You were successful in repelling the robots attacking the city, but you've been left with far too many questions. For once, Tails doesn't have any answers for you, and a gloomy uncertainty has fallen over your three allies. It probably doesn't help that everyone had a rough time of it last week. A win is a win, but it doesn't really feel like a win when you're not even sure who this unknown threat is...
Regardless, life goes on. Things are a bit different this week in Chicago, however.
THE CITY
You'll need to be careful now more than ever when heading out into the city. Though Eggman's usual robots are still present, their numbers have been cut drastically. Far fewer drones patrol the streets, with only the occasional tank or B33 to be seen. You can still find and fight them, and they will still call for backup, but it seems like you all really have destroyed a lot of them.
But there are the new additions to Eggman's forces. Unlike the white chrome versions, these are here to cause problems. You can find them patrolling sometimes... but usually you'll find them in the city proper, destroying whatever they can. Whenever they catch sight of you, they will stop at nothing to try to pursue you and destroy you.
The city itself is still undergoing changes, with more of that white chrome spreading throughout, as if infecting the structures themselves. The Badniks will still destroy even that, though; it's more like they're mindless machines than carrying out any precise orders.
But in a stroke of good luck, occasionally you'll find that some of the humans recognize the danger they're in. It's only when confronted with a robot - but you might hear a scream, or see them try to run away, and if you save them, you may even be able to get a few words in before they simply return to their monotonous lives. You won't be able to get any truly valuable information from them, but they will thank you repeatedly for helping. They don't seem to realize that they're being controlled by someone else, even if you ask them about it.
VISIONS
If you thought last week was a lot, get ready for the madness of week 4!
You may still have nightmares. You may still be pulled into each others' nightmares (same as last week, if you'd like to play out more of these). Or maybe you'll finally be able to catch a break and get some z's, but even if you are lucky enough for that, you'll still be dealing with everything else.
You may find yourself randomly teleported into the city. This happens at random, and can happen to multiple people at the same time. One minute you may be waking up, the next you'll find yourself surrounded by robots ready to kill you. And yeah, the robots are a feature, not a bug. No matter how it happens, you will always be facing down robots whenever you're brought into the city. Enjoy!
But maybe your luck holds out and you're unaffected by that. Well, there's still the visions to deal with!
There are two different kinds of visions that may happen.
The first are the more minor ones - where you may see the people closest to you (positive or negative). They will appear for others as well, and they will gladly speak with you - though they aren't exactly behaving in the way they should. They will torment you, reminding you of past failures and imperfections, and speaking as though everything is your fault. They will follow you wherever you go, and will only fade when someone else has helped you come to terms with the horrid things they're saying. These visions are a manifestation of a character's psyche and thus are based on their own perceptions of their friends/enemies and their own faults. They're incapable of interacting with the world or the characters, but they sure can insult you!
The second are much larger in scope. No matter where you were, you may find yourself pulled into friend's memory. These memories are one-for-one versions of what exactly happened, though now you're here! Are you playing the role of someone else, or are you just a bystander in all that's happening?
The character having the vision may or may not be aware of you initially, but once they're made aware of your presence, the vision will still play out as the memory would. The only way to stop it - aside from simply letting it play out in its entirety - is to drastically alter the memory in such a way that it cannot get itself back on track. Considering the trauma some of the people in this game have, it might be a good idea to help break them free of it.
Regardless of which happens to you (the nightmares, the teleportation, or the visions), your vision will turn bright red for a moment afterwards - it vanishes quickly enough, but it leaves you with the eerie feeling that you're being watched.
SHARDS
Your powers are growing, and you'll find you're able to defend yourself with your power in some way, even if yours is a power made for support. All characters are now able to fire off a blast of energy in their shard color to defend themselves - this attack will grow stronger in time, but at least everyone should be able to defend themselves (somewhat) now?
As you fight with your allies - particularly those you have a close bond with, positive or negative - you may feel the tug of something in the back of your head; it tells you that you can do more. Together, you can become more powerful. You can use your shards together. Doing so will grant you a new power, or strengthen the one you already have. The more you trust one another, the easier this power will be to use.
It might be good to experiment with these new powers; after all, you never know when you may need them.
TAILS' TASKS
Like last week, Sonic Team is still in need of rings. Rings are still annoying to get. You'll probably need help to get them, but they're worth collecting. So make sure to grab some for Tails!
