The rhythmic whirring of the ship was the only thing Lapis could hear as she sat in her cramped cell, the bright yellow field preventing her from escape obscuring her vision. Her existence on this vessel was a lonely one; her captors rarely paid attention to her, and when such a blessing did occur, they spoke only to tease her and remind her of her undesirable situation. Nevertheless, the ocean gem went on with her life, breathing and existing, driving herself insane staring at the walls surrounding her. She was useless here. Worthless. Meaningless. Pathetic, as Jasper had once informed her.

Voices collided with her ears like a tsunami to a tranquil shore. The slender gem bit her lip anxiously, feeling her own breath involuntarily speeding up as the utterances neared her. Lapis' thoughts raced with the realization that they would soon approach her, temporarily destroying her confidence yet again. I should be used to this by now. I should be used to this. This happens every-

"Lazuli!" The innocent's train of thought came to a screeching halt as the most robust of the three gems on the ship advanced towards her, a wide smirk turning up the corners of her lips. Lapis jumped in response to the deafening wail, crossing her arms behind her back and closing her eyes instinctively in order to protect herself and her gem. The smaller of the two aggressors, an emerald green peridot with broad leg enhancers, kept her rightful place in the background of this scene, tapping her foot anxiously as she attempted to avoid eye contact with the others. Jasper, on the other hand, took great pleasure in the fearful reaction that came from the vividly blue gem.

"Are you scared? How cute," the provoker barked, thrusting an arm through the barrier that had separated them. The smaller of the two gasped, backing up in one quick movement and nearly falling. She leaned against the back wall of her miniature prison, aquamarine eyes wide in shock and fear. This was further than the other had ever gone before. This was bad. Very bad.