Greetings, dear readers, and welcome back to 'Bayley's Universe', where we've started a new arc! Last time, we saw Bayley and Sasha spending a day out after school with Paige and Shayna (who has since changed her ways after going through her apology saga) where the quartet are having what feels like a variety of things, from Paige offering to help teach Shayna about all of the fun that can come with spooky season to Sasha talking about her Drama class having an upcoming lesson about musicals and lastly Bayley getting a package from her dad (how nice). And now, let's see what happens next! Read on to find out, and I hope you all enjoy, my loves. =)

(*takes a deep breath before letting it out* So, by now, I'm sure everyone's heard the tragic news of the passing of Windham Rotunda (better known by his ring names of Bray Wyatt and (to a lesser extent) Husky Harris. It was just so unexpected to hear about, especially since last I had heard news-wise about him, he was getting ready to make his in-ring return soon. Just such sad news to learn about the loss of a mind like his, one that felt too creative for the wrestling world. Rest in peace and paradise, Windham, and thank you for sharing your work with us fans over the years through the gimmicks you had. May the fireflies and buzzards have helped guide you up to rest in that big wrestling ring in the sky with the other greats. My thoughts, prayers, and condolences continue to go out to his family and friends in this truly awful time. And, on another not-quite wrestling note, I would also like to take a bit of time to pass on my thoughts, prayers, and condolences to the family and friends of legendary game show host Bob Barker, who was also pretty funny and was one of my favorite RAW guest hosts during that weird era. His stand-off against Chris Jericho was funny stuff. Rest in peace, Bob, and thank you for the laughs you've given us over the years. The price will always be right.)

A soft laugh escaping her, Sasha said "Well, let's not wait any longer. Let's head inside."

"OK!" the ponytailed brunette chirped as she grabbed and twisted the doorknob and pushed the door open. "Hey, guys, we're back!"

"Hey, you two. Welcome back," Seth said in a slight rush, his focus on the paper he was slowly folding as he looked between an open book and back to his craft.

Taking notice of what the two-toned Gem was doing, Sasha asked "What's that you're working on, Seth? Is it something you need help with?"

"I wouldn't do that if I was you, Sash," Dean piped up as he descended the staircase from Bayley's "bedroom", one of her books in hand. "Mama Seth's in the zone right now, and he's not gonna stop until he gets it done."

"Oh OK," Sasha nodded. "Well, I guess I'll ask him about what's on my mind later."

"Oh? What's up, runt? What're you gonna ask Seth about? Need help with something?" the sandy blonde asked the shorter Gem.

"Yeah. I-I do," the magenta-haired Gem responded a bit hesitantly. "I …Well, it's something school-related. In my Drama class, we're going to be having classes where we discuss musicals. And I was going to see if Seth would-"

"Be up for being your partner to do some musical practice," Dean cut in, knowing what Sasha was going to say.

"Um, y-yeah, Dean, exactly. I just need to ask him, and hope he'll say yes."

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that, Sash. Besides, I'm sure as soon as Seth hears it's some kind of play stuff, he'll be more than happy to help," Dean said before adding with a snicker "After all. Don't forget when he had to deal with fans of his part as one of the Three Musketeers. He sure did have fun with that wood sword."

"Seth was one of those guys in a play? Whoa. That sounds pretty cool," Bayley cut in, feeling a bit surprised to learn this about her two-toned guardian.

Laughing a bit at the ponytailed brunette's surprise, Dean said "That's nothing, Bayley. I'm sure if Seth decides to help Sash, you might even get to hear him sing a bit."

"Ooh, really?" Bayley asked. Seeing Dean grin and nod, she then said "You should definitely ask him, Sash! It's sounding like Seth'll be a great practice partner for you if what Dean said is true", although, this was feeling a bit born out of her new sudden want to hear the older Gem sing; because, not only was Bayley feeling curious about this, but it was also born of her hoping to learn a bit more about what Seth was like years ago.

Taking in all of this talk and thinking about the play Dean mentioned, Sasha gave a nod before she walked over to a still busy Seth. Coming to a stop beside him, the magenta-haired Gem cleared her throat a bit.

He had been so wrapped up with the paper he was folding, the shape of it becoming just what he was seeing pictured in the book, that when he completed the last few folds, Seth held up his creation, and, a triumphant smile crossing his face, he exclaimed "Finally! After so many fails and wasted paper, I have finally mastered the art of making an origami frog!"

This outburst was something that caught the others off-guard until, one by one, the trio gathered around to take a closer look at the two-toned Gem's paper creation. And lo and behold, it was indeed an origami frog Seth made using a sheet of pale green paper.

"Aww, Seth. It looks so cute!" Bayley chirped, being the first to break the silence.

"Yeah, I agree. Nice work, Seth. Guess you were smart to tell us all to buzz off earlier," Dean grinned as he gave the two-toned Gem a thumbs up. "Little thing looks like it's gonna start hopping around the house any minute now."

"Yeah, Seth, it looks nice," Sasha agreed with a nod.

"Thanks, you guys," Seth smiled as he looked up at his creation. Gently placing it on the countertop, the two-toned Gem said "So, like I said earlier, welcome back, girls. Did you both have fun out with your friends today?"

"We did, yeah!" Bayley chirped before holding up the box. "I even got this from my dad!"

