The (So-Called) City of Progress

                                    

                                          
Two minutes to midnight
You stood outside the doors of the Council's room along with your mother
These tall, preciously decorated doors that you had seen plenty of times from the outside, but never from the inside. It made you wonder what discussions were going on inside
And if they were even worth having to begin with
With her helmet under her arm, she turned to you
Grayson: I won't take long
You nodded in understanding, earning a smile from her before she entered the room. The Kirammans had invited you over, but first, there were important matters to discuss 
It didn't take long for you to wander to the other side of the room, searching for some amusement while you waited. Of course, it was easier said than done since this place was pretty much empty
But as it turned out, you did not have to wait long
???: Oh, hello, Y/N
You turned around to find the young politician walking out of the room, giving you a gentle smile as she did
You: Counci--I mean, Mel! Hello
The young woman chuckled, happy to see you remembered her request
Mel: Are you waiting for your mother?
You nodded as she made her way over to you, but that's when something crossed your mind
You: If you don't mind me asking, why are you not in the meeting?
She looked back at the door, and then at you
Mel: To be frank with you, I wanted some fresh air, and it was mostly an issue concerning Professor Heimerdinger
You: Oh
You didn't know enough to question whether or not she could do that, or if that could stop her in any way. Mel Medarda was a very recent addition to the Council, and it showed
Now invested in the conversation, she left you to a window, with a previous view of the city
Mel: What about you? How have you been?
You looked at her for a moment. There was this unspoken air of trust between you, made evident by your interaction at the carnival 
So you looked out the window and answered 
You: Very contemplative, if I'm honest
Mel raised a brow
Mel: That so?
You nodded 
You: I've been wondering about my place in all this
You didn't see it, but she was surprised by this answer. Not because it came from someone so young, but because it was familiar
Too familiar
Mel: I see. Many people would tell you to go to the Academy and discover that, but I have a feeling you already know
You turned to her, only to find her also looking at the city
Mel: You're already changing things around here, Y/N, and I'm sure you've heard that plenty of times before
Then, she looked at you with those serene eyes, but something else was in there. A bit of anger, a pinch of melancholy 
Mel: But people don't take well to change, do they?
Slowly, you returned your gaze back to the city 
You: No... they don't
The young woman crossed her arms, allowing her mind to take her back