Steven made a simple motion with his hands, to tell them to be quiet, while he got the door. I wont lie for him, so I will say that he was just as nervous as everyone else. I also won't fib and say he had no second thoughts on the idea, or that he fully believed it could work. But the chance that it COULD work, that he COULD make them their friend was enough for him to try.
His first power wasn't just to change. It was also to befriend. It toke Spinel's invasion to remind him that, since the belief he was finally done with dealing enemies and going on adventures, and having a 'happily ever after' made him forget. There's always people hurting around the corner, who lash out and get upset, or may not enjoy the idea of Era 3, who just need someone to be there for them.
However that didn't mean he didn't have to keep reminding himself to keep his guard up. He needed this to work if he was going to be this gem's friend. But he still couldn't forget what that novelist told him... yet, he had to stay strong.
Needless to say, everyone in the temple (except Steven) were about as shocked to see the fusion as a person would be if they were struck by lightning. They could tell after all; according to Agate, he was struck by lightning once... for reasons he refused to share to the other two.
"Wow... Steven, you never said he was a dapper man in a suit." Amethyst then said with a nervous smile on her face, clearly trying to bring humor and lighten the awkward situation underway. The fusion, which could be identified easily by the gems as an Apatite, just raised an eyebrow at this. They had no idea if that comment was a compliment or an insult, but they let it slide in case.
"It's... wonderful to meet you all..." the fusion then said as he politely waved one of his hands, the other pair behind his back, crossing their fingers in a silent prayer that their fooling the rebellion. However, some obvious strain could be detected at the word 'wonderful'. Why should they show these gems any respect, if not for the fact they had to keep up the false façade? These gems went out of their way to disrespect the diamonds, so it's not as if they would treat them the same way. Which, would lead to either them being shattered like Pink (who they still needed to ask about) or insults and never-ending fighting.
"It's nice to meet you two." replied Pearl, resulting in a simple nod from Peridot and the comment "Yeah, welcome to Earth!" from Amethyst was soon added.
Garnet however, said something else. "I hope you three are a wonderful experience." She had said it with such sincerity in her voice, it was hard not to view it as a compliment, despite the lack of knowledge on the sentence's meaning. She really had meant it, after all. Any fusion should be stable and happy with being alive- being themselves- just as Ruby and Sapphire form the perma-fusion Garnet out of love. In their eyes, Apatite should be no exception.
Apatite was caught off-guard quickly by the comment, which was easy to recognize by him slightly flinching. 'Experience? What in stars name is that meant to mean?' Agate had questioned to the other two. However, neither of them could quite give a proper answer. They hid their confusion, however, and merely gave a slow nod through their now-one head.
An uncomfortable silence soon enveloped the beach house as easily as a spell could be casted, once no one had anything else to say. No one really knew what exactly to say, thanks to the unusual situation each of them was being put under.
Then, it was Peridot to have rescued them from the deafening lack of noise by speaking up, saying "Steven, shouldn't you be showing them Little Homeschool?"
Of course she was right. Little Homeschool might be the best way for Apatite (or as the other gems truly viewed it, the three rogue gems from Madison) to get to know other gems, and learn about how much Earth and Homeworld have changed over the years of them being locked up. That, and it would be a nice way to keep an eye on them without raising much suspicion. However, that was more of a key to rehabilitation then reformation. For a friendship to form, he needed to get to know the gem and what made them how they are in the present time. And for that, he needed to be closer to them then he could be just teaching them basic living necessities in the modern time. Yet, it would still be a good idea to at least give the gem a tour of Beach City.
"Thanks for reminding me, Peridot." Steven then responded, looking over at the light blue fusion, who was still standing in the doorway and had begun fidgeting with the multi-colored flowers on his suit. The fusion was still adjusting to this new form, but they had to stay together if they wanted their plan to succeed.
Catching the cue, they stepped back and let Steven step back through the door and onto the patio. The half-gem waved goodbye to his friends, who waved in return despite their internal doubts as the two walked down the stairway and on to the sand. They all had faith in Rose's son, of course. After all, this was the boy who purified the diamonds of their grief over Pink with the revelation of him being her descendant, the boy who healed all the corrupted gems, allies and foes alike from the war, the boy who helped Spinel find love again, and so, so much more. But each act of kindness had been achieved with their own batch of danger along with it. This would be no exception.
I know, I know, I toke a real long time with this chapter and I apologize for that. I've been a bit under the weather recently, so I've been having a lot of trouble working on this chapter. I'll try not to take as long when it comes to uploading, but I'm a bit ashamed to say I probably won't be able to upload a chapter daily as I have been until I fully recover. Don't worry though! I refuse to spend as long as I have to work on a chapter for this story, and I'm not abandoning it like I have so many others have on here. Still, I hope you all are enjoying the story, since I try my best to make it enjoyable to write and read.