The thrum of mechanicals running down and around the great concourse around the City Center droned on as the sun began its slow journey towards night. Atop the tower of stone, to which all looked for leadership, a single figure emerged. Unnoticed by the Matoran below, the one in dull red armor reached out, grasping what seemed to be a tube like device, and lifting it toward the mask he wore.

"Greetings to all- friends, brothers, sisters," a stately voice came from various points across the city, in homes through small radio boxes, and out into the streets from electronic horns of sound, "This is Turaga Kalu of Ta-Congro, Leader of the Great Exodus. I would like to begin by reminding you all that the Red Star Festival is only two days away," Kalu paused, allowing those hearing him to react, "Preparations have already begun, and it is with great excitement that I bring you the official location of viewing place for this year," another pause, and the sound of shifting as the Turaga drew a sealed note from his person and opened it, "The place in our Great City with the honor of hosting the ceremonial viewing of the Red Star is- Fe Congro!"

Within a chilled office in a large storage facility, full of various crates being loaded and unloaded, stacked and unstacked by Ko-Matoran, a small radio crackled out this message amidst the static, causing great distress to the room's singular occupant.
"Valmai," the figure spat, the bile in his voice palpable, "The Festival was supposed to be in Ko-Congro this year."
An aged fist slammed against a round desk, scattering small cog like widgets and notations on stone and paper alike scattering. The same hand placed itself ponderingly upon a ridged, vent like side of the white mask he wore, while the other gripped a silvery staff whose bottom arced and curved, ending almost like a hammer, but showing evidence of the inner curve being used to pry objects open.
"And who decided Kalu could run his hands through Vo-Congero anyway?" he fumed.
The imposing Turaga Talur stood, shoulders haunched forward, letting out a huff of disgust.

Kumanu

Kumanu heard a thump and a crash as he crawled out of the warehouse's air vent, a squirming burnak cub clutched between his hands. The feline rahi had got itself stuck in there, and had been making quite a racket.

"Don't mind me, sir" he commented to the angry turaga. "Just finished getting this little guy. I'm surprised how far in he managed to get, even after falling through from the roof. There was a bent grill covering up there, but I've fixed that now, so it shouldn't happen again. Unless there's something more you need, I'll just be on my way"

He waited a moment for Talur to respond, though he was really just asking to be polite. It didn't seem like a good time to be around the frosty elder, and he had another callout to attend before the end of the day. The sooner he was out of there, the better.



Jovial music blared loudly around him as the carnival rolled into Fe-Congro, and Suavo was enjoying himself immensely. All about, tents were beginning to go up and a huge stage was being constructed at the far end of the park where the Red Star festival would be held in two days time.

The big city was full of lights and noise even as the dusk fell. Suavo took another bite from the fried dikapi leg he was munching on as his ussal cart slowed to a stop. This was going to be a fun time, he decided. Here, he would be surrounded by as many matoran as he cared to meet, all of them happy and celebrating another good year in Kongero Nui. The strong, salty taste of dikapi filled his mouth, and life was good.

He could use a drink though. Jumping down from the cart, he patted the ussal's head and went off in search of somewhere he could buy a beverage.

"Ah, Kumanu, is it?" the Turaga replied, mildly taken aback by the sudden appearance of the Kanoka Launcher wielding Matoran from the ceiling, "No, there's nothing that requires your services. Let me show you out."
Reaching out across the small room, the Turaga of Ice tipped his Hammer Staff, and opened the door, beyond which laid a large warehouse. An icy mist hung in the air, rows upon rows of giant metal crates were stacked three, sometimes four crates high, creating aisles into the mist. Many Ko-Matoran were working below, using ladders and small tools to arrange smaller boxes, removing them and placing others in their places. The landing outside the door was metal, and had a set of corrugated metal stairs winding down to the warehouse floor.
The Turaga, instead of gripping the rail, took a running stance and held out his hand. A faint glow came from his mask, and in an instant, he was gone. A sheet of ice appeared beneath Telur's feet, his Noble Kakama propelling him down the stairs, curved tracks taking him around the bends. The ice vanished soon after the Turaga slid over it, but the act of the elder moving at such great speeds was quite the sight to behold. In only moments, Telur was at the large bay-style doors at the warehouse's front. Letting out a slight cough- more a stale breath from the effort, Turaga Telur casually tapped his staff to a button on a panel on the wall, causing the great doors to rise.

Several rows away from where the Turaga opened the door, likely on Kumanu's way to the exit, were a particularly dense group of Ko-Maotran. They seemed to be having quite the conversation, as only one at the moment was working. This Matoran seemed the focus of the gathering, as some other, more burly workers, seemed to be attempting to lighten the mood.


