Aventurine turned sharply on her heel and began to walk away. There were several whispers among the other gems. Whispers of "what if she led an ambush here," "what if she's trying to lower our guard," "why else would an Aventurine be on Earth," and other suspicious comments.
Aventurine continued walking, silent. It wasn't long before she was out of earshot. Unfortunately, out of earshot left her open to ambush.
And ambushed she was.
A Bismuth leapt out of a tree, fully intending to hit Aventurine. Aventurine barely had time to dodge, but she managed.
"Homeworld gems don't belong here." The Bismuth spat.
Aventurine could feel her knees shaking. If she wasn't sworn to silence, she would be stuttering horribly. Oh my stars. I'm going to be shattered while carrying a message. Wait! Let her know you have a message! She might not shatter you then!
Aventurine covered her mouth and shook her head. Please don't shatter me!
"You think that's gonna stop me?" The Bismuth raised her hammer hands. "Even if you're sworn to silence, you still don't belong here."
Aventurine felt her eyes water. I don't want to be shattered! I want to go home! I want to be back on homeworld!
The Bismuth charged her. Aventurine stumbled backwards, tripping on a tree root and falling against a large rock. As Bismuth came down on her, Aventurine found herself resorting to an atrocity.
She felt water pour out her eyes when she locked vision with the gem in front of her. Bismuth's expression was of pure shock.
Aventurine abandoned her silence. "I'm sorry!"
Bismuth's gem fell to the ground, and Aventurine's dagger disappeared. Tears flooded down her cheeks as she picked up the Bismuth gem. "I'm so sorry..."
Aventurine wiped her eyes quickly and stood. A traitor to homeworld. In my hands. Would my diamond be pleased? Absolutely. She pressed the gem between her palms. Waiting for it to crack. To simply shatter between her hands. Break.
And then her hands loosened, and she looked back along the path she had traveled. Why should I shatter you? After all, I was going to beg for you to spare me. Why shouldn't I do for you what I wanted you to do for me?
Aventurine hugged the gemstone against her chest and ran back along the path. Don't let me be shattered, don't let me be shattered, don't let me shattered!
The Crystal Gems were talking in some sort of meeting when she ran in, tears pouring down her cheeks again.
Rose Quartz was visibly surprised. "Aventurine?"
Aventurine clenched her jaw and held the Bismuth gem out. Every gem gasped loudly, and murmurs began to spread about shattering Aventurine.
"Speak, Aventurine. We're not going to harm you, and we certainly aren't going to tell the Diamonds." Rose gently took Bismuth's gem.
"I'm sorry!" Aventurine wailed. "She startled me and I didn't know what to do!" She hiccuped. "I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!"
Then she felt a hand on each shoulder. "It's alright. You were attacked and did what was necessary to protect your life. There's nothing wrong with that." Aventurine looked up into Rose Quartz's eyes. "Thank you for bringing her here. We will take care of her."
Aventurine felt a huge weight off her shoulders. She bowed to Rose Quartz and then took off running to return to Pink Diamond.