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Chapter Two

Finding Home

"Rose! I'm home!" I called out. The tall woman appeared behind the wall to the kitchen. "Hello Amethyst. Another long day?"

"Ugh, it was unbelievable. I had to clean, cook, and serve." I sat on the old red cushioned sofa. I looked around our little home. Our apartment was up a couple floors up in an apartment complex, deep in the city. Our home had a few rooms though. One bedroom, a kitchen, a closet, the living quarters, and a small praying area in the back corner. I slept on the sofa, while Rose got the bedroom. While I looked, Rose came and sat with me, holding me gently with her long arms. "I know it must be hard, but just keep going Amethyst."

"Yeah, well," I said, then tried to change the subject. "How many kids showed up today?"

Rose sighed and said, "Oh, only a handful. Not many more than yesterday."

Rose owned a small bakery, and she had a room in the back were she gave handouts to children who needed it. I try to help when I can, but I'm so busy at the palace that I hardly get to go. It was a hard life, but the two of us have managed to make a life, and since I'm not dead, I'd say it's worked out well so far.

Taking in a breath, I said, "I got to serve the emperor's daughter as well. Pearl. There was some fancy party and I served wine."

Rose eyed me suspiciously, her long red hair getting all over the place. Some of it got on my face, and I smelled its goodness. It smelled like bread and goodness. Like home and faith. Sometimes I forget that she is human, and not some angel, here to help anyone who needs it. Rose did like to cause mischief every now and then. "You mean, the 'greatest gift Jupiter has ever sent the people of Rome, and the marble statue of perfectness'. That Pearl?"

I could literally feel my face getting red, and I hid my shame. "Yes, that Pearl."

"Did you talk to her?"

"Uh, no I did not. She did ask for my name, but that's it," I said. As if the queen of my heart would talk to me. Please, give me a break. "Let's just drop it Rose. I was lucky to even get that."

Rose had her 'I don't want to drop it' face, but I looked away, too embarrassed to face her. How pathetic.

Anyways, Rose decided to drop it, and she left, retiring for the night. So there I sat, on my small red bed, a small fire my only source of light, and I just stared at the wall in front of me. For how long, well, only Cronos knew that.

XXXXXXXXX

'Bring the prisoner forward!' I bellowed. The court shook in fear, and the doors swung open, and two guards brought forth a man. I looked at him sweat. 'Do you admit to performing those crimes accused against you?"

The man shriveled, and slightly nodded his head. I smiled, "Then to death is your punishment.'

'Honey, is that really necessary?' A smooth voice asked. I looked to my right, to the throne beside me. 'Yes, it is necessary. This man has committed heresy.'

'Is giving your food a little too much salt 'heresy'?' Pearl asked, raising an eyebrow. I sighed, and weakly said 'no'. She laughed, and felt better. She then leaned in, her intense eyes with mine. 'No, it's not. So let's let this frightened man go, and back to the hard work that we hired him for. Is that alright?'

Another weak nod, and Pearl waved to the guards. They released the man, and sent him free. Pearl then gestured for everyone else to leave, and one by one they left. Soon it was just the two of us. Pearl gently grabbed my hand, and squeezed it. 'Amethyst, what is with you?'

'I…...just want to make you happy.'

'Sweetie, you already make me so happy.'

'Really?'

Pearl rolled her eyes and smiled. 'Yes you do. Now come here.' She brought me into a nice, warm kiss. I felt like I was on air clouds. And as I pulled out, I-

"Amethyst?" Rose violently woke me, and interrupting my nice dream. I sighed loudly, and rolled over. "Just five more minutes."

"Amethyst. Get up. Now." Rose demanded. I sighed again, and this time I reluctantly rolled off the sofa, and fell with a thud. Rose just looked down at me and rubbed her eye brows, but gave in and started laughing. "Don't be late to work now. I don't want a repeat of last time."

I shivered, thinking about last time, and jumped up. Rose looked embarrassed and covered her mouth with her face. She then pointed to me. "What's wrong?"

"Just look."

I complied and looked down. Only to see my naked body standing there, all exposed and covered in goose bumps. I squeaked and grabbed my blanket, holding it over my nude body. Rose gave a full laugh, then said goodbye as she left for the bakery.

I let the blanket fall when the door closed, and went into the kitchen to wash up. There was bowl of warm water sitting on the wooden counter, and I snatched a rag up, dipped it into the ceramic bowl, and wiped my face down. Next I scrubbed my plump breasts, went down to my stomach, then my legs. I also got my behind.

