A few days passed and Black Diamond and Pearl remained inside Lady Lapis's home to help with the newborn. The mother was still recovering from giving birth, and while all the gems in the city completed the final touches and reparations, Black and Pearl stole away the final pangs of the woman's pain.

One afternoon, when nearly the entire mansion had collapsed into collective naptime, Black Diamond sat awake on the floor of her room, having unfurled an old scroll of ancient spells. Pearl slept as a little lump beneath the covers and the only sounds inside the room were her snoring and the whispering of the parchment as Black Diamond read. Just as she reached over to roll up the portion she had read, a few footsteps drew her eye to the partially open door where she found the eldest daughter passing by.

The child had set four fingers in her mouth again as her short legs took her through the halls. She had made it past the staircase's uppermost step when Black Diamond poked her head out of her room and watched. She kept travelling forward until pushing open a door further down the hall with a creak. Just as she disappeared, Black Diamond left her chamber and followed the same path. Her feet never made more than a few quiet taps until she silently glanced past the threshold and found the girl standing near her little sister's crib.

She had put her hands on the bars and breathed loudly as she stood upon the tips of her toes. Between two of the wooden rods, she slipped part of her face through, and with one eye wide open, she watched her sister sleep, surrounded by pillows to keep her from rolling away.

Black Diamond came in and stood at her side. The girl didn't move until Black said, "She's so tiny, isn't she?" In response, she fell backward, and with her golden eyes widened in shock, immediately put her hand back into her mouth.

"I'm sorry I scared you," Black Diamond whispered. "I wanted to see her too. What do you think of her? Do you like your baby sister?"

The little creature regained her footing and nodded slowly. Her gaze never broke with Black Diamond's. She didn't even blink.

"I like her too. Do you think she's cute?"

Her head bobbled again as her curious sight moved from Black's forehead to her toes.

"Well, if you want to see her better, I can lift you up. I'm very tall. Do you want to see from here?"

A smile broke across her face from her pinky to her index finger, but she looked away.

"Little one, do you want me to lift you?"

"Yeah," she nodded, and laughed as Black Diamond took her about ten feet into the air.

"Shh, we can't wake her, okay? Your mommies are sleeping too. And if she wakes up, they're going to come in here, and then they're going to say, 'who woke the baby?'"

The girl grinned and hid her laughter behind her hands—neither of which occupied her mouth anymore. Eventually, she calmed and looked down at her sister from the balcony of Black Diamond's arms. Mumbling quietly at the back of her throat, she sighed and said: "She's small."

"She is small. Do you know you were that small once too?"

She smiled again. "Yeah..."

"Yes, but one day she'll be as big as you."

The girl turned to look at Black with her eyes at one hundred percent roundness. She wore a little confusion just as her finger wore a little drool, and the Diamond explained, "She's going to grow bigger, and you're going to grow bigger too. Maybe you'll grow as big as me one day."

The little Lapis laughed while Black smiled and quieted her, and they kept the stillness after that.

For several minutes, both watched as the tiny girl slept. She had been swaddled to near immobility, but still expanded every time she drew in a breath. Sometimes she shifted and tangled her surprising head of thick blue hair, and then occasionally opened her mouth wide only to leave it there for several long seconds. Black Diamond prevented her giggles from gaining any voice, and the child looked on without much of a reaction either way. After a while, she attempted to get down, and Black set her gently upon the floor. Then she ran away and Black stayed a moment longer to observe at the sleeping baby. She placed her palm upon her chest before finally going back to reading her scroll.

About an hour later, everyone woke up and began preparing for dinner, which prompted Lady Lapis to knock on the door and stick her crazy head in. Black Diamond stretched like a cat upon standing up.

"Hello, Lady Lapis."

"Hello. I've come to ask you how you want your potatoes."

"May I have them fried?"

"Certainly. And Pearl?"

"She'd probably like them fried too, thank you."

"Note taken. Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes." With that, Lady Lapis disappeared and Black Diamond went to pester Pearl.

