The Magi's Society

Mevi, for the first time in a while, has a peaceful sleep. Her dreams of nothing important. No consuming darkness and no recurring nightmare. A simple, and restful, sleep. She slowly rouses awake, and finds herself in a strange place. As she sits up, after laying on a maroon colored couch, Mevi realizes her assumption of being in another strange and unknown place wasn’t entirely correct.

The room Mevi resided in was dimly lit, and the only real light was seeping in from a large window wall connected to a balcony that was on the other side of where she rested. The couch sat at the bottom of a circular pit in the main room, accompanied by other comfortable looking seats and strange cloth balls, a small floor table sat low to the ground in the center of the collection of seats. The pit was only a meter or so below the rest of the domicile’s floor, and had long steps leading up and down it on all sides. The room was quite spacious, and outside of a few standing poles that looked like lamps of some kind, the only other features were the hanging curtains that were pulled open revealing the windowed balcony. Two side rooms, or at least hallways, were on either side of the room leading to other parts of this strange living space.

Mevi looked around herself and could not spot any people near, outside of the distant darting flying vehicles out the window and past the balcony. Not even Kalesi seemed to be present. Mevi rose from her rest, and additionally realized her satchel holding her belongings was not tied to her robes as they had been before. In a silent panic, Mevi made her way up the stairs from the lounge area, standing in the middle of the room. The two hallways were her best bet. Left or right… To the left she could see a dark walk, with what looked like doors lined along the walls hinting at further rooms. To the right she could see a faint light, as the hallway led straight and a closed door stood on the far end, one door closest to Mevi stood open and released a glowing light into the hallway. Mevi made her decision to investigate the only source of activity.

Mevi crept towards the glowing light, and crossed the threshold of the large room into the hallway. Slowly poking her head around the corner, Mevi spotted movement. On the other side of the open door was a strangely clean and white workshop of sorts. A central island table in the middle of the short space, and devices of strange design lined the left wall. On the right were short pits with a tubed nozzle jutting out and curving to point at the below pit. The movement Mevi sensed wasn’t inside. But just then a small clang was heard behind the central island, out of Mevi’s sight something was stirring. Without any other real choice, she crept into the white experimentation workshop, the strange things that happened in this peculiar place Mevi could only guess at. Mevi carefully rounded the island, and saw the source of the noise.

On the floor, dressed in what looked like a handful of rags, was the large form of the fox-haired Kalesi. She dug through what looked like a cabinet positioned inside of the island in the middle of the room, and she made a ruckus as she did so. As Kalesi finally seemed to find what she was looking for, she stood up to her full height.

Kalesi was wearing what Mevi could only describe as lounge clothes, a baggy white long-sleeved top, with white pants that dragged under her feet to match. Kalesi stood, holding what looked like a canister of some kind. Kalesi didn’t skip a beat after noticing Mevi, “Oh! You are awake! I wasn’t sure how tired you were, I realized after the fact that the scene might be a bit overwhelming. I was a bit too eager to show you the spectacle of our great city. How are you feeling?”

Mevi was still processing the last few events she could remember, and panicking about her belongings missing, “I am… I am fine. Have you seen my bag? I woke up without it, also, where are we?”

Kalesi set the item she excavated from the cabinet on the island, “We are in my Magi’s Blessed mentor’s suite! I had hoped for more pupils so when I chose it I picked one that might be a bit too large for us two. But we will make due, nothing wrong with extra space.”

In realization and some curiosity, Mevi followed as Kalesi exited the strange room, “This massive place is for just us two? This is much larger than even my grandfather’s personal domicile inside our house’s mansion.”

A grin spread across Kalesi’s face at the indirect praise, “Of course. I also relocated your belongings to your room. Once you get acquainted and cleaned up we will head out to our first job. No rest for us quite yet!”

