The Magi's Society

Mevi makes her way to the terminal nearby. A capsule of sorts that is reminiscent of the devices Mevi and the other children were kept in. While most of the audience seemed to know where they should go, a few were interacting with the various terminals. Mevi tried to copy how they used the strange device, and approached the front that had a piece carved out for a flat surface. Mevi saw the others tap on the flat portion of the person-sized cylindrical device, and hoped doing the same would produce some effect. As she tentatively tapped the surface, the flat area lit up with a blue screen. Symbols, words, and icons Mevi couldn't read or understand filled the strange screen.

Mevi wasn’t sure what to do, she honestly didn’t think she could have even managed to turn it on. She idled there, hesitant to touch any of the buttons for fear of breaking something. So few of the words Mevi could read, she could understand some of the letters but not how their words sounded and even less what the words actually meant. As she continued to idle in front of the device, not certain of what to do, a robotic voice pierced her internal dilemma, “Please use the provided panel, or voice commands, to insert your query.” Mevi looked around herself, surprised someone was talking to her, but no one seemed to be looking in her direction. In fact most of the audience had already filed out, and only a few individuals remained using the terminals or waiting for their companions. Mevi could have imagined the voice she thought, since she had been through a lot in the last… Day? Mevi was suddenly drawn into a new thought and realized she wasn’t sure how much time had actually passed. It couldn't have been more than one or two days, depending on how long she was kept asleep in the capsule device. Suddenly, as Mevi’s thoughts wandered away from her, her attention was drawn back to the present, “Please use the provided panel, or voice commands, to insert your query.” The robotic voice rang out again, but this time Mevi thought it was coming from the terminal itself.

Mevi curiously investigated the strange device. Looking around the sides for some source of the voice. The device itself could have made the voice, it wouldn't be the first odd occurrence, and not the strangest of things, after being abducted by the Barge. Mevi worked up her courage and spoke to the device awkwardly, “Excuse me? I need to know where to go for my studies.”

The panel seemed to be working on something now, processing what Mevi had said before it responded, “Please state name, position, and rank.”

Mevi was surprised by the progress she had suddenly made, eager to encourage this device to help her she replied, “Oh! I am Mevare Bensari. My position is Socialite I believe. My rank is Acolyte, I think.”

The device’s panel seemed to process the information again, changing the symbols and icons on the glowing screen quickly as if searching for something, “Please state mentor or Overlord Magi.”

Mevi had already given the device most of the information she knew, but cooperated, “My mentor is Kalesi, I don’t know her by any other names. I don’t think I have an overlord?”

The device didn’t seem to like her answer much, it processed for a long time before responding, “Please state desired course.”

Mevi had no idea how to respond, she was using this device to know what she needed to study and where to go, “I don’t know what ‘course’ I have. Or where they are.”

The device didn’t seem to budge, “Please state desired course.”

Mevi had lost her eagerness with the device, “I don’t know. What courses are there?”

The device seemed to think for a moment, “You have twelve available courses. Please state desired couse.”

Mevi was trying her best with the strange device, but its stubbornness wasn’t conducive to a productive conversation it seemed, “I don’t know what these courses are, but I need to know where my studies are supposed to be held.”

The device returned its response, “Please state desired course.”

Mevi wished now more than ever she understood how to read better, the panel seemed to have interactable functions but for fear of breaking her only hope to learn she left it alone, “Can you choose one for me? I need to know where to go.”

The device seemed to like that question, it processed for a few moments before responding and bringing up what looked like a map, “Applied for course. Please follow map instructions.”

Mevi was surprised it had actually found something. The device’s stubborn method of interaction was difficult to use unless you already knew where you were going and what to do. Mevi swatted away her frustrations, glad that it had worked anyway. The device displayed what looked like the main hall running along the edge of the cathedral. She recognized what looked like the main gate she and Naazir’s pupils walked through. The device showed a red line along the blue map interface, emanating a few hallways below where the main gate was. The red line started to draw from next to a large round open space, probably the stadium-like auditorium, and traced along the main hall well past the main gate. The line then turned left suddenly, went further into the cathedral for a while, before turning right and seeming to arrive at its destination. Mevi was glad to have some kind of hint, and quickly counted the intercepted hallways she had to pass after the main gate. Three large hallways, then turn left on the smaller one, pass by two crossroads in the new hallway before turning right into a side room. The directions didn’t seem too difficult to follow, but walking the paths might be more difficult than seeing it on a map. Mevi looked off towards the direction she had come from, the opposite way Naazir’s group went, and before she left she waved at the device and thanked it regardless of its stubbornness. Almost in reaction the device closed the map and as she walked away it said, “Blessed be our lords.”