Gently, she rolled back the blankets and found Pearl beneath them, coiled into a ball with her knees drawn into her stomach. With the sudden influx of cool air, she grumbled before Black Diamond left an obnoxious kiss on one side of her face. The contact created a lot of noise, but the author of this chaos didn't stop, even when she began to shake with laughter.

"Madame, I was sleeping…"

Black Diamond didn't pull away.

"No…I don't want your kisses."

She merely made more and Pearl grumbled louder.

"Stop…"

"Okay," Black released her, "But dinner is going to be ready soon."

Pearl looked at her with unspoken salt, and stretched beneath the blankets. She cleaned the sleep from her lashes and settled briefly back against the bed. "You look happy, My Lady. I have to admit, things didn't turn out too badly here. I'm sorry I doubted you."

"Oh, Pearl." Black Diamond set her hand upon Pearl's head. "You weren't the only one doubting me. I couldn't be sure of the outcome either, but I'm glad that things happened the way they did."

"Are we—" Pearl's face darkened a few shades. "How long do you think we'll stay?"

"I'm not sure. I wouldn't mind being here a while longer, but…" Black turned her face toward the window as the dimming, pastel light spread itself across the room.

"Are you worried they're going to find out?"

"It feels as though it's only a matter of time, but I'm enjoying being Coal again. I'm trying to decide if we should leave before it's too late, but to where? There aren't any other places I know of where the gems aren't aware of my identity. We've reached the ocean, and I'm not sure where to go from here."

As she looked out the window, and the voices from a few of the Lapises in town echoed, Black Diamond smoothed her long fingers through Pearl's soft hair. "I'm beginning to think that perhaps you were right, and I might just need to accept the fact I emerged a Diamond, but it was nice to pretend for a while."

"My Lady, I'm glad you're a Diamond." Pearl's thin brows bent, and she continued, "I don't think I would exist if you were anyone else."

Black leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. "Well, if my being a Diamond means that you get to exist, I'm glad I am too. It's hard to imagine my life without you in it."

"My Lady," Pearl's eyes grew a little wide before clasping shut as she sniffed.

"Oh, I didn't mean to make you cry! I'm sorry." Black Diamond kissed her again and only drew out more tears. To comfort her, she stole Pearl from the sheets and held her close until she stopped, at which point she set her down flat upon her feet.

"Come on." Black Diamond cleared the tears from her own cheeks and stood to her full height. "Let's go downstairs. I asked for your potatoes to be fried by the way."

"You know me so well, My Lady."

By the time they had gone downstairs, the entire first floor had filled with the smell of cooked meat, fried potatoes, and various spices. The dining room table held numerous bowls of sliced fruit and pitchers of dark iced tea.

"Miss Coal, Pearl—" The mother Lapis had left her room and fed her baby beneath the blanket while her eldest daughter stood by, watching. "Please take a seat."

"Thank you, Madame. How are you feeling?"

"I'm doing much better, thanks to you and Pearl. I did sleep for a long time today, but I needed it after this one kept me up all night." She indicated the child at her breast. "How are you two?"

"We're doing very well, Madame. Thank you for allowing us to relax here."

"Of course. You were such a godsend before my youngest came along. Your potions are still helping too."

"We're glad. Thank you."

At that point, Lady Lapis came and placed a hand upon her wife's shoulder and kissed her cheek. "Miss Coal," she said, "There's a celebration going on in town tonight because we've finally finished the major repairs. I don't think either of us will be able to make it, but you and Pearl are welcome to go. I imagine a few of the healers are going to be there, so you'll at least know someone."

"Oh," Black Diamond looked to Pearl. "That sounds lovely. If Pearl wants to go, then I'll go too."

Pearl asked, "Will there be wine?"

Both Lady Lapis and her wife laughed. "Of course. My people know how to party. There's probably going to be music and dancing as well."

Pearl stared directly at Black as she bit her bottom lip.

Black Diamond held back her mirth. "Alright then. I guess we'll go."

