Chapter Twenty: Together Breakfast

Even though he knew it was selfish, Greg took his time grabbing breakfast that morning. He walked slowly along the beach, stretching out the aches he'd gotten from days of sleeping on a hard stone floor with only blankets to soften it. He chatted with Fryman's kid, Peedee, for a bit, who was stuck in that creepy fry costume and looked like he could use some cheering up. When at last he wandered into the Big Donut, Greg didn't order immediately, but let himself hang out with the employees a bit. If 'hang out' was the right term for a forty-something guy talking to a couple of teenagers.

But Sadie and Lars were a good sort, always super helpful and cheerful. Well, Sadie was, at least. Just then she was telling him about the hassle she'd gotten from the delivery guy that morning. Greg nodded along, making sympathetic noises in all the right places. It was nice, being able to focus on someone else's worries.

"But you got it all sorted out in the end, huh?" Greg said.

"Yeah, I guess," Sadie said with a shrug, as she refilled the napkin dispenser.

"And you helped her carry the stuff in, right Lars?"

Instantly the boy snapped to attention— and immediately tried to hide that, slumping back against the counter. "Huh? Oh yeah." He flexed his arms. "Me and my guns, always here to help out someone in need."

Sadie snorted. "Yeah. That's why you and your guns handled one box, while I took three—"

"My box was heavier!"

Greg smiled a little to himself. He knew Lars' type well— had seen a lot of them on tour. Younger kids, desperate to look cool, trying to play things off. Tended to get all nervous in the presence of a rock star, and doing their best to make sure absolutely no one realized.

In reality, he was actually super transparent, but Greg had no intention of mortifying the kid. He'd figure it out eventually. For now, Greg pretended to ignore it, and tried to give Lars as much gentle encouragement as he could.

"So what'll you be having today?" Sadie asked, once the verbal sparring was finished.

"Oh? Huh." Greg shook his head, and tried to focus on the task at hand. He'd been grabbing something different every day, to help give Steven some variety. "What haven't I got yet?"

"Well, let's see. I love the strawberry cream filling, and the peanut butter glaze is delicious, or we've got some new cinnamon rolls. Or if you're feeling adventurous, the dog-nut's an option."

"Nobody's adventurous enough for the dog-nut," muttered Lars.

Greg considered himself an experimenter when it came to food, but even as a big fan of both hot dogs and donuts, even he had to agree that putting them together was perhaps a culinary Frankenstein's monster.

… probably still worth a try, though.

Greg mulled over his options, selecting a couple of both the strawberry and the peanut butter, with a coffee for himself and an apple juice for Steven. As Lars got to work preparing his order, and Greg began fishing money out of his wallet, there was a chime as the door behind him opened. Sadie chirped, "Welcome to the Big Donut!"

Out of the corner of his eye, Greg caught a flash of blue and turned towards it. "Oh, hi Pearl, Steven—"

He dropped his coins.

"Steven! Pearl! "

"Dad!" Steven cried, throwing himself at Greg. Greg picked the boy up, holding him to his chest, giving him the first proper hug they'd been able to have in weeks.

"Hello Greg," said Pearl, a small smile playing at her lips.

"Hey," said a third figure, waving a hand. Now that he'd noticed her, Greg recognised her from their video call as Lapis Lazuli.

He put Steven down— partly because his back couldn't carry weight like it used to, partly because he was feeling dizzy. "I— how— What are you three doing here?"

"We broke Steven out," said Lapis, while at the same time Steven said, "The Crystal Gems let me go!"

"It's complicated," Pearl added, after a moment.

Greg stared at them.

Then he pulled his son and Pearl alike into the most bone-crushing hug he could manage.

Steven laughed, hugging back, and even Pearl gave a little squeeze in return. Lapis didn't join in, but Greg saw her smiling at them. Greg felt like he could have cried with relief.

"Uhhhh," came Sadie's voice from behind them.

"'Dad'?" said Lars. "Mr. Universe has a kid?!"

Greg shook his head. There'd be time for explanations of all sorts, later. Right now, his family was safe, and that was all that mattered.


Garnet came back into existence only moments after Sapphire reformed, from a kiss born of relief and desperation and joy, arms wrapped around herself in a hug, and tears burning her eyes.

The crying would've been a bit embarrassing, what with everyone watching her, but that was why Garnet wore glasses.

