this fic takes place three years before pn.
Perfume Can't Match
Lili Zanotto smelled like the earth.
It was an odor that typically made Kitty's nose wrinkle. Moss, grass, and herbs all smelled like manure. Letting those odors cling to her pristine, lotioned skin would have diminished her reputation. She had others walking in the forest collecting arrowheads for her, letting the dirt sink into their pores and blacken them, providing another result for Kitty to sneer about them behind their back.
But Lili was different. A flora scent wafted off her clothing. Whenever Kitty found her off the beaten path, she was gardening. Wildflowers surrounded her. She'd gently brush through their petals with a gloved hand, unworried about the pollen drifting onto her clothing or tickling her nose. When she left them, it was as if she had spritzed herself with a pleasant perfume, one with the name of a celebrity printed on the label.
It was one of the reasons why Kitty was intrigued with the new girl. Not only was she the daughter of the Grand Head, which was a prime connection for Kitty's future, but Lili was also unique. She had fashion sense and flair. While Kitty had some gentle criticism for Lili's plethora of fingerless gloves, her patterns and outfits earned Kitty's praise. Her hair was like silk, which Kitty enjoyed brushing in their cabin. And Lili's tact for color combinations when it came to eye shadow even inspired Kitty to try new looks, like adding a golden shimmer to enhance the natural violet of her irises.
So, Kitty didn't mind sitting on the grass in the forest with Lili. She braved the ants crawling across her designer shoes and fireflies fluttering too close for comfort. She even left her favorite cashmere quilt locked in her suitcase. If any of the girls back home saw Kitty in such a common position, they would have gasped and clutched their plastic beaded necklaces.
"Alright," Lili began, flashing Kitty a grin that missed her front teeth, "you ready? Everyone's waiting to talk to you."
Kitty's rosy smile fixed itself to her face. "As I'll ever be."
They looked at the odorless flowers. The white petals of the trilliums seemed to flutter on their own. Their large leaves trailed on the grass. Kitty wondered what they were saying, and she supposed she wouldn't have to wait to understand them when Lili slowly gestured, bringing her hands to her face as if smelling them.
Lili closed her eyes, her thoughts bleeding into Kitty's head. Concentrate on them. Find a link with them like we're doing now.
So, just focus? Kitty thought, looking over her shoulder. He wasn't anywhere in sight, and she smirked. The looming redwoods provided all the shade and protection they needed from intruders.
She turned her attention to the nearest trillium when Lili affirmed her. It was the runt of the liter. With leaves dwarfing the petals, it reminded Kitty of a crinoline petticoat, spreading out on the soil as if making up for what the bulb lacked in size. Choosing to speak with it, Kitty set her index and middle fingers to her right temple. She pushed aside unnecessary thoughts as instructed by Lili, her mind blanking, her eyes closing.
"Visualize the flower and feel its energy," Lili said. "It's the best way to get your foot in the door with herbaphony."
It was easier said than done. Kitty concentrated on the trillium, but she couldn't grasp anything tangibly or telepathically. Her brow wrinkled, but Lili squeezed her shoulder, reassuring her, even if Kitty didn't need it. Still, her lips twitched in a smile. Kitty redoubled her efforts, seeing the divots in the petals and the deep yellow pollen clinging to the stamens, clearly visualizing the trillium.
As she deepened their connection, a scent like death wafted around her. It was as if she had breathed in freshly rotted meat. Her nostrils flared, Lili commenting the faint stench of trilliums was naturally putrid, but Kitty persisted.
She felt something compelling her closer, like leaves wrapping around her hand. Kitty leaned her left ear toward the trillium. The wind swayed in her mind, and she saw the flower bristle, pollen wafting in the air around her. Feeling another tug, she lowered her head until her cheek brushed against the soft petal, and Lili gasped, her delight palpable, causing Kitty's heart to skip a beat.
In a voice like glass shattering in her compact, the trillium spoke.
Sheesh! You smell awful.
Kitty's eyes shot open. Her face scorched and clashed with her cerulean cream blush. She lunged backward, her fists shaking as she roared, "What?"
Lili clapped her hand over her mouth, snorting. Her pupils were like pinpricks. She whipped her gaze between Kitty and the trillium, the former shaking, prepared to rend the flower from the ground, roots and all.
The trillium continued, seemingly unbothered by Kitty's reaction. How many products did you squirt on yourself to cover your body odor?
"Hey!" Lili barked as the trilliums quivered. "Apologize, Mandy! You just met Kitty!"
Mandy snorted. Hey, I just have the nerve to tell her. The others would have skirted around the issue, but the feeling is mutual.
