Homeworld was a world full of gems, full of life, and full of possibilities. These possibilities, of course, were only truly for those with the money or status to collect them.

This meant every other average gem had to work their asses off to get anywhere.

It's why Jasper was so proud of what she had built over the years. Very few gems of her kind could say that they started from the bottom and still obtained some sort of infamy or notoriety. Though, to be fair, her infamy was not necessarily applauded by others in her community.

Jasper had worked on the streets of sector G589 for most of her life. She was not the usual type that flaunted her wares on the walkways, and she liked to think that that was one of her reasons for success in a world that usually ended in cracked gems, imprisonment, and even in slavery. That, and she was one of the biggest gems in the industry and would not hesitate to crush a gem should they try anything she didn't approve.

This attitude brought her more costumers, not less, and a majority of them were looking for a companion that would dominate. Most of them were gems in high stress positions in Yellow Diamond's army, gems that were regularly required to enforce laws and carry of punishments. Gems who ordered people around, and gems who just needed to release their control.

These wealthy customers' business helped make her name, and their money helped build her business.

And that is why she was now the Matron of "The 4C's"—one of the most prominent and well respected brothels on Homeworld.

It was mainly so well thought of because Jasper took keeping her gems safe VERY seriously and had cracked quite a few gems that came through the doors thinking they could do what they wanted with her workers.

She was no longer working as a mistress herself, but she was there all the time, making sure her gems were treated well, being properly booked, and even doing heavy lifting jobs and maintenance around the building.

Which is why it was such a surprise when a sour looking older gem asked, quite bluntly, "How much are you?" while she was laid out underneath the front lobby's console, trying to fix the wretched thing herself before sending out a work order.

Jasper blinked slowly, thinking she had heard wrong. "Excuse me?" Her voice had a dangerous edge to it. Pushing herself out from under the console and standing to her full height, she glowered down at him. "What did you say?"

Her considerable height barely registered with the much shorter gem. He rolled his eyes and clicked his tongue. "I said, how much?"

Jasper frowned. "I am not for sell," she started, her hands on her hips. "I am this establishments proprietor." She shook off her desire to say something harsh, but that wouldn't be a good business practice when dealing with a new client.

The newcomer said nothing, so Jasper continued. "My receptionist is gone today so I'm doing the booking." She tapped the other console and a holo-screen blinked on. "I'm sure we can find you someone perfect." Jasper began to type, bright symbols scrolling across the holo-screen. "So what are you looking for, sir?"

"It's not for me." He stated simply and Jasper sighed in exasperation. "And my client was quite clear." He looked so bored with the whole thing—it made Jasper's blood boil. "She wants the strongest and biggest one you've got." Jasper grumbled, typing again, looking up as a series of pictures and figures appeared in front of them.

"I'm sure we can find your client someone that's very fitti—"

"They won't do." He said flatly, cutting her off as he scanned over the selection She had pulled up. Jasper had to start mentally counting to 10 so she wouldn't deck him.

There were always difficult customers, but Jasper had not run into one in a long while. Most were very willing to take her recommendations. No one had ever been this stubborn, and it wasn't even for himself!

"Well these are who I have that fit your clients desires." Her scowl was deepening as she watched him scan the selection again without so much as a hint of interest.

"I believe you have one that is not up there." He looked at her pointedly.

"I will say it only one more time-I am not on the menu, runt."

"And I will only say this once. My client is very specific and she knows exactly what she wants." He points to the screen. "These will not do. Her tastes are very—dark, Matron, and she wishes to explore them on someone she will not hurt. She is very aware of your dominating history."

Jasper actually gaped at this. "I don't teach classes," she growled, slamming her fist down on the console. The screen blinked off, and she briefly worried she had broken this one too.

The gem laughed coldly. "Oh she is not in need of a teacher, Matron, only a pet."

The flush that raced across her face caused her red markings to disappear. "I think you need to leave." she said, shaking. She was ready for this impudent stranger to leave and let her get back to work.

He chuckled. "Very well. Here's the information for the 'appointment' she wanted to book. This also has on it the amount she is willing to pay. If you change your mind, she would like you to be in her chambers at the time listed. She will be there after her meeting tomorrow." He handed over a small slip of paper, turned on his heel and sauntered out the door as though that were his business and not hers.

She felt like she wanted to just rip up the paper and chase the gem down—maybe set fire to his pompous head.

That was until she looked down at the amount of money the client was looking to pay.

She blinked owlishly down at the neat handwriting, floored at both the audacity and the generosity.

She must have been there for a while because she was brought out of her thoughts by one of her workers—a short green gem, with swept back hair and a perpetual sour face. Despite her demeanor, Peridot was a favorite among the techies.

She hadn't even heard her enter the front room until the shorter gem touched her arm. Jasper started, turning to look down at her.

"What in the heavens has you so far away?" Peridot asked, her eyebrow arched in curiosity. "We've been watching you for like 5 minutes…Frell, we even called your name."

Jasper looked over to the hallway entrance and was surprised to see 2 more of her girls staring at her. The tall and lanky one tutted and came over, followed closely by a shorter purple one.

"Matron, what just happened." Her eyes widened suddenly. "Did you have to hurt someone? We heard you talking—" Jasper held up her hand to quiet her.

"Nothing like that Pearl." She looked back down at the slip of paper, which made everyone's eyes travel to it too.

"Oooo, what is THAT!?" Amethyst reached up and grabbed Jaspers thick wrist and pulled it down, laughing as Pearl squawked indignantly at her treatment of their boss. Jasper only chuckled. Amethyst's eyes went huge. "THEY'RE PAYING HOW MUCH!?" Pearl leaned over to get a good look and gasped. "Hey, I'll happily take this one Mama Jas,"

Peridot pushed her out of the way. "No way. She'll give it to whoever she thinks is compatible with the client. You know this Amethyst." Amethyst stuck her tongue out at the taller gem who reciprocated, her face still deadpan. This caused Amethyst to devolve into a fit of giggles.

Pearl looked at the paper again, then up at Jasper. "So who did they want?"

Jasper blushes lightly and looked away. "Me." She grumbled.

Amethyst's laughing stopped, and she and Peridot turned wide eyes up to their boss. As long as they had been there, they had never had someone offer that much money, let alone offer it for a night with the Matron.

"Soooo…" Amethyst pushed. "What are you gonna do, Boss Lady?"

Jasper looked back at them. "I have no idea."