You may also be tasked with tracking Chaos Energy. Like with tracking rings, Tails will give you a device that can pick up on the signature. You should be careful in approaching, especially if the signature is a large one, considering the three enemies you faced last weekend. Still, Chaos Energy may lead you to more of Eggman's fake Chaos Emeralds, which could prove useful...
Tracking the source down will lead you to one of the weekly enemies with a shard somewhere on its body. It will be much harder to kill than the regular versions of that enemy, and capable of some kind of special power (players' choice). Crushing the shard will weaken the enemy and bring it back down to its normal power level, making it fairly easy to defeat, but if you manage to defeat it without breaking the shard, you can bring it back to Tails for examination.
ENEMIES
Though you can still find the enemies from previous weeks in Chicago throughout the city, their numbers have thinned. Mostly, you'll be running into new faces - robots that don't look anything like Eggman's usuals. They are very rarely actually patrolling or idling, instead focused on destroying parts of the city or attacking any people unfortunate enough to get in their way.
Moto Bugs are... rather cute. They roll around on their singular wheel and can slash with their front claws, though primarily they deal damage by ramming into things at fairly high speeds. They're fairly weak, all things considered, especially by now. They're completely powerless when knocked over or onto their backs. Though one Moto Bug is weak, you will never find them alone - instead, you'll usually find at least 3-5 of them in a group.
Crabmeats are robotic crabs. Where does the meat come in? Unclear. Regardless, they're stronger than Moto Bugs and are capable of both bashing with their massive claws and snipping, and either way they are capable of a good deal of damage if you get hit. They're slower though, which means getting out of the way shouldn't be too hard. Like Moto Bugs, these usually are never alone, often working in pairs.
Buzzers are bees. Did you think we were done with bees? We are absolutely not done with bees. These bees function almost identically to the B33 models in that they're capable of firing lasers from their stingers, divebombing to try to sting, and generally be(e)ing a nuisance. Unlike the B33 models, they do not have a glaringly obvious weak point and are a bit harder to hit and destroy as a result. Though you may rarely encounter only one of these bees out in the wild, usually you'll run into groups of them and they will not be(e) happy to see you.
I do pride myself on being a quick study, you know~
[They're mostly just words to fill space, because for once he really doesn't know how to respond. He can't help but think back to a time Casey would flirt back with him, and every single time she'd manage to catch him off-guard and embarrass him in some new and creative way. She was never trying to, of course, but it was so easy for her regardless.
...He's not sure he wants to compare those memories to his time with Dorothy right now, so he shoves them aside. It isn't... something he can deal with right now, and he doesn't want to ruin the moment for her.
Yeager pulls Dorothy back in; still not quite close enough to risk her finding out about the blastia, but a little closer than before.]
I'm glad. I do want you to be happy and have things to look forward to, Dorothy.
Oh...what's this feeling? Once again being confronted with the fact that they do in fact give a shit but are particularly maybe just terrible about it is happening at full speed like a train wreck as soon as Wolfwood says that last line.
Not too long ago, they remember keenly in the battle that they witnessed the nightmare - all those bodies on the ground, dead. All of those people staring up, lifeless, unmoving.
That's when they realize that maybe, they do care. That while they may not so easily empathize with others, that while they're selfish, and care only about a certain few, that they can care.
Wolfwood was, of course, one of them; and so when they first heard those words, they receive a visceral flashback to that.
Something ugly curls in them as well. It's not hate, neither is it disappointment.
But, it's unsettling. Like how they remember they felt when they thought the idiot might die on a spike (fortunately...thanks to a certain few people, that didn't happen.)
Their hands clench tightly into fists. They can't believe this. They should just turn around and leave this fool of a man. He deserves it. Let him wallow in his disgusting self-pity until he turns into a true husk, squandering his opportunities because he forces away every hand outstretched to him like an idiot. ]
[ After whatever moment that was, a sharp grin is easily visible on their face. It's definitely inappropriate for the situation, and is quite unsettling, even with everything considered. ]
I didn't think much of this "Vash" at first. In fact, I wondered what you saw in him, really. [ The second half of that is a lie, but it's irritating watching this fool pine for wallow in despair over someone and refuse themselves for it. ] But, now, I realize...I truly do feel sorry for him. Not just basic pity.
