Megaman - Tuesday, September 12, 2000, 8:35 PM
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=================================== Kritai
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Type: Reploid
Affiliation: Repliforce
Function: Quick Response
Rank: 1
Gender: Male
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Quote: "Though I desire an end to all of the chaos and
destruction, the cries of the wrongfully slain drive me
onward."
Profile: Formerly charged with safeguarding human refugee
facilities during the Stardroid crisis, the lupine reploid known
as Kritai now serves under the Repliforce. A victim of a Maverick
assault on the facility, Kritai has dedicated his life to
repaying the debt that he feels he owes to the humans that died
to try and protect him. Often surrounded in a tragic aura, many
avoid direct contact with him. Those that do speak with Kritai,
however, learn of the philosophical, compassionate side that he
often seems to repress. His armaments include a pair of massive,
3 ft. long energy claws, energy projection units and exceptional
landspeed. Though normally very calm and composed, his
overwhelming hatred for Mavericks often leads him into situations
that he simply cannot handle alone.
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Primary Weapon: Energy Claws
Weapon Type: BLADE ENERGY
Weaknesses: Blunt
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Kritai:
Darkness. An all consuming force from which no light can possibly
escape. The shadows on the wall or the lights which go off when
one tries to sleep. Either way that darkness appears, it lingers
like unto the very deepest of fears within one's soul. Yet, a
light always stands resolute to pierce the void. A pure light
that drives shadows from the room and ignites hope within every
heart. Thus, when darkness rises up to finally consume what
remains of the holy sanctity of light, the few just must arise
and stand defiant.
In a world full of ignorance and hate, he stood alone.
Forged from failure and hatred, the Repliforce member known only
as Kritai stands before you. Like unto the tragic aura that
constantly seems to surround him, a tattered cloak currently
shrouds his form. The garment trails down to his legs, its color
a stark white. Clad almost entirely in black beyond this, only
sections of blue cloth wound tightly about his forearms, legs and
waist offset the void of his attire. Clearly the most unique part
of the body, the head of this particular individual does not
conform to the metallic composition typically found in most
reploids. Distinctly lupine in nature, the face consists of a
blocky muzzle, angular ears and sharp fur which frames the sides
of the head. A pair of long, white scars trail from just above
the eyes to the bottom of the muzzle itself. These eyes, a
piercing yellow in color, reflect both a sense of profound
intelligence and feral rage. Lastly, smoky gray, synthetic fur
sweeps about his chest, the majority of it flowing behind him in
a waterfall of silver.
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The Boardwalk -- Atlantic City, New Jersey USA
Within the mid-afternoon, EST time, a figure sits against one of the slopes located near the shoreline. The young woman quietly watches as the waters lap at the sand...perhaps preparing for the tides which will be sweeping inward a few hours from now. There don't seem to be many others on this portion of the beach...especially since the weather has started turning.
For all intents and purposes, the season has taken it's first step within it's quarterly change.
As the sun burns high in the sky, a gentle breeze rustling the light amounts of vegetation scattered here and there, another form descends from the boardwalk to the slopes of the beach itself. A stark white cloak billows about his frame, eyes closed against the cold winds. It further rustles his fur, whipping the mass all around his lupine face. Darkened gaze shifting, though, he snaps his golden optics open and focuses on Twila just below him. Apparently, he did not notice her at first arrival.
Balancing perfectly upon a rock, he adjusts his posture just enough to actually regard and face the human girl. His hood slides around him, casting varying shadows upon his features as he watches her until, finally, he speaks. The tone is deep; a haunting, dark sort of sound that pierces one's very soul. "Twila Peterson ... A pleasure and sincere honor to finally meet you."
The young woman blinks, slightly startled as she's addressed, but she all too quickly calms herself down. Although prone to be somewhat jumpy when out on her own (with her experience, if one knows of it, it's not all that surprising really), she is getting much better at keeping herself settled. She looks over her shoulder first, realizing she doesn't recognize the stranger. Twila offers him a small smile while turning around more fully to regard him. "Thanks. And...who might you be?"
Kritai bows his upper half, the action resembling a sort of long nod as he replies in that same sort of tone, "I, Ms. Peterson, am Kritai ... A simple member of the Repliforce and great admirer of you." As he raises back to full height, a rather strong gust of wind billows his cloak forward in a similar fashion to before. He closes his eyes in quiet contemplation, wondering to himself just how to properly speak to her. Deciding to simply start from the beginning, he resumes speaking, "You see ... I was created around the time of the Stardroid Judgment Crisis. My function was, simply, to protect the various refugee facilities that the UN had created in response to the panic, chaos and destruction that took place."
