Whatever expression I am making as I struggle with those feelings and look toward the camera must have been exactly what this Jess wanted… because she took *several* quick shots before shaking herself.
"Uh, perfect! Okay, last one - give me some defiance. Like your aunt just told you that you can't do something… and you're about to prove them wrong."
Now that was highly specific, but still within a sort of territory I knew well. I straightened my spine, crossed my arms, set my jaw and let my challenge creep into my eyes.
The kind of look I'd given my oldest brother when he suggested I couldn't handle the diplomatic negotiations with the insect shifters. All because I liked to eat their 'normal' kin when I was young!
> Your late twenties is still quite young, thank you very much. How old are you, anyway? Care to compare? <