After all, you keep saying all this foolish and stupid nonsense. As if that is helping anyone. To the point that I'm uncertain if I buy that claim of yours. 'Never', hah. What rubbish.
But, very well.
[ They sigh, as if very, very pained. Which, they are. ]
If you must declare that there is only one end for you, I suppose it is up to me to explain to you how nice it is when taking a dirt nap.
Please, do remember to keep your ears open for this elaboration. It will be very educational for you, I am certain. You'll be eternally grateful~
[ Anyway, as typical for Void Archives, they come out swinging pretty hard without warning.
Except this time it is very literal as they are aiming to try to backhand Wolfwood in the face with their other hand (barehanded, not gloved.) ]
[ In fact, this is a good tie-in to something else. ]
...Do you recall when I told you about 'zombies' in my homeworld...?
This Honkai is able to cause such things. From those kinds of creatures, to the most ruthless of Honkai Beasts, and then Herrschers themselves. Then, there is Honkai Sickness. All originate from 'Honkai', which by itself exists to put an end to civilization.
[ Well, putting it in a very basic manner because it's true, though there are also various complexities to it. ]
[ Jasper is acting so pissy, so by the question Void Archives seems to be presuming that is the case. But rather, they are seeing if there is something else to it.
Not really delicate, though really, they've always been blunt. ]
Target Practice A/B [A: Realizing that he can Shoot A Beam now was a big discovery for Fukuda. Big News. Huge. He's extremely jazzed about this cool new power. You might catch him practicing using it in the training room... you might notice this by almost getting hit in the head by the blast as his shot goes awry.]
Ah, sorry! This is harder than Urameshi made it look. [Yes, he is firing it off with a finger gun like Yu Yu Hakusho. He's also dressed appropriately for the training room instead of his usual button up, or as best he could. The sweatpants he found are visibly too short on him, and for some reason he's wearing one of those cropped sleeveless tops that eboys on tiktok wear. It's not a good look but he's trying his best.]
[B: Alternatively, you've happened to get teleported into the city to be accosted by our new robot friends, this time a swarm of Buzzers, along with Fukuda (in normal clothes this time). He looks disoriented and as irritated as Fukuda ever looks (which is marginal at best) probably because of the book in his hands.
But he recovers quickly, putting the book down and looking to his government assigned teammate for this.]
Do you wanna see who can shoot down the most? [Lets make it a game!!!]
View From the Bottom of the Well CW: Kidnapping, Discussions of Murder[The room is dark and dingy, with that stale, sterile smell of a room that was clearly once very clean but has fallen into disuse. Mostly empty shelves line the room, and the fluorescent overhead lights emit an almost greenish sickly glow.
On a metal prep table, a young woman is restrained. Fukuda is standing over her, a power drill in one hand, a strange device in the other. Despite her young appearance and compromised position, her aura is defiant and uncowed. She speaks;]
Have you been confining the people you've kidnapped here, too? Why not just kill them right away?
[Fukuda walks towards her, his expression a mix of amusement and sadness in the way many here are probably used to. But it feels distinctly off given the words said and the situation. He answers simply;]
Because I have a lot on my mind, you see.
[Well, otherworldly bystander? Do you get involved now or let this conversation play out further?]
Wildcard [Let me know if you want something else! If you want to throw a smaller vision into another thread (or get one of Fukuda's, let me know and I can do that. You can get an evil old man or one of two girls who have Had Enough in different ways) If you want a bespoke major vision, that can also be discussed! There's plenty of other ones I could do that probably aren't ideal for mass consumption.
Or just approach Fukuda in any sort of downtime, he can usually be found in the rec room, watching a movie or reading a book or... napping on one of the couches? He literally has his own room he doesn't have to share, why is he sleeping out here.]
I suppose I'll have to learn not to underestimate you, hm?
[Dorothy feels herself get pulled back in, and her laughter is a little softer now--she's never laughed this hard before. Everything about this moment feels so real, and beautiful, and it's...
I do want you to be happy and have things to look forward to, Dorothy.
...Ha.]
You've given that to me for weeks now, you know. You've stubbornly chased after me and brought me out of every dark hole I've been in.
...I only hope that perhaps one day...I can do the same for you.
