Lapis didn't know what to make of her situation. She just knew that she hated it. She was surrounded by Gems that had kept her prisoner. The only real upside was Steven. At least he hadn't changed in the...months..? Had it only been a few months since she'd trapped herself with Jasper? She wasn't sure. Time had seemed to drag for eons during her time as Malachite.
She sighed in frustration. She'd brought it on herself. In trying to protect Steven and trap Jasper, she'd made herself her own prisoner. Seemed that was her inescapable fate.
"Whatcha up to, Sea-Gull?"
The water Gem startled and spun around, crouched and ready only to be greeted by the amethyst Gem. She inwardly groaned, but at least it could've been worse. It could've been Peridot. "Don't call me that."
Amethyst shrugged. "Sure thing, Aqua Fiend."
Lapis ground her teeth.
Amethyst grinned, sitting down next to the blue Gem. "Hey, relax. Just trying to... well... lion the mood."
Lapis blinked, becoming increasingly confused. Amethyst chuckled to herself. "Sorry, inside joke." Lapis said nothing. "So what brings you out here?" The purple Gem asked as she gestured to the hill a few units from the barn, the one that had the amazing view of the ocean.
When Lapis made no attempt to reply Amethyst continued, "You know, Steven was really worried about you."
The disheveled Gem curled her legs up to her chest, expression softening slightly at the mention of the hybrid.
"He was always going on about needing to find his Summer party friend or...something..."
"Beach Summer Fun Buddy," she corrected absently.
"Yeah, that's it," Amethyst agreed with a nod. "The kid is something else."
Lapis nodded.
"So, anyway, the reason I came to chat with you actually has to do with Peridot." Noticing her fellow Gem's expression immediately sour, Amethyst pressed forward. "Oh trust me, I know. She can be a pain. And I get that you're still really pissed about what happened between all of you. Hey, if there's anyone who knows about holding grudges it would be me." Amethyst scoffed, a bit self-deprecatingly, but still full of humor. "And I'm going to be the last person to tell you to just forgive Peridot."
Lapis finally turned her head so that she was facing the shorter Gem.
"But... I just want you to take into consideration amongst all your brooding that she's changed, and she's really trying to make amends." Amethyst leaned back so her upper weight was resting on her hands. "She doesn't completely get this whole...feeling and emotion thing, you know, being the nerd that she is. But-"
"Why are you defending her?"
Amethyst seemed to pause and consider the question, brow furrowing. Then she just raised one shoulder in a half-hearted shrug. Lapis furrowed her brow at the action. "She's my friend. And I'm trying to be a good friend. It's like ... Steven, Pearl, and Garnet are my family and I love them, but Peridot... I think the best way to describe her would be she's my own version of a Beach Summer Fun Buddy." She smiled. "At least I'd like to think so. So I'm trying to help her out, put in a good but honest word on her behalf and all that other junk."
She wasn't sure what to say to that, and it didn't seem Amethyst was waiting for a reply as she stood and stretched her arms above her head. "Well, now that I've done my part, I guess I'll see you tomorrow. Night." And with that the purple Gem left, heading back to the barn where the rest of the Gems still were, either resting or whatever it is that they did now that the Cluster wasn't an issue... for now.
Lapis sighed.
Yes, ok. Steven Universe is back and with it comes a little bit of inspiration. I mean, I've been itching to write something but I've had no muse. These latest two episodes gave me a little kickstarter.
I'm super unimaginative so I had no clue what would be good nicknames for Lapis. But I think it was... ok.
Review please.
I'm out. Peace.