Nephele
"Gift-giving is uncommon among my people, but it is a...nice thought." She hesitates over the word, tongue tied up with the forcefulness of honesty, unsure what else to call it. Nephele privately thinks it's more foolishly optimistic, especially considering how violent and prone to backstabbing and overthrowing of monarchies the Grounders seem to be. But if Maea looks forward to such things, Nephele will stretch the truth as much as she can to not insult her for her positivity. As the woman speaks she scribes quickly into her notebook, ears keenly tuned to her voice even as her hazel eyes never leave the pages beneath her fingers. It is valuable information, and she hums a distinctly satisfied sound when the words run out both verbally and beneath her hand. "Thank you," she says simply for lack of any other commentary on Halo or the information she has been given. Why search for further words when brief ones suffice? Or perhaps that is just her way. Brevity and emotional distance.
"That you were cursed souls, doomed to wage eternally across pitifully small years of life due to your insolence. We did not need to philosophize too greatly over your existence when you seemed sufficiently trapped and punished, thinking you would never impact us. Clearly an oversight on our part." Hopefully the woman wouldn't be too offended by her blunt explanation. "To be frank, you do not think about the lives of ants, do you? You are just as small from up above." Perhaps that's why the Fae were capable of flight, were not punished by the Gods or the monsters of LongNight. It was easy to fall into the trap of believing themselves to be better. "I should return home soon, however. Perhaps you will visit the Greatwood? I would be willing to escort you for a time." Not too far of course, and only certain areas, but Nephele wouldn't mind escorting Maea so that she wouldn't be harassed by her fellow Fae.
run your fingers through my hair
and speak to me softly
