Sometimes the best way to design a character is to use synergy. Take inspiration from two characters and combine them to get something new! The first character up above is named Pax, design inspired from Ratchet (Ratchet and Clank) and Silver the Hedgehog (Sonic the Hedgehog).
The character below is Devin the Devil who’s design had also been influenced from Ratchet, but also Hellboy from Dark Horse Comics.
So, after seeng anxious Spinny in a bow tie by @emositecc , I had to go through with this. We all know anxiety sucks and as someone who’s suffered from it big time, it does get better. You can fight it, so keep strong.
If you haven’t checked out Emo’s Heart AU or her new Collection AU, I highly advise you check out, they’re great!
So I’ve done a lot of writing revolving around Heart AU by @emositecc so I decided to change things up a little and do a drawing. Hope you like it, pal!
(This AU belongs to @emositecc I only did the writing. This one is a real long one).
Even in the vast darkness of space, there were lights. Stars that orchestrated their luminosity, acting as beacons of beauty while they gleamed in the endless depths of space, secured in a comfortable blanket of the night while waiting for the inevitable admiration from those who took notice of the shining orbs.
Serenity, wonder and elation filled the air for it was a night for celebration! A night for love and peace. Smoothly and slowly, the ocean washed up and down along the beach's shore, repeatedly tucking the sand in a cloak of comfort. Along the light gold sand of the beach, just in front of Steven's house and the colossal temple of the Crystal Gems, there were countless crowds of people, humans and gems, all talking, laughing and dancing as music bounced up and down along the beach.
Sadie Killer and the Suspects were performing like it was their last night, Lars and his crew were telling stories of their adventures in space, but they weren't the only ones. Bismuth couldn't help but share her heroic tales, even Peridot and Lapis were gripped. Greg and Connie along with most of the residents of Beach City were enjoying the performance. Everyone was getting to know each other, humans and gems, all sharing stories, spreading smiles and having the time of their lives.
On the wooden deck of the cosy house that rested below the ancient, gargantuan statue stood the Crystal Gems, admiring the party from the house.
With a smile that shined bright like the sun, Steven rested his hands on his hips and turned to his three friends, his voice layered in happiness, "See, was I right or was I right? A party after this whole misunderstanding is just what Beach City needed."
"A misunderstanding?" Amethyst hiked a brow. "Ya sure you wanna call it that?"
Whirling her head and glaring at the Quartz, Pearl let distaste ride her voice as she gasped, "Amethyst!"
"What?!" She threw her hands up in retaliation. "All I'm saying is that a "misunderstanding" isn't the best way to put it. After all, we were reset, Steven lost his powers and all life on Earth was nearly destroyed."
"But it wasn't," Garnet added. "In the end, everything worked out just fine, we got our happily ever after and gained a new friend. What's past is past, let's enjoy the present while we can." She smiled, wrapping her arms around her friends and bringing them close and successfully breaking the tension between the two.
Caught in the embrace along with his friends, Steven chuckled but quickly glanced down at the sea of people on the beach, "Speaking of which, where is Spinny? As a matter of fact, I haven't seen Spinsy all day either."
"Relax," Garnet spoke softly, keeping her smile intact while disconnecting her arms from her friends. "They're fine. They've been spending the entire day together getting ready."
"Honestly, I haven't seen Spinsy this ecstatic before," Pearl confessed with a sigh. "I'm happy that they're together again."
"Here, here!" Steven agreed, cheering with the raise of his hand. "Now come on, let's join in!"
Looking back down to the joyous crowd of humans and gems, washed in pure delight as the sound of laughter and cheering filled the air, Steven and his friends all shared a smile and casually made their way down from the house's deck to join in. It was shaping up to be a good night.
...
It was unknown to the Crystal Gems but in the homey beach house where the memories of laughter and joy rested, their pink friend was waiting.
In the spacious, warm and comfortable living room, Spinsy eagerly waited with a child-like smile, repeatedly walking from one end of the room to the other with a bounce in each step as her big magenta shoes tapped and squeaked against the floorboards. She couldn't deny it, she had trouble holding in her anticipation, her excitement. With pure joy waiting to burst at the seams, the pink gem began to hum in delight as she occasionally turned her head to the front door, clasping her gloved hands together.
Elation causing a commotion in her bright eyes, hearing the sound of laughter, cheering and music from the party outside, Spinsy fought the urge to break her endless cycle of walking back and forth, but eventually, she stopped dead in her tracks and zoomed over to the window faster than a speeding bullet. Pressing her hands and face against the glass in awe, keeping her smile pinched upwards, she giggled as she watched her friends, the gems and residents of Beach City bathe themselves in celebration.
"Wowee." She breathed. "I can't wait to join in."
Focused on the fun happening outside, Spinsy became unaware of the gem behind her until she spoke with a shaky voice.
"How do I look?"
As the familiar, but nervous voice infiltrated her hearing, Spinsy whirled herself away from the window with her heart-shaped buns styled on her hair softly waving from side to side. Locating the sound of the gem's voice, her eyes widened in admiration, gasping in delight as she stared at her sister.
Spinny, much like her other half, was pink and her magenta hair was styled into a pair of spiky pigtails. Her top contained two colours that were kept separate from each other, white and dark magenta. She wore puffy shorts and a pair of knee-high pointy boots that matched the same colour as her hair along with puffy pointed hot pink sleeves, pink cartoon-like gloves and white stockings.
