Chapter 1 Scene 1: Meetings

Alvi: Where is she?

Sylvia: Somewhere, but she said she would be here just in time before the meeting starts.

As plain as Sylvia's words were, they seemed to be spoken like magic as it seemed to do the trick.

Zuriel: I'm here! Sorry I am late. All the students are finally dismissed, and I nearly broke my neck falling down the stairs to get here because I had a hard time escorting Marlais out.

Zuriel notices her shoelace has been untied and promptly kneels down to do it. When she stands up, she tidies her uniform and bounds towards the president's desk.

The silent kind of knowing passes between Sylvia and Zuriel as they gaze into each other's eyes.

Sylvia sighs for what might be the thousandth time today and strokes a hand through her light seafoam green hair. She groans:

Sylvia: It's always Marlais, isn't it. This kind of thing won't go unnoticed at today's meeting. Things might be twice as intense compared to every other full government meeting.

Alvi chuckles and follows his coworkers to the main table in the parliament chamber.

They seat themselves according to rank pulling out papers and documents for spending rates that need to be debated upon in the chambers.

Zuriel: The others should be here soon. Probably at dorms.

Denny: College President, Vice President and Head of Student Council, is congress ready ta be in session?

Sylvia: Send them in.

In the midpoint of the congressional session, unease settles in like a looming dankness, fit with the sensation of words Sylvia already knew were coming, she could hear the whispers, she knew their thoughts before they even told her. Yet she feigned ignorance waiting to see who would step up from the crowd.

Member of Student Government #1: Gang activity has been going through the roof! We need-- no we must kick Marlais out. Their existence torments several reputable students. We must act!

Alvi: I doubt that it would stop them from doing it outside the school either, seeing as they haven't been arrested so far. We know nothing about them.

Alvi sits up straighter.

Alvi: We don't even know where they came from nor who enrolled them, and the other members of their gang are from high-ranking families or gifted with education here due to their circumstance.

Member of Student Government #2: Then what should we do! The students are complaining, parents are concerned. If you don't do anything, what is the purpose of having a government in the first place!

Sylvia: Stop yelling at him.

The voices and shouting lower at the sound of their president's voice. She didn't like exercising control, but in this type of situation it would be necessary.

Sylvia: It's not as easy as you think. Just being a part of the school's government doesn't guarantee immediate change. It still has to go through the Headmaster.

The whole room finally goes silent at the mention of the headmaster.

Zuriel chuckles at the unsettling vibe left by Sylvia's bluntness.

Zuriel: As you may know, we have been having trouble contacting her. We can't do anything big. Let's just focus on what we can do.

Zuriel flashes a bright smile and gets the conversation back on topic.

Government continues even without a mastermind.

Sylvia: Zuriel, wait up.

Zuriel pauses and turns around.

Zuriel: Hm-

Sylvia: Nice save there.

Zuriel: No sweat. Human issues are trivial nowadays.

Zuriel laughs to herself and spreads her large white gold wings.

Sylvia: You're leaving campus?

Zuriel: Yep, Heaven. Father needs me for something. I'll be back later.

Sylvia: With how much work you do I am surprised you aren't top student. You have been alive way longer than me. You could be a teacher.

Zuriel looks at Sylvia.

Zuriel: I wouldn't have been accepted as a real adult because of how I look being non-human and all. For you about how long do your people live again?

Sylvia: At least two thousand years, three thousand if I am lucky.

Zuriel smiles weakly.

Zuriel: I am around two thousand years old. Yet people don't see me for my age and think I am nineteen or twenty like you all.

Zuriel is usually bright and cheery. But it seems she doesn't want to talk anymore.

Zuriel: It's not worth fighting to be top of the class. Noteworthy is decent enough.

Zuriel waves and spreads her fan of feathers. Wings carry her off into the sunset before she fades into a golden shimmer of dust.

Sylvia: You are amazing, Zuri. Absolutely amazing. I doubt I can understand that kind of belief.

Sylvia's melodic and lilting voice in contrast with her monotonality of speech and lack of expression creates the kind of haunting siren-like voice.

________________________________

Inside Sylvia's dorm is a pool of water with a large rock at the bottom.

Golden Math-a-thon trophies, gold spelling bee medallions and competitive swimming medals and other types of awards are neatly placed in the room.

Sylvia: I don't have homework today. I guess I can take a break.

Sylvia walks into the room and shuts the door behind herself and places her shoes by the door.

She removes the small oxygen filter attached around her neck and takes a dip into the pool.

Sylvia: Finally have a chance to breathe normally.

Sylvia takes a large breath through cleaned gills in the filtered water of the pool and releases a trail of bubbles from her mouth.

Her scales glitter in the water lights when she takes a seat on her rock to play her instrument.

Memory

Sylvia's mom: Sylvia you are lucky to be accepted to this school. This is the entire purpose of everything your father and I have done. Make us proud.

Sylvia's father: Focus on your education first. People must see the brilliance we see in you, don't let them think any less of you.

Sylvia: But what happens if I fail?

Sylvia's father: Don't you dare think it. You will succeed. You must show them the example. Be better than them.

End of memory

Sylvia: Don't worry mam'mi and pita, I won't.

Sylvia lays down on her bed and sets the rock's temperature to warm to take a nap.

__________

Sylvia Beryl

Occupation: Student President

#1 Student

101 Average Grade Student

Age: 19

Hair color: Light colored sea foam green

Eye color: Light to dark magenta

Class: Myth

Race: Horned Mermaid (Indian Ocean Saltwater Horned Mer)

Crush: Alvi

Best Friend: Zuriel