A Glimmer of Hope (Light and Variscite)

[Light]

   

An enormous beam of light made contact with the warp pad inside the temple. However, just in just a matter of seconds, the beam vanished, a person now stood there instead. A Pearl to be more specific, slightly shorter than a regular one, but still tall with slim build. His skin was white, similar to his toga, but the old rag kept turning gray due to the daily contact to volcanic ash. His hair was that of a mocha brown color, the unmanageable waves sprung into all possible directions. In contrast to his slim build, he wore slightly oversized military boots and a coral that resembled those often worn by Agates. In the center of his chest was his gemstone, a perfect round shaped Pearl, but with a small pit, it was surrounded by the pattern on his tunic that resembled a laurel wreath. Finally, there was a star, a symbol of the crystal gems, right on his belt.

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The gem stood with what appeared to be a clone of himself, but the other being had blue skin, more angular edges and white eyes. 

The two were holding a metallic crate (all wooden ones got burned by accident long ago in the Forge). The crate was filled different kind of items, it had some more basic, low quality, swords, but also more advanced technology that could be used in combat. The gem had a pocket dimension to store whatever he needed to, but some things were too big, that is why he needed help of his hologram friend "That is the last one for today Holo!" The hologram didn't even blink, it just stared. The Pearl shifted his eyes away from the projection "Silent treatment again? Won't work on me." He chuckled. The hologram this time answered "Do you wish to engage in heavy lifting?" The Pearl simply went straight to the temple door, the fologram right behind him "Yes, yes I do. But we will have to work on that programming of yours. And I might also ask Fulgurite or Amethyst for help next time." He murmured under his long nose the last sentence, but soon looked back at the hologram "Not that you are not helpful or anything, I REALLY appreciate what you are doing here for me." The hologram didn't respond "Silent treatment it is then."

They approached the temple's door. It had numerous gemstones all over it, each representing the gem that lived in there. Light used to live there as well, but the room was abandoned years ago, he moved to Forge to live with Para instead. Now he had the Forge all for himself, not that it was a good thing, but at least his pet bird kept him company (and it was someone he could talk to).

Both gemstone, the one on the entrance and the Light's chest emitted a bright light that opened the door. The two stepped inside and found themselves in a grassy field with a blue sky and small clouds. It appeared to be nearly endless, but it actually  had invisible walls, it was still a pretty big room, though. It once had a household similar to humble homes on countrysides, but it seemed to have vanished at some point. The two left the crate on the grass, and gem started to empty his pocket dimension. Various items launched out of his gemstones and landed on the ground. Surprisingly, everything seemed to be selected into organized groups.

The hologram shifted and vanished into thin air "Thank you for your help" The gem from the other hand left the room, not expecting to see anyone there.


variscite64

[variscite64]

A green gem approached the entrance to the temple.

"So... this is the dwelling place for the Crystal Gems..."

Variscite did not see many gems. Perhaps they were all further inside, or maybe there were not many rebels aftercall. They had not been wiped out last she heard, and the reasoning gem figured she would have heard if they were no more. No... There are probably a select few who still reside here. Maybe it's a small band of elites like the Broken Gems. Either that or they really are weak. I understand the Crystal Gems are against Homeworld and desire to protect this surprisingly decent planet, perhaps they can give me knowledge I never had before. Maybe they can help me understand human life. Although I wonder... just how strong their will is.

Variscite reached the entrance and stood by it, seeing a gate with many gems decorating its exterior. Should I knock?

Variscite was nervous that she look like a threat. The dangerous gem tried as hard as possible to look casual and advanced with a bold, yet diplomatic walk, trying her best to communicate with her body that she meant no harm. Then... the gem began to speak, only betraying a slight hinge of uneasiness in her voice in the form of a tremble.

"h-hello?" She knocked on the door. "Hello?" She offered a bit louder.

[Light]

It seemed someone was trying to enter his room. It was odd, he thought, why would anyone want to enter his room? It didn't sound like any crystal gem he associated himself with. Must have been a new recruit or just someone he never met. 

The door turned into a thick mist with the star symbol still visible in the centre. Soon enough a gem emerged from the room, the door returned to its natural state when the Pearl returned to the main room.

