#lemme fall into those lava pits

[nightlyrayne]

Oh no; he’s hot 😩

So, I’ve been taking screenshots of my all OC/MC’s so I can gather a collage thing of them all. And I finally got around to my evil Gryffindor. I wasn’t expecting him to make my brain go BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[echoes-of-the-clockwork]

Book One: Gold (Prompto x Reader) Chapter X

Making their way up the Rock of Ravatogh, the royal retinue and the guardian prepared themselves for the long trek ahead of them. As they proceeded up the rocky, jagged path, Gladio spoke up. "Just think about what's waiting at the top."

"Lemme guess: one aching back and two very sore feet," Prompto sarcastically replied.

"Like you couldn't use some meat on those legs of yours," the shield scoffed.

"They work for me."

"But what about the lady?"

Being the closest person to Prompto and the only girl in the group, (Y/n) knew the brute was referring to her. "...Excuse me?"

"You like muscle or chicken legs?" Gladio asked.

"I don't hate nor like either. Besides, I love Prompto the way he is."

"In your face, big guy!" The marksman cackled victoriously. "My lady isn't shallow and doesn't judge a book by its cover."

The spirit groaned at their childish behavior and continued to follow Noctis up the Rock of Ravatogh. They encountered some saphyrtails, which they easily disposed of. They proceeded up the path made of hardened molten lava where they eventually stumbled upon diverging paths. What caught their attention was how vast the area opened up and the horde of spiracorns and saphyrtails fighting against each other.

(Y/n) watched for a few seconds as the creatures fought one another and failed to notice their presence. When they all gathered together to attack each other again, she conjured a large fireball and tossed it at the creatures. Not only did she set them ablaze, she caused their corpses to turn to ash. She winced when seeing her spell was a little too powerful. "I may have gone a little overboard with that..."

"A little?" Gladio chuckled. "You turned them into ash."

"Well, you did say your magic was more powerful in hot environments," Prompto said.

Noctis glanced at the guardian. "Thought you didn't want us to "miss all the fun"."

"That one was a freebie because they were already injuring one another. I just sped up the process," (Y/n) retorted. "Anyway, pick a path. Let's find this cave and royal arm as quick as we can. You four already look exhausted."

Noctis glanced down both of the paths before deciding to go up the right one. Luckily, he picked the correct way and avoided another battle down a pathway that led to a dead end.

Continuing up, the pathway was getting steeper. They all could feel the muscles in their legs aching at how steep the path was becoming as they went up. Prompto glanced up as he exhaled heavily, but he couldn't see the end of the path. "Did we hit the top? Feeling past my peak."

Gladio also took note of how steep and long the path ahead was. "I'm afraid you've still got a ways to go."

The blonde wandered over towards (Y/n), smiling with a faint blush. However, his red cheeks weren't due to their close proximity but the heat of the volcano. "Oh beautiful goddess of fire, could I possibly ask for a lift to the top?"

She stopped and crossed her arms. "You want me to transform and carry you to the top?"

He nodded, coming to a halt in front of her with his hands clasped together. "Yes! I'll do anything you ask!"

"Hmmm..." She looked around, noticing the others had stop to listen to their exchange. Tapping her chin in thought, she finally came to a conclusion. "Why don't we all share the love and suffer together?"

"What? No!"

She nodded, faking an innocent smile. "Oh, yes. Get those legs moving, Prom. The longer we stand around here, the longer it'll take us to get to the top." She walked around him and made her way up the extremely steep slope.

Prompto gaped at her back as she ascended the volcano, leaving him and the others behind. His shoulders slumped forward with a dejected sigh. Reluctantly, he followed Noctis up the steep slope. He could feel the muscles in his legs screaming. "Killer climb, dude."

"It's killing me," Noctis groaned.

"Feeling a steep pain," Ignis said, unable to stop the joke from slipping from his lips.

"One false step and you won't feel anything ever again," Gladio commented.

Halfway up the steep path, Prompto had to stop for a brief second to catch his breath. His legs were a little shaky from the intense climb. He breathed out heavily, hunched over his knees. His hands rested on his thighs. "I think my legs are gonna give... Don't even wanna think about how sore I'm gonna be tomorrow." As he tried to regain his bearings, he saw how close he was to the edge of the cliff. Curious, he peaked down at the rocky ravine below. He thought he saw something twinkle in the light of the setting sun.

Not realizing how weak he was, Prompto lost his balance and screamed as his body started leaning forward. He tried to quickly step back from the ledge to prevent himself from falling, but he blinked in surprise when he noticed his fall was halted. That's when he felt a hand latched around his belt. Looking over his shoulder, he saw (Y/n) was the one who saved him from falling.

"You really are reckless sometimes, Prom," she sighed, pulling on his belt. She tugged him away from the ledge and released her hold on the accessory. "C'mon, you're almost to the top."

The group reached the top of the slope and crossed a rocky overpass. As they made their way down another path, Noctis tugged on the collar of his shirt with a groan. "The hell's with the heat?"

