"If you wish to upset the law that all crows are black, you must not seek to show that no crows are; it is enough if you prove one single crow to be white." - William James.
Betani lets out a sigh as her head leans back, burdened by the uncertainty as a generous glow of the moon shines through the half-circle window above Raj Xian's Post, the only light as she awaits her appointment with the supreme ruler and the order. Behind the doorway rests more darkness, Souxian gaze, and judgment. Raj Xian, a man of thoroughness and unpleasantness, enjoys playing with people, offering kind words, but speaking little himself, except for occasional cutting remarks.
"Mirror him best you can, Betani. If he smiles, smile. If he's silent, say little with your eyes and hold your tongue." Nantano Xian had said to Betani before she departed for Raj's post.
"And how will I address the order?"
"Permit the order to speak and don't let their idle chatter frighten you. They will laugh at you, but you must not react. Most importantly, if the supreme probes you—he will do so in such a way you won't realize until you've given away too much. Pay him flattery as a distraction. Don't overdo it.
Betani whispers the final guidance to herself, "Don't meet his gaze."
While she accepted the welcome advice from her Rovis, or guiding Souxian master, it didn't stop the sick grip of anxiety that arrived once she stood before the doorway dressed in modest cloth that adorned her petite frame. A silk veil rests over her face and auburn hair, a tiny tin bell in her left hand, and an offering in her right. She decided upon a simple fruit from the bio-dome, a crisp red apple.
As she rang the tiny tin bell counting backward from eighty-two (the number of the order), she reassured herself that Nantano knew better than anyone how to engage with Raj Xian, supreme ruler of Hiroshirpa, and overlord of the Souxian Order. Underneath the doorway, a foul odor leaks as Betani continues ringing the bell, wincing. It disgusts her. Betani mutters the last few seconds. A low hum follows the final tone, the stench dissipates, and the door lifts away, retracting upwards, and revealing nothing but unmoving darkness comparable to the kind faced underneath dense, moist dirt or unending water. She waits for the affirmation, five successive high-pitched rings lasting three seconds each. She follows with equal paces through the entrance, holding her bell in a way so it doesn't chime anymore, head down-turned, her hand reaching out in front with the offering. As she reaches the point of no return, she kneels, time seeming to stop, and silence fills the darkness except for her nervous breath. Suddenly, smacking footsteps approach that of bare feet, they echo until coming to a halt before Betani's outstretched hand.
No one speaks.
Raj Xian takes the offering, without a welcoming reply, leaving only a sweaty, pale, and trembling hand. A crunching, slurping, and moaning penetrates Betani's ears as she continues to fix her attention on the ground. Betani clenches her teeth, enduring the cringe-inducing sounds until he throws the remaining core on the floor. He stands unimpressed before her, inhabiting the naked flesh of an elderly pale man, defined with deep wrinkles, and hollowed deep-set eyes of a light gray color so light they almost seem useless. His eructation sings to the ears of the order as they greet it with hideous laughter. "Enough" The supreme erupts. The order dutifully follows their superior's command as he continues, "Acceptable offer. Now rise and state the reason for your appearance."
Raj snaps his fingers and a dim spotlight cracks from above him and Betani, and individually above all the others, who stand on platforms forming the shape of a diamond.
Betani slowly comes to stand, avoiding eye contact by keeping her head tilted, and brings her arms to her side like a soldier. "Supreme, I seek permission for passage to the 'Near Edge'."
Betani clears her mind of all other thoughts, intentions, and concerns; Raj Xian and his order are highly perceptive. Her mind cannot be too fertile.
A groan cracks from Raj's throat, "For what reason do you seek such a dangerous passage at such an inconvenient time?"
"Supreme-the journey is not for selfish pleasures. I am a Devine servant of the sacred archives replacing my predecessor, Aliyah, who served in the discovery of the Smaranjan tribe, providing insight into their culture, and knowledge of the old world."
"They removed her from her position quite some time ago for her patronage of Order hesitancy, exiled her for her—'lust' — shall we say? The five voices whisper together in a seething seesaw of low tones.
Betani stays silent.
"You still haven't made clear your intent on this journey."