Mevi was baffled by the idea of a personal room and immediately thought of her small area in the mansion. She followed Kalesi across the lounge and into the opposite hallway. Kalesi pointed out her own room, the first door on the left. Inside was a vast expanse compared to Mevi’s experience of what a “room” meant. It was easily seven or eight times larger than Mevi’s old living space. There were gold icons with various gems encrusted into them hung proudly against the walls. The center held a large bed that could easily hold four people, on either side of the walls were tall wardrobes. At the end of the bed lay a long chest of sorts. All the furniture seemed to be made out of a white plastoid material. Despite the lack of other items in the room, it was impressive regardless. Mevi was overwhelmed by curiosity while she investigated the room, “Kalesi? What are the icons on the walls?”

Kalesi didn’t hide her own pride, “Those are accommodations! As a Socialite, we work for many different Magi. To increase our rank, prestige, and benefits we may be given, we must be given accommodations from Magi we serve or their representatives. I have collected nine in total, and display them with pride.”

Mevi couldn’t quite understand, but was still extremely impressed that Kalesi had somehow pleased even one Magi as they seemed impossible to understand let alone please or make happy. The two didn’t idle long in the room, but Mevi cast a few more glances at the strange icons hanging from the walls. The pair went to the next door in the hallway, on the right side. Opening the door and helping Mevi inside, the two investigated this new place. The room was about half as large as Kalesi’s, but by comparison to what Mevi’s entire living space was before, it was still leagues over in quality. The bed was about half Kalesi’s size too, but still extremely large and more than enough to fit Mevi’s small body. A single wardrobe stood against the left wall, and a small chest sat next to that. But best of all, Mevi saw her small satchel, staff, and her collection of items laying on the bed. Her pouch and mouse probably still in the bag, but her blanket and staff unattached and neatly placed on the soft bed’s sheet.

Mevi immediately moved, clutching the blanket and satchel as if it were a long lost friend. But then realized a question, why was her things in this wonderfully luxurious room? Mevi looked up to Kalesi as if to ask a question but Kalesi was prepared to speak before Mevi could let loose any words, “It is yours Mevi. You can sleep here now, when we don’t work long distance at least.” Mevi wasn’t sure how to feel. She felt happy, confused, worried, and scared all at once. A place to herself? A home she can live in? Yet both in the strange and terrifying realm of the creatures called ‘Magi’. She processed the gift as best she could, and decided to forgo any notion of this being a bad or scary thing. She was given a home! An entire room to herself, and her treasures were safe within. She had a wonderful new friend who had protected, comforted, and been there for her more times in the last day or so than any person Mevi had known ever before. Without words mevi smiled as best she could muster under the rush of emotions at Kalesi, who seemed to be embarrassed over the small affection. Kalesi turned to leave the room and Mevi started to get up, but Kalesi spoke before the small girl could escape, “You may rest for an hour or so. Get comfortable in your room, clean up if you would prefer. I can show you how to use the bathing room and introduce you to its various functions. But relax a bit, you have been through a lot and I don’t think I helped with our introduction to the city! I’ll come get you later when we need to leave, your current clothes should suit us fine in case you are worried.”

The woman left and carefully closed the door behind them. The dimness of the area comforting after the memory of the bright outside. Mevi did as she was ordered. She clutched her blanket and other treasures and laid in her bed. The concept of calling it ‘her’ bed making Mevi giggle with excitement. She had an entire hour to herself? Mevi was almost eager to get to work, she felt she wanted to thank or repay whoever gave her such glorious gifts and fortune. Even if those that allowed this haven were the Magi, Mevi was eager to become useful as fast as possible.

Mevi, with help from Kalesi, introduced herself to the bathroom and cleaned herself and clothes. Wanting to become as ready as possible for their departure. The hour that was given to her was mostly spent in anticipation and excitement to see what strange duties Kalesi and she would soon perform. When the call came to get ready to leave, Mevi found herself jumping out of ‘her’ bed, and left everything behind but her robes and eager attitude.

