(A/N: Forgot to put this on the last one, but I'm really sorry about the slow updates . . .I can't promise to update too regularly, but I'll try to update faster in the future!)

Chapter 3

The next day was the day right before Vidalia's birthday. Greg tried not to rush when making the hat, but still hurried to get it done, rushing a little in the process. He figured that Marty would want the hat on that day, and was probably going to visit him at any moment. He made everything up to the faux onion, which he still needed to buy the proper materials for. He was out of wax, and didn't have any fake plastic fruit left, let alone onions. It would still take some time to melt the wax in order to attach the onion onto the hat, and enough patience to do so without burning himself.

While he was closing the store and preparing to get out, Marty had walked up to his store. He had looked no more angry than he always did, so he wasn't too worried about him. Greg had bit back a sigh, smiling at him.

"Heya, Marty!" Greg said, opening the door for him. Marty had walked through, ignoring him and looking straight at the hat.

"So it's done, then? Took you long enough," he said, about to pick it up.

"No, not quite yet, sorry . . ." Greg said, shutting the door gently, "it won't be too long. Please come back in a few hours, okay?"

"You want more time? I bet I could make this thing myself in half the time you spent to make it. . ." Marty grumbled. "I'll just take it as is. I don't want to waste any more time with you."

Marty tried to grab the hat, but scowled as Greg moved it out of view.

"No, Marty," he said, anxiously hoping to not mess up his words, "I'll get it done, really."

Marty gave an annoyed "huff," and crossed his arms.

"Do what you want. But, it better be here in two hours."

"Two hours," he confirmed.

Walking to the store to get the wax, he started to think about the woman he met. Her tall stature, her long, silky looking pink ringlets, and her soft, sweet eyes. More than that, she was such a kind soul, being so nice to someone she had only just met. Maybe it was a little strange to get so attached to someone you just met, but Greg didn't care. As ridiculous as it was, he was already in love with her.

Coming into the crafts store, he saw two people he recognized. Amethyst was next to an easel, looking at how to adjust it. Across from her, sitting on a stool, was Peridot. She was looking right at him, eyes narrowed, staring intensely. Nervous, he walked to Amethyst.

"Amethyst, are you an artist?" He asked, trying his best not to check whether he was still being watched.

"Nope," she said, "but, it's Vidalia's birthday tomorrow, and I know she paints."

It was surprising, imagining such an intimidating character being into painting. Marty had never said anything about her liking art at all, and he had to wonder whether or not he bothered to find out.

"She does?"

"Yup. I think it's kinda boring, but, whatev'. It makes her happy, so, that's cool," she said, shrugging. "'Sides, if she paints me, that'd be cool."

Greg smiled, thinking of Vidalia trying to get Amethyst to stay still to paint her. From what he knew about her, she didn't seem the modeling type.

"Hey . . . do you know anybody in this town who plays the guitar?" Amethyst asked.

"Oh, I play guitar, but I don't really know anyone else. And Marty, but I don't know if he still plays. Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering. That's cool that you play, though. Kinda cooler than making hats . . . no offense, though," she said.

"None taken," he said smiling. He couldn't agree more.

Greg waved at her a little "good-bye," walking towards what he needed. It was awkward to walk near Peridot, even though he knew she couldn't actually do anything to him in a public shop. When he got close enough, though, Peridot grabbed the sleeve of his shirt.

"Be careful who you associate with," she hissed at him. "Her Majesty has her eyes on you."

"Y-Yes, m'am," he said, hurrying as soon as she released him.

Buying the fake onion, Greg all but ran back to his hat store. He wanted to just get the hat done, and rest easy without worrying about Peridot or Marty. He saw an ornate carriage in front of his shop. Did he forget to switch his sign to "Closed"? Looking at it closer, his stomach dropped. There, on the carriage, was the official insignia of Queen Yellow Diamond.

Stepping inside, he saw a tall woman with long, pale hair. She was muscular and broad shouldered, wearing a long orange cape fastened with a jasper pin. Her piercing orange eyes glared down at him, as she slouched over the cashier counter.

"Finally!" She growled out, showing her sharp teeth. "Who do you think you are, keeping me waiting?"

"I-I'm so sorry, m'am," he said, feeling his heart jump in his chest. "Wh-what can I do to help you?"

She scoffed, standing up straighter. She was even taller now, though he wondered whether her intimidating personality made her seem taller than she was.

"First, you can tell me everything you know about Rose Quartz," she said.

"I d-don't know anything, though! She's the one with the moving castle, right? We've never even met!" He said, gesturing wildly.

She slammed her fist down on the counter, making him flinch.

"Don't play dumb with me."

"R-Really! Why would I lie, I don't have any reason to! I don't have anything to do with whatever is going on! Please, just leave me alone!"

The woman scowled at him, rolling her eyes.

"If there's anything that I hate, it's cowards. And if there's anyone Her Majesty Yellow Diamond hates . . . " she said, grinning fiercely.

She took a few steps towards him. Greg gulped, trying to back away.

"It's liars."