Raining Hard
Chapter 1: "One sword keeps another in it's sheath" -George Herbert
"Rain Rain go away; Come again some other day."
Jade Chan sat in Uncle's shop looking out at the dreary day in San Francisco. It always rained February. Rain Rain Rain!!! Didn't it ever go away?
"Don't look so down, Jade," Jackie said. "At least you have a break from school."
"Psha, and nothing to do."
Jackie shook his head and watched his niece. Such a devious child and yet the rain seemed to stop that. It was a dreary day; Jackie had to admit that much.
"Jackie! Keep working!"
"Yes Uncle." Jackie picked up one of the many boxes and began a slow climb up the stairs to the attic. Toru had also picked up boxes and began to carry them into another room of the shop. Uncle was spring-cleaning, or rather mid winter cleaning. Jackie and Toru were helping, but Jade just seemed to be staring off into space. Nothing was getting her out of rainy day blues.
Just then the bell for the shop door rang and in stepped a slender lady of Caucasian origin. She had long brown hair up in a messy French twist and wore navy dress slacks with a white shirt and a navy zip-up blazer. But her most unique feature was her eyes, which were a hazel and green mix. She saw Jade over by the window.
"Is the owner of the shop here?"
Jade looked up to see the lady. "Yea, I'll get him for ya." Jade walked over to the counter and yelled, "Uncle! Customer!"
The lady smiled at the child who was climbing up the stairs, while hearing an, "Aiya," from Uncle.
"Welcome to Uncle's Rare Finds. What can I help you with?" Uncle was wiping off his dusty hands.
The lady gave a winning smile. "I need to find a volume of the Drao collection. My copy of Draconian Magic and Myth was smeared when it was transported and I need another one."
"Aha! I do not have that volume or any of the Drao collection, but I'm sure I can track one down for you. However...it will be a pretty penny."
The lady gave another smile. "Money is not an object. Authenticity is."
Uncle nodded. "Of course. Jackie!" Uncle turned to see Jackie coming into the main room of the shop.
"Yes Uncle?"
"Bring tea while I get books."
"Yes Uncle." Jackie left to get tea and Uncle went into the back room to get some books. When Jackie returned with the tea the lady asked him a question.
"You don't remember me do you?"
Jackie looked at the lady. "Should I?"
The lady laughed a light laugh full of sunshine. "I know Captain Black. In fact I was the one to arrange for Jade's parents to come for Christmas. Remember me now?"
"Oh yes, Elemental was it? Very peculiar name."
"It's my middle name. Easier to go by."
"It is still a very...uh...different middle name."
"I changed my name when I was fourteen. My mom let me choose whatever I liked, so I have many names and all the versions of them are legal. Makes my life easier in my line of work. Easier to hide." She grinned at him.
"Who or what are you hiding from?"
Elemental took a sip of tea. "The press, media, paparazzi, people who want a story, etcetera etcetera etcetera." She finished with a little flourish of the hand and a fake Indian accent.
Jackie looked at her strangely. Elemental caught his puzzled expression. "The play the King and I."
"Oh." Jackie still didn't quite understand.
Elemental laughed again. "Not many people understand."
Jackie was now starting to doubt his respect for this girl. "So, why are you in San Francisco?"
"I need to find a volume and a few other things. Besides I was overdue for a visit to Captain Black and the Japanese Embassy."
"You work at the Japanese Embassy?"
"I consult for the Japanese government. So technically I do work there. Mostly I manage my company, Muses Unearthed Inc. MUI for short. Maybe you've heard of it?"
Jackie racked his brain trying to pin point the familiar sounding name. "What does your company deal in?"
"Archaeology, Museums, Ancient Cultures, and so forth. We consult on antiques basically and provide security systems for Museums."
"I'm an archaeologist myself. The name did sound familiar. I must have heard it in my profession."
Uncle returned at this time with Toru who was holding a stack of books.
"Found where this particular volume could be. Toru place books there."
The books landed with a bang as the shop door jingled the bell again. This time it was Captain Black. He was greeted with four faces one of which he was not at all happier to see than the others.
"Elemental? What are you doing here? You had better not be here to ruin my reputation."
Elemental sighed. "When will you learn? That was when I was in high school. I am a senior in college now, and an Honor's student. Don't give me that look, and I know you know what I'm talking about."
Black still looked very skeptically at the lady.
She shook her head and turned back to Uncle. "Where is it?"
"Taiwan."
"Elaborate please."
"That needs more research."
Elemental face faulted. "If this was an Anime cartoon I would be falling flat on my face right now."
Black chuckled at the remark. Elemental shot him a look. He stopped smiling.
"Where will you be staying, Miss..." Uncle asked.
"Williams, but just Elemental is fine. I'll give you my cell number. You can reach me that way when you have more information."
Elemental pulled out a card and handed it to Uncle. "Cell phone number is on the bottom," she said simply.
Then came the infallible wail, "Jackie! I'm bored!"
The group looked to see Jade walking down the stairs towards her uncle. "I don't have anything to do."
"There is your homework..."