In the centre of her chest was a gemstone that resembled one half of an upside-down heart, the other half to Spinsy's own.
Anxious and timid, but finding the strength to lift a small smile, Spinny's widened eyes did well to hide the worriment infecting her pupils. Running down on each side of her face, directly under her eyes were three black lines that resembled her ruined mascara.
Six thousand years ago, it would have been like looking into a mirror, but she had changed, she was different. They both were.
Anxious and timid, but finding the strength to lift a small smile, Spinny's widened eyes did well to hide the worriment infecting her pupils. Running down on each side of her face, directly under her eyes were three black lines that resembled her ruined mascara.
As Spinsy absorbed the sight of Spinny, there was one thing her eyes targetted immediately. At first glance, nothing had changed about her appearance, but it was hard to miss the adorable, big red bow tie that had neatly secured its way around the taller gem's neck.
Bringing her hands up to her face and unlocking a squeal of pure elation, the whole of Spinsy's face brightened like a lightbulb, "Awh! You look adorable!"
Embarrassed, Spinny averted her gazed from her sister as she held onto her own arm, setting free a giggle, "Are... Are you sure this is okay?"
"Of course, that bow tie looks great on you!"
"No, no, not that," Spinny softly dismissed with the shake of her head. "I mean this... Party."
Hiking a brow, gloom sitting in her gaze, Spinsy tilted her head in response, "Don't you wanna go?"
"What? No, I do, I really do, it's just..." The newly reformed gem found her words dying on the tip of her tongue, losing the ability to speak as she raised her hand to scratch the back of her head as if she trying to locate the words she was searching for.
With her lips twitching, Spinny finally forced out her words as she looked back at her other half, "It's only been a week since I arrived here and... nearly destroyed all life on this planet. What if I ruin the fun or what if I scare everyone off? What if someone doesn't want me there?"
"Oh, Spinny," Spinsy cooed. "That's not true. I want you there." She reassured with a friendly smile. "There's nothing to be afraid of, all of that is in the past and believe me when I say that the people out there really, really want you to join the fun! I mean, you gotta admit, this week has been an absolute joyride! Haven't you had fun seeing what this planet has to offer? Haven't you had fun reconnecting?"
The look of uncertainty transformed into an expression of happiness as her lips trembled up into a smile, enraptured in her own joy as she breathed, "Yeah. It has been fun. In fact, it's been the best fun I've had in years."
Just then, Spinsy leaned her head in and smirked, "And wouldn't you like to make some new friends?"
Out of her control, Spinny couldn't help but stretch her smile and chortle, "Yeah."
"Well come on then." The smaller gem gently locked her hands onto Spinny's wrists, spreading her enthusiasm. "This is gonna be a night that you won't forget. Ready for the time of your life?" She asked with a glowing grin.
Spinny couldn't help but smile as she found a new form of comfort flowing through her, it sparked inside her like a lighter after being reunited with her sister. Just as she nodded, the taller gem unexpectedly felt herself being pulled forward by her sister who held her hand lightly and guided her to the front door of the beach house. As the door flung open, both of them felt the beautiful night's breeze wash over their face as if it was an ocean's wave.
The sound of cheering, laughing and music became more clear to the twins as they set foot outside. Spinsy was bouncing with joy, squeeing and finally unlocking her excitement as she saw the sea of heads having fun and as for Spinny, she stood still, in awe as her eyes scanned the crowd of people having the time of their lives. It reminded her of the games she used to play back in the garden.
Like a baseball being battered out of a stadium, Spinny's pupils flung to her right as she stared at her sister and chortled, "You know what, you're right! What is there to worry about? Let's go have some fun!"
"See, I knew you'd love it!"
Quickly, Spinsy hopped down the stairs of the beach house's deck like a slinky, but for some reason, Spinny remained hesitant as she looked back to the delightful crowd of people, shaking away her fears as she took a deep breath in and slowly exhaling it out into the fresh air of the graceful night. After reconnecting with her composure, she wore a mask of determination and began to steadily walk down the stairs right after her sister.
"You can do this," Spinny breathed, proceeding to whispered to herself. "You can do this."
...
Flowing up and down like the waves of the ocean, everyone was having the time of their lives. Dancing, laughing, cheering, playing and singing. Joy and glee radiated from each human and gem the twins passed by. Joining in with the rhythm, Spinsy began to bob her shoulders up and down as she walked with a spring in each step, waving and cheering to the residents of Beach City.
But behind her exuberant and optimistic sister, Spinny failed to share the same cheerful and motivational energy. Slowly taking her steps with caution, moving as if she was on a completely different planet, she raised her wrists to her chest and gripped one of them firmly as if she was trying to keep herself stable.
Nervous, spinning her head from left to right, she stretched a smile that looked rather uncomfortable, taking quick glances at the crowd she was now a part of with concerned eyes as wide as saucers. Despite this, it seemed like no one was paying much attention to her which felt like a slight relief but also a pain that felt too familiar to her.
Nevertheless, Spinny kept herself behind Spinsy, following her as a shy child would with its protective mother. Softly, their feet dipped into the sand and left a trail of footprints that would soon be covered up by the bouncing, lively crowd. From one person to another, everyone's delight connected like a chain, joy spreading like wildfire, but why didn't Spinny share this feeling? She tried to lift her spirits, she desperately wanted to feel involved and joyous with everyone else but this feeling of anxiety kept her shackled to an endless pit of fear and worriment.
