Yellow Diamond focused on the sensation of latex digging into her cheek as she leaned heavily onto her gloved fist. Attempting to maintain her composure in front of her court as her pearl droned on was an ever-growing challenge, and any distraction was welcome.
"...and that is all we found on the information unit from the newly acquired human my diamond." Yellow Pearl squawked like a pompous parrot, a sound beginning to grate on Yellow's ears. Standing in perfect attention at her station to the right of Yellow's throne was the little speck of a gem. Made in her image, the pearl took on her hue of yellow. And, showing off her status as royal personal attendant, adored herself in saffron and lace ballet garments. The sight of her currently irked the Diamond, all puffed up and proud just at being addressed by her personally, the little urchin that she was. Eyes glazed over with a look of indifference as she awaited her next order, as always. Unfazed by the news she presented, as if she wasn't in the middle of delivering the most world-shattering revelation of the millennia.
"As for the scans, the heat readings indicate that a fully intact diamond was active in the dwelling." she finally finished.
That caught Yellow's attention, and her fist instinctively clenched at the mention of Pink. "So, Pink was in that place with the human? And Peridot didn't see her?" Yellow inquired in a measured tone.
"Well, that's not entirely accurate" the pearl squinted at her hologram, rapidly scrolling through the text as she attempted to make sense of the report herself. "It appears that the readings show that while an operational diamond was in the vicinity at some point in time, it was an unformed diamond."
"Unformed." Yellow stated in an incredulous tone. Making the statement sound more like a sarcastic question.
"Yes my Diamond."
Plausible tension weighed on those present like a dark cloud as the Diamond's mind began to whir. Her scrutinizing gaze fell on her pearl, silently willing the inferior gem to take notice of her inner turmoil and share much-needed good news from the report. Yellow Diamond began to fume as silence was instead what she was met with. If it were any other gem her expectant gaze was directed towards they would have cowered and sputtered to meet her silent demands. But this pearl was used to her presence and was numbed to the potency of her impatience and temper, a fact which infuriated the colossal being further.
When the pearl didn't catch on that she wanted further elaboration, the Diamond steeled herself and instead of poofing the insufferable gem on the spot, goaded her with further questioning. "Was there any indication that the diamond had been damaged? That a retreat into her gem had been forced and she is unable to reform?" Yellow carefully asked.
"Negative my Diamond, we used the scanner your Peridots built to your specifications especially for this mission. No signs of force or inflicted damage of any kind were found, the gem was perfectly able to reform." Yellow Pearl replied bluntly.
So she was alive and well.
White-hot anger began to build like a simmering volcano in her gem's core as the information seeped into Yellow's mind, bursting through her protective shell of denial she had been allowing herself to live in all of these years. The nature of Pink's disappearance had always gnawed at Yellow, like there was a vital piece of the puzzle she was missing as no conclusive evidence of her disappearance was ever found. The lack of a logical explanation had plagued her and caused her to go into a delirium of worry and guilt, ultimately leading to a constant re-evaluation on her own abilities as a mentor and leader to Pink, and by extension, all gems in her care. Now it all made sense, and it was infuriating.
Before another word could be uttered she signaled for all to leave with a resounding clap.
Shifting impatiently as she watched her select few elites allowed to bear witness to such a report scurry like little ants to do her bidding, she slouched deeply in her chair once she was alone, an undignified position no other gem would ever see her in and live to talk about.
Leaning her head back, a sigh of exasperation escaped her as she read over her own copy of the report.
Would the stubborn foolishness of Pink ever end? At first she had attempted to apply sympathy and understanding when Pink had displayed an unusual disposition regarding her responsibility as a Diamond. Pink was young and had a vivacious hunger for life, a quality Yellow secretly envied and often took silent pleasure in observing, but this was too much.
Pink wasn't shattered, she was alive and well, and had knowingly allowed her fellow Diamonds to suffer and go to war over her! And for what? Earth? A speck of nothing compared to the vastness of space that was their kingdom. It was utterly absurd. She was a ruler, programmed and designed with the purpose of being a leader. A responsibility not just any gem could pick up and carry on in her stead. Why was she abandoning that? How could she abandon that?
