Note: I couldn't wait to get this part up. It's been stuck in my head for a few weeks and I'm happy to finally have time to type it out. So excited. Enjoy!
Chapter Ten
Steven didn't have to wait long for the mermaids to be brought inside. Unfortunately Yevette was not only mad they were waiting, she didn't let him speak a word to them or walk near them either. She was currently leading the way down one of the many hallways in this building until they came to a big heavily made door. Before opening it Yevette turned to Steven. "You can't go in here."
"What? Why?" Steven asked.
"We have a few... 'things' in here right now and we don't want you to get hurt."
"Too late for that." Steven mumbled under his breath. He was still holding Bella's hand but was part way behind her, standing close to the mermaids. Well, as close he could be with several guys armed to the teeth between them. Yevette looked hurt for a moment, something her wife and the small aquatic caught before she turned away.
"Your coming with me Steven. Whinney wants to see you to look you over."
"Is that really necessary?" Bella asked pulling Steven behind her a bit more. "He has done everything we've asked of him since being here."
"Yes." Yevette said. "You know how she can be."
"Steven." Bella said turning to kneel in-front of him, being careful not to drop Connie out of her arm. "Make sure you listen to your aunt Whinney ok?"
"O-Ok." Steven said nervously. Bella smiled at him as she ran her hand through his hair a few times. Only the last time, she skillfully took the shell from Steven's ear. Steven himself looked a bit more nervous but was slightly reassured by Bella giving him a wink. As she stood Steven grabbed her hand again. "Will you be gone long?"
"Not long." Bella said slipping the shell from her hand into her pocket casually. "I have to get your friends here situated before I can join you."
"There not his friends." Yevette frowned.
"Don't worry Steven. They'll be ok." Bella said ignoring her wife.
"Promise?" Steven said looking over his shoulder at the aquatics. Jasper's eyes were constantly looking around them all. She never looked at anyone longer then a few seconds before moving onto the next person. Pearl was still asleep in her arms with her face tucked into Jasper's neck protectively. The Guardian was holding her companion very close and looked ready to snap at anyone who got too close to her. She looked to be breathing so that was good. It was only after he noticed that did he notice the third mermaid standing there. He remembered her name was Sapphire. She was pressed right up against the back of Jasper's leg and was looking between him and Bella. She was dripping water slightly onto the floor from the big shirt on her form as her hair stuck to her. She looked rather scared and Steven wanted nothing to do but give her a hug. He wish he could. He figured that she must of gotten caught like these two had but didn't look hurt so that was good. "Promise me they'll be ok."
"Promise." Bella said with a ruffle of his hair and a smile "Now, go one with Yevette."
Steven whined a bit but walked over to his aunt and slowly took her hand. Only after he started to move to her did Jasper let out a low growl. Yevette frowned and went to say something but Steven turned and spoke up first. "I-It's ok Jasper. I'll be ok." Jasper clicked her tongue and Steven continued "Just make sure Pearl is ok. And Connie." Jasper growled a bit more but with a look from Bella she turned her gaze down to Pearl's face with a small grumble "And no fighting."
Jasper couldn't help but roll her eyes and it made Steven smile a bit. Yevette and Bella were watching in a bit of surprise to the way the Guardian was reacting to Steven. They hadn't expected her to fully listen to them like she had been doing. They were ready for some type of fighting from the three but there was none. Bella had picked it up earlier but Yevette was just now realizing that the mermaid was being a bit protective of Steven, well of all of them honestly. As she looked around she always made sure the kids were in her line of sight. The Guardian wasn't letting anyone near the one in her arms and kept leaning to the side to make sure the other one was still with them. Even now, the Guardian kept looking around at all the armed men then down at her two then Steven and his friend. It was confusing to her why she was doing it but there was no ill intent or violence towards the kids flowing off the big aquatic and it was something she was going to talk to her wife later about. It just baffled her.
No other words were exchanged as Yevette started leading Steven down the hallway. Steven looked over his shoulder and waved to the aquatics one more time before disappearing around the far end of the hall. From here his stomach set into his nerves. He always dreaded seeing his aunt Whinny. She was always so cold with a cool unsettling look upon her face. It was like watching someone fake being alive when around others. He had only seen her truly smile once and it was the scariest thing he had ever witnessed. Even growing up around all three aunts, Whinney was the one he would never let hold him. He would cry and try to get away from her every time. Never wanted to be alone with her and even now, he was scared.
"Steven." Yevette pulled her nephew from his thoughts as they stopped at the beginning of a hall that lead to a huge pair of double doors. His aunt leaned down on one knee to talk to him on the same level. From here Steven could see the small specks of fear in Yevette's eyes and it made him feel sick. "When we go in there and see Whinney I need you to pretend you don't know about those mermaids ok?"
"Will she hurt me if I do?" He half asked half whispered as if someone could hear them speaking.