Seeing the box in the brunette's hands, Seth mused "Oh, so that's why I heard knocking earlier. Must've been the mailman delivering that."

Snickering from where he stood, Dean said "Really, Seth? You couldn't have been that wrapped up with making your new froggy friend here that you didn't hear when the postman came a-knockin', were you?"

Feeling his cheeks start to heat a bit upon hearing the sandy blonde say that, Seth instead decided to change the subject by saying "Well, that's good, Bayley. We'll help you open it in a bit. And, Sasha. Did you have fun?"

"Well, …yes and no," the magenta-haired Gem began.

"Why do you say that, Sash? Did something happen? Is everything okay?" the two-toned Gem asked. Ever since Sasha had been "released" from the brooch she was put in in the hopes of trying to heal the crack that once marred the surface of her gem, Seth had noticed that she had been growing more accustomed to being among humans. So, hearing Sasha say this had Seth starting to feel concerned about the shorter Gem.

"No no no, Seth. Yes, everything's okay," Sasha responded in a bid to calm the taller Gem. "No, it's about something I'll be doing in school soon. Something I may need your help with."

"OK. And just what is it?"

"Well, in my Drama class, our teacher said that the next thing we'll be talking about is musicals. And I was wondering if I could maybe have your help practici-"

"Say no more, Sash, I'd love to!" the two-toned Gem eagerly cut in.

Blinking as she jumped in place a bit at Seth's outburst, Sasha said "O-OK. Thanks, Seth. So, when should we start?"

"Well, unless you have homework that you gotta do tonight, we can practice …in a bit. I've gotta get dinner started," Seth said. A grin sliding across his face, the two-toned Gem said "Don't worry, Sash. You're in good musical hands with me" his last statement coming out a bit musically as he made his way over to the refrigerator, a slight bounce in his step as he could be heard beginning to sing a song of some kind.

"Thanks," Sasha couldn't help but nervously nod as she could hear Dean laughing a bit and Bayley doing the same while also giving Seth a few cheers. "Oh goodness. What have I done?"

"I'll tell you what you've done, Sash. You've gone and got yourself a private music teacher!" Dean said with a laugh as he went about looking for a pair of scissors to help Bayley open her package.

"Yeah, congrats, Sash!" Bayley chirped as she bounced in place before setting the package from her dad on the kitchen island. "I'm sure Seth'll do an awesome job at helping teach you musical stuff."

"I'm sure he will, Bayley. I'm sure he will," Sasha agreed as Dean returned with a pair of gray-handled scissors.

"OK now, girls. Let's open this box!" Carefully running the now open scissors across the ends and up the length of the tape, Dean then opened the box and, with Bayley and Sasha now looking inside, was greeted with the sight of what looked like a jewelry box, a wooden container painted a light shade of purple with what looked simple designs of swirls a darker shade of purple painted on.

"Ohmygosh, this looks so pretty. I'm guessing Dad decided to get it as a souvenir for me," Bayley smiled as she carefully lifted the ornate box. Seeing that the box had a latch that helped keep it closed, she carefully lifted the metal closure and then the lid of the box. Looking inside of the box, she was then greeted with the sight of a card that had a picture of a field of flowers painted on it. Placing the box on the island, Bayley lifted the card only to be greeted by the sight of-

"Three black rocks? The heck?" the ponytailed brunette blurted, feeling confused by what she was now looking at. Looking down at the contents of the box, Bayley honestly didn't know what to make of these three black stones. …Although, they didn't seem like normal rocks given how they all seemed to catch the light and oddly seemed to give off a slight glow. And their shapes were quite peculiar too; one appeared to be perfectly circular, the second had a more oval shape to its appearance, and the third was octagonal in appearance with the noticeable feature of having a slightly elongated look. Taking a chance to read the card that came in the box, she opened it and read "To Bayley. I found these rocks, and they weirdly made me think of you. Sorry if it's not like the other gifts I've sent you. I promise I'll make that up to you when I get back home, which I hope will be soon. Until then, as always, love, Dad." Looking from the card and back into the box, all she could say was "Well, …thanks anyway, Dad. It's the thought that counts, after all."

"Bayley? You got any homework that needs to be done?" a voice could vaguely be heard calling out to the brunette.

Memories of homework assignments she hadn't yet completed coming back to her, Bayley said "Oh dangit, you're right! Thanks for reminding me, Seth!" before she made a dash up the stairs to her "bedroom" to start on her homework, her thoughts slightly lingering on what her dad sent her.

So, it looks like the mystery box that was sent to Bayley from her dad had another box within. And in the second box (a cutely decorated box, at that) was ...three black rocks, rocks that have some ...rather interesting shapes. And it would appear that Bayley's pretty curious about this gift from her dad too. Maybe she'll be able to find out about these rocks after taking care of her homework. Moving to Sasha, it looks she has a partner to help her out with musical practice stuff in Seth, our favorite two-toned Gem who seemed quite proud of himself for having mastered making an origami frog (*snickers* which is pretty comendable, as it can be tricky trying to make origami froggies). And it sounds like she's chosen a great partner, given Seth's eagerness and his past in the arts of the thespian. So, it looks like there are some questions here. Just what is up with those three rocks? How will Sasha's lessons with Seth start? These questions and more will be answered...next time! Until then, don't forget to RR please. =)

(Stay safe, cool, and healthy out there, lovelies. *sends big and many love and positive vibes out to you all*)