Mysterious Hierarchies ((Paddy))

[Paddy]

The surly sapphire stood still, increasing in her irritation without an outlet for her distress as the lapidary spoke. As the gem finished speaking, Padpara ignored the other gems for a moment as she gave another sweep of her eyes over this containment area; apparently all sanctioned by the Diamonds, but Padparadscha had her doubts about Serendibite's trustworthiness, accumulated over the course of this entire assignment-- especially since it seemed that even other K Sigma gems such as Azurite didn't know what this was. There were still so many unanswered questions, but the sapphire would have to come again when she had better security on her database in order to answer those. 

"Properly test!" She muttered to herself, then she swiveled toward Grey Onyx, raising her voice to a more conversational level,"Well X3, I'll leave it to you," The gem seemed to lack many of her own perspectives, which the sapphire could understand; being locked in a facility for an indefinite amount of time left one without much worldly experience. Today, she hoped to give Grey Onyx some more control of her destiny,"Tell us where you'd rather be tested; in Kindergarten Sigma, or in the field?" 

When she realized that they might be gaining yet another new team member today, Amethyst's eyes widened, and she glanced at the gem in question. Grey Onyx was a bit intimidating looking, but she didn't seem to be anything the investigations unit couldn't handle. 6UE didn't want to be caught staring, so let her eyes wander around the room. Her brows furrowed when she realized the whole group was being stared at. A discomfort crept up her spine at the thought of being stuffed into a tiny lit box; she could hardly handle the tiny honey-comb cots Homeworld spared for its soldiers in downtime. 

Clinohumite tapped her chin as she weaved around to get a good look at everything. "Hmm..." She analyzed each tower,"It must be, but I see no sign of her clarity, nor the others," She peeked over to the Jet and tilted her head. Could it be that the other gems were now contained, as would make sense considering this was a containment facility? She'd never seen anything like this, or much of anything at all, and didn't know what the right questions to ask would be, but attempted anyway,"Could it be that there is more than one containment facility?" 

[Mad Azurite]

The grey onyx gave the sapphire a worried stare, what did she want? Did she really think she was going to deny a chance to leave this horrid ship? For what seemed like decades now, this was the first time she walked about this derelict ship free, free enough that guardian class agates weren’t breathing down her neck as they escorted her to the periodic events at the training facility—the only place she knew of. “I would rather be tested on the field, ma’am.” She again made a salute but the awkwardness in her voice showed she was uncertain of what to do next—she was becoming nervous, just the thought of being denied was all she needed to draw a bit of anxiety from the gem. Which meant …

Cocoa had finally managed to collect herself, when there was suddenly an all too familiar smell in the air, she knew it because for the past 7 decades years, she’s been training and distinguishing methods of whichGrey Onyx could learn to control this ability—she straightened up giving Grey Onyx a knowing look as she backed away, “Onni’ your emotions, what did we go over when this starts to happen?” It was less a question and more a statement to engage the Grey Onyx’s memories—the smell of the sickeningly sweet lilac wafting from her would only have a strong effect if one remained in her presence for too long. Though it could give wild headaches from even the smallest dosage. “Everyone, take few steps back from Grey Onyx please, you’re making her nervous. From what little testing we could do, we surmised that her abilities are directly impacted by how her mood-the more anxious she becomes … the more her pheromones get out of hand.” She covered her mouth and nose, modulating her body due away with all the excess organs she tended to experiment with as she approached, though she could no longer speak, she placed her hand on the orb of which Beady had summoned, and using her as a channel, communicated to the group. The Morganite already putting herself as far away from them as possible.

The Grey Onyx began making deep breaths.

“I recommend she stay, the sapphire will never be able to handle a gem like this, she just doesn’t have the experience unfortunately—and I doubt she’ll have the patience either.” She would speak to the group, “Fortunately, it can only be breathed in, or if she makes physical contact long enough for the oils to seep into one's form. Again, this is way out of her league.” The Morganite had to agree but also swore she’d never meet a pearl who carried herself like Cocoa, who was brave enough to approach and train a gem like this which was far beyond her.