"Steven, you know your aunt Whinney can be too much to handle at times." Yevettte nervously glanced down at the double doors as they started to creek open "She will hurt them if you say you know anything about them or mermaids in general so don't say there any more then children's stories ok? I don't believe she will lay a hand on you but be weary Steven, I can't promise she won't try something."
Steven gave a weak nod as the far doors tapped against the wall with a loud clunk. It wouldn't of sounded so loud, or made the pair jump as high, if there was other noise going on right now but there was nothing. Whenever Whinney would come around the air always seemed to stand still, even on the windiest of days. It was always an eerie calm that sent his nerves into over drive and always made him feel a bit queasy. The air would become still and not even a bug would make a peep. Just utter silence.
"Steven." A chillingly calm voice called down the hallway "There you are."
"H-Hi aunt Whinney." Steven said looking down the hall to see his third aunt standing there with a smile.
"Hello Starlight." She said folding her arms behind her back "Come in and lets talk. It's been a while."
Yevette whispered in Steven's ear to play dumb before standing and taking his hand. As they started down the hall Steven's hands were starting to slightly shake. The closer they got the more Steven leaned into Yevette to the point where he was almost hiding behind her by the time they reached the doorway.
Stepping into the room, the doors shut behind them with a big thud, making the small boy jump rather high. The room it's self was cold. Colder then the ocean on a winter day. The floor was a white marble with a dark red rug running from the doors to a big desk of similar color. The walls were covered in various drapes of dark colors. His aunt stood in the center of the room, looking whiter then a peace of paper. Her white hair was pulled out of her face and pinned behind her ears. Her eyes were such a dull blue they could be white on there own. She was dressed like she had come back from doing something important or a big meeting of some type when she called for them.
Yevette's own hands were shaking as she pulled Steven further into the room. Her nervousness wasn't helping anything either. She took her nephew over to her sister but stopped a few steps shy of her. They have never seen eye to eye. Yevette and Whinney had a strained relationship from what Steven could see growing up around them. Whinney always seems to bring out the worst in Yevette and neither could be in the room with the other for too long before a fight would break out. Greg had always taken Steven and Bella into another room when there disputes would start but it wasn't a rare occasion to hear things breaking and the sounds of thunder and wind mixed in, as strange as it was. Steven knew about the fighting but never to the extent it could get. Between the pair they have brought down entire buildings with there disputes.
"I've missed you starlight." Whinney said closing the space between them and kneeling in front of Steven with her arms open "It's been a while."
Steven didn't say anything as he stepped forward to give Whinney a hug. She didn't hug him for long, her hold itself was off putting and distant. It was like hugging someone too fragile and creepy. That she would either break in half or rip your head off. It was always a toss up. That also didn't compare to the cold seeming to seep into Steven's skin from her either. Whinney didn't hold onto him for long before pulling away and looking him over.
Steven knew to hold still and let her move him this way and that. He never understood why she would do this but she would look him over very carefully. For anything that was out of place, not normal, not right. Steven had asked his dad once and he said it was because his mom was very clumsy growing up and Whinney just wanted to make sure he was ok, if he was just as bad. However, as Steven got bigger he suspected it was for other reasons she did this. A pang of fear hit Steven's chest for a moment as Whinney looked in his ears before remembering Bella had taken the shell from him. It made him pause for a moment in wonder as to why she would look in his ears in the first place.
Whinney seemed satisfied, after what felt like a very long time, she smiled and patted her nephews head a little too hard before standing up. "I herd you have had an exciting day."
"It was ok." Steven said fixing his shirt "I was happy to hear I was getting to come spend time here with you four."
"It is, isn't it." Whinney said folding her arms in-front of her loosely with a crooked smile.
"I can't wait to see Yellow." Steven said glancing at Yevette "I've missed her."
"Shes missed you too starlight." Whinney said looking up as the doors they came through opened.
"Has anyone seen Yellow?" Bella asked poking her head into the room.
"Not since we left this morning." Yevette answered looking at her wife.
"She has to be around here somewhere dear." Whinney said looking down at Steven "Why don't you go wonder to her room and look for her. I have to speak with your aunts here for a moment."
"I rather wait if that's ok with you aunt Whinney." Steven said catching the nervous look on Yevette's face and the fearful one on Bella's. Steven had noticed, since coming to see them, that whatever room Whinney would occupy or spend her time in, Bella wound refuse to go in there. She would always stand just outside the threshold of those rooms and would never step inside without Yevette being right by her side holding her hand. Steven had always thought it was very strange but he figured Whinney wasn't just making him nervous. He could understand her hesitation.
"It's not, but you can wait outside the door for Bella." Whinney said gesturing to the door before pushing him forward a bit.
Yevette saw the way Steven was picking up on the situation and she waved her hand before giving him a gentle pat on his back "We won't be long Steven."
"Y-Yes, of course." Bella said stepping aside for Steven to pass "Then will go looking for Yellow together alright?"