Kitty tightened her mouth in a thin pucker. She knew what she was worth. Her perfumes and clothing were designer brands, top of the line, and always ahead of the game. She was the most fashionable and beautiful girl in Whispering Rock, and she would not sit idly while a meager plant mocked her.
She squared her shoulders and grinned like a panther ready to pounce. Oh, well, isn't this something special? One second ago, you wanted to chat. In the next, you mocked me to my face. I sure hope you guys don't rub off on Lili because she deserves better than two-faced friends.
Mandy gasped, which was followed by a small chorus of astonishment. Kitty heard the other trilliums admonishing the smallest one. Lili scolded Mandy as well, going as far as shaking her finger at it. Without anywhere to go, Mandy was left to face their resentment.
Kitty severed the link between her and Mandy. She cut it off mid-apology, satisfied when its petals wilted. "Well, I didn't see that conversation happening," she said when Lili turned to her.
She slinked her hand behind her neck and rubbed it. "Yeah, sorry, Kitty. Everyone seemed so happy to talk to you yesterday." She reached out and patted Kitty's knee. "Don't listen to Mandy. She's always been kind of a brat."
"No big deal." Kitty nudged her. "There's a first for everything, right? Maybe that includes being insulted by a bud."
Lili chuckled. Kitty shared in her amusement with a subdued snicker of her own. It was better to play it safe than fight with a flower. Losing a friend like Lili over a trillium's crassness would have left her feeling more humiliated far worse than the opinion of a worthless shrub.
Kitty stood up, deciding she had enough. She checked her attire and frowned at the stray dirt sliding off her skirt. She quickly dusted herself off, making a mental note to reapply her perfume when she returned to their cabin.
Following suit, Lili narrowed her eyes on the trilliums before sighing. "Do you wanna head back?"
"Oh, yes," Kitty quickly replied, her enthusiasm to leave the woods noticeable. Clearing her throat, she started walking toward the trodden path. "Let's get out of here. I wanna snag a dream fluff from the lodge."
Lili hummed. She dipped her chin to her chest. Kitty stopped in mid-step, cocking her head. She leaned forward, assuaging her reaction, much like how her father would have done in the middle of an argument.
"What's wrong, girlfriend? You can tell me," Kitty murmured, applying a smile to her face.
Lili grimaced. She didn't meet Kitty's eyes. "Yeah, I know. Maybe this is a stupid thing to admit, but I wanted that to go well."
"It's not stupid," she replied, swinging her arm around Lili's shoulder. Bringing her closer as they started walking up the path, she gently giggled. "Maybe those trilliums just weren't the right crowd for us. If you introduce me to a nice, I dunno, daisy, then that could work."
Lili's eyes sparkled as if struck with an idea. She pointed in the direction of the lodge, exclaiming, "Hey, yeah! I do! They're right by the picnic benches. Wanna meet them?"
Kitty paused. A rejection was on the tip of her tongue. She had already tried herbaphony with disastrous results. Doing anything else was better than sitting on the grass babysitting the needs of a flower, especially as her mortification was still fresh.
But there was a personal element to Lili's sincerity. She wanted Kitty to join her, engaging in an activity where she was at her best. Her first attempt had soured in a way neither anticipated and trying again lifted Lili's spirits. Lili waited for the answer she sought, squeezing Kitty's hand that hung limply on her shoulder, and reflexively, Kitty curled her fingers inward. Her motivations for pursuing their friendship might have started for the sake of a connection, but she didn't want to hurt Lili.
"Well, alright. Just one more flower," Kitty said, raising her index finger, "and it's gotta be quick because I really want that dream fluff. Okay?"
Lili nodded, beaming. "Yeah! The daisies are docile at this time in the afternoon, so I doubt they'll be mean." She ducked her head and pulled Kitty's arm off her shoulder. Grasping her hand, she guided Kitty toward the lodge, leaving the forest behind much to Kitty's relief. "We won't be too long. Besides, me and Bobby have an extra Basic Braining session in an hour. I don't want to keep him waiting or be late, too."
Kitty repressed a wince at his name. She slowly shook her head, gnawing on the inside of her mouth. If anyone aggravated her more than a nasty flower, it was wannabe bully Bobby Zilch. He was a thorn in her side. He tended to stick to Lili's side like glue, but she was slowly and surely wedging her way between them. To her knowledge, it wasn't like Lili had ever asked Bobby to practice herbaphony with her, and at her personal reassurance, her lips curved in a silent sneer.
When Lili looked at her, Kitty's practiced smile appeared. She nodded, replying that she would happily skip class, not wanting to be around the coach for an extended period of time. And as they swung their hands together, approaching a delicate array of daisies nestled in the shade, Kitty decided to purchase a woodsy perfume for Lili, wondering if it would even matter when Lili always smelled nice.