As Chevron followed, she came to a halt as the jet slid to a stop and spun around, bouncing adorably again, shaking her head to Clino’s query about the facility having more than one containment center. Not having a mouth, it would seem it was trying to communicate something else to them, but she knew at this point all she could do was ask, “Young v’one, z’ere ee’s a group v’e are looking for, do you kno’vere to find z’em?” She’d ask, and the jet only shook its head, but then grew excited again. It was frustrating, these jets were so hard to communicate too. And her accent was making it even harder.

“You looking for the group of wierdo’s who were running through here earlier?” They’d all hear, as what looked like some type od prototype ruby marched up to one of the panels voiced out.

“Yes! V’e are looking for a sapphire and her companions, hav’you seen z’em?” Chevron would ask, and the ruby nodded, “Headed toward the sector west of here, guess they might be testing that freako the master here recently made. Gossip says she made it on accident, but how do you accidently make a monster like that?” Chevron was unsure what that was supposed to mean, but they knew where to go. She shifted her gaze to the Jet, “Z’eh V’est’ving? Can you take us z’ere?” the jet grew excited again and took off towards what was hopefully the right way, “V’e shall foll'low, yes?” she said, ready to move when Clino was.

[Paddy]

"Of course you would," The sapphire gave a cheeky grin at X3's words, eyeing Serendibite's orb; getting Grey Onyx to say that was more for Serendibite to hear than anything else, and it was a bit personally cathartic for Padpara to see the situation unfold. Though, as Cocoa began to speak up, Padparadscha's glower settled back into place, and she whirled to face the pearl. She glanced at X3 as she noticed the idiosyncratic scent. In the words of Morganite, when one already smelled that scent, it was already too late-- so the sapphire simply stayed put as she addressed Cocoa,"She was fine before the lot of you descended upon my tour, pearl, and of course she lacks experience-- she hasn't seen anything real yet," Padparadscha scoffed, knowing the experience comments were rather more directed toward herself, but she chose to give Cocoa an out to reconsider her statements. She gave a moment's pause before continuing to speak. 

"Nothing, I mean nothing, can replace that in-field, hands on, high stakes experience. Of course, I can't abide failure on my unit," She turned to face Grey Onyx and clasped her hands behind her back,"When you fail on the field, you stand to lose much more than a percentage. You lose prestige, your mind, the mission, your comrades-- your life. If you fail, I fail, Pink Diamond fails-- I want you to understand you're trading one freedom for another sort, but you'll never grow past your limits without a real challenge," Padparadscha eyed the Morganite. From what she had heard earlier, it seemed Grey Onyx had been stuck in a rut, or improving below standard growth. To the sapphire this was no matter, because once the infiltrator was on the field, things would quickly heat up for her; she would grow, whether she failed or succeeded. 

Amethyst backed up as the pearl called for everyone to do so, and silently kept an eye on the situation. She was use to the sapphire going on long lectures, and normally she would've began to allow her eyes to gloss over while she looked at some odd corner of the room. However, she found herself unable to tune out Padparadschas words this time. 6UE herself had never seen much of a challenge until she'd been hired as a bodyguard, and it changed her entire perspective on gemkind. The comments on failure stung, she'd already failed herself, her patron, and her Diamond, but nothing could replace the taste of real adventure.

The deputy detective was instantly suspicious of this ruby gem who'd seemed to sneak up on the group, she narrowed her eyes at the gem, but allowed herself to peel away from the ruby in order to follow the chipper young Jet who had led the group here in the first place. She kept her thoughts stewing, and made sure to look out for major landmarks and chart their course so that getting lost wouldn't be an issue. It was in her nature to think that something bigger might be going, a mystery to be solved. Instead of speaking, she kept her keen eyes on the move for clues. 