A fresh fusion always left Garnet feeling all... tingly, full of electricity and energy, wanting to run and laugh and dance. It was no different this time, and while the joy of it was a relief after the earlier terror, it was also a bit distracting. With peace accords to begin shortly, Garnet was going to need to be calm and even-keeled.

Thankfully, she had some time to get ready. Steven had suggested they have a 'together breakfast', which as far as the Crystal Gems could discern, was just a regular breakfast, but one meant to symbolize coming together in the name of friendship.

Garnet didn't really care much for eating, and making food required what seemed like an annoying amount of preparation. However, she didn't begrudge this ritual. It certainly was more pleasant than the many Homeworld rituals surrounding treaties and peace-making, and far shorter besides. Sapphire had attended such events which had lastedyears. An hour or so was nothing.

The Crystal Gems let Steven Universe and his… entourage go and prepare. Pearl was a little uncomfortable letting them be unsupervised, but it was important step towards cooperation, and Garnet could See no treachery on their part.

Besides, if Steven still intended them harm, he could have simply let Lapis Lazuli shatter them all.

But he hadn't. That deserved some trust.

The Crystal Gems sat their on the sand, none of them quite sure how to fill the wait.

"You changed your hair," said Pearl to Rose, picking up the end of her thick braid.

"Yes. And I gave myself stockings." In demonstration, she pulled back her dress and wiggled her toes, now covered in a sheer grey fabric. "I thought it was time for… a little change."

Behind her glasses, Garnet raised an eyebrow. Rose hadn't felt the need for a change of this particular kind for five thousand years. There was a distinct pink tinge to her cheeks, and Garnet realized she was self-conscious.

"Do you like it?" asked Rose.

"It's swell!" said Amethyst.

Garnet gave her a thumbs up.

Pearl turned the braid of hair over in her hands. "I love it," she decided after a moment, and pressed her lips to it.

Rose's face turned positively scarlet.

Garnet smirked, and decided to take pity on her. She said, "And yet not a single one of you has commented on my outfit change."

Amethyst looked her up and down. "You… changed the direction your lightning bolt is pointing?"

"Yes," said Garnet. "And my pants are a slightly darker shade of purple."

"Big whoop," said Amethyst, Pearl snickering beside her. "And what about me, huh?"

"You moved your bow to your belt," Garnet said.

" And changed my hair."

"And changed your hair."

Rose ruffled said hair. "Well, I think you both look wonderful."

"Yes," agreed Pearl, pressing herself into Rose's side. "And I'm just glad you're all alright."

They talked a bit more after that, but not much. For the most part, they were happy just to sit there on the sand, arms wrapped around each other, lost in their own thoughts, grateful they were all still alive and well.

Eventually Mr. Universe's vehicle came rolling up to them, its tires throwing up sand. They all got to their feet as it came to a stop.

"No, no, don't get up," said Steven, as he threw open the doors and jumped down onto the beach. "We're just going to sit down again anyways."

One by one, the others filed out of the van. Greg Universe, looking exceedingly awkward, but hopeful despite it. Lapis Lazuli, glaring daggers at everyone. And the Blue Pearl, wearing some blue human dress, expression unreadable, working busily to get things set up.

The others helped a bit— but by far, the Pearl did the majority of the work, laying out beach towels, setting out plates and cups and cutlery, bringing out dishes of food, brushing some sand away…

Pearl's eyes followed her the entire time. Rose reached out and gave one of her hands a comforting squeeze, one that Pearl didn't even seem to notice.

Garnet didn't need Future Vision to tell this would lead nowhere good. She said, "Let's get started."

"Yeah, okay," Steven said, snatching a donut.

"Fruit first, kiddo," advised Greg.

Steven pouted.

"Fine," he said, grabbing some carefully peeled and arranged orange slices. He popped one into his mouth. "Help yourselves."

Garnet took a single piece of toast and laid it on the plate before her, more as a gesture than anything. Rose took a sampling of a number of different foodstuffs, while Amethyst took an entire bunch of grapes and stuffed it into her mouth, stem and all. Pearl didn't move.

"This is lovely," said Rose, after she had carefully chewed and swallowed a 'waffle' covered in some brown liquid.

"Thanks," said Greg with a chuckle. "I slaved over it all morning!"

Steven smiled, and even the Lapis Lazuli gave a small smirk, but the Crystal Gems were all silent.

