"What are you doing!? Don't touch!" Peridot sprung awake when she heard the clatter of someone moving her stuff. Everything was blurry, but she could make out Lapis jerking her hands back and raised them in a sign of withdrawal. Peridot grumbled curses under her breath, throwing the thin covers off her body and swinging herself to sit on the side of the bed. Fumbling, Peridot reached for her glasses she had placed on the nightstand and stomped over to the shelf. Her various knickknacks had been moved around by Lapis' wondering hands. Peridot growled in frustration and stalked over to the shelf. She hadn't even felt Lapis get out of bed!

Yesterday, despite Peridot's protests, Steven laid Lapis down on her bed. No matter how much she argued, Steven wouldn't move the sleeping girl. Pearl threw a cot, a pillow and blankets at Peridot. Peridot was too tired and stubborn to set it up and crashed into the bed next to Lapis. She wasn't about to give up her bed to the Water Witch. Before falling asleep, Peridot remembered studying Lapis and thinking how she was actually quite cute and how sad those marks on her tan skin looked. Soft red colored Peridot's cheeks as she meticulously arranged her things back into their proper places, grumbling heatedly under her breath. Lapis had stepped back to let Peridot do what she needed. This is why I never wanted a roommate, she thought. Fucking touching my stuff already. She hasn't even been here a day.

"Breathe."

"What," Peridot snapped. Lapis was sitting on her bed, moving her hands toward her body than away. It took a moment to for Peridot to realize that Lapis was coaching her like she had the previous night. "Are-are you trying to calm me down?"

"Well, yes. You are almost shaking and your keep cursing under your breath." Peridot scoffed, scratching her head. Lapis was thoughtfully watching her, so Peridot took a deep breath and slowly let it out. After a few times, she did feel a little calmer. "Better?"

"No," Peridot lied with a small smile. "Don't touch my shit again."

"Understood. Don't touch your shit." Peridot had to chuckle, but Lapis remained passive. Peridot let out a long, audible breath, swinging her arms and snapping her fingers. An awkward silence passed between them. Peridot really did not know how to interact with Lapis. She sat on the bed regarding Peridot pensively with wide blue eyes. Here was this small creature that had Peridot always thought was an evil, destructive being. She had devastated many homes and taken countless lives, and now she was sitting quietly on Peridot's bed, just staring at her. Peridot felt nervous and scared and confused all at once. She was desperate to break the tension. She looked around for something-anything—to change the atmosphere.

"Do you need a bath?" Peridot blurted out. Lapis took a moment then nodded.

"That would nice."

"You might fit into some of my clothes. It might be a while before we can get your clothes cleaned." Peridot rushed over toward her closet. Well, it was more of a hole in the rock than an actual closet. Her clean clothes were piled messily in the small cove.

"You can burn them for all I care," Lapis replied, flatly. "They aren't mine. Jasper picked them."

"Oh. Okay. Yeah. No problem." Peridot busied herself with getting things together for Lapis. She found a black shirt that looked like it could fit Lapis, a pair of dark blue jeans, some plain underwear and a bra. Peridot handed them to Lapis who inspected the clothes with interest. Peridot gave her a towel and soap. That should be everything for her. Now she needed to find something for herself. Peridot had been so tired that she didn't bother to bathe before going to sleep. Glancing at the crack above her bed, Peridot realized they had slept most of the day. It was dark, and the moon wasn't shining directly into her room. This was actually a blessing because the spring wouldn't be occupied. It would be easier for her and Lapis to take a bath without anyone noticing.

Once she had everything gathered, Peridot motioned for Lapis to pick up her clothes and follow her. Peridot's room was away from the main hall in a secluded little cul-de-sac. She had chosen it for that exact reason. Away from the traffic and noise, she created a nice little sanctuary for herself. The only downside was it was far from anything major like the bath springs or the kitchen. But, Peridot compromised because it meant she kept her privacy. There were three springs in the Temple. The largest one was on the first floor. It was a communal bathhouse where everyone and anyone could join. The second was on the third floor. It was smaller but still was open for everyone to come. There was one on the fifth floor just above Peridot's floor. That one was private and large enough for one-maybe two-people to wash. A curtain was installed to separate the room from prying eyes.

Peridot preferred this spring to the other two. She did not feel comfortable bathing with others around her. Not many people would venture up that far for the sake of privacy. The few that did had a particular schedule to use the spring. Usually, Peridot would take a bath in the early morning before anyone woke up. She had memorized the other patron's schedule and could devote a good hour to just soaking up the warm, soothing water. She wouldn't be able to take that long tonight but any amount of time in the hot springs sounded wonderful at the moment.

