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Mara:

Frey smiles and says, “Of course I do, I mean everything I say. I mean, look at the situation we’re in, what’s the use of lying?”

I frown at him. He’s joking. I can hear the laughter in his voice.

“Did you notice anything odd in the way you came here?”

Arms crossed, I debate whether or not I should actually give him a piece of my mind. The realization that he can’t hit me as father would seals it. “You don’t have to do that.”

“What?” Frey asks, a little too innocently.

“Treat a stranger like a gullible idiot just because she doesn’t know what’s going on.” I shake some stray braids out of my face. “What’s your problem, hmm? Why are you saying stuff you don’t believe?”

“Didn’t you hear what I said about how I mean what I say?”

Maybe he thinks I was bluffing, but now…argh! This subtle teasing sarcasm is even worse than father’s harshness. That I could at least counter, to a point. This, and I can only helplessly glare.

He takes a different track. “Look, I was only teasing,” he begins.

“Like that makes it so much better.” I sneer.

“But if lies are evil, and lies are meant to deceive, then teasing really is better. Teasing is not supposed to deceive people.” He has that stupid infantile look again.

I do not want to smack it off. I do not. This isn’t like Isaias or Rosemary at all. They really mean their philosophical nonsense. I bet Frey wouldn’t even if he swore before the Benevola Wolf. Breathing deeply, I say, “I’m done with foolishness. Do you actually know anything about this place or not?” I even attempt to be diplomatic. “If you, like me, know nothing, then maybe we could help each other find some answers.”

@rose-colored-fancy