Carefully, Jasper set me down iside the ship as the doors closed. She laughed, then looked at me, saluting. She looked worried at how I might react.

"I apologize for such short notice, (G/N), and for lifting you like that. I was out of line."

My eyes widened a bit, and I realized that the greatest Jasper there could be was apologizing to me. She would never apologize to anyone, not even Holly Blue.

"You did well, Jasper, thank you."

The quartz soldier nodded and put her arms down. As I turned to the captain, I saw her pump her fist excitedly in my peripheral vision. She quietly chanted something along the lines of "we dem boyz", and then stood up straight like nothing happened, glaring at a nearby Ruby.

"(G/N), we should be back on Homeworld in a few thousand light years, not too long with a little boost. Of course, I'm sure-"

"No! We were ordered by Yellow Diamond herself! We need to get back as soon as possible. Put her into overdrive! Light years, sure. We need to get there in seconds!"

The Ruby captain stared at Jasper, deadpan face and everything. She scoffed before doing as told, I couldn't balance easily through this and fell back into Jasper. A large hand fell upon my shoulder, another on my hip, as she helped me back to my feet.

"Don't worry, as a guard/soldier, I've gotta protect you. Even if it's from falling over."

Jasper silently cackled as I turned around, a triumphant grin on her face. Behind her, I saw a Ruby with a jealous look on her face, and another staring directly at me. She didn't move or blink, she just sat there, staring. I smiled at Jasper before going around her towards the Rubies.

"And who might you two be looking at?"

It suddenly registered that a gem with supposedly high status was speaking to them. They stiffened and stood up, saluting.

"We didn't mean it!"

"Yeah, no harm meant!"

I sighed, touching both of their arms, moving them down. They looked confused, but accepted the gesture. I looked at Jasper who slowly made her way over, looking more confused than they did.

"What are you doing? They're just Rubies-"

"And you're just a Jasper, but have I been rude to you before?"

The look on Jasper's face was that of disgust, but I patted her shoulder nonetheless. I turned back to the Rubies and lifted the one up who was rather jealous that Jasper had held me. I looked at Jasper and grabbed her arm, resting the Ruby on her hip. Instinctively, Jasper held the Ruby like I had held Peridot earlier.

"U-umm. H-hi, Jasper."

The Ruby looked up at her idol and rested her head on her shoulder, looking at me with stars in her eyes. I sat down smiling, Jasper sitting down as well, moving the Ruby to her lap. The other Ruby scrambled over to me and sat down, careful not to touch me. I laughed and pulled her closer, my arm wrapping around her shoulders.

"(G/N), why are you so affectionate towards these ones? You know... Rubies?"

I sigh as the Ruby slides onto my lap, giggling chaotically. I shrug and a smile comes from nowhere.

"Everyone deserves it."