Beating Earth

“That’s quality,” Nickel said, sidling nearer. It was an answer typical of the fey, true and untrue. How was it that none of them were ever fooled by that anymore? How did they always know that it was necessary to look again, listen again? He followed the cracks in the sidewalk with his eyes, up to where they met with Jasper’s feet. He kept going, making eye contact. Something cold tracked a few freezing fingers up his neck.

Nerves, maybe. “So then: what change do you think is coming? Speculate for the others that might be curious.”

He had to admit it was a miracle Fey could hold conversations at all when they become masters of lying through misdirection. One had to pick apart the holes in a half-truth, infer to the hidden meaning. Running a rebellion made Jasper more aware of his word choices, of how expressions changed and eyes shifted when coming up with the right piece to lay out. It was both a talent and a curse. He always had to be on top of things. 

He hoped all of his efforts would be worth it in the end.

“What kind is harder to predict. I’m not sure how the courts will react, but it seems some Fey aren’t happy with one or even both of the current leaderships in place. This places tension on the Seelie King and Unseelie Queen. Now it’s a matter of seeing what they do about it. What are your thoughts?”

“What’d you mean,” Nickel said, shifting his weight from foot to foot. He couldn’t remember exact words, but the gist stayed with him. People didn’t always take care; he didn’t let on, mostly, what it was his so-called personal power actually was. And the fire had been everywhere. “When you said ‘well let’s see what the response will be?’”

Jasper glanced at the other, knowing exactly where his words had come from. Fidchell. Peridot. Considering their murmurs had been more in depth, he was lucky Nickel hadn’t heard more, Unless this was the beginning of a bait. He could handle it. He was used to weaving together half truths and half lies. 

“Well, there was a lot happening at Fidchell, yeah? Between the Seelie taking a victory and then the fire combined with a message? I’m curious what this means for both of the courts.” 

If she looked into his eyes, Lark knew that he would be looking for that girl ( same as Cam ) and she couldn’t handle that as she glanced down at Lemon instead in hopes the dog would solve all her problems like Malachite had not promised. “Yes,” she told him. No, was what she meant to say. “There’s not any coffee. Or tea. Or much of anything if you’re hungry or thirsty.” She paused, hating the cold tone of voice as she turned on her heel with a small smile as she tried to find her way through everything that was hitting her all at once. “I do have water. Do you… want a water?”

This was once a familiar place for Jasper to be, but time had broken away the once pleasant memories. He stared at a shell of Lark, a person who had been full of life before elixirs raided every thought, every response of her body. He wanted the old Lark back, but how much could Jasper fight for it? How much would even matter before she tossed him aside and fell into a place he could never find her again. Part of him wished he was in the same state as last night, when his head was fogged and he felt light, free. Too bad reality always came back and with vengeance. 

Sometimes, he wished he could stop caring.

“Water would be fine, thanks,” he said softly, pushing himself up into a seated position. He couldn’t deny the chill between them, how it crawled up his skin and left him a few degrees colder than he should be. He just wanted things to be normal, but Jasper had to give up on those dreams. “Sorry for crashing. It was a long night. I hope I didn’t bother you.”

“One day at a time.” She said, giving a nod, steadying herself. “One day it will be my job to pick players. To send humans to their deaths.” Camellia sucked in her lower lip, looking up at Jasper. “I understand the importance, but I wish that did not have to involve such gruesome deaths. I have never been a fan, as you well know.” Crying when she was a child and had accidentally killed a butterfly. Holding a spider in her scared and shaking hands until it was free. Too soft, she knew the whispers said, not sharp. She may be smart, but she is not sharp like others here. “Everyone will be watching.” For the announcement, if it comes. For my reactions to the violence, to see if I can keep them hidden and under control.

It was weird how some people fell together without trying and their friendship could transcend any obstacle. That was how Jasper felt with Cam, a safety net in every ounce of darkness. The biggest feat, admitting he was heading a rebellion, could have broken them. And yet, here they sat, still finding comfort in the other, still needing to be held together. He had gotten lucky in this way and Jasper wouldn’t trade it for anything as his family had been complicated, torn at the seams from birth. But he had let the hurt - most of it - fade into the background. Anger didn’t help him. It held him back. “You’re never burdening me, Cam. Please remember that.”