[Red Hood finally disappears, and with that, it's not going to be too long before the memory fades entirely. But Dorothy barely notices it, or the fact that the music is gone; perhaps at long last, it's time to move to somewhere better. To...
[ neither one of my rolls were good for wolfwood but given the fact he's currently injured then it perhaps makes sense why he wouldn't be able to dodge void archives from hitting him in the face. ( 8 ) and if void archives is expecting wolfwood to just take the assault to his face without a response then they have another thing coming. they didn't want to see wolfwood being pathetic, right? fine. ]
Fine, if that's how ya want to play it— [ wolfwood rubs his sore cheek with his good hand and glances over towards the ghost wearing the face of his (best) friend before refocusing his attention on void archives. ] What's so pitiful about Vash?
[ he'll crowd void archives and grab a fistful of the front of their coat with rage (ironically) directed at their problem with vash than himself. as things are many times with wolfwood; his anger never for some wrong that he has committed but one that has happened to someone he has cared about. ]
He has more humanity than most humans and he's not even one. What's so pitiful about that? [ and just like that, wolfwood's fury transforms to a sneer as he lets go of void archives' coat with a bit of a shove. ] Oh, right. Yer not human yerself so maybe that's why ya don't understand it.
"Do it for him"? "Do I think it's truly too late for me"?
How many times do I have to say that there's nothin' I can do about it before it makes sense to ya? [ wolfwood knows that they're not thick so he's not sure what their hang up is about this. ] I left him because there's an entire sorry ass planet that needs to be saved and he's the only one who can do it.
[ because he has a home that he needs to protect. final business that he needs to resolve before he can even dream of being able to do anything else. because as the way things are for him, there is no future for him. hell, even if he were to tie up his loose ends, there still might not be a future for him, but someone like him can't ask for futures.
and had he stayed then vash would have wanted to follow him... vash, with all of his humanity, would have wasted precious time helping his problems than dealing with the bigger matter. ]
"Hard-ground entrance is blocked." It's a muttering from Matau, who looks absolutely exhausted and has to be helped to his feet by another. "We will have to use the test track emergency hatch. It's a short high-climb."
Though some take the time to check on one another in quiet tones, armors of blue and green and white and bronze and black, there is one who seems to be notedly absent. The armor of red, the Toa of Fire, who's already many paces ahead, waiting for his team to catch up, a narrowed look in his eyes that speaks mountains for what does not emerge from his mouth. Impatience.
It's an awkward trip made in silence; down the enormous ruined passageways, up a ladder that was barely hanging together, up into a tube lined with broken lights and glass, mechanisms to record speed and temperature, great fans that prop up at the distant end. A test track, for vehicles, meant to put crafts through as many hardships as possible for testing of durability.
Matau leads the way up, wrenching open the emergency hatch and crawling through, followed by Nuju. There's some distant chatter from above as Vakama tries to gesture the rest to hurry up, taking the rear.
"Look, brother - even in this dark-time, the stars keep shining. I don't think I've ever seen so many, even from Po-Metru. Isn't it beautiful?"
"---Get back inside!" It's a snap from Nuju, and forward progress is immediately halted as Matau is practically thrown back down the ladder. Those still on the ladder shout protest as they let go, sliding or tumbling back to the ground.
"Those aren't thousands of stars looking down upon us, brother," Nuju hisses, jumping back down with the hatch slamming shut behind him. "Those are eyes!"
Vakama is the first immediately scrambling back up the ladder to take a look for himself, Whenua right behind him. A long moment of tension stretches, as Whenua's mask lights up with a flicker to his eyes - a mask power, one that gives him far better vision than the rest of them.
Thousands and thousands of eyes. Thousands and thousands of legs. Chattering teeth that seem to move within the huge masses of webbing and rock with odd delicacy.
"Gukko birds?" asked Matau, hopefully. "No." "Stone rats? Ussal crabs? Really big protodites?" Whenua's expression scrunches up, looking back at Matau. "No, no, and what are you thinking?"
"Then what are they?" It's a demand more than a question from Vakama. "Why are they up there watching this place?"
Whenua's mask triggers off, but he doesn't respond, looking at the Toa of Fire and then looking away as he slides back down the ladder. Vakama lets out a sound of irritation at the move, but follows suit, crossing his arms in front of him and staring his fellow Toa down for an explanation.
