#ARRRRGHHH EATING THIS ALL UP

[lazorbeanz]

Everyone, on a hover-something…

And then there’s surge…on a plain motorcycle (hmm maybe it’s a hoverbike too…probably lol just let me have this one)

The extreme-bike hehehehe

Ngl I like the new form’s they’re taking…least ya get to sit down lol

LOOK WHO’S WEARING AIR SHOES?!

[theodditiesofawriterslife]

Sometime ago, in a place that is very far from where I live presently, some person came up with the idea that tying small knots and loops into garments and nets was a valuable thing to learn. Not knowing when or how humans became weavers, knitters, or crocheters, I do know this, it is a craft that I think is quite magical.

I used to sit for hours, holding my mother’s yarn balls, as she crocheted blankets, booties, dresses, and layette sets for new mothers to be and their children. I suppose that at some point my mother did the same for us, as my hope chest is brim full of frilly crocheted things like blankets, afgans, shawls, and ponchos. My grandmother tried to teach me, but the magic eluded my tiny fingers, and I lost interest in learning because of my troubles. So I sit here and watch my best friend loop, loop, loop her way across a swath of stitches and in a matter of time gives birth to her creative mind with a shawl or blanket of some sort. The whole process of which hypnotizes me with wonder at the magic that must be involved in its appearance.

I almost want to learn how to do it again... Almost...

I am not fooled, I have seen my friend tear out rows and rows and rows of stitches for one mistake near the beginning, or at the center of her workmanship. I have heard her praying and pleading for the yarn to just behave. I have seen her break her hooks, I have seen her throw her hook across the room in frustration when something just does not come together in the right manner. I understand that this is a very passionate and very unique handicraft that takes time and years to perfect, and even once one has reached perfection in the craft, there arises complications and frustrations when learning new patterns and stitches. I much prefer words. At least with writing, I have half a chance of finishing that great novel that I have set as my end goal. I don’t have to deal with knotting yarn, or unraveling stitches, or pulls in the completed project.

And no, I am not looking at writing with rose colored glasses. I see the glaring trouble just ahead with my own projects and time limits. Production due dates. Editing... Spelling and grammar mistakes. The deletion of half a chapter for a deeper, richer story... Writing has its faults, its trials, and its screaming and cussing moments as well as any other craft.

Still... There is something mesmerizing about how a person can take a piece of string, essentially, and a hook (metal, acrylic, or wooden), and with a few flicks of the wrist, tiny movements of the fingers and thumbs, and voila... we have a scarf! Even the jargon is entrancing... Double stitch, Triple stitch, Half double stitch, cluster, ring, fan, v stitch, single stitch, chain, magic ring, etc. And, most of it does not appear in full lettering when you try to decipher a written pattern. Seriously, my friend has learned her eighth language just to read crochet patterns. I can nearly imagine my friend as some sort of tailor fairy teaching a toad troll how to do magic.

Think about it...

Fairy: Take your magic yarn, and make a slip knot.

Troll: Like this?

Fairy: Exactly! Ok! Now tighten that loop around your hook, pull up a stitch into the hook and through the knot loop for the first chain. We have to have a base chain of 38.

Oh! Very good, Mrs. Troll. That is exactly how you want to continue. So lets count out the stitches together... 2. 3. 4. 5.... 34. 35. 36. 37. 38.

Now, in the third loop from the hook- ... Yes! Just there!- we are going to put in our first double crochet stitch. So loop the yarn around your magic hook twice, pull the yarn through two loops, loop over the hook again, and pull it through the last two loops. Perfect! Now we are going to have to do this all the way across the base chain, so keep your tension between the yarn and your loops the same, otherwise you will pull up wonky loops. Wonky loops will make your end product out of shape. We cannot have that! So keep your tension even, ok Mrs. Troll?

Troll: Yes, keep tension even... keep tension even... keep tension even.... ARRRRGHHH! This too hard! Troll eat fairy....!

[jbhenwiler]

SU Fanfic: Redemption from a Dark World Day 2

REDEMPTION FROM A DARK WORLD

A STEVEN UNIVERSE FANFICTION

---------------------------------DAY II

   David was in a nightmare.  His hometown was under Gem seige.  He was running for his life and desperately searching for his mother.  Fires were burning all around.    Nearby a car exploded, flying glass shards narrowly missing David's face.  A Quartz soldier darted past him, a spear in her hand, a spear covered in human blood.

   Nearby, Steven's ability to enter dreams accidentally activated.  Steven awoke into a world of smoke and fear.  At first scared and confused, he quickly realized what was happening.

