Machinist of Mana

There was a ringing hiss as steel slid along steel and time seemed to slow. I angled my weapon turning my hand trying to close the line of attack as the point of the other pushed forward, ramming into my chest. As the blow landed I felt my own connect, burying itself in the neck of my opponent.

“A tie isn't a win,” mother said, looking down to where we'd struck each other, the foils bent.

“No, but it's better than a loss,” I returned.

It had been eight years since I'd come to this world, and six months since mother had begun teaching me to fence. At first I'd been bad, terribly, horribly bad, but practice helped. She'd still never had a clean loss to me, but every now and then I managed to tie her like I did today.

Both of us were fast, deadly fast, and strong enough to bend steel now. Even now I got the feeling that my physical abilities were just a bit higher than hers, but she had skill and reach that I didn't, and that mattered in this game quite a bit. If I continued then one day I may be able to beat her regularly, but that day certainly wasn't this one.

We were also both dripping sweat, the hot protective suits soaked in it. They looked much like the fencing gear from back on Earth, or at least as near as I could remember, but hers had a long skirt-like piece that hid her legs and *gasp* ankles from easy view. Almost all of her clothing was like this, covering every inch.

“One more?” I asked.

“That was the third 'one more' Percival, and I think enough for the day. We've both got to freshen up before dinner.”

“Yes mother,” I answered.

With a slight frown I shed my mask and went to put our foils away. I enjoyed this time, it was active, fast, and one of the few times I could really go all out with my speed without inconveniencing anyone. Too often in my opinion did I have to hold back, careful not to damage things. Perhaps I could have gone wild in a forest, but such behavior was 'unbecoming' a word I'd grown to hate.

The house was much as it had always been. There were a few changes of rooms, for instance this old fencing room at the country house had been renovated now that it was to be used again, but not many. Most of the same servants were still here, or at least the core ones. There were a few more gray hairs among the staff, a few more wrinkles but nothing wildly different.

After changing from my fencing attire I returned to my rooms, plural now. Mrs. Lutte was there, fussing around as she always had. She'd graduated from Nurse to Nanny and was often in charge of my day. Perhaps if mother had another child she'd go to take care of them once more. Now that I could talk to her more normally we got along fine, but as she saw me she frowned.

“You'll need a bath young lord so don't run off. I'll prepare it for you, but then I need to get your clothes for the evening ready.”

“Thank you Mrs. Lutte,” I desperately wanted to ask how Kaylee was doing, but couldn't.

I knew if I did she'd probably tell me, but there was an understanding that she was to be ignored, and if someone else heard me they might well start trouble. The staff would want to know why I cared, not like I hadn't been around the girl until I was almost three, not like I didn't see her now and then around the property, normally a bit far off. I did what I could to check on her now and then, to see that she was well. One day I might be able to do more, but it wasn't today.

After I washed and dressed I headed down to dinner. Finally I could eat with my family, and was expected to. That wasn't because of good times, no, but because this would be my first year participating in anything during our yearly migration for 'The Season' and I couldn't embarrass the family.

Of course dinner wasn't just sitting around and eating, it was a whole thing. There were the entries into the hall that had to be just so, paired so that men and women would come together. There was the discussion before and after, only some of which I was privy to, but some I had to join. This wasn't every night, thankfully, but as 'The Season' drew nearer and nearer the frequency increased, my family determined that it had to go well.

It also led to guests, though not many. My maternal grandparents were the most common, grandmother still trying to force manners into me like she was pushing the last items into a suitcase, hard, and often with light kicking. Conversation was apparently my weakest point, with me having a terrible time keeping on with subjects that really were just boring as watching paint dry.

“What is your opinion on the new fashions Percival?” she asked between the third and fourth courses, looking at me intently.

“I think that the new dyes and colors are lovely, though I do have some concerns about the reports that the lovely green one is causing some health issues. A pretty color or not it may be, but causing sickness is unacceptable,” I answered.

“Congratulations, you managed to turn a conversation about fashion back to science and medicine. I'm impressed,” she said, dripping sarcasm.

“Thank you grandmother,” I returned with a perfectly straight face.

I saw my grandfather chuckle into his drink, earning him a venomous glare.

“He was subject adjacent dear,” he answered. “Though I believe your grandmother meant more on cuts and styles Percival.”

“Ah, I see. I find the newest cuts of ladies wear slightly more practical than the older fashions, even if I know you think they're too revealing. Also, someone needs to beat that fool Vunell before he destroys all color and style in men's clothing, and if I get a chance, I'll gladly do just that.”

“You'll do no such thing,” my mother said, locking eyes on me.

“No mother, of course not,” I answered, not bothering to hide the smile that crept up my lips. I was absolutely going to knock that man's teeth out if I was ever given a chance. He'd already pulled us from the riot of color we used to have to muted ones, and some of his designs looked a bit too much like a suit for my liking. I was already wearing something too close to that hated garment for my taste.

On Earth violence was seen as a terrible, unacceptable thing, a crime in almost all cases. Here though there was a bit of a different feeling. So long as there was no death, and you were willing to pay a fine and a priest to fix what you'd done, you'd barely get a slap on the wrist. There were exceptions of course, particularly for those with magic using their power against the powerless, but Vunell was high enough in the social hierarchy that I could duel him with impunity.

Well, the law wouldn't punish me. My mother and grandmother though were both affixing me with looks that could cut glass. Father was uncaring, as he often was, though grandfather looked a bit miffed, perhaps I should behave. Then again what was the good of having power if you couldn't use it to rid the world of evil?

The rest of my night was spent in an extended verbal spar. It was exhausting how much people wanted to talk, to poke and prod to make sure that I was up to date on potentially any subject that could come up. Would every child be put to this? My first go around I don't think I'd have managed it, there were just too many things to remember, to think about and have opinions on. That wasn't even counting the things I liked to do for fun.

When it was all over I crawled into bed, thinking about what the future would hold. There were so many things planned for the next couple weeks that perhaps I could get some time over at my grandparent's place. Maybe one day I'd even get some tools like my grandfather had, so I could make things once more.