Kalesi led Mevi to the other hallway, past the strange room that Kalesi called ‘a kitchen’ and to the door at the end of the walk. Introducing the other doors as the bathroom, whom Mevi had become acquainted with already, a synthesizer room for food, clothes, items, and most other things, and the last room before the end being what Kalesi only said was a ‘Personal Charger’ station. Regardless of the utility rooms, the door at the end of the hallway was the strangest. Instead of being, well a door, it had a panel outside that had various buttons to input commands. Kalesi quickly typed away on the device, and soon the door opened by sliding upward into the ceiling. Revealing a small dark interior housing one light that shone above their head, the two entered. As they walked in, Kalesi affixed her blue hood and attached the silver mask to cover her face, but Mevi was still without her own hood she was given before.

Mevi disregarded her own fashion and investigated the strange square room. The small room could comfortably fit Kalesi and Mevi, but with any additional people it might have become more cumbersome. Another panel was housed in the room, which glowed slightly to illuminate the device once the doors shut. Kalesi interacted with the thing for a few moments and then Mevi felt her world shifting and suddenly jerking downward. Falling to the floor and grabbing at the tile, Mevi assumed they were in danger, and looked up to Kalesi in a panic. Kalesi only laughed, but tried to hide it as a cough, “This device allows us to traverse the building we are housed in. We took it when you fainted but I don’t think you noticed. It can be a little jarring.”

Mevi spent the ride sitting on the ground, if she tried to stand her legs would fall out from under her as the room shifted directions. The ride was thankfully brief, and the doors opened again as Mevi was thinking she might not be able to stomach more of the jostling. As the two escaped the strange device, they were back onto the ground again. The bustling walkways packed with many individuals of strange concepts. Not all, Mevi noticed, wore robes or fanciful garb to mark their loyalty. Many seemed to be wearing almost what she would consider ‘normal’ clothes. While even the lowest of people here seemed to sport extravagant goods and fashion, compared to her own people.

Mevi was more prepared for the overwhelming sound and sight from the ground, having already experienced it once. She prevented herself from looking up too high, and kept herself grounded and her stare squarely on the ground beneath her feet. As she investigated the floor, it seemed like it was almost natural. While it was obviously carved into a sort of cobbled walkway, it seemed like it was grown or naturally formed. The road was divided into two halves, a small rocky wall about to Mevi’s knees keeping the two paths separate. They seemed to be going in different directions, and the foot traffic followed their path diligently.

Kalesi navigated the two into the crowd and ensured Mevi walked next to her at all times. They traveled quickly through the crowds, many individuals actually avoiding and making way for them. It was only until Mevi thought Kalesi might be of high rank, or Socialites get special privileges, did she decipher why the two seemed to receive special treatment. Regardless, many people seemed to avoid them, and eyed Kalesi with mixtures of caution, respect, and even hostility. Mevi had a hard time understanding how simply wearing a hood and mask could possibly elicit such a variety of opinions, and hoped she could learn all she could under Kalesi.

The two seemed to walk quite a while, but the farther they traveled the less foot traffic there was. Mevi even noticed some of the buildings began becoming smaller and more artistically designed, still massive beyond her own colony’s comparison but still much smaller than the cloud-breaching towers. Some of the strange buildings held more space for their foundations, and used every inch to create vast pieces of wonder that still somehow functioned as structures and buildings. Curving pieces, long almost gravity-defying towers, inverted domes, towers with levitating attachments. There were too many styles of mind-boggling designs for Mevi to even begin to understand each one. When the buildings were at their strangest, the two turned onto a new road and began their trek slightly uphill. Mevi marveled at the sight at the end of the road they traveled. A massive cathedral of gold and marble, towering buttresses supporting a long facade that’s length breached the clouds above. With only the front visible, the imagination of the rest of the building ran wild. The stairs leading up to the massive building seemed to be so wide that not all could be seen, likely many roads led to this destination. The beauty was insurmountable, it gave off the same orange glow the Barge emanated from its thousands of windows, but instead of glowing from obvious sources the gleam seemed to extract from the ambient light of the city. The building was made with spiked towers, hundreds of long windows, and many massive elaborate entrances.

