Incipience

Chapter 20

I silently follow after Firodi as she leads us to the council's chambers. She gives me a last-minute lecture on the importance of semantics and propriety while speed walking through the halls of Nimfizija. I do my best to commit her words to memory. The last time I was summoned to the council, I was blindsided. I don't know what I'm getting into this time either, but I can at least be more levelheaded this time around.

Firodi pauses us before we round the last corner that leads to the council. She gives me a quick once over, fixes the collar of my shirt, brushes off a nonexistent piece of lint from my sleeve, then continues towards the council, this time at a much more dignified pace. A small smile tugs at my lips. Even if Firodi isn't the most coddling person you'll come across, she has her endearing moments.

The soldiers stationed at the doors straighten up at the sight of us. The two stop us in front of the room's entrance and scan our holowatches to confirm our authorization before letting us through. The (unnecessarily) large double doors swing open with a press of a button. The chamber's contents slowly come into view. The room is exactly how I remember it looking two months ago when I first saw it: the large crescent-shaped chamber contains elevated pew-like benches, minimal decor, and large (likely bullet and/or missile proof) windows to let in natural light and give the council a view of the capitol.

While the room's configuration remains untouched, its composition has changed. There are easily twice as many people seated here today than there was all those weeks ago and, by the looks of it, no one is happy to be here. Everyone in the room is bickering and showing what I think to be an uncharacteristic lack of propriety as they talk over one another. I honestly don't think that the argument would have been quieted any time soon based on the rowdiness of the group had Zairad Mendir not called them to order upon Firodi's and my arrival.

This chaotic scene would've ordinarily been interesting, maybe even amusing if I was an uninvoled third party looking in, but the fact that I was summoned before them while they're in the middle of an argument is concerning. Just what could they want or need from me at a time like this?

Mendir waves the two of us further into the room. "Approach the podium."

Firodi and I do as we're told and stand at the podium centered in front of Mendir. I hate the way I have to quite literally look up to him to meet his gaze. I try not to dwell on the detail as I join Firodi in a short, but formal bow at the waist.

"Ra'jemt xoiji ," Firodi and I chorus. Our formal greeting is met with a nod of approval.

"Hello, Councilwoman Firodi and Xinxi—oh, my apologizes—Miss Joesph..."

The cheeky smile on Mendir's face lets me know that he purposefully said that to get under my skin and he definitely succeeded because my left eye instantly twitched at his words.

"...I appreciate you making haste to get here to quickly. We have much to talk about and little time to do so."

Mendir straightens in his chair before continuing.

"As you are both aware, there are Inovarians who are opposed to humans being here, especially because many are to be carry on the Inovarian bloodline soon. Prior to the humans' arrival, there were a series of small protests and petitions circulating to express the feelings of the few opposers. Many's fervor for the topic quelled once realizing that my decision was final, though there is still some residual animosity in the hearts of a few. This lack of acceptance has manifested as passive aggressive behavior towards humans for the majority of those against the program, but, as Miss Joesph would be able to attest to, some have taken their disdain far past that."