"Vakama... they are Visorak. They're sitting on the webs they created. They're waiting us out, knowing we have to come out sometime."
"Visorak?" A parroting, hollow and with a brief disbelief, one that quickly turns to indignation. "Wait -- wait, no -- Onewa used that term on our journey back to the city, when his mind was controlled by that strange parasite. If you knew the name this whole time, why didn't you say so then?"
"I-I didn't make the connection." Whenua's gone quiet, backing up slightly, talking more with his hands than anything else. "It’s an obscure reference. I saw a portion of a carving once, long ago, that contained the name, but it took actually seeing them and their webs to --"
"You’re an archivist!" It's an explosive, immediate raising of voice from Vakama, advancing right up to the retreating Toa of Earth. "You are supposed to be able to identify the Rahi we run up against! Otherwise, what good are you?"
The entire group goes quiet. Whenua, stunned and hurt, says nothing.
It's Onewa whose face twists the fastest with anger in retaliation, nearly jumping to his feet to shove in front of Whenua.
"Hey. If we had turned back when the storm started, or sent a scouting party like I suggested, we wouldn't be in this mess. But you were in such a hurry to get back here so we could leave again that--"
"I am in a hurry to save the Matoran, just as you should be,” Vakama shoots back. "I made a promise to Toa Lhikan, and I, at least, intend to keep it."
"Did you make that promise when you let him get captured, or when he died saving your mask?"
Vakama stiffens immediately, and the Toa of Stone's eyes only sharpen. "I am starting to think it is not very healthy to be your friend."
"Far healthier than being my enemy." The air starts to heat, and Vakama's hands and arms start to swirl with fire, at the protest of several of the others. "If you have a problem with me or my leadership, carver, let's hear it."
Onewa doesn't even flinch at the threat, striding right up to practically spit in Vakama's face. "I have a problem with you, your leadership, your attitude, and your akilini-headed idea that only you have to live up to the legacy of Lhikan. We all do! We all have friends lying in Makuta-sleep under the Coliseum, and we all want to save them! We all know the price of failure! So get down off your Toa statue before I knock you down!”
Nokama attempts to walk forward and intervene, her own weapons drawing. But Onewa shoves himself back a step, his own weapons drawn. "I will fight alongside anyone – Toa, Rahi, Vahki, even the Dark Hunters themselves – to save the Matoran," spits out the Toa of Stone. "But Makuta take me if I will be a sidekick to a firespitter who still can't find his way out of a forge!"
If anyone else moves to break it up, it is lost within a verbal mess of noise, of Vakama advancing as Onewa follows suit with the swing of his weapon--]
[The moment is immediately lost as the memory dissolves, then snaps right back into the debris. Picking one another up, in the broken down transport hub. Vakama's expression is just as cold, just as impatient.]
Edited (NOW WITH ALL THE LINKS UNBROKEN OH NOOOOOO) 2025-02-05 16:28 (UTC)
Them actually pausing is the most immediate oddity right off the start, and surprisingly, what gets Vakama's posture to stop being quite so tense. He stays quiet, frown thin but otherwise paying attention, some of the sharpness in his eyes dying the longer Void Archive continues.
Misunderstandings, huh.
His arms fold in front of him, eyes drifting away for a moment.]
It depends. [Guarded, but lacking the bite from the last time they spoke.]
Are you trying to salvage our communication, or something else?
[ If it helps, Void Archives does have an incredible reaction time because of being an artificial intelligence of some kind. But, they do kind of grant the man a smirk on their face when he asks them why they find Vash so pitiful in the first place. ]
You ask me why? [ They scoff when Wolfwood grabs a hold of their coat for a moment, making light of his movements. ] You already made it clear yourself, haven't you? Or have you already forgotten?
The fact that his ideals have him in dire straits so much, and no matter what happens to him, he foolishly believes that everything will be fine as long as he stays naive. Which, if you ask me, is only asking for someone to finally do enough to kill him because he thought he could talk it out.
Is that not pitiful? I'd argue I could even understand it just fine.
[ The shove has the blond move to unnecessarily straighten the front of their ~pristine white coat~ and then brush it off before the little shit-eating smirk returns. ]
And don't you dare start with that, like I'm being the one unreasonable.