Steven gave a nod as he walked out into the hall. He looked back to see Bella giving him a reassuring smile before turning and quickly walking to Yevette's side as the door slowly closed behind him.
It was taking a lot for Jasper to listen to the Elemental leading the way through this horrible place that lacked water. It took even more to let Steven be lead away from them. She was still in her word to keep them safe and this didn't seem very safe to her. She was pissed. She was scared. She wanted to fight and run all at the same time. Her companion came first and this was the last place she wanted her to be. She had to wake up or move or something.
"You all can go." The aquatic in-front of them said, pulling her out of her head "I can handle it from here."
"We really can't do that."
"Your wife made it clear we are to stay by your side until these three are securely transported and contained-"
"I know what your orders are." Bella said cutting them off with a wave of her hand "And I'm giving you new ones."
"But Miss-"
"What you can do is open this door and stand outside of it until I come back out." Bella said.
"Yes Ma'am."
Jasper could feel the power rolling off this aquatic beauty they thought had been lost to the land long ago. Her soft spoken voice and calm outside was misleading to the head held high confidence she could see in front of her now. There was no mistake she was who her name claimed her to be. Part of Jasper, a deep down part in her core, wanted to bow. Wanted to have her pledge her loyalty as a Guardian to her but most of her held back. The feeling was easy to push away but not ignore. They all were still in danger. She found them in the cave, she fought and hurt her companion. Jasper didn't really know what to think.
Bella turned and opened the door behind her. She didn't even give a glance at the aquatics behind her as she walked through. Sapphire understood they needed to follow and gently pushed on the back of the Guardians thigh. The bigger aquatic got this hint and glanced down at the smaller before following Bella.
When they walked into the room they stopped just a few steps in. The room was huge. A gigantic water tank that reached almost to the ceiling dominated most of the back half of the room. To the right were several big cages with only one being occupied. To the left were several big machines that seemed to flash gentle pulsing lights and beeps. There were different clicks and whizzing sounds bouncing around the room at different times and it was making the Guardian and Reader twitch slightly, the noise uncomfortably hitting there ears. There was also several big tubes of water, seeming to be connected to the tank, and a big one with chains standing alone.
When they stopped Bella had turned back to face them. A voice in the room called out to the shifter child in Bella's arm as she walked back towards the door. Jasper instinctively growled and back up, moving her and Sapphire off to the side. She was ready to grab all the water in the tank to attack the other but she just walked right by them. Bella reached out and shut the door they had come through.
"What did you do to her?!" Jasper looked up to the only cage that had something in it. There was a women standing there holding the bars and a man who looked to be worse for wear sitting against the back wall on there confinement. There was a click of familiarity in her face but the Guardian couldn't place where she knew her from. "Connie?!"
"Take a breath." Bella said turning away from the aquatics and walking over to a random table in the room. "She is alive."
"Shes not moving." The women's voice cracked as she followed Bella as far as she could in the cage.
Bella said nothing as she laid Connie on the table. She made sure she was situated before telling the woman to wait. From here she turned back to the aquatics and Jasper barred her teeth. The bigger aquatic took a step towards the trio and Jasper barred her teeth more with a low growl starting to fill the room. She was holding Pearl as close and as tight as she could to herself without hurting her companion and was fully blocking Sapphire from anything Bella could do to them. She was ready to defend them with her life.
Bella knew this and had stayed a good distance from the Guardian. She held her hands up gently as she spoke to them. "Can I check her?" Jasper growled louder and took another step back. Her eyes were staring to glow but inside she could feel the strain on her body. She was starting to push against her limits and if she did too much she would pass out and that is the last thing she wanted to do. "I just want to make sure she is going to be ok." Bella gently took a step forward "She got shocked more then you and we both know she can't easily shake that off like you or I could."
The Guardian was huffing and trying to hold it together. She didn't want Bella or anyone any closer to her companion or there Reader. Bella could see the water in the tank start to move ever so much, noting to the Guardian starting to gather it to use. She could easily over power the three of them right now but she didn't want too. She didn't want to hurt them and she knew she had to take control of the situation. She needed there trust or at the very least there corporation.
"Guardian." Bella's said adding power and command behind her words. Her voice started to layer with the whispers from her first meeting with the one unconscious. It was a unique ability that only her and Penny could do. "Stand down."
She held eye contact with the Guardian as non threatening as she could. She didn't want to come off as hostile but also silently demanded respect from the other. It didn't take long for Jasper to back down and break eye contact. Guardian's were very strong willed and built tough to begin with but when faced with an elder, they were not able to be disrespectful like this. You bow to those above you and protect those below you. In this moment, no matter how hard Jasper wanted to stand against her, she couldn't.
Sapphire could see the conflict in the Guardian's eyes as she broke off from staring down Bella to look at Pearl. She could see the pain in her face from Pearl not really moving still and the need to protect her was very great. Sapphire knew that Pearl should of stirred by now or done something. Shes been asleep for too long.