"Which is for the day before I go back to school. Please, isn't there anything to do?"
"Help Uncle clean?"
"BOR-ING!"
"Clean your room?"
"Done."
"Do your homework?"
"Doesn't have to be done yet."
"Those are my solutions."
"JAAACCCKKIEEEE! I'm dying here!"
Elemental stepped into the conversation. "I need someone to run a Power Point show for a presentation I'm making today. Maybe you'd like to do it?" The last question was directed at Jade.
"YEA! Jackie can I, please?"
"Are you sure it would be no trouble," Jackie asked the young businesswoman.
She smiled. "Please, I have two high school martial arts students who live for sugar and caffeine, along with two brothers who love to drive me up the wall. Not to mention the politicians and businessmen who seem to love trying to blackmail me. I think I can handle a fifth grader, especially one who seems to be exactly like me when I was younger."
Jackie looked at her with his mouth hanging open.
"One thing I'm not though is a liar or a thief. You can be sure about that."
Jackie looked at the pleading eyes of his niece and said, "Well, I suppose it would be all right-"
No sooner had the words left his mouth, Jade had jumped up. "YES! Fun here I come!"
Elemental was the one to stop the jumping Jade to Jackie's surprise. "Now listen here, this is not just an excuse to get out and about. It is a serious responsibility, which I would usually give to a college student not a fifth grader. I'm trusting you with a presentation and in business, presentation is everything."
Jade became a little less enthusiastic.
Elemental smiled. "Don't worry it'll still be fun."
Jackie watched from the window of the shop as Elemental and Jade ran for the businesswoman's silver car on the side of the street. They both got inside and the lady drove away towards the upper end of town.
Captain Black spoke after Jade and Elemental had left. "Jackie there are some strange things going on."
"What kind of strange things?"
"Things that have magic involved. I didn't want to say anything around Jade. You know how she loves adventure."
"Yes. So what do you want us to do?"
"Keep an ear open and an eye out. I think Elemental senses it too, and that's why she's in San Fran."
Jackie nodded as Black continued. "She is an expert in Martial Arts and Weaponry. She graduated top of her class, fighting and grades. She is one heck of an ally to have and she will protect anyone with her life."
"You know this how?"
"She took a bullet for me. Thank God Almighty she was wearing armor otherwise she probably wouldn't be here now."
Jackie turned around to look at his friend. He truly was amazed at what Black had just told him.
"She's smart too. Works for herself and no one else. It is fascinating really to see how she can still put a smile on her face after all she's been through."
"And what has she been through?"
Black looked thoughtfully at Jackie before answering. "Hell."
Chapter 1: "One sword keeps another in it's sheath" -George Herbert
"Rain Rain go away; Come again some other day."
Jade Chan sat in Uncle's shop looking out at the dreary day in San Francisco. It always rained February. Rain Rain Rain!!! Didn't it ever go away?
"Don't look so down, Jade," Jackie said. "At least you have a break from school."
"Psha, and nothing to do."
Jackie shook his head and watched his niece. Such a devious child and yet the rain seemed to stop that. It was a dreary day; Jackie had to admit that much.
"Jackie! Keep working!"
"Yes Uncle." Jackie picked up one of the many boxes and began a slow climb up the stairs to the attic. Toru had also picked up boxes and began to carry them into another room of the shop. Uncle was spring-cleaning, or rather mid winter cleaning. Jackie and Toru were helping, but Jade just seemed to be staring off into space. Nothing was getting her out of rainy day blues.
Just then the bell for the shop door rang and in stepped a slender lady of Caucasian origin. She had long brown hair up in a messy French twist and wore navy dress slacks with a white shirt and a navy zip-up blazer. But her most unique feature was her eyes, which were a hazel and green mix. She saw Jade over by the window.
"Is the owner of the shop here?"
Jade looked up to see the lady. "Yea, I'll get him for ya." Jade walked over to the counter and yelled, "Uncle! Customer!"
The lady smiled at the child who was climbing up the stairs, while hearing an, "Aiya," from Uncle.
"Welcome to Uncle's Rare Finds. What can I help you with?" Uncle was wiping off his dusty hands.
The lady gave a winning smile. "I need to find a volume of the Drao collection. My copy of Draconian Magic and Myth was smeared when it was transported and I need another one."
"Aha! I do not have that volume or any of the Drao collection, but I'm sure I can track one down for you. However...it will be a pretty penny."
The lady gave another smile. "Money is not an object. Authenticity is."
Uncle nodded. "Of course. Jackie!" Uncle turned to see Jackie coming into the main room of the shop.
"Yes Uncle?"
"Bring tea while I get books."
"Yes Uncle." Jackie left to get tea and Uncle went into the back room to get some books. When Jackie returned with the tea the lady asked him a question.
"You don't remember me do you?"
Jackie looked at the lady. "Should I?"
The lady laughed a light laugh full of sunshine. "I know Captain Black. In fact I was the one to arrange for Jade's parents to come for Christmas. Remember me now?"
"Oh yes, Elemental was it? Very peculiar name."
"It's my middle name. Easier to go by."
"It is still a very...uh...different middle name."