Jasper pressed his lips together in a line, knowing that Cam taking over as Queen of the Unseelie would never be easy for her. She was softer than her mother, softer than most and she would need a foundation to ground her. She would need someone to tell her that hard choices had to be made. She also needed someone to bear the consequences of what the court demanded. “Nothing about ruling is easy especially where we come from. But you will never be alone in this. You’ll have me. Or who knows, maybe in the future we can change what we do with the lives of others.”

“It’d be hard to not notice the Seelie with how much they run their mouths and wave their cash around. I’m waiting for the day where one of them gets drunk enough to get on Ro or Raven’s bad side.” She paused and smiled thoughtfully. “Preferably Ro.”

“Of course, their gossip almost makes their presence worth it.” She pulled her t-shirt over her head, remaining clad in a sports bra and a pair of athletic leggings. “Have you heard anything interesting of late, Jasper?” While still smiling, her grin was tinged with maliciousness.

Jasper finished up the wraps on his hands, extending and curling his fingers to make sure the fabric settled across his skin. Satisfied with the outcome, he observed as Frost did the same, a smile brimming on his face at the mention of the Seelie. Though Jasper didn’t hold prejudices of a similar degree like other members of his court, he did prefer the Unseelie way. Grittier, less concerned with appearances, shadows in the underbelly of New York. 

“I feel bad for whoever pisses off one of them. It’ll definitely stop whoever it is from running their mouth unless they’re the ballsy type. Surprised it hasn’t happened yet or maybe the problem’s already been taken care of.” 

Jasper shrugged his shoulders at Frost’s next comment, thinking back to several drunk folk who had stumbled into the Rookery. “Nothing too concerning. Though there’s been a lot more Seelie around at work. Whether they’re simply looking for a good drink or scouting out the area, can’t say.” 

She was quick to find Jasper among the people of the diner, heeled boots clicking against the floor as she unceremoniously plopped herself down on the chair opposite, picking up the menu in preparation to skim over it. “Last night went very well, I would think.” She smirked then, legs crossing over one other before she continued. “Have we heard any word from her yet? I only woke up ‘bout an hour ago from the best sleep I’ve ever had, so I’ve not yet checked anything.”  Of course, she purposely kept Lacha’s name from her tongue, not knowing who could be listening in.

The energy oozed from Peri’s being, between the clicking of her boots and the grin on her face. Jasper couldn’t help mirroring the expression. Things were finally shifting into place even if it was only the beginning. It was a sign of dissatisfaction, that there were some willing to take action. Jasper only hoped he had the best intentions in mind and war would not ignite. If he was careful, if he was smart...

“No, not yet,” Jasper replied, chewing another fry in his mouth. “I think she’s calculating the situation, making sure the right cards are up her sleeve.” Because if Jasper knew anything about Lacha, she would never get into a situation unprepared. As much as he wasn’t fond of her, he could place little pieces together of how she thought. Like a queen. Like a warrior.  “I would give it till tomorrow at the latest and we’ll have material to work with.”

Their plan had worked, or rather it had caused a storm of fuss. Fidchell already had a lot of eyes and consequences attached to it. Him and Peri had added more. It had been easy to slip away from the crowds - chaos always caused the scattering of shadows. Now it was only a matter of time before Lacha made a statement. His ears were beyond to eager to hear what would unfold from the Unseelie Queen.

Jasper sat at a bench seat away from the window waiting for Peri to arrive. This was their go to spot for discussing certain plans as it was loud, a bit unknown, and had great food. Jasper was working his way through an order of fries when Peri entered the diner.

“Last night went well, I think.” 

Yet here she was, her best friend planning a rebellion for her sake, to overthrow her mother. Two of the people she loved most in the entire world, on opposite ends of her life, neither with any sort of fondness for the other. Which was not how it was supposed to be, was it? The boy next door ought to be admired by the girl’s mother, even if they were only the closest of friends - the mother was supposed to do a lot of things that Lacha did not. Something Camellia did not fault her for, although she did wish that she could see how lovely Jasper could be, just as she wished Jasper could see the kinder side of her mother.

Neither of those things were something Camellia was going to focus on right now, though.

