#what a world. i told beryl i was thinking of going on a silent retreat

[moregraceful]

and i did say to my friends on wednesday nothing else needs to happen this week. i can't take anything else happening, i need nothing to happen for the rest of the week. i did say that. after an $700 vet visit, a job offer, everything around the bchl team research situation, that debacle in the trolley station, that cultural experience in the dive bar, on wednesday i said i'm fucking done with this week and nothing else is going to happen. and what happened? i got a full ride to my top school and danny cheese traded frostbee. i hope a meteor explodes my street next. no i don't they'll never fix the pothole that creates

[torielectra83]

Just Another Day at the Mall

Thanks to @greyias, last week I was inspired to create an AU of my SWTOR smuggler OC, only instead of being in space, he and his partners all work at a mall. I may post this on my AO3, I dunno. Enjoy it.

“Well, another day, another credit.” Prindrohi Candaren thought as he unlocked the security shutters for his pride and joy, Boundless Starparts. He’d set-up shop in a vacant space in the east wing of the Galactic Mall in Coruscant City. Since he’d left his hometown of Sludaan he'd bounced between short-term jobs to get enough funds to open his own store. About six months prior, another starship parts store had gone under and Prin took the inventory for a song. 

"Hey, boss. What's on the checklist today?" Corso Riggs, Prin's assistant manager entered the store. "Got a shipment of CEC parts coming in around 1:00. Other than that, not much." Corso was from the run-down area of Ord Mantell, and had met Prin after attempting to stop a former friend of his named Skavak from robbing the store. Ever since, Skavak had repeatedly targeted their store and stolen items.

As the duo turned on the lights and began prepping the store for business, the Galactic Mall itself was slowly coming to life. After an hour or so, the mall opened its doors. Customers slowly filtered into the wide, tiled hallways.

At 10:30 Prin was doing clerical work behind the counter when a familiar face entered the store. Prin casually glanced at the upper-crust customer as she looked for a variety of items. "Hello, Prindrohi."

"Hey, Risha. How's your project going?" "It's progressing rather well. The speeder should be up and running by the end of the week." 

Risha was dressed in her uniform from the jewelry store across the hall, Huttsberg Diamonds. Prin had become quite familiar with her since starting here-- despite her snooty-sounding voice and admittedly beautiful appearance, she could handle the starship parts business better than he could at times, helping him pick better parts suppliers and fending off Skavak's shoplifting attempts. Hell, she often hung out with Prin and Corso on their lunch breaks in the food court.

“Hey, Miss Drayen.” Corso greeted her as he wheeled out a shipment of power cells for blaster cannons. Risha nodded and handed over her credit chip. Once the transaction went through, she took her litems and headed back across the hall to the jewelry store. Prin stared at her retreating form, before Corso tapped him on the shoulder. “Uh, boss?” “Oh, yeah, what is it?”

“Are you ever gonna ask Risha out?” Prin sighed at Corso’s blunt question. “No, not yet anyway. A girl like her probably wants money. All my credits are going to keep this store in this mall.” Corso snorted. “That’s an excuse and you know it. It wouldn’t take much to take her out. Sure she looks high-class and works at a jeweler, but if she’s more interested in starship and speeder parts, then she can’t be that rich.”

“Yeah? Well what about that time she set you up with that friend of hers, Beryl? If I remember correctly that date ended with her stealing your wallet.” Prin reminded him. At that Corso scowled and stalked off grumbling. Prin smirked a bit, before contemplating how he could ask her out, before some snooty rich guy landed her first. (Admittedly Risha had never been that forthcoming about her background, so he had no idea what her family was like.)

At 12:00, Prin and Corso went to lunch. The food court of the Galactic Mall was naturally quite busy and crammed with about a billion different eateries offering food from all across the galaxy-- and about 50 Biscuit Barons, since they were everywhere. “So what should we get to eat?” “I dunno, Corso. I’m feeling like sweet and liquidy.” Prin mused. “Jawa Juice?” Corso supplied. Prin nodded. “Yep, that’ll do.”

