Amber sighed, and shoved her chair out from the lobby desk. Walking out into the lobby, Amber announced to the Gems bustling about: "Excuse me, everyone!" Heads swiveled to gaze at her. Several Gems concluded their business as she spoke, and left. I bet they checked the event calendar for today, the Amber thought with satisfaction. If more patrons did their due diligence before coming to the library, Amber would not have to spend precious minutes ushering out the other patrons.
"There will be an event in this library in about an hour. The lobby must be cleared out, so we may prepare for this event. Please conclude your business within ten minutes, and leave. Thank you." Amber swiveled on her heel, stiffly marching to the caterers, patiently waiting by a service entrance. With a few curt words, she informed them that the library lobby was ready to be gussied up for the upcoming event.
It wasn't, of course. Many patrons still milled around in the lobby, partly from confusion. A few had taken to arguing with the receptionists over something beyond their control. Amber decided not to intervene. She had no doubt the other receptionists could handle the issue.
Soon all patrons had departed, except for those in the Restricted section. The Ambers decided to let those patrons alone. For one, those who were allowed in the Restricted section tended to be more important, and Amber had no desire to ruffle their feathers. Second, while the entrance to the Restricted section was behind the lobby, the patrons inside could take the back door out of the library. A guard would make sure no books had been stolen and check their IDs, but still, a minor inconvenience.
The caterers wheeled large tables into the lobby, along the sides of the room. A podium was placed at the far left end of the lobby, and many seats were placed along the thoroughfare. In the extra space, several metal display skeletons stood up, and the conference speakers pasted up the results of their research. Amber and a few other receptionists formed a line for the guests to check in. With a quick glance at the clock, Amber noted their event would open on time. Amber faced forward, squirming a little. Of course, any event she handled would go flawlessly-how could it not?
At the back of the lobby room, caterers lined off a large circle with red ropes, for their extra-special guest. The conference began! And the topic today was risk-reward assessment. When deciding on backing a venture, how does one estimate the risk, and balance with the potential rewards? A worthy topic.
A thrumming noise, reverberating along the entire room, announced the arrival of White Diamond. From the ground she rose, within the red ropes, already seated upon a white throne. The library director immediately scampered over and supplied White Diamond with a plan for today's conference.
In full view of all the library staff, White Diamond leafed through the plan. Closing the back cover, she looked up, and gave all the library staff, even those receptionists who gave her shy looks, a smile. "I look forward to this event."
Each of the library staff threw themselves back into the event's proceedings with renewed vigour.
In the Restricted section, Blue Zircon replaced the last of her readings. She packed up her holograms, her careful photocopies of the books, and left the alcove she was holed up in. As she approached the threshold of the Restricted Section and the lobby, a vibration conducted itself up her legs. As she grew closer, the vibration grew, joined by the tumultuous sound of Gems chatting with each other. Confused, Blue Zircon palmed the door's knob for a moment, then opened it a crack and peeked outside.
A sea of Gems carpeted the library's lobby. A mountain in the sea of faces, White Diamond loomed over all, face buried in a large leaflet. Blue Zircon squeaked, reflexively closing the door. What had happened while she was holed up in her studies? Blue Zircon abandoned the door, and fled down the silent, narrow halls, toward the back exit.
Through the silent, unbranched hallways, past many alcoves encompassing many topics, Blue Zircon finally entered a rotunda. A silent crowd filled the compact space, lawyer Gems and military personnel all. Blue Zircon spied an exit at the end; by it stood a guard station. Several Gems exited, as the Agate guards checked their ID and patted them down, hands fluttering quickly over their forms.
Blue Zircon's face puckered up, lips drawn and cheeks crinkled. Nope. She wasn't going through that door. Blue Zircon did indeed have an ID, cleared by Blue Diamond's court, but she could not what exactly those Agates were checking. The keys, given to her by Blue Diamond, would certainly raise questions, for only the library directory possessed a full set of keys.
