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Just a note: I’m going to be rebooting this account since the activity here is screwed by a gifset I made ages ago and I’m being followed by tons of non-rp blogs. I’ll post a link to it later today once I get it set up. 

Aqua looked through all the files quickly and frowned in confusion. “That’s… odd. There are no dates on any of these, but… everyone knows it’s standard protocol to have them. The files weren’t edited, so they’ve never said when they were written.” She raised an eyebrow, looking up at the Diamond nervously.

The Diamond's brows furrowed at that news, it truly didn't bode well for her little investigation and certainly didn't make her feel any less concerned about a potential BETRAYAL by one of her fellow Diamonds. Could Yellow possibly be the culprit? -- And if so, did this investigation leave her in the firing line too? With that thought in mind, she found renewed determination to solve the mystery.

       ❝-- What other files does Yellow have about Earth? I am       aware she corresponded with Pink occasionally, so did       she keep Yellow updated on her movements during her       time on Earth?❞

      A realization was beginning to dawn on the youngest authority. One that both stirred fear in the deepest pits of her stomach  &&  sent waves of excitement coursing through her veins. It was the realization that her heart was far, far too big for her body. Her empathy  &&  love were too powerful to be contained by her eldest sister’s rule. By all of their rules. Pink was inherently different than her sisters. This, no matter how hard she tried to push it down, she knew to be true. 

       Pink looks up at her beloved Blue’s face, riddled with concern, && swallows at her words. What she was meant to do. 

       Well, what if she didn’t care for what she was  “ meant ”  to do?  She adored her humans. The image of them PERISHING at her hand sent chills down her spine… She wouldn’t have it! But… Such thinking would surely get a lesser gem shattered. But Pink was a Diamond  &&  as a Diamond she had some authority, did she not? She had a voice, she could stand up—

       The youngest shuts her lips as Blue continues. She listens. Keeping them in a facility… Without telling the others!?

      “ Blue! ” she exclaims,  “ Without telling… Yellow or White, STARS, that would be, treason!  But you know, I would like that very much. My very own collection of humans! That way I could study them without traveling back && forth to Earth so much… I could grow closer to them as well! ”

         She rises to her feet, her lace cape fluttering behind her as she does so,  “ Do you really thing we could pull something like this off? Without Yellow or White knowing? ”

There's no ignoring the risk that comes with such a decision, the other Diamonds could very well view this as an act of weakness or - worse still - TREASON against them but truly they have no jurisdiction here. Not truly. Pink is as much a Diamond as the rest of them, inexperienced as she is and as long as there's no damage done to the colonies, she is capable of doing as she pleases. If not for that, Blue wouldn't even be CONSIDERING the allowance of this little pet project.

         ❝-- Telling them would only ensure your ideas are met         with doubt and opposition, it is best they remain out of         the equation this time, at least until such a time when         the facility is built. You are a Diamond and you have         authority over this colony, do not forget that. They have         nothing to worry about as long as we get the resources         we need from this planet.❞

Blue elects not to comment on the idea of getting CLOSER to the little fragile organics of this planet - to her they are but vermin, little pointless specks on an otherwise useful planet. Regardless, learning about their strange insignificant ways makes the other Diamond happy and that alone means she'll do her best to understand the fascination.

        ❝-- I think we could easily, I can have some of my court act         as messengers to let Yellow and White know how the colony         is developing whilst leaving out details of the facility. It will         need to be off-planet of course but that will be easy enough.         I'll have some of my Gems take care of it, you focus on         harvesting what you can from Earth.❞

Currently Blue has no planets to harvest, no purpose for plenty of Gems skilled in creating buildings - at least now they'll have purpose.

With that sorted and hopefully out of Pink's mind for a while, Blue feels somewhat more relaxed, hoping the planet will be made a viable colony in due time without such distractions in the way. Gently standing, she rests a hand on Pink's shoulder.

        ❝Tell me, what is it about these organics that interests you..?         They are primitive, certainly not all too intelligent and unbearably         weak. -- I simply want to understand why you care for them.❞

Dave’s fingers paused on the strings, setting it down for the moment as he rubbed the back of his neck. He’d not forgotten that little stunt she pulled to try and get him off world. An act that she no doubt saw as kind and good… but different for him.

