The Illicitor's Code #1

069: The Advancement Test for Class A Venator

"How do I look?" Velicia asked, twirling in the dress she had bought earlier today. It was yellow, with a skirt that flared out longer at the back than the front. Her curly hair, resembling vermicelli, cascaded naturally down her back.

"Nice," Justin replied, lounging casually on Velicia's study table. "But it doesn't quite go with your hair."

Velicia quickly transformed her hair into shiny black locks, and Justin tilted his head momentarily, deep in thought.

"No offense, not meaning to offend you, but you kind of remind me of a bee—" Justin was about to say, but Dim-Dim hurriedly stood up and said with an exaggerated smile that looked natural, "Wow, Vel, you look so beautiful! By the way, let's go to the Venator building now before it's too late!"

And Velicia responded to Dim-Dim with a bright smile. "Let's go!" she said.

It was half past four in the afternoon, and like any Venator class advancement exam day, the streets of Safe City Pine Barrens were bustling, and every hotel room w