Hordika Under the Bed
Then, Whenua's head swung around to look down at Mic as he rumbled, "Kita?"
Having no idea what that meant, Mic blinked and glanced at Vakama, then back to Whenua, not sure what to say, though her mind was screaming in excitement and disbelief now that there were two Hordika in the yard, "Um... what?"
"Kita." Whenua said again in a slower tone as he took two steps closer, pausing and tilting his head.
"It's okay Mic," Vakama said from where he was sitting down to the side. "He wants to meet you."
"But what's he saying?" Mic asked, looking up at the black Hordika. Not really knowing what else to do, she began to extend her hand slightly, the gesture slow and cautious.
"I won't hurt you." Vakama said, watching as Whenua came closer to Mic sniffed her hand and then arm and up to the side of her face. He gave a deep rumble and smiled.
Mic returned the smile, shyly, though she was confused. "Why can't I understand him like I do you?"
"I have a translation stone in my armor," Vakama said dipping his head at his chest, "Whenua doesn't."
Whenua gave a grumbling like sound but it really didn't seem to bother him as the bigger hordika circle around Mic, quite pleased when she didn't, you know, run away screaming.
"Oh," Mic turned her head to watch Whenua when the Hordika came back around her. "That makes sense..." The human couldn't seem to get over how large Whenua really was. And she had felt small with Vakama. "How long has he been in this world?" she asked Vakama, looking past his brother to see the red being better.
Vakama chirped for attention and asked, after Whenua rumbled something he frowned, "Longer then me..."
Another surprise, "Wow," Mic muttered. For who-knows-how-long there had been Hordika roaming in her neighborhood... and the way she saw it, they were very lucky that they hadn't been caught and or spotted by someone who was unfamiliar with Bionicle, and wouldn't know what they were. Glancing back to Whenua she said, to Vakama since he could understand her, "What all have you told him? Does he know that he's just a character in this world?"
"Eerrrmm...no," Vakama shook his head, "That will take a little longer to explain."
Whenua rumbled, looking back and forth between the two before licking his muzzle.
"...would you have a bucket for water Mic?"
Mic got to her feet, "Yeah, sure." Whenua's size would be a problem if he were try and enter the small kitchen. But he would probably be able to enter the house... "I'll go get it right now."
The smaller red Hordika spoke in Bionicle, motioning Whenua away so Mic could get up without crowding. The two sat together talking, or more then likely Vakama telling the black Hordika about this world.
Mic had gone to the concreted area where Vakama had been given a bath, rummaged through the garage for a bucket, and then filled it up with water. While doing this she went inside real quick to grab her phone, noting that there was an unanswered text message. She returned outside again and approached the two Hordika with her heavy bucket.
The sky had become more cloudily than earlier, and the breeze was picking up, signaling a future rain shower. Mic was just hopeful that it would cover in case any neighbors had wondered what was going on.
When she came back out the two Hordika at first looked like they were...well, actually Whenua was just pining a squirming Vakama down as the mutated earth Toa was inspecting the other's bad leg. Saying something that could only be an order to hold still. Seeing the fire Hordika pinned and not really enjoying it made Mic snicker, taking her phone out and snapping a quick silent picture. Good blackmail. She set the bucket down and looked back to them.
"Brought the water... he does know that your wound's been taken care of, right?"
Vakama growled into the grass, above Whenua chuckled, pausing long enough to give the smaller Toa a lick on the back of the head. "Ga?" he asked and then added another word or two that seemed like 'thank you' as Whenua came over to Mic.
"No problem," Mic glanced from him to Vakama and shook her head with a small smirk. "I'm beginning to think I'm holding a Hordika lodge."
Vakama snorted as he rolled over and hopped up, shaking himself, "I think we're it...er, you know Whenua says you're the first human not to run away from him..."
The girl tipped her head, both interested and wary. "He's been seen by others? Oh geez, that can't be good..." She turned to look back at the larger Hordika.
Whenua tilted his head, making a soft huff as he looked at the bucket of water Mic was still holding and back up to her face, waiting. The human put it down and stepped back and over a bit, more towards Vakama. Already the sun had vanished overhead as more clouds took over the sky.
The bigger Hordika drank, but he didn't seem to have that same desperate drinking that Vakama did like expecting never to see water again. Or it could be that Whenua had found the stream before or some other source of water, which seemed likely. He didn't look exactly starved either for that matter. Once done, Whenua purred at Mic as Vakama nudged her at the same time.
