JUNIPER
you think i'm happy because i'm smiling,
but it's the easiest thing to do
Juniper took a deep breath when Nephele was done speaking. There was a lot to think about in Nephele's appeal. She could be sure that Nephele wasn't lying to her, at least; she believed everything she said. But that didn't mean she was right.but it's the easiest thing to do
"I agree that we need this role to help our people." Juniper hesitated. Years of other Fae's reactions had trained her not to voice even the slightest thought in favor of outsiders, and she struggled to shake that habit, even if Nephele had spoken of their importance first. Part of her whispered that perhaps Nephele had spoken only to bait Juniper into a damaging admission for some hidden audience. But Juniper forced herself to go on: "Allies will make us stronger, better able to resist the depredations of those who would harm us, Ascended or otherwise."
Her tone turned even more serious, almost bitter, as she spoke of the Ascended. Her own troubles with Fae society did not make her any less horrified at the destruction of the Mathair. She added, almost to herself, "We cannot lose any more."
Then she shook her head, her tone lightening as she turned her attention back to Nephele's request. "I'm simply not sure that I am the right Fae for the position. There must be others who have actual experience with outsiders, who have not avoided them all their lives."
As for the idea of redeeming her grandfather's name, of proving him right -- Juniper didn't know how she felt about that. She'd never really allowed herself to think that her grandfather had been right; she'd considered it unjust that his actions affected her life, but she'd never protested his original condemnation. Doing so would only make things worse for her, she'd always thought.
if you looked a little closer,
you'd find my eyes aren't smiling too.
you'd find my eyes aren't smiling too.