“I do not wish to trouble you.” She said, laying her head on his shoulder. “I am only worried about tomorrow, worried that we may not perform as well as we ought to, and worried about the consequences that may come of that.”

Fidchell held a complicated place in Fey history and Jasper wondered how tomorrow would turn out. More importantly he wondered what reaction his plan would enact. Lacha had squashed rebellions, during and long before his time. He wasn’t easily swayed. This was meant to be for a better rule and help Cam rise to power. He hoped his best friend would be able to handle it. He hoped there would not be a big need for violence.

Jasper slipped an arm around Cam’s waist as she settled against him. They had spent many nights like this through the years when their thoughts were spiked and unforgiving. “You’re never troubling me, Cam.” If anything, his relationship was Cam was the single one that hadn’t burned away or changed with time. He needed her more than she knew. 

“I know we haven’t exactly had record luck with Fidchell, but we can only take it one day at time. If we’re lucky, the odds will be in our favor.” If not, well, it was a lot of bodies with no longer beating hearts. “We can deal with the consequences only if and when they come.”

His knocks had hardly finished when she opened up the door and pulled him in, her right hand wrapping around his left. “I always value your presence, but yes. I could especially use it right now.” She made her way over to a couch and motioned for Jasper to join her. “It is tomorrow.”

She did not need to say what it was. Every fey knew, and Jasper was, of course, no exception. He knew she did not prefer violence and he knew what the wagers were. “I do not want to be alone right now.”

Fidchell was on every Fey’s mind, particularly for those like Forest and Ivy, but most importantly the players. Jasper had always kept an eye on who represented each court and was silently glad to not be in charge of them. Too many lives to be lost on account of what he did or didn’t do. And even if he trained them to the best of his capabilities, death was guaranteed.

Some were eager for the event, but he believed the collective thought was similar to Cam’s. Worry, concern - if tides would change with the season. For Jasper, he knew reactions would sky rocket all because of a banner and fire, a plan he kept between him and Peri. One, to make sure no one didn’t look as surprised as they should be and two, to keep everyone in the rebellion blind. Discretion was needed as much as trust.

He stepped inside Cam’s apartment, squeezing her hand as she took his. Without hesitation, he lowered onto the couch, a solemn smile rising on his lips, beckoning Cam’s words forward. “You won’t be alone. What’s bothering you?”

Being neighbors had its perks, like when one of them had problems and needed the other’s company in thirty seconds or less. Standing in front of Cam’s door was like stepping through a series of memories. It was how their friendship ignited - Jasper slowly falling into the Unseelie way of life, drawn to it more for the people than the ideals.

Now, however, Jasper wanted to make those ideals better and keep Cam safe in the process. He wasn’t always sure he could have both. He would try. Because he didn’t want violence to head his actions. 

Nothing good ever came from it. 

He shook those thoughts away, knocking on Cam’s door and plastering a smile on his face. As she appeared, he said, “Heard you needed a friend?”

Not to mention that Frost had been filled with a strange sort of restlessness so not only had his invitation been appreciated, it had also been needed. She wasn’t the type to get explosively mad - she’d leave that to Peridot - but the previous evening, Frost had carefully been smiling at one of her buyers and had caught herself wondering what his face would look like if she placed one freezing finger on his nose.

“Thank you for the invitation.” She glanced around, taking in the room. “It’s been a particularly busy time with the Rookery so any break if greatly appreciated.” A lie. Frost loved the constant stream of customers.

The Seelie didn’t favor this kind of combat, eager to uphold appearances and a particular attitude. It was quite easy to spot the differences between the courts and though Jasper had his own qualms with Lacha, he still appreciated the Unseelie way. He definitely wasn’t the prim and proper sort. And as Jasper’s secrets told, he wasn’t great at following the rules either.

But sparring, Jasper’s body took to it well. Finishing up the wraps on his hands, he waited for Frost to get ready. “Of course. I can understand that. Clients have been flowing in lately. I feel partly for gossip and partly to drink as much as possible which I’m not complaining about. Makes my job easier.”

Jasper also enjoyed seeing what bits of information he could pick up, especially the looser one’s lips got. “I’m sure you’ve noticed the larger number of Seelie too?”