Obsidian: Part 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Steven Universe, that honor goes to Rebecca Sugar and Cartoon Network.
Sorry if the story's a bit shorter this time..
"A week ago. Today they're going to remove your stitches," Connie said and I looked down at my hands.
"For how long was I out?" I asked and Connie pointed at the calendar.
"Two months," Connie said and I began to examine my end tables, and my blankets..
All of Beach City was right beside me. I saw Sour Cream's gift of new headphones, Jamie's gift of a new script he wrote in my name, Steven's gift of a mall box of chocolates, The Crystal Gems' gift of my artistic drawing winning the top prize in the World Wide Art Competition, and being framed, and the all of Beach City's collaborative project of getting me something very special. All of the town knew how much I wanted it, and they had the money pooled together to buy it.
It was a one of a kind, handcrafted, engraved, painted perfectly, and it projected everyone's personalities in a unique oneness. It was a small basket of goodies,but the thing that stood out from the rest was the small white letter on attached to the handle.
I picked up the letter, and when I opened it, I began to cry. Inside the basket was a playlist of songs that everyone helped to make, a bouquet of quartz roses, coupons to every restaurant, a paid hospital bill, and the key to my own shop.
"They did this for me?" I asked aloud as I began to cry. Connie held up a box of tissues and I took them gratefully.
"What can I say? They love you. You saved so many lives by taking out the Diamonds, then when that gem monster came, you took a bullet and stood up and took the thing out," Connie said and I smiled as I blew my nose.
"This though..This is more than any soul could wish for...To be loved by your friends...To finally make friends..That's all I wished for..Real friends," I said as tears blurred my vision.
I put the note back in the basket, and I began singing "Let Her Go" by Jasmine Thompson.
Connie began crying, and she took a tissue. I felt like the rest of that week was a blur, and that moment, that song, was every sound in the rest of that week. I found myself standing on the beach again, singing that same song, alongside Eve and Garnet.
The next morning, I decided to head to my new workplace. And when I did, I saw it was already set up, and I noticed that people had been leaving gifts and notes of encouragement.
"Wow," I said as I traced the counter with my fingers. I decided to add a few things, and I opened up my small bag. Shattered, soulless gems were in my hands, and I had made them into jewelry. I set down my framed picture, and I placed the photo of all of Beach City beside it.
I set up the other drawings I had made, and the self-published comics I had on the shelves. I continued to set everything up, and by the evening, I was ready to officially open to the public the next morning.
I noticed that I had a back room, and I saw an entire bedroom set up, with windows and it was completely finished.
Chapter 5: Opening Up.
The next morning, I found people at my door, excited to see all sorts of things on my shelves, and the photos on the counter.
"Silver?" I heard Steven call from outside and I immediately got dressed into something a tad more elegant.
When I walked into the shop part of my house, everyone was staring at me. I opened up the door, and with the decorated key around my neck.
"Hey Steven! I was just going to open today, wanna take a peek?" I asked and Steven lit up. Connie beamed as I opened up the door. Connie saw the artwork and she gasped.
"You did all of this?" Connie asked and Steven stared at the picture that I had just put up behind the counter.
"Yeah, it helps me relax. That and singing, as you well know," I said and Steven was just smiling.
"Can we hear you sing?" Steven asked and Connie looked up at me. I went bright pink. I cleared my throat, nodding.
"Sure," I said and Steven beamed. I took a deep breath and I let my voice float. Steven and Connie were left speechless as I went on as I picked up the radio. I put in the disk, but I kept it from playing.
When I stopped myself, I began playing the radio, and Steven and Connie left, speechless, and yet filled with words.
"She's incredible," I heard Steven say as I passed by the carwash on my way to the Mayor's office.
"Steven, do you think she would be, I dunno, up for a duet?" Greg asked and I began laughing.
"Hey Greg!" I called and Greg came running out, his eyes wide and he began blushing.
"Do you wanna do a duet?" Greg blurted and I laughed even harder. My cheeks went bright pink, and I caught my breath.
"Sure, Greg. What could go wrong? I can set up the studio," I said and with a snap, I had a small studio just waiting for the recording to be made.
"Oh," Greg said as he pulled out a set of lyrics. I noticed a nervous spark in Greg's eyes and I smiled.
"Let me see," I said and Greg handed me the lyrics. The minute I read the first word I began to cry. I read the entire song, tears flowing down my cheeks.
"You-You're crying," Greg said and I looked up to see his teary eyes.
"This-This can save lives, Greg. It's not rock, not pop, not blues, not rap, not classical, not any known genre.. It's a lullaby of a different kind," I said and Greg smiled as I wiped away my tears.
"You like it?" Greg asked and I laughed.
"I love it! Let's go. Here and now, and I'll get ahold of a publisher. You're going to be rich!" I said and I pulled Greg into the recording booth.
Greg came into the booth, the music started, and the magic sparked higher than any firework.
