Connie struggles to grip over what happened, but meets some newly arrived gems.

Seeing him emaciated like that struck major chords in her heart.
His earlier sacrifices were nothing like seeing him there, pale, sweat and in fear and pain and...dying.

She was seeing him slowly dying in front of her. No Steven branded optimism meant he was shed of hope.
Not to mention the Pink version of him on how emotionless and uncaring it was to its surroundings. A fiery pulse of anxiety spread from her aching heart. She had faith he could do this, but not without her help. He was still there, but had the faintest of heartbeats. It like when Yellow had almost killed him before and she'd hoped perhaps he'd reach out to her like he normally would in these situations. But he opened his eyes, she could see the rawest part of his soul laid to bare. It didn't matter to her what he'd become, she would take care of him no matter what, on no uncertain terms and even if she had to tell him a million times. His first instinct was to find his gem.

White Diamond let go of it as it moved and glowed. It displayed the form she remembered in Stevonnies dream, then the form she thought back to the picture in Stevens house. Then Steven himself. She had hoped of his smiles and his passions, defending others and helping them with his powers with a huge grin on his face to show he was ready for it, would shine through.

But hearing Pink Stevens roared terrified her and the power it displayed was like a side of Steven she's never seen before. She was terribly wrong.

Connie had read about heroes who could be calm, being that eye in the storm. This was Steven's power in its rawest form. While Connie was his sword arm, this was the purest shield arm of Steven, unrestrained by morals and compassion. Deleted of all that made Steven him and his very core. But she could detect the slightest anger in his fury. Seeing Steven writing in agony could be that he feel what this form feels and might be horrified to let this side of himself being seen. She's seen him angry before, but not like this.

She was determined to help. She was the only who could. She picked him up, knowing exactly what needed to happen. It didn't matter to her how it could, but the two Stevens had a one track mind to get to each other again. Connie would be the one to carry him there.

White grew frustrated with Pink Stevens refusal to let her help him be...what she believed to be his true self. Evidence surrounded her that the way she saw the ward of self, as to be like her, cleansed of color and impurities. This was Steven not being himself to begin with at all, so who knows how that could turn out. Then the beams of light from the other gems almost blinded her, then she felt the ground shake from the Diamonds falling over, as well as the other gems.

Her heart skipped a beat as Steven pleaded for his Pink self to stop hurting others. More credence to the fact that this was simply his form taking what she can recall, a heroic safe mode.
There was a struggle to get him there, but that was the burden she wanted to hold. No, not a burden. A pain they could share. It was the least she could do.
The Pink Stevens focus went to her in a split second, giving a shiver down her spine. She gave him to the form before her, feelings warm fingers on the back of her hand and stood back, seeing a small smile on Steven's face and prayed for the best.

It was an anxious moment, confusing her as to what would happen in this regard as the world seemed to freeze for an eternity before she saw Steven embracing, well, himself and started to laugh. Another freeze as Pink Steven said nothing and stared at her again. Like he recognized who she was. Time moved forward with the huge grin that he formed. A wordless thank you?

He then danced and twirled around with himself, with laughter filling the tense void, as Connie could feel the aura around her, giving her sense of joy and relief as they were surrounded by light and as they fused.

But she had to make sure of one thing.

She had to make sure he was indeed himself.

"I've always been me."

Since then, it was hard to get back to life they had before. Between catching up with school and helping healed gems, there was a lot to be done with little down time.
Her parents of course, were a little wary of what stories she had to tell about her experiences on Homeworld. She didn't lie, but she did avoid some key points that they didn't have to know about. Like, Steven almost dying...

Why this affected her the most of all the times death was on their doorsteps. She didn't understand it. They got back together again and Steven was more okay than ever before and most importantly the faith and love in himself became apparent in the way he cried tears of jubilation instead of tears of pain and sadness...but...her stomach would wrench at the thought of his struggles.

She couldn't prevent much, simply because she was human, a pet in the eyes of the elite gems. No real power. Even Bismuths new sword wasn't enough. She was in way over her head. But it didn't stop her from trying.

One day, in the snowy outskirts of Beach City, she had set herself up to train alone with the new sword Bismuth had made for her. It was slight less heavy than Rose's sword, but that might have been because Connie's upper body strength had improved in recent months. An image of a bulky Connie amused her, but she needed to be ready for any new threats that could pose to them. Not that there had been much. The renewed gems had much to learn. Some wanted to return to Homeworld, some...helped out in Beach City itself, but it took a while for most to grasp simple concepts like the economy and human gestures. Some even turned up at her school, wanting to learn more. She hung out with a few, helping tutor them. It was...kind of nice being the one they could depend on. Being a teacher, instead of the student.

