The Jasper guards set Blue Zircon down gently in the hall directly outside Blue Diamond's personal chamber. Blue Pearl and the Jaspers dashed off, presumably to fetch the next Gem.
Blue Zircon cast her eyes around, getting a feel of the room. Tall pillars arched overhead to give a sense of weightlessness. A solid blue crystal rotunda shut off the sky of Homeworld; stained glass windows entirely made up the walls of the room. Sapphire light of myriad shades filtered through the windows, suffusing the entire room with a shade of deep blue.
In this light, Blue Zircon could not quite discern the identities of the rooms' inhabitants. Motionless, thick blue shadows lurked around the room. Occasionally a limb moved, but other than that, not a Gem moved. Initially nervous, Blue Zircon stopped fidgeting as the minutes ticked by. The atmosphere of the rotunda quelled her discomfort. It was almost impossible to not be calm in this space.
Blue Zircon padded quietly to the rotunda walls, and sat. She rested her back against the stained glass, jumping at the sudden cold. Acclimating, she gazed at the stained glass windows.
Every hour, Blue Pearl and the Jaspers brought another Gem, until the inhabitants of the room numbered ten. Brilliant, white light illuminated the room, beating back the pacifying atmosphere. Without the eerie light, Blue Zircon began to feel her former discomfort and panic, less than before. She would meet Blue Diamond in a few moments, and she had not even the time to prepare! Blue Zircon began to groom herself, flicking dust off her suit, smoothing her hair, and concentrating on her physical form, to sharpen its outlines against the background.
Blue Pearl twirled her wrist in the air. Another Zircon, a deeper shade of blue, followed Blue Pearl into Blue Diamond's antechamber. Blue Zircon followed them as close as she dared. The door shut, offering none of the assembled Gems any glimpse into the chamber. Blue Zircon straightened her back, and began to survey the surrounding Gems.
Around her stood some of the most important Gems of their profession. A few feet from her stood a Béhierite, the Béhierite! She leaned against a pillar gazing off into space with a blank expression on her face. Blue Zircon gazed at her, a little starstruck. Béhierite was the top-ranked lawyer in Blue Diamond's Court; she often accepted the most important cases, sometimes those directly related to Blue Diamond.
Blue Zircon cast her eyes around. More important lawyers and detectives, and some fresh faces that Zircon did not know. Blue Zircon raised her fingers to her mouth and began to think.
What kind of case would require the first waters of lawyer Gems and the rookie lawyers to be screened before even discussion of the case? And not just any Gem would be doing the screening, but Blue Diamond herself. Her fingers migrated up to her monocle, swiping underneath for imaginary sweat or grime.
Blue Pearl cracked open the door, momentarily silencing all conversation. She ushered out a different Zircon, of a powder blue color. The Powder Blue Zircon had relief written across her features.
"Well?" asked some of the rookie Zircons, padding up to her. The other, more experienced and well-known Gems tagged along after a moment. In response to the questions of the assemblage, Powder Blue shrugged, adjusting her cravat. "I wasn't what Blue Diamond was looking for. She didn't tell me much, just gave me some weird puzzle."
Powder Blue rolled her shoulders, muttering to the others, "I don't envy anyone who gets chosen. Whatever the case is, if Blue Diamond herself is involved, it's better to stay away."
Blue Zircon scowled. That wasn't loyalty to one's Diamond. That wasn't even smart. If a Diamond spoke, "Go!", a Gem went. Blue Zircon wanted to ask about the puzzle, but the Powder Blue Zircon was not forthcoming with details.
Blue Pearl filtered the rest in across a number of hours. Zircon doubted she would be picked-after all, she had quite a few failures. Eventually, she and the Béhierite remained in the hall. Blue Zircon watched as the Blue Pearl strode up to the Béhierite.
"My Diamond would like to thank you for your zealousness in offering to take My Diamond's case upon yourself without knowing the details. I do not regret to inform you that My Diamond believes you are needed elsewhere. Still, the time may come where your Diamond may require your help."
The Béhierite performed a fancy salute, crossing her arms, then bending her fingers backwards to knit them together. Blue Zircon squinted and averted her eyes; that must have hurt. "Of course, I…understand. I shall be always be the first to offer assistance to My Diamond, should she ever ask."
Blue Pearl performed a curtesy. "And that is exactly why Blue Diamond did not wish to assign you to this case." Both turned to Blue Zircon, who had been listening intently. Aware of how bad the situation looked, she began to speak, but Blue Pearl politely stopped her.
"There is no need to explain," said the Pearl as she led Blue Zircon up to the heavy door. "Please perform to the best of your abilities. Confirm My Diamond's suspicions about you."
"Suspicions?" Blue Zircon yelped, sweat beginning to bead around her hair line. "I've done nothing wrong-!"
Blue Pearl stopped Blue Zircon with an upright hand. "Of course not." Placing a firm hand over the knob and twisting, Blue Pearl opened the door. She stepped out of Blue Zircon's way, extending a hand into the darkness of the room in a gesture to proceed.
Zircon did, and at once perceived the towering form of Blue Diamond, curiously leaning out over her throne, staring right at her.