“Yeaaah, we uh… we have zoo’s here too. But they don’t hold humans, they hold other species of animals that we try and help. I-.. I guess thats what you wanted to do when we first met but I’m not all that keen on the whole ‘being locked in one space’ thing.” Dave murmured, “It makes me panic.”

He took a deep breath before letting it out slowly, leaning back into his wheelchair as he watched the clouds float by peacefully, “Y’know Earth has a lot of beautiful spots; deep forests, vast beaches, ancient temples… that’s the funny thing about organic life. We don’t last forever. Kinda sad, hoped one day maybe we and my family could see the stars. They always look so small from here.”

Blue could at the very least understand disliking the idea of being trapped in one place, even she could grow BORED of seeing the same things day after day. In fact, it was a common feeling she was sure the other Diamonds shared too as they had lived so long that very little offered surprise anymore. -- Perhaps that was why she'd developed such a fondness for Earth, it offered new experiences and viewpoints she'd never considered possible.

       ❝-- I can understand your concerns but there is       little else I can do. Not many planets would support       your species adequately and I would not be able to       guarantee your safety were I to attempt to rehome       some of you. I am the only Diamond that has any care       for this planet now.❞

Even if it was mostly due to the vestigal feelings she had for Pink and her demise, she didn't want the Earth or the Humans to perish, it would be yet another piece of Pink she would lose.

      ❝-- Perhaps you may. The geoweapon is experimental       and thus we cannot be certain when it will emerge.       Soon to us may not be so for you considering your       limited lifespan.. And I could always allow you passage       on my ship with the assurance that you won't be going       to the Zoo.❞

{Not always. They usually have to learn on their own.} Sure, there were those that didn’t contribute, but now, everyone usually fell into something that eventually contributed to humanity as a whole. 

{We form smaller groups most of the time. Not all humans work under the same ruler.} Attempting to explain humanity to the Monarch of apparently one of the whole species was a bit more difficult than it seemed. There was some obvious differences between Humans and… Gems was it? 

{There’s not too much organization compared to the world you talk about.} Audrey took a break from writing to look up to the giant so curious about the world their on.  

Humans were such disorganized chaotic creatures, she was baffled by fact that no other alien race had attempted to take advantage of that fact and taken over their resource-rich planet. She supposed the presence of the Gems could've been a determining factor in that, as a lot of races avoided them at all costs thanks to their destructive disregard for other species.

        ❝-- Our world works only because EVERY Gem is        utilized, those who cannot function are shattered as        they offer nothing useful for Gem society. I am one of..        three rulers. I rule over some Gems, those of my colony        and the other Diamonds rule over theirs. We ensure        everything runs smoothly.❞

Or at least that had been the case years ago, before Pink's shattering, but things had somewhat gone awry since then. Her colonies were often without direction thanks to the fits of mourning and Yellow was left picking up the slack, even if she would not admit those facts.

“And then can we just kill the damn thing and let this matter rest?”

        ❝-- Yes, then I will let the matter rest.❞

That was a lie and Yellow likely knew that but Blue would give her what she wanted for now, saying nothing of KILLING the thing they'd talked to during the trial. She couldn't be sure it wouldn't prove USEFUL.

Interesting, each of this species has a type of specialization. Creating with purpose for a function. That would make the previous questions makes sense. With everyone on the Matriarch’s home world have such purposeful order, the Earth must look like anarchy.

{Humans survive through adaptability and collaboration.} In a oversimplified answer, that’s how Audrey had learned about humanity throughout her history courses through her family. Growing up among demons who have that outside perspective, they also had sometimes mentioned similar thoughts. Humans were somewhat unpredictable to them and with little to no idea of what a person could do simply by looking at them.

To rely on eachother to collaborate without someone directing them seemed preposterous to the Gem Matriarch, she couldn't imagine any society functioning under such circumstances and yet there the Humans were. Perhaps it was something she could further observe on later visits to the planet, if the Cluster didn't destroy it first, of course.