"Aliyah lacks depth in her findings and forming more accurate memories requires clarification. I want to strengthen our collection before we lose everything—" Betani's voice deepens, "Supreme, 'The weaving' spreads more and more each day. We have very little time."
'The weaving', a mysterious ailment that befell the planet centuries ago, had wiped out most of the population, and the Souxians came at just the right time to intervene —though, sparse groups still survived below, and safe zones emerged.
"So you intend to interrogate the hag?" Raj Xian laughs, his appendage swaying, and wrinkles creasing. Betani tries not to indulge in the irony of his question.
"More or less, Supreme," she says with a nod.
Raj steps forward with a smirk, eyeing the young woman up and down. The five of the order stay silent with their gaze fixed on Betani. She doesn't dare gaze up at them. Her eyes flutter.
Although she presents a meek demeanor, she senses something coming from one of the five hiding in the farthest corner. She seeks to assess if her thought—her intuition; could the others hear the voice too?
"Need know humanoid beasts?" Says one of the five, a young woman of darker shade, and a shaved head. She folds her arms across her bare breasts.
"Riya Xian is right," starts another. "Is this such a necessary journey such a short time before inoculation?"
"We should be cautious about a Devine Servant fraternizing with the enduring."
Those remaining on the planet endure, they age, and die from the time-space disease.
Betani's heart is pounding. She remains quiet, even though every snapping comment makes her want to counter. "Careful," a voice warns.
"Well—I think Betani deserves a chance to prove herself. After all, she has served Nantano Xian, XXII of the order." The same voice speaks, though now aloud.
"Most gracious, Suni Xian." Says Raj Xian. Suni resides in a superior body, sturdy and tall.
"I'd just like to see someone prove us wrong for once," Suni replies.
"Tell me, Betani, what is the specific nature of the information you seek?" asks the Supreme.
Betani has prepared for this question. Her hair makes her skin tingle beneath her robe. "I believe it is important to specify cultural traditions and beliefs to such a degree that we understand the humanity and intent behind—"
"—come out with it."
"She doesn't even know what she's saying, supreme." Riya Xian begs.
"Let her speak her mind," interjects Suni.
"Why don't we remove that veil? At least we will get a view for all this trouble," says another who has remained silent until now, the voice coming from a curvy woman with a long dark hair past her breasts. The flesh, an interest that often borders on lust, has always fascinated souxians. Although they haven't mentioned it, this contradicts their restrictions on human co-habitants. Betani, a late bloomer, hadn't yet developed the body of a woman.
"Remove your veil—Betani." Orders Raj Xian. Betani carefully pushes it back from her face, her youthful skin revealed, and pleasing bone structure.
"Ah—yes. I can see why Nantano chose her as his pet."
"Nonsense Liya Xian. Nantano raised her from just a child. He'd have no interest in her," Riya says.
"I'll wear that pretty face." She adds.
"You wish."
"Riya is correct." Betani is not available for fashion. Despite being a Devine servant, she is not a Sel. Her openness is rather low — not a flaw.
Not ideal for a useful, inhabitable body. Betani wants to cry at the thought of being a meat suit, yet tries not to show her discomfort painfully by controlling her breath and remaining still.
"Now Betani, continue. And please express your intent."
She can't afford to let them know her true intentions. Studying the Smaranjan culture isn't merely about procuring information of the last humans on the planet, it's about discovering why this remarkable woman had chosen them over her coveted place in Hiroshirpa. She must understand what Aliyah is hiding—involving the Mookoorja (An energy that moves through all existence, built up with the creation, destruction, and renewal cycle). It wasn't just an oversight; its curator had removed it. Betani noticed an irregular pattern in its form. Even if removed from the Archives, knowledge always leaves a permanent imprint of its position. Nantano only knows that she believes Aliyah didn't accomplish a thorough review of the tribe. Betani realizes, most likely, she never intended to.
"Yes Supreme. The Smaranjan Culture is a fascination because of their ability to adapt to the planet in the midst of 'The weaving'. Their lineage is strong despite the Some, with outstanding lifespans. However, their culture is facing imminent extinction, and we might have nothing left to study if we don't intervene now."
"Your point, Betani." presses Raj Xian.