She sent the fire one a questioning 'what?' look. Vakama was used to Whenua. She kinda wasn't... yet. "Is there anything he needs?" she said, shifting her weight around a bit.
Looking at Vakama had been a distraction and before Mic was aware of the closeness, she got a lick from Whenua.
After whirling in surprise the human nearly facepalmed, remembering what Vakama had said about others and the whole 'licking' thing. And here she was-smack dab between two Hordika. 'Lovely. I must taste pretty good to them, pfft...' "You too?" she moaned at Whenua, sensing that Vakama was probably finding this funny.
Whenua arched his neck in surprise and rumbled out something but Vakama was indeed no help.
Mic sighed a smile on her face. "Whatever," but she did send Vakama a small glare. The human felt her phone vibrate and stepped aside to sit at the fence and answer the message, leaving the two Hordika to themselves at the moment.
The altered Bionicle were softly speaking again, Whenua's voice that deeper rumble and Vakama's strangely light in comparison. The red one circled around his bigger bother a few times, restless as night was starting to edge in, while the earth elemental calmly sat and waited out Vakama's ramble. At one point he nodded and licked his muzzle, flashing his fangs, and ignoring Vakama's flinch.
Looking up from the tiny screen on the phone, Mic wondered what they could be speaking of. Perhaps Vakama got around to telling him what he was in this world... or maybe they were speaking of something else. Who knows? She couldn't speak Bionicle, and knowing this the human turned her attention back to the phone and finished her text.
A rumble proceeded the shadow that fell over Mic as Whenua came back over to her. Lowering his head to her level, sniffing a little and blinking his inner lids. "...Mic?"
She looked up, startled to see how close the black Hordika's head was, but made no fearful move. "Uh... yes?" Mic answered, even though he probably couldn't understand her.
Whenua took a step closer, crouching low to the ground and reached out to put one paw like hand on the human's closer leg. He tilted his head, "Der'ma, humino Mic...fee?"
"See." Vakama said from behind.
"See." Whenua repeated and then said again, "See?"
"See what?" Mic asked, perplexed with a tilt of her head, but she didn't mind the Hordika's curiosity.
"Mic." Whenua said, and the paw on her leg flexed a little, tugging her a few inches closer with no apparent effort.
The unexpected action caught her off guard but she still did not 'run away screaming.' Mic's eyes did widen slightly, however and she waited to see what the massive Hordika would do next.
Waiting a few beats to see her reaction, the big hordika purred as he pulled the girl closer to him. Softly sniffing up her leg and side to her neck before nudging her shoulder, the whole time Whenua's eyes had a kind of sharp keen-ness to them as he moved slowly.
The human understood what he was doing, and remained still for him, but if he 'explored' any certain areas she'd put a stop to it. Whenua as a Matoran and been an Archivist, and there was no doubt whatsoever that his interests in other species were long gone.
Quite the opposite it seemed.
The Mutated Toa seemed to know what to avoid, for the most part, and Whenua purred reassuringly. It was more of a vibration as he curled snuggly close, chuckling at Vakama's huff for being left out. Mic grinned, also taking the huff to note but gave the fire Hordika no attention. Instead she gave Whenua's head a few curious strokes, knowing how there were differences in his build than Vakama's. His head was also bigger.
Whenua's muzzle was a bit more blunted on the end, the jaw in general had a stronger feel to it if Mic was to run her fingers down the jaw line. He tilted his head so the human was looked right into one large, softly glowing eye. Even though he had his inner lids firmly closed she could still clearly see the horizontal green pupil and blue-ish backdrop.
Like with Vakama, Mic was amazed at the Hordika and the eyes especially. Nothing in the human world had real eyes like theirs. She turned her head to look over at Vakama. "Your brother's unlike anything I've ever seen... expect perhaps you maybe."
"Whenua's made for excavation, and darkness." Vakama said scooting closer to the two, "He's more sensitive to light then I am."
The human glanced upward at the darkening sky, feeling a small raindrop hit her face. She bit her lip. "Maybe we should go inside now. I don't want my phone to get wet."
Whenua made a chirping sound at Vakama as he looked at his brother for a translation and then upwards, grumbling something. Then he dipped his head and the Hordika's open jaws wrapped come around Mic's shoulder and part of her back. His fangs did pressing against the softer human skin, he didn't puncher through as Whenua lifted Mic up onto her feet and then nudged her back with his head, pushing the girl gently to the house.
