It was late in the day when Jamie, Beach City's resident mailman and hobbyist performer, managed to finish his route.
Hot, tired, and suffering from more than a few dog-related wounds, the weary young actor aspirant quickly began walking down the sandy shore to his favorite spot on the beach, eager to take a seat on his usual driftwood log and think about his next big stage production.
Hopefully not my next big flop.
He thought ruefully, remembering his sordid attempt at breaking into musical theater with, "Lions!: the musical"
A cold shudder went down his spine at the thought of that disaster. It would mark the last time he'd ever work with an animal, even if it was on Steven's recommendation.
With a contented sigh he sat himself down, all the stress of his job slowly evaporating away as he relaxed and set his mind to work.
Alright Jamie, just pick a thread and see where it leads.
He told himself as he looked up at the night sky, pondering upon each twinkling star and what stories they might have to tell, Running through his knowledge of symbolism, legends, and science to try and glean meaning from the sparkling canvas.
"What do stars do?"
He asked softly, as if posing the question aloud might yield some response from the vast, lonely, skies.
"They burn."
Came a dull, somewhat monotone female voice beside him
Startled, the mailman whipped his head towards the source of this unexpected answer.
That was when his eyes were met with a hunched figure of a beautiful young woman, with vibrant blue skin and hair, staring back at him through bored, half-lidded eyes.
He stared, dumbstruck for a moment and wondering just how he could have missed such a striking and unique creature.
Was this another one of the Crystal Gems? Wouldn't he have seen her with Steven if that was the case?
"Uhhhh.." Was all Jamie could utter before she spoke up again.
"They burn up pretty much anything that comes near them, including gem ships."
She stated stoically with an unsettling degree of certainty in her voice.
"Umm...right, sorry, I thought I was alone."
He stuttered out, blushing and attempting to look away.
"Hm" Was all she said in response, her placid gaze shifting towards the vast, and somber ocean.
"So, why are you out here asking about stars?"
That question gave Jamie some pause, He was very passionate about his plays, but was also a bit nervous about sharing that passion with anyone but his closest friends, especially after he'd made such a fool of himself in front of his supposed love Garnet.
Still, he hardly had any better explanations for sitting at the beach and staring off into space.
"I'm trying to figure out a subject for my next show."
Her interest seemed to peak slightly at the word "show".
"So, a show about stars? Is it in space or something like that?"
An amused smile played across Jamie's features as he heard the question, almost instinctively shelving the idea.
"Pfft, Like Mayor Dewey would ever give me the budget for something like that."
"Well, it could be, But I was thinking about it more, symbolically."
That seemed to get the mystery woman's attention, as she turned to face him, an inquisitive expression clear on her face.
Taking heart at her apparent interest Jamie continue, his former hesitation cast aside as he began his descent into the "drama zone" as he called it.
"To some it might be a symbol of hope, of good luck and faith, They can form constellation that make symbols with their own meaning, they can portend great change or terrible sorrow."
With every statement he seemed to grow more and more emboldened, soon punctuating each statement with an showy gesture of his hands.
"We've looked to them for centuries in blessed ignorance and wantonness, silently wondering who might be waiting for us in that vast expanse beyond."
The young mailman turned to his new companion, Thinking of how being a gem she represented the great unknowable mysteries beyond the stars.
All the while he made certain to subtly study her face, searching for some sign of approval or disappointment in her features.
"Hm" She replied, not quite dismissively but still in a placid and passionless tone.
Immediately Jamie felt his heart sink, self doubt slowly creeping into his mind as he wondered, as he often did, if he'd laid it on too thick for the audience in question.
Still, he managed to put all his considerable years of theater school to use and kept his disappointment from being too apparent.
"So, what are you up to out here this late? If you don't mind mind me asking."
She shifted slightly, somewhat reluctant to answer his question.
"To be alone, actually."
She admitted, her cheeks turning a darker shade of blue as she spoke.
"Oh" Was all Jamie managed to stutter out in response.
"I-I should probably go then."
He stated as he climbed off his log, Suddenly very self aware and uncomfortable knowing he'd barged in on this woman when she was trying to find some solitude.
However, just before he was able to jog over toward the road and start the long walk back home, His new companion spoke up again.
"Alright, Thanks for the talk."
The practicing thespian blinked quietly in surprise, completely baffled as to why the woman who'd stated she wanted to be alone was thanking him for keeping her company.
"Uhm, you're welcome, I'll see you around I suppose."
He replied, smiling awkwardly and giving a quick wave goodbye before quietly heading back into the night.
The deep blue alien silently waved at the mailman's retreating form, the faintest ghost of a smile tugging across her lips as she watched him disappear into the darkness.
"I hope so." She said wistfully as she gazed up at the stars with a newly found appreciation.