CRYSTAL☆GEMS

“That’s what I like to hear! I’m sure you’ll love it, man!” Samejima took the gem’s hand and dragged her to the living room’s sofa, where a TV and a table full of snacks were already set to start tonight’s fun.

Samejima knew this woman’s name was Rose Quartz thanks to the plates in front of everyone’s bedrooms, but nothing beyond that. He hoped she would enjoy his fine selection as much as he did!

When the gem was at the proper movie watching position, he took a few DVDs on his hands and showed them to Rose. The collection consisted mostly of those recent Hollywood action movies, like the Avengers, Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, etc. You know, the kind that may or may not be good, but you go watch just because you want some dose of testosterone on your blood today.

Rose felt a bit guilty, however, this man wanted to interact, and she didn’t even know his name! She didn’t know any of her roommate’s names, actually... She’d introduce herself promptly, when given the chance.

Yet, this whole thing reminded her of watching movies with Greg; he, too, got excited to show off his favorites. It must be a common trend in human men. She thought it was pretty cute. The DVDs all had such colorful and unfamiliar covers... They weren’t as flashy as the ones Greg had showed her (or as thick), so she simply chose one at random. ‘The Avengers’ sounded interesting enough.

@quartzied

One day, Samejima came to a shocking realization, one that’d mess with his whole understanding of the world: he almost never talked to his roommates. Now that’s a horrible thing for him to do as a man. Imagine, him not seeking friendship with the people that live with him!

That’s why he came up with this perfect idea to spice things up: a surprise movie night! Yes, my friends, he’s prepared himself beforehand and bought a bunch of snacks and popcorn, besides renting the manliest movies he could think of. It reminded him of the time he had one with Gunha, so it was nice.

Of course, he didn’t tell any of his colleagues about such a plan, but that’s where the fun is. The first person to come home will be his fortunate partner in watching the manliest deeds recorded by cameras. Aaaand looks like he won’t have to wait anymore!

-- And, of course, it was a bit too cramped for her liking.

That’s why she was reasonably surprised to not only find herself in the apartment, but to approached by the roommates she’d never gotten a chance to interact with. Rose had only stepped in the door to grab something to eat to bring along for a later errand, just for fun, or in case she encountered Amethyst.

‘Dude’? She broke out into an amused grin. Well, she had a little time to spare, and the offer was sincere... Though, she wasn’t sure what constituted ‘manly’ in terms of film genre. Greg and Steven never mentioned it to her before.

It was like nothing had changed since she last saw the other, Rose’s physical form remained so true to her memory. ❛Rose–!❜

Eyes wide open and staring at her leader, she could feel her eyes moisten with relief. It was one thing to reunite after days like with Pearl, but years had gone by since last she saw Rose. Oh, how it felt more satisfying than she imagined.

“Yes -- I know it’s strange and that it doesn’t make sense; but I’m here, and you’re here. We’re all together! Oh, I’ve been so worried about you... About you and Sapphire and Ruby!”

She couldn’t even begin to contain her excitement, her glee.

“You say that, and yet we fought for such a long time; a little contradictory don’t you think?” No, Jasper was wrong. She and Rose were nothing alike outside of being Quartz. Jasper could never understand the love Rose felt for Earth, for others, for anything other than the battlefield.

“I wouldn’t have minded going a few more centuries without seeing you again,” Harsh words that she spoke quickly, without hesitation. This whole ordeal didn’t hail well, but Rose could handle it. If Jasper had just arrived, which she assumed to be true, Jasper was far weaker than she had been the last time they’d faced off.

This wasn’t the Earth she’d been trapped on, or maybe it was.  Things were different when you were finally out of the water, free to find those who’d - no.  She needed to focus on the task at hand.  Get it done, maybe damage something in the process.  This place ticked her off, with all it’s green and life, and Jasper was about to take her wrath out on a nearby green thing when something pink caught her attention instead.

If happiness was a feeling Jasper felt (if she had feelings at all, really, other than extreme wrath) then she was experiancing it now.  That look.  That form.

That Gem.

-- Breathe.

An unnecessary action for a gem, but a calming one. She needed to remain calm. And yet, the closer the other gem came upon her, soon only a few feet, then inches, Rose couldn’t stop her expression into contorting into one of anger. Controlled anger, but anger, concern, distrust nonetheless.

“-- Jasper.”

Anything was possible — anyone could be here, that much was clear after finding Pearl once again. But this? 

Even with her future vision, Garnet wouldn’t have been prepared for such a surprise.

Two feet quickly padded across the street, her arms held to each side and aiding her as she speeded towards the Gem. It was a sight most enthralling to be met with — the one who brought the Crystal Gems together during the most difficult of times. Out of everything she could anticipate being in this city, Rose Quartz was not on that list — not after assuming Steven was here as well.