Steven: Oh my gosh, I'm in his nightmare!  (Dodges Gem laser blast and quickly summons his shield)  I gotta find David and wake him up!

David: MOOMM!!! (Sprinting, he vaults over a fallen light pole)  MOOOMMMMM!!!!  (Runs right past a startled Steven without noticing him)

Steven: DAVID!! (David either ignored him or was unable to hear Steven's cry)  David!  Where are you going?  (Is suddenly attacked by an Agate wielding a whip, and Steven becomes locked in combat with the Gem)  Ungh-- I don't have time to fight you!

Agate: Die, human scum!

Steven: I'm obviously NOT a human!  ...Well, not entirely anyway. (Gets hit with the whip) GAH!  (A bleeding cut appears on his arm where the lash bit into it)  Oh man, I can actually get hurt here.  (Summons shield and throws it at the Agate.  The Agate, caught off guard, gets hit in the gem on her chest with the flying shield and the gem cracks.  The Agate immediately begins to malfunction)

Agate: Y---You, You, You... (Continues You-ing on loop)

Steven: I'm so sorry!  (Runs away in the direction David took off in)

   Meanwhile, David has arrived at the burning wreck of his home.  Down the street, an apartment building becomes engulfed in a fireball as a Ruby fusion sets into it.

David: MOM!

David's Mom: David!  Help me!!  I'm trapped!

   David frantically dashes into the burning house.  Inside the kitchen is a fire extinguisher.  David quickly equips it and deftly pulls the pin, and lets loose a volley of foam at the flames surrounding him.  He pushes deeper into the living room, where he finds his mother, who has her legs pinned under a large fallen bookcase that once took up most of a wall.

David: Hold on, I'll get you out!  (Crouches down and begins lifting the shelves with all his strength.  It soon proves to be too much to handle)

David's Mom: David... It's OK... Save yourself, get as far from here as you can!

David: No!  I'm not leaving you behind!  Unnghh... ARRRRGHHH!!  (Desperately pushes himself past his limits.  He begins to cough as the smoke starts filling the room)

David's Mom: David, no!  Get out of here!  This house has gas appliances it's going to blow any second!

David: (Tears freely flowing down his soot-stained face) Mom...

David's Mom:  It's alright, David.  I love you.  I'll always be with you, even as a spirit!  Now go!  GO!!

David: (Finally gives up and gets up, turns to his mother one last time)  Goodbye, mom...  (Sprints through the flames out of the house)

   Just as David runs out of his home, it explodes.  David is knocked off his feet by the blast and he careens into a parked car, the impact cracking the side window, and David then falls onto his back, barely able to stand and crying profusely.  Steven finally catches up with him.

Steven: Oh my gosh!  Are you all right??

David: (Thoroughly traumatized) All my fault... All my fault...

Steven: We have to get out of here!  You need to wake up!!!

David: I could have saved her...

Steven: DAVID WAKE UP!!!

   The Ruby fusion eyes the two of them and begins to stomp in their direction.  Steven's blood runs cold.  He picks up David, hefting him over his shoulder, and runs for their lives in the opposite direction.  The fusion lets out a bloodcurdling roar and gives chase.

David: All my fault...

Steven: Come on, David, I need you to work with me here!

David: (Suddenly gets ahold of himself) Steven, you can put me down now.  (Steven complies)

   The two of them continue running from the Rubies.  They dart into an alleyway where the fusion couldn't fit.  The Rubies don't notice their course change and continue stomping past David and Steven.

Steven:  This isn't just a nightmare...  This is your memory of the day the Gems invaded, isn't it?

   David nods gravely.

Steven: How do we escape this?

David: Usually Rose wakes me up by now!  She-- AGGHHHHHH!!! (A spear tip abruptly pierces David's stomach from behind, stained with fresh blood.  A Jasper chuckles devilishly behind him.)

Steven: DAVID NOOO!!!

   The whole world pixelates and glitches out.  Everything goes white and the nightmare suddenly ends.  David jolts awake and immediately checks his belly to see if he's actually wounded.  Steven rushes downstairs to David's side.

David: Steven... What the heck were you doing in there!?

Steven: I have the ability to enter people's dreams but... I wasn't expecting that power to activate on its own!

   Pearl barges in.

Pearl: What's going on?  What happened?

Steven: My dream powers turned themselves on and I got sucked into David's nightmare.

Pearl: Are you two OK?

Steven: (Checks his arm where he got cut in the nightmare; the cut was only part of the dream) Yeah... We're fine, just kind of shook up.

David: What time is it?

Pearl: It's around 3 AM.  You two should go back to sleep.