Gracefully pushing herself out of her throne in a single-fluid motion, Yellow began to pace. Clicking heels echoed throughout the corridors of her shimmering yellow throne room as her mind raced and emotions got the better of her.
Grief over the loss from countless years ago came pouring into her mind like hot coals on a brazier, searing into her mind and inflaming her anger as she remembered all of the years of pain she had carried Blue through. Not to mention all of the work that was laid on her shoulders as Blue became a blubbering mess. Caught in her endless grieving and rendered useless in keeping up with her planets' and gems' needs.
White had been a whole other story. The solemn matriarch had practically disappeared as time proved that Pink, despite their better judgement, had indeed perished. Never one to be outwardly emotional, Yellow figured it was the revelation that diamonds could be shattered that was the cause of White's sudden shift in behavior. White had always been pragmatic in her approach to understanding new information and eliminating threats. And while Yellow missed her advisor and closest confidant, she knew this was White's purpose as their leader. Hers was to maintain decorum within their ranks and wait for her return.
Catching a glimpse of herself in the sheen of her room's flawless wall, Yellow realized her perfectly angular face was a disheveled mess and was on the verge of leaking fluid, waving away her hologram, she decided to ignore her ever-growing pile of work and headed for her sauna. As much as she prided herself on being punctual, the flashing notification of her hologram device would have to wait. She could never let her gems see her in this state. Above all else, image must be maintained.
"Stay here pearl," she ordered with impatience as her pearl attempted to follow after her. Holding her head high so her face would be hidden, she noticed through her peripheral vision that several gems had stopped where they were to give the proper stance of respect as she passed by. Showing a ghost of a smile to the gems who stooped to give a low-bowing salute, Yellow made sure to keep her posture perfectly straight while in their line of sight, clasping her hands firmly behind her back and pacing her steps as to not step on any of her gems by accident.
Even with her gaze unable to be seen, it was a small comfort to know her presence continued to instill respect and obedience to protocol in the gems of her court. While she towered over them by several stories and had the power to demolish any of them with a snap of her fingers, she didn't want her gems to serve her based off of fear alone.
Every gem was made for a reason, just as she was, and they all had a place in this society White had created. All Yellow wanted was to play her role in that. To guide each of her gems to keep on the path of contributing to Homeworld by doing what they were made to. Each gem, from the lowest Ruby to the most adequate of Emeralds, was a necessity. From the moment she had emerged Yellow knew it was her specific purpose to maintain that structure and balance. She also knew that when that balance was threatened it was her duty to dole out whatever measures were necessary to restore that balance, at all costs.
Seeing her higher ranking gems milling about in her court's hall so intensely focused on their work, work for her, gave her a sense of belonging and pride that she couldn't understand Pink and Blue being able to give up.
Thinking of Pink again resumed the progress of the oncoming leak, and Yellow picked up her pace to the sauna.
Once at the entrance, Yellow dismissed the Topaz guards stationed outside and hastily closed herself in. Allowing herself a rare moment to unleash her pent-up emotions as she knelt and crumbled onto the floor, the moisture from the sauna clung to her exposed skin and hid her tears.
So much loss and hurt, all for nothing. Pink had been perfectly fine this whole time, and was just being stubborn over her planet. She tried to make sense of it and just couldn't. She had been young once, experienced her first colonization, and still to this day was attached and held a special admiration for that first planet in her harem of conquests. But to leave her kind behind? To rebel and allow a war to start over her? Gems by the thousands had been shattered, all for a lie. That was what Yellow couldn't get past and couldn't forgive.
And the other diamonds, they would never be the same after this report reached them. That Pink was not only alive and out there somewhere on Earth, but had rejected them. All of these years Yellow had thought she was hunting down different shard pieces her search parties had spotted. Had an assortment of enemies on this foreign planet to annihilate to restore honor to her fallen comrade and beloved fellow Diamond.
