Home.(Private:Ari, Tay)

[Tay]

    Home. It had been at least a thousand years since her imprisonment, but she still recognized the familiar structure of the ship that had brought her to this world. However, it was damaged, vegetation swarming the ship’s walls. The roof was still missing from that time long ago as well, and it seemed after she had been captured, the man tried to make it impossible to recover from the damage he inflicted upon the ship. Tay didn’t care though, and why would she? She was an advanced gem capable of scientific problem solving and skilled in the sciences in general, she could fix anything if given enough time, create anything she needed.

    Though, she wasn’t sure where to start.

    Her former garden had taken over most of the clearing, her former work-space collapsed and any of her experiments stolen or lost to the ravages of time, and her home was heavily damaged from the roof down, and probably wouldn’t fly for a long while. There were so many things to fix, so many things to do…

    Even the ship itself had tilted.

    Regardless, the terrain was soft and hilly as Tay trekked through the overgrown path, proceeding to hover as it became obvious that there was no point of walking through the extremely tall grass, with her being so… Short. She would’ve thought that the former cobblestone path would remain clear as it was supposed to deter growth of any sort, but she must have miscalculated as she noticed cracks from which grass sprouted.

    Adding that to the list, she quietly noted.

    She eventually reaches the entrance of her ship, the doors no longer automatic as vines had clogged the mechanics regarding its operation, or maybe the power was offline, who knows. She would obviously have to pry the doors open to get through, gripping the only remaining handle upon the door and pulling to the side, trying to desperately get into her own house, to no avail.

    It eventually reached a point where the handle she gripped so tightly, snapped off the door as she fell to its side, landing on her back while she held the handle within her grasp.

    “Dammit…” She growled, throwing the broken handle to the side in frustration.

    It seemed the door wouldn’t bend to her will either as she got back up and tried to manipulate it, her powers still weak after that whole ordeal. It made her wonder further if they would ever return to their full strength, or if she would be forever scarred mentally, unable to use them correctly…. Well, at least she was here, surrounded by peaceful plant-life, old trees surrounding her clearing, and the bushes’ descendants that had also completely circled her homeland providing a sense of solitude, and security. She would never have to see another gem again, she would never see another human, and finally, she would live in peace here, in her lonely, purposeless life…

    Tay smacked herself in the head, telling her narrator to shut up as she leaned against the defiant door and sighed, coming to sit, and stare at her surroundings. She wanted to rest, and wake up knowing everything was repaired… But, she couldn’t do that...

...Though, actually, she could at least rest, her overgrown home somewhat beautiful, and memorizing to look at as she rested her head on one of the larger vertical vines upon the door, leaving her head tilted, eyes slowly closing as she checked one last time if it was safe.

    She would figure this out, somehow.

[Ari]

So far, Arsenic's hike had been leisurely. Though she appreciated the logical concrete that humans had a penchant for concocting and designing, wilderness like this reminded her of days long passed, when life on Earth was much more simple for her. She emerged nonchalantly through the verdant brush, pushing fanning leaves out of her eyes as she scanned the thick vegetation. Rounded goggles masked her yellow eyes as she followed the path her coordinate grid had calculated for her. If the lead had been correct, there was some kind of ancient gem tech hidden around these parts but there was no telling where exactly it was or what it even looked like. She just hoped she'd know it when she saw it.

But, the artifact in question was well worth the search. She'd heard only rumors, but if the lead was trustworthy then there was no telling what she could do with such a device. As she imagined the endless possibilities, a giddy grin broke out across her face, uncanny with the expressionless, opaque, mirror like goggles covering her eyes. The gem didn't bother trying to mask her approach just yet; there was no real reason she had perceived to be stealthy, and creeping around in the forest would surely take more time than was necessary. Though, as she saw more light streaming down through the canopy in front of her, reflecting off of a distinctly inorganic edge, she stepped more carefully, feet slipping over the ground without disturbing it.

As she entered the small, peaceful copse, she realized it had been garnished with a plethora of native plant species which seemed to be concentrated heavily in this area. It was peculiar, unnatural placement despite the lush overgrowth. She knew humans often crafted things like this, and that wasn't what held her attention. Instead, her goggled face trained onto the object sitting in the center of the copse, snared by Earth's opportunistic organic lifeforms, tangled in a slow-motion battle for supremacy. Her grin widened, glinting in the light-- from here she could tell this device was crafted out of materials she doubted humankind ever had access to. This was a gemmic structure, and she couldn't contain her grin as she took in the sight of it.

