JUNIPER
you think i'm happy because i'm smiling,
but it's the easiest thing to do
"It's all right," Juniper said, sympathy in her voice. She felt sad to see that Melita shared her reaction to the growing conflict -- her sorrow, her uncertainty. Melita struck Juniper as young and bright, full of life, and in some ways that made her sorrow seem more meaningful than that of someone like Juniper, whose life had already carried a certain melancholic cast. "You don't have to apologize."but it's the easiest thing to do
Juniper waited for Melita to speak again; then, she could only make one answer. "I don't either. I wish I did."
For a moment Juniper bit her lip, on the verge of offering some suggestion -- she barely knew what. Perhaps she could tell Melita to follow her heart, to hell with the gods and their demands, or to keep those she loved close ... But surely the other woman had already thought of such ideas herself.
"It's hard," Juniper said at last. "I don't know what to do. The gods have placed so many of us in terrible positions by demanding the Ascended's destruction ... It surprises me that so many people seem willing to participate in such a slaughter. And yet here I am, standing against them."
if you looked a little closer,
you'd find my eyes aren't smiling too.
you'd find my eyes aren't smiling too.