That evening, I opened my store up for all of Beach City, and everyone immediately asked for a painting or one of my one-shot comics.
"Alrighty then, anyone else?" I found myself asking after Lars had made his purchase. There were no more customers, and I noticed Greg smiling happily outside the shop, with Rose at his side.
"Oh Greg, could you afford it?" Rose asked and Greg nodded.
"Of course, now we can afford the portrait we really wanted," Greg said and I sighed. It was beautiful how he wooed her, and how she smiled. It was the picture of true love.
Greg came inside and I got upright. Greg was blushing, handing me the disk we recorded earlier that day.
"Can I get a portrait done of me and Rose?" Greg asked as he slipped me a hundred dollars.
"Sure, just tell me the scenery for the background, and what you both will be wearing and we'll be good," I said and Greg handed me a picture of the sunset.
"Rose will be wearing her dress, and I'll be wearing a tuxedo in that same shade of pink. Do you need the pose?" Greg asked and I shook my head.
"The mental imagery is good enough, thank you," I said and Greg smiled.
"Thanks a million Silver," Greg said as I pulled out a large canvas.
"This big enough, or do you want smaller?" I asked and Greg shook his head.
"That's perfect, thanks," Greg said and I told him that I would have it done by morning. Greg smiled as he left with Rose, and they both went off back to the beach.
Through the night I worked hard to perfect the elegant portrait, adding shading, adding colors that would hue the artwork perfectly.
"And, just one more brushstroke, then it'll be perfect," I said as I added that last detail. I was listening to the recording that Greg and I had done, and trust me, it sounded like I was in heaven.
By dawn I was finished. Satisfied, I signed my name at the very bottom, careful not to ruin the painting. I was careful to use my hairdryer to dry the painting evenly, creating a gloss in certain areas where it was needed, and matte where it needed to be.
When I got it to Greg that morning, he was impressed with the detail and the handiwork with the lines and curves.
"This is amazing!" Greg said staring at the painting. I handed him the 100 dollars he had given me.
"I owe you, the music is going to pay for itself, and so is this. Trust me, it's the perfect gift for her," I said and Greg smiled.
"Thanks, but I can't accept this. I already have over 10 million dollars," Greg said and I laughed.
"Well, I hope Rose likes it," I said and Greg's smile grew wide.
"I think she will," Greg said and I nodded.
"Alright, and if she doesn't, I'll take it back and you won't be out a dime of your money," I said and Greg nodded. I took off, and Greg waved as I made my way past the other stores.
The wind in my hair felt good as I made my way back to my shop. Everyone else was opening up, and the people waved to me as I continued my jog. Then, when I had placed my hand on the doorknob to my shop, I heard this horrendous roar of dark laughter.
I had found a publisher, and he went by the name of Marty. Oh fudgesicle, Greg had warned me about Marty last night, and he said he would look like Sour Cream, only older.
I had made a huge mistake.
"Yo, Silver! You gotta track for me?" Marty asked from behind me, and I noticed Sour Cream just around the corner.
"Yes, come in," I said as I opened the door, letting Marty inside.
"You've got quite the store here, artwork, comics, and, oooh, you do personal photos and portraits?" Marty asked and I nodded.
"Yes, and I'm dreadfully sorry, your last client called me and warned me that you were simply too controlling, so if you like what you hear, I need you to allow for flexibility," I said as I pulled out my radio. I inserted the disk, and let the music play.
Marty was brought to tears, and then he became stiff.
"SNORE! You and Starchild sound like a duet to sleep too," Marty said harshly. I lowered my gaze, and then Marty suddenly lunged forward.
"Wh-What are you doing?" I asked as Marty wrapped his arms around my waist. I felt very uncomfortable. I had kept my shop door open for just this reason.
The scent of beer and whisky filled my nostrils, and I tried to push Marty away, but he was persistent.
"I-I like you..Your figure, your talent..C'mon baby, let me in," Marty said as his hands reached to undo my dress.
I screamed aloud, "VIOLATION!" and Sour Cream came running, along with four of his friends.
Marty slapped me, and he pulled out a knife, pinning me to him, and holding the knife to my neck.
"Try me kid," Marty said when he saw his son pull out a small baseball bat.
"Marty, uncool man," Sour Cream said and Marty growled.
"Oh, yeah, how's your career kid? This bae's got the goods. A voice, a gift wid arts, and for fidting," Marty said and I squirmed.
"Silver, bite me," Sour Cream said and I nodded. I bit down hard, and Marty yelped as I managed to get by Sour Cream's side.
"Get out," I said darkly, and I felt blood dripping from my neck.
"No, not unless I make sure nobody can have you!" Marty said and he lunged at me, putting the knife through my hand.
I screamed, kicking Marty off of me, and Sour Cream knocked him out. I got up, trembling, and I pulled Marty over my shoulder.
"I'm taking this man to the police," I said and Sour Cream nodded, taking his biological father's arm and throwing it around his neck.