The duo approached the Jawa Juice, where a familiar Mon Calamarian face was behind the counter. “Hey, guys! What can I get for you?” Guss Tuno asked. Guss had previously been employed by Jedi Temple Candle and Gifts, but had gotten fired after an accident involving a new shipment of candles and a misplaced snowglobe. He’d landed at Jawa Juice, where he became acquaintances with Prin and Corso.

“Hey, Guss. Can I get two strawberry-kiwi smoothies please?” “Oh, and a couple four-cheese flatbreads!” A few minutes later, Prin and Corso were busy relaxing and eating, shooting the breeze with security officer Akaavi Spar. “So I told them, if you aren’t going to buy anything, then get out of Lucas’s before people start staring at your nude body.” Akaavi stated plain and simply as Prin and Corso just listened in shock at the bizarre story. “Alright then, Miss Spar. Well, hopefully no more naturalists will show up around here then.” Corso said in a detached tone.

An hour later, the duo were back at work, ringing up customers and keeping the store running. Prin was in the backroom organizing the new parts shipment when he heard a familiar growling noise. “Oh, hey Bow! Hang on, I’ll be out in a second!”

Prin emerged to find his best customer and part-time employee, Bowdaar the Wookiee, awaiting him at the front of the store. “What can I get you today?” As usual for a Wookiee, Bowdaar couldn’t speak Basic, but he found ways to work around this. In this case, handing a datapad to Prin with the item he needed displayed on-screen. “OK, you need a few new microvalves. What happened to the old ones?” He asked (Bowdaar was working on a project involving several older junkers).

Bow responded in Wookieespeak, which the datapad translated as “They got ruined.” “Well, thankfully these are so cheap. They’re over in aisle 4.” As Bowdaar walked off into the corner of the store, Corso came running in, a panicked look on his face. “I just saw Skavak’s beat-up speeder arrive in the parking lot.” Corso reported.

Prin’s eyes widened before he rushed to the silent alarm button. But before he could do so, Skavak himself strolled in, a sneer on his strangely-tattooed face. “Hello, you two. Don’t even think of setting off the alarm, I’ll be long gone. And you have your emergency blasters in the backroom, and of course I won’t let you get them.” He informed them, well aware of his usual robbery routine.

Corso and Prin both scowled. “Man, why can’t you either buy parts legitimately like everyone else, or go rob another store, like the Empire 1 Imports?!” Corso questioned.

“Because it’s fun and easy to rob you blind over and over again. For instance, I know exactly how to open the register without activating the anti-theft shock system.” Skavak said smugly. He promptly headed for the register and fiddled around with it; a few seconds later, the cash drawer sprung open and he promptly began rummaging through it for large-denomination coins and bills.

“Corso, make sure he can’t see Bowdaar, I have an idea.” Prin whispered. Corso scurried off to block Bowdaar from Skavak’s view. “So how’s your attempt to climb the underworld ladder going?” Prin asked Skavak as a way of buying time.

Fortunately, Skavak was more than happy to oblige. “Oh, just great. I’m now officially an agent of the local gang. I’m working for a very influential figure in the crime world. And he is in turn working for the most powerful boss around, the Voidwolf. I’m moving up in the world. But I’m still going to take time out of my busy schedule to torment you and your little lackey.” Skavak gloated.

“Speaking of, where did Riggs run off to anyway?” Skavak realized. He looked around, but just then, the security shutters slammed down! “What the?!” Skavak whirled back to Prin, who was smirking. “Yeah, you see I knew you couldn’t resist rambling on about how great you are, and we do have securicams now. So I had Corso head into the back to activate the shutters, call security, and get the recording of you explaining who you’re working for.” Prin summed up.

“I swear, I will strangle the life out of… you….” Skavak trailed off as Bowdaar emerged to stand behind Prin, glowering at the overconfident thief. “And another thing, Skavak. You had to time your robbery attempt when my best customer was in the store.” Bowdaar promptly clobbered Skavak on the head, causing the criminal to crumple to the floor, dropping his gun. Corso then ran out from the back. “Good work, boss.”

