Chrysalis
chapter-1319

There aren’t many scholars who take the time to learn about the… unique culture and properties of the Magpei people, leading them to dramatically underestimate their strengths. It is a source of eternal frustration to me, as a Magpei studies professor, that my colleagues seem to think the only trait of these interesting and enduring people they need to understand is that they are ‘aggressive’.

Yes, they are aggressive, yes, they famously lack what some would consider ‘social graces’, but that is merely the surface. As a people, the Magpei are fiercely loyal, protective of their families and forgiving, under the right circumstances.

Due to their… irascible nature, they are among the finest pugilists in the world, fighting almost exclusively with their fists. I’ve seen them shatter the skulls of tier five fish monsters in a single blow, even through metres of water.

If one is able to win their trust and friendship, the Magpei are a wonderful people, full of laughter, comradery and joy.

However… it is still necessary to fight with them.

- Excerpt from ‘The People of Light’ by Propentia

[OI! This is a good cuppa right ‘ere!]

[Aw yeah? Lemme have a taste!]

[Get your own!]

[Like that, is it? EYY? Come up here and say that!]

[Maybe I will, then!]

Aaaaaand they’re gone. Another pair fly up to engage in what I’m coming to understand is more like a fun pastime for the Magpei rather than a serious fight. They just seem to love smashing the heck out of each other, and for whatever reason, they don’t seem to get hurt much. Perhaps they’re just much tougher than they look?

After watching the market unfold and listening to these people interact, I’ve come to understand exactly what is going on here. I was confused at first, because they don’t have fur, waste energy speaking and are less prone to thumbs ups, but the Magpei are basically all just shiny, feather-winged versions of Tiny.

Would the dumb ape lay fists into everyone and everything he could if I let him? Absolutely! It’s not like he’s malicious, he just enjoys it, and he assumes everyone else does as well. I get the feeling the bad attitudes and rudeness displayed by the Magpei are due to them wanting to skip as much of the unnecessary stuff as quickly as possible and get to the punching.

[Someone put the billy on! This tea is choice!]

[Yeah? Better than my tea?]

[Of course it is, you melter!]

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[EYYYY?]

[EYYYY!?]

Aaaaaand they’re gone. They really seem to like the tea. That’s not the only thing which has grabbed their attention. As before with the ka’armodo, the small amount of jewellery and other shiny nicknacks are popular with the winged ones, causing many a brawl.

What I find truly interesting are the other inhabitants of the Wandering Isle. Humans, golgari, folk, even a ka’armodo with setsulah attendants, everyone seems welcome here. The other thing to note is that, one and all, they appear to have extraordinary levels of patience.

They just seem to step around whenever brawling birdbrains fall out of the sky, or smile and nod politely whenever someone tries to pick a fight with them. It almost seems magical. I wish I could exhibit that level of tolerance, because, for whatever reason, a group of Magpei have decided that they’ll get a rise out of me no matter what.

[Big bug sittin’ there lookin’ all sad on the ground. Got no wings, EY?]

[C’mon, MATE. Come up here and look at me like that through ya flamin’ multi-focal lenses!]

And so on. And so on. No matter how long I sit here, unresponsive, in the centre of this impromptu market, they just don’t seem to run out of gas. Or insults.

Finally, I can’t take it anymore. The honour of the Colony is being impugned here. It’s not that I’m sick of these winged loudmouths slinging mug at me, it’s that proper respect isn’t being shown to my ant brethren. It’s time to show these birds who’s the real boss of the air.

But how? I have two main methods of approach here. I could use a gravity well to drag them all down to the ground, or use one to lift me up into the air, challenging them in their own space.

Or… why not both?

Gweheheheh.

With an evil chuckle, I begin to draw out gravity mana from my gland, weaving it deftly and carefully, masking my work as much as possible. They won’t know what hit them….

[Are you doing something, Anthony?]

Dammit! It’s the brathian mage, the Dungeon Seer… Olivis! She’s watching me like a hawk at the moment!

[Me? Of course not! Why would you suspect something like that?]

[Because I thought I felt a stirring of mana. You aren’t going to do something to the Magpei, are you?]

[Why would you ever suspect me of yes, yes I was. I’m getting really annoyed and was going to punish them for their hubris.]

[I’m not even passing on their insults any more.]

[They found one of their own mages to make sure I got the message.]

[Damn them,] she sighs, then gives me a firm poke in the side. [Remember what just happened at Greystone? We don’t want a repeat incident, do we? You need to keep your fancy mana to yourself and just let this event end peacefully.]

“I agree, Eldest,” a whisper of pheromones from Protectant brushes against my antennae. “We would appreciate it if you didn’t put an even larger target on your back.”

But… but! Fine.

Reluctantly, I let the mana go, and Olivis nods, pleased.

[Thank you for your cooperation. I know it can be difficult here, but a little patience is all—]

[You fishy brathians only ever think about money. Too scared to get involved in a REAL fight? EY?!]

[—that’s… required.]

[OI! Mage down there. Too WEAK to fight, are ya? Too yellow are ya? You MELT!]

[I hear your Satrap is as fat as a sea cow! Fatter! Ya mongrel!]

[Oi! OIIIIII! You hear us down there? Ears blocked with scales?]

Olivis’ eyes begin to narrow… and I quietly begin to shape my gravity mana again.