[Mad Azurite]

Cocoa scoffed, the ignorance of this one! In-field testing? How reckless could this gem get? This wasn’t just about her abilities, this was so much more than that. But how could she expect this little arrogant fool to know. “Absolutely unbelievable, yes to test her abilities and strengths sometimes live-test are an option, but that’s not the only thing we are testing here, sapphire!” Cocoa’s gaze shifted to x3, “We’re testing her-- …” Serendibite suddenly interrupted.
“Cocoa, its fine. As long as the sapphire understands the circumstances, she can take the gem, but as said she will be taking all responsibility for this gems’ actions and wellbeing once this gem leaves the ship—consider it a circumstantial agreement; and that I’ll be personally contacting several higher-end contacts who will follow proper documentation-placing her in the sapphire’s command with our waivers intact, whether she complies verbally or not.” Serendibite’s small orb shifted its gaze as it seemed to be … melting? “If you wish to continue your tour you may, I’ll be returning to my own duties.” As she said this, the orb became something like an oily tar-like substance, deteriorating until it poured through cracks it he surface of the tile-flooring.

X3 seemed to glower at the sight and then shifted her gaze to the sapphire and pearl respectively, she wanted freedom—truthfully being tested outside was more appealing, but she started to think more on what the sapphire said, and the words only mounted more stress upon the onyx’s wracking thoughts. No, her mind concluded that she’s stepping away from one cage, to only walk into another. Her eyes showed for a moment her realization that she was completely free, she had stepped into another system of control.

Azurite herself wanted to tune out the sapphire, but like 6UE, her words managed to shift her gaze. She felt that though the sapphire held some truth in what she said, she also felt that this was something outside her realm of thinking that the testing the gems underwent here was meticulous and shouldn’t be so easily dismissed. But she at this point had enough of the stubbornness of most of the gems here, if she could—she’d like to snatch Amethyst and Chevron and just go do something fun. Her eyes scanned the Grey Onyx and something in her wanted to see if she could use her hair to paint. Would be interesting.

Chevron kept up with the two and she showed a bit of relief as she turned the corner to see the party they were travelling with. “V’e found z’em!” she would say. The jet turning to the two, waving and then taking off somewhere else, it seemed her task were done.

[Paddy]

She knew well that this wasn't one of the most brilliant ideas she'd ever had, but Padparadscha couldn't bring herself to go back on everything she'd already done for X3; but in truth, there was something more that she didn't wish to wholly acknowledge. Not a gem in the room would understand, she was content to leave it that way, especially now that those gems who had been opposed to her from the beginning were present. Enough of her weaknesses had already been shamefully on display today, some of which she wasn't entirely mentally present for. The accumulation of stresses, irritation, shame, and legal concerns all kept her from giving her own definitive, verbal answer to Serendibite's liability agreement before the gem's representative orb seeped away.



Padparadscha's eyes flicked back up to the pearl,"You're testing her temperament?" She asked, then allowed her eyes to flick toward X3, sweeping up and down the gem to read her cues,"I can think of no better way to test a gem's character than to put her in a high stakes situation," It was hard to ask this pearl to trust her, especially since she knew Cocoa had an intense dislike of her from the onset, but as her eyes flicked back over to Cocoa, her gaze was austere. Her lips pressed together, and she swiveled to glance around at the west wing fusions. 

Just as she did, the other gems stepped around the corner, and Padparadscha's brows floated up. Her eyes caught onto Clinohumite, then she cast her gaze away. She felt guilty for leaving the gem to fend for herself on this frigate, among other guilt that now chided her. The deputy waved back to the jet, before swiveling to face the sapphire, along with the rest of the group, "Your clarity!" Clino called, a huge grin on her face as she quickly stepped up to stand next to Padpara. However, she squinted with suspicion toward Grey Onyx, and began to circle the gem, scanning her,"This gem is not in my database," She sounded almost despondent; so many gems on this ship eluded her database. She glanced with increasing suspicion at the fusions,"Nor are those,"

6UE's eyes landed on Chevron, and she lit up, a broad smile showing on her face as she gave a short nod to the young amethyst. "Glad you found us, looks like our worst fears were averted," She scratched the back of her head and chuckled, feeling a bit embarrassed at how intensely fearful she had been before.    

