Some time later...
'Three hundred thousand times, and you're no closer? Why do you bother?'
'Surely you're tired of this by now.'
'We never really change from our age, and neither will your obsession with her. That's patently obvious.'
'What makes you think you can actually bring her back?'
Slogging through a medley of haunting memories, imagination twisting and turning through a spiral of frustratingly infinite repetition, Rutile grimaced from a variety of unseen voices offering sharp, condescending remarks. Then, in a flash of realization, the visions faded into layers of dark snow rolling along rows of hillocks, and she blinked from the sight.
Head turning, however, an object met the side of her cheek, only for her to realize her head was pressed against the pale, still body of a gem beside herself. Blinking, realizing she was in fact awake, Rutile's head lifted, discovering soft layers of a white kimono adorning the peaceful presence of Padparadscha beside herself.
Oh.
Arms reaching back to push herself upright, her legs curled, only to bump against a solid object, and she blinked, attention drawing to another mysterious presence. Instead of a fellow gem, however, a large chunk of raw, red colored mineral sat beside her legs, sunk into the cloth.
What's this?
Reaching forward with a groan, her palm rested onto the rock, fingers drifting along its edges.
Interesting. Where did you come from?
Studying the object, not entirely awake, she pried it onto its side, squinting at the dim reflections.
Ruby? No. Not the right shade. I wonder...
Hearing several stumbling footfalls nearby, startled by the disturbance in an otherwise peaceful realm, her head turned left and right, scrutinizing the dim surroundings.
Someone else must be awake.
Hearing a distinct shuffle of cloth behind, she leaned into a cautious peer over her shoulder. Spotting a white figure moving in the distance, and then the sparkling blue hair of Alexandrite beyond, a bundled blanket was flicked upward and tossed over her head.
"Antarcticite."
Waiting patiently as the gem paused from her voice, their eyes met across the dim expanse of the hibernation room as Alexandrite flopped down onto the blankets below. Then in a mysteriously silent procession, the soft white attire of the gem grew larger in a steady approach, stepping beside several sleeping gems with precision.
"Rutile."
Kneeling before her, black stilettos sinking into the cloth, Rutile's eyes rose along the bodily profile of a rarely seen member of the school.
"Forgive me for my noise."
"Oh, no worries. Something else made me stir."
Eyes meeting, both gems offered friendly smiles in a silent greeting.
"How have you been?"
"Busy with the usual efforts."
"I don't doubt it... Do you happen to know how long its been?"
"Two months and three days."
"Oh. Only halfway through."
"I'm surprised you've awakened... As the hardest working one of us."
Looking aside with a hint of bashfulness, Rutile's eyes then lowered to the raw red gemstone beside her folded legs.
"Did you find this specimen?"
"I did. On the beach of beginnings."
Reaching over, her bare fingers touched and dragged along the striations, squinting from a distant feeling of familiarity with its texture.
"...What is it exactly?"
Eyes meeting again, Antarcticite then looked aside to the red haired elder, passively observing her silent slumber.
At first confused by the lack of spoken answer, Rutile peeked aside to her friend as well, only for her eyes to slowly widen in realization.
"Haven't seen Padparadscha in a long time."
Looking between the rough gemstone, and the polished curvature of her partner, Rutile quietly gasped.
"You're certain this is the same?"
"Quite. Though I know your expertise in identification... Is far greater than mine."
Eyes closing from the low-voiced compliment, Rutile's fingers curled around the gemstone.
"...Be sure to use that wisely."
"I will."
Eyes opening to a simple smile, adorning the normally-serious expression of Antarcticite, Rutile reached out to the translucent-haired gem, hand resting on the folds of their shoulder.
"Thank you."
Attentions turning from the low echo of a strange, distant wail, Antarcticite promptly stood upright.
"It appears I have something to attend to."
Swiftly stepping into motion, vanishing into the dim depths of the massive room, Rutile listened patiently as Antarcticite's footsteps faded, replaced by the same haunting wail in the distance.
Head turning, her chin rested on her shoulder, eying the shiny red gemstone in her grasp.
It seems I'm not the only one here that's rarely idle...
