Test Run (w/ Paddy)

[Paddy]

Her head was still swimming from everything 7XB had told her, and from the realization that they had resumed business demeanor in the nick of time. On top of that, the news that the Onyx had gotten away didn't sit well with her. "Hmph," She gave a little huff mostly to show that she had heard what the two said, but didn't yet have words for them. She swiveled, turning her back to 3JJ for a moment as she stepped back over the grass, her eyes lingering over the ground as she thought. The sapphire slowed and spoke she paced,"Two of three yes, but we should be wary. The onyx escaped-- she was a difficult opponent-- but nonetheless she is in possession of sensitive information that will no doubt reach her superiors," Padparadscha remembered the commandeered camera as she looked downward, and wrapped her hands around it to begin interfacing with it. She flicked through the pictures she had, the dark gem was unclear in them, but she had enough to put her face in the criminal database. 

The sapphire turned around to face 3JJ, and looked the gem in her eyes. For a moment she simply searched her expression, the jasper becoming increasingly uncomfortable as the sapphire scrutinized her every twitch-- and as the noble continued to grill the situation. "This skirmish may lead to the rebels feeling more pressure, taking equitable action. It cannot be said what exactly the consequence of this will be until the information can reach the oracles," She spoke in a brisk manner despite how light her head still felt, though she gave a weary sigh, and let her eyes wander over the grass. Padparadscha avoided looking at 7XB, until her gaze traveled up to them. Her whole body felt too heavy as she passed her eyes over them, but she was still standing nonetheless. Her gaze floated away from the clear quartz, and settled for 3JJ,"Despite that, it's clear that you're skilled, and you seem to have the attitude of a gem I'd like to have on my investigations unit. The two gems we captured will indubitably provide us with a wealth of information to extract after they face the Diamonds," 

[7XB]

The orange-cream hued Jasper relaxed visible as the peach Sapphire spoke further, the tension in her muscles fading away as easily as the hard lines that had been carved into their expression ever since the slippery Onyx had managed to lose them somewhere in the middle of Beach City, a task made substantially easier by the slowly-setting sun. At this point, it was the closest thing to affirmation that they could hope for from their hopeful patron and the stern, immovable quartz commander. They could not help but practically beam at Padparadscha's acceptance of them, at least for the time being.

“I thank you, Your Clarity. I will endeavour to make you proud.”

Arms crossed over their chest, 7XB cast a final, distrustful look across the city in the distance, the crescendoing breeze carrying with it the alien scents of the settlement. “That's that, then,” they declared, the mournful glance from Padparadscha speaking volumes as to her mood.

“I think perhaps it's time we go our separate ways before the rebels have the opportunity to mount a counteroffensive.” It was only a matter of time before the traitor returned to her compatriots, and 7XB felt that lingering in Padparadscha's presence would only cause the sapphire greater distress.

"I trust you feel safe in 3JJ's hands, Your Clarity?*

[Paddy]

She gave a smile at 3JJ's eagerness, but at the clear quartz's words, it fell into something more serious. The sapphire peered to 7XB, and answered their question with a solid nod. To give a simple answer to such a question from the gem she would've rather had on her team was difficult. The jasper would keep her safe, or at least try her darnedest; however, her trust had already been broken by many gems, including the last bodyguard she'd acquired. There simply wasn't anyone who could make her feel as secure as 7XB did; the gem had already saved her more times than she could count on both hands, as well as possessing that quality that had drawn her to them in the first place. Padparadscha couldn't say for sure what that quality was just yet, beyond listing everything she knew about them, but perhaps therein laid her answer.  

"You're right, commander," She spoke spryly,"I should get back to the project site as well. 3JJ, I'm glad to hear you're ready. You'll be introduced to the rest of the team upon our arrival, and I'll begin teaching you the code system as well as more of what I expect from my adjuncts," In her pacing the sapphire had already ended up near the warp, it was a few short steps before she stood on its surface, and motioned for the jasper to join her. With a lively step and a small, relieved smile, 3JJ strode over to stand next to the sapphire.

"Thank you, commander," Jasper threw another salute for 7XB, while the sapphire's smile grew back over her expression as she glanced between the soldiers, then allowed her gaze to catch onto the clear quartz.

"You have my thanks as well, this has been a productive excursion," Her eyes focused on them,"I'll be in reach. Until next time, farewell and good luck,"

[7XB]

Despite everything, the young Jasper's enthusiasm for her newfound assignment almost seemed infectious, even to the traditionally somber clear quartz, the faintest ghost of a smile tugging at the corners of their pale lips whilst returning the salute given by the Jasper, inclining their head lightly.

“Make me proud, 3JJ,” they said with some levity, though no less serious for it, “can't have you making me look like a poor judge of character, can we?” The quartz had been very much like 3JJ once, a good while even before the events they had relayed to Padparadscha, so they knew better than most the positive effects of a stern, guiding hand. A quartz didn't need to be coddled, and they were confident Padparadscha knew that judging by her interactions with 6UE.

Speaking of the Amethyst, 7XB still felt somewhat guilty about the whole thing-though they knew it was the right thing to do. Maybe a few more years on base would be good for her team skills. Eyes fell then to Padparadscha, their smile softened as they held the salute.

“Safe travels, Your Clarity. I would be honored to see you again very soon."