"Oh..." Vakama blinked, "Carsa ne alo."
"Ga-Ko cinp." Whenua grunted, more aware of the hazards for organics then the other Toa.
Mic looked at them as she walked back, wishing more than anything that she could understand the black Hordika. She was sure they'd get along quite nicely. More drops came down, but it was only a mere sprinkle signaling the harsher to come. She remembered something. "Abby." Mic turned and darted inside, to figure out what had become of the dog.
Vakama moved inside, looking back and humming as he watched Whenua give himself a quick bath of sorts. He did have a bit more manors, or he just had been spending more time with Nuju and Nokama. By the time Mic came back he was just giving the door a judging look, starting to shake his head.
Mic pretty much knew what Whenua was shaking his head about-the door wasn't wide enough. Luckily, since it was a double sliding glass door, including the 'mind of its own' screen that shut automatically, it could be made wider. Mic pushed back both of them and looked from him to Vakama. "Will that work?"
Whenua eyed it, and carefully eased his way through, murmuring in a pleased way when he did managed to get in without hurting anything, though he stayed low and was mindful of his tail.
Mic had shoved the couch backward to make more room for the Hordika. With both of them, they'd probably take up the living room space, but that room was big enough to house the both of them for now. Mic turned to Vakama. "It'll be a few hours, maybe two or three, before it'll be dark enough to go out. Is there anything I can get for him and you?"
Vakama looked at Whenua and repeating the question, but the bigger Hordika shook his at Mic head as he laid down in a clear 'no' fashion. Tucking legs up close and curling his tail, Whenua didn't take up as much space as he would have, had he been a sprawler like Vakama- who flopped down on top of his earth brother, "He says he ate already."
"'Kay," Mic seriously considered making a grab for the camera again, but decided not to... for now maybe. She turned her head on hearing that familiar sound of nails clicking on the floor. Abby poked her head around the corner, warily, growling to herself at the larger newcomer in her living room.
Mic got down on the floor and called her dog over, wanting to get her used to Whenua as well. Abby just stared from her spot and only took a step closer, tail lowered.
The big black Hordika hummed, opening one inner lid half way to peer at Abby. Unlike Vakama, Whenua started an oddly calming, humming song of sorts.
Abby cocked her head suddenly, not expecting that, and listened for a few good moments. Not exactly as fearful as before she came closer, sniffing the floor where the new Hordika had already touched, before peering around Mic to get a good look at Whenua under Vakama. The dog let out a curious whine.
Whenua rumbled pleasantly, glancing at Mic before nudging Vakama with his muzzle and looked back at the dog. Vakama explained, and Whenua looked amused at whatever was said. "What was the rahi's name again?" the red hordika asked.
"Her name's Abby," Mic supplied, giving the black lab a good stroking behind the ears. "She's a dog."
"Dog." Whenua echoed, sounding it out again, his voice full of interest, "Doooogg..." He reached and offered a paw like hand to both canine and human, purring in reassuring way and unparsed by Vakama's weight sprawled on top of him.
Abby's ears perked at the movement and she stood, reaching out her head to sniff the Hordika's paw/hand while Mic watched with slight amusement at her 'guard dog.'
Whenua mimicked the human's move a little, but used the backs of his claws to do so. He was fully enjoying this unexpected little trip. Abby stayed still for a few more moments before finally backing up, not very used to the size of the Hordika... or the fact that they kept taking over the living room. The dog walked off, drank from her bowl, and vanished into the hall. Mic snorted and shook her head.
"That went considerably well," she muttered while thinking to herself.
Vakama chuckled with his brother before the fire elemental twisted and reached, a moment later he had grabbed Mic. One good tug and some supporting and the end result had Whenua blinking in mild amusement and a smug Vakama. Mic was now oddly snuggled between the two.
"Ner," Whenua shook his head at Vakama, but at the same time he didn't protest at all. Probably that Hordika pack instant again or just that the mutated earth elemental didn't mind.
"Whatever," Mic said, long over the idea of trying to refuse and or escape a Hordika. The rain could be heard outside, coming down harder, and some thunder followed in the distance. The human was quite content to relax and be lazy right now, if not for the fact that in a few hours they'd be going out again. And she was dreading it in her heart.