Laying still, staring at the same rolling folds of blankets suspended from the roof, Rutile's fingers repeatedly curled around the chunk of gemstone, squeezing it in her grasp. Beyond, the disturbingly eerie wail of distant ice floes wandered through the outside air, thankfully deadened by the room's insulation.
Perhaps those were the voices I heard before awakening...
Head turning, cheek brushing against the arm beside her, the howls were then replaced by a muffled roar, followed by the resumption of dead silence outside of her mind.
Floes. Sinners. Whispering nothing but derision.
Lifting the chunk of gemstone aloft, and holding it above her head, she looked between it and Padparadscha's hair several times, visually comparing the color and luster.
Don't you dare scorn me. I can do this. Nothing but time and resources remain in my way, and it would seem...
Gazing at the inviting twinkle of the gemstone's inner depths, her mouth drew open.
...It would seem I have a little of both at the moment.
Rising upright again, and pushing herself further to her feet, she staggered from a loss of balance, looking around at the expanse of cloth and various colors of resting companions scattered across the pillowy landscape.
The others are resting. But right now I shall not.
Grasping the gemstone with both hands, and then gazing towards Padparadscha's gentle expression, eyes perpetually closed, Rutile sighed sadly, only to begin a forward march towards the room's entrance. Passing a previously subdued Alexandrite, sprawled onto the floor beneath a darker blanket, she then brushed through the room's insulated entrance, stepping into the school's main hall and squinting from the brighter light outside. Peeking towards the distant pillars, silhouetted against the white void beyond, a long breath drew from her insides.
Two months. Winter is certainly far from over.
Solemnly wandering towards the stone stairwell in the opposite direction, her bare feet were greeted by the soft crunch of wind-swept snow as she began up the steps, listening to the lonely echo of her footfall.
Thank you, Antarcticite. Even if this sample doesn't end up being what we think it is... At least you understand my struggle.
*WHACK*
*WHACK*
*WHACK*
Striking the sides of the gemstone with swift, consistent jerks of a chisel, shards of the mineral were split off and cast aside from the cutting force, slowly revealing a smooth, curved profile and the sparkle of an inner crimson luster. Touching the gem with stretched fingers, mental measurements were checked and rechecked, fingers turning the oblong object onto different sides, and eyes fastidiously studying its physical shape.
*WHACK*
Trimming the gemstone with one more cut, Rutile then lifted it from the table, gazing at the glimmer of color reflecting the emptiness of the snowy landscape beyond the window.
There we are.
Setting the newly cut stone aside, her palms then scooped the leftover shards together, and after a moment of consideration, she began joining the fragments back together with numerous clicks, creating a second fist-sized chunk. Picking up the new creation in her fingers, she twisted the angular fragment between her index finger and thumb.
Maybe one day I'll find more of you, little one.
Turning aside, she stepped over to the infirmary's shelving, depositing the leftover fragment into a basket, and then hoisting another from a separate shelf, lowering it to her side with great care.
In the meantime...
Hoisting the woven basket onto the table, and lifting the lid from it, the colorful sparkles of several previously cut gemstones met her eyes, causing her brow to furrow from the reminder of a multi-century struggle. Gently lifting the crimson gemstone from the table and nestling it among the others, she covered them with the basket's lid again, and then hung her head, standing in a silent cloud of melancholy.
Let's try this again.
Hoisting the basket aloft, she proceeded down the open hallway, exhaling as a wayward winter breeze blew along the fabrics of her kimono from behind. Soft twinkles of snowflakes teased her vision as they drifted along the wind in their passing, and upon approach of the stone stairwell, she slowed to a pause. Staring out towards the desolate realm of snow beyond, hiding the normally lively landscape with a blanket of cold silence, she sighed.
How many more years must you sleep through... Padparadscha.
Kneeling beside the still body of her best friend, Rutile's fingers gently pulled and pried apart the bows and fabric of her kimono dress, slowly revealing the open passages in her pale chest. Drawn helplessly to the glinting of the smooth insides of the cavities, offering a fleeting glimpse of life hidden within, her fingertips drew inside, feeling the gem's texture with a shiver of dexterous pleasure as her palm curled around the edge.
"Pad... I know you've heard this before, but..."
Reaching into the basket with her free hand, she lifted the newest chunk of red mineral into view.
