Chapter 6: Home, Sweet, Homeworld
ALEXANDRITE
Three days have passed since Sid and I successfully eliminated our target. In that time, Sid, has been steadily recovering from his injuries. Although he has not woken up yet which has sent me and Clino into a nervous fit. Oh, yes Clino has not budged since learning what Obsidian and I are. At first when I told her she didn't believe me, that was until she saw under Sid's mask. I must say this though she didn't scream like I thought she would. No, she just fainted, about five separate times. By the fifth time she was starting to understand why the mask never leaves Sid's face. Anyway, we both sit in a room at the top of Mount Iron military research hospital, designated specifically for Obsidian and my own needs. Close to four hours pass before I get up and open the curtains of a very large wall window overlooking Homeworld. The view is breathtaking or it would be if not for the large amount of towering structures blocking the orange and magenta colored sky, but the bits that peek through are quite beautiful. I glance over to the tank holding him, his dark crystal scars showing as clear as day through the translucent pod and light blue healing fluid. His bright red maw stands out even more than the scars but it doesn't look as menacing as it normally does. Heck his form is pretty much invisible though, if he were awake he probably would end up ripping me and Clino in half just out of embarrassment. After close to an hour of continued silence Clino is the first to break the void of noise. Her voice taking an annoyed tone "How damn long is he going to stay in there? Seriously the border guards in Siliconus heal faster than this guy, and they are ripped in half most of the time!"
"Your Border guards don't have the power of eighteen supernovas' running through them." I say bluntly, rubbing my eyes for both dramatic effect and because I haven't slept in a few days. Clino just rolls her eyes making her way over to the side of the healing pod before leaning on the side, staring intently at Sid's face.
"So how in the heck did he end up like that?" her voice slightly calmer but still in an annoyed tone.
"Like what, exactly?"
"Looking like he lost a fight with a planet shredder?"
I shoot her a look of angst before saying "You want to find out you have to ask him yourself. But fair warning here, he may try to kill you after telling you." Turning her face in my direction, Clino is about to respond when a Sid's palm smacks the inside of the pod sending her jumping back in shock. He moans and stretches out, unintentionally flexing his chest, arms and anywhere not easily visible through the healing gel. His eyes haven't opened yet giving me a chance to hand Clino a pair of black shades covering her eyes. Sid's red eyes finally open and boy howdy does he look like he need to move. Looking around he sees me and smiles but that quickly fades to a concerned look when he sets his sight on the reddish gold Clino standing close to the pod. Using some quick glances along with some semaphore I reassure him that she didn't see anything, but not taking any chances I throw him a fresh shirt, his body armor including his mask. In one fluid movement, he steps out of the cerulean semipermeable healing fluid, grabs his stuff and begins to dress himself just as Clino removes the dark shades. Not even a minute passes when the head of gem maintenance walks in to check on their latest patient. Looking up from a slim holographic clipboard she walks over to Sid, white lab coat flowing in the opposite direction of her movement.
"Agent Time, it is an honor to have you back in the facility once again. And I am also glad to report your form has reconstituted itself in record time". Her voice is filled with delight, but that soon fades when she sees the very ticked off face of Sid.
"Yes doc, that's great and all but, I got a feeling there is another reason you're here." Sid has almost all of his outfit on except for his mask and when he doesn't have his mask on … "Tell me why the head of the entire Gem maintenance is actively checking in on me instead of, oh I don't know, trying to help the other soldiers that are in critical condition!? I mean I don't mind the attention but it is just that a bit unsettling". Sid's body had slowly moved forward till he was about a foot away from the doctor's face. His sharpened crystal, lava colored maw radiated heat as his eyes locked on to the doc waiting for a response. From my seat behind him I check the time as Clino is awe struck by the spectacle in front of her. For almost a minute the eyes of the doc's and Sid's had been locked, neither one daring look away. But the doc's fear finally got the better of her, she sprinted from the room dropping the clipboard behind her as her footsteps echoed across the floor of the hall. Sid picks up the clip board and browses through its contents as I get up from my chair and walk over to Clino's body and escort her out of the room, her face still in awe of how fast the doctor had fled. I wait down in the lobby of the hospital after sending our new 'associate' back home to her bar, thoughts wandering to our job and the actual amount of time it took. I mean considering how much of a fight that target put up … something just doesn't feel quite right.
