the rest of the meeting went smoothly, Steven came back with Andy and the gems finished up the meal.

atleast it didnt end in turmoil, Labradorite is thankful for that.

the meeting wrapped up as Andy left on his plane and the gems left with Greg in his van.

With that the day was finally over.

...

...Labradorite still couldnt shake the feeling of unease.

it was started to get annoying, Labradorite scoped the entirety of Beach city. three times! She just didnt get it. why was she so on edge?

Labradorite should clear her head. Labradorite summoned her water wings test flapping them once.

"Going on another patrol?"

Until a voice snapped her out of her trance.

"..."
"..."

Lapis was waiting on Labradorite's answer.

"...yes."
Labradorite's voice was hoarse, like her voice was dry from disuse. Labradorite cleared her throat. she was about to take another step before Lapis spoke again.

"Peridot's worried about you."

there was a lump in Labradorite's throat that she just couldnt swallow.

"...I know..."

Labradorite did another test flap, Lapis took a step forward speaking a bit louder.

"So am I."

The lump was harder to swallow. it was clear Lapis was trying to get her to stay.

but she just couldnt.

"I'm sorry." Labradorite whispered, her voice quiet and could bearly be heard.

Lapis stayed silent for a moment before speaking.

"..say Hi to Steven for me."
Lapis said before turning and going into the barn.

"...I will."
Labradorite flew up quickly, leaving to beach city.

Day came fast to the gem lost in her thoughts. She couldnt even patrol  correctly, her vision blurred with tears as her mind kept replaying the conversation.

it stung. it stung worse than when she had first formed. hurt worse when she was poofed.

it was funny. how words can cut deeper than a spear.

"Labradorite!"

Labradorite blinked and looked down. it was Steven, book in hand and waving the blue gem down.

Labradorite landed infront of him greeting the boy warmly.

"Labradorite, I know you dont remember much but do you know what this?"

Steven shoved the book into Labradorite's face, making her pull back just slightly to actually see the page he was pointing to.

it was a spider like machine covered with flowers underneath it was a word that made her gem freeze.

The Palenquin.

Something must've shown on Labradorite's face because Steven spoke up.
"So you know it too!"

"Steven... where.. where did you find that?" Labradorite's voice was dry, her second pair of arms twitched.

"It was in my dream and Connie lended me this book, Come on you gotta help me find it!" Steven went to grab Labradorite's wrist only for her to lurch back like he had burned her.

Steven's hand went back to the book, holding in both hands now. "Please? The gems wont tell me anything and you and dad are my only hope." Steven pleaded, Labradorite relaxed a bit, seeing how upset it made the half gem to not know anything. it didnt stop Labradorite from tensing at the word Palenquin.

"Steven."

Steven looked up to the blue gem again.

"You deserve to know the truth out of everyone." Labradorite started.

"That's what I'm saying!" Steven outbursted.

"I am willing to help you but..." Labradorite paused, making Steven look at her.

"But?" Steven asked as of Labradorite was going to bail on him. Labradorite took a deep breath, settling her shaking hands on Steven's shoulders.

"But, please know, I am scared to see it. and if there is something else there, I dont think I will be of much use." she says, Steven relaxes his shoulders and gives a weak smile.

"You're taking more inititive than the gems." Steven laughed, Labradorite gave a sigh and let go of the boy's shoulders.

"Let's go find your dad then."

--

Finding Greg was easy, finding a ride for the less fortunate in flying was easier with Andy as a new ally.

Once they made it to Korea, Steven and Greg went exploring and agreed to meet at noon.

Until then, Labradorite found herself with nothing to do. So she went into the nearest clothing store she could find.

--

Labradorite peered at herself through the reflective glass. The dress she let the store clerk pick was intresting, the sleeves were long and flowy, something only someone of top power would wear.

Labradorite stared a bit longer, perhaps she should've picked the dress she had seen on the way to the dressing room. 

she didnt look right in this one...

there was a tap on Labradorite's shoulder that made her tense and turn.