'Jasper' Sapphire clicked quietly getting the taller's attention 'Let her help us'
'No' A defiant click was very rough slipping through her clenched jaw.
'She isn't waking up on her own' Sapphire said touching Jasper's leg again 'The longer we wait... she mite not wake up at all'
Jasper was huffing and puffing as her thoughts raced around her head. While this was going on Bella turned her attention back to the two in the only occupied cage. She walked over to the door they all came through and locked it quickly. Once she was done she walked over to the cage and started to unlock it.
"I have to go to get my nephew soon." Bella said opening the cage and letting the women dart out past her "Be quick Priyanka."
The doctor moving across the room quickly got the smaller aquatics attention. Her name is what clicked in her head and she spoke without thinking first "Your Pepper's descendant."
The doctor didn't answer as she went right over to Connie. As she looked her over Bella came back over and stood in front of the Guardian once more. "Guardian." Jasper looked at her "Either you let me help her or you can hope she will wake up on her own."
With a rather loud growl Jasper clicked out to Bella to help her companion. No matter how Jasper felt about the other her companion came first. The older mermaid nodded and walked over to one of the big tanks. Next to it, on a desk, was a computer that was covered by a tarp. She moved the tarp asside and typed in a few codes. While she did this Sapphire was watching the doctor look over Connie. She was muttering to herself and looked very worried. Sapphire looked up to see Jasper's gaze focused on Bella so she turned and went over to the doctor. The Reader walked up slowly and the doctor jumped when she saw her.
"She's not waking up." The doctor said. "I-I'm not sure whats wrong."
Sapphire looked down at Connie and looked her over carefully. She was stone still as she laid there. Her chest was rising and falling lightly while her face looked to be in just the slightest bit a pain. Sapphire slowly stepped up to the edge of the table and pulled herself up to sit on top. As she did this Doctor Maheswaran stopped and watched her. "What are you doing?"
"Do you want me to heal her?" Sapphire asked gently.
"You can do that?" The doctor asked hopeful.
Sapphire nodded "I healed you a few times during the war. Since she is your descendant then it shouldn't be too much of a difference between your genetic make up. Its nothing powerful just a bit of a spark to help fix whatever is going on inside her right now."
The doctor looked at her for only a moment before nodding and looking down at her daughter "Will she be in pain?"
"I'm not sure but I don't think so." Sapphire said. With this she fell silent. The Reader moved to be on her knees and she leaned over the sleeping child. She placed one hand over her chest and another on her forehead. Her eyes glowed for a moment before she closed them. Hushed words of healing and hope filled the space around the three of them gently.
As that was happening Bella had come back to stand in front of Jasper. She was very cautious as she stood in front of the Guardian. Jasper was doing her best to hold still and keep her growling as low as she could manage. Bella understood the amount of control she was having over herself right now. She was surprised she didn't attack anyone yet and she was counting her lucky stars over it. Guardians rarely had control over instinct to protect there companions and defend there pods. It was always hit first, ask questions later if the person or thing was still alive.
"Your doing wonderfully in being calm Guardian." Bella said getting Jasper to look up at her. Jasper grunted and Bella chose her next words carefully "For me to help her I need to touch her." Jasper growled louder as she gently raised her hands "I know you don't want anyone to touch her and I understand that fully but for me to make sure she is ok I need to touch her."
Sapphire finished her words and gently pulled away from Connie. The child coughed a bit and opened her eyes. The doctor almost burst out in tears as she pulled Connie into her arms and held her close. She muttered out several thank you's as Connie blinked into focus and saw her mom.
"Mom?" Connie sounded horse but ok and Sapphire smiled gently.
"I'm so happy your safe." Priyanka said kissing her daughters head. It took a few more breaths for Connie to start crying too and cling to her mothers shirt. This made the Doctor hold her closer against her.
Sapphire smiled at them before tuning into the Guardian's sounds. Turning around Sapphire could see Bella standing very close to the bigger aquatic and having a hard time talking to her. Guardians in general were stubborn to talk to, harder to get to listen to yourself, and Jasper was one of the most difficult to deal with. Her ego would not only get in the way at times but her pride in her title could prove to be, and was, a problem right now. She took her needs to protect, defend, and serve too far at times, even though it wasn't fully her fault. The Reader knew she had to intervene not only for there safety but for Pearl's well being. They needed the help and Jasper's need to protect her could be her down fall.
Sapphire got off the table and quickly went back to Jasper's side. She placed a gentle hand on the bigger's leg and got a dark look snapped down at her for a moment. She flinched back for a second in response but held firm in her stance. 'Jasper. Stand down'
Jasper was starting to breath hard and her grip was getting a bit tighter around Pearl. They could see Pearl twitch with a slight look of discomfort cross her face for a moment. Bella could not only feel the connection between the two in-front of her but also could feel the smaller's discomfort. The Guardian was unintentionally sending waves of worry into her companion and she was responding to it. Bella knew she wanted to wake up but needed that extra push to open her eyes.
