Things had been peaceful for a time, and Steven had used it to enjoy some of the things he had ignored in the past. It used to be that he would only venture into town once or twice a week, now he was there every day, he went to the big donut more often, which usually meant hanging out with Sadie, Lars, and the other older kids. In the past Lars had intimidated him, now that he and Sadie were together, he seemed much more approachable, that and being a trained sword fighter came with a certain degree of confidence. He played games in the Arcade with Onion, went to see movies and discuss books with Connie, and played music with his dad. Focusing on the human part of himself for a while as his relationship with the gems (aside from Amethyst) had become somewhat fraught.
Rose was rarely home these days, and on the rare occasion Steven caught a glimpse of her between warps, or heading to and from the temple she wouldn't make eye contact with, if he called after her she pretended not to hear. Garnet became more aloof if that was possible, never giving him more than single syllable, and if pressed she would simple stare off, eyes hidden behind her glasses. Amethyst tried to reassure him, that they weren't mad at him for trying to connect with Peridot, that they were just worried for what might happen next. Still part of him felt like he truly was at fault, but didn't know how to make it better.
"I know you keep things from me.
Things you think I shouldn't see
I know it's scary stuff
But now I'm old enough
And guys you might think I'm too Innocent
`But these lies are causing dissonance
Ohhhh All of you just tell me what is true
Ohhhh All of you, I know that we'll get through."
Steven drew the bow along the strings of his viola as he completed the song. Greg clapped lightly from the the back of the van parked on the beach. His father had been showing him some of his knew audio equipment which had lead to him playing his new song.
"That's some heavy stuff kiddo, but I think if you really want them to understand you gotta talk to them. I hate to admit it but a song isn't gonna solve all your problems." Steven smiled as he stowed his viola in it's case and nodded.
"I suppose I have to trust the wise words of my elders." He gave a snort of a laugh as he tucked the viola case into his gem. Greg shook his head in mock outrage.
"Children these days." The both laughed and Greg reached for the hanging microphone. "Well if I'm too old." Speaking into the mic his voice gained a mechanical distortion. "Maybe you would prefer an immortal robo dad." Steven clapped his hand to his face.
"Oh no what hath my hubris wrought." They're revitalized laughter was cut short by a sudden discordant sound. Greg checked his instruments and gear but Steven could hear it was coming from the temple. "I'm gonna go check out what's going on up there, you can finish the pizza."
"You know I will" Greg smiled and waved to Steven as he made his way down the beach.
Once inside the house he found the Gems clustered around a small cone shaped object: The sound becoming more intense the closer he got to it.
"Make it stop!" Amethyst cried holding the sides of her head. Garnet depressed the button at the top which seemed to do just that, only for it to resume the moment she lifted her hand. Steven thought to extend his awareness out and connect with it. As if reading his mind Rose turned to catch his eye.
"What is going on?" He called over the shrieking sounds coming from the device.
"This wailing stone just activated all on it's own, they've been deactivated since the rebellion but it's never done this before." Rose called back as Steven stepped closer.
"We could just send it away, or destroy it." He offered only for Garnet to shake her head.
"That wouldn't solve the problem, someone is trying to send a message we need to figure out how to receive it." As she said this however she grabbed various pillows from around the room, stuffing the hole in the center and covering the whole device.
"I don't understand, the wailing stone has never acted like that before, we used to be able to send and receive audio messages." Rose said in an uncharacteristically thoughtful tone as she stared at the still reverberating stone. Steven's eyes went wide, smiling wide at the three of them.
"My Dad knows audio!" Without another word he took hold of the stone, pillow still stuffed in the hole and hoisted it up easily with his enhanced strength. Motioning the others to follow he head out and made his way back down the beach. The gems simply looked at each other and shrugged and followed. A short while later they were all sitting on the beach behind Greg's van.
"I can't believe it, you guys need help with sound stuff? You came to the right place!" Rummaging through his things Greg produced the lubitz cardioid condenser 680. Rose chuckled a little at his enthusiasm before speaking up.
"Mr Universe, do you really think your earth technology is compatible with such an advanced signal?" Greg blushed but nodded.
"If anyone can clear up your audio it's me, and Rose it's been years, you can call me Greg." She chuckled again.
"You'll always be mister Universe to me. . ." Then her smiled turned a soft sort of sad. "Go ahead Greg." He nodded and removed the pillow, quickly replacing it with the microphone. As he fiddled with the sliders and dials on his sound mixer the distortions began to change. Steven noticed how it began to sound almost musical, but was too focused on trying to listen for the message to voice the observation. It was almost as if something was missing. As he watched his father trying desperately to clear the signal his eyes drifted up, noticing the old TV on the top of some boxes.
"Maybe if this signal is more advanced, it isn't just audio!" Steven lept up. "Keep going Dad." Digging through the mass of wires and old equipment he found what he was looking for, and when he held up the video cable Gregs eyes went wide.
Oh stars it's video!" As Steven connected the video cord, Greg finally managed to cut through the distortion and the image of Lapis Lazuli appeared on the TV screen.
"Steven I hope you're able to hear this, there's a Gem looking for you she didn't know your name but she was able to describe you. She's on her way to earth now, and she isn't coming alone. Homeworld is so different now, so advanced, I could barely understand any of it. You need to hide, let the other gems handle this I don't want to see you hurt."
They stood in silence for a long moment letting what they'd seen sink in.
"She must be talking about Peridot, she's on her way" Garnet said gritting her teeth. Beside her Amethyst began to shake.
"She's coming for us!" Rose laid a hand on each of their shoulders to help calm them as Steven watched Lapis' message loop back to the beginning.
"Lapis, she looks so scared and unhappy." Even with Rose's influence Garnet and Amethyst began to spiral. Garnet proposing prepperations to be made, some practical some ridiculous, while Amethyst looked on the point of tears. Steven felt dread welling up inside himself before Rose cut through everything with a firm clearing of her throat.
"Thank you Greg, because of you we were able to decipher the message." She shook his hand, and the others quieted somewhat, offering their thanks as well. Steven smiled, and nodded to her as he threw his arms around his father.
"My Dad is the best." His voice distorted, having secretly grabbed the microphone.
"Oh no my son is a Robot, what hath my Hubris brought?!" They laughed, but Steven could still see the worry on the Gem's faces, and he felt it in his own heart, but the laughter helped him forget about it, at least for a little while.
