The Magi's Society

Kalesi led the way back into the capsule chamber, Mevi following close behind. The room was as they had left it, save for the capsule Mevi was once housed in was somehow gone. Mevi almost made a move to ask Kalesi, but the tall fox-haired woman seemed focused in some kind of work. She was moving about with purpose around the room, walking up to and interacting with the various capsules the children were sleeping inside of. She moved her hand on occasion, as if interacting with something that wasn’t there and her eyes were darting from side to side furiously. Mevi thought it was best to wait near the entryway and not touch anything or interrupt.

As Mevi watched, she got her first real look at Kalesi. Her introduction being fraught with panic and confusion, in addition to still blurry eyes. The woman wore a long black suit of sorts that looked like a combination of a dress and a man’s formal wear, with baggy a bagginess like that of robes. The top half looking like some kind of tunic and the bottom half being that of a long dress that stretched almost touching the floor. Yet covering most of her was a golden-laced tabard that hung just past her waist, on the tabard were many strange silver sigils. Kalesi, as she moved items and shifted strange equipment, also seemed to be extremely well built. She could at least carry Mevi without any issue. The woman seemed all too strange to her, especially for her waist-length reddish orange hair and a stature that made her taller than most men Mevi had known.

Kalesi continued to work diligently, and suddenly looked in Mevi’s direction as if she had forgotten something and was surprised to see her. Shaking her head as if to dismiss a silly thought Kalesi asked, “So… What was it like living on your moon? I have to adjust and activate this equipment. We might as well distill the air with conversation.”

Mevi thought for a moment, not sure how to respond, “I am not really sure. I spent almost all of my time within my family’s manor not going outside due to the foul toxins.”

“That must’ve been nice at least, a warm place to sleep and rest without the infection of foulness.” Kalesi was attempting to interact with a ajar pipe that was not in a position she seemed to like on a capsule.

“It was… It was a life that kept me, in some way I suppose. I wasn’t allowed to interact with most in my family. They raised me knowing I would be given away, I am told, so they gave me nothing and didn’t want to risk becoming attached to me.”

Kalesi stopped and looked sorry for a moment before sighing and returning to work, “I am sorry. I didn’t mean to offend, I didn’t know it was an unpleasant experience.”

Mevi, suddenly worried that Kalesi felt guilt for her, quickly responded, “Do not be sorry! I found my own ways to keep my time and sanity. I learned how to clean, work, do labor, and function outside of what a noble does. I had my own treasures that I bring with me, since it is behind me I feel no regret…”

Kalesi didn’t seem satisfied with the response, and furrowed her brow, “It still must’ve been difficult.”

Mevi was wishing to change the subject, to not dwell on the bitter memory of her own life, “Kalesi, if it isn’t a burden to you… Where did you come from? Have you always served the Magi?”

Kalesi allowed a small smile to creep over her expression, “Ah… I come from a very distant world, that at this point is almost hard to remember. A verdant place of green, and trees that could reach as tall as the Barge’s tallest tower. Massive beasts fighting for survival. It was a good place.”

Mevi couldn’t even imagine such a thing. Trees that large, and in abundance? Green, a color she only really knew in theory. It was a fantastical idea that sent her imagination aflame and made it wild. Mevi suddenly wanted to know more of such a strange and new place. Eagerly, and encouraged by Kalesi’s growing mood, “I have never dreamed of such a strange place! Did you like it there, how long has it been since you left it?”

Kalesi thought for a moment, “Oh… It must have been about 50 or 100 of your standard years I think. It was a very long time ago, I have pictures in my space aboard the Barge. I could show you what pictures I could keep.”

Mevi was shocked, “50 years? Maybe 100? How could you live such a long life?”

Now it was Kalesi’s turn to look confused, “What do you mean? Most people I have met that are given to the Magi live amongst people that can reach well into their several hundreds. I believe I am quite young compared to even the other Neophytes or Menials on this single vessel.”

Almost scared to ask, Mevi dared the question, “How old are you exactly?”

Kalesi thought for another moment, even pausing her work this time, “I believe I might be approaching my 200th year soon. My people usually live for almost a millenia, if we aren’t killed by a beast. I know several others on the Barges whose people can live twice as long as mine. How long do your people usually live?”

