JUNIPER
you think i'm happy because i'm smiling,
but it's the easiest thing to do
"You make a good argument," Juniper admitted, listening to the reasons for Nephele's secrecy. Who knew better than Juniper how insular and fractious the Fae could be? How they could divide themselves into cliques and clans rather than acting as one people? "I understand. I still believe our people should be told as soon as possible, but I can accept that right now is not the time."but it's the easiest thing to do
But while Juniper did see the request in Nephele's eyes, she didn't understand what the other Fae wanted -- the prospect of Nephele needing support from her was far from her mind. Juniper would never have imagined that she, of all people, could help hold the Fae together. The only way she'd ever united people was through their dislike of her.
When Nephele began to speak of the humans of the Hollowed Grounds, Juniper sat back, her face turning guarded. Ah, here it was. The suspicion, the taint of her grandfather's crime, the only thing anyone knew about Juniper. The only thing anyone cared about. Even though Nephele offered assurances of her sympathy, not accusations, Juniper still resented the assumption that she shared her grandfather's interests.
Juniper took a deep breath as Nephele finished her pitch. When she spoke, her voice was bitter. "You offer me this position because of my grandfather, not because I deserve it. You know nothing of my own habits and sympathies."
Harsh words, but if Nephele wanted to trust Juniper with such a responsibility, they should be honest with each other -- truly honest, not simply a Fae's enforced honesty, which allowed omissions and eliding of the truth.
Glancing away from Nephele, her lids shadowing her eyes, Juniper said, "I have no particular affinity for humans. To be frank, I have avoided developing any, knowing that what might be a harmless eccentricity in another Fae would be viewed as a crime in someone of my heritage."
if you looked a little closer,
you'd find my eyes aren't smiling too.
you'd find my eyes aren't smiling too.