David: I don't think I can.  And I don't want to keep scaring Steven with my bad memories.  Is he going to do that every time I have a dream?

Steven: Not all the time.  I can control it usually.

Pearl: Nevertheless, you humans need sleep.  David, why don't you take a walk outside to calm down?

David: That's an excellent idea.  (Gets up, and grabs his sword from the table)

Pearl: Why exactly do you need that?

David: My world's Pearl would often send me out to practice swordplay after I had a nightmare.  She said it would make me feel more powerful and in control.

Pearl: That does sound like me... OK, but don't hurt yourself.

   Cut to beach outside the house.  David is performing agile sword moves befitting his lightweight frame on the moonlit sand.  Sweat is pouring down his forehead.  He pauses for a second and wipes his brow.  Amethyst exits the house and sees David.  She walks down the porch stairs towards him.

Amethyst: Yo, I heard about your little nighttime adventure from Steven.  Was it really that bad in your world?  Fires, explosions, and stuff?

David: ...I don't really want to talk about it right now.  (Executes a parry with an imaginary opponent)

Amethyst: From what I heard from our Rose, the Gem War on our world was really, really bad.  We're more powerful than we look, but to be experiencing all that carnage from a human perspective... I could understand how you'd be having bad dreams every night.  Did Rose... Ever enter your dreams like Steven did just now?

David: (Searches his memories) I... Don't remember her ever doing it.  Then again, I have these dreams so often that they kinda blend together.  I guess it makes sense that if Steven could do it, then Rose could too.  Most of the time Rose would just gently shake me until I woke up.  I think she didn't want to enter my nightmares because she didn't want to relive her own failures in protecting us-- That is, humanity...  That's my take on it anyway.

Amethyst:  You ready to go back inside?

David: (Sheathes his sword into the scabbard strapped across his back) ...Yeah, I think I'm ready.

   David and Amethyst walked along the beach.  Suddenly, a crackling noise issued from where David stepped.

David: Hmm?  (Crouches down, and when he sees what he steps on, his eyes widen and tear up.  He falls down on his knees and stares at the paper in his hands, a tear of relief and joy tracking down his cheek)  My picture of mom... It was here all along...

Amethyst:  Huh.... It must have fallen out of your pocket as Garnet was carrying you back to the house earlier.  Good for you, man.  Try not to lose it again, OK?

David: ...OK.  Let's go home.

   David went inside and went back to sleep, this time slumbering dreamlessly and peacefully until way past sunrise, about 10:30.  He woke up and Steven was in the kitchen.  He walks over to the couch with a bowl of cereal.

Steven: Morning, David.

David: Hey, Steven.  Sorry about last night.

Steven: It's OK.  Just try to come find me and actually let me help instead of locking up next time it happens.  I got you some breakfast.  (Hands David the bowl of cereal he was holding)

David: Thanks.  (Begins eating)

   Enter Pearl.

Pearl: Good morning David.  I have an idea for something we can do today: I'm curious about the sword you arrived here with.  Did your world's Bismuth make it?

David: Yes, she did.  I'd like to meet your Bismuth if it's at all possible.

Pearl: I was just about to suggest that.  Finish nourishing yourself and we'll go to Little Homeworld and meet her.

   David goes stiff.

David: Little... Homeworld?

Pearl:  I understand your predisposition towards Gems you don't know, so Steven will be tagging along with us to support you.

Steven: It's OK, David.  They're all friendly there, and they love humans.  Besides, it'll be good for you to face your fears.

David: (Calms down a little bit) Just... Don't let any of them get too close to me.

   David finishes his cereal and Steven, David, and Pearl prepare to leave.

Steven: Wait... Pearl, how are we going to get to Little Homeworld with David?  He won't go near a warp pad, let alone travel by one.  (David nods in the background)

Pearl: Hmm... Good question.  We may have to borrow Greg's van.  Can you call him over?

   Steven whips out his smartphone and dials his father.

Steven: Hey, dad.  Remember David's fear of warp pads?  We need you to drive us to Little Homeworld.............  OK, we'll wait here.  (Hangs up)

   A few minutes later, Greg pulls up in his signature van.

Greg: All aboard the Universe Express!

Steven: (Slightly embarassed and annoyed) Dad, I told you to stop calling it that.

   The three of them get into the van.  Steven rides next to his father and Pearl and David ride with Greg's assorted belongings in the back.  Greg shifts into drive and moves across the beach towards the streets of Beach City.

David: Friendly Gems...  How many are there?  How do so many exist?