[Mad Azurite]

Not just the gems' temperament, no it was much more than that—Loyalty, signs of rebelliousness, the gems’ understanding of its own psychological prowess and mastery of. She admitted that the ways of testing here were callous, possibly even brutal. Many of the gems here could spend months, years, decades even in the facility to properly test and research such things—but the difference was that it didn’t jeopardize missions, it didn’t involve possible high-stake, sacrifices made simply for one gem at the cost of others. Cocoa wanted to retort, she truly did, but something in her held her voice.

Something clicked, and she wondered if what prompted all this behavior was some kind of discomfort on part of this sapphire, her own creation and the ways gems were treated as test subjects. If anyone should know, she knew it was this gem. The look on her face was something of pity and disapproval, but oddly all she could manage was a heavy sigh.

“Do as you wish.” She would say, turning to walk away from the group with a brooding look on her eyes. There was no point in explaining anything at this point.

Azurite would shift her glance away from some of the fusions in the cage who had bunched up at the window to ogle at her themselves. Cocoa went marching past her, she kept quiet, seemed even Cocoa knew when to give up. Her brow shot up however as she noticed Chevron and Clino rush forward, she showed similar sentiments for the two as 6UE did, “Damn, I was worried we’d have to hunt you down next!” she’d say after the amethyst spoke. Chevron smile, “Ah, yes v’e ‘ere quite lucky.” Chevron would say, and then kneeling down with a motherly concerned sharpness in her gaze, spoke to the same, “Madamousselle, you had us very v’orried, you d’eed.” She’d say, not to scold the sapphire, but she showed a genuine sense of worry in her eyes.

[Paddy]

Padparadscha's eyes followed Cocoa as the pearl left, and she gave a huff. It seemed this test of wills was over, for the time being. She crossed her arms behind her back, but glanced toward Chevron as the gem lowered and spoke to her. Padparadscha's brow arched,"Worried?" She shook her head,"Hmph. There is no need for concern. I know your lapidary is keeping a close eye on her vessel, and I'm sure she would like to avoid it being upended by my retainers. Likewise, I don't need any more trouble from Kindergarten Sigma gems,"


At Azurite's words, 6UE gave a bit of a light chuckle, mostly out of relief that it hadn't been the case. Every gem was accounted for, except for those caustic snow agates-- which still made her a little nervous. Though, her patron' words made her press her lips together, brows furrowing a bit. "Your clarity," She stated blunty, turning toward the sapphire. Padparadscha tilted her head up toward the tall, burly gem and her brows floated upward,"You were the one who said this was a 1090. I was ready for things to escalate at any moment," She paused to give a heavy sigh. There were some things she couldn't express, not surrounded by these gems, but there was something else she wanted to point out,"These gems, when I scrambled-- they scrambled. Who knows what could've happened if they didn't. Prevention is better than damage control, isn't that something you say?" She gestured between the others, and hoped the sapphire would appreciate that, at least. Amethyst looked toward Azurite,"Honestly, it was an honor to get a ride on Glitterdance," She gave a small grin, and her eyes flicked to Chevron,"Thanks for the help guys, really," 

Clinohumite let her eyes flick between the gems who spoke, before turning toward Padparadscha,"There were a heft of unknown variables in the situation, admittedly, your clarity,"


The whole time the sapphire's brows floated higher on her face, she wasn't sure what to say in response to them. Grey Onyx too seemed lost, more so than the gem who had just recently become her patron, though the concept was a bit vague for her. The gem's eyes floated between the others; she couldn't really tell herself what was going on, or why any of this had happened at all-- the gem stood rather still as she continued recede inward, but the dangerous chemical still wafted through the air with increasing potency. 

[Mad Azurite]

Azurite had just thrown a wide smile in 6UE’s direction, not only honored for being honored but more but what more than ready to give her own thanks on the matter, at least they’d manage to make today rather fun if at rather stressful too. She had barely heard the sapphire before turning to see Chevron standing to her feet with a hanged head, it was easy to see the noble’s words stabbed at the newly formed gems’ heart like a charm needle, and even as 6UE went to compliment her efforts, she took several bundles of her violet crystalline hair in her hands hiding her face from the many of them and turned on a depressed swivel to start idly sauntering off, passing even Azzy without a word, who kept watching as she’d stop not far away, “My deep’este apologies, mademoiselle, I wee’ll bother you no longe’rre.” She’d say as she cast her gaze off. Azurite was sure the gem was silently weeping. Azurite’s tone shifted to slight purple, her head practically tweening to the sapphire with a vicious glare.

