The night before the wedding, Ruby had introduced Cat Steven to Bismuth. Though Bismuth knew of cats and lions, this was the first time she'd ever really interacted with a cat.

Cat Steven was curious about Bismuth: she walked all over the big gem, purring and sniffing at her. Cat Steven tried to paw at Bismuth's dreadlocks, but Ruby quickly took the kitten away.

"She's only playing," Ruby said. She placed Cat Steven on the floor, and the kitten rolled onto her back.

"That means she trusts you," Ruby explained. "A cat's tummy is her vulnerable side, so cats only show it to people-or gems-that they like."

"Okay," Bismuth said, :but...what do I do, now?"

Ruby demonstrated how to rub a cat's tummy, then winced as Cat Steven wrapped her paws around her wrist and nipped at her fingers.

"She's still just playing," Ruby assured Bismuth. "Steven and Connie said kittens like to wrestle with each other; it makes them grow big and strong, and better at hunting."

"Oh, I get it!" Bismuth said happily. "It's like training. Let me try?"

"Sure," Ruby said, "once I can get her off me. You have to be careful with kittens."

Very carefully, Ruby managed to pry the kitten's paws off her wrist, and Bismuth reached down to touch Cat Steven's tummy. Cat Steven purred and began to wrestle with Bismuth's hand.

"She's got a pretty good grip, there," Bismuth remarked good-naturedly. "This furball's tough for something so little."

"She sure is," Ruby said proudly. "Are you sure you're okay with her doing that? If she goes too far, I can take her off you."

"I can handle it," Bismuth said.

Cat Steven lost interest in trying to wrestle with Bismuth's arm, so she released Bismuth and jumped onto Ruby's head.

"She does this with Garnet, too," Ruby said, as Cat Steven's paws tugged at her hair, pushing in and out. "What she's doing right now is called kneading, and that's supposed to be how they get comfortable."

"Okay," Bismuth said. There was so much about Earth's creatures that she didn't understand. She'd been so focused on fighting and shattering enemies that she hadn't really appreciated what Rose had wanted to protect. At least she'd gotten this second chance.