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fly-me-to-neptune · 3 years

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A new home (2: Puzzling hospitality)

―I can’t believe our luck. This place is so full of useful devices and information, Ruby! Have you seen this? There are printed records of every kind of crime you can think of! Listen, listen to this one: Murder on the West Expresso, Agathe Christ.

―What in the cosmos is that supposed to mean?

―Whatever! There’s murder on it, so it’ll surely be of use. Oh, how about this one...?

Ruby stops paying attention to the ramblings of her fusion partner to focus on how the quiet and diligent human works, tangling soft looking threads together, again and again, to form a cloth. Not having stopped to rest for several minutes now, she’s been showing an amount of determination the red gem didn’t imagine organics possesed. And she can respect that.

Could it be that, deep down, even humans want a purpose? The gem soldier bits her lip when a tiny bit of sympathy for the creature starts growing inside of her. If she, too, craves a reason to exist in a world where nobody is given one, then she isn't so different to Ruby herself. Stupid Era 3!

“Who is she making this for, anyway? For herself? Or for someone else?” the gem soldier ponders. The sight of the fabric reminds her of the times she’d seen high ranking soldiers and commanders wear a cape as an addition to the appearance modifiers on their body. She’s always wanted one. Maybe she can get cool accessories of her own now. The thought makes her grin. Not bad, Era 3.

Meanwhile, Aquamarine has stopped her rambling and just mumbles to herself from time to time as she inspects everything. Ruby glances towards her and can’t help but to admire how the water drops left by her wings float calmly around the room, glistening like stars as they reflect the sunlight. Not being completely out of the hydrokinetic force her tear gem emites, the droplets fall in slow motion until she flies near them, in which they move lazily in her direction until she’s too far to keep attracting them. The scene is almost hypnotic and Ruby finds herself staring as the beryl keeps exploring their new home...

No.

Their new hideout. "No ruby soldier ever has a true home. Not even Era 3 can change that", the red gem reminds herself, and she turns away from the sparkling view, back to focus on her chisel.

All of a sudden, the human finally looks up from the needles. She’s done, the cloth is finished. Ruby tenses up. Will she acknowledge their presence now? She does. In fact, the organic is smiling at her. Why? She grips her chisel with even more force, but doesn’t move it an inch. Should she say something? Should she call Aquamarine?

―You’re finally here ―the human says, with a kind, deep voice. The soldier blinks, trying to process what she has just heard―. Here you go, this is for you.

The human nonchalantly places the newly knitted piece on the gem soldier’s head, and smiles again. However, Ruby notices, her smiles seem empty, closer to be an unconscious muscular contortion than a meaningful expression of a feeling.

―You almost never visit your grandma. I missed you. I’m pretty lonely over here, you know?

―What is that organic saying? ―Aquamarine flies over and gives Ruby a questioning look.

―Don’t ask me! She just started to talk on her own, I swear! I didn’t do anything ―as the red gem says this, the old lady casually stands up from the rocking chair, her white hair gracing the chisel―. H-hey!

―You’re right, you’re not doing anything ―remarks Aqua, rolling her eyes―. What’s that on your hair?

―Shut up, it’s nothing ―she snarls, quickly shoving the fabric inside her gem―. And you... human! Come back here!

―Not yet, not yet, I can’t keep you company yet! ―the creature responds, her eyes fixed on the floor as she walks―. I have to prepare tea and bake something to celebrate you being here. You even brought your friend from school! ―With a slightly tremulous finger, she points in Aquamarine’s direction, without actually looking at her.― What was her name...? She sure has changed a lot, hasn’t she? How many years has it been? Oh, dear, I gotta hurry!

―It’s fine, Ruby. Let her go.

―Huh? Why?

―It appears she wants to make us some offerings.

―Do you really believe what she’s saying? She’s just speaking nonsense!

―It might be nonsense, but she doesn’t seem to notice. ―The beryl shrugs. She’s smirking at the way the human clumsily rushes to the hallway, and Ruby feels a slight pain in her chest when she notices this―. Let’s just keep her.

―What?!

―Think about it! Her human knowledge and abilities might be useful to us, and she’s not opposed to us staying. It would be more of a hassle to kick her out and possibly alert more humans, like that one time Bluebird went to collect “toilet paper”. Besides, do you really think she can ever be a threat to us?

―Well. ―The gem soldier lets herself flop into the rocking chair, arms crossed.― You have a point. But...

―I always do. Besides, having her around might even turn out to be entertaining.

Ruby frowns and clicks her tongue, feeling the anger start to flare up, an increasingly burning sensation in her stomach and throat. She doesn’t want to be amused by the organic. That wouldn’t be useful for their revenge plan! And yet, that’s not the reason Aquamarine’s comment has bothered her, is it? The red gem can’t quite put her finger on the real motive of her growing discomfort. Aquamarine is staring at her, one eyebrow raised in confusion.