"As we climb, so does the temperature," Ignis commented.

"Well, this is a volcano," (Y/n) stated.

"Hey!" Prompto shouted. "What are the chances of it erupting while we're here?"

"Who knows," the girl answered.

"Bright side-you won't suffer long if it does," Gladio chimed in.

Reaching another junction, they came across more spiracorns and saphyrtails. Noctis glanced at the spirit in hopes to get another freebie, but groaned when she waved innocently at him. He performed a warp-strike and joined the battle. The others summoned their own weapons and joined the prince.

After the battle concluded, Noctis chose the right path. Molten lava covered the ground, causing the boys to rethink the prince's decision. (Y/n), on the other hand, wasn't bothered by the hot ground. Her clothes were fireproof and she welcomed the heat when she stepped onto the molten lava. She turned to the boys, placing a hand on her hip. "We should try searching every path, right? Vyv wants that picture."

Gladio folded his arms across his broad chest. "How do you expect us to follow you, short stuff? We're not fireproof like you."

"I only need one person to come with me." She jammed a finger in Prompto's direction. "C'mon, sweetheart, you're coming with me."

He blushes faintly at the term of endearment as the girl transformed. He jogged over to her and climbed onto her back. When he had a secure grip on her fur, she turned and proceeded up the molten lava path. A little ways up, they came across a flock of thunderocs. Prompto summoned his gun and easily disposed of the birds by himself.

Reaching the end of the path, they stumbled upon the cave Vyv mentioned. Prompto stared at the pit and waterfall of boiling lava. "That looks like lava so we definitely don't wanna go down there." He raisies his camera and aimed it at the cave. "Could you get a little closer, (Y/n)?"

The fox took a few steps closer to the molten edge. "Oh, that's much better!" Prompto chanted. He took a few pictures before lowering his camera and patting the top of the spirit's head. "I got the best pics! Now we can head back." The guardian turned away from the cave and trotted back down the path.

Once they reached the bottom and Prompto was off her back, (Y/n) reverted back to her human form. "Well, we can check one thing off our to-do list."

"You were able to locate the cave of which Vyv spoke of?" Ignis asked.

"Yep. Now all we have to do is find the royal tomb."

Noctis was fanning his face, groaning, "We need to hurry. I'm burning up in here."

"And I'm sweating buckets," Gladio added. He then gestured to the (h/c)-haired girl. "Short stuff here hasn't even broken a sweat."

"Like I said, this is my kinda place," she giggled.

The group wandered down the left path. There, they found a flock of wyverns and thunderocs. Making quick work of the creatures, they easily cut them down and climbed up the cliffside. Up top, they discovered Owlyss Haven.

"This place is practically begging to be camped on!" Prompto cheered.

"You are aware we've no camping equipment, correct?" Ignis asked.

"Yeah, but look at the time! The sun's setting and my legs are killing me..."

"I could just flop down on the ground and sleep right now," Noctis said with a large yawn.

"Guess we're camping without the camping gear," Gladio said.

"I could fetch the camping gear," (Y/n) offered. "With help, of course. It might take a few trips, though."

"I'll go with you," Gladio offered.

Prompto, who'd been analyzing the pictures of the lava cave on his camera, overhead the shield. His head snapped up. "I-I wanna go with her!"

The brute already knew why the blonde intervened. "You afraid I'm gonna steal your girl?"

"Wha-no!"

"Then sit that scrawny ass of yours down. Let the men handle the heavy lifting."

Before Prompto could retort, (Y/n) interrupted. "Okay, that's enough. Prom, you stay here. Gladio, you come with me."

"What?" The blonde gasped. "But (Y/n)-!"

"This isn't about who's strongest or who I like the most. This is simply just trying to get the camping gear up here. Gladio offered first so he'll be the one accompanying me. Are we clear?"

Prompto hung his head with a dejected sigh. "Yes..."

"Great! Now then, let's go, Gladio." The guardian transform and allowed the shield onto her back. When he was comfortable and had a hold of her fur, she ran back in the direction of the Regalia.

Prompto watched them leave with a childish pout. "He better not do anything..."

<--------------<<<<<

It took (Y/n) and Gladio three trips to bring all the camping gear to the top of the Rock of Ravatogh. Thanks to her multiple tails and help from the shield, they avoided a fourth trip back to the car. They even brought up Ignis' ingredients so he could prepare dinner.

Once the tent was pitched, Prompto crawled inside and hid from the others. He scrolled through the pictures on the camera, but his attention was drawn away from the small screen when the tent flap opened. He watched (Y/n) enter the tent and sit beside him. Not saying a word, he looked back down at his camera.

Folding her legs to the side, the guardian rested her head on Prompto's shoulders and watched him flip through the various photos on his camera. He tensed slightly, which didn't go unnoticed by the girl. She lifted her head from his shoulder with a sigh. "Do you really think Gladio made a move on me?"

"This is Gladio we're talking about..." Prompto muttered under his breath.