"You can't do it alone," Sour Cream said and I nodded. I sighed as we turned Marty in to the police, charging him simply driving drunk. The police asked about my hand, and how the knife barely missed my gem.
"He tried to assault me after I told him he was drunk. It's not a big deal. Every wound heals with time," I said and Sour Cream led me outside as his friends told them everything else.
"You OK?" Sour Cream asked upon examining my hand. I winced as he accidently squeezed my hand. Sour Cream tore off a piece of his shirt, and he tied a tourniquet around my hand.
"It just hurts, not like I'm losing a lot of blood though. It'll heal," I said and Sour Cream sighed as he opened the car door.
I jumped in, and Sour Cream turned the car on. I noticed that everyone else had a different ride, and Sour Cream buckled up.
I quickly buckled up, and Sour Cream drove me to the doctor's office.
"Look, it needs to be checked out. Marty had something else than just metal on that knife," Sour Cream said and I started to feel a sharp pain sear through me.
"Ow..OK..I believe that...Cobra venom..Sour Cream..play something, anything, it'll keep my mind off of the pain," I said as I winced. I forced my heartbeat to slow down enough to prevent the flow of the venom. I tore off a piece of my dress and tied it around my arm.
"Sure," Sour Cream said as he played my disk from the shop. We managed to get to the doctor's office and get the anti-venom in time.
"Well, you certainly got a number done on you. Dr. Martinez told us about your potential return, but not under these circumstances," the doctor said as he finally took out the IV. I sighed and Sour Cream told the doctor to lay off.
"She's been through too much for your crap dude, chill," Sour Cream said and I smiled.
"Alright," the doctor said backing up. I sighed as I took a good look at the three stitches in my hand beside my gem.
"I'm sorry," I said and Sour Cream placed his hand on mine. I looked up into his watering eyes.
"It's not your fault. C'mon, we can leave now," Sour Cream said as he led me out into the lobby.
There I paid for the entire bill, and we left.
Sour Cream drove me home, where the police were investigating the situation. I came up to the officer, who smiled upon seeing me.
"You seem better, we found that this wasn't just drunk driving, it was attempted murder. You won't have to go to court, he admitted to everything. Here's the settlement of 20 million," the officer said handing me a small envelope.
"Wow, that was fast," I said and Sour Cream was just staring at me.
"You have a lot of money," Sour Cream said and I began laughing.
"Yeah, no kidding. Thank you Officer. I've gotta clean up my shop, since there's a pool of blood, and poison, and some of my paintings, you know," I said and the Officer nodded.
"I understand miss, stay safe," The officer said and he whistled for everyone to clear out.
I walked inside my shop, and I immediately began cleaning up. The police had taken care of the blood and poison, but I needed to clean up just in case. I took down my ruined paintings, which were given a red stain, and tears in the canvas.
"Dang it..I worked days on this one," I said looking at the picture I had had on the counter when Marty entered.
"What's it of?" Sour Cream asked looking at the stains on the canvas.
"It was a DJ in his element..Letting go, being himself. I wanted to finish it tonight.. Give it that spark, but now the canvas is torn, and the bloodstains..Nobody is gonna want this," I said, my eyes watering as I let my fingers trace the paint and the outline of the DJ..
I realized I had painted the exact outline of Sour Cream and I went scarlet.
"It's amazing, you really capture the feeling of the music..Do you DJ?" Sour Cream asked and I nodded.
"Yeah, when I have the time though, during the week I'm working. I don't need to sleep, though it's a nice pleasure, and on Saturday of this week I'm doing a photoshoot with Steven and the Gems for a scrapbook I promised them, and Sunday, I'm free," I said and Sour Cream smiled.
"Well, how 'bout Sunday you come to my place?" Sour Cream asked blushing and I nodded, smiling.
"Sure, what time?" I asked and Sour Cream shrugged. I laughed when he took an exaggerated breath.
"Umm..Twelve thirty?" Sour Cream asked and I smiled, giggling.
"Sure, see you then, or earlier," I said and Sour Cream nodded.
"See you," Sour Cream said as he left. Once the door closed behind him, he began cheering, and he was laughing. Sour Cream began jogging home, the stunned yet elated expression on his face.
I picked up the supposedly soiled painting, and I noticed that Sour Cream had left a note.
"It makes for the perfect lighting effect, and the tear can be repaired with a little strike of white paint. You can fix it, and you just have to put a glaze over the blood to ensure nobody gets hurt. It's beautiful, don't give up. -S.C."
I noticed that he was right, and that I shouldn't give up so easily on the paintings that seemed to be ruined. I picked them all up, and I took them into the back room, and immediately got to work on the DJ.
By morning, I had remastered all the paintings, and it brought a lot of business. I noticed that Sour Cream had found his way back into my shop, and he was staring at the DJ painting.
"I like what you did, what inspired you?" Sour Cream asked and I smiled.
"You did," I said handing him a note. He opened the note, and his smile lit up, along with the light in his eyes.
Oh stars was it beautiful...