JUNIPER
you think i'm happy because i'm smiling,
but it's the easiest thing to do
Juniper sat silent for a moment, stunned by the depth and passion of Nephele's words. Fae couldn't lie; Nephele meant it when she said she was doing this for Juniper as well as for herself, that she offered Juniper not only a political position but a fellowship, a bond of loyalty as well as necessity. Something in Juniper's mind -- the suspicion and cynicism engendered by years of rejection -- wanted to run through any possible ways that Nephele might be twisting the truth, any of those little omissions that Fae were so fond of. But ... No. Nephele clearly meant what she said. And if she were willing to show such faith in Juniper, to stick out her neck -- and that of her new queen -- to help re-integrate Juniper into Fae society, even knowing that Juniper had no special expertise to offer, nothing to make it worth their while in a cynic's estimation ...but it's the easiest thing to do
Standing, Juniper took Nephele's hand and tried to pull Nephele to her feet. "Yes. You do. I ... I will join you, gladly. For our people, for you, and for myself. We will reach out to the outsiders, and we will be a stronger people for it."
Don't kneel to me, Juniper almost said -- it felt strange and wrong to see Nephele on her knees, begging, and Juniper didn't like the idea that she had reduced another Fae to such a state. But she let it go, not wanting to bring attention to Nephele's act of submission.
if you looked a little closer,
you'd find my eyes aren't smiling too.
you'd find my eyes aren't smiling too.