A few minutes later, Akaavi and a couple of police officers were there, questioning Prin and Corso and taking the unconscious Skavak into custody. The mall manager, Ms. Dodonna, was also there. “Thank the Force you three were able to stop this annoyance.” She told Prin and the others. “Yeah, we were hoping he’d try to rob us again now that we had securicams. I knew that he would overconfidently gloat and expose more of his crimes. It was a good thing that Bowdaar was there too-- prevented a possible shootout. That would’ve been messy.” Prin explained.

Dodonna smiled, and walked off to complete some police paperwork. Nearby, Akaavi was talking with Risha, who had, like many other mall workers, emerged from her store to see what the commotion was. “Prindrohi is an honorable sort, much like you, Miss Drayen.” Akaavi said. Risha smirked. “I always knew he was a good improviser, I just didn’t know it could go that far. He’s earned a little bit of my respect.”

“And if my instincts are correct, Prindrohi is nursing affection for you. He believes that you’re too unapproachable based on your social status.” Akaavi said casually. “Well, I look upper-crust, but I haven’t been that rich for some time. I do have a plan in mind. And based on his skills, I think I can enlist Prindrohi for assistance.” Risha whispered. “But what about his feelings?” At that, Risha’s expression grew neutral. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

Prin, meanwhile, was finishing up the last of the paperwork regarding the Skavak incident. “Well, c’mon Corso, we gotta get back to the store, looks like we got a few new customers.”, as there were now quite a few patrons interested in what had transpired. It was just another day in the life of Boundless Starparts.

[freezing-kaiju]

Survivors of Shards

Chapter 3: Gravity Falls 

Part three of the gemsona fic with @apollowuzhere, @irazel, and @grilledwatermelon

My small group and I trudged through the woods, silent except for the flapping of Alabaster’s temporary wings and the slight whooshing sound from Beryl’s levitation.  Al had transformed themselves into a large bird and was flying along side Beryl about ten feet above us.  Down in the roots and mud was Amber, the two rubies, and myself.  The rubies were positioned on my shoulders, each with a hand on my head to keep balance.  I didn’t mind it though, it was nice to feel strong and needed after this whole debacle.  They had taken a liking to me after they reformed, to this planet as well, but that didn’t make them any less terrified.  Amber was behind me, struggling to keep up and tripping on almost anything.  I felt guilty for it, but it was kind of amusing.  Even the nervous wrecks of rubies were giggling.

“Laugh it up, if that’s what I’m good for,” Amber muttered. She didn’t really look tired or angry, just...sort of sad.

I held back for her and gave her a quick slap on the back, making sure Pine-the ruby on my right shoulder-didn’t fall.  “Don’t worry about it,” I assured her.  “We’ve got all the time in the world.”

“Literally!” Star exclaimed from her place on my other shoulder.  I was glad those two were opening up, since they had barely spoken after they reformed.

Amber gave a weary smile and patted the Rubies on the head. “You two are cute...”

Star gave her a warm smile, but Pine crossed her arms and pouted.  “I’m not cute!” she complained.  “I’m handsome!”

“Ok, handsome.” Amber smiled, then turned to me. “How much further is it, mom?”

I was caught off guard by that statement.  No, I was caught off guard by that word.  Mom.  All of the gems I had ever created regarded me as a superior, someone to be worshipped or praised, but never just….mom.  I didn’t know how to react.  Should I call her on it or should I let it slide?

It took me about a minute to formulate words again.  “Not much further,” I told her, looking back down at the mossy ground.  “The Crystal Gems told us we were looking for two pyramid statues around this area.”

Amber’s smile widened and she nodded, then whispered a small, soft “yay.”

The rubies, from my shoulders, which if you didn’t know are very close to the points on my head I use to hear things, yelled a bigger, much louder “YAY!”  I felt my nonexistent heart leap into my throat.  I jumped and had to catch the two before they fell, putting them back on my shoulders.  Little sorrys came from both my left and right, and I assured them it was alright as long as they didn’t do it again.