She knew she would be safe, and now there were TWO Hordika, so double the protection... but Mic hated the thought of walking in the dark alone again, not being able to see them... or anyone else for that matter.
Leaning up against Whenua, Mic would be able to feel the heat coming off the Hordika. Vakama was more on his brother's tail curled up so the two made an oblong cercle of sorts. The bigger changed Toa seemed quite happy to nap, but Vakama was a little more restless.
Mic noticed this, since she too couldn't relax all the way. "Something wrong, Vakama?" she asked quietly.
"Not wrong..." He shook his head before shifting and putting his head on Mic's lap. "I can feel it's getting darker out."
Mic sighed, neck bent as she gazed down at him, the distance not really THAT far; he was right in her lap after all. "You had to bring that up..."
"Bring what up?" Vakama tilted his head to look up with one red and orange glowing eye.
Mic had some trouble answering, somewhat ashamed of her fear of the upcoming night. "That... it's getting dark again, and we're going out... again."
Whenua rumbled behind her, opening his eyes as he took in the tone Mic had used, shaking off his brother's tail before looking over. At the same time Vakama lifted his head and shifted so he could rub the side of his head against Mic.
"That human can't hurt you. And there are two Toa Hordika with you now."
"This I know, but I can't get the experience out of my mind!" Mic moaned, putting her head in her hands. "Do you know what could have happened had he actually taken me?" She shuddered, though her body had grown very tense. "And what if it happens again? Someone could get hurt, or worse..."
A deep growl came from the black Hordika, the sound vibrating through Mic's back as Whenua lifted his head and rumbled out a question, when the smaller mutated Toa hesitated there suddenly a scuffle around the human. A snarl, yip, growl and a flurry of movement- yet neither bumped nor did a claw catch Mic's skin.
In the end, Vakama was ejected into the hall out of the way, complaining in Bionicle as he rubbed his left side, and Whenua was settling back down around the girl. Something round and medallion like in shape in his hand. Rumbling something under his breath, Whenua curled his tail over Mic to keep her from getting up as he fiddled with the thing before dropping it into her hands.
The human looked down at the thing before looking back at Whenua, heart pounding at the scuffle that had just taken place around her. Watching Hordika fight that close was kind of nerve racking. Mic was confused, even more so since she wanted to go to Vakama and was being prevented from doing so. She looked back at the round object in her hands. "...I don't understand."
"Vakama didn't think to give you that instead." Whenua...said?
For a moment Mic forgot about the fear that had grown back about going out in the dark. The Hordika's voice suddenly responding and making sense to her surprised the girl, but looking back at the stone it clicked. "Oh... so that's what that was all about."
"The translation stone," Whenua nodded before nudging the hand holding the medallion up and against Mic's chest, "It's more or less programmed now, just keep it close and in contact with you."
After glancing at the red Hordika still near the hall, Mic turned as best as she could, her back to Whenua for a moment as she stored the stone away and out of sight for the moment before turning back as she was, oddly silent with her own thoughts.
"It's okay," Whenua said lowering his head to look at Mic, blinking the inner lid open for a moment. "We won't leave you alone out at night."
Vakama huffed as he came back in before settling down again, "Of course."
"I know you won't," the human said, avoiding eye contact with anyone. "But it's not easy to forget what happened... I can't even talk to my own parents about it for heaven's sake!" Hands balled into fists.
Vakama hummed and then came closer to nudge Mic, "Nothing did happen though. Focus on that."
"I'm trying to," the human glanced at him, trying to calm her tensed body. More thunder sounded outside with the rain, but it was still faint.
Whenua rumbled himself in response to both her words and the thunder. He missed the archives, always preferring the safety of being partly underground and storm watching from there. Then, he opened both eyes to focus on Mic completely, "What is this Magna like?"
Mic pushed some hair behind her ear. "Well, it's very different from yours I'm sure... humanity is the main race, and dominant. There are many different lands, some ruled by a king or queen, others dictated," The human frowned at herself. It was so weird trying to explain your own world to someone else... that kind of situation didn't really pop up very often after all.
The big black Hordika hummed, "Tell us about it? The Rahi, wahis or metrues?" he asked, distracting Mic as he settled into asking questions to learn, different then when Vakama had asked.
Mic started off by going into more detail about the canine race, and different things dogs were used for, namely seeing eye dogs since her friend was a long time guide dog raiser. Then she told him about America's history and how things were at the present. She said nothing about the Bionicle storyline.