. I don't really care what the universe wants, in that case. I want peace. I want to help New Atero. And so I shall. So we, the Vanguard, shall."
He stares at the Mata Nui altar, in an almost tranquil manner.
"Fair enough." He paused. "I'm not a believer, you know. I just come here for the quiet. They build the wall thick here, nothing goes in or out. Just silence. The same goes for Torrgo, just peace and quiet. It's burden sometimes, seeing through sound."
“No one ever stood atop the heavens before. Not you, or I, or even the gods. But the unbearable vacancy of heavens throne ends now. From now on, I alone will stand at the top.”
IC: Rahzahkea sighs and one of his fists clenches, almost reflexively. "Perhaps. I don't really care what the universe wants, in that case. I want peace. I want to help New Atero. And so I shall. So we, the Vanguard, shall."
He stares at the Mata Nui altar, in an almost tranquil manner.
"Fair enough." He paused. "I'm not a believer, you know. I just come here for the quiet. They build the wall thick here, nothing goes in or out. Just silence. The same goes for Torrgo, just peace and quiet. It's burden sometimes, seeing through sound."
IC: Rahzahkea breathes quietly, and sits in one of the rows, turning slightly to face Vashari. "It's fine. I believe in Mata Nui's existence, in his role, but not quite the same way the Order believes in him. He's more of a symbol, a role model. He was the order of the old universe. He failed yes, but he came back. Even if he didn't exactly help us against the Wrathbringer, or Torok, he still gave us many of the Toa of this world, and helped put Spherus Magna together again."
The Psi-Toa cuts off, and clears his throat, rubbing his hands together as if he was cold, looking at the altar once more. "The hero who does good in spite of themselves and what they did, who overcomes their past failures to become a part of something greater than themselves....that is the hero I wish to be." He looks at the altar and coughs.
"...." "...huh. I never knew that about you. That Mask of Sonar is your...eyes, as it were? Did you lose your original sight before, in a war, or that arena Takua told me of?"
"We're Toa. Nature is our weapon." - Rahzahkea
"You. No matter what spell you were under, this was your doing. Remember that". - K̞͍̗͚̘a̶g̰̥e̳̦̞̝̻̕
IC: Rahzahkea sighs and one of his fists clenches, almost reflexively. "Perhaps. I don't really care what the universe wants, in that case. I want peace. I want to help New Atero. And so I shall. So we, the Vanguard, shall."
He stares at the Mata Nui altar, in an almost tranquil manner.
"Fair enough." He paused. "I'm not a believer, you know. I just come here for the quiet. They build the wall thick here, nothing goes in or out. Just silence. The same goes for Torrgo, just peace and quiet. It's burden sometimes, seeing through sound."
Nekra Facility, the Wastes IC: Outside the city, in a private workroom, Ticeli sits in his own silence. He studies the circuitry before him, rubbing his mask. He's barely touched the complex mechanical brain on his workbench, but having it out helps him think. And so much there is to think about. People seem to think it's so simple to make artificial intelligence. They don't realize how much thinking they do. How complex it all is. Mata Nui, I'm no psychologist. I barely understand it. If only I could study my own brain. He turns the thought over in his head. Something had struck him about it. He pushed the thought aside with the brain. His subconscious would work it out. In the meanwhile, he picks up a partially assembled arm, fiddling with the mechanics in the arm.
"Fair enough." He paused. "I'm not a believer, you know. I just come here for the quiet. They build the wall thick here, nothing goes in or out. Just silence. The same goes for Torrgo, just peace and quiet. It's burden sometimes, seeing through sound."
IC: Rahzahkea breathes quietly, and sits in one of the rows, turning slightly to face Vashari. "It's fine. I believe in Mata Nui's existence, in his role, but not quite the same way the Order believes in him. He's more of a symbol, a role model. He was the order of the old universe. He failed yes, but he came back. Even if he didn't exactly help us against the Wrathbringer, or Torok, he still gave us many of the Toa of this world, and helped put Spherus Magna together again."
The Psi-Toa cuts off, and clears his throat, rubbing his hands together as if he was cold, looking at the altar once more. "The hero who does good in spite of themselves and what they did, who overcomes their past failures to become a part of something greater than themselves....that is the hero I wish to be." He looks at the altar and coughs.
"...." "...huh. I never knew that about you. That Mask of Sonar is your...eyes, as it were? Did you lose your original sight before, in a war, or that arena Takua told me of?"
"No, I've always had this old mask. It's a passive mask. They grow more powerful with time, and I've worn it for a long, long time. After ten million years your eyes just become secondary. My arm on the other hand." He held up his left hand. "Not my first one."
“No one ever stood atop the heavens before. Not you, or I, or even the gods. But the unbearable vacancy of heavens throne ends now. From now on, I alone will stand at the top.”
Arilam seems startled at her sudden appearance. He looks up at her, clearly tired. "Not to be rude or anything, but how could you possibly even help with that? There's barely anywhere left to even look..."
Advena stands up, pulling the bag of metal scraps over her shoulder. She lets out a slight chuckle. "As 'lovely' as it could get out here, sure."
IC: Sylah shrugs awkwardly, scratching at an imaginary itch. "Well. I want to try...we're...friends, after all. Right?"
She looked at the wall, going silent for a moment. The Toa hisses quietly then, eyes sparking. "Besides, I can't...I can't sense him as I could before. If nothing else...I want to know what happened to him."
IC: The Fire Toa nods and spreads their arms. Their armor is plain, painfully so, and built in a nondescript, ordinary, unsuspicious manner.
"I mean, I prefer New Atero and the Cities to the Wastes, but here....here it's...so calm. Empty."
IC: Arilam looks back at the map, crossing his arms. He leans against the wall. "I doubt anything will come up, but I guess you're welcome to try, at least..."
IC: Advena looks in the direction of New Atero, her expression hidden underneath her sand-covered helmet.
IC: Rahzahkea breathes quietly, and sits in one of the rows, turning slightly to face Vashari. "It's fine. I believe in Mata Nui's existence, in his role, but not quite the same way the Order believes in him. He's more of a symbol, a role model. He was the order of the old universe. He failed yes, but he came back. Even if he didn't exactly help us against the Wrathbringer, or Torok, he still gave us many of the Toa of this world, and helped put Spherus Magna together again."
The Psi-Toa cuts off, and clears his throat, rubbing his hands together as if he was cold, looking at the altar once more. "The hero who does good in spite of themselves and what they did, who overcomes their past failures to become a part of something greater than themselves....that is the hero I wish to be." He looks at the altar and coughs.
"...." "...huh. I never knew that about you. That Mask of Sonar is your...eyes, as it were? Did you lose your original sight before, in a war, or that arena Takua told me of?"
"No, I've always had this old mask. It's a passive mask. They grow more powerful with time, and I've worn it for a long, long time. After ten million years your eyes just become secondary. My arm on the other hand." He held up his left hand. "Not my first one."
IC: Rahzahkea looked at the left hand for a moment, and then looked back at the altar.
"....Mata Nui we're old."
"..."
"....I want to ask you something. About Torok."
"We're Toa. Nature is our weapon." - Rahzahkea
"You. No matter what spell you were under, this was your doing. Remember that". - K̞͍̗͚̘a̶g̰̥e̳̦̞̝̻̕