#dimorphite

"Before you ask," The governor's voice echoed through the room, stopping the sentinel on the spot. "I'm fine".

"Dim- Governor..." Des continued walking, with a worried tone.

"I know it's been long, I just... still need more time", Dimorphite continued, not moving an inch as her voice and gaze remained the same.

"It's been far too long. I hate seeing you like this".

"You don't have to worry about me. I don't want you to". The small gem lifted her gaze towards the reporter. "Pearl, may I ask you to leave the room for a second?"

"Wh-" Melo Pearl dropped the documents on her hands, surprised to be addressed by the governor. "Y-Yes, of course!" She bowed before rushing to the door, closing it as carefully as she could on her way out.

The room was silent for a few seconds, Dimorphite's gaze still directed towards the documents. "I lost two valuable friends that day, Des". Still, serious, serene, but lightly hurt, her composture remained almost the same since the sentinel's arrival. "I'm aware of how Jer... was. I always knew-" She let out a soft, almost undetectable sigh. "but she was all I had left from my life before the Federation".

Descloizite looked at the ground in silence. What was she even supposed to say? She knew that Jeromite had been important for Dimmy; Melo had told her about the files she'd read ad how they'd even been created in the same kindergarten and the same team for thousands of years. But she couldn't help but feel a hint of rage take over her whenever that name popped up. After all, she was the one who...

"But Melo is gone as well". Dimorphite's voice cracked for a second, but she quickly recomposed herself back to her emotionless tone. "I can't help but-" She hesitated for a moment. Feel guilty. Feel like it should have been her. Feel like she was the one at fault, because everyone she knew and cared about seemed to end the same way. Feel like if it wasn't for her, none of this would have ever happened. And now even Sphalerite- "But I just need time to let this all sink in". She looked at the documents again. "I promise I will be back to normal soon, and you won't have to deal with all this".

"Deal? What do you mean?" The tall gem spoke up, confused.

"I'm sorry. I know you have been suffering on your own as well. I don't want you to feel this way". Dimmy lifted her bangs to look at her friend. Both of them were clearly tired, with dark eye bags under their eyes. "Things will get better, I promise".

Descloizite nodded, and Dimmy went back to staring at her hands in silence.

Des looked at the small gem for a bit before facing back and walking towards the door, but stopped herself right as her hand reached the knob... and quickly walked back towards the governor. To Dimmy's surprise, she grabbed her hand and started walking towards the Federation's bunker.

"What are you doing-?"

"Come with me". Des' grip was soft, but firm. She didn't want to hurt Dimmy, but she wanted her to listen so maybe a reminder...

"Where are we going?" The governor followed her friend, trying to keep up with her pace.

The sentinel didn't reply, and the flash of light from the warp pad surrounded them both. Dimorphite made no sign of protest, looking around curiously in anticipation of what the sentinel had planned.

The light faded away. They were... inside a building? Dark, tall walls loomed over them, with nothing near them but a set of stairs that lead to the next floor. The building was clearly new and still under development, judging by the state of the walls and the lack of floor tiles.

"One of the reports stated that this moon base was still under construction". Descloizite spoke, looking at the stairs. She stepped down and started walking, Dimorphite following her close behind, "That means not only the building is new, but the satellite as well".

The governor kept looking around, curious, as they both reached the second floor.

The walls were, this time, all made of a transparent material -glass perhaps?-, and the spot were the control pad should be located was empty, only drawings on the floor showing the future location of this and each one of the other artifacts that would soon be built in this place.

However, she paid absolutely no attention to any of it, as she was far too focused looking at the stars outside. They shone like she hadn't seen them in years, each nebula clearly drawn in the sky and each planet she recognized painted perfectly in a wonderful combination of colors. The outside of the building was nothing but craters and caves formed by meteorites, with pieces of loosen rock decorating the landscape here and there.

"Thought it'd be a good place for you to explore". Des smiled sadly.

"Des-" Dimmy glanced between the landscape and her friend.

"I-I mean!" Descloizite doubted herself for a second. "I thought you might like this. It's not the kind of planet you usually sneak to but-" she sighed, "I thought you deserved a break. From, you know... everything that's happening".

The sentinel's gaze went back to the stars. It wasn't the only reason why she'd chosen that place, of course. As slight as the chances of finding something were, she hoped the control room would be finished enough to find her... or in its absence, she thought, recalling the lack of technology in the base so far, a better view at space might give her... some hope.

A soft sob at her side woke her up from her thoughts. She saw a tear roll down the governor's face.

"OH-" Oh no, she made her cry, didn't she? "I'm sorry, I didn't think you'd-" Had it been that bad of an idea?! HAD SHE BROKEN THE GOVERNOR?!

The small gem's sobs only grew in volume and intensity. Her tears now a non-stop river from her eye towards the ground.

"Shards, I shouldn't have brought you here- I just wanted to cheer you up and-!"

"T-Thank you", Dimmy whispered as best as she could. Her lips slowly turned into a smile, and soon that smile turned into laughter.

Des stood in front of her, dazzled. "I- uh... Huh?"

Tears kept rolling down the governor's cheeks. She held the sentinel's hand before giving her a shaky hug, "Thank you" was all she was able to say before bursting into tears once more.

Descloizite couldn't hold it back any longer. She knelt down and hug the governor back, letting her own tears finally escape as well.

It felt liberating. Both of them had been keeping their feelings bottled for far too long. Their chests felt heavy and their eyes hurt, but for the first time in months, both gems felt... at ease. They let their feelings flow and stood in their embrace for what felt like hours.

"I'm sorry... for everything". Dimorphite whispered after a while, between quieter, calmer sobs. "I tried to isolate myself from the rest all this time because-". She sniffed, "I don't want anyone else to get hurt. I'm..." She sighed as she buried herself deeper in her friend's chest. "I'm tired, Des".

"I'm tired too, Dimmy" Des smiled.

They stood there in silence again, letting their emotions calm down and their tears stop at their own pace.

"I thought being distant would keep everyone safe. But all it did was worrying you". Dimmy continued, but was interrupted by Descloizite.

"It did. Please don't do that ever again. I... know you want to help, but I want to help you, too. We'll always be together in this, alright?"

Dimorphite smiled, "Absolutely". She nodded, "I mean, you worried so much it got to the point you would let me go and explore on my own!" Dimorphite giggled and let go of the sentinel.

"Hey, hold on. I never said it'd be on your own!" She grinned.

"Well, try to catch me then!" Dimorphite yelled as she ran towards the stairs, her hair bouncing behind her as she jumped down excitedly, ready to go and explore.

Descloizite sighed in relief before running behind the governor, "Wait a second!"

Maybe things were complicated. There were still many things to do and many issues to solve; even if problems wouldn't leave right away, she now felt certain that this first step would lead them both to a better place.