'Guardian' Bella clicked getting her full attention 'You need to try and relax. Your worry is smothering her'
Jasper's eyes darted down to Pearl's face and it just made her worry more. She could see the discomfort on her companions face an the small twitches of her fingers tucked safely in her lap. She was hurting her and it broke her inside.
She didn't want to hurt her.
'Please' Jasper clicked so soft they almost didn't hear it 'She needs to wake up'
'She will' Bella clicked 'Hold still the best you can so I can help. The more you move the longer it will take' Jasper took a deep breath and gave a slow nod.
Bella nodded in turn and looked down at Pearl. As she looked her over she slowly moved her hands. It was the power of Poseidon himself that was keeping Jasper from ripping Bella's arms from her body. She didn't want her anywhere near Pearl's form right now. She didn't want anyone near her but she needed the help and she would do anything for her. Anything.
Bella was pleased when her hands touched Pearl's form. She wasn't cold or dead so that was a plus. She placed a hand over Pearl's heart and one over her mark on her forehead. Bella closed her eyes and slowly tuned into the energy of the smaller. She could feel Pearl's life within her. It was a drowsy feeling like just after waking up but not feeling fully aware yet. She could feel that the protector was aware enough to know something was going on and that her companion was in distress. She could feel her pushing and pulling on her connection with the Guardian but not seeming to get anywhere with it. She was trying to wake herself up but couldn't. There was a block within her mind that was keeping her from opening her eyes and she could feel the panic that was creating. Bella focused in on this block and gently started to smooth it away. Like running your hand across sand Bella started to brush away the block from her mind. Layer by layer she could feel Pearl start to panic less. At first she recoiled from Bella's presence in her mind but soon relaxed in feeling her help. As she worked she pushed Pearl's mind towards her companions connection with her. It was a gentle push in a familiar direction to help her wake up. When Bella was satisfied she pulled her hands away and opened her eyes to smile gently at the Guardian. 'There, she will be just fine'
Jasper was flexing her fingers and standing still the best she could while Bella was touching Pearl in self control. She kept telling herself she was helping her companion and not hurting her but by the gods it was hard to listen to reason right now. Sapphire's hand rubbing her thigh gently helped to a degree and her reminder to breath as well. Through all of this Jasper was pulling hard on her connection with Pearl. Every second that passed she could feel her companion start to pull back. It was gentle at first but got stronger with each tug. Only when it was almost a tug of war did Bella open her eyes. Release washed over the Guardian as Bella dropped her hands and smiled at her. Her words were reassuring and it made Jasper feel so much better. She felt it even more when Pearl suddenly took a deep breath and moved on her own for the first time. She smaller tucked her face more into Jasper's neck wish a soft sigh.
Bella took a few welcomed steps back from both party's. "Pyrianka." She got the doctors attention and held the aquatics "I need to go check on my nephew. Can I trust you to set these three up for me?"
"Bella..." The doctor held Connie close as she clung to her mother.
"You don't have to lock the tanks tops just keep them calm for me." Bella looked behind her at the door before back at the shifter.
"Your asking a lot of me right now." The Doctor looked at her with tired eyes that the Reader caught as the Guardian was too focused on looking between Bella and her companion.
"I know." Bella gave a sad smile as she turned and walked to the door "I wish I could do more for you all right now but this is the best I can do."
"I know."
Bella unlocked the door and didn't give a glance back into the room as she stepped out of it and into the hallway, locking it behind her. Her head was full of confusion for the whole situation. She didn't understand what Whinney wanted with her and her kind. After she was forced up here Whinney seemed to loose all interest in the one who was to be given to her. Only after she was forced to go down to try (and fail) to get the heart did the Elemental suddenly want her promised treasure again. Seeing that shimmer in her eyes scared Bella more then anything. These thoughts didn't go unnoticed by her wife either. They both were fearful of what Yevette's older sister would do with the power she suddenly wanted again. They tried so hard to get her to forget about the underwater world but it seems they didn't try hard enough.
These thoughts plagued Bella as she walked down the hall and headed towards Whinney's office.
Just off the shore line, stolen boat
Greg was pretty cold by the time they started to reach there destination. The wind had dried him off but reminded his body that it was night and the sea was cold, semi freezing his cloths to his body. He was doing his best to keep an eye on the coast line as they moved, trying to spot land markers and natural formations to give him an idea of how close they were. It wasn't easy in the dark on the water but Greg was managing the best he could. As they got closer he started to recognize the beaches they were passing.
"Hey Lapis!" The thin mermaid opened her eyes and looked over her shoulder at him. Greg pointed to the cliffs in the distance as he spoke "Were getting close! There place should be right up here! Were gonna want to-really?"