For someone who previously didn't want to be alone, there were those precious moments in between where being on her own allowed her to clarify her own thoughts and feelings and to continue her own developments and pursuits. Of course, she wouldn't mind others being there, but she understood more of the message of her being her own self, being free.
Other parts continued to bother her. She'd be worried about the future of course, but that wasn't it. Something that constantly pecked at her mind.

She ignored it, citing that if it's not a thought she could explain, she could bide her time until the thoughts arranged themselves into something legible.

It wasn't until she heard the whispers nearby.

She stopped for the moment, only hearing the subtle cold winds surrounding her. She found this area a great place to train despite the cold since it was relatively flat, not to mention the abandoned building nearby where she would go and change into her training clothes. Pearl mentioned to her once that it's good to listen to the peace and quiet and in an area where it's deathly still , one could properly hear ones heartbeat. Or in gem terms, listening to themselves.

Hearing so many voices distracted her from her own and that to hear her own again, she needed this seclusion. Gems did occasionally, from what she understood.
But these..whispers...they weren't in her voice. They were something else.

"Hello? Who's there?" She asked. She could hear feet pattering in the snow nearby as she readied herself, cling her sword with both hands in front of her.

Someone had to be watching her. She had her ears honed in, allowing her track movements nearby. Unless these were the voices that Pearl talked about.
No, that's a gems version. Connie was human. This was more important to understand.

Her training her senses became intrinsic to her development. Especially if she has to fight again one day. She can't imagine anything worse than fighting the Diamonds.
Pearl once noted that human senses of touch, smell, taste, sight and hearing were a bit different to gems for obvious reasons, but for things like touch, had considerable contrasts given the biology of both species. Like the wind could chill to the bone if it was powerful enough. Minute details that could perhaps be more felt to humans than gems could even begin to fathom.
She could have left the area to go home as it become clear that shadows were following her, as she felt too uncomfortable, but...
The whispers pleaded her not to.

It was then she heard growls. Oh no...wolves? Since when were there wolves around here? They echoed around her as shadows spun around her. Fear struck her briefly before she gritted her teeth and prepared herself for the worst.

"You want to come eat me? Come on then! I'll taste bad, I promise you!" Connie called out.

It was then she could see a dark grey creature pounce before her. It looked like a wolf but...
It had unusual blue glowing patches and purple eyes. Connie readied her blade but. She could see a small gem on its chest.

"Is that, another gem monster?" She wondered.

Most had already been cured, then maybe they expected to miss a few in the meantime, but...

The two had a stand off for some time, without budging. The whispers returned. Connie had flashbacks to the weird noises she heard in White Diamonds ship.
It was then it walked closer to her. It didn't seem hostile at this point as the growls disappeared. If anything else, it seemed interested in her.
Connie took a deep breath as it sniffed her sword, then it sniffed Connie. It really was just like...some weird dog thing.
It was odd. Wolves from her understanding would give the chance to hunt the prey and a moment of weakness would strike them. But this one had a bit of a curious streak in it, getting her scent for an odd purpose.

She went to go touch it, to feel its fur. It reminded her of Lions mane...but then...

LABRADORITE!

A chilling voice that echoed in her mind.

The gem jerked in motion, rising its head and tail in unison to the voice.

She then saw a white cloaked figure with a cowl appear behind from one of the trees and made their way to the wolf. As soon as they approached it, they took out their hand to pat it.

"Silly girl, I thought I told you not to go wandering off like that. You're going to scare people!" She said.

Her voice was soothing however, this tall, snow and ice brimming being. She then looked at Connie who could then see her curved white hair pouring out from the sides of her hood onto the chest of her, seemingly, possibly warmer cloak. Connie couldn't see most of her face as half it was was covered by the cowl, but the lower half showed off her black lips...reminding her so much of White Diamond.

Connie loosened herself and felt her anxiety fading as she thought she was going mad with this. But at the same time, grew enamored with their appearance.
They looked at Connie and grinned.

"I am sorry, Dori has a habit of going off on her own when she tracks something that interests her." She said to her.

