Janelek followed Talorak into the large tent and was surprised to be greeted with the fine interiors it had. Intricately detailed fabrics hung from the walls, various well crafted and finely carved and chiseled stone and wood cabinets and tables held all manner of small carved statues of various rahi or paintings on kanoka discs and tablets. Fine craftsmanship filled the room, even on the floor there were woven rugs and skins of rahi, and in the center at the back was a wood desk lined with metal filigree and a plush looking chair behind it where the stelt noble had taken a seat. In the back was two large curtains, each had an embroided design, both he didn't reconize.
The Toa of sand examined a small dull statue of some kind of wolf rahi with a serpent's head and neck sitting on a pedestal.
"So.. what is it that you wanted to speak with me alone?" He asked, looking up.
Talorak stoped what he was doing and leaned back. "I've caught wind of you and your, uh.., team? Regardless I invited you here to tell you about an offer one would not refuse given the circumstances." He began, looking through his drawers before finding what he was looking for and shutting it once again. "I have a friend back on Stelt who would be very interested to meet you. He runs a little museum of curiosities and would be willing to have you and your friends work for him there." He stated and stood up, walking over to the strange Janus Toa.
He stopped. "That would be nice... but it is far out of our way for where we are heading." Janelek replied respectfully, the noble however had a confused look on his face at this. He explained further. "We are on a mission to bring back the ocean."
There was a hum from Talorak at this, thinking. It seems they were right about this unruly band of misfits.. The stelt noble thought to himself before quickly waving the thought away before Janelek could have any chance of using that Suletu of his.
"You know what this means, do you?" He asked politely back, "You would have shelter, all the food and water you could ever need. Even for your dear team out there," he reasoned, turning back to stand at his desk. "Even that Zyglak could have his own private swimming pool." He chuckled at the idea.
"All you would have to do is work for him at his little museum. Just guide any guests around and answer their questions." The blue and gold noble continued, "Simple, Easy. everything one could ever want during this drought." Talorak looked at him over his shoulder, words smoother than a mirror's surface.
The si-toa was silent for a bit in possible consideration.
"I cant." The noble became still at this.
"We have a duty to Mata Nui and his people to return the water." Janelek spoke calmly, turning to face him. "And I made a promise to my island that I would return home once it's done."
The two stood in complete silence for what seemed like hours till Talorak finaly spoke.
"Fine. I see your decision."
"Thank you." He gave a nod back and turned to leave and rejoin the group, wonder what they've done while I was gone, he thought.
"So sad, to refuse such an offer.." The stelt noble suddenly spoke in a cold tone. The Toa of sand whipped around to face Talorak, a terrible feeling sinking in suddenly. Before he could defend himself Janelek found that he had already been shot with a dart of some kind. He sent a few blasts of sand at the gold and blue noble, who had a smug look on his face as he dodged or powered through the attacks, dropping the small blowgun in his hand.
"You know that little carving you were so intruieged by?" He replied slyly.
Janelek already was starting to feel awful as his head began to spin. He wasn't going to give up though ad raised a small pillar of sandstone from below the carpet to hit Talorak off his feet. It only managed to clip him in the shoulder with a wince. "It's a Nui-Ceahiki, a very rare rahi with a very potent disorienting venom."
The Toa of sand could feel the room swirling around him as he tried to defend himself with elemental attacks, most of which were now missing.
"My friend just so happens to have one in his possession, he sends some of its venom every so often for trouble makers like you." The Noble continued as the attacks became weaker and weaker from the Toa. "Now."
He could feel his limbs staring to become heavy and numb,he switched from attacking to trying to flee as he slowly sank helplessly to the ground, I must get out of here-
"Some.. other friends of mine can't have you and your little friends interrupting their plans since you know of what happened to Iden Nui." His tone became sharp as he walked slowly towards the flailing toa of sand. Four Vortixx came out from behind the curtains, all armed with Xiazers.
Janelek with what little control or senses he had in a panic started up a mini sandstorm in the tent to stop the advances. It didn't do much as now he was surounded. One of the Vortixx turned on the weapon with a crackle as electricity bounced between the two prongs at the end of it.
"But don't worry, you'll have a nice time at the museum, as an exhibit in one of his many free stasis tubes," Talorak continued his smugness, toa were all so predictable. "As for your dear team out there-" the Vortixx aimed the tazer at Janelek as he could only listen to the impending doom.
"We have other plans For each of them." The gold and blue stelt noble finished with a grin as the Vortixx stabbed the si-toa, sending electrical shocks through his body to make sure he was, and would stay out, for long enough.
The group of vortixx hurried with loading the Toa onto one of their sand strides and quickly taking off from the settlement, leaving Talorak with the carnage. The room was in complete disarray, but with what was soon to be, it was worth it.
"Now, for one more act..."