Lapis didn't let him finish his words before she stood and gracefully dove off the side of the boat and back into the ocean. Her form was a light becon in the otherwise dark waters for a moment before Greg felt the boat start to slow.
"Whats up Lapis?" Peridot asked as the blue aquatic flashed next to them and caught up to her side.
"Were coming up on the place." She said looking back at Bismuth and Garnet pushing the boat from behind "Slow her down."
Both older aquatics stopped pushing the boat forward. Simultaneously the younger's swam up to the front of the boat and pushed against it. It wasn't a gentle stop but it didn't throw Greg off his feet this time. He was ready for it. As the boat slowed to a gentle coast forward the mermaids popped there heads out of the water.
Greg was waiting near the side of the ship and when the Guardian popped her head out to look at him. He pointed ahead of himself at the cliffs coming more into view. "Our destination is around that far cliff side."
"Is it heavily guarded?" Garnet asked as Bismuth popped up a bit behind her at the back of the boat while the others gathered at the front and side closest to there protector. This was unfamiliar territory and water to them. They didn't really know anything about this area. Those from the war had this area scarred into there minds as a no travel zone. The enemy forces had been heavily concentrated in this area. To the younger's it was just ill intent blanketing the entire area and they had no desire to be any further into this sea then needed.
Greg shook his head as they drifted the boat forward "Not as far as I know on the ocean side. Street side however." Greg took a breath that unsettled a few of them "That's a different story."
"More resistance?" Bismuth asked.
"Last time I came for just a visit my van was thoroughly search and it took over an hour to even get in the door."
"That strong?"
"That strong." Greg nodded "Steven's three aunts are very... paranoid I guess? Well, The sisters are. Both of them are very jumpy but Bella seems to not be like that. Shes rather nice-"
"What dose she look like?" Garnet asked cutting Greg off. "The third aunt?" She got a strange look from Greg and the younger's but Bismuth understood what she was asking, so did Blue. They could see the look on the Guardian's face that mirrored there own. Worry. Fear. Questioning of the unknown and the known they didn't want to face.
"Bella?" Greg got a stiff nod and as he started to describe her, the ones who knew her or of her, it dawned on them one by one. "Well shes really tall. She is very pale, she looks to be blue in most light but with meeting the lot of you she more then likely is blue. Her hair is a light blue like the smaller aquatic your missing..." The last though made Greg pause as he took in the pods varying faces of concern and worry to fear "...She would always take Steven to the beach but never..."
As Greg's thought trailed off the aquatics quickly stopped the boat, throwing him forward and almost off the front, as they ducked under the water.
"Are you freaking serious?" Lapis hissed.
"Take a breath." Peridot said with her own voice failing her for a moment.
"Shes alive." Lapis snapped a bit louder as Blue had her hands clasped in front of her and was shaking just enough to gain the Lone and Guardian's attentions "She's alive and didn't fucking come back for us!"
"Why would she be up there?" Bismuth said frowning "She must be still held against her will."
"N-No. He just said she would take Steven to the beach." Amethyst said "She-She- She had the chance to run. Lots of them!"
"She chose to stay up there." Blue spat out louder then anyone thought was possible for her. It made the others jump and Garnet reach out to her. She didn't have more then her fingers brush the smaller's arm before she yanked back out of her reach. "She had every chance to leave and come back to us but she didn't!"
"Blue." Garnet reached out further and didn't let her pull away this time. Getting a good grip on Blue's arm the Guardian pulled her to herself then tilted the smaller face up. Blue's eyes were closed and her hair waved around her face, keeping it partially hidden but that didn't stop the emotion flowing off of her. She was shaking and was very upset. Blue had come from Bella's personal pod. The elder had taking a liking to the thin blue mermaid by her side. It hurt Blue just as much, if not more, then Sapphire when she was taken and assumed to be lost. Now with this new information, with knowing she was still alive, hurt. It hurt deeper then any wound could do and Garnet could see this written all over Blue's face.
"Why wouldn't she come back?" Blue whispered opening her eyes and looking so broken "Dose she not want us anymore? Are we nothing to her?"
"Were not nothing." Garnet said pulling her into a hug.
"She fell in love with that being on land." Bismuth said "Could anyone really walk away from there companion like that?" She looked back up to the surface "No matter where they come from."
Garnet frowned as Blue nuzzled her face into her neck. The Guardian let out a soft rumble from her chest to help smooth the thin aquatic as her eyes roamed up to the waters surface. The others were giving off worried vibes over these new facts. The only one not worried was Lapis. She looked to be distressed like Blue but was trying to keep her emotions under control. That in itself was difficult. Mermaids in general were very shy to outsiders but also very open within there own kind. Showing emotion was normal. Being close and clingy, touchy, a bit flirty, was expected. They weren't shy in showing there love and concern for each other physically over verbally but for Lapis it was hard. She wasn't used to being open like this and has really struggled in opening up this way. Didn't mean she wasn't trying.