Connie looked at the wolf...or possibly wolf gem as it sat next to the tall, striking being. Experiences told Connie who she really was, once she connected the obvious pieces. She smiled to ease the awkwardness between them.

"It's okay, I kind of panicked myself. Not everyday you that you meet a friendly wolf...or...gem..." Connie stated.

The other gem rested her hand on her chest, albeit surprised.
"Astute observation for a human." She replied.
"But yes, Labradorite is my beloved companion, despite orders for her to remain hidden you see..."

She then patted Dori repeatedly, who continued to stare at Connie with a blank expression. It instantly reminded her of Pink Steven, including the unknown whispers.

"I see you're well versed into our kind. I suppose I could share a bit about myself." She said, before she removed her cowl.

Her gem was situated on her forehead, though, unusual in shape with only two facets. Her hair wasn't overly poofy like she was used to seeing. It was a whitish blonde. Her iris was a milky white that radiated a calmness to them and her nose had an elegant point.

"My name is Snow Quartz."

The young human grinned.

"Nice to meet you Snow Quartz. My name is Connie. Have you come to see how the gems here are doing?" She asked.

This human was very switched on. She must have been involved with the various affairs on Earth and on Homeworld in the reports she had received. One report stressed each human had individual names. While her name was Connie, she had to get the image out of her head that there were variants of her species called that.
For all the humans she had studied thus far, she could see why Labradorite had an interest in this one. The sword she carried was definitely of gem origin.

Snow Quartz put her fingers to her mouth, noting confusion on her end as she stifled through her mind for a proper answer.
"Oh...well, yes and no." She answered.

Well done Snowy.

"I mean, I guess. How much do you know about our kind?"

The two sat down on a log nearby as they chatted about recent events. She needed more information from this human, but she knew, in all fairness, and from what trade she had learned from other species, she didn't expect to get something for nothing. She could feed Connie what she asked for, in return for the expression of the world before her.
Snow revealed her purpose, was indeed to study and retain data for Homeworld. About life on numerous planets, about numerous scientific research and how that was that she was created for.

Connie was amazed and if anything else, noted her jealousy that a gem like her existed. Someone who just wanted to discover and find out all that is new, exotic, fresh and exquisite. She compared her to walking recorder crossed with an encyclopedia. The more Snow thought about it, it did sound like she was.
But then Connie explained her what had happened here and despite all the phenomenon, had much more of an understanding of gem kind than Snow even expected her to.

"You surprise me." Snow commented.
"This entire place surprises me. I was going to do work from afar, but this has been an enlightening experience. A new road for Gem kind."

A new road indeed.

"Humans also benefit." Connie continued.
"Recent events have been a catalyst for our species to start treating each other better. Maybe you should meet the Crystal Gems! I'm sure they'll want to meet you!"

Her eyes widened.
The Crystal Gems? The ones from the rebellion? The reports only talked about ceasefire on the planet, but made no mention of the group that supposedly shattered Pink Diamond. But they did say Pink was found alive and still on the Earth colony, which was a relief. Only one point was made in the last points.
Pink Diamond was to be called Steven. No exceptions.

Odd as it may be, Connies suggestion seemed harmless. But speaking to their leader could open doors for her.

"THE Crystal Gems? I uhhh, well, I suppose. They're not gonna try and shatter me on sight, are they?" Snow queried. She's had a few planets under her belt were local life wasn't quite as friendly, but in her eyes these Gems were barbaric and ruthless. So the reports said.

But a laugh escaped Connies lips.

"Of course not! At least, I don't think so. I mean, you have nothing to worry about. They're my friends." She said.

Friends? Oh dear. Connie was a smart girl. She'd rather much hang around with her personally than other Gem kind. She was used to interacting with newer species than her own. Besides Labradorite obviously.

"I'll honor you to it Connie. But first. Dori, you need to lay low. Keep your invisibility on until I say otherwise. Remember the last group of humans we bumped into? They went off screaming before I had the chance to explain myself." Snow told her pal.

Dori whimpered, before she looked at Connie and seemingly vanished. She wouldn't listen occasionally unless in was battle. She often liked to do her own thing in their downtime. There had been...previous incidents prior the screaming men in the river.

Beach City was a calm yet bustling place. Snow kept her cowl on and made sure Dori didn't go too far. She knew where Dori was due to the gems nature. She often instigated a clicking noise that would reveal Dori's location, or at least her gems location. But Snow found that there were lots of gems here. More than Snow was comfortable with. They walked down the streets, with Snow wary of the world around her. She was so close but so far, with so many gems and humans interacting with one another. It was...peculiar as she made mental notes, describing the scenery.

