Nebula (KOTLC)

IN WHICH Sophie Meets Nebula.

A/N: I wrote this a long time ago (actually just this March) on Quotev under the name of emberjoyzecharlotte, and looking back this is SO CRINGE. Read at your own risk!

This chapter starts in Keeper of the Lost Cities book one, when Sophie meets Bronte, Kenric, and Oralie for the first time.

I will later explain how Kenric and Oralie have children but are still Councillors.

This chapter is in Sophie's point of view.

"This way," Alden said, taking her hand and bringing her down the widest hallay, lined with fountains that spouted streams of colored water over their heads. The hall dead-ended at a pair of doors encrusted with a jeweled mosaic two diamond unicorns racing across a field of amethyst flowers. Sophie couldn't help wondering just how rich Fitz's family had to be to live in a place like this. Though everything she'd seen in the elvin world spoke of wealth. It felt very intimidating.

Alden squeeze her hand. "You have nothing to be afraid of."

She tried to make herself believe him as Fitz pulled the doors pen and led them into a formal dining room. Sheer silk curtains covered the glass walls, drawing the eye up to an enormous chandeliera waterfall of long, shimmering crystalsthat hung over a round table set with domed platters and fancy goblets. Four figures in jewel-encrusted circlets rose from the plush, throne-like chairs surrounding the table.

A second too late Sophie realized she should have curtsied, not that she knew how.

She stared at the silver capes fastened at the base of their necks with clasps that looked like glowing, golding keys and felt horribly undressed. Everyone wore jewels and lush fabrics except for her and Fitz, and he was in 'disguise'.

"Councillors and Nebula, this is Sophie Foster," Alden introduced with a quick bow.

"Sophie, this is Kenric, Oralie, Nebula, and Bronte."

Kenric was built like a football player, with wild red hair and a big, toothy grin. Oralie looked like a fairy princessrosy cheeks and long golden ringlets. Nebula looked like Oralie and Kenric's daughter, twelve years old and a lot like Sophie, but Sophie had brown eyes whereas Nebula had misty gray eyesdidn't all elves have blue eyes? Nebula was taking a look at everything, then she'd madly scribble in a notebook and look up again. And then there was Bronte.

As Sophie met his cold gaze, she could see what Alden meant about Bronte being hard to impress. He was the smallest of the three, with cropped brown hair and sharp features. He wasn't bad looking, but there was something strange about his appearance she couldn't put her finger on.

She gasped when she realized what is was.

"What?" Bronte demanded.

Five pairs of blue eyes and one pair of gray eyes focused on her and she stared at the floor as she mumbled, "Sorry. I was surprised by your ears."

"My ears?" Bronte repeated, confused.

Fitz's whole body shook with laughter. Sophie squirmed as one by one the others joined him. Bronte did not look at all pleased to be left out of the joke. Nebula looked annoyed, and Sophie realized she was taking notes of everything that was happening, and probably was ordered to take notes whenever anyone so much as moved a muscle.

"I think she's surprised that your ears are. . .pointy," Alden finally answered. "Our ears change shape as we age. Eventually it'll happen to all of us."

"I'm going to get pointy ears?" Her hands darted to her head, like they might have already transformed.

"Not for a few thousand years," Alden promised. "By then I doubt you'll mind."