Pearl beamed and everyone laughed as the servants brought out the main course. Lady Lapis, her daughter, and her maidens took their seats. Once served, each of them began eating, plates brimming with bounty.

"These potatoes are excellent. Thank you, Lady Lapis."

"You like them? Here," she took a spoonful from the bowl of fried potatoes and created a mountain upon Black Diamond's plate. "You're awfully big. Do you want more?"

"Oh, no. This is perfect."

Lady Lapis stared at her, and without breaking eye contact, spooned more onto her plate. "You don't need to be modest." She buried the business end of the utensil back into the bowl and kept staring at her guest.

"I'm fine. Thank you."

"I'd like some more potatoes, Lady Lapis."

"Excellent!" She practically cracked her neck in looking at Pearl. "Here you are."

"Thank you!"

The mother shook with laughter she attempted to subdue to prevent upsetting her infant. "All of you are ridiculous."

"Honey, if you want more potatoes, you only need to ask."

"Keep those away from me. I know where you sleep."

Dinner concluded with no potatoes leftover and both of the travelers preparing for the party. Black Diamond waited by the door as Pearl prepared upstairs, watching as one mother helped the other to her room and their eldest daughter followed. Once her wife made it to bed, Lady Lapis came back downstairs, arms crossed yet again, and stood next to the tallest woman in the house.

Both stayed put for a few seconds.

"I wanted to tell you," Lady Lapis began, "I appreciate all the help you've given us, and also that you're welcome to stay in my city as long as you like."

Black Diamond gasped. "Oh, Lady Lapis—"

"If you decide to stay, I would set up a place for you and Pearl to live, as well as monthly pay to help the healers and anyone who's hurt. You're welcome to think about it, of course, and you have my word that I'll do my part to keep your secret, but the more I consider it, the more handy you seem to have around."

"Thank you," she drew in a breath before the next words came and met up with the wild eyes burning a hole into the side of her face. "White Diamond does come here sometimes, doesn't she?"

"Now that she owns the place."

"I'm sorry about that."

"It's not your fault. I appreciate her help in rebuilding. She didn't have to do that, but then again, she started this fight in the first place. Anyway, you wouldn't have to come out if she comes here. Unless she's looking for you and demands to see you. I'm sorry, but I can't let her tear this city apart twice."

"I understand. I would reveal myself before any harm would come. I'm a guest, after all."

"Hmm," Beneath the bar of her crossed arms, Lady Lapis released her air. "I appreciate that we're seeing eye-to-eye. Well, think about it, and even if you decide against staying indefinitely, you're always welcome here."

"Thank you, Lady Lapis. That's very kind of you."

"Well, you helping my wife was very kind. I just want to see my family happy and healthy. My people too. Once Pearl is ready, I'll walk both of you to the party. It's at the beach." Briefly, she went upstairs just as Pearl came down, wearing powder around her eyes and rouge upon her cheeks (or perhaps noir). Pearl hid slightly beneath her borrowed blue veil and Lady Lapis touched her on the shoulder as she travelled upward.

"I'm going to say goodbye to my wife. We'll head out in a minute."

"Oh, yes. Thank you, Madame."

Black Diamond too put on a veil, and the three of them walked to the bonfire on the beach, where a group of Lapises and a few of White's Quartzes had gathered.

None of the warriors seemed to recognize her. They glanced at her, curiously, like the other gems, and aside from marveling at her impressive height, said nothing of it.

"Have fun, Miss Coal." Lady Lapis touched her on the arm. "If you're not sure how to get back, just walk down that way. You'll come to my house eventually."

Lady Lapis walked away and the music began in earnest. One of the Lapises handed Black Diamond and Pearl a warm cup of wine each, with an orange wedge on the edge.

"Pearl, please don't drink too much," her palm landed flat upon her head. "I'm going to sit over there for a while."

"Oh, I'll try not to, My Lady. You didn't come here just for my sake, did you?"

Black Diamond tousled some of Pearl's hair. "Perhaps, but it's a nice evening, so I'm glad to be out."