"Uh, that was a joke," Greg said. "I just whipped up the bacon and eggs. Most of the rest we either picked up from the store, or Pearl made."

The Blue Pearl nodded.

"Of course," muttered Pearl.

"I helped too!" protested Steven.

"That you did, bud." Greg ruffled the boy's hair.

There was an awkward pause in the conversation, one which Garnet used to open her third eye and Look.

She could see so many ways of this conversation going wrong. Tilting to one extreme or another. Of no one saying anything, and just making their way through awkward platitude to awkward platitude, and no resolution coming at all. Of the Diamond or one of his people saying the wrong thing after another, until it went so far there was no coming back from it. Of one of the Crystal Gems speaking the truth, but at the wrong time and in the wrong way, so that these people just covered their ears and refused to listen. Of fighting erupting again, all lightning and water and lasers and fusions, and a battle from which there were no real winners.

Garnet would not let that happen.

"May I serve drinks?" the Blue Pearl asked, voice soft, picking up a carton of orange juice.

Steven nodded, as if this was to be expected, and she began to fill up a glass for him, quick as could be.

"Oh, yes, yes!" Amethyst said, practically bouncing. Pearl glared at her, and she caught herself.

Greg asked, "What do you say, Steven?"

"Thank you, Pearl," Steven mumbled, after he'd finished a long swig of his drink.

The Blue Pearl was coming around the towel to each person in turn, although she did not even bother to pause at Pearl's spot, going right onto Rose's. "Shall I?"

"If you would like to," Rose said.

The Blue Pearl froze, unsure. The moment stretched.

"It's all right then," Rose Quartz said.

Next the Pearl came to Garnet, the two watching each other carefully. Garnet could feel herself coming to a tributary in the river of time, the current pulling them all inexorably forward. As Blue the Pearl motioned silently with the juice cartoon, Garnet made her choice. She raised her hand and said, "Just because we're at a sand bar, doesn't mean we need to drink."

After a moment, the Blue Pearl's blank face broke into a small smile.

"Very clever," she said, bowing her head slightly.

"That pun was terrible," Steven groaned, but he was smiling.

"That pun was great ," corrected Amethyst, who had snorted some juice out her nose.

With an air of ageless wisdom, Greg said, "A pun is supposed to be both."

Even Pearl was smiling, albeit very faintly. Rose Quartz caught Garnet's eyes and gave a quick wink, and Garnet considered her intervention a success.

Conversation flowed a bit more naturally after that, filled with the sounds of eating by those who chose to partake in the food. It was not long, however, until the interruption Garnet had been expecting came. The sound of soft paws on the sand and then Greg Universe exclaiming, "What the— is that a lion?!"

"He is indeed," Rose said, as the animal in question bounded up the beach and came to a skidding stop in the sand, gulping what remained of the eggs in a single lick.

"Oh!" Steven exclaimed. And then he started making those same noises he'd made that first night he'd slept at the Temple. Not quite meows, nor purrs, nor hisses, but something akin to all three, spoken at what was far below the normal range of human speak.

Garnet had informed Rose about this display, and now seeing it in person, her eyes lit up like stars. "You can truly speak to him?"

"Yep," Steven said, reaching out and scratching the giant feline behind his ears. The lion opened its mouth in a slow, contented yawn. As he had never shown himself to be an overly affectionate creature, such a gesture was odd.

There was some warnings from the boy's father and the Blue Pearl, telling him to be careful, to which he responded with a faintly annoyed, "I know, I know. Besides, this guy wouldn't hurt anybody, I can tell."

"Except for magical lizards," pointed out Pearl.

Steven waved a dismissive hand. "Yeah, sure. But that kinda stuff doesn't count. Lions are predators, of course they have to eat. It's how it works. Circle of life." Then Steven slapped his forehead, and made some utterance in Cat.

"What's up?" asked Amethyst.

"I promised him I'd come up with a name, and I totally forgot all about it!"

There were blinks all around.

"Does the lion even need a name?" asked the Lapis Lazuli, eyebrow raised.

"Well, he doesn't need one," said Steven. "But it would be nice. Especially if you need to tell him apart from any other lions."

The Gems, regardless of affiliation, exchanged looks. Names were, admittedly, something of a foreign concept for their species. Gems were named for what they were, and nothing else was truly needed.

It was different for humans. Perhaps it was different for animals as well. Garnet couldn't know, but she didn't think the lion looked particularly bothered either way. He was snuffling around the picnic blanket, sniffing hopefully at a plate of bacon.

