"So...what am I supposed to do?"

"Just a moment."

I rested my hand on a pedestal that sat in the center of the Extraction Chamber. A holographic screen popped up in front of me, displaying a number of options. I set the steam temperature to the maximum setting. I personally preferred something gentler on my "skin" but I believed that Jasper had a few thousand years worth of stress that she needed to get rid of. There was the option to apply a scent to the steam as a sort of aromatherapy. That made me curious.

"Is there any particular scent you're fond of?" I asked over my shoulder.

"Not really."

"Well…" I sighed. "Is there anything you wouldn't mind smelling for the next hour?"

"Is this really important?" Jasper asked, annoyed. I turned to her, a hand on my hip. She was sitting on the bench behind me, her arms crossed.

"I just want to make things comfortable for you, Ms. Ultimate Quartz," I explained, the faintest hint of impatience edging its way into my voice. "Look. I can pick for you, if that makes you happy."

"You know what would make me happy?" Jasper began with a smirk.

"Don't make me move it up to three hours," I warned, turning back to the screen so that she wouldn't see the grin that was threatening to form on my face. Stars above...Jasper really loved to push her luck with me, didn't she? I had to admit, this constant back and forth of irritation and amusement was something I'd never had with a Quartz soldier. Not even my most rambunctious Amethyst had the audacity to be so vocal with me. It was different, and yet...I was enjoying it.

I decided to go with the scent of Earth pine. It, and other organic plant matter, had been taken from Earth prior to the Rebellion. It was something Homeworld did for all colonies; taking things with fine fragrances and using them for Gem relaxation. It was, perhaps, the only thing of worth that organic life had ever provided for us. With that, I confirmed the setting I'd chosen and turned to join Jasper on the bench. The vents activated at the same time, and with a hiss, the hot, scented steam began filling the room.

"Ahh," I sighed. I could already smell the pine. I glanced at Jasper. "Things should heat up momentarily. Perhaps you'd like to change into something more comfortable?"

"...Like what?" said Jasper, cocking a brow.

"Well, usually, Gems like to change their physical modifiers into something like a bathing suit. Exposes more "skin", so to speak. Makes the Extraction that much better, in my opinion."

"Seems like a bit much…" The Quartz paused, looking down at the chest part of her uniform. Already, beads of liquid were beginning to form. "It's doing it over my uniform, anyway."

"True…" I admitted. "I think it's more for the aesthetics. If you look like you're relaxed, then you'll feel like you're relaxed."

"I'll pass," Jasper said. Damn it.

"That's fine," I responded, hiding my disappointment. "I, on the other hand…" My physical modifiers began to glow as they shifted. My robe and sandals were replaced with a bathing suit, a solid dark-grey in color. Content, I leaned back against the wall, crossed my legs and closed my eyes. Droplets trickled down my exposed arms and legs. It felt nice, as if someone were caressing me with their fingers.

"You never answered my question," I heard Jasper say. "What do I do?"

"Relax," I said plainly.

"How? You're just...sitting there."

"Exactly. You have to sit still, don't think about anything stressful, and let the extraction happen."

"...That's it?" I opened an eye, seeing Jasper staring at me in disbelief. "Come on; there has to be more to it. It can't just be an hour of sitting here."

"Well," I began. "We could always pass the time by talking." She groaned again.

"About what?" Jasper grunted. I shrugged.

"Anything, really. What's on your mind, Jasper?" I paused. "And if you say "training", I swear to White Diamond—" Jasper let out a breathy chuckle.

"Earth's on my mind," the Quartz said. "And not just because of the mission. I keep remembering the War."

"Unavoidable, I suppose," I replied. I paused, gazing up towards the ceiling as glimpses of the war flashed in my mind. Funny how such old memories could still be so fresh. Looking back at Jasper, I continued wistfully. "It's funny, really. The War was horrible for Homeworld and yet, there were some moments I remember quite fondly. Of course, those tales probably pale in comparison to what I've heard about you, the "Kindergarten Quartz That Could"."

Another smirk graced Jasper's features, as expected. Then again, I'd probably be the same if I'd emerged as perfectly as she did.

"Tell me," I started, my own coy grin beginning to form. "Did you really shatter eighty traitors the day you emerged, or is that number...exaggerated?"

It took everything in me not to laugh at the look of offense on Jasper's face. I could already hear her dry, arrogant retort in my head. Such a sensitive ego; I loved it.

""Exaggerated"," she repeated slowly. "Good one. Sounds like something a Spinel would say."

"A Spin—" I couldn't hold it back. I began laughing harder than I probably should have, bringing up a hand in front of my mouth. Her eyes burned into me.

"What's so funny?" Jasper growled. It took me a moment to compose myself. I think I'd even started tearing up. Clearing my throat, I turned to the Quartz again.