Amber giggled softly and I cracked a smile.  “Look who’s laughing now,” I said.

From above, I heard Beryl’s soft voice call down, “I see the statues!  They’re about thirty feet straight forward.”  I went on ahead, eager to see the problem we would be faced with.

Corrupted gems had always intrigued me.  I knew there was a way to fix it, but I didn’t know what it was.  I had seen every type of gem there was and planted it, and I knew the way gems formed and regenerated.  Corruption was something I could do little for.  All I knew was that it takes a gentle hand to help the poor gem, and I didn’t think myself great in providing that.

We came out of the trees into a small clearing.  There were tufts of dead grass and weeds growing out of the muddy ground.  On either side of the clearing, there was a pyramid statue, just as described, with a single slit eye and a small hat topping it.  They seemed as if strategically placed to mirror one another, which was disconcerting to say the least.  Just below the eye on each of them was a triangular gem; the one on the right was light blue, while the one on the left was a glittering yellow.  I didn’t know if I was right, but that gem looked familiar to me.  It couldn’t be a….no.  No way.

Just then, I heard a rumbling noise and the world shook around me.  The rubies toppled to the ground and I lost my footing a little, catching myself on a nearby tree.  A voice pierced my mind. It was low, soft, and aggressive yet dripping with sorrow and sheer fear.

“S-stay away!” It yelled.  “Keep away from me!  KEEP AWAY!”

When I looked back up, the clearing had grown substantially, and the statues had moved much farther away from each other.  The entire landscape for about 30 feet around it was...covered in ice. Just...all frozen, as if the statue willed it that way.  Or at least, the one on the right.  Cracks had grown out from where the blue gem lay, frost collecting on all sides of the statue.  But the other statue was completely unphased, not a crack or scratch on it. From it extended what looked like a miniature desert.

Amber shrugged. “We gotta grab it. Any plans?”

“Grab the yellow one, Amber,” I ordered quickly.  “I’ll go for the blue one.”  The rubies tugged on my hands, and I kneeled down, giving them a look I hoped was somewhat comforting.  “Go with Amber.  Beryl, Al, come with me.”

Amber nodded. “Hop on, little guys. We’ll nab ‘em and bubble ‘em, eh?” The rubies climbed into her arms and she buzzed off, carrying them towards the yellow gem.

I walked into the ice and felt the cold instantly.  It was strong and insistent, chilling not only my outside, but my inside as well.  Something about these abilities and those gems was so recognizable to me.  I kept going, slipping on ice patches while my colleagues floated above me.  I saw a blue glow ahead of me, unsheathing my whips in anticipation for an attack.  Beryl landed behind a large ice pillar, keeping herself hidden, and Alabaster landed next to me, changing back into their original form.

I approached the regenerating gem slowly.  It grew tall, its gem over its right eye, its form shifting with unnatural blotches of yellow, green, and pink.  The other eye was completely white and overflowing with strange blue tears, making streaks down the gem’s face.  My weapon dissolved in my hand and I stood straight up.

There, standing before me, was the mangled, corrupting form of a terrified blue tanzanite

CCCCCCCCCCCCCC

I was walking in a line with various other calcites, winding our way down the cold stone road of homeworld’s largest kindergarten.  Each of us had a ten gem load which we would plant today and oversee for the next month.  Our little bags jangled with high potential, and I smiled thinking of who would come out of my batch this time.

We arrived and claimed our stations, each with a ladder to get up to higher places.  We were making two vertical rows of five gems, a good amount of work for a single day.  It was worth it though.

By the end of the day I only had one gem left to plant.  It was a small purple tanzanite, a psychic gem, and a beautiful one at that.  Tanzanites were unpredictable, never knowing how they would come out.  I planted it carefully and did a quick sweep of my area, making sure nothing was out of place.  When I was sure everything was in order, I retreated to my temporary shelter nearby so I could keep an eye on the development of my future creations.