Light looked more closely at the green gem standing in front of him. Nothing seemed familiar about her. "Yes, hello there!" He scratched his ear area lazily and stretched his arms "So... What is it? I don't have all day, you know." He said calmly, but he probably sounded a bit tired as well. There was still work he planned for today,the work he didn't want to leave for tomorrow. He was never the one to welcome new recruits, hopefully it wasn't that, but from the other hand - he had no idea who was meant to welcome the new recruits. Hopefully it was nothing that important.

[variscite64]

Variscite was startled when the door and gem materialized and thought for a second that she was being assaulted by something. Then the wary gem thought again and composed herself listening to the mocha colored gem speaking with her. He seems to be a pearl... though different from the rest.

Variscite did not know what to think of the welcome. The gem seemed some what surprised to have a visitor, and tired rather than hostile. Is he simply unprepared... no, he is a Crystal Gem. He knows he's at war and knows how to fight. The fact that he can afford to simply speak with me mean he is confident he can crush me if I were an enemy. This gem must be stronger than he looks.

The nervous gem willed herself to speak. "Greetings. My name is Variscite. I left Homeworld a few years ago and have been hunted by them for several seasons since. I believe they have given up on tracking me at this point. I see no value in the pointless war Homeworld wills against all organic life. I also admire the Crystal Gem's defiance and ability to thwart the Diamonds. I was not so sure at first, but I now see something worthy of protection in this world."

Variscite paused. "I am interested in your views of life. Could you offer me a detailed description of what the Crystal Gems stand for? Should your answer align well enough with my own understanding, it is my wish that you would allow me to join the Crystal Gems. I am a capable warrior and would be glad to fight for a worthy cause."

[Light]

Light's eyes widened as the gem in front of him proceeded to tell him her whole story. "Woah! Woah... slow down here buddy." The Pearl's hands met with his shining gemstone. He then raised his hands dramatically, forming something similar to a "Y" letter with his body, two holographic projections floated in the air. They looked very pixelated and resembled alien like creatures from a human game "Space Invaders".



The gem made a whistling sound with his mouth "Chair formation please." The pair of flat projections flew behind him and Variscite. "Please take a seat." The gem said as he took a sit himself. He could technically take some time to make an actual chair model, but who would want to sit on a chair when you can sit on a space invader? Besides, it would just waste his and Variscite precious time.

"My name is Light, it is nice to meet you." He proceeded by reaching out his hand to the green gem. He just hoped that she knew about the Earth tradition named "handshake".

"Now... If you want to learn more about Crystal Gems, you have come to the right place!" He said with a smile, they really needed more recruits at this point. Who knows when Homeworld was going to attack? They could use some help."But before I will tell you anything..." His tone shifted to a more serious one and he looked Variscite straight in the eyes "What is it that you admire about the Earth? What really made you come here?"

[variscite64]

Variscite realized she had probably said a bit to much and took the gems kind way of speaking as a symbol that she was not going to be attacked, at least not for now. She jumped a bit when the space invaders materialized, but then relaxed, being more accustomed to her situation and learning not to treat the surprises as threats. Variscite sat down in the chair with her hands at on her legs; her back was completely straight.

Variscite had watched humans shake hands and was not to surprised when a Crystal Gem she figured imitated human customs offered a handshake. Variscite gave a firm handshake, just a little stiff as she tried to preform it as she had seen. She understood that telling this gem more was necessary, but realized that being a Broken Gem previously would cause problems. She would not speak of her friendship with Howlite or Sulfur unless questioned about it either.

"I emerged from the Beta Kindergarten six years ago. I emerged late..." Variscite nervously moved her fingers and then reached at her gem, slowly so she would stop if Light was concerned. The green gem held up a broken coffee cup piece. It was black with the white letter "J" painted on it. "This... this is all I have left of my past." She looked down at it with a forlorn expression, trauma etched in her eyes. A tear formed and rolled down her cheek. Like before, the tears surprised her and she did not understand what they meant, although a tear of sorrow made more sense than a tear of joy. "I was abducted by terrible people and then terrible gems after that. I hated this world at first and believed everything in it was evil. Now I see value in this world and want to protect it from Homeworld. I only served Homeworld because my squad was from there and I had no understanding apart from what I was told was right and wrong. Because they were the only decent gems, I followed them until I was abducted by the awful gems. They shattered my friends and I lost the rest... When I broke free I only made pacts with a few allies and I roamed the world, caring only for strength and my own survival. I came here because I reflected on life here and saw a value that Homeworld overlooks. Homeworld also over looked my friends and abandoned me when I no longer served a purpose. I came to this place because I figure it might be different. I heard of the kindness of Crystal Gems and was confused. You seem to accept the weak and the strong alike. If what I've come to understand about you is correct, gems like you and your cause would give meaning to my existence."

