NEXT MORNING
"Oh, good morning Garnet," Pearl calls from the kitchen as she prepares both Steven and Amethyst breakfast as they are the only ones who eat.
"Morning Pearl," Garnet responds back as she heads out the door and toward the beach.
Once outside, she quickly makes her way to the ocean and sits just close enough so when the water overlaps the sand, it touches the soles of her feet.
"Garnet," Lapis cautiously calls out, still wary of the leader fusion gem. "Can I talk to you about something?"
Garnet doesn't face Lapis but nods her head. Lapis cautiously and gracefully takes a seat a couple inches away from Garnet.
"It's about Jasper."
If Garnet didn't have her shades on, one would see all three of her eyes widen with alert.
"What about her?" Garnet asks in her stoic tone.
"I've spent time in her mind, granted I was more focused on keeping her from unfusing, I still spent time in her mind."
Garnet is silent and it begins to make Lapis wonder what's going on in her head. Her time spent in Jasper's mind has revealed some interesting and surprising information. Though hard to break through, the most surprising and interesting information was about the current leader of the Crystal Gems sitting right next to her,
"Did something happen between you two?" Lapis asks.
Garnet doesn't answer but she knows eventually she will have too. It's been a long time since anyone has inquired her about she and Jasper, the last being Rose right before the war started. Other than that, nobody knows about them two.
"That was a long time ago," Garnet finally says, "things change and people change." Garnet stares off into the ocean but still manages to see the subtle nod of Lapis's head.
"She's still furious with you, so furious to the point it's hurting," Lapis lets out.
"It doesn't hurt her," Garnet rebuts, "she's born of fury and that's never going to change."
Lapis drops her head slightly. Before she can say anything, Steven comes excitedly screaming, "Garnet!" out the house as he makes his way down the beach toward them.
Standing up from her position, Garnet turns to face Steven right as he comes in contact with her leg, hugging it. "Morning Steven," she says.
Steven looks up at her with a smile before turning to wish a good morning to Lapis who wishes him one back. "Can we go now?" he questions.
Garnet waits a moment before answering. She's still a little wary about letting Steven talk to Jasper. "Sure, but first, Pearl and Amethyst have a mission they need to be informed off."
Steven nods his head in understanding and bounces off toward the house. Lapis doesn't say anything but just looks at Garnet. Garnet adjusts her shades and heads toward the house herself.
When she gets there Steven just finishes telling Pearl and Amethyst that Garnet has mission for them.
"You have a mission for us Garnet?" Amethyst asks munching on some food.
"Yes, there's a corrupted gem that need to be contained." She adjusts her shade as she uses her future vision to tell her where the corrupted gem is. "It's located by Lightening Forest." At her statement Pearl's eyes enlarge.
"But Garnet, Lightening Forest is dangerous, especial for me and Amethyst to go by ourselves," Pearl explains.
"This mission you will need to be fused as Opal. You need to be focused and if not, you will get hurt. But this mission is not too dangerous that I will be needed. I have other things to attend to," Garnet finishes.
"B-But Garnet," Pearl starts but is interrupted by Amethyst.
"Alright, let's go. It's been a while since we've been on a mission. I was starting to get bored," Amethyst lets out as she makes her way to the warp pad. "Come on P. Let's go do some damage!"
Pearl looks between Amethyst and Garnet before sighing and heading to the warp pads. In seconds, the two are warped away in a blue-ish clear light.
"Garnet, can we go, can we?" Steven asks as he bounces in place.
"Shortly," Garnet replies before turning toward Lapis. "You are welcomed to do as you like. You can leave or you can stay. I-, We are not here to hurt you nor imprison you any longer."
Lapis nods her head in understanding. "Thank you, but I have nowhere else to go."
"I also understand. When we return and if you are still here, we shall have a conversation about what your and our next move will be." With that Garnet makes her way to her door. "You ready Steven?" she calls and the boy excited bounces over to her.
IN GARNET'S ROOM
"Steven, this is a time to be serious," she calls to him.
"Hmm, I understand Garnet," he says, "Serious Steven, activated."
Quickly and silently Garnet leads them to the burning room and once again pulls down Jasper's gem. As it floats just above her hand, she turns to face Steven.
"We have to go someplace else. Here is not the proper place."
With that, she leads them out and toward the warp pad.