Retreating, Blue Zircon set back for the lobby, thinking carefully. How could she slip out unnoticed? If she could be casual enough about it, Blue believed she could make it. She would need to pass though before the conference actually started. Once quiet fell, a lone Gem exiting as all others sat would not fail to stick out.
At the fateful door, Blue Zircon composed herself, willing the extremities of her form to change. Her hair took on a few unnecessary curls, and her dress flooded through with a dusky purple color. Any more, Blue Zircon could not do. She was just too rattled, but this cursory disguise might help her. With a solemn face, Blue Zircon entered the library lobby.
Right behind the receptionists' desks, Blue Zircon slipped the door shut, observing few Ambers had kept their seats. Most were at the library entrance, checking in guests and assigning seats. A stack of leaflets lay on the end of the long table. Moving slowly and smoothly, Blue Zircon let her fingers snag one off the top of the stack as she passed by.
Raising it to her face, Blue Zircon scanned it quickly. Judging by the time, the initial presentations had begun, and the first speaker would take the podium in ten minutes, to kick start the talk in full. Snapping it to her side, Blue Zircon continued, into the sea of guests.
Most Gems in attendance came from Blue and White diamond's courts-mathematicians, aristocrats, and engineers. They congregated in small groups, chit chatting about whatever. Blue Zircon aimlessly wove her way through the groups, trying to blend in, but always traveling in the direction of the exit.
Leaving the throng of chatters, Blue Zircon approached an area of posters. Several Gems stood by their respective research, discussing their work with whomever stopped. Blue Zircon cast her gaze around; either she could pass through and hope to not be approached, or pass in front of White Diamond. Blue Zircon had only five minutes to go; she entered the throng of researchers.
As she passed the first row, Blue Zircon studiously avoided eye contact with any of the presenters, winding her way through them all. Blue Zircon rounded the corner and entered the second row. As she did, her eyes raised to study the lay of the land, and made direct contact with a Wolfram Gem standing proudly in front of a robotics display.
Seizing the moment, the Wolfram immediately engaged Blue Zircon in conversation, four minutes on the clock. Caught broadside, Blue Zircon froze for a moment, before she reflexively stammered out, "What's that?"
Taken as interest, Wolfram began to discuss their research, attracting a small crowd. Blue Zircon waited until the Wolfram's eyes shot back to their display. She took a step back, brushing against a tall Aquamarine. Another step back; the Aquamarine tilted forward, taking Blue Zircon's place. Blue Zircon slowly stepped back, and the crowd around the Wolfram closed back, filling her space.
Blue Zircon spun around, and sped up her pace. Though she was attracting curious attention, she couldn't help it; she did not want to be here, not so near White Diamond. Did White Diamond know anything about her? Did she recognize her? Were there guards coming, perhaps to demand an explanation? Had the Diamonds discovered one of their own was dealing behind their backs, hostile intentions or not?
A short, elegant Sapphire assumed the podium, so far away at the opposite end of the lobby. At the sound of her voice, the guests and presenters gravitated towards her. Blue Zircon passed through the quickly emptying third row, and came to a stop before the library exit.
Two tables lay there, where the receptionists had finished checking Gems in. Blue Zircon flung herself forward, walking quickly, covering her Gem with the leaflet. As she did so, lifted a hologram to her face, busying herself in a fictional conversation. The Ambers did not pay attention as she passed by, talking among themselves and viewing the guest lists.
One lifted their head.
Blue Zircon gasped, terrified. Lifting a finger jerkily, Blue Zircon jabbed it in the air like if she had been seized. The Amber's eyes fluttered in confusion. She waved her hand in the air, nodding and returning her attention to the guest rolls.
As she left the library behind her, Blue Zircon smashed her hologram against her face as a wave of relief came over her. Ashamed of her earlier panic, Blue Zircon fled the area, vanishing into the halls of White Diamond's building.
She did not break her unneeded flight until she had made her way to the Vein Lifts, back to Blue Diamond's Court, a place familiar and soothing to her.