         ❝-- What do you do with those that don't cooperate?         Are they removed from society?❞

Otherwise they would be a drain on resources for those that did function and that was simply something she couldn't comprehend as he own society relied on each Gem doing what was expected of them. While lower down Gems could probably get away with slacking with little to no consequences, some Gems could topple serious functions were they to do so. Thus, no one could be allowed to do NOTHING.

Interesting. Did the alien expect she was a type of human or some sort of specialist? With the way she talked it seemed so. 

{No. I’m not made for a function. Does it work like that on your world?} Without explaining the entirety of humankind’s adaptability to fill multiple roles, it seemed a little more insulting to herself than intended. The hound simply watched her write in the dirt, relaxing for once. The Diamond was determined to not be a threat and then 

{We manage. Humans adapt. Change. To do what we need.} That might not have been obvious and now that she thought about it, wouldn’t always be a given between worlds. Humans seem to be some of the species that didn’t have inherent purposes some are adapted to different climates but were able to learn about different environments and specialties. The musing of the monarch was almost similar to her own Mother’s, mostly when it came to her thoughts on humanity. She had mentioned occasionally that humans were out of order and confusing at times. 

Blue was surprised to know that the Human didn't have any kind of specialism, that all Audreys weren't created and then given a specific purpose. How a world could function while lacking such order was BAFFLING to her, it was a wonder their species had existed so long without a proper system in place to ensure all potential was being utilized int he best place possible.

       ❝This place is so chaotic, I am not sure how you       Humans have all existed so long. -- On my world       every Gem has its place, they are created knowing       exactly what they are meant to do, then they begin       their work and function until they are best suited       elsewhere.❞

Given the immortal nature of Gems and the fact that they didn't need sleep, they simply worked and worked. Some would do the same job until the end of time, or until some accident somehow shattered them, as that was how most would meet their end. In fact, aside from the war and any given punishment for wrongdoings, that was the sole destroyer of Gems, they simply didn't have old age and that meant only carelessness would be their undoing.

Dave listened as he strummed a soft tune on the strings of his guitar, a gem who was curious about his kind… she didn’t sound terrible at all. A smile formed on his face at her recollection, settled in his wheelchair under the sizzling sun.

“I would have liked to have met her. The settlements she watched might not be about but their descendants are, their children created by their bloodline. There are just… bigger settlements.” He pointed in the direction of the city, the towering silver and glass buildings.

“We evolved, maybe not as advanced as people outside our world… but who knows, years from now we might have space ships instead of rockets.”

Letting her eyes fall closed to listen to the gentle strum of the man's stringed instrument, she lingered there for a moment with a sad smile on her face. It was likely the Human wouldn't have been all too happy about meeting her really, she still intended to destroy their planet afterall but she was decidedly softer with the natives than any other Diamond would be.

        ❝-- Some are still here, I suppose but many were taken        to the Zoo. She'd hoped to save them, just as I had tried        to do with you when we first met one another. The Earth        does not have long left I fear.❞

Had she any say in it then the Earth would be safe, not to be touched by any plans but both Yellow and White had decided she was not fit to make such decisions as her grief clouded her judgement. Whether she liked it or not, there was little she could do without going behind the backs of the other Diamonds. It wasn't something she could thoughtlessly risk.

“But we’ll never be certain, Blue!” Yellow exclaimed. “We’ve been investigating this matter for thousands of years and we’ve gotten nowhere!”

“I don’t think we even know where the perpetrator is. I don’t think that thing is Rose. It’s completely clueless as to what happened!”

        ❝-- Her subjects were THERE Yellow, someone must        have had a CLOSE view of what happened! There is still        a possibility we could find out and I'm NOT giving up on it!❞

The desperation was obvious in her voice, hints of tears welling in her eyes. She couldn't just let it go, she needed to ensure the one responsible was GONE, that they had the punishment they deserved.

       ❝-- Whether it's Rose or not, it clearly knows SOMETHING.        We can't kill it, I want to speak with it.❞

The girl thought it best to not make a big deal about it. Though a visitor from another world and a queen no less is an interesting situation in her mind. Does she need to be more formal. Sure, Audrey isn’t one of the “Diamond’s” subjects, though a little more formality might be appreciated. She tried to scrawl on the ground as fast as she can. 