Lost in her thoughts of doubt, trapped in trepidation, it became unknown to the gem that Spinsy had stopped in her tracks and somehow, through the healing and funky music that danced in the air, her head bobbed upwards from the barren sand as she heard Steven's voice.
"Hey! There you two are!" He exclaimed, painting a smile on his face. "Nice bowtie, Spinny!"
"Hiya, Steven!" Spinsy greeted brightly, hopping to the hybrid boy.
Failing to share her sister's enthusiasm, Spinny lifted her hand and flicked a wave, "Hey..." She mumbled while forcing a crumpled smile upon her face.
As the twins stood beside each other, Steven raised his hands in excitement, gesturing to the crowd they were in, "How are you two enjoying the party?"
In a voice coated in sweetness, the smaller gem cheered in response, "It's amazing! Just look at how much fun everyone's having!"
"Yeah," Spinny awkwardly agreed with the swoop of her arm, still forcing a smile. "It's... It's something alright!"
"Alright! I'm glad you two are having fun. Oh, and Spinny... Thanks for coming, it means a lot."
"It's no biggie." The gem dismissed in a rather fearful manner, averting her gaze from Steven as she clasped her hands together in hopes to preoccupy her thoughts.
"Hey, you know what you two would love!" Steven exclaimed. "There's a dance contest going on in a couple of minutes, I think both of you should totally enter!"
Upon hearing this, the twins offered two completely different reactions.
The whole of Spinsy's face brightened like a star, grinning from cheek to cheek while her eyes widened in fascination. However, Spinny's face dropped in dismay, looking scared as if she was living a nightmare.
Whirling her head to her sister, the grin on Spinsy's face retreated to a smirk as she spoke, "Whaddya say, Spinny? Wanna join in?"
Pressing her fingers together and shaking, trying to contain her agitation, Spinny began to rapidly nod her head while trembling a laugh out, "Haha! You bet!"
"You heard that, Steven?" The exuberant gem shouted, throwing a thumb to her face as she shined confidence. "You can count us in. Now lead the way!"
As if there were explosions of elation going on inside his brain, Steven's happiness grew as he could feel Spinsy's positivity spreading to him, "You got it! I can't wait to see this, you two are going to be great!"
Swiftly, the hybrid boy twirled himself around and began to casually guide his two friends to their destination.
Following him, Steven and Spinsy both shared the optimism and eagerness in the way they walked. Lightly bobbing their head up and down to the flow of music, yet Spinny remained barren to the feeling of contentment.
All the reasons telling her not to do this came flooding in like she had been caught in a tidal wave. Deep down, Spinny cursed herself for not being able to shake away the clutches of doubt that kept creeping up on her. Keeping her hands clasped together, her fingers sealing around her knuckles, there was a wobble in the way she walked. Why couldn't she escape the confines of her anxiety?
While her mind was swatted with unhealthy thoughts and scary scenarios, the worried gem kept her eyes glued to the sand as her legs shudder. Slowly, her spiky pigtails dropped down as if she was a floppy-eared bunny and soon, she stopped dead in her tracks, gripping her eyes shut in frustration.
Disappointed in herself, Spinny lifted her head calmly and breathed, "Spinsy, I'm sorry, but I can't do this. I just-"
Upon looking up, her eyes bulged out of her head in discomfort and distress, feeling overwhelmed with fear as Spinsy and Steven were no longer in front of her. They were gone, vanished without a trace.
"Spinsy..." She called out with confusion riding her voice.
Finally breaking her hands apart from each other, Spinny began to scan her surroundings, frantically looking from left to right in the crowd that swarmed her. The fears that she had locked deep into her subconscious broke from the chains and began to infect the roots of her mind with terror, dread and panic.
"Spinsy... Steven..." She whimpered, barely hearing her own voice through the music and cheers that bombarded her.
All around the frightened gem, pushing her head back and forth, Spinny turned to the many unfamiliar faces that cramped the area. Their laughter felt like they mocking her, the screaming was taunting her and their smiles ridiculed her. That feeling of fear twisted and sunk her nerves to the point where she could feel herself shaking, shivering and shuddering.
With her lips quivering as if she was a child being separated from her parents, eyes erratically growing wider by the second as her pupils bounced from side to side like a tennis ball, Spinny brought her hands up to her arms and gripped them tightly as if she was trying to hold herself together from falling apart.
Attacked by the loud laughter that bombed her thoughts, the sounds of all humans and gems transformed into white noise, infiltrating the gem's conscious. Unable to think properly, Spinny glanced down to the sand, her lip trembling as she sniffled, tears dwelling in her eyes.
"No... Not again... Not again!"
Quickly, her breathing grew frantic, panic battling her system as she felt alone, abandoned, alienated! Through the white noise that plagued her hearing and mind, she heard a voice, her own voice, but she had no control over it. As the cogs in her mind began to rust, she could feel herself malfunctioning, breaking and cracking from reality.
'They left you!'
"No..." Spinny spat, whirling herself from left to right, trying to shake away the spiteful voice.
'Everyone hates you!'
'Who'd want to be friends with you? You're an emotional wreck! A pathetic mess! An unstable freak!'
"Stop it!"
'If these people even knew you they'd leave you too!'
'You're ruining this for everyone!'
"Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!" Spinny whimpered, baring her teeth in agitation as she pulled down on her pigtails. "I'm doing the best I can!"
