Red Beryl's home, for a long time, was quiet. Her Pearl did not raise her voice save for the occasional question, or to greet her master. But these salutations were frequently downcast, spoiled by the audible thoughts that covered them like dark ashes from a dying pyre.

And Red prepared for her mission.

The ship she borrowed from Yellow Diamond was ready. It came packed with supplies, as well as the best cannons available, and a navigational system that was up to date with many new locations and information.

Red practiced her fencing.

Pearl cleaned their usually immaculate area, holding her tongue and skinning her lips.

The deadline was coming close, and both gems could feel it. Like the blade of a guillotine, it hovered above their necks and each moment was so slow, but still filled with a kind of adrenaline that should have made it go faster.

"Pearl."

Red was attempting to draw, but nothing came upon the page. There were erased lines and pink shavings.

"Yes, Madame?"

"I've decided you can come with me."

The little slave nearly dropped her towel. "Truly?"

"Truly. But you're not to leave the ship, even upon arriving on Earth."

"Yes, Ma'am! Of course!" And those dark clouds that seemed permanently suspended over her heart evaporated beneath her sunshine.

Red stood up to land in Pearl's embrace. The same one that popped protocol like an overinflated balloon. Regardless, the noble held her back, crashing the gentle and airy parts of her outfit.

"Thank you so much Madame! I had wanted to go with you so badly! I don't know what I would have done without you. I love you so much."

Red could have replied with words.

But instead, she kissed Pearl's cheek and turned her milky skin a lovely shade of pink.

"I love you too."

The poppy Pearl kept in her hair seemed to bloom.

And what seemed like a very short time later came the day of Red's departure.

Goshenite was so furious that she declined to come see her friend off. But still, Yellow Diamond awaited her, sparkling as she always did beneath the intense lights.

And Red Beryl approached her with Pearl at her side, both gems having already changed into their space suits—sleek and black and decorated with stark yellow diamonds.

They stood before the empress bowing a long time before she spoke. Though neither little gem stared up at her, you could practically hear the gears in her throat, gulping and making unspoken words. Her beautiful brows bent, and her lips contracted and fumbled.

"Oh, Red."

"My Diamond."

"Promise me you'll be safe."

"Of course, My Diamond."

There was a long pause. "And do you remember what I said about the mission updates?"

"Yes, My Diamond."

"Well, the moment you get there I want you to call me—the same if anything goes wrong at all. Is that clear?"

"Yes, My Diamond."

The golden goddess sighed and her small Red creature looked up at her.

"My Diamond?"

"What is it?"

The noble smiled to her queen, upon witnessing her slight but apparent frown.

"I only wanted to say that I love you, and I'll miss you. I'll make my return as fast as possible in order to see you again."

"Thank you, Red. I don't know how I'll get so much done without you. You had better come back soon."

Red Beryl nearly become purple.

In fact, she almost met death at that very moment. Was it feasible for a gem to swell and burst? To explode from pressure?

There was a grin on Yellow Diamond's face.

And a Peridot came to inform them that the ship was ready.

"I suppose this is it. Good luck to you, Red. And your Pearl too."

"Thank you, Madame."

Before Red could even ask, those enormous hands came and adopted her, enveloping her as they held her briefly against the queen of everything's chest. Her small body immediately became warm, perhaps from the emotions or from the contact with Yellow Diamond.

But then Red was hoisted a little higher and her entire cheek was afflicted by a pair of soft, enormous lips.

At that moment, Red's true death arrived.

She was placed back on her feet, hardly able to stand.

"You had better go before they leave without you."

"Yes, Ma'am."

So Red and Pearl saluted their queen and boarded the ship, with the aristocrat turning just before stepping foot inside. Yellow Diamond lifted her hand, as a gesture meant to see them off, and Red could not help but wave back before going in.

The ship sealed up around them. The engines awoke fully and whispers came through the walls, telling of their power. The empress remained with her arms crossed, watching.

Red and Pearl watched back, looking at her through a window, with their hands clasped together.

"Are you ready, Madame?"

The noble took a moment to answer. "Yes, Pearl. I think I am."

Both gems looked to one another, tiny in the belly of that enormous machine.

"Thank you for allowing me to come with you."

But to that, Red did not reply; she merely squeezed Pearl's hand a little harder and they were lifting off. Both of them turned back towards the window, where Yellow Diamond stood behind a wall of glass. The ship hovered a moment before blasting away into the cold, indifferent vacuum of space.

Red watched her Queen until she couldn't see her any longer.

Just as Yellow Diamond didn't turn to leave until her subject's ship was far out of sight.

That was it. Red faced her new adventure with her fingers twined with Pearl's and her feet firmly planted to the ground. Her determination lit a violent fire in her chest that drew water from her eyes as they passed indifferent and beautiful stars that spelled the outcome of her fate.

And Red went to stab her sister in the heart.