AN: H2 oh my gosh here comes the next chapter. With more Rose hazing our lemon colored hybrid. In other news For those who follow my tumblr you'll be happy to know that the rest of the Bloodborne boss ranking is going up later today. And I'm nearing the end of the Old Hunters DLC so expect a list on that. In more worryign news the reason that I didn't have this up sooner is the large amount of tornado warnings we've been receiving where I am. It seems to has died down, but worry is still amok. For those wanting to see my tumblr click the link in my profile or look up Dragonrusher21 on tumblr to find my Nest of Insanity.

I walk slowly back to the Car Wash. I just have a lot to think about on my mind. First off is Rose… and where do I begin. She's unlike anyone else I've ever met before. In a way she reminds me of Jasper, providing lessons through tough realization instead of Peridot's slow and monotonous lectures. Oh...Peridot and Jasper. Those two left my mind almost as soon as I got here on Earth. Those two are probably one of the few aware of my absence. Peridot was probably the first to find outl calling for me all the damn time for any reason. I get annoyed just thinking about Peridot and all the times she's bugged me.

But, I can't blame her. She had to teach me a lot in a very short time. Gems have memories and rules pre-implanted into them. Such as how to walk, talk, and normally function. I wasn't like that and they had to wait to teach me things and I still barely hold the knowledge an average gem has over a variety of subjects. Peridot was constantly drilling me over every detail in gem history, mechanics, gem production. If she didn't meet quotas on how much I knew then she'd be shattered and replaced. But, not all of her lessons were so bad. I rather enjoyed her lessons on technology. It was always fun. Learning about the most recent tech, designing it and messing around with it. It does stand to reason that those were her best lessons she is an engineering gem.

I did enjoy learning with Peridot, but I always had more of an affinity towards Jasper and the sparring practice she put me through. It was intense and multiple times I was left sore and sweaty. But, I enjoyed the pulse pounding combat. The way that you're senses seemed to be forced to expand. They way you had to keep every muscle in your body working as a cohesive unit, and the quick thinking involved was just my favorite. She never had to worry about meeting quotas because I always surpassed them earlier than I was supposed to. She also struggled with actual verbal teaching and focused much more on the doing; which isn't so bad. I do learn better that way hands on.

Though my whole perspective on my tutors has changed. Rose's words weren't entirely new revelations. I had my suspicions, but I always batted them away out to the back of my mind. The lies, the hate, the terrible reality Homeworld displayed in front of me as truth has begun to crumble. Did my tutors enjoy their time with me? Some of the time, probably. There are times when I did get to see them be more relaxed than usual. It always seemed off, that they always felt so tense around me. I had my suspicions but when I asked my Pearl about it, she denied it without hesitation. But, now I can quite clearly see the noose Homeworld had around their necks.

I chuckle," I'm talking bad about Homeworld. That's treason…. I guess they are rubbing off on me," I take note. If Homeworld invaded this minute would I go with them. Reluctantly, but of course I would. But, would I be the same? No, absolutely not. Here on Earth I learned that sometimes it's not bad to treat people on the same level as you.

"But, should I return...," I ask myself. Unsure of what the answer honestly is.

"Well I should return to the car wash. Father is probably getting anx-," I'm thrusted out of my thoughts and back to reality after I run my face against an object. Taking a step back I see that it's...what was it called? A lamp post? Whatever it is, I don't like it.

"Gah, stupid thing," I kick it causing it to bend in an awkward angle.

I turn around to see that one girl closing that one shop the The Big Donut," hello...uhh... Sadie?"

She waves awkwardly and heads on her way,"...I think that could have been better," I note. Continuing my way towards the car wash.

"Steven," I hear my dad cry out once more. I'm getting some intense deja vu right now.

"Hello. Relax I'm fine," I respond.

"What!? How can you just say it like that!?"

"Well is this the first time I've showed up late? Besides, I think I rather enjoyed today."

I hop on top of the van again like I always do and watch as my father calms himself down," you done," I ask.

"Oh boy... ," he hyperventilates still, but it's calmed down," okay. Things went well.. Steven is safe."