It was taking everything in her not pick that sapphire up by her little head and toss her into that room of fusions, which she hoped were gemeaters at this point. But, even still something let slip, “Yo, 6UE … you got anything else you wanna say to your protectee?” Azurite would say and then cross her arms as she stared forward viciously into fusions’ chamber who read her emotions with their empathic abilities—and started to back away instinctively.

Grey Onyx casted her gaze to the azurite, the only one so far who was far enough out of the reach of pheromones. Of course the Grey Onyx wasn’t aware of this, she retained her inward thinking, she just wanted more than anything to leave this place—she was even almost ready to suggest it.

[Paddy]

The sapphire's brows furrowed, she wasn't sure what to make of Chevron's reaction; as far as she was concerned, these gems all needed to be doing their tasks, not worrying about her. Their jobs were more important than whatever became of a sapphire who was simply doing her own job. Her eyes drifted to her bodyguard. It had become clear that it was indeed 6UE who had convinced these gems to crash her tour, or rather, her evidence collection excursion. She pinched the bridge of her nose for a moment; there wasn't much gratitude to be had when these gems had essentially cut her short of another huge break through. Serendibite could clear her data all she wanted, but her memory was safe-- unless she were taken off task by other gems. "I suppose I should thank you for your time," She managed, despite how ineffective she found the idea of them dropping what they had already been doing to interrupt her. 

Amethyst gave a quietly puzzled look between Chevron and Azurite, and gave a short shake of her head to the guardian's words. She had to wonder if that the wrong answer however, as it seemed like the Honor Guard might have something to say herself-- the amethyst guard had a more basic familiarity with social cues, but she could hear a familiar note of anger in Azurite's voice.

For the sapphire it was loud and clear, her brow arched at the gem as she spoke,"And I suppose there is more to see, but I'm sure your manager is anticipating your return to schedule," She spoke briskly, and gave another sweep to the Hematoid quartz collection,"It wouldn't do to have you worrying any longer, it seems this is my cue to take leave," Sensing that she may not be welcome, as Azurite's anger had practically thickened the atmosphere, Padparadscha began to step away, waving for her small posse of gems to follow. Clino stepped after her with a spry step, seemingly unaware of the tension that had coiled around the gems in the room. Amethyst felt that tension growing; not only was she a moment closer to her reassignment, she was leaving behind gems she wanted to consider friends, but it was difficult to imagine that she would ever see them again.

The Grey Onyx's brows lifted a little as she took off after the short legged gem; she hadn't given any verbal command, yet the sapphire seemed to respond. With a power as complex and volatile as her own, X3 had to wonder if her own will had anything to do with this, or if the small peachy gem was simply in the same mind as she was.     

[Mad Azurite]

“Tch!” Azurite would scoff, throwing her furious gaze at the sapphire in an instant, it amazed her how little this noble seemed to get it. She’s seen gems like this, so caught up in the courts—she couldn’t deny today had been a wild one, that K-Sigma was pulling things they shouldn’t, but she felt no one here was completely in the right. Hearing the sapphire mistake her intent only pissed Azurite off further and her purple tone darkened as her eyes almost went black, “My manager? Guess you forgot who my managers are, but then again you got your head so far your ass you can barely see passed the emblems we wear, madam.” She's say as she rotated on her heel and started to saunter toward the sapphire, “How dare you, I’ve met shit I’d rather scrape off my boots, but you? Not even worth the time. You crossed the line, more times than I’d let anyone get away with, even you.” Her hand flew up pointing toward 6UE. “You need to start thinking about your actions you spoiled little brat, your marching off on this little escapade put 6UE’s recognition, well-being and future in danger for whatever self-centered gain you wanted.”

