For the record, this site should allow indentation. Utterly ridiculous. Anyway, Enjoy :)
The Ko-Metru libraries are cold, silent places. Other Metru have libraries, but those of Ko-Metru were are largest, the most comprehensive, and, of course, the strictest. Kopaka was seated at a table, his workbook open and pen in hand. He was staring intently at his laptop screen, taking occasional notes. He glanced up, irritated, as footsteps behind him broke his concentration. Pohatu collapsed into the seat opposite Kopaka with a loud huff, and Kopaka glared at him.
Pohatu pulled out his phone and began tapping away. Kopaka flinched at the simulated taps loudly emitted by the phone. Pohatu lowered the phone, grinning. A few moments later, Kopaka's own phone vibrated. Kopaka stared at Pohatu for a few moments, making sure Pohatu caught his angry glance. Pohatu simply winked. Reluctantly, Kopaka withdrew his phone and checked the text.
Today's the day, right?
Kopaka raised his head, and nodded curtly. Pohatu mouthed 'Good luck.' Kopaka smiled thinly.
In truth, Kopaka was not confident about the news he would receive today. Kopaka, and indeed Pohatu, had just recently finished their last year at secondary school. A number of weeks ago, Kopaka had sent off applications to various tertiary institutes. Today was the day those institutions would reply to his applications.
Kopaka thought about returning to his studies, but in truth he was only studying as a distraction; all his exams were long since taken. Talking to Pohatu would serve just as well. He began typing on his own phone.
Where did you apply?
Pohatu grinned sheepishly as his phone buzzed, and Kopaka felt blood rush to his cheek. He should have realised Pohatu's phone would not be on silent. A number of angry Ko-Matoran glanced in their direction.
Kopaka did not wait for Pohatu to reply. He stood, and gestured forcefully toward the elevators.
Pohatu grinned, an infuriatingly perfect expression. He rose, stretching with a groan. Kopaka packed away his laptop and books silently, rose from his chair silently, and stalked away from the table, silently. Pohatu fell into step beside Kopaka. The pair stepped into an empty elevator and as the elevator doors closed, Pohatu gestured rudely to the 'Please be Silent' signs. When the doors sealed, Kopaka choked on a laugh that he tried desperately to supress.
Pohatu punched Kopaka playfully on the shoulder. "I hate coming here, you know. The silence feels… Yucky."
Kopaka raised his eyebrow. "Yucky?" he questioned, pursing his lips to keep from grinning. Pohatu squinted, trying to think of the words to properly vocalise his feelings. The silence stretched, and eventually Pohatu responded. "Yeah… You know what I mean?"
Kopaka chuckled. "No, I don't. I like it." Kopaka could see that Pohatu was ready to argue the point further, so instead he changed the subject. "Where did you apply?"
Pohatu grinned mischievously. "Ah, yes. My future," he exclaimed grandly, spreading his arms. The elevators were on the outside of the building, and had glass walls. Below them, the city of Metru-Nui sprawled as far as any unassisted eye could see. "You always were more worried about me than I was." Pohatu stared out the window, and after a few moments, started. "I can see your house from here! Hell, I can see my house!"
Kopaka sighed. "Every time, the same joke."
Pohatu pouted. "No respect for the classics." He crossed his arms and turned away from Kopaka, feigning offense.
Kopaka grinned. "I have plenty of respect for the classics. I have a few in my bag here if you'd like to borrow any. Perhaps they may refresh your repertoire."
Pohatu turned back to Kopaka, this time feigning concern. "Really? You're reading a book with jokes in it? Are you feeling alright?"
"Shut up." Kopaka returned his friend's playful punch.
Pohatu recoiled from the punch and the words, cowering in a corner of the elevator. "Such a great argument. How can I come back against a wit like that!"
The elevator slowed, and Pohatu picked himself up hurriedly. The doors opened to reveal a young woman waiting. She was blonde, and had bright hazel eyes. She stood a little taller than Kopaka, but not as tall as Pohatu. She smiled at Kopaka as she stepped into the elevator. "Hey, you were in my Literature class, weren't you?"