Finishing up, I went into the storage cabinet and found some bread and a chunk of cheese, both of which I devoured quickly. After eating, I went and found my stola, and put it on. Wrapping a piece of rope around my waist, I was now ready to take on the day.

I walked down the stone stairs and was outside, looking as the sun was on the verge of peaking the horizon. I could see the emperor's palace near the center of Rome. I gave my body one last stretch, then went off to work. Another miserable day of hell. But hey, maybe I'll get to see Pearl again.

I can dream, can't I?

XXXXXXXX

"Clean the hallways. They are a mess," Aeliana yelled at me. I mumbled some not very nice things under my breath, and went to the supply closet. Grabbing a mop and a pail of water, I began the long day by swiping the floors clean of all filth.

Now, the palace is quite large, and I had to do the eastern wing. It would take me hours to make it over to the western wing. Beginning to mop, I started to hum to myself. A lovely Roman tune sung to children. It was the only thing left that I can remember about my parents, them singing the lovely song to me before bed. Even their faces are gone. Just this song remains. Most people would think this to be sad, but I find it a way to give me energy. It is a reminder, that if you slow down, you forget. I don't want to slow down, to forget. So I move fast, and I sing my song.

But I'm getting carried away. Nothing really mattered right now except to clean these floors. Mop, mop, mop. Mop, mop, mop. My lovely tune turned into that. "Mop, mop, mop."

"My, I didn't know there were songs for mopping." A voice said, a voice I recognized. Since I was cleaning backwards, I had to turn around to see that standing behind me was Pearl. Pearl?! Shit, shit, I need to keep my composure, or else I'll look like a moron. I gave her a quick look over, and she was wearing a simple white gown, sandals, and her hair was all nice and neat. Trying to smile, I said, "Oh, I've created tons of cleaning songs."

Pearl giggled a little, her hand smoothing back her hair. "I bet those would make even Father's minstrels weep. Maybe you should show them a thing or two."

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "I didn't think I was all that good of a singer."

"Well, I thought you sounded really good."

"My mop song?"

"Yes," she laughed. "The mop song."

"Er-well, thanks." I shifted uncomfortably. "If you would excuse me now, I have to mop."

"Actually, I-" Someone called to Pearl, and she turned. "Oh. It seems I have to go. I enjoyed your song." And then she was gone.

I scream a girly scream inside my head, regained my serious face, then went back to mopping. I decided to sing a little louder while cleaning.

XXXXXXX

I walked into Rose's small bakery, and smelled the warm air. There was bread behind the counter, and I saw Rose there, selling some loaves to a loyal customer. As the woman was leaving, I said, "Are there any hungry customers in the back Rose?"

"Why yes. There are two teens. I have some day old loaves right here, if you want to go help them."

I nodded and grabbed the bread. I went to the small back room, and saw two girls I already knew: Ruby and Sapphire. Two teens like myself, growing up on the streets. They didn't really cared though. They loved each other.

"Hey guys. What's going on?" I asked, laying the bread on an old table. Ruby, her red clothing and short black hair dirty, came up and grabbed a loaf, ripping it in two. As she gave the other half to Sapphire, she kindly answered, "I found a garnet."

"What?"

"A garnet," Sapphire responded. She had a light blue outfit, her hair over her eyes. "Ruby found a small garnet in the road. We are going to sell it. Maybe feed us for a couple of weeks."

"That's great!" I exclaimed. I grabbed Ruby and gave her a tight hug. "I always enjoy seeing someone have some luck."

"Let me go," Ruby cried out. I dropped her, and Sapphire came up and gave her a small kiss. She brushed off some dirt of Ruby's arm, and said in her quiet voice, "Did you have a great day?"

"Don't laugh, but Pearl complimented my singing." I looked at both of them. Sapphire looked serious as normal, but Ruby began to laugh. Wiping at her eyes, Ruby said, "Wow Amethyst. You just made my day."

"Ruby, don't be mean," her lover said. "Let Amethyst fantasize over her crush. It's good to see her happy."

"But it's adorable." Ruby went and tugged on my hair. "Amethyst, you sap. Whenever you see a princess, you nearly trip over yourself to get a closer look."

I knew I did that, but I didn't need Ruby rubbing it in my face. "Oh please. Like I'd actually fall for Pearl."

"Really?" Ruby laughed. I nodded. "You got the wrong girl, Ruby. I was just feeling proud of myself. I told you guys I could sing."

Ruby and Sapphire looked at each other, then shrugged as one. "Alright. Whatever you say."

"Cool," I said. "Now, show me that garnet."