The Magi's Society

After Mevi’s declaration of Loyalty, Odion said his attention was required elsewhere. Mevi was assigned two aids, and told to await Maphet’s imminent return. The first aid was a younger man, who ensured his mask remained on at all times, he called himself Zelkan. According to his own words, his mask ‘-covered an unsightly and disturbing visage. It would be better to maintain an amount of formality,-’ so he wouldn’t disturb Mevi. Mevi’s second aid, to her surprise, was a golden-clad Sentinel. The Sentinel did not talk, and is said to never speak unless in an absolute emergency. They bore no name, and Zelkan stated they are born and bred to follow their Magi’s orders until their death.

When Mevi was adequately introduced to the two individuals, Odion bade her farewell. In short words he dismissed himself to leave on other duties. Even before Odion left, Mevi spoke very little. When Odion was gone, Mevi didn’t speak at all. She spent several lethargic hours staring up at Kalesi’s suspended form. Mevi placed herself at the foot of the capsule, and the three individuals who maintained Kalesi’s conditions busied themselves with the work around the recovery lab. At some point the previous three medical technicians left, and two others replaced them. For a time Mevi was ignored, and Mevi was content to be ignored while she watched over Kalesi. After a while, time had become lazy to Mevi and the seconds dragged themselves like minutes. As Mevi’s concentration began to slip, Zelkan approached hesitantly, “Ma’am, I think it would do you good to eat something.” The young man approached with an amount of concern, and his voice was soft and calm.

Mevi stared up at the man for a few solitary moments, but turned herself back to Kalesi with only a short mumble, “I’m not hungry.”

“I think it would do you well to walk then, your body needs to get blood pumping again after such a long sleep.” he still showed concern for her, and seemed eager to get her out of the room.

With another lazy glance, Mevi simply mumbled quieter than before, “I don’t want to leave her alone.”

“Don’t worry ma’am! I’ll be sure to keep her company.” energetically declared one of the technicians, who at some point walked up beside Zelkan.

Mevi stared up at the medical technician, she was an attractive woman but with frizzy hair that hung in tangled curls. The dimness of the room made it hard to see exact features, and Mevi’s mental exhaustion helped even less, but the woman seemed to have an almost caramel skin. She bore a broad smile, and knelt down to Mevi’s level. As Mevi watched the woman with caution, the female technician outstretched her hand as if to help her up. Mevi lifted a hand cautiously, and that was all the invitation the eager woman needed to grab it and heft Mevi to her feat.

Now forcefully on her feet again, Mevi wobbled as the static in her legs became suddenly obvious. She fell against Zelkan, who expertly cushioned her stumble. Mevi was able to take in his mask fully, as she stared up at the careful attendant. While he had said his mask hid undesirable features, an impression of his face and mouth was hidden behind the mask’s surface. The mask completely covered his face, but the two-way face visor did not completely block his features. Under the mask’s surface, Mevi could see the impression of his facial features and noticed his worried glance. She didn’t notice any obvious impressions of imperfection behind the partially see-through mask.

Mevi noticed she had leaned against Zelkan for several moments longer than what is considered proper, and had been staring up at his mask for a potentially uncomfortable amount of time. She quickly straightened herself, and wobbled to a stand. The technician began to lead Mevi out of the lab, and little could be said or done to persuade otherwise. As Mevi was pushed out the doorway, with her attendants flanking either side of her, the door closed behind after a small wave goodbye from the eager technician.

After Mevi was summarily exiled from the medical lab, she allowed herself to be led by the hand by Zelkan as he carefully guided Mevi. Zelkan led Mevi, with the Sentinel following, slowly down the hallway. Eventually they entered into an open hall that housed several long tables. It looked partially similar to the communal eatery that Mevi had stolen glimpses of at her house’s estate. Several other people were mingling in the eating hall, and all attention was snapped to the three figures entering suddenly. More specifically, attention was drawn squarely onto the Sentinel, and its presence seemed to urge most to vacate the hall entirely. Only a handful of brave, or curious, individuals took their trays of nutrients to the corners of the hall and attempted to eat quietly.

As Zelkan led Mevi towards the communal synthesizers, some of the glances transferred from the Sentinel to the individual it obviously followed. Curious gazes studied Mevi, who still occasionally wobbled on her feet due to her still sleepy limbs. As they reached the synthesizer, Zelkan typed into the device to create some generic sustenance. As the tray and cup grew on the small disk platform, Mevi was reminded of the food she had almost become used to while living with Kalesi. Almost expecting the magical conjuration of a full, and solid, meal. Instead a grayish paste dispensed onto the tray. Then Zelkan asked, “Do you have a preference for drink? The machine is programmed to make several.”

Mevi had felt some hope drop after the ‘meal’ was produced, but with her mind still on Kalesi she was reminded of her first day within the Barge, “Do you think it can produce Mappa juice?”

“I apologize, I don’t know what that is… Does it come from a fruit?” asked Zelkan.

Mevi’s willpower was becoming shaken, her nerves losing stability as the strange disappointment built over itself, “Umm… I think, I belive at least, that it comes from a Mappa fruit…” Mevi’s voice was obviously shaken as she squeaked out the few words she could muster.