'If you were a good friend, maybe Pink would still be around!'
The confidence that had been gifted to her by Spinsy departed, now, Spinny couldn't help but feel lost. Stupid. Gullible. To think she could actually be a part of this future. She was right to think everyone hated her, even she did.
Wearing a haunted look, petrified in the eyes as she stood on the edge of terror, the erratic gem looked down to bow tie she was wearing and didn't waste another second. Furiously, her anxiety pushing her and controlling her movement, she crushed the tie and pulled it from her neck, harshly throwing it to the ground.
Undone and ruined, the bright red bow tie rested in the sand. Discarded.
A fire whirled inside her, causing ablaze, an eruption of uncertainty, horror and grief. For her, it was becoming difficult to breathe as her own voice played on a loop in her head, saying the same awful things again and again to no end! Her stress was demanding for a fight, her stomach twisting and turning like a hurricane!
Holding up her hands to her face, unable to remove the stains of guilt from them, she began to sob, "I can't do this! I can't do this!"
Clenching her teeth together in a panic, fear washing over her face, her gaze was the perfect example of someone who had been terrified. Swiftly swirling her head, looking for an opening to escape, Spinny didn't let another second go by as she ran into the crowd of people, slipping past everyone as she struggled to maintain her composure.
Although no one paid any attention to the distraught gem, only one had seen her running off until she was away from everyone's sight.
"Spinny?" Spinsy arched a brow, emerging from the dancing crowd.
Looking to the spot her sister had left, she knelt down and swooped up the ruined bow tie from the sand. As it rested in her hand, confusion and concern all rushed into her system.
For a moment, worriment crossing her expression, Spinsy remained calm and looked back up to the preoccupied group of people. Unable to locate Spinny at first glance, she broke away from her position and ran into the crowd of people without a second thought, searching for her sister.
...
After searching for quite a while, time began to melt and with no luck, Spinsy failed to find Spinny anywhere. It was almost as if she had disappeared. By the time she had reached the beach house, the tired gem rested her hands against her knees and regained her breath, spinning her head and surveying the area from the deck of the house.
"Oh come on, this shouldn't be hard. She looks exactly like me! Why can't I find her!" She said in between breaths.
Picking up the sound of footsteps rapidly pressing against the wooden planks of the stairs, Spinsy turned around and watched Steven approach her, looking saddened as he sighed.
"I'm sorry, Spinsy. I've looked just about everywhere and asked everyone, and nothing. Not even Garnet has seen her."
This time, it was her turn to sigh. As she slowly pushed the air from her mouth, the worried gem crossed her arms and turned to the ocean, letting her arms float down to the wooden handrails of the deck, leaning on it for support.
Unable to fight off the sadness contaminating her system, Spinsy's eyes helpless wandered up to the lonely moon that dwindled in the night sky.
"Where are you Spinny?"
Motivation sparking inside Steven, he approached the dejected gem and secured an arm around her shoulder, smiling, "Hey, don't worry. I'm sure she's still around. We'll find her."
"I know we'll find her, it's just..." Spinsy breathed, looking to the son of Rose Quartz with a guilty expression. "I can't help but feel like it's my fault for driving her away. She's been alone for so long, I thought a party would do her good, but clearly not."
"First I abandon her and now I probably made her feel scared or uncomfortable. Way to go me, right?" She mumbled with the roll of her eyes.
"You can't think like that, Spinsy," Steven said. "You organised something great here tonight and you wanted your sister to be a part of it. I know it wasn't your intentions to make her feel uncomfortable and it certainly isn't your fault that she ran off in such a hurry."
"But-"
"But nothing." He quickly interjected. "You've been a terrific friend to me, to Pearl, to Garnet, to Amethyst, to- to everyone! We know Spinny's been through a lot, but we promised we'd been there for her. We'll find her and we'll help her."
"You did all of this just to make a new start for her and if that doesn't scream: "Best Sister Ever!" I don't know what will," Steven chuckled.
Joining in on the laughter, Spinsy broke away from the handrail of the deck and smiled back at her friend, "Thanks, Steven. That really means a lot."
"I'm just speaking the truth." The hybrid gem confessed, scratching the back of his head as a sheepish smile grew.
"I just hope she understands that I wasn't trying to scare her," Spinsy softly spoke. "I mean, I just wanted us to have fun like we did back in the-"
When that one thought crashed down on her, the pink gem's eyes widened as the words on her tongue died. Like a computer, it almost appeared as if she had frozen.
"Spinsy, is everything okay?" Steven asked with a hint of concern.
Curling her hand into a fist and patting it against her hand, valiance dancing in her eyes, determination graced her words as she reclaimed her voice, "I know where she is!"
...
Instantaneously, a cylindrical beam of bright light materialized from the warp pad, producing a harmonic tune that would bathe anyone in comfort. But not Spinny, her tormented mind failed to pick up the sound due to the frightening thoughts exploding inside her head.
As the lustrous beam of light quickly faded, Spinsy had appeared on the crystalline platform. It hurt to set foot on this withering rock of a garden. However, much to her relief, sticking out like a sore thumb, she had found her other half.
In all her life, the troubled gem had never thought for a moment that she would wind up back in the same place she been abandoned.
Pink Diamond's garden.
Once a playground that radiated fun and peace now eroded into a decaying, lonely rock. Here, time had no concept, no meaning. Everything seemed so lifeless, colourless and meaningless. All pillars were crumbling, cracks swarmed the ground and the plants were dying. Here, everything was withering away.