"...I'm going to try again. Okay?"
Palms squeezing tightly, recounting grief-stricken memories of over three hundred thousand attempts at revival, Rutile shakily brought the cut chunk of mineral to the cavity directly in the center of her chest. Lips tightening, she delicately lowered it, fingers moving up along the object and pushing it deeper within, exhaling from the increasingly firm resistance of a tight fit.
Just right.
Fingers drifting along the edges, met with just a hint of dimensional disparity, her hand curled into a fist, thumping against the sparkling red object and confirming its secure placement.
Just... Close enough.
Reaching over and plucking another gem chunk, previously cut many months before, she peeked towards the purple color, only to hesitate, arm drooping.
Close enough...? The other minerals have never worked, and yet I'm still...
Depositing the purple gemstone back into the basket, her hand trembled, only to grip the basket's woven edge.
...Why have I bothered with cutting other gemstones when they aren't even compatible?
Brow furrowing from a wave of self doubt, she turned back to the open cavities on Padparadscha's chest, staring at the dim crimson sparkle of the newest addition.
I don't even know if that one is right either. I'm only half awake, after all.
Eyes sinking from an ache of fatigue previously ignored, she lowered her head down, coming to rest onto the bare red mineral.
Why is the one mineral I so desperately need so uncommonly rare? I wasn't even the one who found this. If Antarcticite didn't happen upon it... I'd still be getting nowhere.
Reaching out and collecting Pad's hand, keeping it securely in her grasp, Rutile remained still, shaking with overwhelming doubt and mind churning with poisonous thoughts of failure.
Oh, Pad... Why did I awaken? Is this some manner of irony? Able to do what you cannot, at a time I didn't ask for...
Imagining Pad's hand curling tightly around her own fingers, a heavy breath drew from her lungs, and her forehead drug aside, peeking towards their held hands.
I feel so alone. You're right here but you're still so far away.
Looking at their fingers, slowly realizing their digits were both folded together, she blinked several times, trying to discern the oddly real sensation. Rising upright again, she stared down at the pale fingers curled tightly among her own.
When did...
Vision rising upward, drifting along the still body and features of Padparadscha's neck and chin, her inclusions dared herself to look further. With a contort of eyebrows, she gaped with abject disbelief as soft, red eyes flitted towards her, meeting her own and widening beneath sleepy, lowered eyelids.
Realizing a gasp was entering her parted lips, Rutile stared longingly at her best friend when a long-unseen smile curled onto her cheek.
"...You're awake."
Taking in the ever familiar facial structure and colors of her friend, Padparadscha's smile blossomed from her hushed whisper.
"You're still stubborn as ever, I see."
Lurching forward with a sob from the humorous, emotional remark, Rutile descended onto her in a sudden embrace.
"Always."
Nuzzling her friend's long red hair, still bound into a bushy ponytail, her arms curled around Pad's sides, listening to the reverberations of her sweet voice across her mind.
Always.
Sitting upright, and helping her up with great care, Rutile waited patiently as Padparadscha slowly inspected her dim cloth laden surroundings.
"Everyone else is resting."
"We're in the middle of hibernation."
Reaching up and touching Padparadscha's cheek with her bare palm, Rutile's eyes twinkled with great relief from her partner's unexpected awakening.
"It's been two hundred and thirty one years since I've seen your beautiful eyes open."
Smiling from Rutile's sincere words, Padparadscha's head moved in a slow orbit, fondly eying each gem one by one.
"It's been so long since I've seen everyone together."
"I didn't want you to spend another year alone... So we made sure to bring you in here."
Looking down, realizing the elegance of her partially undressed attire, Padparadscha's attention was drawn back to the twinkling hints of color around herself.
"They're so lovely. All of them."
"Red Beryl dresses all of them individually. I made sure she had a gown ready for you as well, but I..."
Spotting short locks of teal tucked in among the expanse of white, Pad's head rose, peeking higher.
"Is that... Little Phosphophyllite over there?"
Rising to her knees, both elders then paused, eyebrows rising from the scene of Phos and Diamond in a cuddling embrace together.
Goodness.
That's new.
"That's her, yes."
"How has that sparkling young one been?"
"She's changed a fair amount."