"YOU, Jasper," I answered bluntly. "You amuse me. And I mean no disrespect when I say that. Nor did I mean any offense with my earlier statement. It was a joke, to put it simply."

"Mmph…"

"Alright, alright." I held up my hands in defeat. "I'm genuinely curious, though. What was it like for you, that first day?" Jasper leaned back, finally looking as if she were actually trying to relax. Her arms were still folded, but it was a start.

"Well, for starters," said Jasper. "It was actually eighty-three Gems. I kept count." Of course she did. "Would've gotten more if my Agate hadn't gotten to me."

"Your Agate?" I asked.

"Yeah, Yellow Agate. She was assigned to the Beta Kindergarten, but I wasn't exactly in the mood to take orders. I was ready to start fighting."

"And she put you in line, hmm?"

"That's putting it lightly…" Jasper chuckled, but I didn't hear any humor in it. "She's nothing like you. You even look at her the wrong way and...yeah."

"Hmph." It was my turn to be unimpressed. A lot of Agates were like that. It was how Agates were supposed to be, apparently. I couldn't agree with that. Patience was a better tool for Quartzes, not blind rage and aggression. If that made me "flawed" in some way, then so be it. We were all flawed, really. Only the Diamonds were truly perfect. Jasper's voice caught my attention.

"Anyway, I got my chance to take out more crystal Gems," she continued. My jaw tightened at that name, but unlike with the Lazuli, I chose to let it go. "Kinda lost track of how many after a few hundred years, but I'd like to think I made a dent in Rose's army, heh."

"Very impressive. And you never got to meet Rose Quartz in battle?"

"Believe me, if I had, you probably wouldn't be on this mission."

"I don't know…" I began teasingly. "I've heard she's quite strong."

"Not stronger than me," the warrior Gem insisted. "Trust me."

"I'll take your word for it," I chuckled. By now, the steam had dampened Jasper's hair, making it cling to her body. It was alright, though I definitely preferred the untamed, gravity-defying nature her hair had when it was dry. Nevertheless, I did want to run my fingers through it...maybe move that one noticeable strand out of her face. My fingertips drummed against my thigh as I held myself back.

There was a moment's pause as we sat there, dripping wet and surrounded by the ever-thickening steam. In that time, my mind began wandering back to my days during the war, the battles I fought alongside my Quartzes, the interrogations of captured traitors…the losses we faced...I began to frown, looking down at my hands. So many shards I'd held in my hands. Rose Quartz's policy was to only dissipate the form of an enemy Gem, however, I knew from experience that such a rule was only talk. My hands became fists, a sudden bolt of hatred shooting through me. Rose Quartz, of all Gems, was the last person who should have been advocating for peaceful methods.

"Zebra Agate."

I blinked. Jasper was...calling me? This was the first time she'd used my name. Glancing at her, I saw her giving me a look of...concern…? Her brow was furrowed, so I thought she might've been angry. Yet her eyes were...surprisingly soft. They held no aggression in them. My cheeks burned with humiliation; quickly, I turned to look at a wall.

"My apologies," was all I could think to say.

"...Lemme guess," Jasper said. Even her voice sounded somewhat understanding. "Bad memories, huh?"

"...I'm afraid so," I whispered. I felt my eyes sting with tears, and my embarrassment deepened. Despite my efforts, I felt a tear trickle down my cheek. I wiped at it quickly. Clearing my throat, I forced myself to speak in a clearer voice. "Let's just say that I might have some difficulty holding back on Rose Quartz myself."

"Maybe we don't have to."

"Jasper…" I dared to face the Quartz again. "I have my orders."

"We could just say it was an accident," Jasper suggested. She looked...hopeful. "Y'know...she was being difficult...it was either her or us, that kind of thing."

"I doubt Her Clarity would fall for that," I sighed.

"But wouldn't it be worth it? Letting out all that anger and just…" Jasper slammed her palm with her fist. "No point in holding yourself back. It'd feel much better to give Rose what she deserves."

The offer was so tempting, especially with how Jasper described it. Yet, my loyalty to my Diamond and my fear of what my failure could've brought me held a tight grip on my Gem. At the same time, I didn't want to outright decline.

"I'll think about it," was my final answer.

"Fair enough," sighed Jasper. I gave her a smile.

"Thank you," I said gently. "You're surprisingly thoughtful. I didn't think you had that in you."

"I wouldn't call it that..." Jasper grimaced. I chuckled again, a gentle warmth buzzing through me. Poor dear. Did she think I was calling her soft or something?

"Well, whatever you call it…" I paused, allowing myself to reach up and brushing aside the irritating strand of hair. Jasper's eyes widened, her cheeks darkening in color. "I appreciate it."

"Yeah…" The Quartz cleared her throat, tearing her gaze from mine. Oh...I was going to miss her when this mission was over.