&quot;We&#x27;re going to start another rebellion...&quot;

Episode 1: Playdate

Helio’s head whipped around when she heard the sound of the doors, hair swishing in a great arc. A flash of red in the corner of her eye– she narrowed her eyes suspiciously. One red gem present, who happened to be connected to Black Opal and the current dramas.

Fettelite was slipping. Her nerves were getting the better of her, but hopefully she’d head back to the party.

Helio turned back to Black Opal when she began to cough. “Hey, hey buddy. You okay?” She soothed, patting at her shoulder.

Black Opal stopped coughing and clawed at her throat, approximately where her gem was. She was letting out grunts and gasps, trying to find some way to get the feeling in her gem to stop.

Outside, Fettelite was quietly singing to herself, the power of corruption flowing through her voice. If Black Opal suddenly became more feral, there’d be no worries about her suddenly telling Helio something.

“Quiet now, love, your pain will end, while all the parts and pieces mend,” Fettelite sang softly.

Black Opal’s gem burned in her throat. She felt like she was dying. She needed to tell someone what was happening.

“Help,” she sputtered, her voice sounding garbled and inhuman.

Helio froze, eyes wide. Something was wrong with Black Opal– had Fettelite done something to her?– and it all seemed just a touch too convenient, too set up. Helio ran through a list of possible courses of action in her head, ultimately deciding that she need to go get Smoky Quartz, or Ametrine even. Black Opal needed help, and a healer was the best kind of help that Helio could get.

“Okay pal, okay, I’ll get help. I’ll be right back, don’t panic.” She soothed, turning and loping out of the white cube that held Black Opal.

The hair on the back of her neck was standing on end. What the hell was going on here?

Fettelite finished her song, satisfied that Black Opal was corrupted just enough. She sighed in relief, hopefully that Helio just assumed that she was having an outburst. However, as she looked back to the box, she couldn't help but think that maybe Helio got what she needed. Helio looked genuinely afraid, a look she hadn't seen on her. Helio has likely seen much worse than Black Opal having an outburst...

Fettelite had to get rid of Helio just to be sure.

Fettelite shapeshifted into the one thing that she knew would draw Helio towards her more than anything else.

"H... Help..." Fettelite said, doing her best impression of Bixbite.

abunchofdrawings

Art! Of gems! Woah!

I haven’t drawn Variscite for a long time, and I’ve wanted to show what she looks like without arms, (seeing as she’s defective in that way) so…

Armless Varis!

Hope you enjoy!

Episode 1: Playdate

Helio’s head whipped around when she heard the sound of the doors, hair swishing in a great arc. A flash of red in the corner of her eye– she narrowed her eyes suspiciously. One red gem present, who happened to be connected to Black Opal and the current dramas.

Fettelite was slipping. Her nerves were getting the better of her, but hopefully she’d head back to the party.

Helio turned back to Black Opal when she began to cough. “Hey, hey buddy. You okay?” She soothed, patting at her shoulder.

Black Opal stopped coughing and clawed at her throat, approximately where her gem was. She was letting out grunts and gasps, trying to find some way to get the feeling in her gem to stop.

Outside, Fettelite was quietly singing to herself, the power of corruption flowing through her voice. If Black Opal suddenly became more feral, there'd be no worries about her suddenly telling Helio something.

"Quiet now, love, your pain will end, while all the parts and pieces mend," Fettelite sang softly.

Black Opal's gem burned in her throat. She felt like she was dying. She needed to tell someone what was happening.

"Help," she sputtered, her voice sounding garbled and inhuman.

Episode 1: Playdate

Helio’s loping, long-legged strides carried her quickly to the square outbuilding that held Black Opal. The towering white cube was quiet at the moment, but time would tell as to whether it would remain so.

The doors swished open at her arrival, and the geoweapon stepped inside with a self-assured posture. Sharp red eyes regarded Black Opal, but they belied no fear or hesitation.

“Hello, Big B. Got a gift for ya.” She announced, opening the box and tossing it down in front of Black Opal. She leaned against the wall and watched the corrupted gem for a moment. Helio knew that Black Opal and Fettelite shared some connection, but not precisely how.

“Us big ol’ monsters should stick together, hm?” She drawled, cracking a sharp toothed grin.

Black Opal saw Helio come in with the box. She wasn’t sure what it was. She tapped it with a claw, accidentally puncturing the cardboard. She could smell an unusually delicious-smelling cheese from the opening she made, so without hesitation, she took the box, plopped in on her tongue, and swallowed. She purred, and the spikes on her arms seemed to grow slightly before returnibg to their normal size. She enjoyed whatever that was.

Using what she was taught by Ametrine, she signed “Thank you” as a sign of appreciation. She also smiled back, revealing her many rows of shark-like teeth.

Fettelite was listening, just outside the door, careful not to get in range of the sensor so it wouldn’t trigger the door. So far, nothing suspicious. Maybe she was just on edge.