"Uhm... I think you're really pretty in that.." it was a human. quite a nervous on at that, her gaze fitted to the floor with a hue of red on their cheeks as she fiddled with her thumbs.

"Thank you, you're very nice."

"No I'm serious!" the human cut in looking up at Labradorite meeting her gaze. "You could be a model or a muse uhm-" the human cut herself off, nervousness raidiating off of her. "Could you... be my muse?"

"oh uhm-"

"I'll- I'll pay you!"
the human scrambled, taking out a few hundred dollars from her pocket. "It'll take just a few hours out of your day." the human pleaded, Labradorite tilted her head.

"I dont see why not, but what is a muse?" Labradorite asked and the human visibly brightened.

"We can discuss this at my home, I'll pay for the dress too."

--

"So I just stand here?"

"and pose, if you want."

The human, Labradorite learned her name was Ava, stationed herself behind a canvas right infront of the circular plateform.

--

"I really think I should get going.."

Ava snapped out of her painting trance, three paintings now beside her drying in the sun. "Oh right! Sorry, yeah." Ava chuckled dropping her brush into her canvas. "You're feel to go."

Ava chuckled, shuffling in her pocket to take out a few hundred dollars. "And here." Ava gave Labradorite the money along with a slip of paper.

the paper had a string of digits on it and she asked Ava about it. "Oh, well, if you ever want to... you know be my muse again I'm always open." Ava awkwardly said, stringing her hair as she looked away.

Labradorite gave a smile. "I'll be sure to keep it safe when I do need it." Labradorite placed in their gem and left out the door, waving to the human as she left.

Once the doors closed behind her, Labradorite noticed Steven and Greg boarding a bus. Labradorite quickly catches up after them and sits down next to Greg and Steven, who had a determined glare on his face.

Once they made it to their stop, Labradorite zoned out while following the father and son.

Did Ava really mean it? Being a model that is? A model. Someone to use as an example. But she also said a muse. a source of inspiration. How could Labradorite of all gems be used as inspiration? How could she spark creativity in the mind of a human?

...

Labradorite stopped insync with the humans infront of her, only then did she realize tears were streaming down her cheeks. why? she didnt feel sad..

"Ah! Labradorite, you're crying too, what's wrong?" Greg asked almost frantically, Labradorite shifted her gaze over to Greg and whiped her tears, smiling as she forced herself out of her thoughts.

"It's nothing, just... a gem thing..." Labradorite excused, trailing off as she noticed the tears also escaping Steven's eyes.

"It means we're close, Come on guys." Steven said, his attention still on the book and he continued to walk without the two. The gem and human quickly followed the halfling.

they were soon stopped again by a fence that had the words "KEEP OUT" and the word 'Please.' written just under the words. "Labradorite, help me jump the fence." Steven demanded, not even looking the forced fusion's way.

Greg was a bit hesitant at trustpassing. but still, they ended up on the other side of the fence.

the thing that was on the otherside made Steven lurch forward with his dad, but Labradorite paused, feeling chills crawling up her spine.

A Palenquin. but it's not pink. and it's not surrounded by the earth.

Feelings of anguish at the sight of the Palenquin filled Labradorite's being. fear and anguish and so so much fear.

"Aquamarine and Pearl...Please know I am truely sorry.."

"P-Please, My diamond- I-"

"Dont apologize to the disgraceful excuse of a gem."

"We swear we'll never do it again!"

That look.
That narrowed glare.
It shook them to their core.

"Dont worry, I'll make sure you wont."
the pain of your entire being being crumpled to nothing.
They never wanted to feel like this.

They shouldnt have been caught.

They were too risky.

Labradorite flinched at the movements of both Steven and Greg as they moved to the bushes, Labradorite followed them as to not bring attention to herself. the memory was still burned into her mind.

Labradorite gaped, her fear increaing tenfold.
Hunched over the old Palenquin was Blue Diamond.

Her executioner.

funfact: :0