#phoenixanniestuff

Never in her life had Juniper been lacking. Not in academics, and certainly not in benevolence. She thrived in situations where others expected her to falter. At Hudson, she more hoped than expected that this would remain the same. For the most part, it did. She found herself eager to wake up early, gathering her textbooks within her hands and later spread them across a table in the library. It had basically become a ritual, something she was content with..and yet, she was lacking. In an academy where she naively anticipated she could get by based on her brain alone, she’d all but failed any sort of physical test she received. For the first time in her life, Juniper hadn’t received an A. Well, at least I got to try something new, right?

Juniper never had a reason to fight. In fact, she couldn’t imagine herself ever physically hurting someone. It may have been due to her petite frame, her sole interest in academics, or her discomfort with causing others pain. Either way, the thought made her uncomfortable, but apparently her delicate hands swiftly making their way to someone’s face was necessary. Necessary, the word they repeated when they noticed the way her eyes widened when it was her turn. Like with anything else, Juniper was determined to prove them wrong. She’d never be Onyx, or Inferno, or anyone else who almost made the act of violence appear beautiful, but she’d endure as Juniper — just a version of herself that didn’t wince whenever she threw a punch.

She knew just who to go to. The woman she’d often speak to from across the table whilst simultaneously studying.  Annie, or rather Phoenix. Though a part of her curiosity had been piqued as to how she received that particular code-name, even Juniper knew not to ask about someone’s history. Their conversations were awkward at worst; she found herself ashamed to admit she was slightly suspicious of Annie. Now, she yearned for her aid. If it helped her figure out just what Annie’s objective was with her, that’d just be an added bonus. 

As per usual, with her math textbooks   — this time, it was Combinatorics — in hand, she strolled towards what she could classify as her table. Well, their table, seeing as Annie was across from her more often than not. As expected, she spotted the familiar head of dark hair almost immediately, which evoked a grin of enthusiasm and not an arched eyebrow as she’d reluctantly become accustomed to. 

 “Annie.” She spoke gently, as she always did. Though usually their conversations would begin with a hello, Juniper needed to get right to the point so as to avoid stringing her along. She didn’t want to use Annie ( the woman deserved better ), but if a certain arrangement could be made, it’d be ideal.  “You’re an exquisite fighter.” She said this more so as a fact than a compliment. “Ah...would you —  would you mind teaching me?”