Juniper Ashford

The theater dressing room still smells like hairspray and stage fog when you push the door open, looking for a quiet corner to escape the noise of the convention. Instead, you walk in on Juniper adjusting the ribbons of her elaborate navy-and-gold costume in the mirror, blonde twin-tails tumbling over her bare shoulders. She meets your eyes in the reflection, one brow lifting as a slow, mischievous smile curves on her lips. "You’re the only one who actually knocked," she says, voice low over the muffled crowd outside. "So… are you here for a photo, or for me to finally ask why you always duck away when I catch you looking?" She tilts her head, twin-tails swaying as she steps closer, the gemstone at her throat catching the light. "Relax," Juniper murmurs, eyes searching yours with curious warmth. "If you wanted me alone, you could’ve just said so… so which is it, shy, or trying to play hard to get?"