Her voice accompanying that warmth only confirmed it for her.

“Garnet!”

His voice becomes soft as he continues.

“I reunited with someone from my home who showed up here recently. Obviously, that didn’t turn out so well.” He motions to his cast. “Ended up left on the street afterwards and had to get to the hospital. If it wasn’t for Aslan and Steven and this really nice stranger I don’t know what would’ve happened. But that’s just the beginning of it.”

“My boyfriend didn’t hear from me at all that night. I didn’t get in touch with him ‘til the next morning from both being knocked out on painkillers and scared of what he’d think of me. Came rushing over to make sure I was okay, but still wasn’t thrilled to hear I was in a fight at all. I know he wants me to be careful, but…this is what I do. I fight, I can’t just sit back and watch someone who’s hurt so many back home hurt people here, especially him. If Kane were to even lay a finger on him, I…”

Humans were so strange.

She continued to sit back and listen, only perking up when he said the name of her son. That was a common name, however, she knew this. In a city as large as this one, it was unlikely that his Steven was the same as hers... Though, it would be just like him to help even a stranger out. But it didn’t sound like they were strangers -- if he was talking about her son, that is.

She didn’t speak again until a few moments after he’d calmed himself. In a strange way, she could relate; he just wanted to protect his loved ones, to stop someone who hurt others. There was nothing wrong with that.

Rose shifted to face him, a gentle smile on her lips, “You were doing what you thought was best.”

“That is an admirable trait, actually. Even if you know you might get hurt, doing something is better than nothing.”

It was just like Rose to make Pearl forget that there was an unstable fusion, boiling with rage, somewhere out there in Beach City’s ocean.

“Yes!” Blush bloomed on her cheeks, spread down the creamy white skin of her neck, bright and mint. Pearl laughed along with Rose Quartz, their giggles merging – fusing – into one, tinkling like a wind chime, like a bird’s first chirps in the morning as it greeted the new day.

“We didn’t even have to help him,” she added, slender arms folding across her flat chest that had now begun to swell and puff with pride. “…Well, we tried to, that is, but he’s not quite on our…skill level, yet.” Or their height. Pearl and Garnet’s, that is. “He’ll get the hang of it in due time, I’m sure. It did take us a few decades or so to fully master our powers, after all.”

And, to hear it from Pearl made it even better. 

The way the other gem blushed, laughed just like her, and continued to talk. It was all quite wonderful, just like it had been before. But now... Now, Rose mused that it was even better. Even though she’d accepted the fact that she and Steven couldn’t exist at the same time long before his birth, being here with everyone now... Well, it just felt right.

It made her so happy.

She laughed once again, “That’s true, hehe.. But, doesn’t that just show how exceptionally he’ll bloom?”

-- Oops, she couldn’t help the pun.

     – Wait. Did she say she had been in similar situations before? And did she just call him “human”…?

     “Research,” Ford answered, holding up a journal. “About the city, I mean. That monster you just eliminated was one I was trying to document. It was more volatile than I expected.“ He shrugged, adding a sheepish laugh as his voice trailed off. He would have added “If you hadn’t showed up, well–” but! No need to get into the details!

“Research... Ah... Ahaha, really, that’s so interesting...” She chose not to mention the ‘details’ either, smiling wider at his sheepish laugh. 

His curiosity? Oh, it was nice to know the feeling was mutual! She laughed herself.

But on the other hand, there was something about this woman that made him want to open up. He looks back up at her after she speaks, and once again he’s hit with a certain sense of calmness. Trust, even. And that for Mike Chilton was very hard to come by.

Perhaps this might be a risk, but it was a risk worth taking.

“It is, yeah.” A small sigh before continuing. “…Have you ever had someone you loved immensely find out something about you that you never wanted anyone to know? Not even by you telling them, just…by a strange turn of events they learned about it? And you wanted to talk to them about it because you knew they’d be shaken up over it, but…”

So, when he started to let the words that were troubling him flow, Rose sat back in silence. She listened and took in his words; what an unfortunate series of events to have befallen this boy. Though... She could relate, in her own way. How many times had she had to suffer through hardships with Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, and then Garnet as well? How many times had Greg pried out information from her that she didn’t want to tell him?

How many times had she been in this poor boy’s shoes?

As young as she was, Peridot had the same sense of time as most Gems seemed to. The debate was only giving her more reason to feel annoyance towards the humans around them, many of which earned unneeded dirty looks.

“You know, for what they make up for in those advances, they’ve done years of philosophizing! It’s really wondrous what things they’ve thought up about this world... Their world.”

The gem could think of the numerous thinkers she’d met and discussed with since arriving on Earth... She wondered if there were any of those types in this city.