Zelkan furrowed his brow in a frustrated thought. He stared at the open air, neglecting the beeping terminal waiting for an input. Obviously using his interface, his eyes searched feverishly as Mevi stood there slowly losing what composure she had left. After several long moments of his searching, Zelkan’s face shone with achievement. Quickly he began typing away at the terminal, the device erred several times in resentment of the obviously odd request. Several mixtures of gooey paste formed in the drinking cup before Zelkan’s frustrated determination paid off to his unknown standards. After several of the failed attempts, a cup with a reddish liquid was proudly presented to Mevi. Taking the cup into her hands, Mevi sniffed at the unknown substance. It smelt vaguely fruity, and seemed very potent. Without a further moment of hesitation, Mevi sipped at the cup. The familiar taste was undeniable, but it was chased by a strange sour tang after the brief moment of familiar smooth liquid. Mevi’s face contorted for a moment after the initial surprise, and Zelkan’s face flushed in disappointment at his obvious failure. But Mevi could taste the hint of Kalesi’s home, and without hesitation took another gulp of the liquid despite its sour aftertaste. As Mevi drank the liquid, familiar warmth flowed into her body at the memory of Kalesi’s meals and caring company. Tears started to silently roll down Mevi’s face, as the sour taste was eagerly consumed.

Zelkan watched Mevi with worry and caution, unsure if he was successful or not. The confusion was washed away after Mevi handed him the empty cup, and through coked back sobs, asked for more. Zelkan smiled with pride and quickly disposed of the old cup and ordered the synthesizer to create a full pitcher of the sour liquid. The trio walked with their drink and food paste to a nearby table. The soft crying had drawn everyone in the eating hall’s attention to watch in confusion at Mevi’s irregular reaction to eating food. Mevi almost entirely ignored the food paste, and clinged to the incorrectly made Mappa juice. She only ate some of the gray paste at the careful requests from Zelkan, and even then Mevi only ate a small portion of the food.

After their meal had been picked through, and Mevi had calmed down enough that she was only sniffling away sad feelings, Zelkan disposed of their trays and retrieved more Mappa juice. The man seemed kind, or at least eagerly attentive to his responsibility. Mevi wondered if Odion chose Zelkan as her aid for a specific reason, or if each of Maphet’s followers attended to their wards in such a caring way. Mevi felt some kind of distance between herself and Zelkan, despite his empathetic attention. It was almost artificial, or even formal like reluctantly caring for a sick superior. The realization of his potentially fake concern caused Mevi to move herself slightly farther away from Zelkan when he returned with more juice. He didn’t seem to notice, but instead poured more of the Mappa juice for Mevi. As he did, Mevi finally became courageous enough to ask a question, “Zelkan… What exactly happened?”

“What do you mean, ma’am?” he seemed confused.

“I don’t even know how long I was asleep, or where I am, or what actually happened to Kalesi.”

Zelkan thought for a few moments, as if debating what he should and shouldn’t say, “I believe I would be allowed to tell you, at least some things. You were brought here a while ago, I think. I first noticed the attendants going en force to the lab you rested in two weeks ago, maybe a little longer.”

Mevi was at a loss for words, and mumbled out an interruption, “I was asleep for two weeks?”

Zelkan nodded, “Yes. At least that is what it seemed like. I was tasked to attend to your injuries four days ago. Your physical body was deteriorating fast. It was the day after my assignment that Lord Magi, Odion, arrived to directly tend to your mind and body. Our Lord spent three days in a sort of meditation where he personally operated the equipment maintaining your life, while also projecting some kind of power into you. He would have conversations with the air, and barely noticed us attendants around him helping maintain the equipment. He seemed to be guiding you to awaken.”

“For three days he did this?” asked Mevi, not entirely believing the words.

“Yes. We helped, however we could, but Lord Magi, Odion, was the one who truly brought you back. I was told a few hours ago you were awoken, and then you were promised to Maphet and I was given to you as aid.”

Mevi was aghast. How could she have been asleep for two weeks? Even asleep for three days seemed a far stretch of time. It felt as if Kalesi was awake and talking just yesterday, maybe two days ago at most. Her visions within her dream, they couldn’t have taken so long as Zelkan said. As she fought through those tests the time only felt like minutes, maybe an hour or two. Zelkan seemed to notice her apprehension, and watched patiently as Mevi gathered herself. Mevi then noticed something he had said, and was curious, “Zelkan, when you said you were ‘given’ to me… What does that mean? You will only be watching me until Lord Maphet gives me her tasks, right?”

Zelkan shook his head, “My instruction, unless changed, was from Lord Magi, Odion. Our Lord gave me, entirely, to you my lady.” After his reassurance of servitude, he stood and bowed with his right hand over his heart.

