Chương 38: LOG-034.

As much as I didn't like the thought of splitting apart during such a crucial moment, it was kind of inevitable. What a m I d oing? I need to let her go and -no! I need to help her and Rose Quartz is right there -but- Something had to give eventually. And somehow, I didn't find that all too surprising considering the struggle already beginning to break out in my mind.

My arms trembled slightly as the unknown Pearl began to wriggle in my grip, still blushing in embarrassment as she finally slipped away from me and retreated back towards the figures behind her. And then I was taking a step back, emotions and thoughts in constant flux as yet another Gem hopped down from one of the rooftops surrounding us. Rose Quartz was beginning to frown in concern, and the newcomer was giving me an unreadable look from behind the visor hiding her eyes as she shifted in place slightly.

"Huh... so we're in that timeline." I ca n't - I can't -"Honey? You doing okay? Ho-" Rebecca's voice was the last thing I heard before a familiar light took hold of my thoughts, my vision and, as a matter of course, my form.

The impact of my feet hitting the ground was the first thing to hit my mind, followed by the immediate need to fix my balance as I adjusted to being significantly smaller after... well. A long time. The sensation was disorienting, the sudden change in perspective leaving me momentarily off-kilter. Shaking my head slightly, I glanced up towards a set of wide-eyed Crystal Gems. Their expressions ranging from shock to confusion to slight bemusement, at least in Garnet's case.

Stars, but it felt more than a little disorienting seeing them. Even though I'd been certain they weren't just figments of my imagination and that the memories involving them had been real (I'd needed something to fixate on in between my more desperate, hopeless periods within the Reef, sue me), it was still a different sensation altogether, seeing them in person like this. Especially in a format that was neither cartoon nor Homeworld propaganda.

I made to speak, my voice catching slightly as I tried to form coherent words.

"Well, this is a little-hurk!" Only for a second form to barrel into mine, my batchmate's red hands reaching towards my own to point them at the rebels like I was suddenly about to start firing lasers or something.

"Quickly Viridian! Do your thing!" Vermilion's wide eyes looked desperate, pleading for some semblance of understanding even as my own gaze flicked from her, to the Crystal Gems, to a more and more lost looking Rebecca. Her confusion was palpable, the situation spiraling into something beyond comprehension for her party-oriented mind.

"... What thing?" A short, almost squeal-like noise breached the Pearl's lips as she tugged at my hands once more. Her desperation was almost tangible, her fear evident in every move she made. Oh but fuck me if this mess wasn't gonna be ' fun' to sort out.

"The gauntlets! Do what you did last time before they hurt us and Becky!" The hidden Diamond (and fuck if that didn't hold a different weight after all these years) across from us flinched at the exclamation, opening her mouth to speak only to be cut off as the literal fucking rave stripper (Honey Lemon really had gone on a slight trip, huh?) flinched at the mention of her preferred nickname, before leaning forward and pointing a finger at us with a look ranging between sheer bewilderment and outright disbelief.

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"Holy shit girl! You're like... two girls!" Sighing the sigh of someone who was about to be forced to deal with a significant level of nonsense, I slowly nodded even as the fusion standing next to a still slightly buried Amethyst let out a small smile.

"Yes, Rebecca... we are, in fact, two girls."

"And you're green! And red!"

"Viridian and Vermilion, but yes."

"And you-you made yellow!"

"That would be Honey Lemon and... yeees. This is also true." The blonde haired woman paused, glancing at one of the cans in her hand. Her confusion deepened, the lines of reality apparently blurring in her mind.

"... I'm not like... just on a really weird trip, am I-""Ahem." All eyes turned to the still slightly flustered looking Pearl.... The Crystal Gem Pearl, specifically. Fuck, that was gonna get annoying quickly. Regardless, the Gem blinked once and visibly composed herself as she noticed she'd gotten the attention she wanted, before nodding firmly.

"Apologies, madame. But we really should be speaking to just... those two. So if you would please..." The Pearl made a shooing motion, just as I finally managed to wrench my hands back from Vermilion's desperate grip. I could already see Rebecca preparing to chuck another can, right before, out of the corner of my vision, the almost titanic figure that was Rose Quartz stepped forward, raising her hands once more.