OBSIDIAN
I am sure glad that Alex left when she did cause boy howdy we got problems. Looking through the doctor's clipboard I find just what I was looking for. Smack dab in the front, right above my medical report, lies a golden envelope with a silver diamond water mark on it. I know I am going to regret opening it but my curiosity is just too great. Before opening the very ornate piece of mail I look myself over in the reflection of the large window. Though faint I can see that I am indeed wearing my mask, black body armor, dark jeans, and soft leather black boots. Just making sure that I am somewhat presentable. Throwing on my red shades from the right pocket of the plate vest for my own protection; I tap the envelope, quickly place it on the ground and stand back. Sure, enough the letter opens with a large blinding white light that would have probably been visible from the outside if not for the one-way windows. Standing in the center of the light is a prerecorded message of Yellow Diamond's second in command, her usual ballerina style of outfit now replaced with a yellow tuxedo.
"Greetings and salutations agent Time, the Council of Diamonds cordially requests your presence as well as agent Fate's presence at the annual Warriors Ball to be honored for your recent actions in the field. Please report, at eight o clock sharp, to Florian hall within the yellow sector of Homeworld. Long live the Empire!".
Ok, this is not what I was expecting. Being invited to one of the largest charity events on Homeworld is not my first choice of celebrating a job well done but, can't choose the party. Especially considering that being ask to attend the event in question is one of the highest honors a soldier can receive. There is just one tiny problem. I HATE parties and grand events like this. Why? Most of the time these events are just held to kiss up to higher elite gems so they can shell out some funding or in rare cases to congratulate soldiers and battalions, which I really don't mind. But no use dwelling on this situation, I must get to Alex before the news hits her. Racing down the large corridor I pass multiple rooms, mostly empty, but the energy of sorrow and pain still lingers close. I make to the lobby just as the front doors of the hospital open to reveal a horde of white quarts' reporters rushing us. Recording pods float over us as we are encircled and bombarded with random questions.
"Over here, Are you the one's responsible for the disaster in Siliconus?"
"Can you verify that the blue menace was in fact another rogue pearl?"
The gem in the back "What's with all the black? You just some kind of Emo Gem or something?". The gem who said that has officially made my top ten on my kill list.
"Down here," a short one grabs my trench coat and forces me to look down "Is it true you have accepted an invitation to the Warrior's Ball?".
The constant chatter plus the ever-lessening space is really starting to tick me off, luckily Alex has this situation covered. Quickly transforming into a pool of water she flows underneath their footwear and reforms into a large red striped carnelian Body guard. The reporters at the back seeing the large guard now clear out in intimidation causing the rest to take notice and start to part. Just in time too, for outside the clear glass doors a large golden hover limo has pulled up and seems to be waiting for us. Before the crowd of reporters have a chance to think or react Alex and I book it inside the limo, just as the thought of losing a story hits them we are off. Alex quickly shapeshifts back into her usual form as the obvious jasper in the room hits us. Who sent the limo and where are we going? Not even two seconds' pass when the limo stops and the door opens for us to get out. We step out, throw two silver thousand credit chips to the driver, but don't wish him farewell because of the amazing view in front of us.