{Nice to meet you. I’m Audrey.} She didn’t think anything of her disability after the communication problem was solved. Many people didn’t mind her or find her to be an inconvenience or waste. Not that she was going to talk about it. 

{How do you like Earth?} Asking seemed right to keep the conversation going, she had swept the previous statement to make room for her question. Her home could very well be incredibly different to the giant’s own planet. Her hell hound had gotten tired of the lack of attention and pushed his muzzle under her free hand. Audrey, being used to it, simply started scratching behind the hound’s ears without breaking eye contact. 

Blue had yet to grasp the fact that Humans, unlike Gems, were not given names for their designated roles. Not every Audrey would look like this one and they certainly didn't all perform the same function, not like Peridots, or Pearls. So, in her mind, this Human was 'an Audrey' and she wanted to know just what Audrey's did on Earth.

         ❝-- Hm, what exactly does an Audrey DO? Is your lack         of speech somehow essential to the duties you perform?❞

Her words were meant in an insensitive manner, it just seemed like a fatal design flaw to not be able to speak, for a Gem it would undoubtedly slow productivity and that would not be allowed.

        ❝-- It's an interesting place, certainly different from         Homeworld. Organic creatures are everywhere and it seems         there's no sense of order, everything just does as it pleases.         It's a wonder anything functions here.❞

Yet despite the lack of function, she'd grown fond of the planet and the strange inhabitants. Even those that were non-human proved to be interesting as she noted the small creature and the Audrey's side. A creature serving the function of a Pearl perhaps?    

Dave felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end at the thought; the Diamond feared someone she was close to, someone she trusted had done in someone she’d cared for. Dave at least had the comfort that whoever took Thomas from him would be a stranger… even if he’d like to know who. His cheeks did darken at the idea of being considered ‘wise’. Least he’d given her a decent opinion of their species.

“One of your own… I’m so sorry, it must be horrible to have that weighing on you. A lot of people so feel they can move on once they find out what truly happened… so I think how you feel about this is justified, not that my opinion really matters that much.” Dave sympathized, “Maybe… you could speak to potential witnesses? Maybe ones that don’t hold loyalty to Diamonds if there are any? I mean, when another human has done wrong to another human we don’t rule them out even if they’re an authority figure, no one is above the law.”

Though one thing did confuse him, she had said this planet was her first colony? So she probably was killed here on Earth right? But the Diamond also said Earth was going to die at some point… why would anyone want to destroy a planet that might hold the evidence of this Pink Diamonds murder?

Maybe it was his own thoughts trying to work out what has happened to help the strange being, maybe help give her closure. Leaning over he picked his guitar from its resting place, gently plucking its strings to form a soft tune and quiet the storm of thoughts rumbling in his head.

“If you’re worried about this reaching anyone… I won’t say a word. Not that I know anyone you do. Sometimes it helps to talk about it, get everything in the open and then try and make sense from it. If you need someone to just vent to I don’t mind. Feelings are important to address, otherwise it can destroy you from the inside and cloud judgement and answers you’re after.”

An odd offer he’d made but it was a heartfelt one, while he was in no position of authority he had gone through similar experiences and felt terrible for her. If he could fix this he would… but he couldn’t. The only thing the human could offer was a willingness to listen and offer an opinion.

Even if he meant very little their kind.

“Would… you like to tell me a little about Pink Diamond? Is there a place on Earth she loved especially? Course if you’d rather not that’s fine, I know its… hard when the wound is raw.”

Again the Human seemed to understand and reaffirmed her feelings, it was at the very least comforting to know that she wasn't being foolish, that her attempts to catch the one that had shattered Pink weren't a ridiculous endeavor. Yellow had not been so understanding and though she knew why, as Diamonds were so unused to the feelings of loss and didn't know what to do with them, she had not helped the doubts that had swirled in Blue's mind during her search.

          ❝I cannot be certain but even the chance is too much to          face, I am not sure how to proceed, our entire civilization          rests upon our shoulders and if I am to tip the balance it          could all come toppling down. -- There are no gems that          hold no loyalty, each Gem belongs to a respective Diamond.          I do have some of Pink's subjects in my court but I am          not certain they saw anything.❞

Quartzes had hardly been the most trusted after Rose Quartz apparently shattered Pink, Amethysts and Jaspers included, it was likely none of them were even close to seeing what occured but perhaps it was worth asking at least to check. Even if they hadn't been there, they could have heard things from someone that was, someone that might've told the truth.