Helio didn’t speak sign, but she got the gist of what Black Opal was trying to say. “You like it, huh? Everyone likes pizza.” She tipped her head to the side, pleased. “I didn’t want to leave you out, eh?”

Helio stepped towards Black Opal, hands on her hips. “… We haven’t hung out much, have we?” She mused, only half talking to Black Opal. “… Sorry about that. It must get lonely out here.” She set one huge paw on Black Opal’s even larger jaw, affectionately.

Fettelite leaned into the box, trying to get a better point for hearing. She needed to know if anything suspicious was going to happen. She felt that drama was about to happen, but she couldn't quite...

Shwoosh

The doors opened. Fettelite had stepped too close. Black Opal saw Fettelite and immediately lost her smile. Black Opal's eyes grew slightly nervous... Afraid, potentially. She began coughing a little. Fettelite took this as a signal to leave. She tried to get as far away from the box as she could as quietly as she could, as to not give a hint of a trail.

Episode 1: Playdate

Helio’s loping, long-legged strides carried her quickly to the square outbuilding that held Black Opal. The towering white cube was quiet at the moment, but time would tell as to whether it would remain so.

The doors swished open at her arrival, and the geoweapon stepped inside with a self-assured posture. Sharp red eyes regarded Black Opal, but they belied no fear or hesitation.

“Hello, Big B. Got a gift for ya.” She announced, opening the box and tossing it down in front of Black Opal. She leaned against the wall and watched the corrupted gem for a moment. Helio knew that Black Opal and Fettelite shared some connection, but not precisely how.

“Us big ol’ monsters should stick together, hm?” She drawled, cracking a sharp toothed grin.

Black Opal saw Helio come in with the box. She wasn't sure what it was. She tapped it with a claw, accidentally puncturing the cardboard. She could smell an unusually delicious-smelling cheese from the opening she made, so without hesitation, she took the box, plopped in on her tongue, and swallowed. She purred, and the spikes on her arms seemed to grow slightly before returnibg to their normal size. She enjoyed whatever that was.

Using what she was taught by Ametrine, she signed "Thank you" as a sign of appreciation. She also smiled back, revealing her many rows of shark-like teeth.

Fettelite was listening, just outside the door, careful not to get in range of the sensor so it wouldn't trigger the door. So far, nothing suspicious. Maybe she was just on edge.

Episode 1: Playdate

“Well, B, if you wanted… Pineapple…” Helio restrained a grimace, “ Then you should’ve spoken up when I was asking what everyone wanted.” Normally, Helio would call her a degenerate for wanting goddamn pineapple on a pizza, but since it was her birthday she would let her off.

Helio took a bite of her own specialty pizza and savoured a capsaicin level high enough to damage a humans digestive tract. Reacting to the burn helped her maintain the illusion of not giving a fuck about whatever Fettelite was doing.

—-

Sunstone regarded Jade silently for a couple seconds more than was comfortable, and then the timer pinged. “Okay, here we go. Mm, smells good.” She remarked, as she pulled the cake out with her bare hands. “Now we gotta let it cool. Come on, let’s get some pizza.”

lorebeq-deactivated20180507

“Yeah, that’s probably for the best,” Jade said, laughing a little in hopes that she’d forget about that comment as soon as possible. She walked out into the living room, and tried to search out Bloodstone. Once she found her, she plopped down next to where she was sitting and grabbed a slice from the table.

“So, what’d I miss?” Jade asked.

“Something related to Fettelite’s cape. Apparently it had a dead gem in it or something, but honestly, you and me have both seen worse so it’s not the end of the world, right?” Bloodstone responded.

“I… I guess?” Jade hesitantly agreed. She was technically right, but it still would’ve been good to know beforehand.

—

“So… Helio…” Fettelite said, schmoozing up next to her, “You uh… Need a hand delivering that pizza? I’d be more than willing to accompany you if you need it…”

Fettelite was trying to be smooth, but it’s hard to sweet talk someone who’s basically as committed as a mountain is to the ground. Still, she hoped for the best.

Helio swallowed a mouthful on cheese and ghost peppers, squinting at Fettelite with no small amount of bemusement.

“Help… Delivering a pizza?” She repeated slowly, letting the inanity of the statement sink in. “Y'know, Fettelite, somehow I think I’ll manage.” There was a moment more of cold regard, before she cracked a smile and clapped Fettelite amiably between the shoulders. “Not your smoothest line, sugar.” She winked, as though she’d misinterpreted Fettelite’s comment as a flirtation.

Sunstone nipped past the pair looking for pepperoni. She paused a moment, the impulse to slap Fettelite on the butt distracting her for a moment before she continued on her way.

“Aight, well. Back in a moment.” Helio finished her slice and picked up Black Opal’s box. “Wouldn’t do to leave her out, hm?” She remarked as she exited the cabin for the prison that held the half-corrupted gem.