Pearl: This isn't like the world you came from, David.  Most of the Gems in Little Homeworld were members of the original resistance against Homeworld during the First (And only) Gem War.  Most of the rest are Off-Colors, the misfits of Gem society.  And a small minority are Homeworld Gems who simply want to experience life on Earth.  They all love this planet.  There's no need to be afraid of them.

Steven: Like I said earlier, David, these Gems love humans.  Think of them like a big group of Crystal Gems that you never got to meet.  Like a bunch of moms-- I mean, Rose Quartzes.

David: (Frowns as he thinks of the way Rose treated him)  That wasn't really the best analogy, Steven.

   They remain silent the rest of the trip.  15 or so minutes later, Little Homeworld appears before them.  Despite feeling less scared then before, David is still visibly tense.  They pull up into a parking lot near the entrance to the village.

Greg: Alright, guys.  We're here!  Do you want me to come with you guys?

Steven:  If you want to, dad.

Greg: I'll come with you then.  (Opens the driver's door)

   The four of them get out of the van and stroll into Little Homeworld.  Immediately a wide variety of Gems come into sight.  David walks behind the rest of the group and is visibly uneasy.

Steven: It's OK, David.  Just stay close to me.

Assorted Gems: Yo, what's up, Steven? Hey, Pearl!  Check out my new jacket! Steven, can you help me with something when you're not busy?

Calcite: (Walks up to David, who immediately bristles with fear)  Hey there, pal!  Haven't seen you around these parts before.

David: (Whimpers and hides behind Steven)

Steven: Hey, Calcite, this guy's not very into strangers.  Could you leave him alone for now?

Calcite: Oh, sorry.  I understand some humans can be skittish around Gems.  I'll see you around, OK?

Steven: Thanks for understanding!  See ya later!

   The group walks to a large building with a huge sword hanging over the entrance.  A sign next to the door reads in both English and Gem: "Bismuth's Forge and Construction."

Pearl: Here we are!  Go on in, David.

David: Does she know about me?

   Pearl: ...I talked to her last night while you were sleeping.  She knows you're from an alternate universe where we lost Earth, that you were a Gem slave, and that your Bismuth made you a sword.  That's pretty much all she knows.

David: ...OK.

   David, Pearl, and Steven walk into the forge.  Greg stays outside.

Greg: I'm... Going to stay out here.  I don't generally like being in spaces with giant hammers and swords hanging over my head.

   Inside the forge...

Pearl: Bismuth?  That young man we were talking about is here to see you!

   A thud can be heard from deep within the building.  Out from a door behind a flow of lava came the forge master, Bismuth.

Bismuth: (Sizes up David) Well, lookie here!  So you're the human everyone's talking about.  Come over here and let me look at you better.

David: (Nervously looks at Steven)

Steven: It's fine.  Go ahead.

Bismuth: That's right.  I don't bite.

   David walks slowly towards Bismuth.  Bismuth immediately sees the sword strapped on his back.  Her brow furrows.

Bismuth: Yep.  I can already tell that's my handiwork.  It's a darker shade of pink than I'd normally make one, but it's definitely my work.  Can I see it?

David: (Draws the sword, and hands it to Bismuth)

Bismuth: (Thoroughly examining the blade) It's really lightweight... In fact, there's an antigravity orb built into the hilt.  (Looks at David)  You'd probably need a really light sword, given the obvious abscence of muscle on your bones.  Big blade, but light enough for a malnourished human to handle.  Not the easiest task, but for me... I could do it.   I could definitely do it.

David:  It...  It took several iterations for her to develop it.  I was the first human my version of you made a weapon for... And probably the last.

Bismuth:  What do you mean?

David: .......................

Bismuth: Spit it out, boy, I can take it.

David: You-- I mean, she... Her forge was discovered by the enemy not too long after she completed my sword... Nobody knows whether she was captured, shattered, or somehow made it out of there before the heavy artillery destroyed the place.  I never saw her again... I'm sorry.

Bismuth: It's alright.  It obviously wasn't your fault.  At least I got this masterwork out before I went down.  Truly a perfect weapon for a wonderful human being.  (Smiles warmly at David, then looks back at the sword)  Come to think of it... This alloy... Something's nagging me about it.  Can I analyze this real quick?  I promise I won't mess it up.

David: Sure, go ahead.

   Bismuth takes the sword over to a machine.  She inserts the blade into a slot on the front of the device.  At once, a holographic screen pops up and displays a diagram associated with text in the Gem language.  Bismuth looks at the data and quickly her mood darkens.

Bismuth: ...Just as I thought.  This blade... It's made with a similar material to the Breaking Point.

   Steven and Pearl immediately are shocked.

Steven: You mean...!?