What I don't understand is how ridiculous you're being about it. Yes, you left him, but why does it somehow mean you can't return to him later on? That matters can't return to how they were before when you were with him?
[ This is extremely rich because of certain canon events later but Void Archives is not from that time as of yet. Therefore, they think Wolfwood is acting like a fool. ]
And even if they can't, don't you want to try to do what you can to be by his side again? What is the point in denying yourself so thoroughly? Are you hoping that it will somehow absolve your 'sins', as well, hm? Like that 'prized' resignation towards your ultimate fate?
[ Urgh, they are nearly near the proper person for this kind of thing, but they are still going to give it their best. Anyway, they do realize in the heat of the moment that they forgot momentarily that Wolfwood was injured, maybe, so they are not going to throw another punch or smack at the moment. ]
[ That sure was a lot of energy in that response. It could always be genuine, they suppose.
It's only the description that nets a raised eyebrow. ]
Is that so...? I thought it would be rather difficult for an individual to achieve 'high-ranking general' due to sheer luck. Can you see why I would consider that quite improbable?
Unless there weren't that many threats for Heliodor to contend with?
[ Which, due to them witnessing Mordegon in that nightmare, they doubt. ]
[ I can fully believe Yves was Dragged into doing a shenanigan before this. You can make Yves do anything if asked. He made bank that way because what is a having a wee-rounded skillset in Arpechele? Him, actually. ]
We're "bee"set by them anyway, it looks like.
[ He says that with a laugh, because the way Yeager said that is very... He can't put his finger on it. So a bad pun it is as he draws his sword. ]
Well, Void Archives is glad that regardless this isn't turning out to be a matter of those other times, at the least. The low-key wariness is expected, so they don't really feel themselves bothered all that much by it in the slightest. ]
...I believe communication would be a good start, wouldn't it~?
One can't get too far if we have so many unfortunate blockades when it comes to such matters.
[ That is the basic building block to any kind of association, and in retrospect, that would be their ideal goal starting here. ]
[True to what seems to be his new habit, Turo spends much of his time outside the base! The weekend was difficult, and for a while he's more standoffish, but it's nice to have his entire body functioning properly, at least. Even if everyone here knows what he is now. That's...well, nothing bad has happened yet.
He's seen a lot of people out looking at clothes this week, and now he's finally plucked up the werewithal to go look at some himself! What he was wearing is all torn up from the fight. If things like that are going to happen a lot...it's justifiable, isn't it?
Unfortunately, there turn out to be a lot of clothes in a clothing store. Turo picks idly through a rack near the door, looking entirely lost.]
ii. visions
a. pokemon blue
[This vision has Turo standing quietly near a wall, hands clasped behind his back and head lowered, even as he watches a man pace with barely restrained energy back and forth across the room they're in. This isn't a stranger; this seems to be just Turo, again. He's wearing the same lab coat, though he's dressed much more normally underneath it, a shirt and pants rather than a jumpsuit. But this version looks older and more worn than the Turo you know. There's permanent dark circles beneath his eyes and he seems disheveled, only more so when he runs his hand through his shaggy hair.]
" - absolutely incredible! Do you know how he's accomplished it? Imagine what I could do, how much faster I could create my paradise!"
[He's speaking too quickly, eyes wild and manic. For a moment, though, he pauses as he turns back to the AI.]
"What are you wearing? Take that off."
[His voice is sharp. The AI, who was listening to the rant without expression, jolts to attention and quickly starts to remove his own lab coat.]
Of course, Professor. I apologize.
b. pokemon red
[But it isn't always as nice as that. Sometimes the figure following Turo around is a broken and bloody version of himself. The false Turo - no, the real Turo - clutches his midsection tightly enough to hide most of the wounds, but the blood soaking through his clothes to splatter heavily onto the floor tells the story well enough.
He's cornered the robot in the base. Turo could easily shove past the shambling vision, but he seems unwilling to even really look at it, much less go near it.]
"You - I made you and you killed me!"
I did no such thing. [Turo's tense, face carefully blank.] You knew that Miraidon was dangerous. They were wild Pokemon, you should not have -
"You should have been there! It's not like it would have done anything to you. Admit it - you were glad I died, weren't you?"
{The AI purses its lips, unmoving. It...doesn't have anything to say to that.]