A mirthless laugh bubbled to the surface in Yellow's delirium, what a fool Pink made them all to be.
Sitting hunched over as she allowed the moisture to drip down her body, she watched as the liquid slowly made trails down her limbs and spiraled down the drain. Grateful to the puffs of steam for muting her sobs, time became immeasurable as she sat and watched the liquid continue to drain away, wishing memories of the past several thousand years would drain away with it.
Blue Diamond carefully cradled a single rose quartz, bubbled in her cupped hands as tears began to cloud her vision. Altering the sharp edges of the perfectly cut gem to take on more of a rounded form, that of a rose petal.
So this is the chosen form you hid behind? These are the gems you sought refuge in when you felt you couldn't come to me?
The melancholy matriarch blubbered into the deafening silence of Pink's chambers, the only witnesses to her outburst being the hovering bubbled gems who were forever silenced.
Until the doors slid open.
"Blue, what is the meaning of this?" An exasperated voice Blue knew all too well chided.
Blue flinched, noticeably wilting further into an undignified heap on the floor. Her long, baby-blue hair spilled out of her navy cloak that draped over her full figure as pale blue arms wrapped around a shapely mid-section. "Why can't you just let me grieve Yellow?" She turned her face away.
"Because you've been grieving long enough," Yellow spat, emphasizing her mockery of Blue's behavior.
The ground slightly shook as Yellow strode over to her sulking comrade, driving Blue to cling to one of the room's pink pillars in an attempt to stave off the impending fight and gain some distance from her sister. Squeezing her eyes shut and involuntarily allowing her tears to betray her, Blue tensed her shoulders, bracing for the first onslaught of hurtful words to stab at her already raw feelings.
That's all they ever did anymore, fight and lash out at each other. A fact that grieved Blue, but she couldn't see a way to make it end. Every time she came into contact with Yellow it was always an opportunity Yellow took as a chance to criticize and attempt to correct her. And after awhile Blue couldn't take it anymore and lashed back. Defending herself, trying to get Yellow to see the feelings that engulfed her as her logical explanation for her actions, and when she inevitably failed, resorted to throwing in her face how her lack of empathy and emotional understanding is what drove Pink to leave in the first place. A low blow she was not proud of.
"Blue honestly, look at yourself. This is no way for a diamond to behave." Yellow grabbed her by the forearm and attempted to pull her up. "Look at me, we have important business to discuss-"
"I already know about the readings from Earth, Yellow." Blue cut her off, stiffly yanking her arm out of her grip. "I do not wish to discuss it. Leave me, please," her voice broke as a tear dripped down her nose she tried to sniffle away.
When no argument was made of her demand, Blue took advantage of Yellow's momentary stun and sulked over to the part of the room farthest from reach. Leaning against the wall to look out the room's only window, she hoped Yellow would get the message and leave.
She didn't.
"Blue," her voice was softer, which was a slight comfort, "that's not the business I was talking about." She heard Yellow sigh, "I came here to discuss the progress of your planet, 212."
At this Blue whipped around, instantaneously saturating the room in her grieving aura. "I just found out my sister may be alive not moments ago, and you come to talk about petty things such as this?" She shrilled. Enraged fire filled her luminous, sapphire eyes as she descended upon her sister, drawing power into her aura with each step as the aura of grief brought Yellow down to her hands and knees.
"I am done with conquering planets and expanding this kingdom this way" Blue pressed her advantage and loomed over Yellow's keeled body. "I'm done." She screamed, her voice laced in raw pain.
"Turn it off," Yellow hissed between clenched teeth and streaming tears. She struggled to sit upright on wobbling arms as Blue put all of the strength she had into her aura to keep her sister down.
The battle of wills lasted for a moment before Yellow screamed in a rage.
"I said TURN IT OFF" she burst through Blue's aura with crackling, yellow aura of her own.
