Almost Friendly

     "Excuse me?", replied the Earth Faerie, turning around and looking for the source of that deep, condescending voice. Her eyes scanned the horizon until they fell upon a slight, purple-tinged figure she was all too familiar with.

     "Oh. Jhudora."

     "I said," began Jhudora, with a smug smile on her face, "you'll never catch me wasting my time sucking up to Fyora during those ridiculous Faerie council meetings. She's far too much of a fence-sitter to ever actually make any significant changes."

     It was not uncommon for Jhudora to make a snide remark to Illusen after a meeting and this was certainly not the first time that Illusen had heard Jhudora undermine their Faerie Queen's abilities as a leader. She would normally turn around and tell Jhudora how it cannot be easy having so much responsibility and how the rest of the Faerie council are not exactly the easiest bunch to handle, but today was different. Illusen had really tried to make herself heard today.

     ***

     "Fyora, if I may...", said Illusen. "Your Highness, I would never want to contradict someone as wise as you, but I wonder whether it would be beneficial for Neopets to be able to access our quests by choice. Somewhere they could visit and take on a quest, rather than us appearing to them at rand-"

     An outraged Fire Faerie interrupted Illusen in indignation: "-preposterous, that would never work!" Illusen recognised her as someone who had been a part of the council for hundreds of years. She sat in the grand meeting hall with her dull red hair always tied into a tight bun, often tutting at the suggestions made by the newer Faeries.

     "No interrupting, please", instructed Fyora. She turned to Illusen. "Now, Illusen, I appreciate that you are trying to make a name for yourself within this council with your bold ideas. I trust that you are an intelligent Faerie. I trust that you will understand that we have discussed the bequeathing of quests a countless number of times within this council. We have had suggestions of us giving quests only when asked, us giving quests to those in need, us giving quests to those who own their own Triple Mustard Cheese..."

     The previously indignant Fire Faerie gave an overly loud chuckle in response to Fyora's joke and glared at Illusen, satisfied with herself.

     "But Fyora," Illusen began.

     "The method that we currently use to give out quests works perfectly and is the result of numerous debates and discussions led by incredibly experienced members of the Faerie council. That will be enough on this matter, Illusen. Thank you.", replied Fyora coolly, putting a heavy amount of emphasis on the word "experienced".

     Illusen could feel her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as she gave a non-verbal acknowledgement of Fyora's statement. She looked down at her notepad and sadly crossed through all of her notes that she had prepared in case her suggestion had turned into a debate. Illusen did not notice at the time but Jhudora noted that she was upset and decided she would say something after the meeting.

     ***

     "I don't disagree with you, by the way", said Jhudora, trying her best to sound mildly comforting. "The idea about Neopets approaching us with offers of help? Not a bad suggestion. For an Earth Faerie."

     "It makes a lot of sense, doesn't it? It wouldn't hurt to try", said Illusen, delighted that someone was paying attention to her ideas.

     "Yeah and it'd be amazing to have my own league of underlings running around Neopia, doing my bidding", Jhudora mused aloud.

     "Not quite what I was going for, but whatever works for you I suppose", replied Illusen, her initial enthusiasm beginning to fade.

     Jhudora grinned. She pulled a Dark Faerie Cookie Sandwich from her backpack and appeared to offer it to Illusen.

     "Oh no, I'm okay thank you", replied Illusen "I'm still feeling a bit too upset to eat." She smiled weakly.

     "Hm? Oh, you thought that I-?", began Jhudora, before she stopped herself and let out a cackle. "I wanted you to hold it while I looked for my can of Skeith Fizzy Drink. I don't share cookie sandwiches." Illusen wordlessly held the cookie for Jhudora whilst the Dark Faerie delved deep into her Dark Faerie Backpack and retrieved a can of Skeith Fizzy Drink.

     The two sat together on a bench near the Healing Springs for a moment in silence, until Illusen let out a deep sigh.

     "I don't know if I'm cut out for this. I'm not interested in spending my life honouring traditions that don't make sense anymore and I can't stand another meeting listening to Fyora do nothing but reject all suggestions of change", said Illusen, crestfallen. "I've been thinking about leaving Faerieland behind and starting a new life where I can actually make a difference. Then again, I wouldn't even know where to start or what to do. I haven't exactly had to make a lot of decisions for myself before. Maybe it's better to stay here, and get used to rejection." She stopped for a second and realised who she was talking to.

     "I have no idea why I'm confiding in you about this", she uttered quietly.

     "Have you ever been to the Poogle Races?", asked Jhudora. It was like she hadn't heard Illusen at all.

     "Excuse me?"

     "The Poogle Races. You arrive and there are five measly Poogles waiting for you to bet on them. You get given betting odds, y'know 3:1, 4:1, or in some cases 9:1?", said Jhudora, as if she was in some Poogle-induced trance. "Those Poogles you see with the really poor odds, they seem so hopeless. They're always pathetic and sluggish-looking, but if they succeed in spite of all odds, the reward you can get from betting on them is huge. When the risk of failure is that much higher, the taste of success is so much sweeter. Sometimes you just have to choose the riskier option."

     "So you're saying that though it's a bit risky, I should try and make it on my own outside of Faerieland?", replied Illusen, bemused.

     "What? What are you talking about? I'm just debating which Poogle to bet on later this afternoon", said Jhudora. She cackled and gave Illusen a wicked smile that either meant that her statement was real advice or that the whole thing was a big joke to her. The Earth Faerie could not tell the difference. "Anyway, enough of listening to you drone on. Yes, the Faerie council can be tough, and yes, maybe one day you'll decide to leave, but I'd stick around a little longer if I were you. It's nice to see someone else disagree with those old windbags for once, even if that someone is a bit similar to a pathetic, sluggish-looking Poogle."

     Jhudora smirked at Illusen who almost smiled back. The two sat in silence again for a few minutes until Jhudora got up from the bench and began to walk away.

     "Thank you," Illusen called after her after a few moments had passed.

     "For what?", Jhudora shouted back, already almost out of sight.

     Slightly disturbed, but ultimately inspired by a social interaction with Jhudora that could have been described as "almost friendly", Illusen headed back to her bedroom to make further notes to participate in the next Faerie council meeting. The End.