It was perhaps the only dish that Steven hadn't touched for the entire meal. Now he gave a little meow, and tossed a few slices of it at the lion, who caught it easily in his mouth.

"There we go," Steven said. "His name is Bacon now."

"Well," said Rose Quartz after a beat, "I think that's lovely."

"Yeah, nice choice," said Greg. The Blue Pearl nodded.

Amethyst grinned, and tossed the newly dubbed Bacon another of his namesake. It seemed evident that whatever else, the cat did enjoy eating it.

"So…" said Steven, as he went back to eating a donut. "Uh. Rose Quartz. Bacon told me that you're his pride?"

Rose let out of a soft peal of laughter and came to sit next to the lion, who pressed his head into her thigh and let out a soft pur. "Is that how he phrases it? Yes, I suppose I am. I looked after him when we had no one else left…" Her smile clouded over momentarily; Garnet could only guess at what she was thinking. Then she brightened again. "But tell me— is, ah, Bacon, the only animal you've ever spoken to?"

"Huh? Oh, no, I can talk to loads," said Steven.

"Like what?" said Amethyst, sitting forward eagerly.

"Any animal that communicates vocally," said the Lapis Lazuli, and Steven nodded. In demonstration, he cocked an ear to listen to the gulls flying overhead, and informed everyone that mostly they were discussing how they could steal the group's food.

Rose was overawed and filled with questions— ones that for once, Steven Universe seemed quite happy to answer. While Garnet did not quite share Rose's enthusiasm, or even Amethyst's, she did have to confess some interest. Earth's myriad of creatures have been one of the things Ruby and Sapphire had been most excited to discover in their initial explorations of Earth, and it was amazing to know that even after all these years, there was still something more that could be learned about them.

Garnet found herself speculating about the lion— Bacon— in particular. When Rose had first introduced him to them all, it had become immediately apparent that his intelligence had seemed beyond others of his kind. Garnet had assumed it was something to do with how Rose had reshaped his nature. Or perhaps the greater understanding of language and such was something all beasts could learn, if only given a long enough lifespan to do so. Or perhaps, if so many animals were capable of communication among themselves, such intelligence was in fact quite common, and she had simply never looked close enough to see…

"This power is unique to you, I assume," Garnet said. "An effect of your hybrid nature."

Greg spoke up. "Ah, actually, Steven's Mom had it too. Discovered it a couple years into our relationship. She found it a real challenge, though."

"Steven exhibits a true talent for it," the Blue Pearl said.

Steven smiled, puffing his chest out a little in pride.

"I see," said Pearl, and added nothing else.

Garnet glanced at her. She was sitting even stiffer than usual. Her eyes were narrowed, and her fist clenched so tightly shut that her knuckles had turned blue.

It took a moment of consideration, and then Garnet understood why.

Blue Diamond had always been capable of understanding Earth's animals, but never once noticed in the centuries and centuries of warfare pitched on this planet.

Garnet frowned. Much could have been avoided, if only the Diamonds had bothered to look and listen at the things they were so intent on destroying.

By then, the conversation had moved on, however. Rose had confessed how she wished she could communicate with animals too… but also had a power related to this planet's life.

Intrigued, Steven had of course asked to see. His companions, too, watched with varying degrees of curiosity as Rose Quartz selected one of the remaining orange slices. She buried it some ways away in the sand, then poured a little bit of water from a bottle over it.

She closed her eyes. Pure pink light spilled from her gemstone— and up from the sand came a little green shoot. Soon that shoot was a sapling, that sapling growing branches and leaves and flowers— flowers which rapidly turned into green bulbs, which within the space of a minute became larger and larger, brighter and brighter—

"Oranges!" exclaimed Steven, jumping to his feet. He stared at them. "Can I… are they safe to eat?"

"Perfectly," said Rose Quartz.

Steven still looked unsure— an effect exacerbated by how the Blue Pearl placed a single hand on his shoulder, as if holding him back.

In the spirit of alliance, Garnet got to her feet, strode to the new tree and grabbed a fruit from it. She peeled it in a few deft motions, and popped a couple slices into her mouth. While eating had never truly been her thing, the flavor was fresh and sharp and tangy, and in that moment, she could understand why humans enjoyed it so much.

