Jamie ran around beach city since the early morning.
They say training is good for you and so Jamie decided that it's better for him to give himself some warm up especially after what happened in previous weeks. His back still hurts from the incident and that combined with his acting job demands.
'Huh it's really hard to be a writer'
...which is honestly quite challenging and therefore interesting with each day. It would be boring if things were too simple at times.
Jamie knew this all too well. He then ran one circle around the city though some gems were confused as why he ran. Jaime was happy they didn't misunderstood this as a sign of running from some sort of attack.
Eventually he gets tired and he stops to have a breath.
After having a break, he wanted to continue his training until he saw two familiar gem fusions : Garnet and Opal teaching their gem students: Ocean Jasper, Larimar, a ruby and a peridot.
Jaime was actually impressed about the little homeschool the gems made. Now the gems can actually find their own lives and their own experiences in it.
Jaime walked down to watch the lesson.
Jaime: Hey you two. Mind if I join in?
Two fusions were surprised but they agreed to let him in on the lesson as an attendant.
Peridot: May I ask? I still don't grasp the concept of gem corruption. I may don't know much about this yet.
Garnet: Corruption is difficult and everyone shows it in their own ways but theoretically it is more a damage to the mind than body.
Jaime thought on that. 'A mental disorder huh? That explains why it's trails are not completely gone from some of the gems.'
Ruby: Hey there human. How is it? You know living here?
Jamie: Well it's pretty nice.
Ruby: But aren't there any dangers around here? I just-
Jaime: Scared that you are defenseless?
Ruby: H-how do you know?
Jaime: Guess we aren't so different. I was like that once too. For many, survival is essential. But you can't be on your guard all the time, life and reality are complex: sometimes you'll be safe but sometimes there will be threats. In life and existence, hardships are an obstacle but an obstacle is not a temperance of development, they are the source that help you grow. You and I maybe short ones but that doesn't mean we are just useless.
A ruby didn't understand all the words but sure found it inspiring. Jaime then noticed that others looking at them, listening to his every word. 'Wow I got carried away'
"AH! SORRY! I BECAME PHILOSOPHICAL THERE!'
Opal: No no that was a very nice speech my Jaime~
Jaime flinched at that "Umh thanks"
Opal giggled like Amethyst
Garnet: Well I believe our session is over for today everyone. You are free until the next session begins.
And with that, the students went their way to the city, maybe to have some fun?
Garnet: That were some beautiful words Jaime.
Jaime reddened "I'm sorry that I interrupted your lesson".
Opal: What are you talking about? You only added your view of life, some details we didn't thought about.
Garnet: Jaime are you alright?
Jaime: Huh? Ouh these . Well I didn't sleep well lately so I decided to train and run around the city. I need to keep myself in top shape. And honestly with the back injury and my stage acts, it's not hard to feel like an old man.
Garnet: That's really impressive. You keep going even through pain.
Jaime: Well life doesn't wait for long so you need to keep up.
Opal: *sad* yes guess you are luckier than me on that .
Jaime was confused for a moment " More than you? Can't you just stay for a little longer if you want to?"
Opal: I'm not exactly a longer fusion like Garnet. Pearl and Amethyst sometimes want a vacation from being conscious.
Jamie : Ouh, so they don't let you exist outside of that?
Opal : No no they like me, but they love being themselves.
Jaime: Ouh right. Do you feel okay?"
Opal: Pearl and Amethyst are fine. They are at better relationship now than before.
Jaime: No I mean are YOU okay?
Opal: Me? Well I feel fine too. I can enjoy my time here for how ever long it lasts.
Garnet: We fusions have our thoughts and feelings Jamie. But we are limited in existing only as long as two fused gems deem fit. For us it's important to live every moment.
Jaime: Ouh and you don't have much time don't you?
Opal: Maybe not but those two fuse more now so I have my turns too on good terms even. And in a way these fleeting moments are comforting, it's good not to to be bothered by troubles of tomorrow... and I'm better off like this trust me. They are more at peace now than before, and I love that harmony within me...
Jamie : ... Sounds nice really, I'd love to have that right now... Plus Garnet could use a fellow fusion friend for a change right?
Garnet : It does help me feel less lonely sometimes...
Jaime: Well all more reason that I'll be glad to spend as much time with you as I can. You deserve your own experiences too you know.
Opal pats Jaime and smiled " I understand why they love you. Why I love you."
Jaime chuckled "To think I fell in love with gem fusions, I feel a bit down. I feel like I'm forcing you on me like this"
Garnet: Thats not true. Jaime when you told me about how you loved me from first glance. While I did doubted you back then, I do know you didn't lie to us.
Opal: Do you think what we feel about you is not serious?
Jaime: N..no! Of course not, I'm sure you meant what you said.
Garnet put her hand on Jamie's as Opal patted his hair again.
Jamie : So what do you wanna do?
Opal : Well, nobody ever asked me what do i want other than Garnet and I really am new to that... because every thought that's MINE is calm but silent... but i do enjoy your fluffy hair...
Jamie guesses that she has little self identity, that will take work like always...
...Sometimes one wonders if hardworks overrated...
His mood became rather low again as he was getting sleepy and then his thoughts drift elsewhere...
Jamie : You know, Im glad you have Garnet and other fusions to talk to really... I'd love to know you better... but one day I'll just fade away... like everyone else, it's good to know you won't be alone... you always had each other... forever... and ever... and eve-
Garnet quickly shakes him up causing him to snap out of his stupor
He looks at her then at Opal as four armed fusion now was sweating before him.
She has to be careful not to fall apart.
oh boy, taboo topic! What did he do!?
Jamie then does what Steven does best.
Opal stumbled bac "No, don't, I'm afraid they won't take it"
Jamie goes closer and gives her a hug...
He hugs her tightly and just in case, he then kisses her cheek.
Jamie : sorry, sorry you already had enough on your mind and now moody self adding to it...
Opal had her arms from under the sweater but now all four hug him back.
Garnet puts her hand on Opal's shoulder to help.
"It's okay... I'm here... he's here..."
Opal had one tear dropped on his hair as she stayed like this for a few more minutes
She was calm now, though he now felt guilty that now everytime she fuses she'll have some unnecessary and unwanted thoughts...
Jamie : I shouldnt have said that...
Garnet: She knew about that before, you simply decided to remind her.
She didnt hide her concern for what Jamie blurted out back there...
Jamie : Right, just a reminder... yeah...
Garnet sighs "Just don't do that anymore, the slightest dissonance between them poses a danger of involuntary defusion"
Jamie looked at her and then at Garnet, noding to her and noting to self.
Jamie : Of course, I'll go now... I think we should talk later...
Garnet : You should go see Moonstone, she was asking about your condition.
Jaime: Really?... Alright, I'll talk to her...
He then gets a surprise when Opal lifts him up and places him on her shoulder...
Opal: Then we shouldn't keep her waiting. Right?
Jamie looks at her before he tried to ask
She answered first "No, some things need time to make it bareable... but I'll be okay... I've been like this before"
Garnet : I think we both can say that.
The trio then ventured towards Little Homeschool, though the conversation of that day will still hang in their minds at times in the future...
Yeaaaah, where did it start and where did it end... oh well next ones hopefully better...
https/youtu.be/fcVS48z6OmM?si=B59VxK2Yg_N-3C6e