Well. That went horribly. Fettelite barely even phased Helio before she just went off. She couldn't just let her go alone, she might know something. She could ruin everything she'd been building up for these last months! She could...

Fettelite turned around because she felt she was being watched. She was unusually paranoid. She had to just calm down. Maybe Helio was just delivering pizza.

But if she wasn't...

Fett slipped away when she felt she was safe. She had to get into Black Opal's box before Helio did. It'd be the only way she'd know for sure if there was plotting.

Episode 1: Playdate

“Well, B, if you wanted… Pineapple…” Helio restrained a grimace, “ Then you should’ve spoken up when I was asking what everyone wanted.” Normally, Helio would call her a degenerate for wanting goddamn pineapple on a pizza, but since it was her birthday she would let her off.

Helio took a bite of her own specialty pizza and savoured a capsaicin level high enough to damage a humans digestive tract. Reacting to the burn helped her maintain the illusion of not giving a fuck about whatever Fettelite was doing.

—-

Sunstone regarded Jade silently for a couple seconds more than was comfortable, and then the timer pinged. “Okay, here we go. Mm, smells good.” She remarked, as she pulled the cake out with her bare hands. “Now we gotta let it cool. Come on, let’s get some pizza.”

"Yeah, that's probably for the best," Jade said, laughing a little in hopes that she'd forget about that comment as soon as possible. She walked out into the living room, and tried to search out Bloodstone. Once she found her, she plopped down next to where she was sitting and grabbed a slice from the table.

"So, what'd I miss?" Jade asked.

"Something related to Fettelite's cape. Apparently it had a dead gem in it or something, but honestly, you and me have both seen worse so it's not the end of the world, right?" Bloodstone responded.

"I... I guess?" Jade hesitantly agreed. She was technically right, but it still would've been good to know beforehand.

---

"So... Helio..." Fettelite said, schmoozing up next to her, "You uh... Need a hand delivering that pizza? I'd be more than willing to accompany you if you need it..."

Fettelite was trying to be smooth, but it's hard to sweet talk someone who's basically as committed as a mountain is to the ground. Still, she hoped for the best.

Episode 1: Playdate

Heliotrope turned her attention back to the pizzas, checking through the pizzas until she found the two she was looking for. One she flipped open and took a slice; the other she marked with an X with her claw and tapped it twice.

“No one eat this one, it’s for Blops. I’ll take it out to her later. Ey, Birthday Girl, come get whatever you want. I got pepperoni, olive and anchovy, four cheeses. Uh, if you like ghost peppers I’ll split you an inferno.” She gestured for Bloodstone to come over to the pizza pile. “Oh, Gosh, I got one with squid ink. There you go.”

Goshenite took the proffered Bix and returned to Dumor’s side. She knew that Helio wouldn’t give her away.

—-

“Ohoho. Oh Jade. No, no. I’m gonna eat most of this straight out the jar. How’s the timer… Couple more minutes, okay. Oh, Smokes, go join the party. Cake should be ready in like thirty more minutes.” Sunstone ushered S.Q out of the kitchen, already popping open a jar of marshmallow fluff and scooping it out of the jar and into her mouth.

Bloodstone flipped open the lids to the other boxes, inspecting each of them. After opening all of them, she sighed and reluctantly picked up a slice with anchovies.

"It's a shame you didn't buy Pineapple, but this will do," she said, taking a bite.

Fettelite tensed up a little at the mention of Black Opal's nickname. Perhaps Helio intended to free her? Expose her? Why would she go out of her way to give her a whole pizza? She decided she'd wait until she left to deliver it, just keep watch in case of anything that might be complicating the situation.

----

"Well, I can't blame you for impulse buying. I'm not here to judge, just to help make a kick-ass cake!" Jade said, internally cringing at how cheesy that sounded.

She checked to oven to be sure there was nothing wrong with the cake. It was baking fine and seemed to be almost ready. With luck, it'll turn out even better than the first attempt.

Episode 1: Playdate

Goshenite visibly, immediately tensed. Dumortierite put her arm around her to keep her in place, but everyone knew that if push came to shove that Dumor couldn’t keep Gosh from doing anything she wanted to do. Thankfully, the justicar didn’t move; she merely kept her gaze locked on to Fettelite. Dumor glanced at Gosh and thought, just for a second, that she saw Gosh’s eyes flash; the tell tale sign that Gosh had detected a lie. But if she had, then wouldn’t she be saying something? Maybe it was a trick of the light.

No other THGs reacted, merely watching the spectacle, and glancing occasionally at Gosh. She sure was tense, Trope thought, but that could just be because she didn’t like Fettelite.

Some time later, Helio and Sunstone returned. Sunstone bustled immediately into the kitchen with her supplies, whilst Helio set her stacks of pizza down.

“Pizza Party has arrived, what’d I miss.” The geoweapon glanced over the room, gaze setting on the gem on the table for a moment.