(Amethyst, by now, had climbed up the tree and already eaten three whole fruits, peel included).

Garnet grabbed one more orange, and tossed it lightly at Steven. Surprised, he just barely managed to catch it.

Everyone sat back down while Rose chatted more about her abilities, and how she would have to move the orange tree. A beach wouldn't be able to support it long term without constant maintenance, and the Delmarva climate simply wasn't suited to its tropical nature. Steven ate the orange as he listened, shyly asking if maybe he'd be allowed to go with her and watch when she re-planted it somewhere warmer.

The meal was winding down, and despite a rocky start, it seemed to have been a complete success.

That was when the Blue Pearl got up, and began to clean. Picking up the plates and stacking them, gathering the fallen orange peels, picking up stray wrappers.

Steven Universe didn't even look her way.

"Hey, need any help?" asked Greg.

"No," the Blue Pearl whispered. "I need no assistance in my duty."

And that was the breaking point.

"It's not your 'duty' to clean up everyone else's messes!" Pearl snapped.

The Blue Pearl said nothing, keeping her head bowed.

The Lapis Lazuli came to her side. "Yeah, it is. Don't get mad because someone actually knows how to do her job properly."

Every Crystal Gem recoiled. Even Amethyst, who knew nothing but the stories.

Pearl got to her feet. Her spear was not out, but her gem was glowing.

Greg was asking everyone to calm down, and so was Steven. "Yeah. Relax, guys— no big deal." He addressed Rose. "Your Pearl might not like cleaning, but it's one of my Pearl's favourite things!"

"That is it!" Pearl raised her head high. "I am not going to just sit here and watch you— use her and parade her around!"

Garnet could have changed this outcome. Could have altered the flow of conversation; could have called out to Pearl; could have said something to calm her. But she didn't. Pearl had a right to be affronted. And this, Garnet felt, was something that perhaps Steven Universe needed to see.

The boy was staring off after Pearl as she jumped high into the air, leaping up towards the Temple in a single bound and vanishing out of sight.

"Rude," said Lapis Lazuli.

"What was that about?" said Steven.

"You called her 'my' Pearl," said Rose. "She is not. She belongs to no one but herself."

He crossed his arms. "I just meant, like, she's your guys' friends, like how Pearl's my friend."

Garnet looked at said Pearl, staring her down. The Blue Pearl said nothing, and met her gaze, unflinching.

"Oh?" said Rose.

"You're gonna have to tell Pearl that," said Amethyst, in between chomps on a paper bag. "'Cuz she really didn't get that."

"Well, I don't see why she assumed—" began Steven.

"Pearl fought hard for her freedom," said Garnet. "That is the underlying tenant of Crystal Gem philosophy. The freedom to be yourself, and to make your own decisions."

Greg smiled. "Oh. Well, that sounds really nice!"

"Too bad it's a lie," hissed Lapis Lazuli.

Everyone's attention shifted to her. She smiled at that, though it was not a happy expression. "Your Pearl didn't seem so concerned with freedom for those hundreds of years she kept me trapped in a mirror."

Greg's smile faltered. Steven shifted, his expression darkening. "Yeah, that's a good point."

"I believe there has been a misunderstanding," began Rose.

Garnet nodded. "We did not trap Lapis Lazuli in the mirror. Pearl simply found it abandoned at the galaxy warp."

The Lazuli's wings snapped out. "Oh, yeah, and after finding me, you guys sure did your best to set me free."

"We did not know you were conscious in there," said Garnet.

" Sure you didn't."

Blue Pearl placed down her collection of garbage, and came to stand next to the Lazuli. "Lapis," she said, "Gems who are placed into items are supposed to have their sentience erased."

Lapis Lazuli turned to her, eyes flashing with anger and betrayal.

"Uh… Pearl did say that after I let you out…" said Steven, voice small.

Lapis Lazuli stared at him from one long moment, then looked away, her gaze focusing back on the Crystal Gems.

"Fine," she said, in a tone which was not fine at all. The ocean sounded much louder all of a sudden, the waves crashing angrily against the shore. Garnet had to restrain the urge to summon her gauntlets. "Fine. You didn't put me in the mirror, and you didn't know I was actually alive in there— not that you ever bothered to try and figure that out— but it's still y our fault I was put in there in the first place!"

By now, the situation was so tense that even Bacon had noticed. He was sitting up, his fur puffed out to make himself seem larger and more threatening.