This place brought back so many memories to the lonely gem, some of them were joyful while most of them were a nightmare to remember. Among the stars, who would have thought this joyful little playmate waited for her friends so faithfully. It hurt to remember.
In the centre of the garden, in the exact spot where she had waited for six thousand years, Spinny sat and hugged her knees, curling herself into a ball in hopes to contain the feeling of grief and sorrow that tried to claw free from her system. Inside her felt like a furnace, a fire that danced and tormented her soul for being so broken.
Silently, her puddled eyes dripped with tears, spilling down her face as she buried her head into her arms, desperately wanting to hide from the universe. The static in her head made it hard to think, she felt like a distressed child, an unwanted toy, a stranger to everyone and herself. Trembling, her lips sealed shut but failed to contain the whimpering and sniffling she was making.
How did this happen? Even she couldn't answer that. The walls of her confidence that had been provided by Spinsy, Steven, the Crystal Gems along with all the other friends she had built a connection to simply collapsed. She felt weak, exhausted and depressed.
For the first time, Spinny felt like she belonged here. Away from life. Alone.
Curled up into her own world of misery, putting her back to the warp pad, Spinny didn't hear the gentle footsteps coming from behind her. As if a building was being demolished, she could feel her strength deteriorating by the second. It hurt.
"Spinny."
Bringing her back to reality, the troubled gem snapped out of her state of grief as she heard a gentle, but frail voice reach to her. With a sniffle, she lifted her watery gaze and twisted her head in alarm as her eyes met her other half.
Not saying another word, Spinsy stood still like a statue, holding her own wrist and staring at the distressed gem with fear and sorrow clutching her pupils.
For a moment, the air was deathly still as if silence had just shattered along with everyone else in the garden.
Trying to stop her crying, the grieving gem couldn't help but feel ridiculous as she brought her arm to her face, wiping away the tears that lingered as she sniffled, "Oh, hey. I- I-"
Unable to properly grip her voice, Spinny just closed her mouth and gave up. Seeing this as her chance to help, Spinsy calmly approached the upset gem and let herself float to the ground, sitting next to her.
"Are you okay?" Although her voice was soft as a pillow, her expression screamed fright. "I saw you run off. What happened?"
Nothing but silence, unresponsive and still, Spinny simply let the tears drip from her face, refusing to acknowledge any of the questions that crossed her path.
This time, a sickening thought crossed Spinsy's mind as she dropped her mouth to unleash a gasp, but bringing her hand to secure it. Horrified at the thought, she spoke in a frail whisper as if she was trying to share a secret, "No one- no one hurt you, did they?"
"No," Spinny trembled out. "No one hurt me, I just- I just felt a bit sick, you know? That's all."
"Please don't do that."
At a loss, Spinny raised her head again, arching a brow and wearing only confusion on her expression.
"Please don't lie to me," Spinsy told, but still keeping her voice soft and encouraging.
Slowly, the grieving gem pivoted her head and sulked back into her arms, trying everything in her power to fight off the tears brewing in her eyes. Keeping her lips concealed, it looked as if she was trying to mentally stitch them shut. Her sister could tell it was obvious she didn't want to share whatever feelings enthralled her gem.
"I... I know it's hard to talk about these feelings, but you're not alone anymore. You can tell me."
Haltingly, her breathing began to quicken, a sign that panic and fear was gripping her neck and rattling her breath.
"I want to be there for you so please, talk to me." Her sister said assuringly.
As her spiky pigtails flopped down, unlocking a sigh of exhaustion, Spinny looked to the crumbling and dirty fountain with wide, puddled eyes. It took up all of her strength to open her mouth as if a million cogs began to turn inside her.
With her lip trembling, she finally forced out her words with a shaky voice that was tainted in dejection, "It doesn't feel like I left."
This time, it was Spinsy's turn to hike a brow. But despite her confusion, she remained silent and allowed Spinny to share her worries.
"No matter where I go or where I'm at, it always feels like a part of me is still intact with this place. For six thousand years, I never got used to the silence... I never got used to being so lonely, but now, ever since I've tried fitting in, there are these horrible thoughts that I can't control. Voices telling me I'm worthless, that I'm not good enough. Sometimes, it's my voice and that's when it becomes terrifying."
Pausing herself on and off, eyes welling with tears and stammering interfering with her speech. Brick by brick, the gem was falling apart, unable to contain her grief as her lips began to quiver while her breath trembled.
"I can't get it to stop!"
Watching her sister break down into tears pierced her with sympathy and heartache, Spinsy's face lifted with sorrow. Carrying her voice with a gentle tone, she brought up her gloved hands to ease her other half, murmuring, "Hey, hey, Spinny... It's okay. It's okay."
"No, it's not!" Spinny snapped, her glare forming like daggers and frustration taking control over her shouting. "It's anything but okay!"
Alarmed by her erratic change in emotion, dismay rattling her, Spinsy winced from her sister and proceeded to give her space. However, she watched as her heated glare burnt down into a look of regret and shame.
Sniffling, letting the pear-shaped tears slide down her cheeks, Spinny fought back the pain and whimpered, "I tried to kill Steven, I tried to destroy all life on Earth, I wanted to hurt you, to make you share my pain, hoping you'd suffer like I did and now I'm invited to a party where I have to dance and cheer with the people I nearly killed. It feels like everyone's wearing a mask, like they're trying to force a smile around me as if I did nothing wrong. I should just stay here, this is where they'd want me."
