A Fine Black Sky
CHAPTER THIRTY NINE
There was a young man, named Kobi Noskein, possessed of an impregnable spirit, who placed upon himself a pressure, an intensity beyond justification that, despite the group’s numbers within the Apprenticeship, and the potential within the maelstrom of those individual minds, he insisted upon working alone, his assumption being it was the only surefire condition by which to succeed. Kid watched him, seeing portions of himself, with a definite aptitude and potential to his destination, marked for something greater, perhaps. Kid set upon a task then, to keep a watchful eye on Kobi.
The Apprentices were set a task, that of building a Sceoskor Difference Engine - a sanctioned project and puzzle for the Apprentices - in that they had to plan, devise and construct their own version, being a task for which an ingenious mind might flourish. It was certainly true that most Apprentices wouldn't succeed in forming the complete mechanism, therefore the Apprentices were viewed upon their best attempt, very occasionally eliciting a studious yet less mechanically minded blueprint, which would destine the maker and designer a more accurate field of study for the next step in their future. The task became a determinator of the influential path for each Apprentice, therefore, designed over the many decades as a lifelong berm to the road oft travelled.
Kid had no option but to work alone, still castigated for some long lost reason that obviously hadn't required re-examination over the years by his peers, at home in their cliques and fellowships, disregarding the concoction of feelings that could be dredged up this close to the end of the Program. Most would never see each other again after it was over. It became the best option therefore to remain with those who gave something, rather than those who remained aloof - at least in their opinion. Kid was by no means aloof, but habitual ignorance had been an excuse that was often too overused and tired to change now. Kid noticed, however, that Kobi Noskein, still very much on his own, was floundering in his battle with his system. Possessed of an altruistic nature, Kid offered his assistance, but was rejected, not harshly - with an unbending nature of apathy certainly, but devoid of negative inclination. A twinge of regret struck Kid - a never ending reminder that despite his time and effort, he was still continually dismissed. At least it wasn't a forceful rejection, which remained a distinct variance for Kid.
This could not prevent Kid from aiding Kobi, however. Kobi Noskein’s room was but a small corridor away from Kid’s own. Upon the sleeping hours, Kid would wander down to Kobi’s room and slip inside. Kobi’s Sceoskor Difference Engine lay in a half constructed state upon the table by the bed. Kid examined it, making sure that Kobi was indeed upon the correct path of manufacture. Where simple little errors appeared, Kid corrected them, while scribing all he actioned to the engine upon a piece of paper, to be left upon the machine for Kobi to see, so that he would understand where he had made the schoolboy error. Kid never fixed anything he did not detail upon a piece of paper, and to Kid’s knowledge, Kobi hadn't revealed to anyone else the aid he was receiving at night.
This continued for a few further nights, until Kobi would leave a written note himself for his mysterious spirit of aiding purpose to read. It would contain thanks and praise, but also ask questions that proved Kid was making the right choice in helping someone who would obviously shine brightly at more than one point in his life. Just because he was socially awkward like Kid shouldn't mean he was left out of the Program, dismissed because he was perhaps too shy or too stubborn to ask for help directly. Perpetrating it through passed note seemed to avail itself of an erasure of embarrassment and reticence. It wasn't as though Kid didn't receive something himself, making a potential mockery of the altruistic nature he coveted. He was learning about himself, and his place in the world, through teaching, aiding and careful thought.
Upon one night it was very nearly over, destroyed by a lack of attention. The room was dark, but there was enough light for Kid to concentrate at. He worked studiously upon the construction, having to alter less and less of Kobi’s work, as the young man continued to improve drastically. Kid suddenly realised he was muttering to himself, when a voice sounded behind him, coming from the bed.
“Is that you? Come into the light, so I might see you? Do I know you? Are you Apprentice or Tutor? Or are you someone else?”
Kid was arrested by sudden apprehension. He drew himself into the darkness of the corner, a long practiced reaction to the general apathy of the people, and altered his voice to something bordering upon ethereal, “I am - something else.”
“What are you, then?”
“I am the spirit of the emissary to Syphyll, Craftsman of the Gods. I aid you in your endeavour as you have a potential within you that shines brighter than Kombayn at Sun.”
“And you are the one who - helps me?”
“I am. But - you are not permitted to see me in my form, for it will wither me and I will be no more.”
“Are you sure?”
“Quite - sure, yes.”
“Then I shall return to slumber in the hopes that I continue to dream of the world and you might in turn be saved.” True to his word, within a minute or two, Kobi was asleep, his breath deep and even. Part of Kid was beginning to wonder if it had been a mistake, if it was evident that Kobi was that easy to fool. But then, he was to be an Engineer, and Engineer’s required only their intellect, not their belief in fairies. Kid finished up his work and left, only to return and return and return. He was almost caught two more times, but had been more than ready then with an easy escape.
One day it was finished, mostly by Kobi Noskein himself, it had to be said. Way before the end, Kid’s participation was made redundant by Kobi’s rapidly enthusing knowledge and attention to detail, until all Kid could do was write out words of encouragement and nothing more. Kid knew the experiment had succeeded when the note Kobi issued one night was applauding Kid’s help - in the guise of the emissary of course - specifying the attention to hard work being optimal, revealing to himself the potential he contained within, and the kindness he was shown, despite his sometimes surly manner. That too had begun the path of alteration. Kid noticed how Kobi became more forthright, brighter and more attentive around others. They, in turn, brought him into the fold and he quickly learned to socialise, basking in the benefits of the same. It was yet still something Kid continued to lack. But there was time. There was always time.
Over and over, there was time.
But returning to contented thoughts of Kobi Noskein, Kid remained effervescent in the lessons Kobi had learned. It would be for the benefit of others too, and hopefully through Kobi’s continued actions - for it promoted power, a force for the growing qualities of the individual, encouraging good physical and mental health, threaded with a string of robust emotional potency, and an energy possessed. It was the great leveller, to know there was support, haled perhaps, but knowing it brought comfort through the increasing success and progress elicited from such an endeavour.
And for his part, Kid would never reveal the truth of the helpful spirit who aided Kobi Noskein within the sleeping hours, growing and nurturing the Engineer within him.
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