-You should know, damn it! That's why you exist...
The angry response was directed to Yellow, who asked about options for dealing with the unexpected problem that had been put in front of them. The perpetrator of the insult was a realy furious Heliodor, who had been given the title of "general" after her release, even though she should never have been locked up in the first place.
The so-called general did not seem to care at all about the tense situation, she had priorities for herself. The rest of the group of counsellors and officers just watch the scene carefully, as if waiting for something bad to happen before they start acting, as it seems that nobody wants to have anything to do with the angry gem.
Seeing that this is getting nowhere, Yellow decided crossed words with Heliodor, trying with no succes, to resolve such a drama:
-I understand your frustration, Heli, i do. But we need to - before she can finish, a loud shout shut her up.
-SERIOUSLY? AFTER EVERYTHING YOU DID TO ME, "YOU UNDERSTAND MY FRUSTRATION", YOU STUPID IDIOT.
It didn't take a smart person to know that this discussion wouldn't end for now. Surrendering to the lack of progress in the operations, one of the diamond officers left the room stunned by the powerful screams of her superior. Outside, she fell on her butt and lay on the floor, thinking what they might do about this unexpected problem. Honestly, who would have guessed that there are now riots and insurrections throughout the former colonies? Maybe a few years ago I would have taken it for granted... but now it seemed meaningless. Even if, their job was to keep the peace by all means, and that's what they had to do now: to bring peace anyway and soon.
As she lost himself in her mind, she did not notice a quartz passing through the corridors, who stopped when she fell to the ground, and came over to ask what was going on, and if possible, how she could help her.
-Excuse me, officer. Are you all right? Anything I can do for you? You don't look so good.
The gem looked like all the others, except for her greyish pale skin and "strong" complexion, besides her upturned hair. The citrine answered her question somewhat discouraged, trying to conceal her condition:
-I'm fine. Thank you for your concern, soldier. But I don't feel the need to require your services, although I am flattered by your empathy.
Titanite, on the other hand, doesn't need much to know that her superior is hiding her concern, so he starts questioning her, but without being very "sharp".
-I'm doubting what you're saying... Are you all right? Your face tells me you are more serious than you should be. It's a result of the riots outside the periphery, right?-add as she stretches her arms out-I have heard various rumors, but no one is sure who is behind it, in fact, no one knows what the purpose is. I may not be as experienced in these matters, but I can assure you that it is not very difficult to convince people to do something if you use the nicest words you know.
The gem response manages to make the citrine sketch an honest smile loaded with a shy laugh for her. With some weariness she gets up from the floor and returns to the conversation with a little more encouragement.
-I'm glad to know that there are reliable people around here-she says as she grabs the quartz by the shoulder-I'm not worried that we can't do anything, what I am worried about is that we are wasting time on issues, which, while not insignificant, can wait. The newly appointed general is by far one of the best, but I think you know she was locked up for some vague crimes, well, she doesn't seem to have taken the promotion well and she is raging against everybody on the room. I'm not saying I wouldn't do the same in her situation-the officer is running her hand over her chin-but we are not in the mood for these dramas. Lives are at stake, and the least we can afford is to lose them-he concludes by lowering his arm in a violent way-
-I understand-says Titanite-you haven't tried to communicate with Steven? Technically he's part of the autority, so we'd have no problem trying to negotiate or fight, whatever comes first.
Citrine looks at Titanite with some fatigue.
-The last thing I want is to require his services. I'm not saying he's bad at what he does, we just can't depend on one person for everything, you know? Besides, I think he's got too many problems over there to fix ours.
-Yeah, but sooner or later our problems will end up leaking where he is. We are not talking about a dispute, we are talking about organized groups which are taking over the colonies beyond, and it is only a matter of time before they arrive. I say that, this problem concerns him as much as it does us as a whole, and we don't lose much if we ask him for the favor.
She watched the gem in silence, thinking about what she had said. She sighed wearily and agreed to his request, leaving the palace.