"Nonetheless, I believe they are a great resource. Why not study them before it's too late? Aliyah has kept the best from the Archives."
"The girl speaks the truth. Lustful desires consumed Aliyah's mind."
"How can we be so confident Betani won't fall into the same pattern?" Riya declares.
She is bound to attract attention at the "Near Edge." Liya remarks.
"One could accompany her."
"That's an idea." Replies Raj, studying Replies Raj, observing Betani's reactions..
Betani clenches her jaw. "While it wouldn't pose as an issue for me—I fear it may interfere with the trust I could build. A Souxian presence will only inflame relations."
"The hatred is strong, Supreme. And tensions rise at the 'Near Edge' and elsewhere from defectors." Riya agrees.
"All the more reason to safeguard Betani."
"She is rather petite."
Betani warns, "The Smaranjan perform checks to ensure one is of the original skin and not Anutuva, Supreme."
"Anutuva?"
"Possessed Human."
Of course, Betani invented the first part. There were no tests. Though they referred to Souxians in Sel's bodies as Anutuva.
Raj Xian is quiet for a moment before turning to the others and erupting in obnoxious laughter. They join in. Even Suni finds their naked forms comically comfortable, as if they were more at ease in those forms than the humans they occupied.
Betani shuffles where she stands. Raj Xian turns back to her, now serious, and recovering his authoritative gaze.
"Well, it seems your case is ample. "You've persuaded me to allow you to go to the 'Near Edge' unescorted during this turbulent and transformative time, young Betani," he said. Betani is quite young, only twenty-five. Compared to the Souxian order, she has barely lived.
She tilts her head, looking at Raj Xian's neck. It sags, loose drapery, folding, and gratifying his words with further personification.
"I beg your pardon Supreme, doesn't this seem rash?" Dior argues.
"We must make quick decisions in such touchy times."
"But why risk—-"
"Enough Dior Xian. We shall resolve matters with a vote. I intend to specify the conditions to which Betani has to follow. Let's begin, shall we?"
All is silent. The Five close their eyes along with Raj Xian for many seconds. Betani glances up, trying to see Suni Xian in the back, and fearing a confrontation, immediately turns away. He remained silent towards her. Did she imagine it? Or had he communicated? The Souxians have telepathic and other psychic skills. But she'd never experienced them firsthand. Betani was under the assumption that one needed certain attributes to hear the other—in this case, what could it mean? Had she only underestimated their power?
After their votes are in, Raj Xian steps toward Betani, reaching for her chin, and pulling it up so that he might have a better look—"You won't disappoint me," he whispers, his voice cracking. "You will travel to the 'Near Edge' to learn about their culture and find the answers you seek," but I will require you to report your findings upon your return.
"Thank you, Supreme."
He backs away, releasing her face from his hand. Meet this obligation or lose access to this privilege. Now tell me, Betani, what is your opinion of Aliyah?"
"Supreme, Aliyah is an example of human weakness—her failure to set the tasks at hand above other feelings she may have had shows the gap between Souxians and humans. Humans must learn from the order."
"Aliyah had been a part of the discovery of the Smaranjan culture. But I made a mistake---giving her continuous access, freedom, and communication with these wild people. Her curiosity was high, and those trips did not suit her feeble mind. She lacked restraint. Even to the point of breeding. Now, she lives as an enduring, never to know the safety and infinity of Hiroshirpa again."
"Perhaps she's even become defected," Riya suggests.
"Perhaps. Betani will provide us with enough information to determine it. Won't you Betani?"
"I'm at your service, Supreme. Whatever you seek, I shall find."
"Will you? Such a good girl. Nantano has helped to set you on a proper path."
"Supreme."