The setting sun filtered through the leaves as a single Matoran made a trek through the Green. He was nearing Le-Congro, that much he could tell, because the air was getting warmer, wetter, heavier. To be honest, he preferred the more brisk mountain air near his home to the humid, thicker air around Ga-Congro and Le-Congro. His crystal blue eyes shifted about, casting their faint light towards the trunks and low hanging branches. He was after one specific tree in particular. Unfortunately, he had to pass very close to a Brakas bed to get there. There was something unnerving about the Brakas. Maybe it was the way they moved, or how they almost looked like a Matoran, but not quite. Perhaps it was the stories he heard, how they had terrible tempers and could fall into fierce howling fits. Whatever the reason, Hura felt a chill amongst his armor, despite the muggy air near the undergrowth.

Well well well, do I smell a plot hook?



The turaga was unusually polite to Kumanu after his rage of a moment before, even going so far as to use his kanohi to hasten to the door and see him out. It was the mark of a good leader, the Ko-matoran thought, that he was able to put aside his disappointment and even go the extra mile to show kindness and good manners. Kumanu wasn't anyone particularly important, but nonetheless Talur treated him with respect. It was a good thing that Kongero Nui had such beings to lead it.

As he made his way towards the big bay doors, a small clump of Ko-matoran stood talking in low voices. He tipped his mask to them as he wapproached, thinking that he too should be polite. "Good evening" he addressed them. "All going well?"

At the approach of the other Ko-Matoran, one of the taller, more burly ones with a deep voice turned. He wore a Powerless Kanohi Pakari which, curiously enough, had a scope build into the right eye, causing the sides to be curved back moreso than usual.
"Sure does brother!" he replied, "We're just trying to cheer up Aika here."
The burly Ko-Matoran's gesture swept towards an altogether average Ko-Matoran in a mask which looked similar to a Matatu, but more curved downward, with a greater separation of front and back, and lacked a scope or lens of any kind.
"It's fine," the aforementioned Aika replied, his voice sounding somewhat distressed, "I'm just trying to get my work done," he added, his arms folding, rubbing against each other, before he breathed a puff of misty breath against his hands.

Across the floor, Turaga Telur looked about a moment. However, once Kumanu was nowhere to be seen, he simply shrugged, leaving the door opened as he strode back towards his office. Seeing the huddle of Ko-Matoran, but not picking Kumanu out from it just yet, he leaned in towards the empty aisles.
"Back to work boys," he called, his tone warning, but not quite yet severe.
One of the other, more broad Ko-Matoran chuckled a little, as they all well knew Telur wasn't serious- at least not yet.

"Well, all the best then." Kumanu said to the matatu wearer, Aika "I'll see you 'round"

A half hour later with the burnak cub safe at the pet shelter, Kumanu arrived in Bo-Congro for his last job of the day. The brakas monkey he had picked up had finally gone to sleep in its cage. For what seemed like half way across Kongero Nui, it had been yelling its head off and rattling the bars as it raged against its captivity. It was nice to finally have some quiet from its incessant "kau-kau"-ing. So thinking, Kumanu pulled up his transport at the edge of a forest between Bo-Congro and Le-Congro. There was a colony of semi-wild brakas living not too far in, where this particular monkey would be making its new home.

Unslinging his kanoka launcher, he hit the cage and sleeping monkey with a levitation disk, and it rose slightly into the air. Taking a couple of steps back and then throwing his weight against it caused it to slide off the transport and bob lazily off towards the trees, about half a bio into the air. He gave it another shove to keep it moving and then followed into the trees.

A little farther on his journey, and he began to hear things. Clattering, rustling, a periodic thump. Slowly, the Bo-Matoran approached, and above the billowey leaves, he saw some form of crate, floating in the air.
"Mata Nui," he exclaimed, staring at the slatted sides of the cage as it drifted past, a somewhat calm Brakas contained within.
He timidly looked upon the floating cage, not sure what to do. He wasn't even sure what he was seeing was real, until another thump startled him. He flinched, his weight shifting back, causing him to slip on some loose ground. He tumbled in front of the white armored Matoran who had shortly before thumped the cage.
"Oh, h-hello brother," Hura stammered, in a daze.

"Whoa there!" Kumanu cried as he crabbed onto the floating cage and dug his heels into the ground to bring it to a halt before he ran over the other matoran. "Are you all right down there?"

"Oh, h-hello brother," The little green matoran stammered. Kumanu didn't think he knew him, but the term of address made him wonder. It was reserved for very close friends, or, legend had it, Toa on the same team. A second look confirmed that this wasn't someone Kumanu would consider a brother. The matoran must have hit his head as he fell and confused him for someone else.

"I'm not your brother" Kumanu stated gently. "But I'll help you anyway. Is there someone else here with you?"

