Old Habits

[Paddy]

As Padparadscha stepped down the hall, her strides became longer, her heels hit the floor with increased vigor, and the shadows of her expression lengthened. Even as she fled the scene that had opened a scarred pride, she knew there was only more to come; she fidgeted with the communication's line clasped in her hands. Pink Pearl hurried after the sapphire, until they arrived in the judicial court corridor where Padparadscha's office was. The pearl scrambled to open the door, so that the aristocratic investigator wouldn't break stride as she swept into the room, and went to her desk.

Shortly after Pink Pearl entered the room behind her, Padparadscha activated the communicator, and allowed it to ascend gracefully into the air. The yellow-hued light clashed against the all-pink decor and walls of her office, and soon with a ping, the line was received, and a yellow pearl stood to receive it,"Ah, Madam 8QE, I shall alert my mistress. We have anticipated your report for quite some time," The pearl moved off of the scene, the communicator's view turned through a bright yellow room held up by ornate pillars that branched into the ceiling. It was essentially barren, but for two conspicuous pieces of furniture.

There was a desk, and lounge chair that sat empty, until a short gem shuffled into view. Her gemstone was set where her eye would be, complexion of sparkling yellow and gold. A huge stack of ornately fashioned hair sat precariously atop her head, sharp shoulder-pads jutted up from her tight corset, and her billowing dress was so inflated it seemed to restrict her movement as she languished across the lounge chair. The yellow sapphire tapped her gemstone and brought forth a feathery fan as the communication window narrowed in on her. While she languidly fanned herself, the corners of her lips curled up, coerced into a smile. She spoke in a rich, low tone that echoed off of the walls and pillars,"Ah, my dear, it is so good to speak with you. I've been restless about our precious undertaking, have you called to update me on the Lotus?"

Of course, the yellow sapphire was already lying, but Padparadscha pretended to not notice,"Greetings, 9AT. I wish to be updated on the status of my sisterhood before I speak on that matter," Padparadscha stated in a businesslike tone, clasping her hands over the desk as her intense glare struck into the gem on the other side.

Yellow Sapphire's head canted forward, and she pulled up the fan to cover her mouth and nose; only her vivid yellow gemstone glared over the pale feathers as she spoke on,"Oh," she gave a disappointed sigh,"Your sisters are doing fine, as always. Speak up already, I must know everything,"

[7XB]

The clear gem was surprised to find the Moonbase's Arena, usually a place of relative privacy for 7XB and their small squad of Rubies, so full, especially this time of day. Never empty, mind you, but nothing like the bustling combat-zones found on Yellow Diamond's colonies. Most of Pink Diamonds gems were, admittedly, quite lazy by those standards, growing complacent milling about the Base, even the soldier quartzes, leaving security shockingly lax. It seemed the Pink Court gems were finally starting to take things seriously- or were being told to, anyway. 7XB just hoped that it wasn't too late. Now where were..ah! There they were.

The small squad of Rubies seemed somewhat lost amongst the influx of unknown, many equally bewildered, gems- especially 2FG- and the battered commander knew gems in need of firm guidance better than most.

“Alright!” They called out, ostensibly to their squad of Rubies alone, though as they approached the group with arms crossed behind their back many of the other gems in the room turned to face them as well- just as they had hoped. “With tensions rising on Earth, I feel it's appropriate to focus upon something we rarely touch upon in tactical training.” 7XB carried no official command over any of these gems other than their Rubies, but others tuned in nonetheless.

“Gem on Gem combat.”

[Paddy]

Ever so careful, Yellow Sapphire continued to hide behind her opulent fan, but the lotus sapphire could only take this as a sign of guilt. The Pink Court gem dwelt, letting the air sit quiet. It was uncanny that she would have a run in with 7XB moments before her call with this gem. Everything that happened at the site of the Lotus Project nagged at the back of her mind while she tried to contend with the sly aristocrat on the other end of the screen. She was sure the yellow oracle had something to do with the quartz's sudden upheaval of her project, but it was all too foggy to say with any certainty. "First I have other requests," She uttered in a stilted manner, her eyes flicking back up to her old mentor,"You are close to Yellow Diamond--"

"It's true," Yellow Sapphire interjected, and shifted to lean farther from the screen.

Padparadscha took care to modulate her voice, projecting a measured calmness,"--so you must know of her strategy for tackling Earth's rebel issue. Pink Diamond has raised her own soldiers from Earth, and I've heard that the Yellow Court may reassign gems to other colonial fronts..."

"Darling, you've always had a touch of garnet envy, but that's hardly your concern, or Pink Diamond's." The glittering sapphire's clarion voice trickled with a patronizing slowness, before her speech became curt and harsh,"Stop trying to swing around those silly knives of yours. Sit pretty, let the big gems do their jobs. Now, the Lotus?"

Padaradscha gave a deadened glare back to the yellow gem. "The Yellow Court will remain on Earth, then?" She spoke on with a tightness to her expression, every word overly articulated as she struggled to maintain her aristocratic poise,"The Lotus? That's my concern. I do wonder if you haven't already received all of the data you need about my project. Your little stunt some time ago must have been a feat of coordination. I can't believe you're still stringing along 2MD after all this time, and it was low to send my own retinue after me,"

"Stunt?" Yellow Sapphire scoffed, the jewels strung through her massive hair clattered as she shook her head,"I do not perform stunts. Aside, an off color with any retinue is the real feat here!" A guffaw burst from Yellow Sapphire after her imperious declaration. With that she lifted herself and the bulk of fluttering, satiny fabrics she wore,"Well! If you wont tell me about the Lotus, then we are done. Farewell, Madam 8QE," Seconds later, before Padparadscha could get another word in, the communicator slipped into a thin line, and vanished. Padparadscha sat in silence, with her lips hanging open. The nebulous encounter had left her without answers to her questions about 7XB, and about Yellow Diamond's plans for Earth.