Chevron stopped in her tracks and turned, her eyes heavy with worry as she took what was happening as the beginning of a startling altercation.

“You are her responsibility, something you obviously don’t respect! How dishonorable and reckless can you be putting the solders of your diamond in such a position! A solder who follows you and protects you with their life! I can care less what mission you think you have, what authority you follow, your actions show you are nothing more than a selfish wretch!” by the time the honor-guard had reach the last portions of this statement, the fury of the gem’s voice grew to a furious shout, and the fusions in their cell were at alert, ears raised high and some shivering from the cold fury emanating from the Azurite.

Onyx slowly canted her head, she peered behind her with a confused stare, this was beyond anger—she partially feared the solder would retaliate with violence, but she kept her cool waiting, contemplating what she should do.

[Paddy]

Padparadscha halted as Azurite rounded onto her, brows shooting up. The sapphire became as still as stone, her wide-eyed glare pinned into the Honor Guardian as the gem continued her tirade, tearing into the small gem in front of all three of her retainers. As Azurite addressed 6UE, the sapphire continued her blazing stare at the infuriated gem, but a mortified pallor washed over Amethyst's expression as her jaw fell. Deputy Clinohumite's brows furrowed and she stuck close to her patron's side, running through strategies and possibilities in her head as she anticipated escalation of this conflict.  

The noble tilted her head toward her amethyst bodyguard, casting a venomous glare toward the gem,"I knew you resented what happened, but this? We will talk later," Her eyes snapped back onto Azurite, who seemed to be speaking for her bodyguard. She began to step toward the darkening visage of Azurite, her own gaze was bright and molten as the accumulation of volcanic emotions she had corked down were now putting pressure on her entire frame. Clinohumite closely shadowed the sapphire, keeping her eyes moving. 

"N-no! Your clarity, that's not-- this isn't-- I--" 6UE scrambled through her thoughts, and her eyes shot over to the Honor Guard as well. The bodyguard grimaced as she stepped up, putting herself between the sapphire and Azurite, stopping Padparadscha's forward advance,"Honor Guard, I-- I look up to you," She admitted, sounding almost wounded. She pressed her lips together, gaining the courage to say what she wanted to,"But that's too far." Shocking, disparaging words from such a highly esteemed gem was something the amethyst never thought she'd hear, especially not aimed toward the gem she was defending.  

"No need to speak on my behalf, 6UE. We shall have a discussion later," The sapphire stepped around the large gem, her voice calm despite the fact that her eyes were still wide, and glinting, as her feet tapped against the floor. "Did you say enough? Oh, I know there must be more," She spoke slowly as she stepped forward,"Do say what you must, Azurite. I enjoy candid discussion, it's part of my task, after all" She had heard many things in the interrogation room; gems had threatened more than her prestige. However, it had been one thing to be torn into by an insubordinate pearl, but she didn't expect this from the Honor Guard. Her head tilted to the side as her brows lowered, darkening her aspect,"I shall take your criticisms into consideration, thank you for your valued opinion, Honor Guardian," 

[Mad Azurite]

The purple tone would flash for a moment, and then just like her title the orange flare of the Azurite’s flux shifted with her with her fury; it was like a completely different gem took seat, her eyes—her facial features even seemed to contort for a moment as what seemed like some sleeping consciousness reeled at the sapphire from within, there were levels of pomposity even she wouldn’t dare take but—maybe it was something more, something a little deeper. She shifted her frown to 6UE for a moment and then the piercing glare fell on the sapphire with a horrid fire. “Oh’ho, you wish 6UE had something to do with it, it’s the only way you can deal with the fact someone literally can’t take your shit anymore. Only way you save that stuck-up mask you throw on.” She growled, even as the amethyst acted as a wall. Chevron would rush forward, unable to say anything but ready to do something about this if she must. “Your so damn stuck in that sick little ego of yours you can’t even take it—just shows your half the gem you are, already ready to turn your little temper tantrums out on the gems around you, no different than those human children so ignorant of everything around them, somehow more ignorant than the creatures that made them.” She crossed her arms, “That’s the sad part, so far you’re below them—no wonder you’re just as expendable in the end.”