[ Yves manages to find himself one of those signature polar fleece hoodies with the giant Old Navy name in serif font embroidered over the front and a baseball cap to try on. It's so soft inside, like a blanket!!! Also a size too small for his frame judging by seeing his wrists and arms (bright red as a color also doesn't suit him wither), but that can be fixed later. He's looking in awe and even claps. ]
I think it does. Is it comfortable?
[ To him, that's an important question to ask because she's always in uniform. ]
[The memory plays once, fully, in a firm state of uninterrupted continuity.] [It's a push and pull of time that stretches. Vakama is smaller, shorter, waking up on a smooth stone slab in a small space with very little decoration, accolades of carved stone and dyed fabrics hung on the walls but not quite taken care of. Afterthoughts. He doesn't look at them as he gathers his effects and slides out the door.
And on every avenue are Matoran. Just like Vakama, with different masks and slightly different shades of orange and red, but all similar enough to form the collective.
The people of Ta-Metru.
Much larger robots patrol the streets as Vakama walks. Every Matoran, Ta-Matoran and visitors alike, instinctively turn away as they march through mechanically -- avoiding eye contact, attempting to not get in their way or apologizing if they stumble too close. Vakama's own pace speeds up a little, choosing to look through the mesh walkway as he stumbles towards a flight of stairs. A larger structure loops downward, rows upon rows upon rows of foundries settled stairstepped from one another - some shared by many, with others kept private.
It is to one of the private rooms that Vakama retreats. What greetings are given are returned with timidity, a nod or a stammered hello but not much else. Many eyes watch and recognize. Some judge, knowing glances, whispers of strange behavior.
It is in the quiet of his foundry that Vakama finally can relax and fall into routine. A mix of science and math and artistry under the burning light of a forge and a protective eyepiece for his face - metal disks being carefully selected, melted down, joined together and tested. Metal into molds, with white hot slag hammered with a hand seemingly far more confident than its owner. Lost in the art of creation.
A knock rings at his doorway. Vakama eventually looks up to see someone he is clearly not expecting, starting and nearly snapping the metal that sits pinned at his workbench.
"T-Turaga?? Ah, I didn't get notice of your coming to the forges today, sir, I--"
The Turaga raises a hand with a smooth chuckle. Though he is flanked on both sides by several of the same robots who now block the entrance, he seems unperturbed. Fatherly, almost.
"Be at ease, Vakama. Treat me as a customer, not your leader.
I've heard tales of the quality of your craftsmanship. No other would be recommended more than you for a product that could withstand the test of time.
I've come to commission you. Not just for a mask, but for something that will be the definition for your career."
Vakama, dumbfounded, starts to nod, before shaking his head. "A-ah -- I mean, I will always make time for the needs of the Coliseum, Turaga. But what exactly did you have in mind?"
The Turaga chuckles, casually strolling around the room to examine the disks strewn about, the masks completed and trashed alike.
"Tell me. Have you ever heard of a Mask of Time?"
Vakama shakes his head.
"Then I would like you to get used to the sound of it. Because that is what I would like to see you create. It is what I know you can create."
There is something not quite right, in the crevices of the compliment. Not something that Vakama himself seems to notice, too caught up in the alarm of the entire visit.
"I-I... I mean, it would have to take a lot of experimentation, but--" "Experimentation is necessary for the growth of our society. Whatever time you need to dedicate to it, consider it a priority. I would like to have it ready before the dawn of the next Great Contest."
From how Vakama's eyes widen, the timeframe is rather slim given the request. But while he stammers a protest, it doesn't quite make it out, intimidated as he looks to where the Turaga handles one of his creations.
"If you are to succeed, Vakama, then the destiny of the entire city will owe much to you. I trust you will not disappoint?"
...
Vakama looks up towards the Turaga, then down towards the floor.
"Of... of course, Turaga. I'm honored."
"Perfect."
Something is not right. Something cannot be right. But the entourage leaves the forge without any further question or rebuttal, and Vakama is left to stare at the forge of his fire, a numbly frantic gathering of stone to try and carve out notes.
The destiny of the city? On a mask?
On him?
...
What a joke the Turaga must be playing.
---]
[With a snap, the memory resets. Vakama's back in his home, gathering his things.]
Edited (NOW WITH ALL THE LINKS NOT BROKEN CRYMEOW) 2025-02-05 16:08 (UTC)
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