However, Ari knew she must approach carefully. There was no telling what kind of security measures had been put into place here, or what the object even was, considering it's violet surface was nearly consumed by green. Each step was taken with care, until she nearly stood over the thing. The gem leaned over, and as she did, her eyes widened and her goggles focused, extending to get a better look at the tiny gem that was slumped against the doorway. Immediately her diagnostics began spilling over the screen of her goggles but she didn't come up with answers about who this was or why she was here; she'd have to figure that out the old fashioned way she supposed. 

"Whoa! Didn't expect to find anyone out here in the boonies-- gotta wonder what you're doing here?" Arsenic exclaimed through her smile, leaning a bit further down,"I dunno if I've ever worked with a gem of your type, got a name? You can call me Ari if you like."   

[Tay]

For a moment, Tay found it safe to rest, her eyes closing completely for only a minute, until she heard something approaching, Tay finding herself somewhat afraid to open her eyes as she realized it wasn’t the breeze rolling over her clearing… It was someone human, or possibly gem... She didn’t want to find out. Whatever the species was, it was getting closer, too close as she opened both eyes to see the gem leaning over to look at her, almost flinching in alarm as she stared in surprise.

…So much for never seeing another human, or gem again.

Her eyes scanned the new arrival, grunting as she stood up to face them head-on. There wasn’t any evidence of hostile intentions, and thankfully, this newcomer had a gem, which Tay now associated with anyone harboring one, being a friend or ally, at least for now. Though there was the question of why they were here, and why they had so rudely interrupted her peaceful nap.

…And what was with the Funky glasses? Were they attempted to probe her, or get into her mind? ‘Two could play at that game, newcomer.’ She thought challengingly. Yet, it seemed they had different intentions, exclaiming somewhat loudly as Tay, someone who enjoyed the quietness of her home, actually flinched this time.

…They didn’t expect to find anyone out here… In the ‘boonies…?’ What was the boonies?

As for what Tay was doing here, she simply replied, “…I lived here…” With an undertone of confusion, listening to the gem continuing to question her, which, was unsettling to say the least. They shouldn’t be here, this was her home, how did they find her home!? What were they up to? Why was everyone who happened to be a gem, taller then her?! She just wanted to be left alone, and never found again for the rest of time!

…That was a lie, she, somewhat did want company, now that she was here, all alone again. When she was trapped she could at least hear the conversation of her host when they talked or did activities, but now she was here, no longer having voices or conversations to listen to, unable to watch someone’s story unfold as life on this planet went on… In fact, though she hated to admit it, when they weren’t using her as a tool, or exhausting her power, she found enjoyment watching their lives progress.

Except when they put her pendant in a box. And left her there because she was too “valuable” to be worn in public. Jerks.

She was catatonic for a moment as the thoughts ran through her mind, but she quickly snapped back to reality as they asked her what her name was, and proceeded to tell Tay what their name was, Ari. Tay had to admit, she thought the name was actually sort of cool, though it was probably a nickname. Meanwhile, Tay actually wondered what her name was, as she had her gem name, or the nickname given to her, which she was contemplating on ditching the second she got a chance. With a sigh, she finally replied with yet another simple, one-worded reply. “Tay.”

“My name is Tay.” She clarified.

[Ari]

Ari smirked; it seemed she wasn't the only gem hiding her true identity around here. She didn't need anyone who wasn't close to know that she was a second-series Arsenic, for various reasons. Though she was highly interested in knowing what kind of gem Tay was and what her capabilities were, she wouldn't press the issue (not for the time being, anyway), especially since the gem might be compelled to do the same if she did.

There was a moment to feel relieved that Tay hadn't yet asked her what she was doing here-- though, the small gem's confused tone may have implied the question. The last thing she needed was some competition in finding this artifact she'd heard tell of, not that she would reveal her purpose to some strange forest dweller, even if she was just the most adorable thing Arsenic had ever seen. Her good humored expression lingered as she continued.


"Tay, good to make your acquaintance. No offense but the place looks a bit unkempt," She joked in her lethargic manner of speech as she straightened up and began to circle the structure. Her goggles dilated, lens mechanisms whirring to change the light-levels and focus on different aspects of Tay's home as she ran more in-depth diagnostic checks,"You one of those tree hugging types? Like to let nature do its thing, embracing Earth as it were?" She gave an almost involuntary snort, she always thought those gems were funny in a way; tossing aside gem culture and accepting organic processes so completely-- almost as if they wanted to be organics themselves. She took another look around and quickly put together the fact that Tay's home had, at one point, been maintained,"Or you've been gone for a while?" She mused as she spotted the cobbled path peeking through the grass and foliage.


