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 Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 8:44 pm
 The spires were a very massive, very beautiful place, where beautiful and important gems gathered to contemplate, plan, and visit with eachother. Stibnite was walking through the spires, ducking around the various agates and other in-charge or thinker gems walked about. She had to find a Sapphire; not just any, but a very unique sapphire, as she, for the meantime, had a job to look after her. She thought it was more of a job for rubies or quartzes, but that was what the higher higher-ups wanted, and she was in no position to decline.
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Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 11:52 am
Padparadscha Sapphire hummed a few notes to herself to ward off the incoming silence. A quick reference to her future vision told that she would possibly be alone for a while longer. That was no good at all! The sociable Sapphire glided along the floor of her pink-furnished chambers toward the door, skirting out after quickly identifying herself through a handprint scanner. What was the harm of a short walk, especially if her replacement guard was not likely to arrive for a while? Surely there weren't any dangers to be found in the spires! There never had been, so far as Paddi knew. Her Diamond, the beautiful Blue Diamond, would surely not be angry if her coveted remnant of Pink Diamond's legacy strolled along the intellectual domain. Unguarded? Well, there may be a few words of reprimand, but nothing so monumental enough to deter the sociable Sapphire's course.
And so Paddi strolled along, gloved hands neatly laced behind her, considering what treasures might hold her interest. Maybe a library's books, or a glimpse of some ancient artifacts? For the moment she relished the brief taste of uncertainty.
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Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 2:54 pm
For a few moments, Stibnite stopped and scratched her head, trying to remember the directions she had to take, but then, out of nowhere, a flash of salmon pink caught her only eye. A strange pink sapphire? Well, sounded unusual enough to be the one she had to watch after. So, she made her way over. Quickly seeing that the sapphire was her height, Stibnite was glad she didn't have to crane her neck to look up at a towering Quartz or stand on a bookshelf to make eye contact with an Agate. "Greetings, your Clarity," Stibnite saluted and put on her most formal, respectful tone, "I am Stibnite, Facet-2 Cut-R0M. I am not normally a guard, but I was assigned to protect you. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
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Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 8:17 pm
A voice recalled her from her fantasy visions of exotic planets and new sprawling settlements. Padparadscha Sapphire blinked rapidly several times behind her bangs, her attention drawn to a gem of similar height. A Stibnite? How interesting! Those were not common here. And oh, her gem was on her eye? Another single-eyed gem! That was always exciting, meeting another with a similar number of ocular features, especially if the subject in question was not a Sapphire as well. The gem respectfully referred to Paddi as a lesser gem would an aristocrat, introducing herself and going as far as to give her parameters. Full pink lips curved upward into a warm smile. "It certainly is a pleasure, Stibnite," Paddi lilted, her voice soft and refined. Playing along with the formality presented to her, she gathered her tiered skirts in her hands and performed a playful curtsy. "My name is Padparadscha Sapphire. You may call me Paddi, if you prefer, I know my title is a bit hard to remember."
After releasing her skirts to swish back to their full shape, the Sapphire clasped her hands before her. "I am so glad to see you so soon - I hadn't anticipated a new guard arriving for a short while. You must have avoided my vision," Paddi declared with a growing grin. Surprises were hard to come by, so even the smallest unexpected detail proved to be a delight when you could see what was going to happen before it did. "I was just taking a walk. Would you mind escorting me about, Stibnite? Oh, and is there anything you would prefer I call you?"
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Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 12:02 am
Stibnite was not expecting her to be so.... friendly, and it took her visibly by surprise, so she lowered her arms, but kept a straight and formal stance, "my squadmates used to call me Stibby, if you would like. I did not realize I would be avoiding your future vision, your Clarity, please forgive me if I caused any inconvenience--" she doubted the need to apologize, judging by Paddi's grin, but felt it polite to anyways, "--but I would be pleased to escort you. Where would you like to go?" She couldn't remember the last time she met a gem who was so nice. She internally warned herself not to become attached... but she had to admit, it was very refreshing.
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Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 1:27 pm
A small yet undeniably jovial giggle rang from her. "Oh dear, there's no need to apologize!" Paddi insisted, "I find that sort of thing exciting, if I'm being entirely honest. But, anyway..." Once Stibnite agreed to accompany her on a stroll around the spires, Padparadscha Sapphire swept closer to her gray-tinted guardian, looping a gloved arm around one of Stibnite's in a proper escort position and began to pull her along at an easy pace. Several times Paddi had earned confused looks and questioning comments about touching gems of lower rank, but they never were enough to deflect her personal enjoyment of contact with another gem. Of course if Blue Diamond took issue with it she would stop, but her liege had yet to be informed of her habit, so the coveted salmon-tinted Sapphire would continue on as she pleased.
"I don't have a destination in mind - I am content to wander, unless you have some lovely spot in mind." Paddi turned her head to regard Stibnite directly, taking in the delightfully fluffy hair and glistening gemstone eye of her guardian.