"Well, I think you should dance, My Lady, but thank you for coming with me."

"Of course, Pearl, and perhaps I will. I'm simply not ready to dance yet, but maybe after a little more wine."

Pearl laughed and bid her Diamond goodbye before joining the party. The other gems welcomed her and she began a conversation with a tall Quartz and a short Lapis maintained between sips of wine. The soldier—who looked like a Jasper—frequently chuckled using her entire body; her stomach rumbled and her shoulders shook, while the Lapis talked with her hands and expressed joy at a higher pitch. Pearl seemed to ask them both several questions and prompted either of them to speak for long amounts of time. They even came to touch her on the shoulders or tap her on the arm, just before the dancing began.

Sitting in the sand, Black Diamond drank her wine and sieved her fingers through the grains while the ocean sighed steps before her. The moon shined full overhead and she watched the waves lap up the shore, creating flowing brush strokes across its surface, while the white and silver evening light only afflicted the ever-changing crests.

Black looked back to the party and its fire in the center. The shadows from the dancing gems interrupted its light everytime the beat sounded, which synced up to the waves.

Black Diamond leaned back, drank another sip of wine, and looked into the dark blue sky with its royal purple clouds. They obscured a few of those bright constellations, but just as she drank another mouthful, she caught a light moving through the sky like a shooting star; however, it didn't fly quite fast enough and nearly disappeared at certain angles. Only when the glowing entity approached and Black Diamond could make out the shape of a dragon's face did the party begin screaming and running from the bonfire. The Quartzes, however, aligned themselves and bowed while Pearl panicked and came running to her lady, clinging to her leg.

Black set an arm around her as the air hitched in her throat. Both of them froze as the silver creature descended from the navy heavens and landed upon the sand.

Luna kicked up a storm as her feet crashed into the beach and extinguished the fire.

"My Diamond," the chorus of Quartzes greeted their empress as she dismounted her dragon.

"Good evening, Soldiers." Despite killing the fire's light, White reflected the color of the moon, upright like a marble statue in a crème gown, embellished by silver rings and clasps that glared even beneath the heavens' gentle glow. Her arrow-sharp eyes locked onto Black, who clutched Pearl as breath nearly steamed from her lungs.

"Good evening, Miss Coal."

"What do you want, White Diamond?" Black had nearly picked up Pearl and ran, but held her ground.

"I want to talk."

The soldiers looked up at the mysterious Coal and her servant. Black sighed and approached White, standing near enough so that both the army members and the Lapises watching from behind a nearby building could compare their height.

"I don't want to talk here, My Diamond." Black nearly spit out the last two words.

"Then where would you like to talk?"

"Down the beach. Please stay here, Pearl."

"Yes, Ma'am." She arranged herself in line with the soldiers as one Diamond followed the other along the ocean's lips.

Black walked quickly. "Why can't you understand that I want to be left alone? No one knew when I arrived, but now they're sure to figure it out, since you had to find me." She hadn't stopped walking.

Nor did White stop following. "I see that you're still angry with me."

"Should I be happy to see you?"

"It wouldn't hurt."

Black stopped and glared at White, who only kicked up a little sand with the force of her feet. "What do you want?"

"I came here to check on you. A few of my Quartzes said they believed they had spotted you—"

"No, what do you want with me?"

White drew in a breath and let it out, without much discernible change in expression. "I want you to come back with me."

"Still?"

"Of course."

"Why?"

"Black, don't tell me you're really so dense." White turned and watched the waves for a moment before accosting Black Diamond with her silver stare. "We're the only two, and I'd prefer it if we work together. As a Diamond, it's inappropriate for you to live in the wild—"

"Says you. Just because you're a Diamond doesn't mean you're allowed to make the rules for how the rest of us live. I'll dictate my lifestyle, even if all of your arbitrary rules have made it unnecessarily difficult. Even before we had met, they expected me to act like you—"

"Then wouldn't you say it's fate? It sounds to me like I've been a part of your life before you even emerged."

Black clenched her fists and resisted the scream boiling up to her nose.