"Keep moving." Garnet said after a few more moments of holding Blue close, Amethyst coming up and curling around them both a bit for extra support. "Sooner we get the three of them back the sooner we can head back."
"Will it even be safe to go back?" Peridot asked.
"Nothing is safe right now." Bismuth said as she silently watched Ruby swim up to the back of the boat and pop up to talk to Greg. "We take this one step at a time."
Greg was a bit worried when the pod dived under the water but his own thoughts were running around in his head. It never really dawned on him that Bella could be a mermaid but everything he knew about her started to make more sense the more he thought about it. She was always covered up head to toe in a long dress of sorts. Never showing skin aside from the neck up and her hands. She was always covered and spoke very little. In all the time he has known her and spent any real amount of time with her she never really came into contact with water. She never drank it or touched it really. When water would come in contact with her skin she was always quick to wipe it away and Steven had always said that every time they would go to the beach she never stepped foot in the ocean.
Greg was so focused on putting the peaces together in his head that he didn't really acknowledge Ruby surfacing until she spoke. "How much further?"
Greg blinked a bit before looking forward. He squinted a bit before pointing "Just around the cliff face here." As she spoke the others slowly surfaced and listened "We need to stop before we round the cliff face or there going to see us."
"So slow and steady?" Ruby asked swimming back a bit and joining Garnet and Bismuth at the back of the boat. With a nod they slowly started pushing the boat forward. As they moved the ones not pushing the boat were swimming right under it. As the two older aquatics took turns swimming with there heads above water and below the younger's were rotating who was swimming in front under the boat. There eyes stayed glued to the shore line to there left and the darker waters to there right.
The ill intent in the water was heavily coating the whole area and saturating there path forward the closer they moved to there target. It didn't take Greg long for him to pick up on the pods distress. Bismuth and Garnet had slightly pained looks on there face as they moved forward. Ruby was slightly shaking with her eyes glued to the shore line. Also in not seeing any of the other mermaids he told them to stop. "Just push me close to the cliff side."
"You all look like your gonna run away." Greg said as they slowed the boat and started pushing it towards the cliff side "J-Just don't hit the boat against the rocks. Remember I can't breath under water and I don't think any of you would want to save me from drowning."
"Nope." Lapis said popping the last letter "But your more valuable alive then dead right now so."
Greg felt a bit put off with Lapis' shrug but excepted the answer none the less.
"What can you tell us about this place?" Bismuth asked as her and Garnet slowed the boat to a gentle sway. The others came up close to them as Blue submerged herself below the waves.
"Well it's a big building." Greg said thinking while gazing up at the cliff looming over him. "Very well guarded and very hard to get in and out of."
"How well do they check people coming in and out?" Bismuth asked.
"Very well."
"So if we just walked up." Bismuth frowned at the growl from the Guardian before she ducked under the surface of the water "It's just a question, don't bite my head off."
"They will know who you are before they even get a good look at you."
"Whats that supposed to mean?" Peridot asked.
"You guys fought them right? They know what a bunch of mermaids walking up to there front door is going to look like." Greg said "A bunch of naked women walking around will draw anyone's attention. Your scales are a big give away too."
Blue ducked under the surface as they started to talk to Greg. She needed a bit of space. Some time to her self real fast. Situations this complicated and heavily weighed upon her emotions tended to stress her out greatly. The silent aquatic tended to close off from others and crack a bit at the seams. It has been a long time since something this taxing had happened to her. The last few times she had there missing Guardian and Protector to lean on, to hide behind. They were the steady rock for her and right now she needed them more then she thought she ever did. They were so close and yet out of reach.
Blue swam a bit down from the ship and away from the others as she tugged on her connections. She yanked hard and fearfully on the other Guardians connection and then harder still when she couldn't feel Pearl's. It was still there, she could still feel that she was alive but that strand holding them together was very thin and laxed. Just like a one way mirror she could pull on her end but couldn't get a pull back from the other.
This in it's self made Blue huff. As she loosely wrapped her arms around herself she looked around the rocky wall ahead of her. No part of this cliff face from top to sand was smooth. It was all jagged peaces and no hidden coves for anything bigger then a fish to hide in. This is what helped it stand out to her, and the figure within.
A few feet from the ocean floor was a very big pipe. the rock round it was smooth and it jutted out into the water a good few inches before ending with a metal grate. Blue was confused by what she saw. She had seen pipes and stuff like this before all over the world but the person inside had what really caught her eye. She had only seen a arm but it was enough to get her attention. Curiosity is one hell of a thing. Mermaids were very curious creatures by nature. It could be deadly as it is dangerous. Blue knew this rather well but part of her still wanted to see who, or what, it was in that pipe.
Going against her better judgment Blue started to swim slowly down towards the pipe. She kept within the shadow of the boat but to get a good look she would need to come around the cliff side fully. She stopped right next to the rock face and silently watched the pipe. It didn't take long for the same person inside to peak out again. As they spotted her Blue got a flash of yellow as they ducked back out of sight.