"They're not like that, I assure you," Spinsy assured. "The people of Beach City, they... They're special to us. They've learnt a lot from us and we've learnt a lot from them. They're kind and accepting."
"So they're all like Steven?" Spinny responded with a grumble, rolling her eyes. "Do you wanna know why he infuriates me so much? Why I find it so difficult to talk to him?
As much as she tried to hold it in, the pain in her voice seeped through as she stared back at her other half, "Pink... Whenever I'm near him, I can't get over how much I miss her."
Fighting back the grief that caged her, the hurt gem carried on, regaining her breath with a shudder, "But then I get to remember how she avoided me. How she hated me... How she abandoned me... and then I get to feel the resentment for her. All. Over. Again."
"For six thousand years, I didn't move!" She began to weep, clenching her teeth in aggravation. "I didn't do anything because I trusted her! Because I thought she'd actually come back for me!"
"I just wish I could have found out what was wrong with me sooner before she threw me away. What I could have done better. What I could have done to be more like you," Spinny whispered to herself, wrapping her arms around her knees and sinking back down into a pit of depression.
Sadness and shock played around with Spinsy's feelings while her eyes shifted downwards for a moment, becoming glazed with a crystal layer of tears. Hearing out all of her sister's troubles upset her deeply, but this is just what she needed to help. To talk.
"No, no, Spinny, there's nothing wrong with you, there was never anything wrong with you to begin with." She cooed.
"But Pink-"
"Look," Spinsy interjected, gently reaching for her sister's hand.
Confused, feeling the warmth of her other half's touch, she watched as Spinsy's gloves wrapped around her own, lightly holding them. Slowly, she watched as her sister began to ascend from the ground and without realising it, she had joined in on the motion. Now on her feet, Spinny didn't squirm or struggle, she allowed her twin to gently hold her hands.
"Pink may have been our Diamond, but that doesn't mean she knew everything, nor did she know what was best. She was foolish to leave you here and I'm no better for blindly following her," Spinsy said, averting her gaze in shame and guilt.
"I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye, I thought that saying nothing would have made it easier for you, but it was wrong and selfish of me to make that call."
It didn't take long for Spinsy to work up the courage to face her again, it sparked in her like a lighter as she continued, "If it's anything, Pink was the one that needed changing, not you. If she couldn't appreciate you for who were then or who you are now, then that was her problem. Not yours."
"Deep down, I know you're gonna do great in Beach City. There are so many people just waiting to be friends with you, even if they don't know it! You're destined for greatness and best of all, I'm gonna be there, by your side! Catching every bit of the joy you'll be spreading!" The smaller gem told, bubbling with delight as she slowly released her grip from Spinny.
Upon releasing her sister hands' Spinsy stared at her with confidence and glee lifting a smile.
Trembling, Spinny's lips began to curl upwards, although, her eyes gleamed with tears. Nochanataly, she took a step forward and wrapped her arms her other half, bringing her into a hug. Spinsy, of course, was caught by surprise, feeling her sister's face plant into her shoulder, softly crying into her.
Growing a small smile, gently dropping her eyes shut, Spinsy returned the embrace and allowed her voice to retreat to its light, airy tone, "Shh... It's okay," She whispered as if she was a mother trying to ease her child. "No one ever said fitting in would be easy, but you've made a perfect start. With me, with Steven, with the Crystal Gems. We're your family now and we always will be. We're never going to leave you, no matter what."
In tears of delight, working up a smile, Spinny unlocked her arms for her sister and stepped back, responding with a sniffle, "I believe you, you know why?"
"Why?" Spinsy tilted her head with the pair of heart-shaped buns styled on her hair following in sync.
"Because... The moment I started telling you how I feel... It's been quiet... No horrible thoughts, no voices. I feel like... Me again."
"See! Things are startin' to look better already!" She cheered. "I know it wasn't easy, but... Thanks for talking to me."
"Thanks for listening," Spinny responded shyly.
Rubbing the back of her head and constructing a smirk, Spinsy rolled her eyes and spoke in a tune, "You know, I'm sure the party still happening back on Earth. Do you wanna join in? I mean, that's if you want to, of course. We can do something else if you'd like-"
Pinching up her smile, Spinny answered, "I think I'd like to join in on that dance. Whadda ya say?"
For a moment, stunned with joy, the smaller gem nodded her head in excitement, "You betcha!" She grinned, but quickly exclaiming, "Oh! Before we go, I need to give you this."
Unexpectedly, Spinny watched as her sister stretched her arms to her neck, gently fastening something around her. Hiking a brow and adjusting her head upwards, the gem's magenta eyes sprung downwards the moment Spinsy's arms retracted back to her side.
Around her neck, she could make out the big red bow tie she had discarded. Elation taking control of her expression, Spinny lightly pressed her hands against the bow tie and regained her smile.
"Thank you."
...
In the crystal-domed conservatory, the cylindrical beam of bright light raced down from the depths of space, producing its angelic tune as the twins teleported back onto the warp pad. Spinsy and Spinny stood next to each other, side by side as if they were looking into a mirror, sharing a smile as they could hear distant music, laughter, cheering and it all felt different to Spinny. She didn't feel frightened by it, it didn't alarm her or anything of the sort. In fact, she shared the same delight her sister did.
