Covered entierly by his cloak and clothing of some dark cloth, Mongoose is a few inches short of six feet tall with an average build. More than that can not be seen through his costume.


How the world became like this, I do not know. Most humans did not hear the noise, shrieking wind and crashing thunder from skies torn with too much abuse. It is much too loud to speak, and in this morass of sound they've learned to communicate silently. Thus it had been for generations, if it was ever this way, at all.
Humans are humans, the same greed and pride that is troublesome here existed there. Evil is not an evolutionary adaptation, it is part of being human. Many of the mute lacked the self-control to refrain from violating the personal sanctity of their fellows. Out of necessity, those that showed the appropriate bent are trained and equipped to curb the chaos. Those given such training and equipment are awarded special status. As they arbitrate all disputes that arise, they are known merely as arbiters.
The first touch on my mind belonged, not to my parents, but to an arbiter. I was immediately taken to a place known only as 'the creche' where I was raised and trained to be an arbiter. The elderly arbiters running the creche trained us in large groups. We passed milestones, depending on our bent. I was taught to mentally manipulate substances and build small energized crystalline structures for various purposes.
When any of us passed the milestones leading up to it, we made our badge of office. Using everything we've learned, we are to produce a tool suited to our needs. For mine, I sat before a fire, adding logs to the blaze while I wove the smoke to my needs. For two days, the only movement was of logs and smoke. The latter in long strings weaving from the fire and covering me. When I stood, it settled and conformed to my aspect.
As arbiters, we rule with an iron fist, controlling every aspect of life. I had been sent to retrieve an errant technician, but turned aside to investigate an unusual energy emanation. Without warning I was trapped and sent hurtling through space that tore at my mind and body. Desperately, I searched with my thoughts, and when I heard faintly the stray thoughts of people, I willed myself towards them. I have no memory of what was between the exertion of my will and my arrival here. I opened my eyes to the scream of the wind as I fell, high above the ground. Unfurling my cloak, I controlled my descent. As I reached the ground, I saw a man striking a woman. I did what any arbiter would do and struck down the man.
The woman made noises as I landed, while the man cowered. I didn't understand, and desiring to do so reached out to the woman's mind. It was my turn to be staggered. Like water heated or chilled beyond reason, my mentality crystallized around the seed of her personality. After, my beliefs, my sense of duty, what I believed was my honor, were all in conflict with the framework of my mind. With the speed of thought, the man was struck down. Your authorities took the man away, while the woman bade me away till we could talk privately. She has helped me ever since, feeling it was HER duty to do so.
After tasting the freedom of your world, which I believe may be precursor to my own, I found duties of my own. Here there is an opportunity to better my own world. This place has chaos and crime, but it also has balance. I will learn how this balance can be maintained while maintaining the freedom you have. If possible, I will make this world a better place.