Jade

JADE

I ’m struggling into my clothes, having woken up bleary-eyed and my head a complete mess from all the horrible dreams, as someone knocks on the door.

“I’m coming,” I call out.

But by the time I get into my small living area, Qrow is stood, grinning wildly, with a box in his hands.

“I guess they don’t do privacy on Kitchik?” I query.

“Your door was open. It is quite normal to enter in such circumstances,” Qrow says happily. “I brought you breakfast. I guessed you probably hadn’t made it to the market yet.”

“Not after yesterday, no,” I reply.

My stomach growls. So much for morning sickness—I’m ravenous. Looks like I’m going to forgive Qrow for his unauthorized entry because he brought sweet pastries.

He puts the box down on the small U-shaped counter in my kitchen area and flips the lid. The scent of fresh baked goods has me descending on it like a pack of jackals. I practically inhale the contents.

“Sorry,” I apologize as I lick my fingers clean of the sticky, soft, sweet pastry.

“You were hungry,” Qrow says. “It is I who should be sorry. I should have ensured your dwelling was fully stocked before you returned, but I expected you to stay in the healing center.”

“I’m not keen on hospitals,” I reply with a shudder. “Spent way too many hours in them.” I don’t elaborate. I don’t want to. “So, I left, got a bit lost, and met a Sarkarnii. Which is something I wasn’t expecting.”

“You met Drekkan?” Qrow says.

“He didn’t tell me his name, but I found out later. He was grumpy and very bloody pleased with himself for blowing shit up.”

Qrow breaks into a massive smile, bigger than usual. “That’s Drekkan,” he says proudly. “I suppose you’re used to Sarkarnii, given you were with them.”

“I’m not sure it’s possible to ‘get used’ to the Sarkarnii. But I wish the others could have known about him. They were looking for the rest of their species.”

“Drekkan likes to stay out of the way,” Qrow says.

“Didn’t much look like that last night,” I reply.

“His little stunt did get him into some trouble, but he’ll bounce back. Drekkan always does.” Qrow gives me his megawatt smile again. “Do you want to go to the market? I did promise to show you around.”

I’m feeling better after something to eat, and perhaps the fact that my pregnancy is not a secret anymore, I nod enthusiastically.

Qrow links arms with me, and we head down the street. It’s cobbled, which is something I noticed last night, having nearly turned my ankle on a couple of occasions. On each side are the flat egg-shaped buildings, some single storey, some double height. Windows are flung open, and I can hear a myriad of conversations in all types of lilt and accent.

The entire place feels alive, buzzing with energy, and as we pass various species in the street, they nod, smile, and say hello to Qrow with an interested look at me. He introduces me proudly every single time.

“This is . She is human. She’s chosen Kitchik as her home.”

Each time he says it, it seems more and more real, and I’m not entirely sure how I feel about it.

It leaves me hoping I’ve made the right decision.

Pretty jeweled flags flutter across the street above us, along with lights which manage to sparkle even in the daytime, and the street opens out into a market which sprawls over a large square, one which climbs slowly up a hill. It looks vaguely familiar.

The market is bustling, set out haphazardly, jeweled awnings flap in the breeze. Scents of spice and wood smoke hit me, and I’m taken right back to Earth.

“It smells like Christmas!” I gasp.

“What is criss-muss?” Qrow asks as he steers me among the stalls which are selling everything from clothing to cooking utensils .

“It’s an Earth festival. Celebrated by some humans in different ways depending what they believe in, but the main theme is giving and making a dark, cold season on part of our planet, light.”

“Sounds like our solstice celebrations. You’ll fit right in.” Qrow gives me one of his smiles, just as a stall catches my eye.

“You like?” the small elfin alien stood behind it asks.

She’s bright blue, where I can see her skin, and exquisitely dressed. Pretty, flowing clothing is covered in the most beautiful embroidery. I turn over the clothing she has set out and it’s just as pretty.

“I like it a lot,” I say. “You do gorgeous work.”

“And you are also?” My translator nanobots are struggling with her accent. I’d need to spend more time around her in order to be able to converse properly.

I pluck at the outfit I’m wearing, chosen because it does a good job of hiding my early pregnancy, although not for long it would seem.

“Yes, I made this.”

She smiles at me, a sharp-toothed but not unpleasant smile. “You new here?” She gestures around us.

I nod, terrified tears might spring into my eyes. I hate being new.

“You need work? I need assistant.”

“Oh, yes!”

“Qrow!” she suddenly bellows at my distracted chaperone. “Bring the little one to my shop tomorrow.”

Qrow looks startled, then he smiles, as always. “Of course.”

I’m about to protest at elf girl calling me “little one,” when I see a commotion going on up the hill.

Striding through the crowd, nearly a head taller than most of them, is Drekkan. Everyone is scurrying out of his way with the occasional fearful glance.

He’s wearing a long dark red coat with his chest bare (as if any self-respecting Sarkarnii would ever bother covering up their endless abs), black pants, and thick boots, along with a curious piece of jewelry fastened tight around his neck. Smoke curls out of his nostrils, flowing back over his shoulder as he makes his way, quite merrily, down the hill.

It even looks like he’s smiling, or possibly grimacing, given how many fangs are on show.

“Qrow!” he calls out, his deep voice ringing around the square. “What does a well-behaved Sarkarnii have to do to get a meal around here?”