Blue couldn't stop the curiosity in her as she pushed forward. She slowly swam away from the wall and towards the pipe. As she moved Garnet was right behind her. She kept a bit of distance from her but kept her in her line of sight. As Blue neared the pipe Garnet kept herself against the wall where Blue just was. The Guardian was trying to keep everyone in sight and keep out of sight herself. She knew Blue couldn't help the curiosity in her right now but it picked the worst time to come out.
Blue slowly came up to the front of the pipe from underneath. She slowed down and as she came to the lip she could hear something shifting inside. Blue peaked her head over the bottom lip of the pipe and came face to face with another mermaid. They both flinched back and Blue ducked under the pipe out of view. There was a shuffle and a gasp from inside the pipe followed by quite a few bubbles.
It was a few moments before a voice spoke out. "W-Wait!" From where Blue was under the pipe she could see just the tips of the figures fingers as she spoke. "Please come back. I didn't mean to scare you."
Blue's gaze flickered over towards the direction of the others. She could see Garnet lingering in the shadow of the boat on the cliff wall, eyes glowing a deep smoldering purple as she watched over her. Blue felt a little better and a bit silly now. She realized the situation currently wasn't the best moment to be curious but she felt safer knowing the Guardian was keeping an eye on her.
Blue looked up at the pipe ans slowly swam up to peak over the lip again. As she looked into the pipe she was face to face with a pretty pair of yellow/amber eyes. Golden hair and a daisy colored tail in front of her wrapped in a... Blue wasn't sure what it was but it didn't look like a shirt. It was wrapped around her chest tightly but wasn't loose. It puzzled her for a moment until the figure spoke.
"I was told mermaids like me didn't exist anymore." The figure said as she leaned back a bit to get a better view of Blue. The thin mermaid was silent as she looked over the other on the inside of the pipe. "Your very pretty."
"Are you trapped in there?" Blue asked looking at her and swimming a bit more up, exposing her just under her shoulders. She noticed the way the other looked at her and turned her face away, turning it a light red Blue didn't understand.
"N-No." The figure said trying not to look Blue over too openly "I can leave whenever I want but my moms don't like me wondering too far."
Blue tilted her head slightly as she looked behind her and further into the pipe. It went back for a few feet before making sharp turn up and disappearing out of sight. "Dose this go o the big building?"
"Why?" The figure asked backing up a bit. She looked confused until Blue felt a tug. She felt a strong tug from there missing peaces and both there eyes flicked up for a moment. "Your here for the three we have inside aren't you?"
"Are they hurt?" Blue asked.
"Um, I don't think so. One was being carried but she is alive from what I herd." She looked over her shoulder back into the pipe before back at Blue.
"Can you help us get to them?" Blue asked swimming a bit more up and grabbing the grate with both hands "Please we-"
"Don't touch that!" The other mermaid smacked Blue's hands and quickly pushed them off. This made the other jump and swim back a bit, causing the Guardian to move a bit forward at the sudden sight of thin hands pushing the other away. There was a buzzing from the yellow mermaid and from a small bag the quiet aquatic didn't see she watched her pull a small object from inside. It was buzzing and the other looked a bit distressed. "I-It's ok! It was just me.'
"Y-Yea I accidentally hit the grate on the way back in... no mum, I'm not- of course I'm the only one out here." She looked to Blue as the other clasped her hands in-front of her chest in nervousness "Other mermaids don't wonder this way remember?"
As she spoke Blue felt uneasy. She backed up just a bit as she looked over to Garnet. The guardian was closing the distance fast as she skimmed along the sea floor. She felt very uneasy with Blue being so far from the others and it was instinct now. Safety in numbers and Blue being by herself with an unknown was the complete opposite of that.
"I need to go back inside." The yellow mermaid said look back at Blue as she grabbed the tiny bag she had and flung the strap over her shoulder. "I need to pass the three your looking for, do you want me to tell them anything?"
"Um." Blue looked to her left as Garnet suddenly reached her and grabbed her arm. The mermaid in the pipe back up a good bit in surprise as all she could see was a dark figure with glowing eyes just partly looking in at her. Nothing was more unsettling then being on the other end of a Guardians glowing glare. It could instill fear into there enemy's and most turned tail and run. Those who didn't would freeze in place. The other did the first and fled up the pipe in a flash of bubbles with a startled gasp.
Garnet just growled up the pipe for a moment before looking at Blue and turning, pulling her away from it. She moved Blue in-front of her as she moved them quickly back towards the others. As they rounded the cliffs edge there was a shift in the water and a deep rumble from behind. The Guardian moved them quickly around the far end and Garnet turned to face the direction they just came.
"What was that?" Ruby asked.
"A complication." Bismuth said as Garnet started to growl deeply, pushing the younger's up towards the boat. "That's about to get much more complicated."