Jade

JADE

I literally cannot…a Sarkarnii? Here? How come the much lauded starmap my group of Sarkarnii found didn’t pick this one up? Maybe it doesn’t do individuals.

My head is shattered, I’m shattered, and all I want is to get back to my egg-shaped apartment and fall into bed. Everything else can wait. Including the fact I’m pregnant, even if it’s something which can’t wait forever.

All of this is going to take some head space, which I don’t have. This is not what I planned at all. None of it, and certainly not meeting a snarly Sarkarnii male who is too smug for his own good, and who makes me feel…wanted.

Nope. I am not going to let him make me feel any way at all. I have far too many problems of my own. I do not need to add him to the list.

By the light of his damage, I make my way out of the square and it’s not long before I encounter life. A pair of cute, furry Lepke, all feathery antenna and rodent-like features, are hanging out of their door staring at the damage.

“Excuse me,” I say, hoping not to startle them.

I startle them.

“I’m a bit lost. I’ve not been here long.”

Their faces brighten immediately. “Are you the new human?”

I nod, although I wasn’t aware there were any old humans on Kitchik.

“I’m Racil and this is Frank!” The smaller of the two claps her hands together. “I’m so pleased we met you!”

Excitable, but in my current mood, I don’t mind so much. Anything to keep me from thinking about my current condition.

And the big red, very muscular Sarkarnii I’ve encountered tonight.

“I’m .” I do my best to sound happy. “Is there any chance you could get hold of Qrow er…Riverside? He knows where I live.”

Racil puts her hand on my arm, her whiskers twitching like a mouse. “No need. Everyone knows where you live, . We can show you the way to your home.”

Home. I hadn’t thought of it like that. Will it be baby proof? How will I manage on my own?

“If that’s what you want?” Racil queries.

“Yes, please.” I stumble over the words, caught in my thoughts.

She links arms with me, and together with Frank, we start walking down the street.

“Drekkan’s been busy again,” Frank says in a surprisingly deep voice.

“Drekkan?”

“Our resident Sarkarnii, or not, as he prefers,” Frank says with a sigh. “You know Sarkarnii, don’t you? Are they all so grouchy?”

“I did, but I can’t speak for all of them. Mine were locked up in a prison maze for a long time. I doubt they’re usual examples.”

“A prison maze!” Racil gasps. “Those Sarkarnii! Always up to something!”

“Drekkan’s done it this time,” Frank says, although he doesn’t sound bothered in the slightest about the fire raging in the buildings we can see down the hill. “The mayor isn’t going to be amused.”

“What do you mean, ‘this time’?” I query.

“Oh Drekkan’s always up to mischief. We like him to think he’s getting away with it,” Racil says cheerfully as we take a left.

“Why?”

“Like Frank says, he can be a bit grumpy, and we like the inhabitants of Kitchik to be happy.”

“So, you let him blow stuff up, so he’s happy ?” I say, stunned.

“He doesn’t always set things on fire. Mostly he steals or gets Qrow to steal things. Sometimes he pays for them, and usually he pays far more than things are worth, so it balances itself out,” Frank says. “In fact, he’s not done an explosion for…how long?”

He leans around me to look at Racil.

“At least three rotations. But then, I don’t think he’s been able to get the explosives for the last two, has he?” Racil replies, as if she’s discussing where Drekkan the Sarkarnii goes to get his groceries.

“That’s true. Qrow got him some around this time last year, didn’t he?” Frank says with a smile. “For the Solstice celebration.”

“Drekkan hates the solstice celebration.” Racil laughs. “That’s why Qrow gave him the present.”

The pair of them chuckle heartily.

“Here you go, , my dear.” Racil pats my arm and nods past me.

I’m back at my egg apartment. So lost in the conversation, I didn’t even notice we arrived.

“Thank you.” I give her a smile. “I couldn’t have found it on my own.”

“You’ll get your bearings soon,” Racil says with a happy, rodenty smile.

“This place isn’t going to be big enough,” Frank says, his brow furrowed.

“It’s fine. It’ll be fine,” I say, starting up the steps.

“Not with a youngling on the way,” Frank says and I freeze.

“How do you know?”

“We didn’t.” Racil has her hands clasped together, her beady eyes shining with delight. “We could scent something but you confirmed it. A youngling! How exciting!” She turns me towards her, checking me up and down before placing her hand on my belly.

I’m only just showing enough it’s hard to hide anymore without a lot of clothing.

“Maybe for you,” I mutter. “I don’t need anywhere bigger. This place is okay,” I say out loud.

Frank and Racil look at each other. “If you say so. But if you want somewhere bigger, just let us know.”

I’m about to say I have no way of finding my way back to their egg house, even if I wanted to, when they melt into the night.

I stagger up the rest of the steps. How these are going to be when I’m more pregnant and exhausted than I already am, god only knows.

The door opens at my approach, and I just about make it to the bedroom before I flake out on the bed. The ghosts of flames flicker over the walls.

My last thoughts before my eyes close and sleep claims me are about my baby, and about the Sarkarnii who apparently hates the Kitchik equivalent of Christmas.