The driver just dropped us off on probably the largest property either of us has ever seen. Ahead of us lies a large garden filled with the most beautiful assortment of exotic plants surrounding a glinting ebony path. The sheer amount of color is enough to cause my eyes to water or it could be the amount of pollen that is being given off. Exchanging glances, we make our way along the path taking in the absolute magnitude and scale of each species. Red Spartulips the size of cannonballs line the edge of the path, hiding their very sweet fruit, while rare silver and bronze Plutocion palms provide spots of shade from the harsh blue glow of home world's star. The lush vegetation surrounding us starts to give way, revealing a large pink ivory mansion, complete with multicolored towers and spires reaching toward the sky. Making our way to the front of the mansion, I spot what appears to be two large jaspers standing at attention, as if daring anyone to try and enter. But something just doesn't feel right. Those gems are wearing royal guard ceramic silver combat armor instead of standard issue steel plated tungsten and, I can't put my finger on it but their faces look very familiar. Approaching them I finally know why they look so familiar and begin to back away slowly but, just as I turn around they notice Alex and me.
"Halt right there! State your name and … Master? Is that you?".
Before I can react they both bolt right past Alex, leaving her kinda of dumbfounded, and try to grab me. Just as the first one grabs the edge of my trench coat I jump, throw it off and try to land in front of the gate; that backfires however when the second gem grabs me from behind, right as soon as my feet touch the ground, allowing her compatriot to quickly run to me and give me a thorough look over. Snapping out of her gaze Alex rushes over and tries to distract them by slashing and the first's back but for some reason they just glance off barely leaving a scratch in the surface. Before she can strike again the first finishes looking me over and cries out in a joyful tone "Praise be to the Diamonds! It is you sir! Nova put him down, we must alert the family that master Sidney has come home!" Without a second thought Nova, the gem holding me, releases and brushes off the dust from my clothes, before turning to Alex. Nova just stares at her for a moment before realizing that she is with me; whilst the other gem pulls a small rod communicator from the inner lining of her armor and frantically talks into it. Moments later the gates open and we are escorted inside where upon entering the grand foyer I am see about twenty or so pearls standing in two columns in front of a large staircase who welcome me, which seems to tick off Alex for some reason but I don't know why?
"Master Sid, welcome home!" they all say in unison, curtseying in their butler style tuxedos as I and Alex pass. Nervously I bow to each and make my way to the stair well where at the top two gems are waiting. The first gem is a tall thin Zircon who upon seeing me rushes down the stairway, her large golden lace stitched armor glinting in the pale light of the setting sun. As Zircon rushes down the stairs, a large muscular Labradorite walks closely behind her with a wide brimmed smile on her face. Stopping at the foot of the stairwell I drop to my left knee, bow and brace for impact as Zircon throws her arms around me, giving me a large hug.
"My son is it really you?"
"Yes mother, I have come home. If you'll have me that is?" the words leave my mouth very fast in a forced tone, but those feelings soon fade when Zircon embraces me.
"Of course, your welcome here this is your home. Come down here Labra your boy has come home after all these years!"
"I see that my dear, and my how he has grown" Labra says with a chuckle. As she reaches me I begin to rise just as both embrace me. We stay together for a few moments when from behind me I hear a cough and remember that Alex is right behind me, her foot tapping the floor. I quickly free myself from my parents grasp and introduce them to Alex. They bow to each other, before one of the pearls leads us all into the dining room to sit down for the night meal. As we make our way I can feel Alex's eyes on my back and I can already hear the question winding up in her head.
ALEXANDRITE
'Who are these gems? How do they know Sid? Parents!?' are just three of the questions that fly through my head constantly as we are led to the dining room. Seriously though the fact Sid didn't bother to tell me he had a family outside of me; I shouldn't be surprised though considering who we were before … the incident. Although I wonder what he would think of my family in White Diamond's district. No time to think on that now though because we have arrived at probably the most luxurious dining hall I have ever seen. The walls are covered in clear dagerion (wall paper made of iron and mercury) bordered by intricately carved red marble trimming. A set of large silver chandeliers hang in the middle of the room by bronze chains, shining a gentle orange glow on an enormous rock maple table, longer than the limousine that drove us here. To say that these sights coupled together into one space is overwhelming, would be an understatement, especially considering the array of food that is just waiting for anyone to chow down on. Platters of roasted chicken and backed duck sit steaming whilst butlers bring out bowls of vegetables and salads of every variety and to top it all off large metal serving dishes dot the table each covered with a glass lid with condensation on the inside hiding their delicious contents. If I didn't see the other gems around I could have sworn I had just been shattered and had gone to heaven. Taking our places around the table Sid and I sit together opposite his 'family' who haven't stopped talking about how great things have been since Sidney became famous.