Bismuth: Things must really have been grim in his world... 'Cause this sword... Is made for shattering Gems.

Pearl: David did you know about this!?

David: (Is panicking a little bit) N-No!  I never had to use it.  Rose would never let me fight!

Pearl: I don't think you should be carrying that thing around, David.  Give it to me, Bismuth.

   David appears to become even more upset.

Steven: Pearl, no.  It's fine.  I don't think he would shatter a Gem.  He's not that type of person.

Pearl: You've only known him for a day, Steven!  How do you think he'll react if a Gem threatens him?

Steven: You're right, Pearl.  I don't know how he'd react.  But what I do know is that weapon is like a comfort object for him... It makes him feel safer having it near him.  Taking it away would just make him feel more vulnerable and make his behavior more erratic.

Pearl: ........ I guess you have a point, Steven.  But, (Looks at David sternly) If I see you making any advances on anyone... You're going to be in big trouble!

David: (Nods quickly)  I promise I won't hurt anyone.

Bismuth: (Hands David the sword back) Treat this carefully, kid.  A weapon like this is a big responsibility.

David: (Sheathes the sword) That's the same line my Bismuth gave me when she first gave me this thing.  I hope she's OK...

Bismuth:  Us Bismuths are practically indestructible, David.  Even if the forge collapsed on me... I'd probably just be buried in the rubble somewhere.

David: ............... (Looks concerned)

Bismuth: ...Yeah, I guess that's a problem, if nobody's around to dig me out.  Heh, sorry to give you that thought, kid.  Nothing can be done about it now.

   Just then, Peridot and Lapis Lazuli walk into the forge.

Peridot: ...And that's what I think of the final season of Camp Pining Hearts!

   David cries out and runs to the far end of the forge.

Peridot: ...What's his problem?

Steven: This is David.  He's...From another version of Earth where things didn't go as well for the Crystal Gems.  He's afraid of most Gems.

Peridot: A human, scared of me, the great and loveable Peridot!?  That's not possible!  Come here and mingle!

David: N-N-Not happening!

Peridot: ...This is beyond science.

Lapis: Peridot, being flamboyant won't help him.  Here, let me try.  I know how to deal with the emotionally damaged.  (Walks closer to him)  Your name is David, right?  It's OK, I know what it feels like to be traumatized.

Steven: Uh, Lapis?  His situation was different from yours.  In fact, not to belittle you or anything, but he's been through a lot worse than you have.

Lapis: (Skeptical) Worse than being trapped in a mirror for a few thousand years?

David: (Lifts his shirt over his head, hiding his shivering face and exposing his scarred flesh)

Lapis: ...I stand corrected.

Peridot: (Looking at the skin) What's wrong with his skin?  It's... Disfigured.

Steven: Humans get like this if they're cut up bad enough and then heal.  Could you please stop bothering him, he looks like he's going to faint.

David: (Actually does faint)

Steven: Aw, man.  Had to give him the idea.

Bismuth: Hold up, I'll go get him.  (Walks over and picks up David in one arm, sweeps clutter off a table with the other, and sets him down on the cleared stone surface)

Lapis: Is he really that afraid of us?

Peridot: What did we do?

Steven: Nothing, Peridot.

Pearl: He comes from a world where humans are constantly tormented by Gems.  This seems to have caused him to develop a unique case of Crystallophobia, or fear of Gems and crystals and in his case, most Gem-related paraphernalia and technology.

Peridot: Then why isn't he afraid of you guys?

Steven: Certain Gems he knows and trusts are OK with him, like Pearl, mom, Garnet, and he knew a little bit about Amethyst.  He probably wasn't scared of me at first because he thought I was a human when he met me.

David:  (Starts awake) NO!!

   Everyone jumps back.

Peridot: ...No what?

Steven: Another nightmare?

David: (Nods, then startles when he notices Peridot next to him)  Don't hurt me!

Steven: David, these two are Lapis and Peridot.  They're our friends.

Pearl: They're both official Crystal Gems.  Rose never met them in your timeline, so you wouldn't have known about them.

David: (Stops shivering and lets out a big sigh) ..........A Peridot was the Gem who kept me in a cage before Yellow Diamond... Took me.

Lapis: We would never hurt a human.

Peridot: At least, not anymore.  (Steven glares at her)  ...Sorry, shouldn't have said that.

Steven: We've done what we needed to do here, anyway.  We should go.

Bismuth: I've got work to do.  But David, if you need a person to talk to, I'm pretty much always here, give me a visit, you hear?

David: OK.  Goodbye.  (Gets off the table and sets out towards the door)

   Just after going outside, Jay is confronted with a Homeworld Gem, an Agate with a Yellow Diamond symbol on her chest.