(Y/n) carefully took the camera out of his hands and set it aside. She placed her hands on the floor of the tent and crawled towards him on her hands and knees with a stoic expression. Prompto swallowed nervously, backing away from the approaching girl. He wound up slipping and falling on to his back. His eyes nearly popped out of his head the moment the girl crawled over his body and hovered above him. Her (h/c) locks fell over her shoulders as she looked down at him. Her hands came to a halt by his shoulders. "Gladio didn't try to hit on me. He talked to me about his family."

Prompto swallowed the lump in his throat, cheeks turning slightly red. "R-Really...?"

"Why would I lie to you?" She retorted. "What could I possibly gain by doing that?"

"Th-That's..."

"There's no way I'd leave you for someone like Gladio. You're the man I love, not him." She gently lowered herself onto him and rested her body against his. She pressed her ear to his chest and listened to his racing heart. Curling up against him, she sighed contently and closed her eyes. "I kinda wish we were at a hotel so we could have our own room."

"Yeah. Me too." Prompto gradually wrapped his arms around her. One hand entangled in her (h/c) locks while the other was placed on her lower back. He closed his eyes, basking in her warmth and gentle touch. Her pleasant scent wafted into his nose, making him smile. "Sorry for earlier. I-I didn't mean to sound like I was accusing you of lying."

"It's okay. I forgive you," she giggled. "As payback, we're gonna stay like this until dinner's ready."

"You won't hear me complaining."

As intended, the couple remained in the same position until dinner was ready fifteen minutes later. They exited the tent and ate dinner with the others. Once their bellies were full and it was time to call it a night, they put out the campfire and crawled into the tent. It was somewhat cramped, but everyone was able to get comfortable and fall asleep.

<--------------<<<<<

The following morning, the group got up early. (Y/n) and Gladio returned the camping gear to the car before they decided to proceed forward. They wandered down a side path, but they didn't make it far before the shield stopped them. "Hold up-down there. What is that?"

(Y/n) followed his line of sight and saw what he was talking about. "It almost looks like a giant nest."

"Please don't let it be," Prompto whimpered. "If it's big, then there's an even bigger thing that made it."

Noctis continued to lead his companions down the rocky path towards a horde of wyverns and killer wasps. They slew the creatures before exploring the rest of the path. At the end, they dropped into a large nest.

"Wow. It really is a big nest," Noctis commented, stepping over a large feather.

"Yeah, but...where's the thing that made it?" Prompto shuddered.

"No idea."

Prompto kept looking at the sky for any sign of a large creature. He thought they were clear until spotting a large object flying around the Rock of Ravatogh. He gasped before leaping at the prince, grabbing his leg. "Noct, there it is!"

Noctis grunted as his body fell to the ground, the blonde yanking on his left leg. "There what is?"

"Giant...BIRD!" The sharpshooter shrieked. "And it's coming right at us!"

(Y/n) looked up at the sky to see the large winged creature closing in on them. "Uh-oh..."

"Oh no!" Noctis yelled.

"Get away from there!" Gladio bellowed.

The prince tried to shake Prompto off his leg when seeing the large bird was descending towards them. "Let go!"

The blonde hugged Noctis' leg tighter. "I can't!"

Ignis ran over and used his own body to push them both lower to ground. "Get down!"

The zu swooped in, targeting the three. Gladio and (Y/n) stepped back to avoid the bird's large form as it landed in the nest before taking off again once seeing it was unable to grab Noctis, Prompto, or Ignis.

The strategist adjusted his glasses. "Seems we arrived at feeding time."

Prompto stared up at the sky as he laid on his back. "We're not staying for the meal, are we?"

"Let's just get out of here before it decides to grab one of us again," (Y/n) said. "If we do plan on fighting that thing, we need a place that isn't so constricting."

"Let's go," Noctis said, hopping down the nearby ledge. The others followed and entered the vast area. There was just enough room to fight the mighty zu. They watched carefully as the large bird swooped around the sky one last time before landing with a thunderous screech. Noctis warped to its beak and started attacking. Gladio and Ignis focuses on the feet while Prompto and (Y/n) targeted the wings.

The spirit's attention was drawn to Noctis when one of the wings located on the zu's head swatted him like a fly. She transformed and caught him on her back, placing him back on the ground before jumping onto the creature's back. She dug her claws into its flesh and used her fire breath to burn a portion of its back.

The zu cried out in pain as some of its feathers were set ablaze. It went on a small rampage, stomping around and knocking the boys back. Ignis, who took the heaviest blow, fell onto his back with a groan. Prompto fires a single round at the zu before rushing to the advisor's aid and handing him a phoenix down.

(Y/n) unlatched her claws from the zu's back and leapt to safety when it spread out its wings and shook its body. After it knew she was off its back, it set its sight on the boys. It used its heavy body and large size to deliver heavy damage to them. The spirit tried to distract the bird, but she couldn't gain its attention even if she hurled a fireball at it.