"Please, we'd just like to speak to them, if... if that's alright." The disguised Gem's dark eyes turned towards me, even as I practically felt Vermilion rapidly shaking her head, quite literally clinging to my side. Rolling my own eyes in turn, I made sure to keep a steady grip on the other Pearl as I nodded.

"Rebecca-""Becky."" Becky, can you please keep Vermilion safe and out of the way for a moment? I'd like to speak to them as well."

The situation had evolved. Namely, I was now standing in front of a visibly curious group of rebel Gems, even as a still worried Vermilion and visibly suspicious Rebecca watched from their position behind one of the store's windows. The cashier hadn't even moved from their position behind the register, still silently bobbing their head to whatever music they were listening to on their headphones. Somehow. Regardless, new situation. Bunch of rebels. And me. Lots of fun.

So when faced with such a new and unique (in terms of my current life) problem, I simply did what I did best. I plastered on a hopeful yet wary expression, before levelling said look against the Gems in front of me like a gun.

"You're really Rose Quartz?" The pink haired Gem's eyes widened slightly at my earnest tone, the 'Quartz' slowly nodding as her friends and subordinates formed ranks around her. I did my best not to show off any hint of the gemstone cracking panic I was feeling as I noticed Garnet's visor flash slightly, the fusion dipping her head to glance between me and a still mortified looking Vermilion. Fuck, how was I supposed to account for literal precognitive bullshit?... Future me, don't rat my ass out!

"I... am. You said your name was... Viridian?" The question prompted a look from the Pearl practically standing at attention beside her, for whatever Stars damned reason, even as I nodded in turn.

"Correct. I... think there's a bit of an explanation in order." At my response, the infamous rebel leader let out a slightly awkward giggle, curls bobbing up and down as her body shook with mirth.

"That-that would be helpful, yes. Like-" And that was about as far as she got before the purple form of an actual Quartz darted around her side, a finger pointing at me violently.

"What are you doing here!? Why did you come to Earth!?" Keeping my face carefully placid and resisting the urge to either flinch back or brandish my gauntlets at the warrior Gem like Vermilion had so desperately wanted me to, I instead clapped my hands together and smiled.

"I was hoping to escape from the Empire and live here, actually. Preferably with my batchmate in tow, even if she's a little... concerned at the moment. Though to be fair I can't say I was expecting a welcoming committee myself!" Yeah fucking right. Flawless smile. Niiiiice Pearl that isn't at all suspicious because why would a Pearl be suspicious? I was perfectly friendly and hoping to avoid a fight, after all! A fight... shit.

Hesitation briefly lanced through me as I let a note of apology colour my tone, right before I bowed my head towards Amethyst, body bending slightly to make myself look a little smaller. Type ten. Pattern three. With luck, it would do the trick.

"Ah... I'd also like to apologise for Honey Lemon's actions towards you back when we first met. She was quite a little panicked, for reasons that I'm sure you can understand." The overcooked warrior Gem blinked for a moment, before crossing her arms, one foot digging into the road beneath her slightly.

"Yeah well like, whatever. I attacked first and... no harm done and stuff... I guess." Good, hopefully that problem was dealt with. Though the concerned look the local Pearl was now flashing me inspired a slightly worried feeling, even if her reaction to my apology was quickly buried beneath something else entirely as the small band of rebels collectively registered just what I'd actually responded with in regards to their youngest member's question. A second of silence passed.

Then Garnet's small smile turned significantly wider. Part of me was relatively certain the sound of a bubbling tea kettle was escaping Rose's mouth, and the other two Crystal Gems present were looking at me like I'd grown a second head. I paused, before lifting a finger.

"We... we brought a ship. It's old, but I'm sure it could help you all when it comes to navigating to certain areas of the planet. Call it a... tribute?" The slightly awkward smile that had graced my lips during my offer was what broke the barrier apparently, because seconds later I was being swept up into a hug by a far too cheerful Rose Quarts, my protesting squawks buried beneath a veritable mountain of lightform.

"Ooooh this is great!" Stars woman, let go of me! We've known each other for less than ten minutes! Sort of!

"It's so nice to meet you! Welcome to Earth!" Ugh! She was even worse than fucking Brim!