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Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 11:55 pm
"Woah!" Stibnite was as equally confused as the onlooking gems as she stumbled a bit and flinched as Paddi took her arm, but quickly regained her footing as the sapphire sauntered along, "uh, you're very kind, your Clarity, but wouldn't you prefer if I walked in front you to protect you? Isn't that what guards do?" That was usually what guards did, at least, from what she remembered of seeing other sapphires and their rubies, and from her time during the war with the bordering monstrous Quartz that protected her in the past, "but I uh, don't have any place in mind. Is there anything you want to see or learn? I think the archives are on the other side of this Spire." She had recalled seeing it on her way here, guarded by some Quartzes, but a sapphire would likely have little issue gaining entry. That area was usually saved for important thinker-type gems. She felt the need, "I apologize. I am not used to guarding anyone, I'm usually more for... secretive...dangerous things, and being guarded myself." That explained one thing; she must've been an Era 1 Stibnite, for Era 2 ones are normally made for recon due to corners needing to be cut on resources. Era 1 Stibnites were made for assassination-type jobs or as sniper-type soldiers, usually with a quartz or two to be their shield.
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Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 9:27 am
A thoughtful look passed over her pink face... or as much as could be expressed when her eye was obscured. A pursing of her plump lips was probably all of the indication of her brief pondering that could be seen. "Archives? Those sound interesting. Would you mind taking me there?" Padparadscha Sapphire listened with interest as Stibnite apologized for her unfamiliarity with being a guard, insisting that she was ordinarily the one who was under someone's protection. How interesting! The idea of this similarly short gem taking on dangerous missions excited Paddi in a vicarious way. "You're doing just fine, no need to worry," the salmon-tinted Sapphire assured her guard. "I must say, you've caught my attention with the description of your purposes. 'Secretive' and 'dangerous' work, you say? I can't help but wonder what that would entail."
Now it was Paddi's turn to be apologetic; she gave a sheepish little smile. "Forgive me, my understanding of other gems' roles is limited to what I've managed to pick up in the libraries."
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Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 3:09 pm
"I guess I can see the logic there," Stibnite said, still a bit uncomfortable, and tried to recall where she saw the archives, "I think they were that way," and pointed in the direction they just came from, "but no worries, your Clarity, I understand, since you are a higher-up and not a soldier yourself. I used to be a sniper for Pink Diamond, with my old teammates. Were you present when...." she leaned forward, hoping no gem nearby had prying ears, "...the Rebellion on Earth happened?" She said the phrase through clenched teeth nervously.
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Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2017 3:50 pm
Paddi nearly commented on such, but the way Stibnite leaned in towards her hushed the words off of her lips. A rather taboo question was aired, quietly, so as not to alert any potential eavesdroppers. She was right to be nervous, as many would fly off the handle at any reminder of such a tragic happening. Padparadscha's reaction was not so outraged, however - she had been an intended gift for the slain Diamond, but having not known her personally left Sapphire feeling less melancholy. All she had to miss was an image, a post-death construction of character through the words of mournful gems. "I was very briefly present," Paddi returned in a hushed murmur. Her voice was appropriately solemn, yet lacking in true sorrow. "As an offering of goodwill with my intended recipient gone, I was quickly returned here. I saw very little of Earth or its rebellion."
She cleared her throat and continued forward at an easy pace, quite comfortable with her arm draped over that of her guard. "Which is probably for the better - I can't say I enjoy conflict, and my Diamond found comfort in me following such a loss." There was a brief pause while Paddi weighed whether or not her curiosity was acceptable before finally just airing her thoughts: "Do you recall what it was like - Earth? I have read of it, of course, but I wonder if one who has actually been and fought there might have different insights."
Archives of Sin Pardon the delay, I had a busy weekend @_@
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Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2017 4:30 pm
Lesbian Space Rocks (It's cool, I work nights so I can relate.) Stibnite frowned, a touch jealous of the sapphire, and muttered to her, "I served Pink Diamond during the Rebellion, long before everything went downhill. When everything started to blow up, me and a squad of gems, a big, big--" she gestured with her free arm and waved it above her head in emphasis, "--mountain of a Clear Quartz, another sniper named Obsidian, and a Topaz, were sent to try to find and captured the uh.... quartz who started it all." She paused and contemplated the question, "well, I didn't get to explore much. It was very rich, though, lots of life, but only the humans were intelligent, that I knew of. It was perfect for growing gems, but," she frowned, "after uh.... she was shattered, everything went downhill really fast," she frowned even more, and started to look forlorn, "Topaz and I were the only ones who made it back. I saw my Quartz shattered in front of me and Obsidian ran after her to try to save her... I never did see her again. I even found one of Clear's shards, so I know for a fact she didn't make it. I don't know where Topaz is now, though. I think she... I mean, he left to work for Yellow Diamond." Stibnite felt tears pricking at her eye, so she quickly wiped them away as soon as they appeared, "but that was a long time ago. It was not a nice time, for anyone. You're lucky to have not seen much of it, your Clarity, though it's a shame you never got to meet Pink Diamond. She was a wonderful, caring leader. But... I heard a rumor," she looked at Paddi, saddened yet curious, and leaned in a little closer to whisper, "is Pink Diamond's... human zoo still around? Do you know?" She hoped the question wouldn't be prying for too much. (Answer however you'd like, I imagined it being a popular rumor on Homeworld but few are able/willing to prove of disprove it)
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Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2017 11:33 am
Paddi was far more thoroughly enthralled, however, by the description of earth: rich, fertile, perfect for gem-creation, and teeming with many forms of life, albeit mostly non-sentient. The sense of wonder clipped off rather swiftly as the conversation meandered to the subject of lost compatriots. A somber, sympathetic sadness washed over the salmon-tinted Sapphire, her gem inwardly emitting a dull ache of compassion. "I can not imagine experiencing such loss," she murmured softly, "I am deeply sorry." Her small gloved hand gave Stibnite's arm a gentle squeeze from where it still laid draped over the other gem's arm, desperate to support the ex-assassin while refraining from making her uncomfortable (or, at least, more uncomfortable than she was already).