After struggling for nearly half an hour against the zu, the boys had gone through many curatives. (Y/n), who was barely injured, knew this battle was too much for them to handle unless they had more help. Reverting back to her human form, she shouted at the prince. "Noctis, a divine intervention would be great right about now!"

Noctis dodges the zu's talons and glanced at her. "H-Hey, I'm trying here!"

"You have no idea how you did it before, do you?!"

"Exactly!"

She groaned, deciding to take matters into her own hands. She didn't want them to find out this way, but they'll be killed at this rate. She conjured the Creator's Blade, holding the hilt with both hands. She pointed the sharp tip at the ground, inhaling deeply before exhaling. "God of creation, use my body to do your bidding for I am the conduit," she whispered. The sword began glowing, grabbing the boys' attentions.

"(Y/n), what're you doing?!" Prompto shouted.

She glanced at him with an apologetic expression. "Ending this battle."

Previous Chapter || Next Chapter || Masterlist

[aardvark-123]

Gensokyo Festival day 5: Rain

What’s that? “Late”? I’m sorry, I really don’t know what you mean...

~The Rain in Japan Falls Mainly on the Moriya Clan~

Frigid  gales were buffeting the Moriya Shrine. Water lashed down from the grey  skies to hammer on the roof, spilling off the blue stone tiles in waves.  It was hardly a day to be outside, hence how startled Suwako was to  hear a knock on the door.

"Who the heck could that be?!" cried  Suwako, her wide eyes betraying how startled she was to hear a knock on  the door. She laid down her battered NES controller. "Kanako, could you  get that?"

"Of course." Kanako took advantage of Suwako's lapse in  concentration and hit the accelerator, overtaking her pixellated  go-kart with ease. "Sanae, answer the door, won't you?"

"Okay!"  Sanae stood up and ran to the door. She slid it open, only to cry out in  shock as a sopping-wet Youmu fell into her arms.

"Sanae, you came  for me!" gasped Youmu, clinging Sanae as her own damp, flimsy kimono  clung to her shivering body. "It was awful out there. I don't  understand..."

"Oh, Youmu, you poor thing... Come here." Sanae  ushered Youmu inside, all but carrying her soggy weight, and let her  slump down on a wooden chair. "What on Earth were you doing out in that  monsoon?!"

"I was bringing you your book back and I got caught in  the rain." Youmu sniffled and wiped her nose, which was useless with her  arms so wet. "It's probably all waterlogged by now, though..."

"That's fine! I could probably dry it-"

"The door, Sanae, the door!" Kanako had taken notice of the lake beginning to form in the hallway.

Sanae  ran to the door, slipping a little, and slammed it shut against the  elements. "Sorry about that. Here, lemme take your boots."

With  trembling, frigid fingers, Youmu unlaced her soaking geta-boots and  passed them to Sanae, who laid them on an old Bunbunmaru next to her own  froggy wellies.

Sanae sat next to Youmu, put an arm around her  shivering shoulders and held her close. "Are you all right, Youmu? I  don't know if half-ghosts can get colds or anything."

"They're caused by viruses, not just low temperatures!" Kanako pointed out.

"Although  being all cold and wet and run-down can weaken your body and make you  more vulnerable to all forms of disease, except maybe heat-stroke!"  squeaked Suwako. "Wait, no, not the blue shell! Oh, for fu-"

Sanae  clamped her hands over Youmu's ears and waited until Suwako seemed to  have finished. She lowered her hands and wiped them on her dress. Youmu  giggled.

"Are you all right?" Sanae asked her again.

"I'm  wet, but I'll live." Youmu sounded less miserable than she looked. "I  don't understand where all this rain came from. It was so sunny in the  morning!"

"Yeah... I was gonna clean the roof today, but it doesn't look like I can," sighed Sanae.

"You  can clean it another day." Youmu could feel herself warming as she  snuggled up to Sanae. "You're lucky you and your, um, goddesses live on a  mountain. There can't be flooding on a mountain."

Sanae's curiosity was piqued. "Do you ever get floods in the Netherworld?"

"We  don't exactly get flooding, but it's, well..." Youmu wrinkled her nose.  "Do you know why putting sugar on a cherry doesn't make it sweet?"

"Eh? They are sweet!" protested Sanae.

"It wouldn't make  the cherry sweet because they're sweet to begin with!" Youmu smiled  with a touch of smugness. "Most of the Netherworld is just marshes,  which might as well be flooded all the time, and what's one more flood  to a marsh?"

"Hm..." Sanae scowled in concentration as she mulled  the question over.  "You're saying there couldn't be as much of a  relative net increase in the local water level as would fit the  definition of a flood."

"That's right! And have I ever mentioned  that, um, you..." Youmu blushed and fell silent as if her words had  skipped straight into a tar pit. "Well, when you're confused, you  look... Sort of... Adorable!"

"Adorable?!" Sanae's face lit up. "Oh, Youmu, that's so sweet! I'm glad my little sweetpea says such confusing things!"

"Unh?!" Youmu wasn't sure how to respond, but Sanae cut her dithering short by giving her a hug.

