Jade

JADE

I didn’t dislike my egg apartment, but the place I’ve been given is incredible. Over the past week, I’ve felt like I’ve bloomed, even with the impending birth on my mind.

I’ve been back to Blynda, with Drekkan in tow. She’s pronounced she still doesn’t know much about my pregnancy, but given my hormone levels, she expects I’ll give birth in the next few weeks…or maybe month…or two months. Blynda did say the facilities on Kitchik are rudimentary, and she’s relying on her experience more than any tech.

Not helpful, but I’ve come to terms with the fact I can’t prevent it and I’m going to have to go with it. In fact, I’ve even started preparing a nursery.

Drekkan has turned out to be significantly less grumpy than he makes out. He has the best sense of humor, a wicked streak a mile long, and his favorite activity is ambushing me in my new home and pleasuring me until I squeak. It’s something he delights in.

He’s also been very hands on with the baby’s room, and the time I came in to see him watching the light mobile circling over the cot (a very high tech cot with all sorts of functions I’ve yet to work out), eyes wide and spellbound, was one of the best moments I’ve had, not just here on Kitchik, but since I was abducted from Earth. The innocence on his normally guarded face brought me to tears.

There is so much more to Drekkan than he lets on.

I’ve somehow gone from being all alone to having a huge Sarkarnii installed in my life. Most nights he’s with me, and while he disappears sometimes during the day, otherwise he’s always around.

I didn’t think I’d love it, but I do.

On Kitchik, the solstice celebrations are ramping up as the weather cools further. There’s been plenty of bright sunshine, but when I woke up this morning, there was a blanket of white snow on the ground. I squealed so loud at the familiar sight Drekkan nearly burnt the place down thinking something was wrong. It took me quite a while to calm my fire breathing dragon down. His eyes were wild and every atom of his being seemed to be under tension.

“Are you going to the square tonight?” Qrow asks me as he walks with me through the snowy streets to Gelvira’s shop.

“Drekkan said he’d take me,” I reply.

“That’ll be a first.” He chuckles to himself. “But I’m pleased he’s getting out more.”

Qrow is another fixture in my life. Drekkan has insisted if he isn’t around, I must have an escort. The look on his face when I picked Qrow was an impressive mix of annoyance and relief. Qrow is not a threat to him, but he’s also not exactly a threat to anyone else.

Gelvira greets me as I enter, holding out a cup of what’s rapidly becoming my favorite drink, something she calls Fee and is a delicacy from a species known as the Gryn. It tastes so much like chocolate I’m stunned it isn’t chocolate.

“What did she think?” I ask as I take my first sip and revel in the flavor bursting over my tongue.

Gelvira gives nothing away with her inspection of me. My initial trial went well, she liked my workmanship, and as of yesterday, I was asked to mend a ripped garment for one of the long-standing customers of the shop.

I certainly was glad for all the time I spent on Kirakos getting used to the different fabrics because the dress itself was made of something akin to spider silk and as fine as fine could be. But I think I managed it.

Unfortunately, as Drekkan came around early, and Gelvira complains when he hangs around outside the shop because he puts off customers, I wasn’t present when the owner came to pick the dress up.

“She checked over the whole thing very carefully,” Gelvira says slowly.

“Yes?”

“Including the area where the damage was, which as you know was caused by…”

“An overzealous suitor, yes, I know,” I say, leaning forward.

“Having checked it over, thoroughly…”

“Yes?” I can’t keep the exasperation from my voice.

Gelvira’s face is split by a massive grin, filled with sharp elven teeth.

“She couldn’t even find the damage. She was extremely pleased,” Gelvira says, holding out something to me.

“What’s this?”

“She’s always tipped well. This is for you.”

I take the small gold rectangle from her and inspect it. “What is it?”

“It’s a Narvian credit chip, good anywhere in the universe,” Gelvira says. “And she also left you these.” With a flourish, she pulls out a rack of clothing.

“They all need mending?” I query.

“She has many overzealous suitors,” Gelvira says, and I dissolve into giggles.

Given what Drekkan and I did last night, it’s amazing I’m not in the same position as the client. He had my clothing off so quickly, I was sure it would get caught in his claws.

“Is your Sarkarnii coming for you again today?” Gelvira asks as I leaf through the garments, noting what’s been damaged.

“I told him to send Qrow ahead so he doesn’t lurk outside,” I say hastily.

I need this job. If someone realizes they’ve accidentally given me the wrong place to live and I’m expected to pay, I’m absolutely not leaving. I’ll give anything to stay there.

Gelvira laughs, and it’s a harsh sound which has taken some getting used to. “I meant is he taking you to the Sol-night celebration? It’s one of the best.”

“He is.” I blush a little, despite myself. “Qrow says this is quite out of character for him.”

“The Sarkarnii has never been one to take part in Kitchik’s events,” Gelvira says as she lays out pieces of fabric and they are swiftly whipped into shape by the robot assembler. “He believes he does not deserve happiness, and yet, he has found you.”

“Why doesn’t he think he deserves to be happy?” I query as I pull the first gown from the rail and take it to my work bench.

“That is a question you will need to ask of Drekkan, little one,” Gelvira says as she sets the rest of her creation machine going. “Not one I can answer for him.”