"You worry too much about me."

"How can I not. You're what? Nine years old and still a kid."

"First off, I'm thirteen. Second, I'm strong enough to nearly knock down a light post. By the way I almost knocked down a light post."

"You're thirteen!? Wait, you knocked down a lamppost?"

"How did you not know? You were there when I was conceived? Do you not remember dancing with the yellow lady? And uh, yeah lost my temper, I kicked it and it's bent now."

"That's going to be expensive," my father laments.

"Don't worry. I'm sure no one knows that I did it...well Sadie does, but I think she won't tell."

My father sighs," I need to sleep."

"I took a nap earlier today, I'll be here if you need me."

"Oh boy...okay." I can tell he's growing more accustomed to my late arrivals.

I spend my time doddling around ;biding my time. I'd hate to admit it, but my first of the many session...wasn't so bad. I found it enjoyable, I've grown fonder of Rose. But, I'm not so sure about the rest. The Pearl, the fusion and the defective Amethyst gem. The one that blows over best with me is the Permafusion, but I'm not even sure about her. I never really talked with the Amethyst,so I can't really form an opinion on her, but the Pearl. That Pearl has a personality akin to salt water. Well not so much the water and more the intense regret you feel whenever you accidentally get salt in your mouth while swimming. Just rather...unpleasant.

I take the ukulele and began plucking strings. Slowly gaining a semblance rhythm:

It's been a long time

It's been quite awhile

I'm not the same

I guess you could say I got a new smile

I've left home

To a place so strange

A place where up is down

It spends my head right around

Will I be able to turn around?

To turn my back on this new place

To turn my back on this new world

I've got a new face and smile

All gifts from a world so wild

A place I've never known

A place that I might just call..home

I sigh finished with the small little song I made on the spot. I do keep on strumming on the ukulele. I find the melody to be calming. I have a lot on my mind. Mainly the Crystal Gems. All four of them. Their pink leader, the permanent fusion, the Pearl that reminds me of the sea and the defective Amethyst. Rose is nice, I like her. The permafusion...is quiet. That Pearl….that Pearl is all I can say. The defective Amethyst and I barely even come in contact, so I don't know what to think of her.

They night turns to day and I'm still strumming away," hmmm, only every other day do I hang out with one of those gems," I think aloud.

I set my guitar aside. Gradually growing more and more bored and therefore restless," what to do? What to do?"

"...donuts. That's what," I answer hoping off the van.

I enter the walking donut," oh, hello Steven," says the one called Sadie.

I look around noticing a missing person," where's the tall one with orange hair and dumb ears?"

"Lars," she states.

"Pardon?"

"His name is Lars."

"We;;, you knew who I was talking about, so what does it matter. Any way where is the secondary unit that is stationed here?"

"What?"

"Where is the Lars person?" I rephrase.

"Oh, he called in sick today."

"Sick? Describe sick."

"You know, when you get all achy. You're tired, you spend most of your time sleeping and stuff," Sadie explains.

I take a minute to digest this information," so you're not screaming stuff with your allies?"

"...no," Sadie responds unsure.

"Then come with me," I tell her taking her hand and guiding her.

We walk for some time, but eventually Sadie hears what I could hear even all the way from the van," was that's Lars."

"I'm aware," I tell her.

We peek over some bushes and see Lars jumping around with three other people. I'm about to say something when Sadie hushes me down. We watch as they do whatever their doing. It puzzles me, this probably has some significance, but I wouldn't know it. I look over at Sadie and see that expression of red faced anger turn to one of sadness. I can hear her crying, but I don't know what to do. I've never really had to deal with anything like this before.

"Uh...you okay," I ask her.

"No," she responds.

"Shhh," I remind her.

We begin walking away. Sadie's still crying and I'm still uncomfortable," ...care to enlighten me on uh...what is going on because uhhh… I'm an alien. I don't know what this is."

"Well...me and Lars-," she begins telling a story about her and Lars. It involves "Videogames", "Player-one's" and "Player-two's." I don't exactly get it. I didn't pay that much attention because it's quite hard understanding a person while they're...doing whatever Sadie is doing.