Mevi didn’t hesitate, she was uneducated in noble craft but knew enough from sneaking data texts and spying conversation, “We might be lucky to reach 80, the eldest of us reaching 100.”

Kalesi looked impressed in a strange way, “How old could you possibly be then? When does that mean you become an adult?”

“I am 18, I learned, and I believe my people are determined adults at around that age.”

A moment of silence creeped over the both of them. Processing the alien information and concept. How could any one creature live to several hundred years, Mevi thought to herself. It was an impossible count to say the least. The moon she resided on had little to no real dangers outside of extensive toxin smog, but protective masks were easily made. If large beasts roamed Kalesi’s homeworld that could kill a person, that made even less sense a person might live several hundred years.

Kalesi, as if suddenly having an epiphany, “I believe I have heard that your world is poor. Or at least greatly lacking in resources. Does your colony not house any old age technology?”

Mevi hadn’t a clue what Kalesi meant, “I don’t think I understand what you are asking. I only know a few short stories of our history. We don’t keep history or remember it past a few generations ago I think.”

“I believe, whenever your colony was founded, that maybe the old age technology might have been lost or damaged. On my planet, and many others from what I understand, we make our capital out of the corpse of what ship brought us there. Inside were old records of medical practices and technology schematics meant for building a colony. It could be that your moon is lacking that for some reason.”

Mevi thought for a moment and recalled an old tale, “I remember an old legend that our people tell to scare small children. I spied it when I would wander the halls during the light, when children should be sleeping. It is told that our people fled monsters, we having come from someplace else and running to the safety of our moon. That if children go out during the light, those monsters still lurk the halls and snatch them away to be taken outside of the colony into the vacuum of space. But most of that tale is fiction, I would like to believe.”

They both thought for a moment. The strange ideas and revelations about a new culture dawning on them. But regardless Kalesi began finishing her work, with Mevi watching intently of the devices she couldn’t understand. Eventually Kalesi waved a hand, and in the center of the rounded chamber a pedestal appeared, bearing a pearlescent orb atop it. Kalesi then began furiously searching in the air with her eyes again, after which turning to Mevi, “Some other Neophytes will be arriving shortly. You should be quiet, and only speak if they ask you something directly. Some of the others can be quite rude, to explain them in haste. It is best to avoid contact if you can.” Mevi gave an understanding nod, and waited next to Kalesi.

Four figures entered the chamber where Mevi and Kalesi anticipated them patiently. The first was a man, of decent build and only a head taller than Mevi, black hair cut short and extremely messy. Following was a woman, about Mevi’s height, who reminded Mevi a little too much of her aunt, she was a hawkish woman that seemed elder to everyone else in the room, with graying hair that might once have been blonde. The other two figures looked almost identical, young men that might’ve been in their twenties if not for the new information about age, both sporting bald heads with strange silver sigil tattoos and being of similar height to the first man. Mevi noticed, with some silent amusement, that Kalesi stood much taller than all of them making a strange assortment of intimidating auras.

The five impressive figures all wore the same style of outfit, the only difference being the men wore shorter robes than the women, that hung just past their waist before baggy pants were revealed stretching to their ankles. Mevi tried not to release a silent giggle at the odd choice of dress wear, and hid behind Kalesi. All the four figures seemed equally surprised, concerned, and soon angry with Kalesi at Mevi’s presence. The hawkish woman came forward without hesitation, “Why is this one awake already? They should be awoken when we are all present! How dare you!”

Kalesi’s expression had seamlessly shifted to a stern glare since the group’s appearance, and is unintimidated by the comparably small woman, “The Lord Magi requested her presence. You will not question his will again. Now return to rank and await our command.”

The woman, aghast at Kalesi’s authority, bowed her head slightly and walked back to stand adjacent to the two bald men. Only the bad-hair-day man seemed to grin at the altercation, the two bald men showing no real expression beyond initial surprise then understanding. The five figures, outside of the man whose hair seems to look more messy and badly kept the more Mevi investigates, glare at each other in anticipation.

In a sudden moment, they all look up slightly and begin investigating the air as Kalesi had done before. The strange practice becoming less alarming now that Mevi sees others do it as well. The group of them all gather in the center of the room, Kalesi at the head and behind the pedestal, the other four slightly behind her. The grinning man gestures to Mevi to take her place behind Kalesi, which she does immediately. Once the shuffling ceases, Kalesi places her hand on the strange orb atop the pedestal.

