Pieces
Chapter 11
Kitatanya
A/N: SO, I know this chapter is short, but the reason will become clear soon enough. I won't say more here, so READ ON, LOVES!
Shout outs at the end of the chap!
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Jasper was sitting on the sandy dunes of Steven's stretch of beach, just far enough back to be free of the water. She sighed happily as she breathed in the sea air. The sand was baking in the mid afternoon sun, but the briny breeze kept her cool and comfortable. The clouds were sparse but fluffy. It was a perfect day. There were a lot of those now.
Weeks of being reformed and living with Steven and the Crystal Gems had given her more than a millennia under the diamonds. She was finally learning to truly relax. Her mind was still a whirlpool of chaotic thought, but she found that the present was now strong enough to overpower it's pull. She cold think more clearly and could keep her head above the turbulent waters inside. And, when she did chose to dip below the surface, she found it easier and easier to pull herself free.
The restlessness that had burned inside her was distant now. Rather than the constant pull to find her purpose that she'd had to fight away before, it was a dull echo that let her be content to wait until her purpose showed itself. She still kept watch and still trained regularly, but she had also come to cherish these moments of peace just as much.
"Jasper!" A familiar voice called from behind her. She looked back to see Steven running over the sand towards her. Behind him was a human girl. He was carrying a black and white ball and she a sword on her back. Jasper stood to greet them. "Connie's back from vacation! She came to visit!" He cried happily as they got close.
Jasper's eyes widened. This was the Connie he spoke of so frequently and fondly. Then she recognized her as the human he had fused with on this very beach. Her hair was shorter now, but the way she held herself was very familiar. She looked down at her, appraising her truly for the first time. Connie straightened her spine and glared defiantly back, fingers twitching as if to reach for the sword. Jasper smirked in approval; she was definitely a fighter. There was absolutely no fear in the little scrap of a human. Steven obviously held her in high regard, so Jasper decided to respond accordingly.
"It's nice to officially meet the only human who ever kicked my butt."
Connie's jaw dropped and Steven laughed. "Never thought of it that way before. Go you, Connie!" Steven cheered.
Connie smiled quickly at him and looked up at her uncertainly. "You're not... mad?" She asked tentatively.
Jasper laughed. "If there's one thing we jaspers love, it's a good fight. Your prowess with a sword was impressive." She praised, extending her hand.
Connie blinked in surprise, before responding with a huge smile. She reached out her hand as well and Jasper firmly shook it, despite the large difference in size. "Thanks." Connie said brightly.
"Now who's ready for Steven ball?" Steven asked loudly, clasping his hand over theirs.
Jasper grinned and glanced at Connie, who was grinning too. They shared a look and Connie put her hand on top of Steven's. Jasper followed suit with her own and Steven topped of the hand-stack with his.
"Steven ball!" They cheered together, throwing their hands in the air.
Connie carefully removed the sword and ran to lean it against one of the tall rocks nearby. When she returned, Steven picked up the ball he'd dropped at his feet and ran back a few steps. Jasper and Connie crouched, waiting for him to put the ball into play. His games were frequent, but differed greatly. She never knew what each one would bring, but the tall warrior had grown fond of playing along.
He started bouncing it up off of one knee, before switching to the other with the ball never touching the ground. He swapped back and forth a few times easily, waggling his eyebrows. Jasper snorted and Connie giggled. Steven grinned hugely and started to move, kicking the ball to Connie. The athletic girl caught it easily, using her shin as a stop and hooking it back into the air with a swift kick before it hit the sand.
Steven awed at her. "Ten points to Connie for style!"
She blushed brightly, almost missing her next kick. "Steven!" She whined playfully.
He laughed and Jasper joined him. Connie kicked the ball high in the air and then jumped up after it. She placed one foot on the opposite knee and pressed her palms together as she soared as high as she could. When she and the ball were at the appropriate spot, she karate kicked sideways and sent the ball flying right for Jasper. The warrior gem smiled in challenge and caught the ball with her shin as well. She let it rest on the top of her foot and went through a series of fighting forms without letting it leave her feet. She swelled at their admiring looks and got a bit flashier. Finally, she straightened and lightly kicked the ball to Steven. The half gem almost let it fall, but recovered it in time with his tiptoe.
He grinned over at the tall gem. "Fifty points to Jasper for awesome!" The warrior gem gave them an exaggerated bow.
They both laughed. "You ladies are gonna kick my butt!" Steven said smoothly. "I gotta step up my game. " He hummed and scratched his chin, still balancing the ball on his toes. He snapped his fingers. "I know! He kicked the ball into the air. He jumped up after it and let out what she assumed was meant to be a fierce battle cry, before head-butting it. It soared down towards Connie, who side kicked it to Jasper. Jasper spun and kicked the ball towards Steven, who had landed a few feet from where he'd stood before. He kicked it to Connie, who passed it back to Jasper. They continued kicking it in circles, waiting to see who would let it fall.
Steven eventually called a stop by catching it in his hands. "That was awesome!" He cried breathlessly, letting it fall to the ground. He wiped sweat from his forehead and braced himself on his knees, breathing heavily.
Connie wiped the sweat from her brow too, smiling happily. "You said it."
A loud voice cut through the air. "Yo, Steven!" They looked over to see Amethyst in the form of a large loudspeaker on the porch. "You're gonna want to see this!" She popped back into her natural form and waved them toward her, before turning and going back inside the house.
"Race you home!" Steven yelled, taking off towards the steps as Connie went for her sword.
"Hey, no fair!" Connie whined with a laugh as she started after him, slinging the large weapon over her shoulder.
Jasper shook her head in amusement as Steven winked back at the indignant girl. Their dynamic was fun to watch. Jasper gave the children a good head start, before running after them. She easily gained on the pair, who were running at almost the same pace, Steven not even hinting at limiting himself to Connie's speed.. She locked her pace just a bit behind theirs and grinned as they strained to go just a little faster. Just as they reached the top of the steps she scooped both of them up, laughing at their delighted cries of surprise. They both laughed as she perched them on her shoulders and stooped, still laughing, to enter the door.
She stood back up and what she saw froze her dead in her tracks. Every hair on her body stood on end and her breath caught in her throat. Ice shot straight to her heart as she looked right into wide dark eyes of Lapis Lazuli.
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And we have finally reached the major story arc! This mars the turning point in our story as Jasper gets her first true test in her new life. Will Lapis come to terms with our warrior gem's new status as a Crystal gem? Will she rebel against them all in a revenge fueled fury of hatred? Will Jasper turn her back on her new allies and fall back into her old ways? Who knows? Read on to find out!
At this time, with the last breath of the new year, I'd like to give my thanks to a few special readers.
DarackPhantomhive: You were the very first reviewer on this story, so thank you very much for being the first voice there.
Master of the Boot: You kind've gave me a big head and terrified me at the same time, by mentioning similarities to someone writing about Tolkien. I can't reveal all now, but your foreshadowing review made me question if I was going the right direction with this story. I've stuck to my guns, but I thank you for making me think.
Dragonsrule88: You have been the most vocal and the most frequent of reviewers and I cannot thank you enough! Thank you for your consistency and your overwhelming support
I wish I had more time to thank you all, but I've got some preparations to see to to send this crazy year off with a bang. There will be more shout outs in the future so stay tuned for that as well. I can't wait!
A new year and a new journey for us all. A time to reflect and look forward a the same time. Please stay safe on this holiday night and read on, Loves! Until next time! Laters!