"You know Sidney since you left things have changed so much here" Labra says as chairs made of aerogel form for us to sit "For starters the Yellow Sector Military Academy's science wing has been rebuilt, again! And due to the lack of funding we have had to release half of the researchers. But at least your old laboratory is still intact."
"Well isn't that just stupendous." Sid replies with a hint of venom. He shoots me a quick glance of apology just as his mother chimes in.
"Oh, Sidney you should see the new building. It's beautiful both inside and out, more so than the that warehouse they used to create …" Zircon doesn't get to finish as a set of twin pearls appear through the doors located on the far end of the room bringing forth a large amount of fine china and set our spots with a clatter. Zircon continues with her endless gossip but I am not paying attention. My focus is still on Obsidian, who looks like he is about to ignite himself just to get away from these two. In all honesty, I feel the exact same way, these two seem like absolute snobs. But if there is one good thing about them, they at least know how to have dinner. My mouth must be watering cause before I can even grab a single piece I feel someone tie a cloth napkin around my neck and offer to serve me. I politely decline as Sid leads us in the pre-meal prayer, to the awkward stares of his parents, before quickly serving me a large portion of everything. And by everything, I mean everything! My first plates are filled to the brim with green, and red salad garnished with roasted rainbow squash and grilled lemon grass chicken. Without even skipping a beat he hands me his plate, which so happens to have sautéed turkey, grilled new valeric strip steak, and a heaping portion of my favorite food, cheddar macaroni and cheese (he knows me so well!). I begin to eat as lady like as possible but that kind of hard when your able to eat and entire 5-pound salad down in 30 seconds. As the others eat I glance from my plate to Sid, who is just sitting in silence twirling a glass of silver champagne; his eyes daring around the room as if he is trying to see if this is some form of nightmare. I look around the table and notice that Labra has locked his eyes right on Sid, not even blinking between bites, as if he's waiting for something to happen. As the second course comes out the servants ask again if I would like to be served, not wanting them to keep asking I agree but my focus is still on Labra who hasn't looked away. Finally noticing the creepy eyes of Labra, Sid locks pupils and stares back. As if by magic all noise has ceased, no one is moving not even the servants dare move from their positions. All eyes lie on my partner and his parental figure. The silence is suddenly broken when Sid asks the first question.
"What's wrong Labra? Do I have something on my face?" Sid asks genuinely but with more fire in his tone. Labra's response only seemed to increase the ever-increasing tension "Oh nothing's wrong son. Can't a parent look at their child's face?".
"That's weird considering you never look at me like that unless I have done something wrong!"
"Sidney," Labra says trying to gain control "you haven't done anything wrong, but you need to take that ridiculous mask off.".
"What's wrong with my mask!?"
"That mask is not appropriate attire for this house!" Labra stated as her form now towered over her son. As if on cue, Sid rose suddenly and glares directly into his fatherly figure's retina sending a visible shudder through Labra's form.
Zircon jumps in trying to alleviate the situation "It's getting late, Labra. I think it's time we all tucked in for the night. Before things get out of hand that is. What do you think?". Quickly looking away to her partner, Labra sighs, rubs her eyes and dismisses everyone to bed. Sid walks away quickly out the room with two black pearls trailing behind him. I stand slightly confused on what I just watched, stop one of the lighter colored pearls and ask her to save some of the food for me. After bowing to me she told me "it will be done my lady." Suddenly from directly behind me a yellow pearl tapped me on the shoulder and said to follow her to my room for the night. As I'm lead to my room the great dining halls chandeliers begin to dim, causing the room to grow ever slowly darker and as the room fades to black I must ask myself… what happened to the dessert course?