A few seconds later, she begins to talk again, now more mordant than before.

―So, what do you think? She seems to be off colored... or cracked, at best.

―Noticing her comrade’s tense silence, she flies closer to inspect her reaction.― Don’t you agree?

The red gem starts kicking the air repeatedly to rock the chair, trying to keep her cool. Which is hard for a ruby.

―That doesn’t concern us ―she growls.

―What’s the matter with you? Have you already grown attached to the flimsy creature? Didn’t know you were this soft.

―That’s not it! It’s just... She reminds me of...

Oh, that’s it! Ruby’s eyes lit up as she realizes what exactly has been bothering her in the back of her mind.

Aquamarine exhales and, dissipating her wings, sits on the armrest. She soon has to grab the wooden structure to keep her balance as the chair moves back and forth.

―I’m listening.

Her tone is still condescending, but she seems sincere. She’s also nervous, but Ruby knows it’s best not to bring attention to that detail. Aquamarines are aristocratic gems, always guaranteed to have the loyal, submissive protection of others. Or, at least, they used to be. Now, her companion’s just a fragile, weaponless gem, who is sitting without her wings out right next to an angry ruby with a chisel. Of course, she has no intention of ever hurting her, but she never expected the small gem to trust her to the extent of putting herself in a vulnerable position, only to indicate she is ready to pay attention to what Ruby’s going to say.

The gem soldier discreetly puts the knife back into her gem to make her feel safer, and clears up her throat.

―During the war ―she begins, looking at her own fingers as she fidgets―, even when a gem cracked, they were usually kept in the army. We had few healing resources, so they were reserved for commanders and only the most efficient soldiers... ―She balls up her hands and presses them against her legs to stop them from trembling―. Those Crystal Gems...! They only seemed to grow in number as time passed! Traitors were under every rock and that... damned Rose Quartz, stupid traitorous diamond, she just kept healing her full army time and time again! ―Ruby finally looks up, turning to face the window, focusing her gaze on the warm, mockingly pink light of the sunset. More composed, she continues.― Back at the time, it felt like the war was just never gonna end. We needed more soldiers. Off-colored gems were allowed to exist and promised a place in society if they brought back any rebel, be it bubbled or shattered. I fought alongside everyone and lost many comrades. Their gems were so cracked they would just fall apart on their own. The Crystal Gems never even conceded the honor of being shattered in combat...

Her voice cracks as she realizes her eye is full of boiling tears. She bites her lip as she tries to blink them back. A small, gloved hand is resting on her shoulder. When did Aquamarine put it there? Her touch feels refreshing and calming, like water slowly extinguishing the flames burning her from inside.

―Many fellow soldiers couldn’t handle it all. They started calling after gems that were long gone. Mixing up codes of shattered ones with the ones of their current comrades. Repeating fighting motions when we all were taking a break and freezing when we were in an actual combat. Their forms were distorted even if they weren’t cracked. Long story short, they had to be rejuvenated. And I know it’s not really true, but... It felt like losing them. They didn’t remember me, or anything... ―she pauses, and opens her mouth to say more, but she then realizes her point has been made and she can’t find any more words to express herself.

The silence lasts a couple of seconds. Her tears gone, Ruby dares to look at Aquamarine, who, then, speaks up thoughtfully.

―I... had no idea. That’s not what the reports said... Don’t get me wrong, I believe you. Sugarcoating reports has always been a common practice. But, still, I never even imagined... ―she trails off as her cheeks start to turn deep blue in embarrassment. She jumps to the floor and takes some steps towards the hallway.― So... she reminds you of your old comrades, right?

―Yeah. Just a bit. It’s stupid, I know.

―I didn’t say that. I never intended to disrespect...

―Wait. ―Ruby stands up and begins to inspect the room.― What’s that weird smell?

―I don’t smell anything.

―How can you not smell it?

―Ruby. I quite literally can’t smell anything.

Suddenly, the human’s voice fills the room, containing, this time, a faint hint of genuine joy.

―It’s done, it’s done! You’re still there, aren’t you? Sorry for taking so long. You must be starving. Now, let’s all eat!

A new home (1: Arrival of the birds)

―Just throw me. I can break it.

Three seconds later, a loud crash shatters the monotony of the murmuring noise of the city. The apartment is now filled with broken glass and the smell of burnt wood. Aquamarine prepares to enter through the smoking hole in the window.

―Be careful, the shards are very sharp ―advises her partner from inside the building.

She raises her eyebrows. But she shouldn’t be surprised, even less so flattered. After all, the gem with whom she’s been fusing, researching human culture, and plotting revenge for the past few months is a ruby, therefore, protective behaviour is to be expected.

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