Kopaka swallowed. "Uh, Yeah." He lowered his head and scratched the back of his neck, turning away slightly. Pohatu leaned against the wall of the elevator casually, appearing the behavioural opposite of the obviously uncomfortable Kopaka. The elevator slowed again, and the young woman shouldered her bag. "Well, good luck. I hope you get into where ever you wanted," she said over her shoulder.
"Me too," Kopaka spurted out as the doors closed. As soon as the words left his lips, he regretted them, but the doors were already closed. Kopaka rubbed his eyes with the heel of his hand, and let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding.
"Who was that?" Pohatu was waggling his eyebrows.
"That," Kopaka replied, "was Gali."
Pohatu nodded appreciatively. "I wish I'd been in her Literature class."
Kopaka frowned. "No you don't. You were just mocking classic literature. You wish you were in her pants."
Pohatu laughed, leaning easily against the wall of the elevator. "And you don't?"
Kopaka's eyes narrowed. "No, I don't. We barely know each other. And, I don't … do that."
Despite what he said, Kopaka wished he was a little more like Pohatu when it came to women. Kopaka was not the most social Matoran, as was common among Ko-Matoran, but women in particular made Kopaka uncomfortable. Pohatu, on the other hand, was easy-going with everyone, if a little lecherous.
Pohatu raised his eyebrows. "Touched a nerve, have I?"
Kopaka did not answer, and changed the subject pointedly. "Didn't you have a kolhii game today?"
Pohatu read the expression on Kopaka's face. The pair were longstanding friends, despite their differences, and they knew each other well. Pohatu could see Kopaka's discomfort, so he let the subject go. "Yeah, we played Onu-Metru. We struggled without Hewkii, but we managed to get up."
Kopaka smirked slyly. "When Hewkii comes back, they'll have to bench one of the current players."
"Yes, I'll be sad to see Hafu go. He was certainly entertaining to play with," Pohatu laughed.
The elevator once again slowed. Kopaka tensed, but looking at the elevator's control panel, he saw that they were approaching the ground floor, their stop. The doors slid open and the pair saw two suited Vahki. The Vahki were strange people, and distinctive. Each one wore tattoos covering their whole body. They served the Turaga with unfailing loyalty and complete obedience. The Vahki each put a hand against the elevator's door, preventing it from closing. They were also preventing the Matoran from leaving.
"Morning gents," Pohatu bantered, "something we can help you with?"
Both Vahki turned to look at Pohatu. The one closer to Pohatu spoke. "You are Pohatu." Pohatu began to reply, but the Vahki cut him off. "That was not a question." The Vahki withdrew a cylindrical stone from a pouch at his hip. The stone was about seven inches long, with hemispherical caps on either end. "This is for you."
The other Vahki withdrew a similar cylinder, though his was made of a translucent white crystal. He offered the cylinder to Kopaka. "This is for you, Kopaka. Apologies for the material; ice would have been preferred, but, alas, ice melts." The Vahki seemed genuinely chastened. Nervously, Kopaka took his cylinder. "No matter, I'm sure," he replied hesitantly, "Ice does indeed melt."
The Vahki nodded, then turned on their heels and left. Kopaka watched them leave. Pohatu, on the other hand, shook his stone.
"I think there's something inside!" he exclaimed.
Kopaka wrenched his gaze from the Vahki. "They give me the creeps."
Pohatu twisted one of the caps of his stone and to his surprise, it clicked and popped off. Pohatu eagerly retrieved what was hidden inside. It was a sheet of paper, with a seal stamped at the top and a signature written with a flourish at the bottom. Other than that, Kopaka could not see what was written. He twisted the cap off his own capsule and withdrew a similar sheet of paper.
At the head of the paper was the seal. The seal was comprised of a mask, narrow and tall, with the figure of a Toa inscribed. The arms of the Toa contained the mask's eyes, and the legs bordered the mouthguard. Around the mask, were a few words in a language Kopaka didn't recognise. Kopaka's eyes flicked over the rest of the text. The letter was long and written in flowery language, but Kopaka picked out the key phrases; gifted student… outstanding academic record… creative, if unorthodox, extracurricular activities. Finally, the letter concluded with an invitation to the Coliseum and was signed by Turaga Dume himself.
The two Matoran looked at each other, wide eyed.
