As the ball commenced, Machi noticed more and more people turn their heads to Karma and he knew if she wasn't with one of the higher-ranking Eternals, she'd been swarmed, which wasn't the plan. Some looks were of envy, others were entranced by her, wondering where she came from.
"You surely can't be shocked," Silver asked Machi. He turned and saw the silver-headed eternal in a black down holding a glass of wine.
"Why did she even come though?" Machi asked.
"The girls insisted they see things with their own eyes." Silver shrugged. "I dunno they said they wanted to come but we could only bring one."
Machi nodded, he particularly didn't care what their reason was. If they wanted to look around, gain their bearings, understand what the planet held, and there was an opportunity to do so, what did it matter to him? They didn't need to rely on him, both Mira and Karma were formidable in their own way, and weren't noticed by the top figures for no reason. He didn't allow them to come for no reason either.
*
"Your Majesty," Xox bowed, "the kokai has arrived." Machi walked in and Karma was behind. At that moment, Machi regretted ever allowing her to tag along. Fear left her body and her hair began standing up, almost like her body was reacting to being suffocated. She held her neck, as though she was being suffocated and trying to breathe, tears coming out of her eyes in streams and her face turning red.
Xox wondered what had caused that reaction from the unsensed. Machi was able to stand before their King without a reaction, never exhibiting a reaction like she did. He was fine against King Yuma's great spiritual pressure. Seeing a blazer cover her, Machi bent down and held her close. A soft, almost warm energy surrounded the pair and calmed the level 6 down considerably. The only way people in the room could describe the energy that was emitted was warm, like the midday sun. "Sorry Karma." Machi smiled softly. It wasn't a sight Machi enjoyed seeing and Karma hated feeling this way. Weak. She couldn't stand up to this great power, and the negative thoughts began seeping into her mind, about her weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
"Why did she react in that way?" Codex asked and Xox kneed him, darting his eyes wondering why he even asked, but too, was curious as to why she reacted like that and was glad someone asked. "Her sensing skills are dialled to 110 right now," Machi explained. "Being on guard isn't always a good thing."
Shale recalled the time when Machi told her to relax, he didn't know he meant it like that, but understood why he said that. It was to prevent overloading her senses - which is what was happening right at this very moment. King Yuma didn't interrupt the scene but did have something to say.
"We have confirmation that Maria isn't going to be able to vote me out."
This was news to them and Machi watched as Karma fell asleep from the exertion from the last few days, before listening in. "She was not able to gain Jin's vote. However, she has gotten his vote in the kokai entering the pit."
*
Jin wondered what he had done but when he saw Shale all comfortable with the kokai, he felt best to give Maria that vote at least. He knew Shale wouldn't make friends unnecessarily. It wasn't as though he only made friends with those who had power. Considering his people living the the second district, not all of them are strong. But he loves them either way.
However, he rarely ever entertained and took an interest in those who weren't interesting themselves. He knew from experience, as Shale was the reason he was able to soar through to the top, despite his history and past and lack of acknowledgement. He remembered the time he was announced as the next captain of his district. His squad.
***
"Did you recommend Jin because he's someone you helped?" Astra asked, "because you'd have more allies?" Shale looked up from his paperwork and shook his head. Jin was outside, about to ask for some advice when he stopped and listened. "I recommended him because he's not afraid to go against the majority. He's strong, yeah, but so is everyone else. But every captain sucks up to King Yuma. It's why he left the selection process to me. He would have been forced to keep the peace and choose some nobles son. But since it was up to me, I got to choose someone who'd put their district, their home and their team first, before the King. And it's not like Jin will have it easy. He's the first captain in the 5th that's not a blood relative of Captain Yohan. Though he approves, not everyone will."
Astra seemed shocked he had so much to say. "So you do not want him to side with you but do what's best for the settlement?"
"Yep."
***
"Jin, you know what you're doing right?" Astra asked as she sipped on a wine. It was not as though she worried for his allegiance but just was wondering if he had his own plans. "What makes you think I don't?" The fifth captain asked. Shaking her head, Jin turned to the sixth captain. "Why do you always side with them? Xox and Shale? Because Shale is family."
He had always been curious about this, and decided to finally ask.
Seeing her sigh, Astra looked to Shale returning without the kokai. "Because, he seems to be the only one with brains and strength to succeed." She answered and walked off.
Maria hated her for all the worth.
*
Mira and Rocco arrived and noticed Machi sitting by the bed Karma slept on. "What happened?" Rocco asked. "She ok?"
"She's gonna be fine when she wakes," the Harkness sighed, tired and needing sleep himself, "maybe unlocking her ki wasn't a good idea."
"Or maybe take accountability." Mira suggested and went to her bed and dropped asleep.
Rocco looked to him as he went into a zone and sighed. Not sleeping, Machi wondered how to train Karma - if training was possible. His mind also went to the things the King had said in their little meeting - pit fights to determine their strength.
And the last thing that resurfaced. His father's history led to Hendge Collapse, which conversely led here.
'It's possible, just how possible?' Machi asked. 'And if it is, what did my family... my bloodline do? Were they strong? Powerful? Nobles?'
Seeing a sliver of light, Machi got up and walked out of the room his friends and himself were house in and saw Silver walking down the halls - patrolling with a ball of light.
"Not sleeping?" Silver asked.
"Too many thoughts keeping me awake." He chuckled and Silver suggested he join the patrols.
Seeing the infrastructure of the compound was quite cool. Machi admired the work of the builders and the architect who designed it. "Are all compounds this well kept?" Machi asked. The question put a sorrowful smile on the vice captain. "No, unfortunately not. Compounds without leaders like 10 and 3 aren't to this pristine condition. The castle is controlled by the will of the captain."
"Why aren't there leaders for them?" Machi asked. "Or replacements at--"
"Bloodlines are important kid." Silver sternly responded with a tinge of anger before quickly apologising for the harsh response.
He didn't press on. Didn't feel like opening that can of worms. "In other news, word has gone around about Miss Karma's beauty from the ball. She's garnered attention which... may cause some sort of difficulty."