The halls were deserted for the night. Everyone was soundly sleeping in their rooms and homes. It was relatively quiet and peaceful except for the echo of Peridot and Lapis's feet on the stone floor. They didn't speak to each other as they climbed up to the small flight of stairs to the springs. Peridot opened a wooden door to reveal a small room with a bench and another set of steps that lead to another curtain. The room was warm and humid from the heat of the water beyond the curtain. Peridot set her stuff on the bench and flung open the curtain. Steam hit her face and fogged up her glasses.

"You can go first," Peridot told Lapis, taking off her glasses and whipping them with her shirt. Lapis stood motionless, hugging the clothes and towel to her chest. Her expression was void of any emotion; she was unmistakably deep in thought. Peridot scowled. What was going on in her head? Lapis suddenly looked at Peridot.

"Are you going in with me?"

"What?! Why-why would I?" Peridot stammered with her cheeks burning. Lapis looked away then down at her feet. She wiggled her toes nervously and rocked on her heels before she said anything.

"I-uh. I am not used to bathing alone," Lapis finally confessed, not bothering to look up. "There was always someone there. Usually Jasper. I-I'm just not used to it, and I know you don't trust me. So, I don't understand how you can trust me."

"Should I not trust you?" Lapis shrugged.

"Would my answer really change anything?"

"Good point." Peridot sighed. "I'll be right outside the curtain. I'm not going to hover over you like some guard. You're not a prisoner."

"Not a prisoner," Lapis repeated, softly and smiled. It was a small, sad smile. It ghosted over her lips and disappeared as quickly as it came. Lapis walked passed Peridot and shut the curtain. Peridot sat down on one of the steps with her head in her hands and listened to Lapis as she removed her clothes and entered into the spring. Lapis never got to bathe alone. Peridot pursed her lips considering this thought. As someone who high valued her privacy, Peridot couldn't imagine having someone watching her while she bathed. When Lapis did get her privacy; however, it wasn't by choice. She was locked away in a cell, completely alone and isolated. How did she manage not go insane? Well, she could be, Peridot realized. She really didn't know enough about her to tell.

Lapis didn't take long to take a bath. After a few minutes, she opened the curtain again. Her short blue hair was damp making it look a couple of shades darker. The black shirt did fit her perfectly. It was just enough to emphasize the curve of her chest. The jeans were a bit loose and hung from her slim hips, but they weren't too short on her long legs. Her crop top, skirt, and towel were bundled underneath her arm. Peridot realized she was staring at the nymph. She didn't even look like some powerful mythical creature. She looked like a regular girl. A beautiful girl. Peridot jumped up quickly and went to get her clothes and supplies. She muttered something about taking a bath and darted behind the curtain.

Her heart was racing as she tore off her dirty clothes. She was gaping like an idiot at the Water Witch. How much more ridiculous can she get? This wasn't some ordinary girl. Lapis had done terrible, terrible things in the past. Yes, she was coerced and bullied into doing them, but that didn't change the acts. Peridot shouldn't be attracted to her. She wouldn't be! Peridot threw her clothes in a heap on the wet ground and slipped into the spring. Water lapped against the edges with the introduction of a body into the pool. The spring wasn't too deep or wide; it was a comfortable size for one or two people to enjoy. There were naturally-made seating from the stone. Freshwater trickled down from the side of the gray rocks into the pool. The hot water felt glorious against her sore body. It soothed the aches and pains from unfamiliar strenuous activity and washed away a lot of grim and dirt. There were little piles of suds floating on the blue water from Lapis. Peridot sunk into the water, submerging her head underneath the surface.

"Peridot?" Peridot heard Lapis calling out for her when she emerged for air. She must have been right next to the curtain because her voice was loud.

"Yeah?"

"Why are you so kind to me?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you took me away from Jasper. You promised to find my home. You gave me your bed. You defended me. Nothing which I deserve. Your friends have made that clear. I am—dangerous. But, you, I just don't know. I feel like you side with your friends, yet your actions are so different. Is that normal for a human? To be so unpredictable?" Peridot stared at the blurry walls while steam rose from the water in white wisps. How was she supposed to answer that? Why was she so nice? Shouldn't she be more cold and indifferent toward her?

"Forget it," Lapis said when Peridot didn't answer. "I just don't understand."

