Q-Tip(KOTLC) {Completed}

2

Janessa spent a few hours learning of all the gossip of the Lost Cities from Biana and by the afternoon, the white-haired girl felt she'd finally made a friend.

She spent the some time poring over her pyrokinesis book for what seemed like the millionth time after Biana had gone to get changed, hoping to find some tricks to help her control it. In the early afternoon, Calla, a gnome who was one of Janessa's favourite Black Swan members, entered her room.

"The moonlark and her friends are going in front of the Collective to see if Ms Della Vacker may stay here or not. She was an unexpected guest. If you want, you may join them." Calla told her.

"I will. I have nothing better to do. But first, can you braid my hair?" Janessa asked.

Janessa sighed in content as Calla expertly weaved her hair into an intricate braid while humming.

Once she was finished, Janessa gave Calla a hug, then changed into a fresh outfit. She wore a bright red tunic with lace sleeves attached to a sweetheart neckline, cinched at the waist with an azure belt the exact shade of her eyes.

Janessa then went to Sophie's room, and entered, hearing Sophie say "Will you keep me updated about the investigation?"

Janessa saw Sophie speaking into her Imparter to a beautiful woman with blonde ringlets and azure eyes. Almost immediately, she noticed that the shade of blue was the exact same as hers,  and the woman had the same hair colour as Sophie.

"Hello Sophie. Who is this?" Janessa asked.

"Oh, this is Councillor Oralie." Sophie said unsurely, waving at Janessa to go away.

"Oh, don't worry about me, moonlark. I'm sure she already knows who I am. I've overheard some conversations about her before. It seems she is the most trustworthy Councillor for us, at least, that's what Mr Forkle thinks. Besides, Mr Forkle always said it was my choice whether I wanted people to know I existed or not." Janessa furrowed her eyebrows as Oralie squirmed slightly. "Just so that she doesn't have to pretend to not know, I'm the moon lark's biological sister. My strange looks come from the alicorn DNA. Feel free to tell the rest of the Council, or don't. I don't care either way."

Oralie nodded her head hesitantly, her ringlets bobbing. "Alright. I'd like to talk to you again soon, Ms..."

"Call me Q-Tip." The white-haired girl chimed in.

"Q-Tip. For now, I must go." Oralie said, giving the others a look before clicking away.

"That was interesting, Q-Tip. You know, usually people knock." Biana waved at her, grinning shakily in her beautiful pale pink gown.

"Hey Biana. Nice dresses." Janessa commented, noticing how nervous the girl seemed.

Biana relievedly gave a twirl while Sophie looked uncomfortable in her smoky blue gown dotted with diamonds sparkling like stars on a night sky.

"I'm guessing you're not a big fan of dresses, Sophie." Janessa giggled at her obvious discomfort.

"You got that right. She doesn't wear any girly clothes. I've tried convincing her many times, but she refuses to wear pretty things." Biana complained.

"It's not that I don't like dresses, I just..." Sophie trailed off.

"Don't like dresses?" Janessa teased.

Sophie blushed as red as a tomato. "Well, I have enough trouble walking without a big gown on, why would I want to make myself trip more?"

"Sophie's super clumsy." Biana chimed in. "She even has Elwin on house call."

"I'm guessing Elwin is a healer?" Janessa asked.

The trio - Sophie, Biana, and Della - nodded. 

"We'd better get going now, girls. I don't want to make a bad impression." Della told them, ushering the girls out the door as she shared a glance not unnoticed with Sophie and Biana.

They exited the treehouse and were led, with Sophie's male friends, by Mr Forkle to the pavilion in the heart of the subterranean forest.

"So... Why do you go by Q-Tip?" Dex, the periwinkle-eyed, dimpled boy, asked.

Keefe, the arrogant blond, fell back in step with them to listen.

Janessa sighed. "Back in the human world, an older girl used to bully me, call me names. Most often, she would call me Q-Tip. I think she was jealous I was a better dancer than her. Anyways, back then I let her push me around, but I took back the nickname for my codename as a reminder of how I've changed from being a weak pushover to a powerful, opinionated person. I don't let anyone beat me down, no matter what, I'll stand my ground and make my own decisions. I've lived here for a couple years now, and that's what I go by here, so I'm used to it." Janessa said.

"What's your real name?" Keefe asked.

"You don't have to tell us if you don't want to." Dex added.

"I guess you'll have to wait to find out." Janessa said teasingly.

The boys frowned but nodded.

"So, tell me about yourselves. I've already talked a lot about myself, but I barely know your names. Any siblings? Abilities?"

"Keefe Sencen, only child, prank master, devilishly handsome empath, the list goes on." Keefe smirked. 

Dex rolled his eyes. "I have three siblings – triplets. Rex, Bex, and Lex. My dad thinks he's hilarious."

Janessa giggled. "I think it's cute."

Dex scowled, his dimples disappearing.

"Don't be like that, Dex. You should be grateful. It sounds like you have a really nice family." Janessa paused. "So, how did you guys become friends with Sophie?"

Dex shrugged. "My aunt adopted her. We've been best friends since she got here."

Keefe smirked. "She was ditching and we met in the hallways."

Janessa looked at Dex who shook his head. "She burned her hand in Alchemy and he was ditching. He walked her to the Healing Centre."

When they reached the pavilion, all the newcomers' jaws dropped. 

"Okay, I figured you guys were going to be weird," Keefe said, "but I wasn't expecting this weird."