Both panting at the exertion of utilizing their aura's, Yellow was the first to catch her breath. "Now that that unsightly display is over with, I can finish what I was going to say." She said in distaste as she dusted herself off and wiped away her stream of forced tears.
"I have received reports that your legion of rubies and amethysts have yet to extinguish the organic life there and begin kindergarten this on your orders?" Yellow raised an eyebrow, daring her sister to confirm her suspicions that Blue was unhinged and was failing to lead her troops.
"No, this is not on my orders or something I was aware of." She bit back. "Who gave you such a report?" She knew she was not supervising her gem's as she should be lately, and that areas she was neglecting fell to Yellow to take care of. But she couldn't look at her gems, their very presence stirred a niggling feeling in the pit of her core, and it made her feel regretful for the first time in her existence. However, she was still a Diamond, and her authority was to be respected. The thought of her very own gems reporting to another Diamond before her was an insult she could not let go of without looking into.
Yellow frowned, "How can you let your gems mill about and you not be aware of it Blue?" She massaged the bridge of her nose in irritation, "Oh honestly, are you going to allow a rebellion right under your nose as well?"
The jab cut deep and knocked the fight out of Blue, causing her to visibly recoil and making her voice sound smaller than she would have liked, "So, the truth finally comes out. This is what you think of me." She withdrew further, crossing her arms over her gem as if it were a physical barrier that could protect her core from the lashing pain of her sister's mistrust and disappointment.
"I'm not built like you Yellow, and neither was Pink." She slowly rose her gaze from where it was glued to the floor to meet Yellow's scrutinizing stare. "We can't go on colonizing to expand our forces like this Yellow, it's tearing us apart." She pleaded with her sister to understand.
Yellow's eyes narrowed to slits. "And what is that supposed to mean?"
"I think about how death has changed us after all of these years, I can't stomach to be apart of more death" She tried to reach out to grasp Yellow's hand, only to have her pull away.
"I just think," she swallowed as she suddenly got nervous, delving into her blooming feelings of guilt to Yellow of all people was not something she was prepared to do. "I think we should try and find another way to make gems that doesn't cause destruction."
Several emotions flickered across Yellow's eyes before she finally settled on irritated.
"You asked what I think, yes?" She scoffed. "What I think is that we have work to do, and can't afford to lose more resources and capable diamonds to trivial notions such as emotional outbursts and resisting who we are." Yellow said over her shoulder as she turned to walk away, the usual vigor gone from her voice.
To any other gem the shift would have gone unnoticed, but Blue knew better. Yellow, from the moment of her emergence, had always been strict and a stickler for the rules of Homeworld set in place by White. As Blue grew into the Diamond she was made to be under the Yellow Matriarch's tutelage, she learned that her teacher's strictness came from a place of deep caring. That while she had high expectations and a relentless demand for results that on the surface seemed cruel, she did so to encourage all to reach their full potential, and to teach that all were made perfectly suited for their jobs. They were wanted and enough just as they are. A warmth Yellow possessed and expressed in the form of tough love. But now, with this hardened glaze in her eyes as she turned her back on her pupil, Blue knew she was cut off from this warmth. That there was an impenetrable wall that was there to stay in her sister. Yellow did not trust her, or understand the need for a divergence in how to go about accomplishing their goal. She was alone.
Heart breaking, Blue carefully smoothed out her features to feign an air of indifference she was far from feeling. Carefully tucking away her feelings in favor of adorning the mask she was born to wear, "Thank you for coming to me with this information. I will look into it." Her voice broke. "Will that be all?"
Stopping her descent to the door and without looking back, she replied, "No, just get back to work and quit sulking over a gem who is dead to us. It's a waste of time."
Blue had lost a sister after all.
Author's Note: Thank you all so much for being patient with me as I muddle through writer's block and real life to get this story out. With the original SU series coming to a close it's been really difficult to come back to this story. However, we have Future now that gave some much-needed answers to certain questions! So I got some new motivation. Emma's story will be told! Author's Promise :D