“This is my anger, my feelings toward you sapphire, you can go ahead and treat your solders like shit, trust me you’ll learn your lesson when it comes to that one. In fact.” She said as she turned on her heel, passing Chevron who stepped out of the gem’s path. “Don’t forget I have status enough to make my own reports and even meet with our Authority in person as we speak. I’ll be sure to gain a meeting with Pink Diamond and the other superiors—they’d like to hear about you, this mess in K-Sigma. All of it. I don’t mind being that third-spike to drive both you and this whole shit-hole into chaos—hell, she might just let me mark you. I can care less if I go down with you.” She canted her head to give one good eye at the sapphire, “And I’m the last thing you’re gonna want hunting you down.”

“And I got enough evidence to destroy you and this screwed up joint, so keep your eyes peeled, you’d better hope she sees some worth in you. You’ll regret putting my fellow solder’s in danger.” She reached for her blade, drawing it as it immediately extended to its full size and as she released it, the blade would hover beside her before slowly going horizontal enough, it seemed she was ready to fly off. Chevron stepped back, unsure of what to do, she could tell Azurite was a smarter warrior than that she thought, she wouldn’t engage the gems in hear, that and from what it sounded like, she was trying to protect them—but from what? Was this sapphire really that dangerous? Yes, sometimes the actions of the Sapphire estranged her, but what was it that made Azurite feel so furious towards her?

Grey Onyx swallowed air as she tried to suppress her growing anxiety, the azure gem went from a deep purple to a blazing orange and it was unlike anything she’d ever seen. She fear at any moment the gem would crush them with that weapon her back, “C-can we …” she mentioned, “Can we not do this, let’s just leave? We shouldn't fight in here.” she would ask aloud, trying to diffuse the situation.

[Paddy]

While Azurite continued, Padparadscha just stood and listened. She'd seen many gems like this; making visceral, dark threats meant to terrify her into submission. The difference between here and the interrogation room was that there was little standing between her, and the gem who was threatening her very life. Chills raced through her body, her mind flashed through those gems who had given her life meaning as she prepared for whatever the Honor Guard would do. Despite the fact that her body now shook with the tumult coursing through her, she trusted her retainers-- for the most part, as she still wasn't sure about Grey Onyx. 

Amethyst's eyes woefully flicked between her sapphire patron and Azurite, who seemed to be losing it. She thought she had averted her worst case scenario, but it seemed she had brought it with her. Her hand swung down to her hip, and her falcata took form in a flash of sparkling indigo light. This time, she placed herself between the fury of both gems with her own acting as a wedge to drive her confidence. She remembered that there was a manual way to calm the Honor Guard down, but she doubted she would get close enough to do it. Azurite would probably obliterate her, but maybe she could regain the sapphire's favor after being shattered for her.  

The deputy too readied herself, grabbing the sapphire's hand and preparing to make a break for it, reasoning to herself that Amethyst would keep the now fiery orange gem occupied while they made their escape. Padparadscha had already been well ready to make that escape by the time Grey Onyx spoke up, which caused her fellow investigation's unit gems to cast their wired gazes toward their newest addition, all of them looking the same degree startled by the suggestion. However, something in Grey Onyx's words seemed exceedingly true to the noble, and the urge to escape that had built since her arrival surged-- the small gem yanked her hand from Clino's and took off, dashing as fast as her slender legs could take her back toward the exit. For the deputy this was excellent, it seemed the stubborn sapphire was already in the mind to leave. Her footsteps clanked after the sapphire as she tried to catch up, but continued glancing back in case she would have to cover her patron's escape. 

6UE's brows shot up as she realized the other gems were taking off-- she had the strong urge to do so herself, but she hardened her gaze and kept her focus on Azurite. 