“Fettelite is proving that the gem in her brooch is dead.” Champagne Pearl informed her. Helio raised an eyebrow, but gave no other sign of having any thoughts on the matter.

Goshenite suddenly broke from Dumor’s grasp– to walk to the pizza stacks, open a box, and take a sliced. She made eye contact as she faced Helio, and mouthed two words.

“Falsehood detected.”

“Oh, wonderful!” Fettelite said, acting as if the situation never happened, “Food always defuses an awkward situation.”

Fettelite opened the box stacked on top and took a slice of whatever it was. As she was taking a bite, she spied Goshenite whispering something to Helio. She couldn’t quite tell what they were talking about, but considering that drama happened involving her and neither of them liked her, they’d probably be shit talking her. But then again, Goshenite did have a lie detector built in... Fettelite nervously took another bite out of her pizza.

“So... Your scanner was wrong?” Fordite asked Variscite.

“No, it couldn’t have been wrong! I designed it to track signals for living gems! The gem just hasn’t regenerated yet!” Variscite reassured aggressively.

Jade was relieved to see Sunstone come into the kitchen with supplies, “Oh, wow, that sure is a lot of stuff. All of that for just one cake? Or do you plan to make more?” Jade asked.

Episode 1: Playdate

“As much as I’d like to, I just feel like she’d find some logical reason not to be fused all the time,” Jade said, “She always finds some reason not to do something I enjoy. ‘No eating all the time because it’s a waste of resources. No bathing because there’s more important uses of your time.” Shit like that.”

Jade just sighed and reached up to the cupboard to see if there was anything good in there. There wasn’t a lot of food, but there were a few bits of fruit like apples and strawberries. She took those out and offered them to Sunstone.

“Are these good enough? Like, can we make a jam out of this?”

Bloodstone turned to Trope, who she didn’t expect to be talking to much this event, “Oh? Well, I was approximately 1000 when I first came to Earth… So add about 5500 years, give or take, so… 6501-ish years? I don’t have an exact number, mostly because I don’t care much about that sort of thing.”

Bloodstone hoped that was a satisfactory answer.

“So,” Fettelite asked, “How’s transporting that gift of yours, Varis?”

“It’s proving to be much more difficult than expected,” Variscite said, “I unfortunately did not take into account the fact that it would need to be moved, and I put far too many delicate parts on it.”

“Oh, really? That seems so unlike you, Varis. Were you just excited to give it to her that you weren’t focused on much else?” Fettelite questioned.

“That must be the reason. My apologies. You can return back to the group, I don’t require any more assistance,” Variscite said. She then turned to Fordite, “You can go back to the group as well, Fordite.”

Fordite said nothing as she went back through the door, but then stopped just before descending down the stairs.

“Fordite? I said that you should return to the festivities,” Variscite said, annoyedly.

“I will, just…” Fordite had an idea that nobody would approve of.

“Just what, sweetie?” Fettelite asked.

“Fett, you should tell people about the gem on your hood!” Fordite said as quickly as she could.

Variscite groaned in shame for being even near someone when something this idiotic happened.

“Oh, no, we super can’t make a jam out of that fast enough. Jam takes fucking ages. It’s alright– look, I’ll set a timer on my phone and if this goes off before I get back take the cake out of the oven.” Sunstone tapped at her phone and left it on the counter. “I’ll get Helio to give me a lift to the store. I’ll be back soon, hold down the fort.”

Sunstone headed back into the fray

Trope nodded sagely. All ages seemed old to her. “That’s a… lot of candles…” She attempted to joke. Whether Bloodstone caught it or not would be another matter.

“Hey, Green-Bean.” Sunstone breezed into the room and catching Helio’s attention. “I need a ride to the store. We can pick up the ‘zzas on the way back.”

“Yeah, sure.” Helio flicked a double peace sign out over the other partygoers. “Later.”

And with that the pair left for the ship, off to fly to a warp-pad-less settlement with both pizza and jam.

Without her primary conversation partner, Smoky Quartz felt out of her depth. “I, ah, I’ll keep Jade company till they get back.” She announced bustling into the kitchen. “Hello Jade! How goes the baking?”

Jade sighed as she left, but was glad to see Smokey Quartz come in her place.

“Hey Smokes! It’s uh… It sure is happening. I gotta say that Sunstone sure knows a lot more about it than I do, though,” Jade said nervously, “Is Bloodstone doing well entertaining everyone out there as the birthday girl?”

—

“Cute,” Bloodstone said simply.

Bloodstone was not having an amazing time, so she just went to her armchair and looked at the various gifts she had gotten.

—

Fettelite laughed. “What, this gem?” she said, pointing to the gem on her throat, “Trust me, she’s been dead for centuries! I only picked her up cause she had some residual power in her or something. Whatever it was, it helps he calm down gems, sometimes even prevent them from regenerating.”