Hura dusted himself off, standing with the taller Ko-Matoran's help. A puzzled look came to his face as he passed his gaze from the floating cage to the Ko-Matoran and back.
"I come to pluck fruit of the great Vuata Maka Tree. Master Apothecary needs it," he replied.
A sideways glance, and his hand slipped to press against the upper fore of his Kanohi Rode.
"Is that a monkey-Brakas?" he sighed, not in the mood to deal with their irregular nature after having slipped, "How do you even manage to capture such Rahi, Ko-Matoran?" he asked.
Then, after a moment, he extended his arm, palm forward, fingers straight, in greeting.
"Hura," he stated rather plainly.

"And, for this reason, we would like you to be our representative at the Red Star Festival."
The Ta-Matoran's words echoed in the halls of the De-Congro Temple. The Suva attendant removed her ceremonial poncho like robe, placing it quietly on the bench.
"Must you speak so much?" her voice droned with an odd, cyclical rasp, "What if I don't want to go to the Red Star Festival?"
The flare gun at her side shifted as she turned away.
"This is a sacred place," Vhis added, her rather dismissive tone not seeming to phase the Ta-Matoran in bright red armor.
"You'll think about it," he assured, turning away and heading into the bright sunlight of Kongero Nui's great savanna.

With the celebration happening, other matoran's setting up decorations and things, Aiko sat near one of the many stalls that we're being set up. She came here to stock up on a few things, that was before she got sidetracked after she was asked if she needed a job. She accepted, doing something like this made her feel accepted. Almost.

While sitting to the side, the green Le-Nomad stared out into space, thinking about what to do next. While she may have seemed day dreaming, she hopped away from the stall that was being made; slinking away to be unnoticed by the owner.

"What do next.." Aiko mumbled to herself, kicking a stone out of the way.

Out of her knowledge, the green Le-Nomad may have kicked it a little too hard; hitting the one that was getting out of the cart.

Suavo had just found a promising stall when a small pebble plinked off his mask. Quick as a flash, he shot out his arm and caught the tiny rock in nimble fingers. Spotting the sheepish-looking matoran who had kicked it, the performer decide to introduce himself.

"Well, hello there." he began. "You know, I've just arrived form Po-Congro, and I think they'd be interested in this little custom. Throwing a rock at someone to greet them? I could see that catching on down south. My name's Suavo, by the way."

He extended his hand to her, then opened it to revel the pebble he had caught, and gently flicked it at the top of her mask.



Well, the little Bo-matoran seemed to be recovering well from his fall, which relieved Kumanu a great deal. He was up and talking, still a little flustered and disjointed, but seemingly uninjured and reasonably sound of mind.

"It's a combination of kanoka, cajolery and cleverness." Kumanu explained. "This little monkey, for example, had been pilfering fruit from storehouses at night, so all I had to do was set out some food and wait. A couple of weakening disks later, he started feeling very sleepy, and now here we are. I'm going to rehome him in the colony here, and hopefully the wild brakas will show him a more acceptable diet."

The Bo-matoran had introduced himself, so Kumanu responded in kind, taking the other matoran's hand and shaking it.

"Anyway, are you sure you're fine? It's best not to be out here after dark."

Stopping in mid-step, the Le-Nomad turned to face the different coloured matoran only to tilt her head to one side out of confusion. Aiko started to get more confused about what the other said about a new custom, throwing rocks at others.

"I sorry... I no mean to kick rock hard." Aiko started, only to have the small pebble to ricochet off of her mask. She simply watched the pebble fall onto the ground.

"Name Aiko. Good to meat Suabo." Aiko grinned, knowing she may have butchered his name.

Completely forgetting about the rock that was being thrown between the two of them, the Le-Nomad stepped up to Suavo with a little curiosity. She was much taller than he is. She could tell where he was from, she had been all over Kongero Nui.

"Do little Matoran, Suabo, trable with them?" She asked, mentioning the carnival that recently came to Fe-Congro.

"Kanoka..." he repeated the word, mulling it over for a moment in his mind, "We don't have them Bo-Congro-side."
There was another pause. Hura idly clicked the ends of his gathering staff together, keeping his hand from becoming stiff.
"Where do you get them Ko-Matoran Kumanu?" inquired the Bo-Matoran, referring still to the Kanoka disks.
It was then that he noticed, in particular detail, the item which Kumanu held. It seemed to be a large forked device with a pivoting handle, but for the life of him, Hura couldn't seem to remember seeing one before. Had it something to do with the Kanoka? Before he could ask, however, Kumanu again questioned his safety.
I'm out here same as you, he replied, raising his gathering staff slightly, "I know my way here-and-back. Might not make it back to the city's inside before darkness for you though," he offered, as the sun had already gone low enough to cast gloomy shadows in the distance of the Green.


