Pacing back and forth, Jackie gave a heavy sigh. Black, his oldest and dearest friend, had insisted he go to the tower for the meeting. He had said that they could have easily moved Jade when they set up the meeting; so why not go? If they hadn't moved her, then after the meeting…Black would invade the old hide out.
A ghost of a smile flashed on Jackie's face for only a moment. He remembered the last time he was here. Jade, as always, took things into her own hands and met the Dark Hand alone. It was when he had been turning into stone…He shuddered.
Never had he felt so much fear…well, besides fighting Shendu. But still, the thought of being turned into a statue while his loved ones needed him…it just felt like a fairy tale. Another shiver went down his spine but it wasn't from fear this time; it was the wind.
They had learned that the Horse talisman healed. How? Well, thanks to the weather, the Enforcers and Tohru had gotten sick. When Tohru accidentally sneezed on it, he was instantly better. It was pure luck that Jackie had been holding onto the rock when he turned into a similar object!
The wind blew harsh, caressing his face. His already-messy hair became even messier. His clothes, those clothes he had stayed in since Jade disappeared, were wrinkled and smelt funny. The wind, thankfully, took away the scent of filth.
Jackie smiled for real this time, his smile pitiful and sorrowful. He remembered how young and spunky Jade had been, insisting that they trade the talismans for the antidote. She was so keen on saving him that she broke into Section 13 and stole them! She was still spunky and…
Stopping suddenly, he stared off into the city. The lights looked like little fireflies, the building that were once so tall now short and small. The cars were like ants below him, the people even smaller. He felt his head become light, his body sway towards the edge of the tower floor. Grabbing blindly to the wall, he threw himself back a few steps.
Jade had risked her life to steal the talismans and come here…for him. For Jackie. She risked her life, risked getting injured by those brutish thugs…for Jackie. The feeling of guilt washed over him like the ocean tide.
If she, a mere young teenager, could risk everything for her uncle…he could and would do the same.
Jade couldn't help but grin like a fool as she got dressed. She felt like she was pretending to be a fairy princess, the phase that happened when she was seven or so. She felt like none of this was real; the good and the bad stuff.
Instead of putting on a fluffy feathery scarf, she placed on a silk cloth, wrapping it loosely around her neck. Instead of putting a ridiculously over-sized pink dress on with sparkles, she put on a dark red dress that hugged her curves. A blush worked its way on her face; she had always worn boy clothes so when she saw her curves, her jaw dropped. Faintly, she wondered what Valmont's reaction would be.
Instead of putting on fake pearls and clip on earrings, she put on a red ruby necklace and some simply studs on her ears. Her hair was not topped with a crown, the finishing touch for a princess…instead, it was curled slightly. No lipstick was smeared on her lips, no over-use of blush…no make up. Simple beauty.
In the back of her mind, she wondered what her parents would say if they saw her like this. They'd be proud that she gave into her feminine side, grew out of her tomboyish-ness…well, for tonight at least. They'd be happy and proud to see her looking so…beautiful. On the other hand, they'd frown upon the fact that she was dining with a criminal. A criminal, might she add, that kidnapped her.
This made her wonder…Why? Why was he being so nice? Perhaps it was his gentleman side coming out, the one his parents raised. Yet, it still bugged her. Part of Jade wished that Valmont would be a complete asshole so that way it would be easier to hate him. On the other hand…she was slightly grateful that he was being nice. After realizing that Black and Jackie cared more for the magic rocks than her…that depressed her so much.
Shaking her head softly, she inhaled slowly and deeply. The lessons taught to her from her uncle stuck with her like glue to paper. Concentrating on her breathing, she felt much more...more...calm. She felt confident.
Walking out of the room, she smiled softly. Who knew what could happen...
Next chapter: Dinner conversation turns…well, normal. There's no fight…so far. They actually end up getting a little 'romantic'. Jackie, on the other hand, is debating how to steal the talismans. Review please