Variscite realized she had probably said too much again and put the chipped piece back in her gem. She looked at the mocha gem before her to see what he would do. 

[Light]

She emerged six years ago... yet so much has happened in her life. Poor thing, he thought. But he had to wonder, what exactly did she do that Homeworld was chasing after her? Was it because she was overcooked? Seemed unlikely... but not completely out of the question. Then again, it was more of an interview than an interrogation. He decided he would leave it... for now. The gem simply nodded and gave the green gem more time to talk.

Light watched as Variscite summoned her possession. He wasn't going to treat it like an attack, he had to put at least a small amount of trust if he wanted her to be recruited. But he did raise an eyebrow when he saw the object that was materialized. A shattered mug? Perhaps he shouldn't judge. After all, his favourite possession was his restored tube radio. But his radio was more salvageable than this ceramic cup. But it seemed that even such an object was very important to this gem. So important in fact, that just holding it brought back some memories from years ago. The Pearl looked away, not sure how to respond to the tears, he decided to once again just let her speak.

So... this partially explained why she was chased by Homeworld. He would ask her about details at some other point, for now, it was time for him to actually give her what she came for.

After a small sight his head moved upwards and locked with the green gem's eyes. "Communities are like machines, in a way." His gem glowed and soon a relatively small vintage looking radio materialized and landed on Pearl's knees.

He played around with it, his eyes now on the machine "We all play a part in our communities, just like how every part of this machine plays a role in creating sound." The device played a rough sound that soon turned into some sort of classical melody. "Homeworld will remove a piece that doesn't fit inside the machine because it doesn't contribute in creating a song." He turned off the device so it wouldn't interfere "But we Crystal Gems try to be more like humans. Humans are not made with a purpose, instead, they develop and choose how they want to contribute in this world."

"The best part is, you will never become obsolete this way." He raise up his radio so Variscite would take a better look, he continued with a big smile on his face "This little device is not just a neat decoration to play music, oh no, it is art, the perfect example of Human craftsmanship." He soon continued "And it is around 74 years older than you, much more than your traditional radio, yet here it is, still functional." He placed it back on his knees and looked proudly at his work "I made some adjustments to include the fm stations and make it a portable device."

He coughed "The point is, you will never became an old part that needs to be replaced. You can choose what you want to be and you can change your destiny at any time... as long as it benefits the group." He added at the end, he wouldn't accept laziness. "Here you can be free to just be you and act outside of the knowledge you were made with. He titled his head slightly to the left, slightly confused "Although you might not have to worry about it that much since you were in the ground a bit longer than the rest." He said with a bit of unease feeling in his voice, he didn't want her to cry again.

"But..." His voice became more serious and his smile changed to a more stoic expression "We don't protect this planet for our sake. We, Crystal Gems, are here to protect this planet and life on it first and foremost. Our universe has suffered enough..." The new hologram appeared in the air. This one depicted numerous planets, all had one thing in common: They were destroyed, similar to Homeworld itself. "Diamonds are tyrants, not just towards us, but also towards organic life. Many planets were completely demolished with no possible way of saving them now."

The hologram vanished and the gem looked down, now with a more somber expression "And life here? It is special... Humans in particular, they are what inspired us to protect this planet. They are flexible, they might not be born with knowledge and abilities like we can, but they can learn much quicker than we ever could. Change is so natural for them."

The gem stored his device and shook his head, a more eager smile appeared back on his face "Would you like to be a part of that?" He raised his finger "It could be like a new chapter in your life! The new story!" His hands raised dramatically "Those are all book-related terms. I am not sure if you know about those. If you don't, I can recommend starting with comic books. They have got less worlds and more pictures."

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