Mevi made her way down the long hall, the grandness of the place still as brilliant as when she first came in with a group. The gargoyles seemed more populated now, or it might have been that Mevi hadn’t looked at the ceiling in so long to not get distracted. Regardless of the architecture’s subtle changes, Mevi started making her way.

The walk back to the main gate took a little longer than she remembered, Mevi assumed it was due to the lack of any conversation. Walking these long corridors alone was almost intimidating, where before the building was glorious and powerful it was now lonely and filled with shadows. While still fully illuminated, when walking alone, Mevi could see the slight shifting shadows cast by the gargoyles, parapets, buttresses, and spiked motifs lining the walls and ceiling. Mevi realized that she was beginning to feel the stress of being lonely again, the ever present silence that forced you to be with your own thoughts in an echo chamber of fear and dread. She hadn’t realized how much she enjoyed being in the presence of others so often. Since she was selected she had been with someone at all times, but she was so soon on her own again. The vast expanse reminded her of the large mansion her family lived in. The months and years spent hiding or avoiding others, for failure to do so would inevitably lead to yelling or worse. Mevi shook away the memory before it could fully take hold. She might be by herself now, but she isn’t alone anymore. If she knew anything, she had Kalesi. But she felt lonely regardless, wondering what Kalesi had to do with Naazir.

Mevi had since passed the main gate, and all its hundreds of glowing masks, while deep in her own thoughts. Keeping track of the endless corridors passing by to remember where she was and where to go. As Mevi hushed her own thoughts, and distracted herself with the study of architecture, she counted the last intersection before her own turn. Eager to arrive at this mysterious place that should teach her… something! Mevi quickly picked up her pace. A slight jog, and probably barely a fast walk for Kalesi. The thought of Mevi running fast and Kalesi’s long legs allowing her to almost walk normally next to her lightened her mood.

Mevi turned onto the intersection she remembered would lead to her ‘course’ as plotted by the device. Slowing her pace, as the entrance should be soon after, Mevi tried to calm her nerves. Becoming excited and nervous for the thought of learning, potentially with others from different hidden colonies on her moon. The amount of questions she had for both subjects, her own estranged people and about the society she found herself in, she would likely run their patience dry with curiosity. The turn into the side room on the map appeared. A four meter tall door swung open as if to welcome visitors.

Mevi made herself ready, and ensured her robes were still in a fit state, then finally prepared and was ready to head in. Mevi stepped into the large doorway, revealing a stretching chamber. The lowered ceiling was actually entirely visible, yet still incredibly high, and the walls were simple and with only a few decorations or architectural flair. The room itself could be easily traversed in less than a minute of walking, something almost new to Mevi with how grand and large everything is made on the Barge. The room had sporadic tables with strange tools and devices sprawled across them. At the front of the room an individual with a white robe with silver hemming stood, without their mask attached but hood firmly covering most of their head. There were about thirty silver and white haired heads total in the room, half already spreading into the various tables and working on strange devices with their equipment. The other half diligently sat like children looking up to the robed individual, who seemed to be explaining something to them. Mevi’s entrance was barely noticed, the robed individual not faltering in their explanation, “--while you Aedifexi are responsible for most major repairs and the creation of new devices, some orders intersect into your realm of work from time to time. Both Socialites and Custodians can be in charge of repairs, or sometimes brought on for additional support if the need is dire. In most cases a Socialite is brought on for assistance with a specific skill, or due to the conflict of territories you might come across. If something is broken in one Lord Magi’s territory, but the fault and thing to repair is in another, a Socialite can be hired to deliberate or outright fix the problem. In a different concept if there is ever a question of Mana, or the ley lines Mana travels, Custodians will always be involved. In most cases directly. While an Aedifex will usually find the fault, and sometimes attempt to fix it, a Custodian is required to investigate why something broke down or at least confirm it has been repaired up to standard.” Mevi was idling in the doorway, listening intently to the explanation of duties. She wondered if she would ever be tasked with being diplomatic, or even repairing something, the likelihood of that was low she thought. Mevi had only repaired a few machines in her time with her house, most of her repairs were hitting something until it worked or putting bolts where they fell out.