"I  love you, sweetpea..." sighed Sanae. Youmu felt warmer in her arms,  although a lot of water had soaked into Sanae's dress. "I don't suppose  you brought a change of clothes?"

"Clo... Clothes?" Youmu's face fell. "No."

"Well, maybe some of mine would fit you," pondered Sanae.

"Yours?!" Youmu blushed vividly. "Oh, I-I couldn't! I mean, they're your clothes! I-I wouldn't fit! Would I?"

"Sure  you would! We're pretty much the same size, aren't we?" said Sanae  blithely, forgetting that Youmu's forehead barely came up to her nose.

"More  or less..." Youmu glanced over at the coat rack, which was  characteristically draped with coats. "Maybe I could borrow one of  those? For the trip home?"

"Home?" Sanae's facial muscles arranged  themselves into the Worried formation. "Youmu, it's awful out there! I  don't know, maybe you could...?"

"Stay here for the night! I  agree," Kanako piped up. She laid down her controller and stood up.  "You'll need a bath, I expect, and some dinner."

"Kanako, your  racing car! It's- Never mind." Suwako didn't seem hugely disappointed to  watch her rival's simulated go-kart plunge into the lava moat.

Kanako  rolled her eyes. "As for sleeping arrangements, maybe you'd like us to  set up a bed in here?" She gestured vaguely around the sitting room.

"N-no, don't go to all that trouble for me! I'm notoriously low-maintenance!" yelped Youmu.

"My room it is, then!" Sanae jumped on her chance.

"YOUR  room?!" Youmu redoubled her vivid blushing. "I-! I, um-! I'll go and  find the bath!" she yelped, practically sprinting out of the room.

"Take  the first left and watch out for the... Broken trellis..." Sanae winced  at the faint sound of Youmu tripping over a broken trellis. "Poor thing. Uh, is something on your mind?"

"Why, no, of course not!"  Kanako was smiling at her in a very meaningful way. "Just thinking on  what a daring young romantic you turned out to be, Sanae."

"Is it  that obvious?" Sanae nervously twiddled her hair. "I mean, my futon's  big enough for two, and you heard her! She doesn't want to put us to any  trouble! We wouldn't do anything, you know, without shoving a bookshelf  in front of the door and putting a spell on the room so you couldn't  hear us..."

"I'm sure you wouldn't. You're welcome for that storm, by the way," said Kanako.

Sanae's jaw dropped. "You- What?! You mean this was-?!"

"Enjoy your sleepover, dearie!"

[weeping-petals]

Some Time to Be

 Word Count - 2,063

 Garnet is busy but Spinel is lonely and bored. Takes place before the Falling Out

Deep within the Crystal Temple, dozens upon dozens of bubbles hovered among the winding tubes branching throughout and curving within the rock walls of the inner chamber. Below, lava sizzled in a cast within the floor, the molten matter illuminated everything and projected light against the bubbled gems. Patrolling this and that way, Garnet roved redirecting and guiding multicolored spheres.

 An expansion of human metropolitan stirred corrupted gems into a sudden migration, and such activity pushed the feral gems into more frequent confrontations with humans. While a lull came underway of gem-human encounters, it was best to undertake the task of organizing new occupants. Take stock of the growing numbers, certify that bubbles were not overcrowding and coming under risk of popping. That would be all that they needed now.

 The task of bubble wrangler was best left to Garnet, who made the accurate and nice predictions of where it was best to leave which bubbles. Though it didn’t really matter, the bubbles would go nowhere, and absolutely no event would incur to disturb the slumbering denizens within the Burning Room. As such, no other gem was permitted access, unless for a prespecified reason.

 A thin line oozed from the ceiling and dropped, forming a zigzagging shape on the ground. The flattened figure reformed into a three-dimensional silhouette, and crept up on Garnet, rising taller and gaining more distinction the closer it neared the stoic gem. Meanwhile, the aforementioned gem examined two bubbles set very close together.

 Sensing a presence, Garnet rotated. Nothing and no one was there. Quickly, she performed a tight rotation, scanning the area, scrutinizing nooks and crannies, and shadows adjoining her vicinity. Aside from her and the bubbled gems, nothing stood out. She spun back—

 “Surprise!” Spinel bounced onto her hands, boots clapping. “Admit it! You were surprised. C’mon, say it!”

 Garnet was unmoved. “No.” She stepped by Spinel and resumed the task, shapeshifting her arm to claim another sphere up high.

 “Objection. You can’t deny, I caught you fair and square.” Spinel righted herself. And, sprang up among the cords curving through the ceiling.

 “I don’t deny my feelings,” Garnet responded. “I merely conceal them very well. Nonetheless, you did not surprise me. It’s become an expectation.”

 “Had to think on your own, didja? ‘Who could possibly intrude while I’m very busy? Who would dare.’” Spinel hung from her legs, boots wrapped about the tube she descended from. “I still got it in me.” She used her knuckles to polish the surface of her gem, like the way she saw done in the movies.