He shifts slightly, a sort of cringe actually appearing to take place as he pauses. His teeth clearly clench, indicating pain, "...The children... Never doubted you, Ms. Peterson. They knew you did nothing wrong. A lot of the young girls greatly adored you."
Ah...a Repliforcer. The girl relaxes inwardly, sincerely grateful for that. She knows of the invisible rift between them and the Hunters and has seen some of it herself. However, it's not something she takes personally. After all, Repliforcers and Hunters alike are fighting on the same side aren't they?
At the next few words Twila can't help but betray a slightly confused gaze on her features. It's somewhat hard for her to imagine that she would be someone looked up to by young children. Still, during the time he had spoken of finding vestiges of hope were few and far between. Being apparently one of them she flattered that she was regarded at all. "I'm the one that's honored," she replies after a moment's silence...also inwardly not knowing what to say. And yes, she does notice his moment of...discomfort. "And it's good too meet you Kritai. You're welcomed to sit if you like."
Kritai rears his gaze up slowly, his actions every bit like unto a wizened old man. A slow sort of grace dominates every movement, his eyes likewise seeming soft, compassionate and intelligent. His speech further fuels this, his voice doing no less. A sort of smile crosses his muzzle, the reply coming quickly, but with a relaxed sort of composure, "I am quite fine where I am, but thank you for the kind offer, Ms. Peterson. Do not fear what I have said, nor blush beneath its weight, for I felt it only necessary and proper for you to know. You were a ray of hope; a light shining in the darkness of a world gone mad with desperation, fear and hatred. I heard of the sacrifice you nearly became .. And am thankful to be able to stand before you today."
He shifts uncomfortably, eyes casting upward to the sky. He stares quietly into the blue expanse above them, a gentle sigh rolling from his depths. He will, unless asked, leave the rest of that story out. The girl hardly needs that on her shoulders as well. As his cloak and fur are rustled, he returns his gaze to Twila. "If I may ... What brings you to this place with such activities coming to pass?"
Twile offers a light shrug while briefly glancing towards the beach. "Mmmm. To get out the base and think on some things that had...well...reached some sort of climax," she answers shyly. "More often than not it's rather quiet and peaceful out here. It's become one of my favorite places." She then turns towards her new friend. "Yourself?"
Kritai allows his gaze to wander toward the water, that smile still playing lightly upon his muzzle, "Likewise, Twila Peterson. Likewise. As these games have consumed the time properly needed for battles, I find myself without purpose. I do not fear this, nor despair, for I enjoy the peace when it comes to me. Though I serve as a warrior and live to repay a debt, there are times when even I require rest and a moment of serenity." He lowers down, then springs from his position to land next to Twila, settling with a grace that one would not normally find in such a large figure dressed the way that he is. His arms never unfold, even when he touches down.
Looking down at Twila, Kritai seems to study the human girl for a moment, then consumes the expanse of the ocean and beach with his golden optics.
The visitor's form is studied likewise even as his feet bury themselves within the sand upon his landing. Twila ponders over him, already picking up subtle hints regarding his demeanor from his body language as well as his manner of speech. But she chooses not to ask him out of respect for his privacy. Such things are not often questioned of a stranger. And even when it's a friend who's friendship had been cultivated inquires of that nature are asked with care...not from mere curiosity.
"Agreed. Everyone needs some form of solitude and solace every now and again," she finds herself saying. "The games themselves present a nice diversion from the norm at least." Too bad the diversion will last only a week...if not that long. She can only surmise what penned up energies within the Masters and Mavericks might drive them too after the cease-fire. "Come here often?"
"Indeed I do," comes the reply, "For the same reasons which I have spoken of this night. You are quite a speaker, Ms. Peterson, with all the insight that I would expect of the noble General. You must speak with him at times, I am sure." He finally lowers his arms now, stance seeming to relax at least temporarily. His eyes remain locked on the waves as they roll, a sort of contented peace found within their motions, "I ... Wish to ask you something, if I may. I do know the gracious General's answer upon such a thing, but I know very little of the Maverick Hunters. I do not resent any of you - Quite the contrary."
Lowering down into a crouch, he looks over to you with his shadowy, lupine visage and asks gently, "As a human ... Do you fear the Mavericks and Masters, or do you stand as the Reploids and Androids do, seeking a final end to the madness? I have always wondered, for if they have not hated us, humans have always ran in fear."