Every morning and evening I would check on the gems growing in the stone.  They seemed to be doing fine, all except the tanzanite.  I checked and double checked that I had put it in the right direction, the rock had been packed right, it was in the correct location, but all the conditions were right.  I brought it up with the other calcites near me, and they said that happens that sometimes; there was something wrong with the gem.  I brought it up with the supervisors as well, but they said the same thing.  All I could do was wait and hope.

The first gem to emerge was a large, happy amethyst.  I was barely able to talk to her before the jade who was leading the amethysts took her to begin her first task.  One after the other the gems popped into existence, each unique and beautiful.  After about three days, all of my gems had entered the world and begun to learn of their purpose.

All but the tanzanite.  It took another week and a half to get any response from the little gem.  This was the first time a gem had been difficult with me, and it was making me nervous.

Finally cracks formed in the rock where the little gem was planted.  I rushed out in anticipation, and the calcites around me gathered to see what would happen.  However, they didn’t share the usual happy expression of when other gems came out.  Many had looks of sadness, others looked morbidly curious, and some just looked frustrated.  I wrung my hands together while the gem emerged and formed.

Something was wrong.  The form shifted and flashed, not quite taking a solid shape as the gem looked up at me.  Pain was etched across all of their liquidy features, foggy tears fell to the ground, and they clawed around themselves, as if searching for something.  Their mouth moved, as if they were trying to say something but the words wouldn’t come out.

Two of the calcites on my left came and held the suffering person up.  There, on their stomach, was the small purple gem I had planted over a month ago.  I had done all I could for the little gem, cared for it the best I could, but looking at this miserable figure, I knew it hadn’t been enough.  A calcite on my right stepped forward with a knife, something all calcites had but hoped they never had to use.  The knife drew back, like a snake ready to strike, and thrust forward….right into the glittering violet tanzanite.

A scream pierced the air and etched itself in my memory forever.

I refused to carry one of those knives after that.

CCCCCCCCCCCC

In my hesitation, Alabaster charged, only to be sliced with a dagger and stumble.  The blue tanzanite held the dagger’s twin close to themselves, moving back until they were pressed against the statue that had held them.  Alabaster regained their footing and charged around to the tanzanite’s left.  Once again, they were met with a dagger, this time much deeper into their spikes.  They were about to charge once again, but I help up a hand.  I had snuck around behind the tanzanite, who was facing Al.

I heard quiet whispers in my mind as I got closer.  “No...please…where…away…who…afraid.”

“Can you hear me?” I asked in my mind, wanting to communicate safely and without interruption.  As much as I respect Al, I didn’t trust them not to intervene.

The blue tanzanite tensed, but didn’t turn around.  After a moment, I heard a quiet, “yes.”

“Were you watching my memories?”

A pause.  “Yes.”

I stood close to them, wondering who they are, how they had gotten here, and how they had gotten like this.  I asked myself so many questions I almost missed the soft sound of the tanzanite’s voice.

“Willa,” they whispered.

“What?” I questioned, curious by the strange word they had given me.

“I am Willa.”

A name.  It was a name.  An individual name.  Not Tanzanite, not Blue, not even an abbreviation of the two or shortened version of one.  It was a chosen name, though I didn’t know when they had chosen it.

I closed the gap between the shaking blue gem and myself, wrapping my arms around them from behind.  “I’m sorry,” I told them.

Willa seemed to relax just a bit and, out loud, in their soft voice, replied, “Thank you.”  And with that, they poofed.  My chest felt heavy as I picked up the shimmering blue gem and put it in a plastic bag.  I felt a slight prick in the corners of my eyes.

“Come on,” I said without bothering to make eye contact with Alabaster, “let’s go catch up with the others.”

I marched off towards the other side of the clearing, not caring if either of them were following me.

On the other side, Amber was in midair, struggling with her tiny wings against the powerful gusts of wind and sand swirling around us all. The closer I got, the harder it was to proceed.  I heard another voice in the back of my mind, but it was very different from Willa’s.  It’s high pitched, maniacal cackle pierced my thoughts as I pushed forward.