Stibnite remarked on the awfulness of that time period, stating that Paddi was fortunate to have been absent. "I am relieved to have avoided such a conflict," the Sapphire began, pausing for a wistful sigh. "Yes, I have heard such wonderful things of Pink Diamond - my Diamond has often spoken of her warmth and charisma, and how much Pink Diamond would have enjoyed my company and service..." It had become difficult to sort out what to emote about this - happiness for Pink's goodness? Disappointment for a lost opportunity to serve and be useful to the Diamonds? Melancholy for the loss of such a caring Diamond as Pink? While her eye would reveal the troubled uncertainty of her mind, it was concealed beneath her pale pink hair.
Mention of a rumor renewed Paddi's interest. Stibnite mentioned a human zoo, wondering aloud if it was still being maintained. "Oh, yes, actually," she replied with certainty, "it is still in operation, as my Diamond tells me." Paddi hummed curiously. "Is this not well-known? I was not sworn to secrecy on the matter, so I supposed others might be aware as well."
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Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2017 12:43 pm
Lesbian Space Rocks No worries! I was in high school not very long ago so I know the stress of it all. Stibnite seemed to have grown used to the contact by now, "Yeah, capturing her was our main purpose," Stibnite nodded, then looked surprised, but kept her voice low at the mentioning of the zoo, "I've been to the human zoo only once. After Pink was... well, you know, Blue Diamond took as many of her soldiers, like me, and brought them there, I guess with the intent of holding onto as many of us as possible. Every quartz made in those kindergartens that didn't rebel or was shattered was brought there. Topaz and I even had the task of collecting some of the Rose Quartzes per her orders. I heard Yellow and Blue had a big fight about what to actually do with them, so I don't actually know what became of them... or even all the amethysts she grew. Huh." She scratched her head with her free arm in thought as they began to approach the archives; two Citrines were stationed at the door. Her voice began to trail off in thought, "I understand if they would've shattered the Roses, but the Amethysts were basically innocent, and there was that one big Jasper I guess Yellow wanted, and me and Topaz eventually being returned to Homeworld..." She realized she was rambling and cleared her throat, "sorry, your Clarity, I got distracted, but I think we're here." She looked up at the larger-than-life quartzes--then again, any proper quartz was larger-than-life compared to Stibnite's tiny self--and the two saluted as they approached, but shared odd glances at seeing a sapphire walking arm-in-arm with a lower-ranked gem. "Do you require entrance, your grand Clarity?" One of them asked, "the Archives are welcome to you and your uh.. guard." At least, she assumed Stibnite was a guard. Being so skinny-statured, she could've been a gemfriend for all she knew, but she wasn't about to ask questions, as it wasn't her place.
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Posted: Wed May 31, 2017 4:54 pm
Paddi started as though awakening from a dream when Stibnite apologized for rambling. "Oh, don't apologize - I was enjoying hearing you speak," the salmon-tinted aristocrat insisted fervently, her voice filled with earnest appreciation. She nearly begged for another story, but restrained upon realizing that they had arrived at the archives' guarded entrance. Funny, she hadn't even noticed they were close! Padparadscha Sapphire looked up at the towering Citrine guards, quickly running a few scenarios through her vision in order to pick the best way to respond. "Yes, my guard and I would like to enter," she answered in a rather straight-forward manner. Upon their compliance she would say a kind "thank you" and move along.
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Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2017 1:30 pm
"Indeed, your Clarity," the other Citrine turned briefly to open the door on a scan-pad next to it, then turned back to face them as the door opened. The two couldn't help but share glances at the two and at eachother, but quickly shrugged off the odd way Paddi carried her guard. Stibnite kept her hushed voice, now to help maintain the silence of the archives, "I am glad I can entertain you, your Clarity," She smiled a little, glad someone enjoyed her stories, but suddenly frowned and looked away, then cleared her throat, "well, uhm, what else would you like to know?" He looked back at Paddi with a now straight face, "I have many other stories I can tell, on and off the battlefield."
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