[Mad Azurite]

Azurite managed to simply scowl at the summoning of weapons, and what was suggested—it seemed when the shark bared her teeth, it really did shake a gem to their core. It seemed it must of went right over the sapphire’s head—her real intentions here. But that was all the more better. She stepped on her blade, activating its engines in a split second, pulling an emmelman-turn, the gem rocketed passed the group at full speed. Cutting around until she flew into the maze-like Labyrinth of its halls, and towards the skylight the Sapphire and Chevron had almost escaped through. As she flew into open space, her gaze would shift—settling on earth for a moment, despite all the cool things she loved about this odd planet—she didn’t love all the shit it started between her kind and was sometimes regretted it. Her head canted towards the moon or more appropriately Moonbase and activating her blade, raced into the vacuum of space. Luckily the blade’s propulsion systems were unobstructed by any form of atmosphere here and could reach interstellar space-efficient speeds with long enough spans of acceleration. 

Chevron didn’t move, she let the group run right pass her, head canted towards the ground, wondering why it suddenly had to turn out this way. Was this the nature of gemkind? To act this way towards each other? The words Azurite and 6UE mentioned about them being solders echoed through her mind. Was this what she was fighting for, infighting between their kind? This feeling … it was horrible for some reason. She felt like something in her gut was churning. She remained where she was truly unable to make a decision in her sudden confusion.

Grey Onyx heard something like a screaming jet and practically shut her eyes in fear only to see the Azurite speed ahead of them, and into the open space of the ship. She actually stopped in her tracks, confused, more than sure the azurite should have mowed through them, but instead in a moment’s notice, not only was she gone, but she was off the ship. “Wait, I thought she’d ...” She said as she watched what was like a shooting star take off in some specific direction. “W-where is she going?” she’d ask, her mind pulling flips, truly that was the look of a gem who wanted to crush all of them? Right? Surely that was a dangerous monster of a gem? She almost reminded her of the damn agates who defended the ship.

Speaking of agates.

Marching in front of them were two familiar sights, the snow agates casually walking into the containment center. They both shot venomous glares at the group, but kept their distance, marching right past them, instead turning the corner. Then not long after, seemed to escort Chevron who looked like she definitely wanted to protest, but really couldn't as they took her by the shoulders and started to push her towards one of the containment cells. “Get in.” they’d say in unison with demanding and harrowing tone. Chevron knowing the full intent of their power accepted it and stepped through as the panel seemed to give way. “Your testing hasn’t finished,” one of the agates would say, and then other smiled cockily with death glare on her face, “Maybe Pink Diamond will put her in a cage, looks like that’s all she’s good for—just a pretty thing to stare at.” Chevron return their glare with one of her own, but sat in the small chair in the room, only looking back somewhat defeated.

[Paddy]

Padparadscha kept running as quickly as she could, emotions erupting from her as tears rolled down her cheeks. To be lied to in such a manner, shouldered up and escorted by powerful gems as if she were a criminal, hauled onto a prison ship to be lectured, to have her life, livelihood, and station thoroughly threatened; the whole experience only solidified for her that the court of Yellow Diamond couldn't be trusted. She knew that Pink Diamond would never allow what Azurite had threatened, but her skin prickled at the thought, that this gem would go so far as to threaten to defame and destroy her in front of the gem who had given her everything.


The deputy continued after her patron, brows furrowing as she realized the gem was leaking water-- quite surreal to see, certainly not normal in her experience. It almost seemed as if the sapphire were trying to escape from her as well, from all the gems, as she refused to slow down or look back.


Amethyst narrowed her eyes at Azurite while the gem made her own escape. She began to wonder if she had misread the gem; there was certainly a lot about her to admire, but 6UE felt an uneasy churning in her over the display she'd just seen. Part of that was a shame; to part ways in this manner was sobering, as she would probably never see the gem again. As she caught the words of the Snow agates, her brows furrowed and eyes widened at Chevron, who she also would probably not see again. The quartz's whole body was tense, she wanted to do something about this-- but the only gems who could have done something productive about it had already sprinted off or flown away. 6UE swallowed, keeping her falcata in hand. If she tried to do or say anything, it would just make everything harder for them. With a mournful expression, she turned and dashed off to catch up with the others.