Agate: Hello!  Don't think I've met you before.  I'm Moss Agate, how are you, little guy?

David: H-Hi...

Moss Agate: There's no need to be shy.  I'm quite fond of you humans.  Want to go eat something together?

Greg: (Was standing outside the door)  Hey, he's really nervous around Gems.  It's probably best if you leave him be.

Moss Agate: Oh, are you now?  That's too bad.  Come find me if you decide to, OK?  (Exit Moss Agate)

   Enter Steven and Pearl.

Steven:  You probably shouldn't rush off like that, David.

Greg: Back to the van?

Pearl: While we have you here, perhaps we should go to the clothing store.  It should be open by now.

Greg: OK, let's go!

   They all leave Little Homeworld and get back into the van.  Greg drives to an strip mall.

Steven: So, David, you feeling a little better around strange Gems?

David: .... Maybe a little bit.  I guess Moss Agate was being nice to me.

Steven: That's the spirit!

Greg: OK.  You guys want to come in with me and David?

Pearl: I don't see any need to.  David, you should probably leave your sword in the van.  Generally most human facilities do not allow weapons.

David: (Unstraps his scabbard and sets it next to him, then gets out.

Steven: I'll come with you, dad!  (Unfastens his seat belt and opens his door.

   David, Greg, and Steven circle the van and step onto the sidewalk.  Before them are stores like "Beach Mart" and "GamePlace."

David: Rose, Pearl, and Garnet would often go out and loot old human stores to get food and clothes for me... Among other things.

Greg:  Thankfully our stores are still working and I have plenty of money.  Pick whatever outfits you want, OK?

David: Got it.

   They enter a somewhat large department-style store called "Stacey's."  Inside are human employees and customers, as well as a couple Gems from Little Homeworld window-shopping.  David walks to the Men's area and looks around.  He picks a variety of clothes in his size, including shorts, jeans, and T-shirts, and new shoes, and goes to the changing room.  After trying all of them on, (They all fit perfectly) he goes back to Greg and Steven, wearing a green Beach City T-shirt and blue shorts.

Greg: Tourist outfit, eh?  That's cool.  Let's go check out and go have lunch.  I know a really good Mexican restruant around here.

Steven: You mean Mira Aquí?  Oh, man, David.  You're in for a treat!

   Greg checks out for David's new clothes.  David peeks at the price display popping out from the register.  The total came out to be over $120.

David:  Thanks for everything, Greg.  I mean it.

Greg: No problem, David.

   They return to Pearl in the van.

Pearl: You look nice, David.

David: Thanks.

   Greg gets into the driver's seat.

Greg: So I thought we'd take David to Mira Aquí.

Pearl: Ugh... That place, really?  It stinks of grease and meat.

Steven: Oh, come on, Pearl!  David'll love it!

Pearl: Fine, but I'm staying in the van.

Steven: Yay!

   Greg starts his engines and drives down the street for about 2 minutes before coming to another strip mall.  In bold red letters above one of the slots were the words "Mira Aquí."  Greg parks in front and unlocks the doors.

Greg: You sure you don't want to come in, Pearl?

Pearl: Out of all human food-consumption facilities, this place has the most disgusting and messy products.  I'll remain here and... Guard the van.

David: (Looks confused)

Steven: Don't let her fool you, David.  Mira Aquí's food is the most delicious Mexican food in the whole state of Delmarva!

Greg: He's right.  Me and Rose came here once.  (Pearl scoffs)

   Greg, David, and Jamie get out of the van, leaving a slightly fuming and very salty Pearl behind.  Inside they are seated by a waitress and the three of them look over the menu.

David: Greg, what do you recommend here?

Greg: The Aqua Burrito is one of my favorites.  It's all good, really.

David: I'll get that then.

   They order their food and wait.  David also orders a horchata.

David: ...Mom and me really liked this drink... We would always order lots of it when we went out to Mexican restruants.

Greg: No need to explain, David.

   Soon their food arrives.  David once again is overcome with happiness as he eats.

Steven: See, I told you you'd like it!

Greg: He's really tearing into it.  How long was it since you ate at a restruant, David?

David: .......2 years, 4 months, 3 days... Not counting when Amethyst took me to the fry stand yesterday.

Greg: ...That's oddly specific.

David: ...The last time I went out to eat was... The day Gems invaded.  I was eating out alone when I heard the first explosions.  That's why I was running towards my house in the nightmare, Steven.  I was away from home when they came... And when I got home.......

Steven: It's OK, David.  You don't have to tell us.

Greg:  Your mom died that night, didn't she?