 “I am very busy,” Garnet replied. “And I need concentration. I thought you and Rose were going to explore the east coast of the green continent.”

 Spinel lounged across a bent tube. “Shirked duties for Greg. Probably doing more of that … eugh, kissy thing.” She puckered her lips and did smooching sounds.

 “And taking the Gem Sleuth to the inverted whirlpools with Amethyst?”

 Spinel lay on her stomach, arms uncoiled. “Off with Vidalia and the Sour One.”

 “Pearl?” Garnet set a Rose Quartz bubble aloft, among other similarly shaped stones.

 “Still hasn’t reformed.” Spinel slipped off a large tube and landed beside the fire pit. Arms outstretched, she balanced and walked around the edge. “Also, couldn’t get the permanent marker off.”

 “Spinel….”

 “It’s her own fault for taking so long!”

 “It takes you time to reform, as well.” Garnet examined the contents of a bubble, not looking the way the other gem paced.

 “Yeh… but that’s a condition.” She gestured her hands. “She’s indecisive, ‘should I do this dress. Or a new ribbon? Does this lace make me look know-it-all enough?’” She snickered.

 “Have you asked a human what works best to remove permanent marker?”

 “I think it’s an improvement.”

 The Saphire in her was curious to how long it would take before Pearl noticed. That is, if everyone could keep a straight face.

 “Oh-oh! Almost forgot.” Spinel bounced over to Garnet. “I have the best joke. You wanna hear it?”

 “Not now.” Garnet didn’t try to hide the sigh in her voice. She worked to tenderly pry bubbles down from among the ceiling’s winding cords, and make sense of the different colors through the tinted surface. “Some other time.”

 “It’s not long. Promise.” Spinel bounced in place, swinging her fists. “I start with rock-rock, and you go ‘who’s there’. Ready? Rock-rock.”

 Garnet redirected her cool focus to Spinel, disregarding the task at hand for the barest spell. Spinel made a shooing motion with her hands.

 “C’mon, rock-rock! Now say who…?”

 “Who is there?”

 “Garnet!”

 This does not compute. “I’m Garnet.”

 Spinel facepalmed. “Yeh. But when you say ‘who’s there?’ and I say ‘Garnet,’ you have to say ‘Garnet who?’ That’s the way the joke works. Lemme start again.” She cleared her throat. “Rock-rock.”

 “Who is there?”

 “Garnet!”

 Still not getting it, she inquired anyway, “Garnet… who?”

 Spinel posed, arms outstretched in her show gal stance. “G’Arenet you glad to see me?”

 The Garnet is unmoved. “…No.”

 Spinel unraveled. “Lika ya said, good at hiding the feels. That was hilarious.”

 “So share it with Amethyst. I’m very busy, as you’ve made a point.” Garnet resumed sifting through the suspended bubbles, dispersing the clusters and preparing to relocate the accumulated spheres brought low. For a while it was tranquil, and Spinel was placid in watching her work.

 Until the spindly gem sprang up among the pipes and snared one of the bubbles. She perched, holding the lilac sphere between her palms and turned it, concentration palpable.

 “Spinel,” Garnet warned, in her no-nonsense tone. “I have those organized already.”

 “You think they dream?”

 “I don’t think she or any of them are aware of anything. It’s stasis. For them, time stands still.” She continued sifting through the bubbles, disregarding Spinel’s interest.

 “But maybe they dream,” Spinel insisted. “About Home. About their friends. About… not ever coming here. Maybe they dream, life has resumed where they wanted it. They’re someplace they want to be, and nothing is broken. They’re not broken.”

 “The gems are whole and undamaged,” she reminded. “Perhaps someday, they will be recovered. And they will have that true life, wherever it may take them. If that means serving Home World, or, the freedom to go and be who they wish to be.” Garnet extended a hand, and set a gem among a collection of similar stones. “You’ve been sent off before.”

 “Yeah. But never bubbled this long. Some have been here.” She rolled backwards, flopping to recline on the curve of the pipe. The sphere she kept above, while she continued to turn it over. “Ages. Sometimes, I wonder how long they’ll have to stay.”

 “Not all the gems corrupted must be contained. You know this. There are gems that exist out there, that need no care or attention. But for those that become hostile and roam, endanger the humans or other passive gems, this is the safest solution. We don’t want others to pay for our failings.”

 “Yeh,” Spinel mumbled. “Keep everyone separate and protected. Heh. S’nice not being able to tell friend from enemy. Frenemy.” The term amused her into giggles.

 “As the way it should be,” Garnet supplied. “We didn’t want the war. We simply wanted to exist as we are, and to be left alone. We did everything we could.” She let a bubble alit among a collection of similar stones. A family, all together.

 “Do you ever dream?” Spinel left the bubble suspended and bounded among the bent piping across the ceiling.

 “Gems don’t sleep.” Came the matter-o-fact response.

 “When you’re unfused.” Spinel hung by her arms, legs crossed in front of her middle. “Do you dream, when Ruby and Saphire separate?”