When the teacher seemed to finish their explanation of duties, they looked up to see Mevi standing in the door. A clear view of their face could be seen, a woman who was of kind disposition. The woman seemed surprised to see Mevi and began anew, “Oh welcome! We were just talking about Socialites. You are here to get your introductory skills in mechanics and repair, correct?”

Mevi wasn’t sure if that was true, but the device led her here so it must be, “I was told to come here when I used the terminal.”

The woman smiled and gestured for the others to return to their tables, walking over to Mevi she spoke slowly but deliberately, “Good. Socialites need to understand how to do basic repairs, or at least use tools that may do it for them. We are glad to have you. All of my students here are Aedifexi, so most are naturally inclined or experienced in mechanics and devices. I am sure any could help answer your questions.”

Mevi was glad to be received so kindly, after hearing from Naazir’s pupils what they were told about Socialites, Mevi wasn’t sure how people would treat her. But as her eagerness started to build, Mevi looked out to the other students. Her eager attitude was replaced with a pit that had been forming since she first heard about how Socialites were viewed. Almost all of the students were staring in Mevi’s direction, and most had firm glares and scowls directed clearly at her. The woman who was being kind to her didn’t seem to notice or care about the other student’s disgruntled attitude to their new addition. Regardless, Mevi readied herself to work alone again.

The woman assured Mevi the others had their tasks and duties already explained, and that all her attention could be given to her. While Mevi was grateful, as she needed a lot of assistance, the other students seemed less pleased by this development. The time spent was mostly introducing Mevi to various strange tools, most automatic or otherwise powered in some way to move on their own. The most important of tools, according to the woman who simply wanted to be called ‘Teacher’, was a device called an Intellecoder Engram. The device’s name was self explanatory, according to the teacher. It identified an object that you scanned, and determined if it had faults or otherwise was broken, depending on the task and how difficult it even showed ways to perform simple fixes. Some other devices, a stick that glowed red with heat and could ‘weld’ metals and stone together, a small hammer that could apparently shatter almost anything in a perfect circle, and various other items of strange quality. The Teacher explained that the ‘Intellecoder’ could remind anyone what a device’s functions are and how to use them, if you ever forgot. Beyond the safety precautions and general uses of the items, much of the time was spent explaining what Mevi had already eavesdropped on.

The duties of a Socialite when it came to repair, creation, or identifying faults. In general Socialites seemed to be the ones who negotiated the ability to repair things, since so many territories of various Magi were so close to each other and jurisdiction seemed a vague concept. If a resolution between a Magi’s followers couldn't be found on their own, and either were still unsatisfied, a Socialite was called in to deliberate or fix the issue on their own.

The studying of the devices didn’t last as long as Mevi had preferred, still not understanding how or when to use certain devices. Her deftness with the finer of tools is almost nonexistent, and other skills still needing practice. But regardless of Mevi’s questions and desire contrary to her Teacher’s, the woman declared that Mevi was finished with the course. As long as Mevi had an Intellecoder, she could meet standard requirements. Mevi wasn’t sure if this was due to her having some hidden talent or proficiency, or if the Teacher and her students simply wanted her to leave them be. Before Mevi realized, she was thrust out of the room with the door closed behind her, holding a cluster of items she was apparently expected to keep on her and maintain. Mevi didn’t bring her satchel, and it wouldn't have been big enough for the weird device pile, so by tying together a portion of her own robes into a sort of carrier pouch, she deposited her equipment. Thankfully she had two layers, as the blue cloak that was meant for warmth prevented her from looking too unsightly with the left half of her cloak tied into an inefficient bag.

The woman mentioned, during her haste to have Mevi exit, that this cathedral was meant to allow new acolytes and initiates to test their skills in various ways. The last portion of Mevi’s test to see how well she might work, and to find something broken then attempt to fix it. Mevi hadn’t noticed anything out of place or nonfunctional on her way in. Mevi thought that the terminal was rather stubborn, could that be something she is meant to fix? The entire idea of profaning the Education Forum was a horrifying thought, but if told by her Teacher how could she not follow directions? Mevi finished gathering herself and ensured her robe-pouch was secure enough to walk, then set off to find the stubborn terminal.