White laughed. "I'm not saying that you should act the same way I do. All angles considered, I think that would be for the worse. What I am saying is that there's no reason for you to live like a beggar, or pretend you aren't a Diamond like it's something to be ashamed of. They would have found out anyway. That Lapis certainly did."

The ocean rolled in again, crashed upon the sand, and left foam and spent shells in the aftermath.

"How did you know about that?"

"She sent me your way."

"She—" Black furrowed her brows as another wave rumbled.

"I'm going to be blunt. If you had stayed in your village, I would have found you and asked you to marry me. That was my plan before you went missing, after all. I'm sure you're not too crazy about the idea now, given everything that's happened, but I'd appreciate if you would allow me a chance. If you decide you still hate me, you're welcome to leave, but maybe this time you can give me at least a few days instead of just one night. We barely spoke the last time you were at the palace."

A few beads of cool sweat rolled along Black's face. Her fingers still bent from when she had clenched them. "You…wanted to marry me?"

"Yes."

"Before we had even met?"

"Yes, Black Diamond. Even before I knew what a damned hippy you are, and I'd still like to give it a try, eventually. I don't need you giving me that murderous look of yours when we're lying in the same bed, but perhaps I can eschew your anger by redeeming myself. We could have that conversation at a later date."

"I—" All of the stars reflected briefly in the water before the movement washed their images away. The clouds shifted with the wind and revealed the previously hidden clusters and constellations, and Black glanced back to those two silver lights that hadn't moved away from her since they had began talking. "I don't know what to say to that. Why would you want to get married?"

White tilted her head and nearly rolled her eyes. "How many times do I have to tell you that we're the only two?"

"But…what if there's another Diamond out there?"

"Perhaps there is, but I don't intend to wait that long. As for today and as for right now, it's just us. Now that I've finally found you and have your attention, I'm going to be up-front." White didn't avert her gaze for a second, nor did Black, but she did almost lose her breath beneath the spotlight of White's eyes. "Please consider coming to me. I'm going to leave Luna here and if you like, you and Pearl can take her to the palace. If not, all you need to do is pat her on the back leg and she'll fly back to me by herself. If later on, you decide you want to live with me, you're welcome to come at any time, but the trip is much faster if you have a dragon."

Black set her silence into the sand and swallowed the sentence fragments in her throat. "Are you going to stay here overnight?"

"No. I thought you'd probably like to think about it alone. I'm going to return home."

Black gave her a look.

"I'm very fast."

"I suppose so." Black crossed her arms and rolled her lips.

White said nothing more and regarded the waves, blinking only a few times with her dramatic lashes.

"I understand where you're coming from, but…if I ever considered marrying you, I'd want to love you first. Everything you've said—it's overwhelming."

White's voice came out more softly. "I'm not asking for you to marry me any time soon. I'm asking you to give me a chance, and perhaps, eventually, we can marry. We'll discuss your role at the palace if you decide to come, and I'll try to make it as painless as possible for you."

Black skinned her bottom lip.

"I'll do my best to keep you happy. You have my word."

"Just so you can maybe marry me one day?"

White nearly turned and left. "You and I are the only gems without a family. We don't have a tribe, and we don't have any one village, but it doesn't need to be that way." She began to walk away. "I hope I'll see you soon, Black Diamond, and blue isn't a terrible color on you, but I think you would look better in gold."

Just as she opened her mouth to raise her voice, White moved in a flash and appeared before Luna, said a few words to her, and made a blur again, this time disappearing down the street as the Quartzes finally stood back up and the Lapises came back out.

Every last one of them looked directly at her, speechless. Even Pearl didn't dare break the silence by raising her voice and kept her words clasped between her teeth. Black Diamond touched Luna on the chin and stared back at the crowd.

"I'm sorry she interrupted your party. Please continue."

Luna chirped as she followed Black and her Pearl down the street, all three moving without words.

Pearl didn't bother asking, but took her Lady's hand as they returned to the mansion, perhaps for the last time.