We finally get back to the Big Donut and Sadie's...ehhh tears have died down. She calls Lars and there's another emotion explosion as I call it. She begins to ramble and I begin to tune out. Though I do catch onto one statement,"-I just wish I could get him to confess-!"

I interrupt her right there," you want a confession?"

She nods," hold on I have something that will help with that," I tell her.

I get up and begin to go back to the van. Well more specifically the box of stuff I brought. I grab and it and began shuffling through 's my clothes a few odd objects; none are useful nor the thing I'm looking for. After ruffling around a bit I find what I am looking for. It's a vial, corked shut. Inside are small bright red crystals. I'm familiar with this. I've used this more times than I can count and that's what I love about these.I once made the mistake of trying some when I was younger it was a small bit. It did teach me a lesson not to eat random stuff you find around in Peridot's lab.

I reach Saide in the coffee smelling Big Donut," here have him ingest these in one manner or another," I instruct.

"What are these?"

"Something to get a confession out of Lars."

"But, I…,"she begins to back out. Her cheeks are red and she begins fidgeting.

"Listen I tuned out most of your rambling-."

"Hey!"

"I make no apologies, anyways I was saying you seem hurt. You seemed like you really needed help. Even as someone who's not from here. I'm able to tell you that you needed help, so here that help is."

She considers it for a moment. Turning to the vial and then back to me. Turning to the vial and then back to me. She repeats the process a few times until she finally takes it from me. Grabbing one of those donuts and dumping it all over it. A bit of an exuberant amount on the donut. Okay understatement, she poured on way too much. I'm not going to stop her though. I do follow her because I want to see this going down. She's standing outside the "Big Donut" calling Lars on her phone. Telling him to come down here. I takes a while and Sadie has to fedn the donuts off from seagulls, but the red heading human does make his way here.

I watch from the small table outside the big donut waiting for Lars to take a bite," ello Steven," yay! I know that voice.

"Hey Rose," I say as she takes a seat next to me.

"What are you doing," she ask.

"Sadie and Lars were having problems so I decided to help."

"That's nice," she says.

"Thank you," I say. A clear sense of pride in my voice.

We sit back and watch. Sadie gives him the donut. Lars eats it. His face flushes red, sweat begins to pour down from his face. Smoke fumes from his ears. Both Sadie and Rose immediately realize something's wrong. Sadie begins to panic as she begins chasing Lars around and Rose just turns to me. She is not amused. I am though. I chuckle watching them run around. It's funny.

Sadie runs to us in a panic," wha-, wha-! Help!"

"Steven...what did you give her?"

"Fire-Salts."

Rose raises an eyebrow," you gave her an object used in torture because!?"

"What! Torture!?" Sadie is not as amused as I am either.

"Well yeah. I mean you said you wanted a confession out of him. I find that Fire-Salt's work well to get one of those. Though you did use an objectionable amount."

"Well! What am I going to do!?"

"Wait here," Rose tells Sadie as she begins to deal with the situation. I'm slightly depressed, I wanted to see Lars run around more.

"Steven," Sadie laments slumping down in a seat next to me," where'd you even get that?"

"I bought it when I came here from Homeworld."

"Homeworld?"

I nod," yeah, Homeworld is the place I was born. And also where Rose Quartz and her band of friends is from….well belonged to. Full gems aren't really born, nor are they always produced on Homeworld….let's just say that they used to citizens of Homeworld."

"What?"

"It's complicated."

"...holy Shit you are an alien."

"Thank you for telling me that," I sarcastically remark.

Rose finishes up with Lars and is carrying him unconscious over her shoulder," here. Your friend should be fine just make sure he gets plenty of water."

"Well that was fun, but I think I'll go mess with something else," I bid adieu.

"Steven hold on a minute," Rose says. For some reason when she says my name this time It doesn't make me happy.

"What is it?"

"Steven. I know you were aware of what Fire Salts can do. I know you had other methods. Yet you still used Fire Salts. Do you understand the consequences of you're actions?"

"I do."

"Then don't let it happen again," she tells me.