"Hey!" A voice called from the entrance of the conservatory.
Whipping their heads to the door, the twins watched as Steven raced towards them, "There you two are! Is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine now, Steven," Spinsy eased with the swipe of her hand.
Pushing out a sigh of relief, the hybrid gem rubbed his arm and spoke, "Great! Uh, hey... Spinny. Look, sorry if I pressured you into coming here tonight, I just thought-"
"Ah, you've got nothing to apologise for, Universe," Spinny interjected with the sway of her hand. "Let's just have fun tonight, like friends."
Blinking in response, Steven found himself in awe, he couldn't recall a moment where Spinsy's twin had spoken to him with such ease and confidence. Nevertheless, he chuckled, "Yeah, sounds great. You know, that dance contest is still going on, you two still up for it?"
As Spinsy whirled her head to her sister, she waited for her to answer.
No longer frightened, feeling nothing but serenity fill her system, she spoke softly and answered, "I think I'd like that."
(This AU belongs to @emositecc I only did the writing. To those of you who are unaware, Emo has adapted most of this into a comic and I highly advise you check it out, for they offer a new perspective and feeling! Her comic adaptation of this is incredible!)
Beautiful, charming and delicate.
The night sky held a powerful feeling tonight, a feeling of tranquillity, calmness and grace. Every scattered, sparkling star was hugged by the everlasting darkness around them, acting as a cloak of comfort for the dancing lights. But among the dazzling stars rested the glowing orb that was the moon, shining like a crystal ball and spreading its elegance to the world below.
Taking refuge behind the grassy hill of Beach City, settled nicely under the colossal, mossy statue that was the Crystal Temple, a small, cosy beach house sat in the sculptured hand of the statue. On the wooden deck of the house, admiring the night sky as if it was a painting, a pink gem stood tall and relaxed, unmoving like the monument behind the beach house.
With hair styled into a pair of heart-shaped buns, wearing a white top with pink rounded sleeves, a small, yellow cape, puffy shorts, white stockings and a big pair of doll shoes, everything about this gem looked as if she hopped out of a cartoon show.
In the centre of her chest was her gemstone that resembled a heart, however, unlike her Garnet, Pearl, Amethyst and even Steven, it looked to have been broken in half, torn into two with the other half missing.
Exuberant, optimistic and joyful, Spinsy wore a radiant smile, eyes shining bright much like the stars she gazed upon. Holding her wrist and continuing to adore the night's art, she happily let her thoughts wander, losing herself in the wonders of her mind and beginning to feel wrapped in delicacy. The only sound she could hear was the ocean shaking, softly and smoothly caressing the beach's shore.
Though her eyes were open, Spinsy felt like she had just woken up when she suddenly detected the sound of the front door closing behind her, allowing all of her thoughts to be recollected. Slightly jumping, she casually turned herself around and immediately took notice to a young Steven, rubbing his eyes and looking rather tired.
"Steven?" She said with a hint of confusion while arching a brow. "What are you doing up this late, shouldn't you be in bed?" Quickly, the joyous gem vanquished her confused look and replaced it with a smirk, bending down as she rested her finger on her face. "Are you trying to pull off an all-nighter, you little rascal?"
As Steven finished rubbing his face on the sleeve of his red pyjamas, he looked up to the gem with heartbroken eyes, gleaming with tears and sniffling while his lips grew thin, but continuously quivering.
Shocked, Spinsy quickly dropped her smirk and widened her eyes in fear, worriment dancing in her pupils as she pulled herself back up, but refusing to break her stare from Steven. As if his dejection was contagious, the cheery gem felt like she was in pain seeing him in tears.
Camly, she lowered herself to his height and raised her gloved hands, trying to ease his worries as the cheeriness in her voice transformed into concern.
"Hey, hey, Steven." She cooed. "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"
Looking hesitant, he slowly surveyed the area of the house's deck with his watery eyes, looking left and right while fidgeting with his fingers, his stomach feeling infected with sorrow. As if the words were caught in his throat, his voice bailing on him, Steven then lowered his head in shame but kept his pupils glued on the gem before him.
A small, welcoming smile grew on Spinsy's face, doing her best to soothe his anxiety as she softly spoke, "Hey, you don't have to be scared, you can tell me anything. We're friends."
Even though uncertainty remained seated in his system, Steven finally spoke, his voice shaking in sadness, "Spinsy, I... I miss my dad."
Relieved that he hadn't been hurt, the gem sighed, "Aw, you poor thing. You're probably just feeling homesick."
This time it was Steven's turn to hike a brow, speaking in a confused tone, "Homesick? That doesn't make any sense, I am home. Why would I be feeling homesick?"
Amused, bringing her hand up to her mouth, giggling at his response, Spinsy contained her laughter and sat down. Gently, she patted the floor next to her, gesturing for Steven to come and sit next to her.
"Come sit with me, little buddy." She happily summoned.
Acknowledging her request, Steven wiped his eyes and took a few steps towards Spinsy and sat down beside her, crossing his legs as he got into a comfortable position.
Placing her hands on her knees, she directed all of her attention on the upset child, still carrying a tone of serenity in her voice, "As complicated as it sounds, home can mean much more than just the place that holds the roof under your head. Sometimes, home can be another gem-" Promptly, Spinsy shook her head, trying to put her sentence back on track. "I mean, person! In a way, you being with your dad felt like home, right?"