 Garnet did halt her work and inclined her head enough to peer at the Spinel, eyes fixed with curiosity, but likewise concerned. “When Ruby and Saphire do separate,” though nonexistent in these days, “I cease to be.” She plucked a bubble from above and relocated it to the far side of the room. Spinel followed, loping through the winding architect above. “I know of nothing in that time, during that time. It can be defined as a form of stasis, I suppose, though I am neither here nor anywhere. I am not the one or the other, and I can’t describe it as being divided.’

 “But,” Garnet went on. She accepted a bubble, which Spinel handed down. “When they reunite, I have the collected experiences that Ruby and Saphire undertook, and share in that knowledge. It’s not the same as sharing in the events, I guess, it is like learning a story from someone you trust. I was not there to take from the proceedings, yet I am aware that these events took place.”

 “Oh,” was all Spinel said. Garnet directed a finger, and Spinel scaled up a few feet to collect bubbles – two or three at a time – and delivered them down. It was evident by Spinel’s eyes – not so much the silence that followed – that she gave this direction a great deal of thought. Such topics made Spinel contemplative, if not wary, and Garnet could always measure the cagey strategist that gave guidance during the war.

 After some work, Garnet broke the meditative hush, “The offer is still open. But, don’t feel forced to try something you’re not ready for.” Spinel tugged a bubble close to her chest and crouched, staring down on her. “I understand your sentiments, and respect your reluctance. But I am always open to sharing insight with you. Never forget that.”

 “No. Uh… thank you. I remember.” She descended and handed off the bubble, much to Garnet’s relief. For a moment, the fusion thought she might accidentally pop it.

 “Sometimes, I miss them,” Spinel admitted. She plopped to the floor, and assisted in collecting a few of the spheres hovering low. “But when they splint, I find myself missing Garnet too. When you exist, they cease to be. It’s hard to be without someone you appreciate, y’know? Pfft, I know they’re not really gone, but you are not them. And they, them, she and she, are not you. If that makes sense.” She rocked back on her heels, balanced perfectly.

 Garnet nodded. She led the way, to the exact point where she wanted these bubbles. Spinel handed a few to her, and she placed them securely among the coiled cords above, safe and shielded. “This paradox of not existing. This fixation has bothered you, since the song.”

 “Am I that transparent?”

 “Not at all.” Garnet moved to the other side of the wall. “I trust each of you to come forward at your own pace, when you’re ready to talk. Your privacy is important to me, as it is to you. That said, I would appreciate if you knocked first.”

 Spinel let her arms hang and rolled her eyes. “But then you’d be expecting. And the whole surprise would get ruined.”

 Garnet set a hand on Spinel’s head and ruffled her pigtails. “I would still act surprised. More so, than when you invade this room. Try it some time.”

 “Kay.” Spinel sauntered aside, arms coiling over into springs. “I guess I’ll… catch ya later. I might head up North, or somethin’. If anyone asks….”

 “When I’m done here,” Garnet began, halting the gem. “I was going to check on the Winding Glacial Plains. Would you mind accompanying me?”

 “Would I?” Spinel gushed. “No. Yes. I’ll go with. Er, no gem monsters? Right?”

 “Pure scouting,” Garnet assured. She already resumed adjusting spheres, diffusing a few rowdy clusters. “A bit dull, but the auroras are stunning.”

 “Then it’s a date,” Spinel hummed, through a crooked grin. “Come by my place, where you’re up to it.” She bounded out of the chamber, leaving Garnet to conclude the finer details of her work.

 She was never alone, and lacked the understanding for that nature which the other gems held. In that sense, Garnet was unlike the others, though no less a Crystal Gem, or gem herself. The Ruby in her knew that, and was experienced as a fusion. To Garnet, Spinel seemed to long for something she couldn’t grasp, or something she couldn’t directly inquire about, or risk invading that tentative line of privacy. It was up to her friends to come forward in their own time, to initiate conversation.

[vaultenhanced]

YUGI-OH: THE ABRIDGED SERIES EP. 51-55 STARTERS.

EP. 51

you’re gonna die, [ muse name ]! i’m always the annoying douchebag! suddenly i miss being blind. open me! that didn’t sound like no pony. but, [ muse name ], free pony ride! we can’t ride him, what a rip! wait, will we have kung-fu grip? i reconsidered. in my defense, i thought you were permanently blind. are you blind now? this is the most disappointing three-way i’ve ever been a part of. i get to die the way i’ve always wanted.  falling, screaming like a girl into a pit of boiling hot lava; flesh being seared from my bones… augh, i’m gonna throw up.  but it will still be very sexy somehow. i mean emotionally, not physically. and the bad news? i’d still hit it. i’m not a human!  i’m a penguin. mmmm, tentacle porn! what a digital dummy! theme song battle, go! right in my sweet ass! try bringing sexy back now, human! you’ll have to confuse it to death! ‘fraid so, metal man. yeah, we can never forget my sweet ass…