“Yeah, but Varis’s scanner showed that gem as still giving off a signal! It has to be alive or-”

“Or what? All we know is that Varis’s scanner tracks signs of gems. We assume it means gem life, but it could just be gems that can still serve a function like the ones used in old ships as power sources. They were never alive, but had the powers to power ships,” Fettelite explained.

“Then you certainly wouldn’t mind presenting her to everyone?” Variscite added. She wouldn’t let anyone insult her technology, and Fettelite wasn’t an exception, “Surely if my scanner doesn’t detect gem life, if you were to, say, remove the gem and present it to everyone downstairs, nothing wrong would happen?”

“Of course nothing would,” Fettelite said calmly, not showing any signs of other motives, “If it’d make you feel comfortable, I will. You have nothing to worry about.”

“Ah, yes, Sunstone sure knows a lot about confectioneries. Bixbite is darned near obsessed with them.” Smoky Quartz hopped up to sit on the counter; she liked to feel tall. “And, ah, Trope is attempting to make conversation, but… well. You’ve met Trope, so you can imagine.”

Trope deflated slightly. An attempt at being sociable, snidely shot down; Helio insisted that Bloodstone was just a bitch, but Trope had to wonder if maybe it was her own fault. Maybe she was just dull and uninteresting. Feeling dejected, she turned her attention back to Champagne Pearl and listened as the Pearl chattered about a gallery on Homeworld she’d visited once. Trope wondered where Variscite had gone.

Sunstone, meanwhile, was ignoring human stares as she bought an obscene amount of strawberry jam, marshmallow fluff, and sprinkles. Down the street, Helio was performing a balancing act with ten pizzas on each arm, loading them into the ship. It was a race against time at this point to get back before the cake was done (or before the party flopped).

"Everyone!" Fettelite said, descending the stairs alongside Variscite and Fordite, "I have an announcement!"

Bloodstone's attention was drawn to the descending gems. Shame, she was having so much fun playing chess by herself. Jade could hear from the kitchen so she just assumed whatever it was didn't require all of her attention. Fordite and Variscite stood on either side of Fettelite as she removed her cape.

"Now, these two seemed paranoid that I might be holding a gem prisoner in my cape. Right here, actually," Fettelite said, tapping the gem on the clasp, "Well, it is an actual gem, not a broche, but I assure you, this gem has been dead for centuries. To prove it, they've asked me to remove it so it can 'Reform'."

Fettelite twisted the gem from the clasp and set it down gently on the ground. Fordite and Variscite waited patiently to see who would arrive, if anyone. They waited a few minutes before Fettelite spoke again.

"Now, if the gem were actually intact and undamaged, it would have reformed by now. Are you satisfied, you two?" Fettelite said to Fordite and Variscite.

"Let it rest on the table, then. Give it more time, don't re-apply it," said Variscite, "Not all gems reform that quickly."

"Fine. It'll rest here for now," Fettelite said, picking it back up and setting it down on a coffee table. She then turned to everyone else, "I apologize for the display, but some people just seem to find the smallest things to suspect someobe for."

Episode 1: Playdate

“As much as I’d like to, I just feel like she’d find some logical reason not to be fused all the time,” Jade said, “She always finds some reason not to do something I enjoy. ‘No eating all the time because it’s a waste of resources. No bathing because there’s more important uses of your time.” Shit like that.”

Jade just sighed and reached up to the cupboard to see if there was anything good in there. There wasn’t a lot of food, but there were a few bits of fruit like apples and strawberries. She took those out and offered them to Sunstone.

“Are these good enough? Like, can we make a jam out of this?”

Bloodstone turned to Trope, who she didn’t expect to be talking to much this event, “Oh? Well, I was approximately 1000 when I first came to Earth… So add about 5500 years, give or take, so… 6501-ish years? I don’t have an exact number, mostly because I don’t care much about that sort of thing.”

Bloodstone hoped that was a satisfactory answer.

“So,” Fettelite asked, “How’s transporting that gift of yours, Varis?”

“It’s proving to be much more difficult than expected,” Variscite said, “I unfortunately did not take into account the fact that it would need to be moved, and I put far too many delicate parts on it.”

“Oh, really? That seems so unlike you, Varis. Were you just excited to give it to her that you weren’t focused on much else?” Fettelite questioned.

“That must be the reason. My apologies. You can return back to the group, I don’t require any more assistance,” Variscite said. She then turned to Fordite, “You can go back to the group as well, Fordite.”

Fordite said nothing as she went back through the door, but then stopped just before descending down the stairs.

“Fordite? I said that you should return to the festivities,” Variscite said, annoyedly.

“I will, just…” Fordite had an idea that nobody would approve of.

“Just what, sweetie?” Fettelite asked.

“Fett, you should tell people about the gem on your hood!” Fordite said as quickly as she could.

Variscite groaned in shame for being even near someone when something this idiotic happened.