Taking on an unsure look, Steven anxiously averted his gaze away from Spinsy for a moment, pressing his fingers together in discomfort, mumbling, "I guess. But I shouldn't be feeling like this, even though I miss him, I like it here. I love being with you, Pearl, Amethyst and Garnet!"
"Aw!" Spinsy squealed, her face brightened with joy flowing through her. "We all love being with you too, Steven, and I'm sure your dad misses you just as much as you miss him."
"Thanks, Spinsy, but I'm sorry." He apologised, bringing his legs upwards and curling himself into a ball, hoping to contain his gloom. "Hearing that my dad misses me just as much as I miss him doesn't really make me feel any better. I just wish this feeling would... Go away."
All it took was a blink and the pink gem looked down in disappointment, feeling useless to not able to make him smile. It pained Spinsy to see Steven this upset, but then, she casually picked up her smile and looked back to the son of Rose Quartz.
"You know, I remember the first time I was homesick."
Lifting his head, Steven looked back to her and murmured, "You... do?"
"Boy do I," Spinsy answered while lightly nodding her head. "Before we arrived on Earth, I had to say farewell to the home that I adored. But it wasn't the area that was my home. Like you with your dad, I had someone very special to call home. Someone I loved, someone I cherished... Someone I had to leave... forever." Although her smile remained intact, it was obvious the happiness that latched onto her expression was beginning to decay.
"Wow, Spinsy," Steven began, spilling sympathy in his voice. "I'm- I'm so sorry."
"Day and night, I can never stop thinking about that..."
Slowly, she brought up her hands and rested them against her gem. Grief beginning to overwhelm her, Spinsy slowly started to shake her head ever so slightly while her bottom lip began to quiver, forcing out her words with tears shining in her eyes.
"Other half..." She breathed wistfully, still maintaining the trembling smile that stuck to her face. "That smile... That laugh..."
Conflicted between her emotions, memories of happiness and thoughts of depression clashed with one another inside the gem's mind. With a sniffle, Spinsy raised her arm to her eyes and wiped the sparkling tears on her wrist, erasing all signs of grief on her face.
Nonchalantly, she looked back to Steven who appeared wide-eyed, curiosity and interest jumping onto his expression.
"I know what it's like to be homesick," Spinsy stated softly. "I know what it's like to be away from someone that means home to you, but no matter what you think, they're never gone, even if it seems that way. Those we love live inside all of us and give us the strength to carry on."
"Your dad is never far from you, Steven." The pink gem lifted a smile. "He'll never abandon you and he'll never forget you. After all, you're his home just as much as he's yours."
"Heh," Steven chuckled. "Thanks, but I can't forget about you and the rest of our friends. Home is where the heart is, right?"
Throwing her head up in delight, Spinsy cheered in delight, "Right!"
His confidence and happiness being restored, Steven rubbed the back of his head and looked to his friend with blissful eyes. Like a flower opening in the spring, his smile grew delicately, "Hey, Spinsy. Thanks a lot for talking to me, I really needed this."
"There's no need to thank me just for talking to you, silly." She giggled, rewarding him with a smile of her own that shined brighter than the stars above. "We're best friends!"
"Yeah," Steven managed to say with a yawn interrupting him. "Best friends."
Containing the elation exploding inside her, Spinsy began to squeak with glee, looking up to the night sky, "Ooh! I have a great idea! How about tomorrow, first thing in the morning, we go and see Greg? We'll hang out, just the three of us, well, the others can tag along, of course, but they might be busy, but more the merrier, am I right? Then we can all spend the day together! We can even go to that doughnut place you love so much! How does that sound, Ste-"
If it wasn't for the slight bump she felt on her arm, the exuberant gem would have kept running her mouth with joy bombarding her words. Locking up her lips, the sound of her own voice fading into silence, Spinsy glanced down to her side with curiosity and confusion taking over her eyes.
Slumped against her, his face resting on her arm, Steven succumbed to the sleep that lingered around him. Although he had failed to stay awake, now wrapped in the comfort and tranquillity of his dreams, his features appeared much softer in his sleep, eradicating the worriment and trepidation he had carried.
Rhythmically, his chest began to rise and fall, his calmed breathing loosening the anxiety that kept him tangled. Free from his worries, buried in relaxation and sleeping in peace, Steven let his conscious swirl into the depths of slumber.
Spinsy felt bliss burst through her system as the hybrid son of Rose Quartz nestled by her side. A smile curled upwards on her face, staring in fascination and adoring every second of this moment.
"You humans really need your sleep, don't ya." She whispered.
Absorbing the silence around her, Spinsy armoured herself in caution and stood up, gently scooping Steven off the floor and securing him in her arms. The way she held him made it look as if he was sleeping on a bright pink hammock. With each step, the pink gem failed to make a sound against the wooden planks of the floor, lightly walking towards the door of the beach house and stretching her hand to the handle, miraculously opening it without disrupting the stillness of the night.
"Goodnight, Steven," Spinsy breathed, keeping her voice light as she looked down to her sleeping friend.
However, before entering the house, the pink gem raised her head and looked back up to the night sky with her eyes glistening with the stars, comfort and serenity surging through her and painting her a smile.
"Goodnight, sis."
Every day and every night, she honoured the memories of her other half and she'd continue to do so.
Had a go at drawing Sonic (movie) this time. Not gonna lie, I used to go crazy over this dude when I was seven years old, and after all these years I still like him.
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
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