EP. 52

remember what happened with the scissors?! just look at his hair: it’s so pointy! well, that was highly improbable. now i’m the guy kicking your ass with a stick. [ muse name ], you just shoved him through a building. are you on steroids?  if so, can i have some? aw, come on!  i just got this bike! EAT IT, NERDS! it’s a good thing i’m [ muse name ], or that might’ve actually hurt me. what the hell is this thing? SHUT UP, ROBOT MONKEY! oh, look.  another person i’m supposed to care about. lemme guess, you’re one of [ muse name ]’s seven evil ex-boyfriends? and that’s AMERICALONOVANIA! i think i might have some week-old donuts in the fridge. AWESOME!  now THIS is a kidnapping! but my deck; it’s almost completely FILLED with internet jokes and references! BEST.  KIDNAPPING.  EVER. guys, i hate this song! god, i hate cute. I NEVER LOSE! too late for that. BE AN ASSHOLE. what am i supposed to do with this? only then will you earn a place in the club of corporate scumbags. you mean like disney? gimme the money. [ muse name ], you don’t have any shares. of course not, you’re like FIVE. my first order of business?  build the ultimate theme park. yeah, okay, i’m an asshole.  what’s your point? now it’s the internet’s job. KITTEH FACE! DUH!  WINNING! [ muse name ] took me on a pizza…

EP. 53

you’ve been acting way more horny than usual. it’s a long story that involves the name ‘steve’. i’m not really used to being inside women.  i don’t think i like it very much. wait, why does my mouth taste like fish?! hello, insert name of sibling. i have been programed to tell you that i do not love you anymore. just pretend we’re siamese twins. i hope you like sing-a-longs! hate so intense, makes me run faster! this time it was only halfway intentional. i still prefer this to the sing-a-long. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I’M DOING! now he’s sensing danger in my cleavage! WHY ARE THESE THE ONLY WORDS I KNOW?! me woman, me dumb. I’M RICH! can it with the phineas and ferb jokes. this is about donuts? [ muse name ], you’re ruining the metaphor. spongepants squarebob, he’s a friendly little guy! apply the handbrake, ya moron! i look like i’m ten… I HAVE NO SON! SWAB IT, I SAY! hello, pot.  my name is kettle.  i’m black. FRIENDSHIP PILEDRIVER! THIS DOOR IS A BITCH!

EP. 54

but then i took a card game to the motorcycle. shipping forta? god, i hope not. this one isn’t drooling all over your sister. are we SURE that’s not the actual [ muse name ]? that makes waaaay to much sense. why don’t any of you want my body?! i want your body. WHY ARE THERE SO MANY STAIRS?! that’s my worthless friend you’re talking about! am i right? just isn’t the same when he’s not here. TUBULAR IDEA, PHARAOH! you’re going to get us to like you? i hated my brother! nyaaaaah!  brooklyn rage! HOW VERY UNTIMELY! did i just watch a snuff film? OH MY GOD, WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MY FACE?! this has never happened before, what the frigg? and i don’t know if you haven’t noticed this, but i am damn handsome man. pigs don’t speak latin! [ muse name ], you’re japanese.  you’re supposed to be speaking english. i don’t read crap. it’s funny because she’s a woman. THAT’S CRAZY! TELL ME! so why aren’t you naked?! fetch me a better one!

EP. 55

NOW, WHERE’S MY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS?! ‘what a load of wankers,’ said thomas. i forgot how entertaining the ‘it’s a small world compared to my ego’ ride was. it’s time to yaba-daba-duel. try doing the opposite of THAT. i’ll even use YOUR lame-ass deck. the wet pants? how the hell is that ordinary? what, do you guys not have those? and, MAN, he had guts. and THAT’S why it’s so funny. because there was a dead kid lying in the middle. can you guess who i am?  I’M JESUS. the big mean ceo jerk beat in a card game! wah. oh my god, what’s wrong with his face?! what the hell is wrong with everyone’s face?! that is MESSED UP. shut up, [ muse name ].  mommy and daddy are talking. blah, blah, blah…  i’m a crappy dueler. there’s only so much weird touching i can take. yeah, but i’m still the king, BITCH. it’s the puppy apocalypse. it sounds like someone needs a spanking. and i’m the guy who’s gonna be doin’ the spanking. on a scale of one to me, he’s a measly six-and-a-half. i have the weirdest boner right now. i thought that card was banned years ago. i have an urgent hair-sharpening appointment i have to get to. some god you turned out to be. i had no idea that gods still wet the bed. and nothing of value was lost. NO!  NOT THE ROBOT MONKEY! ugh!  manly fainting noises! BEGONE, FOUL BEINGS! only for the purpose of this hallucination. believe me, i’ve looked into it. i’m just here for the food. AND MY AXE! how dare you treat my friends so shamefully! doodalah, mothafucka! and FUCK MY LIFE. and fuck my life hard. your nipples belong to me. make him work for it. if he don’t got the cash, he don’t get the ass. looks like one of us is gonna have to go home and change.