What became apparent to the arsenic gem as she continued to try to suss out the damage, was that Tay's home had been here for some time, and that it had taken quite a toll in weathering. Her goggles had identified several critical issues and the foliage hadn't even been cleared yet. She remembered some of the tid-bits her informant had given her about this location, and stopped circling the thing once the realization fully hit her; it was entirely likely that this was the gemkind structure that the lead had given tell about. The artifact might very well be found inside of Tay's home, or that Tay herself might know where to find it. The little gem wouldn't be able to see, but Ari's eyes flicked over to her, and carefully scanned her once more-- but alas, the goggles couldn't remind her of any past encounter she could've had with such a gem.


This was either very good or very bad, depending on what kind of gem Tay was. Ari would have to play her cards right to get to her goal.

[Tay]

Giving a subtle nod in acknowledgement, Tay looked around her position, reliving the thought of how much damage her clearing had taken without her maintaining it. ‘Unkempt’ was certainly the understatement of the century, but she appreciated Ari’s light wording to describe her ruined home. Tay wondered how she was ever going to fully recover at this rate, and if she would ever live a normal life, without these constant intruders invading her clearing.

She watched Ari rise up and begin to circle around the structure, Tay somewhat concerned as Ari seemingly scanned its walls for their own, hopefully research-based reasons. Then as they continued, more questions began to fly out of their mouth while they seemingly tried to guess why her home was so uncared for, Tay letting out a yawn as she scratched her head, processing the information quickly and cooking up a reasonable answer.

“…It was attacked by humans over several generations of one specific line.” She vaguely replied, pausing as she focused on lifting her body to the former roof of her structure, a notable struggle of power becoming apparent as she finally managed to land upon it, wobbling for a few seconds… There was a gaping hole in the top of the structure, just large enough for a gem of Tay’s size to fit through, or, the average sized hand.

Meanwhile, Ari seemingly continued to guess, this time correctly, about the oddity of its condition, linking it to her absence. Tay was actually almost impressed by her deductive skills, Tay finally replying as she bent down on the edge of the gap, examining the sturdiness of the floor through visual perspective only. “You… could say that… Though it certainly wasn’t willingly.” Was her tired, somewhat annoyed reply.

Tay wasn’t sure how well the floor would hold if she went down there, trying to figure out how in the stars she’d reach her power source to reignite power to both the doors, and anything electricity-based within her clearing... She was tempted to ask her guest to punch another hole within the structure, or possibly, if her guest could collapse the floors down to the basement, she should be able to float down there without concern for the basement floor, as it was more supported then the upper floors.

“…Hey, Ari, I don’t suppose you could help me out and check the stability of the floors, could you? I have no idea if it’ll collapse under my weight or not.” She asked, looking to the idle gem. They certainly weren’t doing anything else useful by circling it like some vulture, and while Tay wasn’t sure how she’d kick the gem out of the clearing, she certainly would try if they continued to be useless.

...Then again, she wasn’t sure if she was willing to risk making this gem mad.

[Ari]

With a neutral expression, the arsenic gem nodded as her very tiny surprise host curtly explained what the situation here was. She processed the words for a moment, and turned to watch while Tay lifted herself through the air. Ari's brows lifted too as she considered the ability, and the supposed capabilities of the artifact she was after. She didn't know any particulars, but what she did know was that this gem had a very powerful psyche, even if it seemed she had a bit of trouble; knowing that complicated things just a bit.


"Humans, eh? They do the darnedest things," Despite the malevolence implied in the story, Ari's words were upbeat,"I've been around here longer than most can remember and I still don't get 'em," Though, she didn't really get gems either, but that was another matter. Or so she would say, anyway. She was curious to know about how the small psychic had been unwillingly taken from her home, and somehow incurred a wrath so potent that it traversed generations of humans.


Ari's lips curled into a smile at the request."I've been running a diagnostic check on your little house here, and it looks to me that the material isn't completely compromised," She pressed her lips, and walked closer to the ship. She tapped it with her knuckles, and knelt over to get a look into the hole,"Yep, the structures have jostled around, but it's still state-of-the-art material...for its time, anyway. I could work with it," She stood straight up and cracked her knuckles, "I don't have the proper tools with me to repair something of this caliber, in this state," Ari shrugged as she leaned back on her hip and crossed her arms. Her shoulder's shrugged,"Maybe if I went back to the lab...I could get my tools and try to get 'er running," Then she shook her head, and glanced around the clearing, her goggles calculating likely paths and visualizing necessary data,"But, you know, I came here for something," Her eyes focused onto the small gem, silvery goggles glinting in the light that scattered through the trees,"I don't quite want to go home until I've found what I'm looking for," She sat there to think while a breeze carried over the canopy. 

"Since you live here, you must know something about this," Ari said slowly. After a moment, her expression sobered,"An artifact, of gemkind origin, I hear is connected to this area." 

