Alright I'm back! Thanks for the reviews, even the insulting one written in Yoda-style. To be honest, I forgot about skin color, as I really don't give a crap about it anyways.
Classes start up again today! and I may not have time to really do any writing this week, but I've plotted out through chapter 15- and yes, flames will start to be used more.
As for the choice of language for the conversation between Marcus and Jade (toward the end of chapter) I flipped a coin and that is how I chose it.
sadly, this still doesn't belong to me*
Chapter 11
Xanxus was lounging in one of the massive throne-like chairs he had as head of the Varia, pondering over his new Cloud. That morning he had accompanied her to the Bank and wound up deciding to find out his true parentage- something he had told himself he would not do. Then that afternoon, when Jade was meeting up with her cousin, he instantly agreed to go with her the minute she turned those vibrant green eyes at him.
This was unexpected, Xanxus was the foul-mouthed, tough, street rat that the Vongola claimed because of he was an active unaffiliated Wrath and Sky, with no one to support him. Yet, within minutes of meeting Jade, he was harmonizing with her, and wanting to keep her to himself.
This selfish desire was matched by Mammon- Regulus- because he is her father and had not gotten to raise her himself. Bel wanted to spend time with Jade, because she was someone new. Thankfully there were several mooks in the infirmary so Luss was not able to hover around as well.
When he met with Jade's cousin- Lee Evans- as he introduced himself, Xanxus felt just a bit awkward, like he was seeking approval to date Jade. But he didn't want to, right?
Frustrated, he threw his glass against the wall and it shattered. A soft voice uttered "reparo" breaking into his thoughts.
"Jade," he said with a smile as he saw the Cloud walk in. "Is everything alright?"
She sat on the couch he waved towards and began. "I did not really have a plan when I started this out. I just wanted to have a permanent escape from the British Enclaves and Surrey, but now I seem to have thrown everything topsy-turvey.
"I got a message from Marcus that there are eight refugees at the safe house we established and it has only been two days. Blaise is off the grid for the month, the Patils are in India so they won't be able to check up on the refugees, and Adrian is already in Healer training.
"According to the master list, eighty-seven portkeys were doled out with an additional dozen permanent keys. Plus there are the ones Marcus and I set up for those who don't have a permanent safe home - that's three dozen more." Jade had a scroll with the details as she updated her Sky on her plans. "Father wants me to stay here but I cannot just let down the others. What should I do?"
"Have an escort," Xanxus stated. "Take Mammon, Bel, the Shark or me. Don't go alone."
"You would do that for me?" Jade was amazed. Even though she had been surrounded by positive influences, some part of her kept believing the lies told by Vernon and Petunia.
"You're mine," he replied. It was as simple as that. Jade is his Cloud, his final element he had been seeking for so long.
When a second message came through the enchanted book Marcus, Adrian and Jade used to communicate, she paled.
"Luss, can you come with me? One of the new-bloods arrived at the safe house and they are in awful shape. Adrian is working and I can't use healing magic. Marcus is almost as bad as I am with it and no one else with training is at the house."
"Sure sweetie. Let me grab my bag," Luss answered, already moving.
Regulus stood, not willing to let Jade be away from him. Jade is a parselmouth, shouldn't she be an excellent Healer? He thought as the trio took the portkey. Why isn't she able to use the gift?
Landing in the foyer of the manor Marcus bought, Jade immediately sped to the infirmary they had created. "Oh Marcy, what did they do to you?" Picking up the diagnostic from beside the cot, her face paled while reading. "Luss, what do you need?"
"I'll start with a flame reading, then we will see." As the Sun Healer used his flames to fix the broken girl, Jade refused to leave her side. Hours later after the bones were treated and the internal bleeding healed, she still was there, holding the hand of the small thirteen year old.
"She is one of my strays, I found her the second week of her first year. Marcy had gone to the hospital wing, but Poppy is so far under Dumblegoat's control she refused to help her.
"So I brought her to Professor Snape. He heals all of us, that first week of school he treats all his returning students and the second week is focused on identifying any new cases.
"Marcy is so strong Dad. She went through so much and didn't have anyone to help her. I at least had Lee and the neighbor boys to protect me. Marcy had no one."
"So you took her in," Regulus summarized. "Why did she not come to the safe house earlier? Straight from school?"
"Her sister, Eva is also magical. She's only nine, and Marcy wanted to bring her. I should have been there Dad. Or had one of the guys accompanying her for protection. I should have-"
Marcus cut her off, having walked in as Jade was guilt-tripping herself. "I offered, Jade. She refused. Eva is asleep in one of the rooms. I gave her a dreamless sleep. According to Eva, Marcy said she was the one who did magic when Eva made something blow up.
"I called Blaise on his mirror, he will make arrangements for the girls to be adopted into a family. Zabini is considered neutral, meaning the adoption/fostering will not be contested. Get some sleep little snake. Everything will still be here in the morning." Marcus pulled Jade into a hug; she clung to him, soaking up his warmth and strength.
As it had been several hours since the trio left Varia Headquarters, Xanxus wanted to check on his Cloud. Taking the portkey Jade had given him, he activated it, landing in a foyer with HIC MANEBIMUS OPTIME painted across the wall. The phrase meaning "here we will stay, most excellently," appeared to be the motto of the Family Jade had created for herself.
It fit what he knew about his Cloud; she was determined despite the complexity of her living arrangements. Smirking, he followed the pull towards Jade but halted in the doorway.
It burned. Jade was enveloped in another's arms, like she was the most precious thing he had. In that instant Xanxus knew what the connection he had felt with Jade was: she was his. His to love, to cherish; she was who he had been longing for his whole life.
Wanting nothing more than to rip this unfamiliar man's head off, Xanxus managed to resist, listening to the soft conversation.
"Don't fret siostra. Let us handle things for once. Get to know your father and Sky. Idź spać, proszę, idź spać."
"Tak Brat, I will. Dobranoc," Jade turned to leave. "Oh Xanxus, witam! I've been ordered to bed but I'm sure Marcus would show you around."
Wondering why they were conversing in Polish, Xanxus listened. His stance slowly relaxing while the two self-declared siblings conversed. Jade was a puzzle, one he very much desired to solve. "I'll stay with you Jade. Our bond is still new and I would prefer you being close by."
"Alright then," she looked bemused at his explanation, but led the way down the hall. "I have a room here, it isn't much, just in case I stay over for any reason." Jade stopped and shook her head in amusement at the decorations adorning her door. "Well I have a feeling this is going to be different than how I left it."
With that, Xanxus opened the door and escorted his Cloud inside. "Get some rest, others can take responsibility for now."
Quickly swapping her clothes for some sweats, Jade stretched out on the queen sized bed and near instantly fell asleep.
Xanxus smiled at her, glad that she was so comfortable in his presence to sleep. Pulling out a book Regulus had handed him, he settled in to read, watching over Jade all the while.
Translations:
Brat: polish for brother
Siostra: polish for sister
Idź spać: polish, go to sleep
Proszę, polish, pleasd
Dobranoc: polish, good night.
Tak: polish, yes
Witam: polish, welcome/hello