Actually, since the affair concerning the past "Judgment" Twila hasn't spoken to or even seen the General unless it was by radio during the run-of-the-mill com traffic of on the news reports. Not that she wouldn't want to at sometime. He seemed a special sort from what she saw of him up close. Yes his stature, both literally and figuratively, can be somewhat intimidating at times. But she first thought the same way as "Megaman X" as well before conversing with and befriending him.
The inquiry, however, comes as somewhat of a surprise for the girl and she mental takes a few moments to compose herself. The question, you see, is a particularly loaded one for her to respond to...due to recent events for the most part. Still, she does her best to answer. "It's true that there are humans who do run in fear. And, a few years ago, I had been among them. But I learned quite alot since then...especially within the past year or so. Your race isn't that different from the humans...not where it really matters the most. And hopefully, some day, there will finally between peace between the two. Not all this conflict."
.oO(For both races as well as the within each of the races. And within...families...)Oo. Twila muses mentally with an edge of sadness.
"I know this well," states Kritai while looking up at the sky, "The humans will eventually make peace with the Reploids, but ... I do fear the likelihood of this as I do another prospect. Will Reploids and Reploids finally cease fighting with one another? It hurts when an innocent human dies ... I have ... Beheld many, but to see my brethren slaughtering one another is more than I can stand." He sighs deeply, a heaving sort of action while bowing his head. A calm solemness descends over the lupine now, golden optics closing to be consumed by the darkness.
The wind, meanwhile, washes over him as it has done many times this night. It's more of a breeze this time, though.
Twila Peterson feels her own reddish tresses played with by the ocean breezes as she ponders his word and regarding him sympathetically. "When I mentioned that your race has much in common with mine in the ways it really matters...it concerned that as well. Reploids and androids haven't been in exist for as long perhaps. But they have many of our traits, both the good and the bad. And history reveals both of what was inherited."
Kritai nods slowly, "War, of course. Humans have fought many of them, all sides striving for their own idea of a greater good. It stands no different now, though the toys with which they play with are far more powerful than those of the past. We are all children, truly, in this aspect." He looks over at the human girl, staring at her with intent silence as he awaits her reply to that.
"Despite whatever technology is used, it's still the same. The reasoning, the choices are ancient. One author once penned there was 'nothing new under the sun.' And, in that instance he's quite correct," Twila muses verbally. "We're all children in a way. Alot of lessons as well as the consequences it seems, we have to learn for ourselves. Although...war can hold some beauty as well. Even in the most tragic situations."
Kritai arches a brow, then allows another smile to cross over, "Very true ... Very true indeed. At times, I had thought that my chance to grow had passed in my pain, but I have discovered quite the contrary. My hatred for Mavericks, for what they did--" He pauses, obviously having to take this moment to suppress a growing rage, then continues, "...Had been very strong. Per my last encounter with one, where I came out victorious, I had mercy on my foe for the last time and allowed their backup support to take the individual."
The young woman shakes her head. "We all continue to grow. Just...in differnt ways. And even then, it's sometimes not the lesson learned...but how it's applied," she says softly. Noting his slip regarding his emotions towards the enemy, Sigma's regime to be precise, she's casts her eyes briefly towards the ground. She says, "If it helps at all I have my own ill feelings towards the Mavericks," if only to let him know he doesn't have to suppress it as strongly as she gleans he is.
The snap-hiss of energy condensing and expanding can be heard, a sound not unlike Zero's saber activating. A tri-set of immense energy claws shine from the arm of his cloak, held before him steadily. An eerie blue glow plays upon his features thanks to their presence, but they soon collapse into nothingness when he deactivates them, "...Indeed, so I had assumed." He gazes to her, then slowly rises, "It has been a sincere pleasure speaking with you, Ms. Peterson, and I pray we may do it again in the future. I should return to my dwelling so that, should ill feelings arise, someone shall stand prepared to remain defiant to any attack."
One thing that can be said of Kritai, he certainly does have an interesting why of phrasing his words. Not that she finds it odd, or strange. To her they're...rather poetic. She dips her chin quietly to him and extends her hand with the small smile returning to her features. "And it was a sincere pleasure meeting and speaking with you as well, Kritai. Take care of yourself. And God bless."
Kritai leans in to slowly shake her hand, bowing his head toward her, "You as well, Ms. Peterson. Know that you and the Hunters shall always have a friend within the ranks of the Repliforce." Turning silently, he begins a slow trek back toward the Boardwalk. Where he needs to jump, he does so swiftly, his form nearly disappearing in such bursts of absolute speed.
After the reploid takes his leave, Twila is left alone once
more. This time however, she doesn't feel quite as lonely as she
did when she first arrived...