“Oh, no, we super can’t make a jam out of that fast enough. Jam takes fucking ages. It’s alright– look, I’ll set a timer on my phone and if this goes off before I get back take the cake out of the oven.” Sunstone tapped at her phone and left it on the counter. “I’ll get Helio to give me a lift to the store. I’ll be back soon, hold down the fort.”

Sunstone headed back into the fray

Trope nodded sagely. All ages seemed old to her. “That’s a… lot of candles…” She attempted to joke. Whether Bloodstone caught it or not would be another matter.

“Hey, Green-Bean.” Sunstone breezed into the room and catching Helio’s attention. “I need a ride to the store. We can pick up the ‘zzas on the way back.”

“Yeah, sure.” Helio flicked a double peace sign out over the other partygoers. “Later.”

And with that the pair left for the ship, off to fly to a warp-pad-less settlement with both pizza and jam.

Without her primary conversation partner, Smoky Quartz felt out of her depth. “I, ah, I’ll keep Jade company till they get back.” She announced bustling into the kitchen. “Hello Jade! How goes the baking?”

Jade sighed as she left, but was glad to see Smokey Quartz come in her place.

"Hey Smokes! It's uh... It sure is happening. I gotta say that Sunstone sure knows a lot more about it than I do, though," Jade said nervously, "Is Bloodstone doing well entertaining everyone out there as the birthday girl?"

---

"Cute," Bloodstone said simply.

Bloodstone was not having an amazing time, so she just went to her armchair and looked at the various gifts she had gotten.

---

Fettelite laughed. "What, this gem?" she said, pointing to the gem on her throat, "Trust me, she's been dead for centuries! I only picked her up cause she had some residual power in her or something. Whatever it was, it helps he calm down gems, sometimes even prevent them from regenerating."

"Yeah, but Varis's scanner showed that gem as still giving off a signal! It has to be alive or-"

"Or what? All we know is that Varis's scanner tracks signs of gems. We assume it means gem life, but it could just be gems that can still serve a function like the ones used in old ships as power sources. They were never alive, but had the powers to power ships," Fettelite explained.

"Then you certainly wouldn't mind presenting her to everyone?" Variscite added. She wouldn't let anyone insult her technology, and Fettelite wasn't an exception, "Surely if my scanner doesn't detect gem life, if you were to, say, remove the gem and present it to everyone downstairs, nothing wrong would happen?"

"Of course nothing would," Fettelite said calmly, not showing any signs of other motives, "If it'd make you feel comfortable, I will. You have nothing to worry about."

Episode 1: Playdate

“As much as I’d like to, I just feel like she’d find some logical reason not to be fused all the time,” Jade said, “She always finds some reason not to do something I enjoy. ‘No eating all the time because it’s a waste of resources. No bathing because there’s more important uses of your time.” Shit like that.”

Jade just sighed and reached up to the cupboard to see if there was anything good in there. There wasn’t a lot of food, but there were a few bits of fruit like apples and strawberries. She took those out and offered them to Sunstone.

“Are these good enough? Like, can we make a jam out of this?”

Bloodstone turned to Trope, who she didn’t expect to be talking to much this event, “Oh? Well, I was approximately 1000 when I first came to Earth... So add about 5500 years, give or take, so... 6501-ish years? I don’t have an exact number, mostly because I don’t care much about that sort of thing.”

Bloodstone hoped that was a satisfactory answer.

“So,” Fettelite asked, “How’s transporting that gift of yours, Varis?”

“It’s proving to be much more difficult than expected,” Variscite said, “I unfortunately did not take into account the fact that it would need to be moved, and I put far too many delicate parts on it.”

“Oh, really? That seems so unlike you, Varis. Were you just excited to give it to her that you weren’t focused on much else?” Fettelite questioned.

“That must be the reason. My apologies. You can return back to the group, I don’t require any more assistance,” Variscite said. She then turned to Fordite, “You can go back to the group as well, Fordite.”

Fordite said nothing as she went back through the door, but then stopped just before descending down the stairs.

“Fordite? I said that you should return to the festivities,” Variscite said, annoyedly.

“I will, just...” Fordite had an idea that nobody would approve of.

“Just what, sweetie?” Fettelite asked.

“Fett, you should tell people about the gem on your hood!” Fordite said as quickly as she could.

Variscite groaned in shame for being even near someone when something this idiotic happened.

Episode 1: Playdate

“Um, yeah, I guess.” Sunstone replied, making sure her mix was free of lumps before pouring it into a pan and popping it into the oven. “I mean, yeah, they’re pretty serious. They don’t really think about it. You know them– fun first, boring details later.” Sunstone crouched, making sure the oven was set correctly. “Also, Parisite doesn’t have eyes. And I’m tall and cute. There’s almost no reason to not be me, haha!”

The fusion came over to check the burnt cake. “oh, yeah, it only stayed in a touch too long, if we shear these blackened bits off we’ll be fine. Do NOT open the oven before forty minutes is up, by the way, or the whole cake will collapse. Have you got icing mix, or was the plan to make it from scratch?”