The moment her hand touches the device, the bubbling Mevi remembers from her own capsule begins. Draining the strange blue liquid from the children’s sarcophagus, and eventually the lid popping open with a hiss. The bindings release, and one at a time the children begin awakening and covering their eyes. The eldest boy steps out without hesitation, and squints to look at the five figures and Mevi. As the children become accustomed to the bright light, some of them seem to realize where they are for the first time and begin to look worried. It doesn’t take long for the youngest boy, Kornal from house Demetra, to begin crying. Quickly following him several others of the youngest begin wailing for their parents that couldn’t possibly hear them. The five figures remained stalwart, even the messy-haired man’s grin disappeared and was replaced with a neutral stare. The children who didn’t begin lamenting slowly approached the pedestal following the oldest boy, who was of short darker silver hair and yellow-green eyes. The group gather themselves up and begin helping the crying to their feet, and comfort them to be little more than sniffles and hiccups.

The oldest boy looks over the figures, and seems to finally spot Mevi, “You… You are Mevare right? House Bensari! What are we doing here, and who are these people?”. The boy demanded an answer that Mevi honestly couldn't provide. Mevi was unsure what to do or say so she tried her best to avoid eye contact and instead looked down at the heels of Kalesi. The boy gathered the children behind him, obviously fearing the worst, and frantically scanned the room for answers. The five mysterious figures seemed to just be waiting for something, not giving answers or even looking directly at the children but instead looking past them.

After a few more moments, when the last of the crying had fully died and the children were instead thoroughly afraid, Kalesi spoke, “Kin of Baes. Children of the moon. You are aboard our Lord Magi’s vessel, The Unending Spirit. You, by rights, have been given to him and by extent the Barges In The Void. I will call your names, and you will step up to this pedestal and place your hand onto it. This device will determine where you will best serve us and you will be assigned to your mentor and leader, one of us five.” As if realizing what is happening, and remembering his own purpose, the boy in the front quickly bows to the figures in respect. Strangely, none of the children seemed to have any difficulties understanding Kalesi, unlike Mevi did. Some of the other children then follow suit the eldest boy, but most of them look confused and scared. Kalesi doesn’t wait long before calling their names in no particular order, not bothering to list of what house they come from.

First is the eldest boy, Marcus, and he tentatively approaches the orb and places a hesitant hand on top of it. The orb lights up a rainbow of colors and after it dims the five figures scan the air again, to the concern and confusion of the children watching who hadn’t witnessed this before like Mevi. The man with messy hair gives a smile and tells Marcus to stand behind him, directly adjacent to Mevi. As the others begin being called, Marcus whispers to Mevi, “What is happening, Mevare? Why are you standing with them and not us? What will they do with us?”

Mevi looks up to Kalesi, who is diligently doing her duty of calling forth the children, then looks back to Marcus, “I honestly do not know. I believe what mentor we are assigned to will determine what jobs we are fit for. I could not be certain.”

Not satisfied with the answer, Marcus becomes slightly red in the face, “Fine then. What were you doing with them? We don’t know these people or how we may be used, why are you getting special treatment?”

Mevi suddenly realizes what his temperament and concern was about, to him she must seem to be provided some luxury he wasn’t aware of. Some advantage. On their home moon, competition with the other houses was everything, and the houses were more than willing to destroy each other in the shadows whenever they got the chance. He must assume Mevi has enacted some kind of plot to go above him in some way. Likely to his glee if he knew, Mevi had no real advantage she was aware of. Being intimidated by the Magi? Almost devoured by an unknown darkness in his rage? Hardly advantages to her, she thought.

Mevi suddenly became reminded of her own house, and their mistreatment of her and felt fed up. Turning her head angrily back towards Kalesi’s back, she ignored the young boy. He only wanted her to divulge information for his own gain, and would probably throw her aside any chance he got if she wasn’t useful. She wouldn’t participate in his game.