"I changed my name when I was fourteen. My mom let me choose whatever I liked, so I have many names and all the versions of them are legal. Makes my life easier in my line of work. Easier to hide." She grinned at him.
"Who or what are you hiding from?"
Elemental took a sip of tea. "The press, media, paparazzi, people who want a story, etcetera etcetera etcetera." She finished with a little flourish of the hand and a fake Indian accent.
Jackie looked at her strangely. Elemental caught his puzzled expression. "The play the King and I."
"Oh." Jackie still didn't quite understand.
Elemental laughed again. "Not many people understand."
Jackie was now starting to doubt his respect for this girl. "So, why are you in San Francisco?"
"I need to find a volume and a few other things. Besides I was overdue for a visit to Captain Black and the Japanese Embassy."
"You work at the Japanese Embassy?"
"I consult for the Japanese government. So technically I do work there. Mostly I manage my company, Muses Unearthed Inc. MUI for short. Maybe you've heard of it?"
Jackie racked his brain trying to pin point the familiar sounding name. "What does your company deal in?"
"Archaeology, Museums, Ancient Cultures, and so forth. We consult on antiques basically and provide security systems for Museums."
"I'm an archaeologist myself. The name did sound familiar. I must have heard it in my profession."
Uncle returned at this time with Toru who was holding a stack of books.
"Found where this particular volume could be. Toru place books there."
The books landed with a bang as the shop door jingled the bell again. This time it was Captain Black. He was greeted with four faces one of which he was not at all happier to see than the others.
"Elemental? What are you doing here? You had better not be here to ruin my reputation."
Elemental sighed. "When will you learn? That was when I was in high school. I am a senior in college now, and an Honor's student. Don't give me that look, and I know you know what I'm talking about."
Black still looked very skeptically at the lady.
She shook her head and turned back to Uncle. "Where is it?"
"Taiwan."
"Elaborate please."
"That needs more research."
Elemental face faulted. "If this was an Anime cartoon I would be falling flat on my face right now."
Black chuckled at the remark. Elemental shot him a look. He stopped smiling.
"Where will you be staying, Miss..." Uncle asked.
"Williams, but just Elemental is fine. I'll give you my cell number. You can reach me that way when you have more information."
Elemental pulled out a card and handed it to Uncle. "Cell phone number is on the bottom," she said simply.
Then came the infallible wail, "Jackie! I'm bored!"
The group looked to see Jade walking down the stairs towards her uncle. "I don't have anything to do."
"There is your homework..."
"Which is for the day before I go back to school. Please, isn't there anything to do?"
"Help Uncle clean?"
"BOR-ING!"
"Clean your room?"
"Done."
"Do your homework?"
"Doesn't have to be done yet."
"Those are my solutions."
"JAAACCCKKIEEEE! I'm dying here!"
Elemental stepped into the conversation. "I need someone to run a Power Point show for a presentation I'm making today. Maybe you'd like to do it?" The last question was directed at Jade.
"YEA! Jackie can I, please?"
"Are you sure it would be no trouble," Jackie asked the young businesswoman.
She smiled. "Please, I have two high school martial arts students who live for sugar and caffeine, along with two brothers who love to drive me up the wall. Not to mention the politicians and businessmen who seem to love trying to blackmail me. I think I can handle a fifth grader, especially one who seems to be exactly like me when I was younger."
Jackie looked at her with his mouth hanging open.
"One thing I'm not though is a liar or a thief. You can be sure about that."
Jackie looked at the pleading eyes of his niece and said, "Well, I suppose it would be all right-"
No sooner had the words left his mouth, Jade had jumped up. "YES! Fun here I come!"
Elemental was the one to stop the jumping Jade to Jackie's surprise. "Now listen here, this is not just an excuse to get out and about. It is a serious responsibility, which I would usually give to a college student not a fifth grader. I'm trusting you with a presentation and in business, presentation is everything."
Jade became a little less enthusiastic.
Elemental smiled. "Don't worry it'll still be fun."
Jackie watched from the window of the shop as Elemental and Jade ran for the businesswoman's silver car on the side of the street. They both got inside and the lady drove away towards the upper end of town.
Captain Black spoke after Jade and Elemental had left. "Jackie there are some strange things going on."
"What kind of strange things?"
"Things that have magic involved. I didn't want to say anything around Jade. You know how she loves adventure."
"Yes. So what do you want us to do?"
"Keep an ear open and an eye out. I think Elemental senses it too, and that's why she's in San Fran."
Jackie nodded as Black continued. "She is an expert in Martial Arts and Weaponry. She graduated top of her class, fighting and grades. She is one heck of an ally to have and she will protect anyone with her life."
"You know this how?"
"She took a bullet for me. Thank God Almighty she was wearing armor otherwise she probably wouldn't be here now."
Jackie turned around to look at his friend. He truly was amazed at what Black had just told him.
"She's smart too. Works for herself and no one else. It is fascinating really to see how she can still put a smile on her face after all she's been through."
"And what has she been through?"
Black looked thoughtfully at Jackie before answering. "Hell."