Mevi was again conflicted, and confused. Did that mean the Sentinel was also following her… forever? Her gaze went to the stalwart golden-clad watcher, its piercing eyes echoed a deep red as they darted to every movement and sound silently under its full helm. Zelkan noticed her look, and only nodded in response to her unsaid question. As if confirming some hidden fear she didn’t know she had, these two people were apparently attache to her? Her sudden realization hit, she had truly no idea what was actually going on. Nor did she understand how anything had developed to this point. Attendants and being called a ‘lady’? She had put away the comments of ‘ma’am’ as formality and politeness. She was suddenly aware of what kind of strange situation she was thrust into. Mevi looked to Zelkan fully again, and put away the apprehension for a few moments, “Then where are we? Or what happened to Kalesi and I? I still know so little that happened… Over the last few weeks…”

Zelkan thought for a moment, seemingly attempting to organize his own thoughts, “I am unsure what happened to you, or your mentor. But we are currently in a facility owned by our Lady, Lord Councilor Maphet. Where that is, or its exact purpose, I think would be better explained by someone tasked with that direct duty. With your oath incomplete, I am unsure how much I may or may not tell you.”

“What do you mean? My ‘oath incomplete’? I promised Odion, didn’t I?” asked Mevi, worried for Kalesi’s safety now.

Zelkan backtracked as if he made a mistake, “Oh! Yes you did, I gave the wrong impression. Your status, and authority, will not be affirmed until you complete a private ritual with Lord Councilor, Maphet. When you are promised to her, your position will be unquestioned.”

Mevi was confused again, and worried what answer she would receive after her next query, “What do you mean… My ‘position’? I am still an acolyte, under my mentor Kalesi the Neophyte.”

Zelkan almost chuckled, but erased his mirth when Mevi showed she was truly concerned and confused, “Oh, well, my lady is to be declared Lord Councilor Maphet’s Magi Apprentice. You would also be Lord Councilor Maphet’s only Magi Apprentice, and I have no memory of her ever taking on a true apprentice. Few of the Lord Councilors take on apprentices, it seems.”

It felt as if an overwhelming weight was attempting to crush Mevi where she sat. A sudden claustrophobia made the walls and ceiling close in, a powerful headache threatened to rip her head in half. Almost falling out of her seat, Mevi was barely caught by ‘her’ Sentinel. The strong creature held her firmly, and she clutched at its golden armor for stability. Mevi noticed she was hyperventilating, but barely any air caught in her lungs. Zelkan seemed to be panicking at the sudden reaction. Yet Mevi ignored the herald of her woes, and clung tightly to the golden Sentinel. The Sentinel held her slightly tighter, as if to give some silent comfort, and it surprised Mevi so much that her breath was caught for a brief moment. The moment was enough that Mevi gasped a full length of air, filling her lungs with vital sustenance.

As Mevi’s breathing regulated and calmed, she sat in the Sentinel’s arms for several minutes. Zelkan’s own panic subsided after Mevi caught her breath, and began feverishly apologizing for his misdemeanor. Promising to bring the error to a higher attention so he could be properly disciplined. Mevi only waved him off, and her realization of his potential punishment due to her own mental instability caused her to tell him to calm. At least she attempted to command him to calm down through short gasps of breathing. At last Mevi had fully breathed her lungs back to life, and her racing heart slowed to only a sprinter’s pace. Able to speak once more, Mevi said, “Zelkan… Don’t ask for punishment, please. You have been very kind, gentle, and attentive of my needs. My issues… They are my own. You didn’t do anything wrong. I just need some few moments to gather myself.”

Zelkan nodded to every word, “Of course my lady! Whatever you need, ask and I will do my best to make it happen.”

Mevi only had one request, “Could you take me back to Kalesi?”

Zelkan nodded without another word, and gesturing to the Sentinel, the golden creature hefted Mevi into its arms without hesitation. Mevi was, once again, being carried by someone due to her frail disposition.

Mevi collected her wits by the time they arrived back at the medical lab that Kalesi was kept within. Mevi asked the Sentinel to let her down on arrival, and approached the capsule with solemn yearning. What had she gotten Kalesi into? Just by existing, it seemed Mevi was fated for some kind of torment that spread to all that associated with her. What few revelations came from Zelkan, and the strange memories with Odion in her dream-scape, only produced more questions than answers. Whatever Mevi had, or was, caused this pain for Kalesi to endure. That much Mevi was sure of. With this assertion, Mevi knew whatever came of her service to Lord Maphet would be incomparable to the fear of losing Kalesi. The bonds she had made in her life are few, and only Kalesi’s love seemed to be true. Mevi had reached into Kalesi’s sleeping mind, and knew the underlying love that overturned Kalesi’s original motivations. However brief Mevi had been with her mentor, she wanted to repay the kindness and care shared to her one hundred-fold.

As Mevi was caught up in her own mind’s ramblings, a sound beeped on a console behind her. Zelkan was called over, and one of the technicians whispered to him. Mevi could hear their quiet murmuring, and when they finished, Zelkan slowly approached Mevi from behind. He was hesitant, as if Mevi was a time bomb waiting to explode, but managed to speak his message, “My lady… Lord Councilor, Maphet, has arrived. She has requested your presence at your leisure. If you are ready…”

Mevi lowered her head and thought silently, then attempted to muster a false courage enough to face Zelkan, “I believe I am as ready as I might ever be. Please take me to Lord Maphet.”