Steven: Dad!?

David: (Is restraining tears)  I'll never forgive them...

Steven: Forgive who?

David: The Diamonds.  They took everything from me.  My home, my world, my mom...  If it wasn't for Rose, then they would have taken my life too.

Greg: Anyway... What was your mom like?

Steven: Is it really a good idea asking him that?

David: No, it's fine.  She was the best mom I could have asked for.  My dad died in a car accident when I was a baby, so it was just her raising me.  Thankfully dad had a lot of money saved and mom had a really well-paying job as a secretary for a large company in Empire City, so we were never strapped for cash.  We did all sorts of fun things.  We even took a vacation in Beach City once.

Steven: Did you meet any of the Crystal Gems... Or dad?

David: No, they were preoccupied with their own things.  I could see the temple in the distance sometimes, but for the most part we didn't get too close.

Greg: Did your Rose... Ever talk about me?

David: .....Amethyst told me I shouldn't be telling you this...

Greg: I died?

David: (Nods)  Rose tried to escape with you, Garnet, and Pearl while Amethyst stayed behind, I guess she was the Gem making sure the enemy didn't go after the others.  Rose and the others would never discuss it with me directly, but... There's a shrine in Rose's base... It has your picture... And your broken guitar...

Steven: I guess that explains why I don't exist in your timeline... Mom and dad never had the chance to make me.

Greg: Steven, your math is a little off... David says the Gems invaded about 2 years ago.  You're 17.

David: (Shrugs)

Greg: Let's finish our food.  I don't want to keep Pearl waiting for too long.

   David, Greg, and Steven eat the rest of their meal.  Greg pays up and they leave Mira Aquí for the van.  Pearl is still salty.

Steven: Hey Pearl, we're back!

Pearl: Rose had to be going to a place like this, didn't she.

David: My Pearl didn't seem to like humans eating either.  She would always go to another room in the base come mealtime.

Pearl: (Huffs in a superior fashion)

   Greg starts the van.

Greg: Home, then?

Steven: Sure.

   Greg drives the group back to the beach house.  Everyone (But Greg) gets out of the van and goes into the home.  A short montage scene plays where Steven and David talk and play video games.  Soon it is around 8:30 PM.

Pearl: Steven, bedtime!

David: Honestly, you're almost an adult.  Your bedtime should be later.

Steven: Eh, I'm used to it.  How late did your mom let you stay up?

David: At your age?  10:30.

Steven: Pearl reads a lot of (Air quotes) "Teenage parenting manuals."  She's convinced I need as much sleep as possible.

David: Honestly, she's not wrong.

Steven: Was your Pearl very naggy or restrictive?

David: Hmm... Not quite as much.  Rose on the other hand... Well, you already know how my Rose was.  It was hard.  She would barely ever let me leave the compound.  Garnet wouldn't do anything unless there was a battle involved.  Pearl was the more lenient one in my case.  Like I told you, she had Bismuth make me my sword, and would train me for using it.  She (Or Garnet, for that matter) must have anticipated I would eventually get into a fight where it was either me dying or a Gem getting shattered... That's the reason my sword was made the way it was, I bet.  In that world, it was no holds barred.

Steven:  But you never had to use it?  The sword, that is.

David: ...I almost did.  Me and Pearl were walking back to the base when we heard footsteps near us.  Pearl told me to hide.  I hid behind a nearby boulder.  It was a Homeworld Gem, a Quartz soldier, to be exact.  If she found me... I would have no choice but to fight.  Pearl shape-shifted herself into a Homeworld Pearl's uniform for Yellow Diamond, since her Crystal Gem outfit was on the Wanted list.  They talked for a bit... I couldn't make out what they were saying for the most part.  What I could hear were phrases that made it seem that the local Quartz Brigade was searching for "wild" humans to capture... It made me sick to be spoken of like that... Like I was nothing more than an animal.

Steven: And then?

David: Pearl somehow managed to convince the Quartz that the entire area was dangerously unstable due to rockslides, that several Gems had fallen to their deaths in this zone.  The Quartz gave in and walked off.  Then Pearl motioned for me to come out of hiding and we kept going, not stopping until we reached the compound.

Steven: You keep saying you and the other Crystal Gems lived in a "Compound."  What was that?

David: You could definitely say it was much less luxurious than this Crystal Temple.  We were officially in hiding, and we were on a captive planet.  We couldn't afford to be conspicuous.  Our "Crystal Base," or sometimes "Crystal Compound," was basically a series of caves dug into the side of a mountain cliff in a forest.  The spot was chosen because it was an area that would confound scanners and be invisible from above.  I hated it.  It was damp, cramped, and we had to be quiet because too much noise would echo outside of the cave and anyone passing by could hear us... Then again, it did an excellent job keeping us safe.  In the entire year leading up to me... Getting here, we were never discovered.