I didn't think adaption like this would be possible. The war ended not long ago, surely there has to be some hurdles in all of this.
Hundreds of worlds that I've been to, their strife... I could never understand...but the peace here is almost serene. A warmth compared to the brightest stars. Current temperatures notwithstanding.

This... Connie, fearless as she may be, attracted Dori for a reason. I'm sensing it too.

A van drove by them and parked beside them. The door opened, revealing a human male with an odd mane.
"Connie, going my way?" He asked.
The human smiled warmly at her. She knew this one, another friend?
Connie nodded at him.
"Oh hi Mr. Universe. Yeah I am, mind giving us a lift?" She asked.

This, Mr. Universe looked at Snow, who was wary of this type of kindness.
"Who's this?" He questioned.

Oh dear.

"This is another gem who wants to see the others. Her name is Snow Quartz." Connie said.

Snow had to put her hand over the girls mouth to keep her silent.

"Connie, shh please. Just call me Snow. It's fine...uhhh nice to meet you." She said.

The girl shivered from the gems cold hand. She jerked it back and tried to smile through the nerves. Mr. Universe basically was left scratching his head, as shrugged and told them to get on. Snow then clicked her tongue as the van shook briefly. Dori didn't know the meaning of subtle unfortunately.

Connie sat in the front as Snow and Dori got in the back as they drove off. She noted the primitive vehicles design, albeit noting that its of average human design.
"So...uh...Snow..." Said Mr. Universe, to break the ice.
"Come from Homeworld I take it?"

Does everyone here have this much advanced knowledge and structure? She'd kill to take at look their archives. This place had much more history than she originally believed. No wonder they thought this place was special.

"Yes Mr. Universe. I am here on a mission of my own. I mean no harm to the people here." She answered.
She's had to get that point across on many occasions. Not all were successful however.

"Please call me Greg." He told her.
"But it's nice to meet a new gem that won't attack us for a change. Heh...hasn't happened in a long time...well, not since..well, you know..."

Hostile gems. Hmm...maybe that's what made everyone angry to begin with. Gems treating them badly? A idea surely heretical, one putting into their minds of the sorrows of other creatures. Snow Quartzes have fallen into melancholy of their work before but have been not able to do anything about it. It wasn't the first time this Snow Quartz had the idea in her head...each time no action was lifted. But now...

"Oh...ummm well thanks?" She replied to the comment, unsure of how she should have responded.

They arrived at their destination as they approached the strange building or rock formation. Greg spoke with Connie before they proceeded, but Snow was so entranced by the aspects of this place, appearing as a large monument of sorts. The report did speak of this as some kind of temple. It fascinated greatly.
She felt Dori nuzzle her hand briefly as Connie went to her other side. It snapped her out of her trance as they went inside.

Connie knocked on the door, as Snow stood behind her. They waited briefly, before the door was opened. Before them was a short, purple gem. Snow knew this one was an Amethyst as her eye locked in with the gem on her chest.

"Oh hey Concon, Stevens in the bathroom, he should be out...shortly..." The Amethyst told her as her voice trailed, noticing Snow behind her.
"Who's that?"

The human did her usual, warmhearted introductions.

"Hi Amethyst this is Snow! Snow this is Amethyst. I recommended her to meet you guys." Connie told her.

The Amethyst dragged Connie inside, before she approached Snow, eyeing her up and down as she stood still outside the building. She didn't move as the gem sniffed her out. Reminded her of Dori in a way, except more vocal.

"Snow huh? You're not selling anything are you? Rules are no door-to-door salesmen, hawkers or...creepy white gems with their faces covered are allowed here."
Amethyst warned her.

Snow raised her hand in front of her mouth.
"Oh...sorry if I'm intruding." She said. Last thing she wanted to do was antagonize them.
"Do I have to book an appointment or..."

Connie shook her head and furrowed her brows at Amethyst.
"She's only joking. Is it okay if she comes inside? She only wants to talk." The human asked her.

The purple gem rolled her eyes and blew her hair out of her face as she crossed her arms.
"Pfft...what ever...I'm not gonna take responsibility if this place goes on the market...I'll let Pearl and Garnet deal with that." She said.

Connie and Snow exchanged glances, with Connie giving a slight nod to allow her in.