Kalesi seemed to be leading her to this monstrous building and its intimidating exterior. Kalesi seemed deep in thought for the last several minutes, milling something over in her mind. Mevi diligently followed without any words or complaint. As they approached the bottom of the many stairs leading upwards to the cathedral, Kalesi spoke as if finally reaching her conclusion, “Mevi, I will be leaving you here for the day. I’ll introduce you to who will ensure you go to the right lectures and not get lost in the halls.”

Mevi was confused, she thought they were going to work together, “Will I not go with you today?”

“As per your introduction, after a day of rest, new initiates, acolytes, and tributes will be sent here. This is the Education Forum. They will help elaborate your confusions, concerns, and what duties you are expected to perform.”

Mevi was genuinely curious, but still disappointed to be potentially separated so soon, “So is it a type of school?”

Kalesi seemed to agree with that idea, nodding before explaining, “In a way, yes. You will only come here for the first few days. You will only be here the first day if you are diligent, and some might spend a week or more before they are fit for any duties. As a Socialite you are expected to undergo a more extreme education than most new acolytes.”

Kalesi spoke as if she was explaining everything, but her words only drew new questions. Mevi asked, “You speak of initiates, tributes, and call me an acolyte. What does any of that mean?”

Kalesi grinned as if waiting for a question like that, “Well you may be in luck. This place is where you will learn all you need to know about our society. In fact, I see the fool that will manage you today.”

The two crested the tall stairs, and Kalesi removed her mask and waved to some figure idling near the entrance.The tall figure wore all black robes with a gold tabard and silver letterings, the markings of Lord Magi Falcier. Around the figure was a collection of shorter robed individuals, all without hoods or masks and revealing white-silvery hair of Baes.

The group waited for Mevi and Kalesi, and Mevi regrettably realized who one among the acolytes was. Marcus, the two young boys, and stern-faced girl waited outside the wide entrance to the Forum. As they approached the tallest figure, a well built and now even holding what seemed to be a large bladed weapon at their hip, spoke down to his pupils and pointed in the pair’s direction. Faces that seemed to hold eagerness quickly reverted to disappointment, the group of children and Marcus not taking kindly to noticing Mevi. Mevi thought that Marcus must have spoken poorly of her to his fellow pupils.

Kalesi and the messy-haired man clasped hands in a firm greeting. Both smiled, but the man’s grin was wide and thoroughly plastered onto his face regardless of mood. Kalesi quickly introduced Mevi to the man, “Naazir, this is my pupil I contacted you about. Mevi, this is Naazir and his group will help introduce you around the area. Naz and I have business that requires both our attention, so the five of you will help each other in the Forum.”

The ever-happy and messy-haired Naazir echoed Kalesi’s sentiment, “Indeed! Kids, Marcus, you’ll be helping Mevi around. I showed you all the grounds already, so try to guide her if she needs it!”

As Naazir finished his statement some of the acolytes seemed to try and contest his request, but the large hands of their mentor tussling Marcus’s and the girl’s hair put down any rebelion. The two Neophytes gave their goodbyes, and walked off as they chatted. Kalesi gave a secret glance back to Mevi before the two walked down the steps leaving the children in silence.

The four black-robed acolytes made a huddle. They actually locked arms together and whispered to each other as if planning out a strategy. Mevi chuckled as she saw the large man’s influence already eroding the haughty attitude of the Baes nobility. The group turned, and Marcus approached as their representative. The boy, carefully illuminated by the Forum’s radiance, looked the peak of Baes nobility. Dark gray hair, piercing yellow-green eyes, and a proud countenance. Marcus worked the words around in his head before deliberating with the patient Mevi, “Our master, Lord Naazir, has tasked us with allowing you to accompany us. While we have our own duties and studies within the Education Forum, we will permit you to follow and learn from us. We have no intentions of being friendly, we are strictly following our Master’s orders.”

The group turned and began their way up the stairs into the open gates of the Forum. Mevi followed after, less than impressed by their practiced attitude that held just enough respect to almost hide the contempt they obviously felt. Mevi didn’t know what to expect within the grand building, but doubted she would enjoy much of it in the presence of her fellow acolytes.