   Camera pans upwards to reveal that Pearl was listening to their conversation.  Steven starts and looks up at her.  Before Steven could protest, she started speaking.

Pearl: Living in fear like that... And no chance of fighting the Gems off the planet with your limited numbers... What a bleak life you and the Crystal Gems in that world must have led.

David: 2 Gems, a permafusion, and... Me.  We weren't a resistance in any sense of the word.  We were living in a nightmare world, hoping the monsters didn't find us.  If they did find us, a hopeless battle to the death with no chance of survival would ensue.  We didn't even have warp pads.  We had to get around on foot, since the warp system was closely monitored and a warp in our base could give the enemy direct access to our doorstep.

Steven: How did you get fed?

David: (Motions to his gaunt body) Not well.  I was obviously the only member of the team who needed to eat, and Rose, Pearl, and sometimes Garnet would take turns raiding the ruins of nearby human towns for food.  Since we lived in a forest, we also had access to a lot of fruit-bearing plants... Come to think of it, that's how I got to this world.

Steven: ...What?

David: Me and Rose were hunting for berries when a storm suddenly kicked up... It was really bad.  Lightning struck a nearby tree, and it began to fall... Rose saw that it was going to fall right onto me and she jumped at me, knocking me out of the way as the big trunk crashed into the ground.  We abandoned our harvest and legged it for the cliffs... At the bottom of the cliffs was a river.  I looked down and could see that it was a frothing raging torrent.  Rose was running faster than I could keep up.  "Slow down!"  I remember yelling at her.  She ran slower then.  Then we were running on a stone cliff... The rain made the floor really slippery.  The traction on my worn-out shoes was smooth, and I ended up slipping. I had been running too close to the edge, and I fell off.  I grabbed onto an indentation on the rock face, clinging on for dear life.  That got Rose to immediately stop... But she was too late.  My hand started to give way.  Rose was on her stomach reaching out over the cliff to grab me.  Mixed in with the raindrops falling off her hair I could see her tears beginning to fall............. But that couldn't save me this time.  Before her hand could reach mine, I finally slipped.  I screamed the whole way down.  Thankfully I hit the river instead of the shore, which would have killed me on impact from that height, but the current was much too fast for me to swim to shore.  It carried me headfirst downstream, and I could hear Rose in the distance screaming my name desperately. That's when my head hit a rock, and I was knocked unconscious.  When I woke up... I was with you guys in this very living room.

Pearl: So you were carried by the river... I guess through some kind of portal... Into our dimension...  We better search the nearby ocean for energy signatures, perhaps we could learn what exactly brought you here.  Anyway, you humans need to--

David: Sleep, I know.  That was Rose's mantra every night.

Pearl: Sorry.  I didn't mean to set off any bad memories.

Steven: Remember what I said this morning, David.  If you have another nightmare, and I'm in it, don't get hung up.  Team up with me and let me help you.

David: Sounds like a plan.

   Steven left for the bathroom to change into his bedclothes.  David went down to the couch and lay down.  Before he put the covers over himself, he lifted his shirt and began to feel his scars.  Pearl noticed him doing this and walked over.

Pearl: How long were you in Yellow Diamond's service?

David: ...A week.  Yellow made a point to her soldiers to make me last.  Non-lethal wounds only.  That Quartz Rose saved me from technically disobeyed Yellow by stabbing me through my chest.  She really liked hurting humans... And went too far in hurting me.  I knew long before she did it that she would be the one to kill me... I could tell from the fact she was obviously relishing attacking me... 27.

Pearl: What...?

David: 27.  That's how many scars I have, counting the one on my chest.  they're everywhere; on my back, front, legs, arms.  Some of them are small, some of them are long...  I used to count them every day when I was at Rose's place... Wishing they would go away...

Pearl: (Sits down next to David, and puts her hand in his) It's only going to get better from here, David.  We all want you to be happy.  Get some sleep.  (Exit Pearl)

   David takes the picture of his mom out of his pocket and stares at it.  He runs a finger over it.

David:  I bet it was you, mom.  You stayed with me as a spirit and guided me here when I was about to die...  You brought me to safety like my guardian angel...  (A tear falls down his face)

   Amethyst overheard that.  She opened her mouth to say something, then decided against it and turned around, walking back through the magic door into her room.  David, oblivious to this, got up and turned off the light, goes back and pulls the covers over his body, and quickly falls asleep.