Broken Antler Fen From high hopes to the ground

Maia was still reluctant, but Teya's stepping forward actually made her consider it more.  She made it seem so easy to just ask for it, and why shouldn't Maia throw herself in the ring?  The worst they could do was laugh and tell her no, and no matter where she and Eljay went, she could sort it out later.  She actually kind of wanted this, a fact that surprised her almost more than Wraen's simultaneous question.

She didn't know why she expected Wraen not to take her seriously, but she had fully figured Wraen would take the role herself, even with their conversations.  It was weird for her to think that she, the younger sister, might be deserving of it while Wraen stepped back.  Her surprise showed visibly, despite the fact that she'd just decided to ask herself.  Oh!  Uh.... yeah, actually.  She answered, smiling, but also looking down as she felt her cheeks heat up.  If you think?  I mean, I don't... yeah.  Omg Maia, what is wrong with you?

She looked up and smiled, her tail giving a wave while her stomach flipped at the thought.  I'd really like to.  At least she sounded more sure on that than the stammering earlier.  But she was tensed, and internally, she half-expected everyone but Wraen here to start laughing and tell her to get lost with that.  There was no way they would, but her mind couldn't seem to shake the fear of it.