Helio pricked up immediately, snapping to attention– first at Variscite’s curious reaction, then at Fordite’s order. “Yes Ma’am!” She grinned, masking her curiosity towards the green gem and pulling out her phone. It wasn’t anything like what you could get on earth, but some modding had made it internet compatible. “Alright, y’all had best tell me what you want or I’m gettin’ deep dish pepperoni for anyone that doesn’t speak up.”

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Jade said with a small laugh, "You've seen what I mean, too. Green Diamond used to be a constant thing between B and me back when we were soldiers. We'd fuse in secret, take down the gem, and unfuse before anyone knew. Sometimes we'd sneak off for 'recon' just to fuse. Now we rarely get to do that."

Jade said all of this while opening the fridge and taking out a jumbo sized tub of cream cheese frosting. She opened it to reveal about a third of it left.

"Ford and I snacked a little. It has a really interesting texture," Jade explained.

----

"Pizza? Really?" Bloodstone said, "Well, just get something big enough to share between everyone. I'll just pass on giving my opinion on toppings."

Fettelite seemed pleased that Bloodstone enjoyed the gift, but was also suspicious of Variscite's comment. She rarely asked for Fordite's help anymore, so to ask for help with such a trivial task was awfully suspect.

"I'm going to see if I can help out, too," Fettelite said, wandering up to the lab.

----

Variscite shoved Fordite in slammed the door behind them.

"Fordite, do you ever once even concieve of thinking about your words before speaking?" Variscite said, obviously peeved.

Fordite was confused for a few seconds before what she said registered, "Oh! OH! Sorry, Varis! I completely forgot that nobody else knew! Sorry! Sorry!"

Variscite shook Fordite back into focus, "Now look; there's a chance that nobody caught your comment. There's also a chance that now everyone's suspicious of Fettelite and intend to shatter her. Do you want to lose a valuable member of our team?"

"N-n-no..."

"Good. Now just hope that we get the first option," Variscite said.

They re-opened the door to Fettelite standing in the doorway.

Episode 1: Playdate

“Well, we’ve got the ingredients we need and the oven is preheated, sooooo, Jade, see if you can cut the burnt off the existing cake and I’ll have one baked up in, like… forty minutes. We might be able to make a double decker. You can’t rush baking. Then we’ll have to let it cool, before we can ice it. So, all up, an hour? Hour and ten? Squirt, get festivities rolling. Let Helio know and she can get pizzas, and then cake can come out after pizza. Go, go!” Sunstone directed, already throwing ingredients together in a mixing bowl and whisking at superhuman speeds.

Helio could feel herself reaching Nirvana beneath Bloodstone’s pissed-off glare. Oh, what a feeling. It hadn’t even occurred to her how personally Bloodstone might take the gift; it was meant as a flippant gesture of disregard, of total lack of care or effort, but this. This was ambrosia for Helio’s ego.

Fordite was almost completely reenergized by how simple Sunstone made everything sound. She got to her feet and brushed herself off.

"Aye aye!" Fordite said, giving a salute and running to the main area.

As she ran back, Jade began to work on saving the burnt cake.

"By the way, now that we're alone, I never actually got to ask why you've decided to stay fused a lot more, Sunstone. Have things gotten that serious that fast?" Jade asked, carving bits of burnt cake off.

----

Bloodstone opened the small box to reveal a red cape with a clasp; almost exactly like Fettelite's minus the broche.

"Fancy, right? I figure you might look a bit striking in a cape, so I got one that matches mine!" Fettelite said, excitedly, "Do you like it? Try it on!"

Bloodstone took out the cape and tossed the box to the side. She put it around her neck and fastened the clasp. She had to admit, it wasn't a bad look for her. Just then, Fordite came in. Bloodstone turned to greet her.

"Oh, Fordite, I assume everything's been resolved?" Bloodstone said, giving her a smile.

"Yeah, Sunstone's a great baker! She knows more than anyone!"

"Oh, how nice of her. Now, what do you think of what Fettelite gave me?" Bloodstone said, twirling so the cape flew around her.

"It's great, but what about the gem in the middle?" Fordite asked, not thinking about her words.

Variscite, who was previously just watching the festivities in the corner, suddenly became alert.

"The what?" Bloodstone asked.

"Fordite, can you help me retrieve my gift to Bloodstone?" Variscite asked, "Your abilities allow you to lift more mass than I can with my telekinesis, so please, if I could have your assistance?"

"But I need to-"

"Now!" Variscite demanded, dragging Fordite with her upstairs.

"Helio, order pizzas!" Fordite shouted as she was being escorted away.

Episode 1: Playdate

Sunstone beamed, bouncing on her toes. She knew it was a great idea the moment she’d set eyes upon it!

Trope and Champagne Pearl stepped forward next. “We made this together.” Champagne began as Trope held the gift upright so Fordite could open it. “Um, you might find it particularly poetic, in your current state. We hope you like it.” She dipped her head politely, stepping back to loop her arm around Trope’s wrist.