As Amethyst walked away, Connie and Snow sat down on the couch nearby. Dori was nearby, behaving thankfully.
Snow was upright and kept her hands in her lap. She was nervous, being in the presence of the infamous Crystal Gems. The place looked like it was more for humans than it was for gems however.
She heard a few bangs, seeing Amethyst banging on a nearby door.

"Hey, Connies here with some weird gem lady. They're out here if you wanna see them, I'll be in my room if stuff turns south." She said.

"Oooo oooo okay, hang on, just...ow..." A young voice called out.

Amethyst laughed.
"Relax, put on your pants slowly man, they're not going anywhere..." She said as he put her hands behind her head, giggling herself before she disappeared behind her door.

The aura here was strong, that was of no doubt as Snow tapped her leg with her index finger. Was this the leader she was going to meet?
Shortly after out came a young human boy that she didn't recognize.

"Oh hey Connie, hi...new...lady...person..." He said.

Connie was so excited to bring Snow to him as she pulled her off the couch and greeted him.
"Snow I want you to meet Steven! Steven this is Snow!" She said so enthusiastically.

Steven...no...wait...Pink Diamond? Snow freaked out as she didn't what to expect. This was Pink Diamond herself now?
"Oh my, I'm so sorry I didn't recognize you my Diamond! Please forgive me! I'm the Snow Quartz allocated to this planet!" She stammered as she gave him the diamond salute and went on her knees. Last thing she wanted to do was outright disrespect a superior.

"Word gets around fast doesn't it?" Steven said with a giggle. He then put his hand on her shoulder.
"Relax, just call me Steven. You don't need to do any of that fancy Diamond stuff around me."

Snow had to re jumble her thoughts around. Relax? Around a superior? It'd be hard. She took a deep breath and removed her cowl.
It was then his eyes changed to stars as he eyes widened.
"Wait, did you say Snow Quartz? The adventuring gem?" He said as he looked around her face.

Did...never mind...they did say to try and keep an open mind. She had to humor him.

"Yes." She answered as she stood back up.

He got unusually giddy for what ever reason, though it was an honour to be appreciated. White Diamond never mentioned she would be observing Pink though. How unorthodox. In the road to era 3, the path that had to be paved would be full of redesigns and alterations in a sense. Was this it?

He looked around, as if looking for something.
"Where's the other gem? They say you have another gem protecting you?" He asked her.

Dori? Snow laughed with anxious undertones. Her own sword arm that she could barely control.

"My Labradorite? Oh she's aro- oh no..." She said, noticing Steven being nudged slightly.

He became wary of something unknown touching him, but laughed as it began to tickle him.
"Hey...stop..." Steven cried out in the middle of his laughs.

Snow placed her hand on her face. Typical Dori.

"You can uncloak yourself now." She ordered.

Soon, the wolf gem became visible in a blur as Steven suddenly gasped.

"DOGGY GEM! This is great!" He exclaimed.

Though Snow was stunned how Dori wagged her tail as Steven patted her and was on the receiving end of her licks. But then she looked at Connie, who was standing there with a intriguing smile on her face. One she had observed on humans faces before. It got her pondering as to Connies intentions with him. But if anything else, Snow was a bit more at ease here, more than any other place she had visited. She piqued interest on how it got to this point, where so many other places had failed.

"Where most Diamonds would instill their subordinates with fear and punishing torts, he is a leader that conjures an unusual camaraderie with others. Rare but with a bit of naivete from previous observations." She commented.

"It's less leading, more of letting him do his thing. Works most of the time." Connie joked.

As was once described of Pink Diamond herself. That much was getting clearer to her by the moment.

"I see, well then...Dori that's enough." Snow ordered.
"Make yourself scarce."

Dori whined for the moment, before shimmering her form away, much to Steven's dismay.
"I have business to discuss, if you don't mind."

It was odd talking to him like this. Steven seemed to understand her motives for being here and was exuberant in letting her observe them, although he held more regards for stories regarding her times on other worlds. In fact he was pleading at one point to tell him at least one story. One amazing story that would blow their minds? Not literally...but they would have the right idea of it. Although some stories could be literally mind blowing. She would have to avoid those. Humans were fragile after all.

"Oh very well, I suppose I have time for one story..." She said, as Steven and Connie sat on the couch, eager to listen to her.
What story could be more important for them to know? To get a message across to them?
"Let's see...oh, how about about I told the story of the shadows of the Lillim?"