Even Lapis Lazuli's own companions seemed on edge, Greg Universe especially. But Rose Quartz acted as though she was only mildly concerned.

She asked, "What do you mean?"

"'What do I mean?'" Lapis said, voice low. "I mean it's your fault for starting a war over this tiny planet! For getting me caught up in it. It was one of your Gems— one of your Bismuths— who attacked me—"

Only then did Rose flinch.

Amethyst was the one who stepped in instead, standing up and balling her fists. "Yeah, well, c'mon. 'Course she did, you're a super powerful fighter!"

"I'm a terraformer ! I'm not meant to fight! But that's what you Crystal Gems do! All so quick to do whatever you want, to let anybody charge into battle, that you completely forgot civilians exist! So you attacked me, and I never got the chance to regenerate! I came back in a mirror, branded a traitor—"

"I am sorry," Rose said, and she meant it. That much was obvious. Her face was filled with genuine sorrow, her eyes shone with unspilled tears. "You should not have been hurt so. Not by us, not by Homeworld."

Lapis Lazuli flinched, taken aback. Even the wind that had started up seemed to falter a little. "I— what? Homeworld didn't hurt me—"

"They did," said Rose.

Lapis Lazuli shook her head, looking desperately at Steven, whose face was just confused. "No. It's all your fault—"

"We are not the one who imprisoned you without trial, Lapis Lazuli," said Garnet. She could See other futures splayed out before her, and she brought what she had learned from them to bear. "We are not the ones who refused to listen to your pleas, who condemned you to a voiceless existence—"

Lapis Lazuli's nostrils flared. Her wings spread out out ever further, and the ocean was roaring, and it seemed certain that a wave would come bearing down, unstoppable, upon all of them—

— but it didn't. Lapis just jumped up into the air and flew away. High, high up— but not so high that she was out of sight. She was a dark blue speck against a light blue sky, circling and circling, refusing to leave her Diamond.

Steven stared up at her, biting his lip. He asked Blue Pearl, "Is she… gonna be okay?"

The Pearl did not answer immediately. "I believe she needs… time to clear her head, my Steven. She will come back in time, I'm sure."

"O… kay…" he said.

"Sheesh," Amethyst muttered under his breath, kicking at the sand. "Drama queen."

"No more than your Pearl," snapped Steven.

Rose Quartz stood up. "I think that might be all for today, perhaps."

Looking around at everyone's faces— Greg's grimace, Steven's sudden glumness, the Pearl's completely blank expression— Garnet couldn't help but agree. Besides, for a meal which was supposed to have been breakfast, it was growing quite late. Already the sun was beginning to move back down towards the west horizon.

Garnet nodded, and got to her feet as well. With the solemnity that befitted the occasion, she said, "Thank you for the meal."

"Yeah. Real tasty," Amethyst said, already scrambling to follow her friends' lead.

"Don't… even mention it," replied Greg, after a moment.

Rose pulled her gaze back down from the sky, where she'd got caught watching Lazuli, and refocused on the young Diamond. "This isn't going to be easy, I think. For any of us. But I believe we have a lot to learn from each other." She glanced at Greg. "Will you stay with your father tonight?"

"Uh, yeah. I guess."

"Good. I hope you enjoy your evening together. And I hope we can meet again tomorrow."

It wasn't an order. Not at all. Yet something in its cadence made it feel like one. Made it feel impossible to decline.

"Yeah," said Greg Universe, resting a hand on his son's shoulder. "Yeah. I guess we'll… see you then, Rose. Garnet. Amethyst."

"Okay. Tomorrow," agreed Steven.

Steven nodded. The Pearl bowed. Then she finished cleaning up— Greg helping, and after a moment, the boy and the Lazuli as well.

The Crystal Gems watched as they filed into the human vehicle, and drove away.

Garnet knew without looking that the future was going to be very interesting indeed.

oOo

Authors' Note: Hey folks! Just wanted to point you in the direction of our new 'story', "Faded Blue: Extended Play", which is really just a place to post stuff on the music for this series, since some folks expressed interest. We're unable to upload it on this website, since it doesn't support alternative formats like audio-files and scores, but you can find it on Ao3 or our tumblr 'Team Faded Blue'.

In future we'll be posting things like full lyrics and chords/tabs for songs, but right now we have piece on the ukulele called 'Quiet Days at the Palanquin' composed and performed by AiramCG.