Mevi didn’t walk far, in the hallway her course was attached to, before noticing something out of place. Now that she was instructed what to look for, Mevi did notice some odd pipes or ajar structure. Near to the door of her course there was a pipe that stuck out where it shouldn’t, it obviously should have been connected to another pipe that was open ended as well. Mevi approached and confirmed that there was nothing dangerous about the objects, then additionally confirmed nothing was coming in or out of them. With no better alternative, Mevi removed her Intellecoder Engram and scanned the area of the wall. The device chirped after a moment and confirmed structural damage. It also showed her how she should fix the issue, directing Mevi to use the hot-stick and hammer. The hammer can apparently be set to different settings depending on desire, in this case it just needs to heat up the pipe enough for it to become mobile. Mevi went to work, and while not an elegant fix, the pipe was realigned. Before Mevi could turn to leave she saw something strange, the pipe glowed along the weld she had made and cut itself then proceeded to heat itself to force its bend back to where it was. The process made it look exactly as when Mevi had first interacted with it! Mevi was bewildered and interested in the response, she quickly fixed it again and the pipe rearranged itself once more. The structure here must be redundant and made to break itself after a successful repair. Mevi was amazed by the strangeness of the Barge yet again.

Mevi decided to leave the pipe alone, one could only fix it so many times before you crave a new challenge. She walked deeper into the hallway rather than returning to the terminal, assuming she would fix a few more things then return to wait for Nessia and her group. A few parts of the structure were bent, some stonework was chipped or cracked, and any number of metallic parts were bent or cut to not connect where they should. Mevi went from task to task, refining her crude skills, and felt some strange amount of satisfaction in the practice. Mevi told herself she would fix one more fault then return to, the probably waiting, Nessia.

Mevi identified what looked like a fault, a panel in the wall that had a section bent out of place. She was quite deep in the hall, far enough she couldn't see the intersection that led to the gate, but knew her way back well enough. This broken panel would be her last task before returning. A quick scan of her Intellecoder told her the panel’s structural integrity was dangerously low, a support strut on the other side had snapped and the wall might crumble if not fixed. Mevi began checking for dangerous elements, or signs of exhaust of some kind, when she found none she began removing the panel. Using a different hot stick than her welder, a cutter, she carefully cut the panel where her Intellecoder directed. The panel popped off, and Mevi caught it without trouble, placing it next to her workspace she then investigated behind the panel.

Behind the panel was indeed a snapped support strut, a thick piece of stone that stuck out in two places to keep the wall stable had snapped and looked like it was shifting slowly. The more difficult part of the situation was what wasn’t there. Behind the panel was hollow and a deep, dark, hole descending below the support beams and struts. Mevi figured she would need to lean into the hollow wall to reach the fault line and begin welding it back into place. Mevi thought of a good idea that would help her stay safe. She placed all of her unneeded items in her robe’s pouch, and anchored one of her legs to a nearby pipe. The weight would keep her center and the pipe could hold her in case she lost her grip. With safety precautions made, Mevi began to work.

Mevi worked away, shifting the pillar with a feature on the strange hammer, and beginning to weld the fault. The fault was just barely too high up and out of her reach from her position attached to the anchoring pipe. She had to loosen her foot’s grip to stretch a few centimeters further, her tools just barely out of reach due to her small body and short arms. Regardless she reached the fault and began slowly activating her welding stick, searing the stone strut to its lower half. As she worked some of the sparks occasionally sputtered out and clanged against the metallic wall, clinking down into the dark pit below. Due to the safety measures in the hot stick, it didn’t produce much falling residue, but occasionally Mevi would need to doge a particularly large globule of melted stone.

As Mevi worked diligently, and was reaching as far as her arms could around the strut, she was nearly finished. The back end of the strut was all that was left, and her legs and arms were getting tired from the awkward position. As she reached with all her might to finalize her weld, she missed her mark and rapidly melted a large chuck of the metallic wall. The molten material flew down and was about to hit her face, but Mevi dodged out of the way by swinging to the side. As she did so she lost her grip on her hot stick, and it began to tumble past her. She desperately grabbed for the device, reaching down the pit but missing her mark. As she twisted her body to be stomach down, in an attempt to catch her loose device, then her foot came loose.

Mevi felt her world shift as she fell into the hole. She grasped behind her, desperately sprawling her body to catch the ledge of something. Her arms reached past her legs, and her legs clanged against the now less-distant wall. Her left hand almost grasped a solid pipe, gripping it with what few fingers could reach, but slipped and her arm smashed against the slanted structure below her target. The pain shot up her arm from her hand and wrist, but pain from a hurt wrist was less important than the consuming darkness that Mevi quickly raced downward to meet.

Mevi fell into darkness, her only thought being regret of not going back to Nessia sooner.