Tension in the room peaked, now dissipating. Still, Betani yearns to flee from the room, far away from the Souxians. Somehow, though, she senses something again coming from the young male in the back corner—Suni Xian. Now it isn't a voice. Not any kind of sound. It appeared he was sending. This sensation is unlike anything Betani experienced before. Stillness, like an ancient rock remembering a stream. Everyone is silent—but they don't feel silent except for Suni and her. At what seems to be several moments passing, Betani notices an image flashing in her mind's eye; a young woman with dark, braided hair. A woman she does not know. She shakes hands with what she recognizes to be Aliyah when she is much younger. They are friendly, though stern in their exchange, keeping eye contact until Aliyah asks a question Betani can barely make out by reading her lips—like she's tuning into a new channel and the sound hasn't yet followed. She leans in, whispering to Aliyah. The peaceful feeling of stillness makes a second wave, reassuring her to remain calm amid such an experience. Betani forgets where she is, time has slowed, and the emotion of the word warps her sense of the here and now. It's strange that even though Betani had never heard the word in her brief life, she somehow understood it. Though she didn't dare dissect it in her thoughts—somehow she knew she needed to stay locked in a receiving mode. And then, the moment snaps back, everyone standing is now the same, and Betani tries to grasp the stillness that escapes her.
"Betani, are you fond of Nantano Xian? Has he treated you with care?"
She blinks the stillness away. "I'm most grateful for him as my Rovis, Supreme."
"Does he still play around in his laboratory?" Asks Riya.
"Of course."
Nantano Xian made "Some of our greatest advancements possible. His approach hasn't always been well—received."
"Except for his latest," Riya utters.
"Nantano played his part. This may be one of our greatest accomplishments. Humans will soon be as near immortal as the Souxian Order."
"Inoculation springs forth in no time, Supreme." Touts Dior.
"It is a gift." Betani murmurs.
"We've accomplished great things since we encountered the human species. The least we can do is preserve you." Raj Xian peers at the Sel body he wears now, "The old are not as useful—they grow weak, in need of constant care. Even the Sel I find myself in now—" he coughs.
"What of the side effects, Supreme?"
"Of little concern, Riya." Supreme snaps, still coughing.
"Side effects?" Betani questions.
"I fear it insulting that Nantano Xian has not indulged you, Betani. The cure will hinder natural reproduction—"
Betani's eyebrows furrow, the news unwelcome.
"I forget you're still so young. A woman's egg will become impermeable to man's seed—and therefore, intervention will be necessary."
"The poor girl looks like she just heard a new tongue." Liya Xian remarks.
Raj Xian moves forward, his teeth showing as he strokes Betani's hair.
"It doesn't concern you, darling. You're not meant for breeding. Regardless, we will still help your fellow human copulate just fine."
"We've been helping them all along, haven't we?" Tuft Xian brags, he stands in the center of the diamond.
"I've always found it a fascinating process nonetheless—" Raj Xian says, pulling away a few strands of Betani's hair and holding them in his fingers.
Betani tries not to panic, assuming it is a strange fixation. The unsettling suggestion of assisted reproduction conjures uncertainty, while she still attempts to conceal lingering thoughts surrounding the strange occurrences involving Suni Xian. What had he done to her? Will others know? Will they find out? Worse yet, was this some kind of test, or had she begun to lose her mind?
"I think this meeting is nearing a close. Do you have questions, Betani, before we adjourn?"
Betani considers, "How long may I stay?"
"I expect you to be finished after a full moon rotation."
"Yes, Supreme."
"I'll see that Nantano has you well provisioned. Remember that you are an extension of him—do not tarnish his respectable reputation."
"Nantano Xian is an extension of us," Adds Riya. Her eyes don't leave Betani, they seem to stare into her, scrupulously, and with an unsettling mistrust.
"Right, Supreme."
"Now, you may turn away, Betani."
Betani, with a careful pivot, turns away from Raj and the five and sounds the tiny tin bell again in the same way as before, aligning her steps to each ring. Her small heels echo out of the room, her robe brushing the grounds behind her, and the Souxian order watches, each one unmoving. As she reaches the doorway and steps through, gentle moonlight has not yet left, and it rests at her back as she exits, the door closing. Raj turns away, facing his counterparts. Without words, they all look up, their bodies waving and jerking, the breasts freed, and arms hanging loose; through the mouth, nose, ears, and even eyes, an unimaginable light energy exits to the ceiling, entering hanging round glass fixtures. They orbit like planets, joining others, and one couldn't tell one from the other. The Souxians all come from one source. It's impossible to tell them apart from the outside. They are like gods. Their true Souxian forms are now at rest. The bodies left behind are Sels, willing human hosts, and they still yet sleep standing at attention—their eyes staring blankly ahead.