Peridot exhaled loudly. She quickly washed up and got out of the bath. Once she was dry and clothed, Peridot stepped out to find Lapis sitting on the steps with her knees pulled close to her chest. Peridot cleared her throat, and Lapis looked up at her. Peridot felt a pang in her chest, but she couldn't pinpoint the emotion. She asked if Lapis was hungry. Lapis replied "yes." They gathered their stuff and threw it into the laundry cart. Some people would come and collect the clothes and towels throughout the day. Everyone had their names and locations drawn or etched into their clothing for easy retrieval later.

After putting the soap back in her room, Peridot and Lapis headed to the kitchen. They had missed all of the today's meals, but sometimes there were leftovers or snacks. No one was supposed to be in the kitchen after the last meal was served but that hadn't stopped anyone for sneaking food from time to time. Peridot might even be able to get a pass if they were discovered. She had good reason not to attend dinner. The kitchen was on the second floor, so they had a bit of a walk and just the thought of food made Peridot's stomach growl. She had not eaten in over a day.

As she thought, the kitchen was deserted for the night. The stoves had long since cooled, and the counters were spotless. Several pots and pans hung from a rack mounted to the ceiling. It was amazing what they had accomplished in the Temple to make it seem like a traditional kitchen from the past; however, there was no gas or electricity. Everything was used with fire. The meat was salted to keep it for days. They had an insulated ice room where they kept perishables like milk, cheese, and some leftovers. There was a wall of several cabinets with spices and other items stored in them.

Peridot went to work. She pulled some logs from the pile next to the makeshift stove place them in one of the basins and lit them. Once she had a nice fire going, Peridot set a metal grate over it and went to the ice room to pull out some of the stored leftovers and milk. Lapis took a seat at one of the chairs by the island and watched Peridot as she prepared the food. Peridot set out two plates, two cups and some silverware on the island table top. She grabbed a pan and placed the strips of chicken onto the hot surface. Next to the chicken, she put some mixed vegetables and a few noodles. Peridot poured some oil onto the food and mixed in some spices. With a spatula, she mixed everything together into one meal.

"That is amazing," Lapis complimented as Peridot scooped the warm food onto her plate. She placed the warm pan into one of the sinks then went to pour some milk into the cups.

"Cooking? It's no big deal."

"No! It is! You have no idea!" Peridot scoffed, sitting across from Lapis. Then she realized that Lapis was serious.

"It's really nothing. You do what you need to do, "Peridot shrugged, taking a bit of the chicken. Oh, she had no idea how hungry she was.

"That's just it! It's just so independent. It's—amazing."

"Okay. I'm confused."

"I had everything served to me. I had no choice when I ate or what I ate. Or if I ate. But you—you can choose. Whenever or whatever. And you canmake it yourself too, "Lapis admired, breathlessly. Peridot scowled, chewing on a piece of vegetable.

"Well, not exactly. They have rules here too. We have certain times for meals."

"It seems different." Lapis took a bite of her food. She was frowning with her forehead wrinkling and her nose scrunched. Silently, they ate their food.

This new bit of information bothered Peridot. When she was on her own, she had absolute freedom. She did things her own way; ate what she wanted and when she wanted; bathed where and whenever. That was one of the difficulties she had adjusting to the standards of the Temple because a lot of things ran on a schedule. It was horribly frustrating, but she was still able to maintain her independence. If she didn't want to take a bath in the morning, she could change it. The cooks were good at giving everyone a few choices for meals or she could go out and get her own. Even now, she was making the choice to eat while everyone slept. Lapis didn't have that option. From what Peridot was gathering, Jasper decided everything for her; what she wore, what she ate, when she ate, when she bathed. Peridot could not fathom that loss of autonomy.

How did someone cope with that change? How does someone go from utter dependence to complete freedom? It had to be overwhelming to now making your own choices and relying on yourself. So far, Lapis had been taking this transition well. Then again, she had only been awake for a couple of hours with Peridot was ordering her around and Lapis just following her lead. It dawned on Peridot that this might be incredibly difficult for Lapis. She had worried about her and the others but never considered how this would affect Lapis. How would she react once the shock wore off? Another thought crossed Peridot's mind. If they would have left her and Jasper did not find her, how would have Lapis survived? Peridot sighed.

"Well, how about this? Until we find your home, I will teach you to cook. We will come down here, and I'll show you." Lapis chewed thoughtfully, nodding her head.

"That sounds great," she replied as soon as she swallowed. Peridot extended her hand toward Lapis. She just stared at her, looking confused.

"Give me your hand."

"Why?"

"It's called a handshake. I'm sealing the deal." Lapis cautiously extended her arm toward Peridot. Peridot took it and gave it a couple of firm pumps before letting go. Lapis pulled her arm back.

"You humans have some strange customs."

"Only to you"