[Tay]

“…Yeah, sure.” Tay replied dully, listening to Ari’s experience with the species. She had the faintest idea of why Ari couldn’t seem to understand them, and the idea was basically that they were completely different species, one capable of living for thousands of years, while humans… They lived only a second compared to a gem’s lifespan, if gems even had a lifespan to begin with. Humans, with their evolution, had to change constantly, and adapt to entirely new situations as the earth around them changed as well, it was quite a commendable effort on their part to say the least.

“…They’re always changing.” Always.

The conversation topic changed as Ari accepted her request for help, backing away from the hole while Ari confirmed her suspicions that the gem had been taking scans, unsure if she should be insulted from the invasion of privacy, or curious as to why they were taking said scans to begin with. Nevertheless, Tay’s posture leaned to the side slightly, with her hand upon her hip while Ari explained the condition of her home, referencing that the material hadn’t been entirely compromised, which was a blessing considering the total damage, except for the ‘jostling.’

However, she was caught off guard as Ari was possibly offering to repair it, which of course Tay almost took offense against the offer as she felt Ari was trying to insult her skills, since Tay was perfectly capable of repairing her own ship… stars, she even built it herself…! Tay’s lips began to open as she prepared to retaliate, however Ari continued, Tay’s jaw shutting right back up as she listened to what seemed to be Ari’s true reason for being here… And, to say the least, Tay was not happy to hear what she had to say. Ari was looking for something, something that caused a wave of telekinetic energy to roll away from Tay and through the clearing, easily mistakable for either the breeze picking up, or ocean waves crashing onto a beach. Tay was subconsciously trying to defend herself from Ari.

“…No.” Tay managed to sputter out, her eyes wide as she looked away, trying to conceal her mixed expression of anxiety, and anger. Why did Ari want to know about the artifact, was Ari just like the humans, with some sort of nasty plan to trap her again, using her powers for whatever she wanted?

“…Nothing, I don’t know anything about it… Why are you looking for an Artifact of all things…?” She cautiously asked, the nervousness in her voice clearly notable. Tay’s hands looked to be prepared to spring into action any second now, almost taking a defensive stance. She was already trying to plan a way out in case Ari connected the dots and would choose to attack her, but with her abilities currently weakened, and her mind somewhat lost, there was a high chance that she wouldn’t be able to do anything significant, or successful.

[Ari]

The arsenic gem didn't immediately register the defensive change in Tay's demeanor; in fact she took a moment to enjoy the sudden light breeze, even if it was a bit of an oddity being that it came from a different direction than the breeze before it. But, she didn't apply much thought to that at the moment, she was more concerned with finding her artifact. Upon hearing that Tay didn't have information for her, she gave a short sigh from her nostrils-- and realized that the little gem was attempting to hide or deflect about something. Ari couldn't imagine that the gem could spend a long time in this area and know nothing about this rumor about a gemkind artifact, so there was the definite possibility that Tay was omitting something. When a question was turned onto her, the eyes under her goggles narrowed slightly.   

"Hmm," Ari canted her head to the side as she thought about how she would answer that question, or if she even would. Then, she continued in her loose, lazy tone as she shifted her weight back onto one hip,"Well it's a shame you don't know anything about it," She gave a shrug and a grin,"But you know how things are these days. Or maybe you don't, I just found out myself...there's a whole rebel effort-- crazy, eh? Who would've thought there were gems brave and foolish enough to try to go fisticuffs with the Diamonds," She gave a chuckle, and tapped the inverted, heart cut gem on the side of her head. As she did, the silvery goggles that had blocked her expression disappeared in a flash of light, revealing the gem's large, yellow eyes. She looked around, appreciating the way things looked without a filter of grids and information plastered across it.  

Her pupils adjusted to the light as her eyes fluttered, then she crossed her arms and glanced around,"Things are dangerous these days. Loyalists on one end, rebels on the other. Can't be sure who's who, and it's always good to be prepared," Ultimately she was skirting around her true goal, but she wasn't being completely dishonest,"Artifacts are powerful tools, and it just so happens that I'm something of an expert on them,"

Arms still crossed, she leaned over Tay's home once again, almost hoping to catch a glimpse of the thing she was after. Unfortunately the artifact continued to ellude her. "It's strange, my source is almost never wrong about the leads they give me," She muttered,"So it must be around here somewhere. Yet you say you don't know about it..." Her eyes flicked onto Tay, focused and bright,"Well that's a true shame, but I'll still help you with your little house here if you'd like," of course, she'd still need a favor in return, but the contract wouldn't be sealed if Tay wouldn't accept.