It could very well have been Rose, that was still a possibility but it made no sense that she'd hand herself in like that and even less sense that she'd not recall the events in question. There were just too many variables, too much uncertainty and it constantly made her chest ache. She needed to know, rest would never come if she was left questioning it for the rest of eternity, she couldn't just accept it as Yellow had.

         ❝-- Gems are not so open about feelings, we focus on          function and feelings get in the way of that. I have barely          functioned as a leader since losing Pink, in part I can          understand why that worries Yellow and why she wishes this          was all out of the way but I cannot brush it aside as she has.          It is as you say, it is destroying me from the inside and I can          bear it no longer.❞

Having someone to discuss these problems with, even just a lowly Human, eased some of the pain. It grounded her and though she should have found herself concerned over being so similar to a Human, if anything it was pleasant. Pink had loved Humans. A soft smile spead across her face as he offered to listen to stories about Pink and she nodded lightly, gaze turning to the skyline.

         ❝I can speak about her, it would be nice to do so after so long.. --          She cared greatly for you Humans, often I would find her          observing your settlements. I don't imagine they are there anymore,          this planet has changed a lot in the thousands of years since she's          been gone.. Often I would tell her she was fool for being so          obsessed with such insignificant creatures, yet here I am talking to          you. I sometimes wonder if things would have been different if I had          listened to her rather than dismissing her.❞

It was a huge relief that Blue Diamond had agreed with her plans. It was still a mystery to her why the Diamond would be willing to make plans that would obstruct the plans of a fellow Diamond, but she was willing to go without knowing if it meant she, as well as the Earth and all the friends she’d made there, would remain safe. Conflict between the Diamonds would probably work to her advantage, anyway.

“Of course. I won’t say a word to my Diamond about this,” she said, her voice more clear and chipper now that it seemed she’d be getting away with her deceit. “I swear it.”

The question that Blue Diamond asked her about Earth, though, was an even bigger surprise than anything she’d said previously. Yellow Diamond had been completely unwilling to hear her out, even when she was one of her own gems, but Blue Diamond came to her? Perhaps Blue Diamond was more reasonable than Yellow— Though Peridot wasn’t going to take her chances. She didn’t believe, yet, that there was no wrong answer, and she decided a logical answer would be received more well than a more emotional one. 

If anything, she would at least try to point out the ways in which Earth could be useful.

“Well, I think that, objectively, destroying this planet would be a huge waste of resources. There are resources that are unique to its organic ecosystem, ones that could be utilized without disrupting the natural order of the planet.”

Blue truly hoped the Peridot would stick to her promise and not speak to Yellow at all, it would be catastrophic if she realized the traitorous act Blue was committing to keep the planet alive. Sentimentality was just something she simply couldn't ignore, the Earth had been so very dear to Pink and served as her final resting place, that couldn't be thoughtlessly abandoned to become rubble. Blue just wouldn't allow it.

        ❝-- Very good, Peridot, Yellow Diamond will be pleased         that you followed orders.❞

Blue Pearl glanced upward at that, a concerned expression crossing her features for just a moment before she once again settled still. Even she knew the fine line that was being walked and though she understood why, it was such a huge risk to be taking just to preserve memories, were they worth it?

A soft smile graced the Diamond's expression as Peridot explained her view of the Earth and she was at least pleased that she agreed that they shouldn't destroy the planet, even more than that, she was impressed the Peridot had figured out ways of making use of it without killing those inhabiting it. Were she capable, she would have taken the Peridot to work for her, to put forward that plan. Alas, any extra resources would be questioned and she'd have to admit to her interference. For now she would simply let it remain as it was, later down the line she could argue to Yellow that the cluster had FAILED and another plan was needed. Then she could attempt to take control.

That would not be a for a very long time, however.

         ❝-- You are wise for a Peridot, seeing such use in the planet         without wanting it gone is a unique point of view. Tell me, do         you value this world? More than its resources, I mean. You         seemed pleased that the cluster is not to emerge.❞