Man, Helio thought, the giftgiving really was the most boring part of any celebration.

As Fordite was tearing the paper off of Trope and Champagne’s gift, she stopped and sniffed the air. Suddenly, she immediately stopped what she was doing and ran into the kitchen. Green Diamond was confused at first, but then remembered that Jade was baking a cake with Fordite. She only hoped that it wasn’t-

“Burned!” Fordite shouted from the kitchen, “The cake burned!”

Fordite felt upset at herself that she completely forgot about the cake, and just sat in the kitchen, sulking with bits coming off of her. Fettelite stepped up to Green Diamond, placing a hand on her knee.

“You should unfuse now, I think Fordite needs Jade and Bloodstone needs to open gifts on her own,” Fettelite advised.

Green Diamond was disappointed that she couldn’t stay fused for long, but it probably wasn’t the wisest idea with her size and the fact that it limited available hands to work with. They reluctantly unfused and Jade went back to the kitchen to console Fordite.

“Now, remind me again where we left off?” Bloodstone said, looking around. She eyed the half-opened painting on the ground, “Ah yes, Trope and Pearl’s present.”

Bloodstone picked it up and finished opening it. She had to admit, the craftmanship was lovely; they made her look almost as good as Jade.

“This was a very lovely gift, Champagne. I appreciate the work you put into this,” Bloodstone said, “Now, can we just speed through the rest of these? I’d like to get back to business.”

“Oh, shit.” Was all Helio had to say in response to the burnt cake. Sunstone took after Fordite and Jade, however– the fusion was very good at baked goods.

“Hey, hey, don’t worry squirt! It can’t be too burned! we might be able to save it just by cutting off some edges, don’t panic.” Sunstone soothed, inspecting the cake. “Good thing you invited the Cake Whiz, huh?”

Back where the gifts were at, Champagne flipped her hand in a modest motion. “Oh, well, I only handled the technical elements! Trope made it ‘pop’, she has an eye for expressions.”

Trope dipped her head bashfully.

Next came Smoky Quartz with her beautiful chess set, Dumor and Gosh with the Amazon Gift Card, and Helio with the… bath bombs. Hm.

"Oh, you can bake? Thank fuck, how can we make another cake quickly? We don't want to keep people waiting," Jade said, arm around Fordite so she'd feel comfortable.

----

"Well, I'm certainly glad you let Trope help, then," Bloodstone said, setting the gift aside, "I'll be sure to hang it up in a place where others can look upon it and admire."

Bloodstone quickly went through the other gifts. She was exceptionally thankful to Smokey Quartz; she really seemed to know her quite well. The gift card was certainly... A gift. She'd just give it to Jade to buy something nice with. She gave Helio a death glare upon recieving her gift basket. She knew she was mocking her less-than-capital hygenic way of living, but she just had to do is subtly.

"Now, if that's everything, I believe we-" Bloodstone was interrupted by Fettelite.

"Oh, that's not everything! You've only opened their gifts! How could you forget the gifts from your own team?" Fettelite said, presenting her box to Bloodstone, "Open this first, I insist."

Episode 1: Playdate

Sunstone beamed, bouncing on her toes. She knew it was a great idea the moment she’d set eyes upon it!

Trope and Champagne Pearl stepped forward next. “We made this together.” Champagne began as Trope held the gift upright so Fordite could open it. “Um, you might find it particularly poetic, in your current state. We hope you like it.” She dipped her head politely, stepping back to loop her arm around Trope’s wrist.

Man, Helio thought, the giftgiving really was the most boring part of any celebration.

As Fordite was tearing the paper off of Trope and Champagne's gift, she stopped and sniffed the air. Suddenly, she immediately stopped what she was doing and ran into the kitchen. Green Diamond was confused at first, but then remembered that Jade was baking a cake with Fordite. She only hoped that it wasn't-

"Burned!" Fordite shouted from the kitchen, "The cake burned!"

Fordite felt upset at herself that she completely forgot about the cake, and just sat in the kitchen, sulking with bits coming off of her. Fettelite stepped up to Green Diamond, placing a hand on her knee.

"You should unfuse now, I think Fordite needs Jade and Bloodstone needs to open gifts on her own," Fettelite advised.

Green Diamond was disappointed that she couldn't stay fused for long, but it probably wasn't the wisest idea with her size and the fact that it limited available hands to work with. They reluctantly unfused and Jade went back to the kitchen to console Fordite.

"Now, remind me again where we left off?" Bloodstone said, looking around. She eyed the half-opened painting on the ground, "Ah yes, Trope and Pearl's present."

Bloodstone picked it up and finished opening it. She had to admit, the craftmanship was lovely; they made her look almost as good as Jade.

"This was a very lovely gift, Champagne. I appreciate the work you put into this," Bloodstone said, "Now, can we just speed through the rest of these? I'd like to get back to business."