Sparkle (KOTLC) {Completed}

4

The next day, when Janessa woke up, Fintan entered her room with a pile of black cloth along with her breakfast.

"Get changed. You'll enjoy this." Fintan smiled and part of it seemed almost genuine.

After he left the room, Janessa changed into the leggings and black tunic but refused to put on the black cloak with the Neverseen symbol on it.

When he returned, he raised an eyebrow at her.

"I don't really like the cape. Could I have another one?" Janessa challenged.

His smile looked almost like a smirk as he tossed a red cape at her. "I had a feeling you wouldn't wear it."

Janessa smiled back at him, almost touched by the gesture, as she put it on. She followed him down the hallway and was surprised by the sight of new parts of the base she hadn't seen before.

"Where are we going?" She wondered, playing with one of her ringlets absent-mindedly.

"You'll see."

Finally, they stopped in front of a metal door and Fintan opened it. Inside, there were bunk beds and a face Janessa didn't think she'd see until she escaped.

"Snowflake?"

Janessa ran towards Keefe and tackled him in a hug, giggling. "Oh my god, Keefe, you have no idea how happy I am to see you! I missed you so much! How are you? How's Sophie? How's everyone? It's so good to see you again!"

Janessa pulled away then realized something. "Wait... what are you doing here?"

"Mr Sencen is our newest member." Fintan said from behind them.

Janessa's gaze went back and forth between Keefe and Fintan a few times before she settled on Keefe. "Why?"

"That doesn't matter." Keefe mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

Janessa scrutinized his face a few moments before sighing. "Ok then. I'm just happy to see you."

"You're not mad?" Keefe wondered, looking at her with widened eyes. Janessa wrapped him in another hug.

"Of course not. Your reasons are your own. I won't pretend to understand."

After pulling away again, Janessa looked at Fintan confusedly. "Why did you bring me to see him?"

"I thought it might bring your mood up after the little incident yesterday to see your friend." Fintan replied.

For some reason, Janessa almost felt like crying, but she smiled at him and thanked him quietly.

"Don't worry about training today. You can catch up with Mr Sencen if you would rather." Fintan suggested.

"Yes, please. Thanks." Janessa's smile at Fintan widened and she turned to Keefe excitedly.

Fintan then left the room and Janessa gave Keefe another quick hug.

"Ok, so what happened while I was gone? Are the gnomes ok? How long have I been gone?" Janessa asked. "How long have you been here?

"You've been here about three and a half weeks. I've been here about a week. And, well, the gnomes are ok, but..." Keefe trailed off.

"But what?" Janessa demanded, frozen in fear.

"Calla... she became a Panakes tree to save them." Keefe finished sadly.

"O-oh." Janessa's voice broke. "I see. Th-that's... I don't even know what to think about that. How did it happen? How's Sophie?"

"She was devastated. But Calla was at peace when she changed."

"That's good... that's good. Anything else?"

"Yeah, the– actually, that one I'd rather tell you when I'm sure no one is listening." Keefe muttered, glancing at the door.

"Ah, got it. So... h-how was everyone before you left?" Janessa stuttered quietly, reminded of the last time she'd been in contact with Sophie.

"Sophie was... upset, by everything. She was confused by what you told her about training with Fintan."

"Oh yeah. Are you mad?" Janessa avoided eye contact with Keefe, twiddling her fingers nervously.

"Of course not. Even if there was a reason to be, you have more of a right to be mad at me than the other way around. I mean, I'm the one who... switched sides. You're here against your will."

Janessa sighed. "To be honest, it hasn't been that bad. After just a week of training, I can already feel such a difference in my pyrokinesis. Before it felt like I was constantly struggling to control the flames, but now I'm just aware of them. I don't need to focus to not start a fire. I'm almost... happy I'm here."

Keefe stared at her and grabbed her hand. "You're not lying. I can feel your relief. I'm sorry it was such a struggle for you before." Judging by the look on his face, he could feel more than that, but had decided not to pry.

"It's ok. I got used to it."

The two sat in silence for a few moments.

"I really am so happy to see you. I miss everyone so much." Janessa's gaze became distant as she thought of their friends.

"Why don't you let Sophie transmit to you then?"

"I can't. I don't want her to try to stage a rescue mission. That was her plan before. And now, thinking about talking to her is too painful, it would make me miss everyone even more. Right now, I just wanna focus on my ability, and then I'll start considering escape plans." Janessa responded.

"Sounds like what she'd do. Everyone else would too. They all missed you. Fitz and Biana were more focused on Alvar, but Dex and Linh were really worried about you." Keefe said.

Janessa's eyes watered. "I- I miss them so much." Janessa sniffled. "Even though I just met them, they're so important and I wish I could be with them and you instead of stuck here."

Keefe initiated the hug this time, rubbing her back as she cried into his shoulder. "I know. Me too."