"You've told me."
Smiling from the remark as she sat down, Rutile eyed Padparadscha patiently as she leaned back, holding herself upright.
So you do hear me during your slumber.
"She's become stronger recently. Inside and out."
"Do tell."
"We found from a meteorite in the ocean, laden with a platinum alloy. Ended up integrating it into her structure. Now she's got a metal framework that keeps her from shattering, and withstands piercing impacts and physical collisions."
"That's a bit of an improvement."
"Certainly."
"Is she happy with herself?"
"Very much so. She's always wished to be as durable as the others... And it seems that attribute has finally been gained."
"That's wonderful."
"I feel her survivability will give her the responsibility we've wanted, and the capabilities she's been seeking."
Head rising to the dim roof above, Padparadscha released a long, relaxed breath.
"How are the others?"
"All are well. Still tasked with the same duties."
"Have we lost anyone to the moon?"
"Not since you last awakened, thankfully."
Slowly nodding, Pad's head tilted.
"Sensei?"
"Still the same. Phos has been keeping him busy with her exploits."
Rolling her eyes fondly, Pad peeked aside to her friend.
"Reminds me of when we were younger."
"On patrols?"
"And adventures."
"Yeah. Been quite some time since I've been in combat."
"You're always busy fixing the other gems, aren't you."
"You know its my calling. Even the stronger ones find ways to fall apart."
Recalling a millennium-old memory of fixing one of Padparadscha's arms, Rutile's structure tingled, bringing a grin of delight to her face, and a gentle laugh from Pad beside her.
"Still remember that one time, do you?"
"You broke yourself more than once."
"Maybe I did."
"Don't be embarrassed about it."
"I'm not."
Grinning from the teasing banter, Padparadscha's fingers brushed along the undone dress, attention lowering to the sparkle of the new addition beneath her chin.
"Rutile."
Head promptly turning from her name being spoken, their eyes met in a momentary pause.
"Considering everyone is in the middle of hibernation... Shouldn't you be resting too?"
Eyes sinking woefully from the inevitable question, she slowly nodded.
"I awakened earlier, but not by my own choice."
Sitting upright again, Padparadscha's arms spread invitingly outward.
"Come, rest."
Shuffling over and turning around, Rutile backed herself up against Padparadscha, only to find herself lowering flat onto her back in tandem, held comfortably by Pad's arms in an embrace.
"You be sure to rest too."
A lone laugh left Pad's mouth.
"I've had plenty of time to do so."
Absorbing the following silence of the room around them, both elders lay peacefully still.
"Padparadscha."
Peeking up above, eyes meeting upside down, Rutile gazed at her friend's lustrous beauty.
"...I hope you don't mind that I've brought you back. Especially with us being in the middle of hibernation."
"Oh, not at all."
"Are you sure?"
A simple nod answered her, driving away some of her worry.
"All the memories I have, I've seen so many times by now. Honestly I'm glad... That I'm seeing something new for once."
"I never imagined one could run out of memories to see."
"Neither did I."
Lost in the light red twinkles of Pad's gentle gaze, Rutile's being brimmed with a sense of ache.
"Antarcticite found the gemstone that I've added to you. Both of us think its the same mineral."
"Yeah?"
"Now that you've awakened so readily..."
Speech faltering as her hair's updo was playfully pulled apart, she sat still, eyes closing as Pad's fingers began brushing through the loosened locks of her dark crimson and gold hair.
"...I feel we may have finally found a permanent part of you."
"Maybe you have."
"How do you feel?"
"Better than being asleep."
A humored breath left her nose.
"...Hopefully you'll have enough energy left for the coming spring."
"Perhaps."
"The others would love to speak to you. Phos could show you her new abilities too."
Imagining the bright, shiny faces of the other gems, and their echoes of laughter, Padparadscha slowly exhaled.
"I'd love that."
Eyes flitting open, Rutile peeked up towards her partner's gentle gaze again.
"I love you."
Watching a knowing smile blossom onto her lips, Padparadscha brushed her hand along Rutile's cheek.
"I know you do."
Hearing a longing sigh leave her partner's mouth, a flicker of anticipation sparked throughout her incomplete structure.
"I'll try to wake again. Just for you."