He hasn't been feeling well lately. Even though he's been busy helping everyone, it just doesn't feel like it did before, it's strange, it's supposed to be over, there's nothing I can do about it, but it feels... Empty?
This has kept him a little preoccupied, and his dreams are starting to reflect that. Speaking of dreams, it's ironic that a nightmare that was beginning to repeat became that refuge where he could feel safe from the world, that strange palace that only exists in his unconscious, and that, the more he explores, the bigger it becomes.
Yesterday he had such a dream, but this time he was able to interact with someone without ending up in something terrifying: That girl (presumably somewhat gem) with long hair as dark as night and pale skin with grey shades appeared before him to play; at no time did he mention her name and every time he tried to ask it it seemed as if he would not get anything. That creature led him into a garden where they lay in the grass and admired the clouds in absolute silence. That activity brought him a strange but comfortable peace, which he enjoyed while it lasted, because before he woke up, the ground was tinged in reddish and orange tones, the wind began to whistle, which made the girl seek refuge in it. Before she knew what was happening, she woke up abruptly, leaving him pensive about the meaning of what he had just witnessed; he felt that it had something to do with him, he really didn't know what was happening.
Usually by this time he would be on his feet doing something... But not today, he couldn't even get out of bed: he wasn't in the mood to do anything, anything until...
-Hey! -You can hear knocking coming from your door.
He hear a voice speaking to him from outside, which forced him to get up with difficulty. Standing up, he put on the slippers that were beside his dresser and walked to the door to see who they were: A girl with a fair complexion and robust build was accompanying a smaller gem, only this one had a more delineated body, besides using a raincoat as a cape. He missed seeing them, but decided to put this aside and ask the reason for his visit.
-Hey... Hello?
-Salutes, Steven.
-Hiya
The girl in the cape adds:
-Can we get through. The sky just got wet out there.
-Yes. My hair is suffering, haha.
They both go into the residence. The officer is shedding her cloak as she hangs it on the coat rack on her left, and the girl is squeezing her hair, letting a small stream of water run down the floor.
-I'm sorry," says the girl.
-Don't worry, I'll take care of it later-Steven says.
The young boy led them into the kitchen and offered them whatever they wished. Citrine asked for coffee, and her partner "anything sweet", received a bag of marshmallows. The gem officer took a sip of the hot liquid and began to talk:
-Well. The reason we are here is because we need "you" - pointing directly at Steven - to help us.
-We have a problem, a very serious one-the girl turns to her boss, who gestures with her hand as she continues to drink with the other.
Steven arches a eyebrow at what he hear.
-Isn't everything supposed to be at peace now?
-Theoretically yes, but it's not as easy as that, my disSteven-says the girl-The high and low "nobility" were affected in their privileges by declaring this sort of parliamentary kingdom. In fact, parliament has just ratified a law limiting the already void privileges of the military class, and I don't think they are happy at all.
After finish drinking the coffe mug, Citrine takes the word again:
-Yes, that's right, partner. What we want to say is that, possibly, some group of nobles and militants will try to take advantage of the still convulsive situation in which we find ourselves to take power, and eventually return everything to the way it was before. Honestly, I find my situation improved, since I am not fond of keeping an "honorable image" and that pretentious crap from my fellow dames. By the way: You're not going to eat that, are you?- Aim for the girl's marshmallow bag.
-I'd rather save them for later...
-Whatever. So? Are you gonna help us or something?
Steven said yes. This would not have happened at all if it had not been that his tone of voice was very cheerful, as if they were talking about something of no relevance, making him worthy of a strange look Citirne courtesy.
-Of course!
-Hey... Are you all right? You look a bit happy...
Realizing his act, he apologizes to the girl.
-I'm sorry! I didn't sleep very well, I feel a bit dizzy.
Citrine responds more calmly.
-It's okay. Just relax. We'll leave when you're ready.
-Welp, time to go.
-Could you, at least give me time to dress up?