Vhis's grey fist clenched tightly. Although she had had some time in the silence to herself, her ire was still raised.
"Bothersome noisy Ta-Matoran... bothersome noisy festival..." she murmured under her breath, "Well, I'll be at the festival. But I'll go for my own reasons, not theirs," and it seemed in that moment, she calmed, a breath slipping from her before she spoke again, though she seemed something akin to relieved, "And then... it won't matter."

The sun already setting, Rauta decided that it was time to close the shop and go out to look around the Red Star Festival, or rather setting up of it. He was exited as he did like the festival and it was just around the corner. once he set out, he admired the amount decoration dedicated by the Fe-matoran, feeling that while impressive, 'He could do better'. He did not sell his wares on a stall as he held a belief that for something to be truly satisfactory it had to be made specifically for the client.
While he was walking around he saw there were already some people from outside of Fe-Congro and as he approaches He recognizes one matoran especially, Suavo. It's not hard to recognizes him as he is bot well known and has black armor highlighted by purple and gold. While he doesn't have any personal ties with Suavo, Rauta has seen his performances. He decides to approach him and a matoran with Dark pine green armor highlighted by neon green stripes going down the center. as he approaches he sees Suavo gently flick a pebble at his mate.

"Hi there, you are Suavo aren't you? What makes you arrive this early?" He questions and looks over to the the one in green before introducing himself, "My name is Rauta an I'm a blacksmith, I have a forge little further from the center." "I hope I didn't disturb anything" and before even letting anyone take a breath he asks, "Who's she?"

The other matoran still seemed awkward about the rock, even though Suavo had attempted to make light of it and brush the incident off. The thing that surprised him, however, was her dialect. As a le-matoran, he had expected her to be adding in extra words, not dropping them out. It was intriguing, to say the least. A matoran like this would have some great stories to share, he was sure. Before he could formulate a reply, however, another, industrious-looking matoran joined the pair.

"Why yes, yes I am!" he replied to the newcomer, taking his hand and shaking it enthusiastically. "And, no, come on in! We were just getting to know each other. This lovely lady is named Aiko, by the way. Why don't you both come back to my tent with me, and we can have this conversation over a few cups of bula juice?



"It's a powered disk" Kumanu explained. "They're used all over the place in the inner districts, and there are all different types. This one is a levitation disk, which lets me float the cage instead of lifting it, and similar kanoka in my vehicle float that, while others give it speed. I'll be fine, as soon as I've dropped off this brakas. Speaking of which..."

The white and blue matoran climbed on top of the wooden crate and started using a crowbar to lever off the door. Nails creaked loudly as they bent and then came free as Kumanu jumped off of the crate to put all his weight down on the bar. The cage slammed open, and its occupant barrelled out. The monkey didn't look back as it sprinted away into the forrest, keen to escape its imprisonment.

Why don't you both come back to my tent with me, and we can have this conversation over a few cups of bula juice?

"Sure, I'll come along, for a chat"

Rauta Followed Suavo to the tent while marveling how well the festival was coming together. stopping on the way to get some fried dikapi leg and then hurriedly caught up to the others, already eating his food.

When they arrive to the tent he felt awestruck as he never imagined to coming to a place like this.

Hura's shoulders hunched a bit, his arms folding slightly, a hand cupping his chin in thought.
"Sounds... complicated," the Bo-Matoran responded.
He was curious as to how these Kanoka were made, or what could possibly compose them to give them such powers, when the Brakas was released, dashing off. His heart sank a little, his eyes visibly dimming, as a moue of consternation took his visage, seeming to shift the blue marks on his mask slightly.
"The Vuata Maka's just that way," he pointed out, indicating the same direction in which the Rahi fled with his gathering staff, "With that wandering around though..." he began.
However, he cut himself short, trailing off. Admitting that the brakas made him nervous wasn't exactly easy. Some of the other Bo-Matoran found his aversion towards large Rahi to be dishonorable.

"I wouldn't worry about that if I were you" Kumanu assured the Bo-matoran. "You saw how keen he was to get away from matoran and anything to do with us just now. He'll be tired and just wanting to sleep somewhere safe for the rest of the night. Picking a fight should be the last thing that brakas will want to do."

"You'll be fine. Really."

Not too sure what was going on, but the Le-Nomad followed the other two, kicking some more rocks on the way. Aiko trotted behind them, gazing at all the stalls and vendors that were being set up; her attention spans too short to noticed that the other two were gone. "Maybe buy dis one, and day one..." She told herself.

Glancing up to find that the other two had left her behind, she shrugged as she continued to watch the vendors and stalls being set up for the time being.

The Bo-Matoran raised an eyebrow. It wasn't in actual suspicion, or distaste, but rather, a misplaced, slightly judgmental pleading. Hura really did not want to go alone, not after having such a delay, and the brakas being on the move.
"Are you sure you can make it into the city before nightfall?" he asked, a slight pleading in his voice, urging the Ko-Matoran to at least travel with him, being that Hura had no way to defend himself.