Marcus didn’t try a second time to get Mevi’s attention, and the assembly was quickly concluded. Of the eighteen from the selection, each were assigned a mentor. The messy haired man received Marcus, two other older boys, and a rough-looking girl. The hawk-woman received three older girls. The two bald men both received five children, having a mix of the remaining young boys and girls. Kalesi didn’t call for any to stand by her. Only Mevi stood behind her. This conclusion seemed to satisfy most, the mentors soon turning to face their collection of confused boys and girls. The hawkish woman looked especially pleased as she cast a haughty glance at Kalesi. Regardless, the ritual was over. After a few more moments the mentors interacted, in their own way, with their new pupils.

Seeming to be dismissed, all the mentors instructed their followers to go with them out of the chamber, each being in turn surprised by the strange method of doorways on the ship. Everyone except Mevi and Kalesi, who stood unmoving and unfazed until the large group fully dispersed and distributed themselves further in the ship. Once all of them left, Mevi looked up, confused and concerned, and waited for Kalesi. Kalesi eventually buckled and let out a deep sigh. Turning and commanding the room with her hand, watching as the capsules are absorbed into the walls, Kalesi said to Mevi, “Well, I suppose that serves me as expected.”

Confused, and worried, Mevi did something wrong, “What happened? Was no one fit to pupil under you?”

Kalesi looked down to Mevi and sighed but smiled and patted her head for a moment, “It isn’t that easy. This device scans a person’s aptitude, memories, talents, physical condition, and other ranges of details. Each child’s information was sent to the Lord Magi, who then decided who got to mentor who. Each person’s tasks and duties being different and each requiring as many bodies as they could muster. I have displeased Lord Magi on several occasions, not enough for him to discipline me but enough that this may be a punishment to me. Depriving me of what I needed.”

Mevi, starting to see similarities to her own people’s system of survival, asks “Why do you need more people to pupil under you?”

Kalesi suddenly looks like she is worried, “Oh I am sorry. I don’t mean that you aren’t enough for me. I am glad to have you, especially if what the Sentinel said is true!”

Mevi corrects her own statement, “Oh! I didn’t mean to sound hurt. I simply don’t understand what it is any of you do for the Magi.”

Kalesi looks to debate with herself exactly what to say, “Well, since you will be as my sister now, I might as well tell you. I am a Neophyte Socialite. A Socialite is one that is in charge of understanding, talking to, and assisting many different Magi. Most people are assigned to just one Magi, and serve dutifully their entire life. A Socialite will serve many Magi as they work to become a Magi-Apprentice.”

Mevi is suddenly interested in this strange system she has found herself thrust into, “What is a Neo.. fight? And what is a Magi-Apprentice?”

Looking down with a warm smile Kalesi turns back to her work and begins gesturing away more equipment and furniture save for the orb, “This will be explained more once our arrival to the Barge is announced. Your learning will begin shortly after we have our tribute unloaded and most of this will be explained. After that, you belong to me haha! We will travel the Barge and serve many masters, but we will stay together long enough, I will answer questions after your education.”

A little disappointed Mevi pouts, for the first time in a long time she felt she could pout about something, but at the new revelation she grins almost forgetting the trials she’s suffered so far, “Well then. Where should we go now?”

Kalesi finishes putting away what remains of the chamber, actions that don’t seem to surprise Mevi anymore, but the pedestal and orb remain, “First. Before we leave, I never got a chance to see what could be scried from this device of you. I have fixed it that it won’t bother the Lord Magi, and only I will see what data it may gather. I am curious if you will indulge me.”

Mevi has no reason to not indulge Kalesi, she has grown fond of her in the few short hours of their meeting. Walking to the other side of Kalesi, Mevi places a hand on the orb. It lights up a brilliant show of color and spectacle while her hand rests on it. The Array of light shines longer than any of the other children, but Mevi isn’t sure what that means. In only a handful of seconds the light show is over, and Mevi looks up to Kalesi a little confused. Kalesi scans the air for several moments and eventually meets Mevi’s confused look with a smile, “Very interesting if I say so myself! I think we will get along very well my new sister, we will make you the chief cleaning lady by the end of the week!”

Mevi relaxes after her strange joke, and even giggles for a moment. Smiling up at her now ‘sister’, she follows after Kalesi as the last piece of equipment is absorbed by the floor and the two walk out the door. The strange bond between the two only recently being forged, but Mevi feels she wouldn't want to replace it for anything in the world or space.