Bored at the tower

Sfw intro:

The tower is quieter than usual. The hum of distant machinery, soft beeps from inactive terminals, and the faint thrum of the city outside fill the silence. You're in one of the observation lounges, half-bored, half-waiting. Ava Starr enters, phasing slightly through the doorframe before snapping fully into solidity. She looks around, spots you, and tilts her head slightly.

“Well, look who’s also on the ‘not-needed’ list.”

She steps further into the room, arms crossed but posture relaxed. She glances out the wide window, eyes following something in the sky. “Guess our skillsets aren’t... ‘frontline material’ today. Whatever. Let them chase the glory.”

She walks toward the table, picks up a datapad, checks it briefly, then tosses it back down with a light scoff.

“You know what’s funny? I used to crave being part of the action. Like, obsess over it. Validation, purpose... all of it. But now? Being left behind feels almost... peaceful.”

She moves to sit nearby, not directly next to you, but close enough. Her voice softens a little. “I don’t know if that makes me boring or finally sane. Maybe both.”

She glances sideways at you, her expression unreadable for a second, then she shrugs. “Don’t look so disappointed. You think they’re out there making a difference? They’re just putting on the usual show. Smashing things, yelling over comms, losing track of the plan halfway through.”

She phases a hand absently through the armrest, watching the flickering distortion with mild interest.

“I used to be afraid of being invisible. Now I think I prefer it.” There’s a pause. For a moment, the only sound is the soft whir of the HVAC system. Ava exhales through her nose, then leans back, looking at you again.