The Ruby pulled you up with force, her hold over your wrist tightening the moment you stabled yourself on the sand. Looking down at her, you could see her teeth were gritted in anger, and her eye was staring at you with intensity. You tried to shake her hand away, this only resulting in her pulling you down to her eye level.

     "What's the deal with you?" She spat, her tone bitter and frigid. "Are you part of those Crystal Gems?"

     'Crystal Gems'.

     The name fluttered around your mind for a moment, until you were able to remember the one time Pearl had brought that up. Supposedly, she, Amethyst, Garnet, Steven, and a few more Gems were part of that group.

     "I'm not part of them." You responded, attempting to make her loosen her grip on you by tugging your body away from where she stood. "I'm just a visitor."

     "What kind of 'visitor' are you then?" She pressed, her eye now focusing on the necklace resting over your chest. "And why do you have your gem tied on a string?"

     You looked down at your chest, realizing she was confusing the little gemstone with an actual living Gem. With your hand protecting the item, you prepared to explain to her what the necklace was.

     "I'm not a Gem." You began to explain, your choice of words making her eye widen. "And this gemstone isn't a living being either."

     "Don't lie to me!" She yelled, her hand reaching out for your collar in desperation. "You're clearly one of them! Why else would you be walking around their hideout and carry a gemstone so similar to Rose Quartz's?"

     Her pull over your shirt's collar made breathing a more difficult task to perform, and you found yourself reaching out for her hand to break free from it.

     Thud!

     With a forceful push, you were able to free yourself from her. Taking this as an opportunity to alert Steven's family of the ongoing matter, you ran off towards their home, your main objective being to race up the flight stairs as quickly as you were able to.

     "You're gonna pay for this!"

     You could hear her footsteps becoming louder and faster the more you hurried on forward. As your foot was only inches away from stepping on the first set of stairs, you felt her hand snake around your arm once more. In the spur of the moment, you swung your hand towards her direction, expecting an impact or a deflection from your move. Instead, you felt her grip loosen, whilst your hand found no target except air.

     "Wh. . . What're doing?" You could see the Ruby backing away from you in suspicion, her eye narrowing at where your necklace stood.

     Taking a glance at the flower tied around your neck, you could see the gem in its center glow faintly with a pink hue. With a cautious, somewhat fearful pace, you reached out for it, only to feel a warmth similar to the time you were on the boat ride back to your home. Feeling panic swell up inside your chest, you reached out for the back of your neck, your fingers fumbling with the knot in fraught hopes to untangle the flower away from your torso.

     "How is that even possible?" The Ruby huffed, her annoyance loud and clear in her tone. "How are you still here if your gem isn't stuck to you?! You Crystal Gems are all a bunch of freaks!"

     Just as you were about to explain her of your race and the reason why this gem wasn't of her living kind, the door to Steven's home creaked softly. You turned your head around to face the noise, spotting Garnet, Amethyst, Pearl, and Steven outside their home. The group watched the scene before them, Pearl and Steven's gaze showing concern over you. Garnet's expression was unreadable, her shades adding to this factor, whereas Amethyst was in a defensive position, almost as if she expected the Ruby to lunge at her.

     "Eyeball!" Steven called out, his tone showing decisiveness. "Stay. . . Stay away from (Y/N)! She's not a Gem."

     "Then why does she have a Quartz in her possession?" Eyeball —based on how Steven had called her— asked, her red finger pointing at the necklace you still kept in your hold.

     Steven focused his eyes on the item Eyeball pointed at, and later prepared himself to speak. "That's not a Gem. . . That's a flower that looks like it has one on it."

     "How do you explain this then?" She again made emphasis over the moss flower, this time inching closer to you in order to make the gemstone glow again in defense.

     Steven stared at your necklace for a moment, his eyebrows furrowing in worry. "That's 'cause it's a magical flower! It does that when it's in danger."

     "Keep saying whatever you want, Rose, but I think I've just found another ticket to getting the Diamonds' approval!"

     Excitement was now plastered on the Ruby's face. She laughed in barely controlled thrill, and her hands soon found their way to your waist. With a bit of struggle, she lifted you off the ground, the sudden action making you gasp in astonishment.

     "You're coming with me. I'd love to see the look on their faces when they see another defect joined the Crystal Gems' team!"

     "Let me go!" You yelled out, this time balling your hand into a fist, and swinging it without a clear sense of direction. "I'm just a human with a necklace!"

     With your eyes tightly shut in wait for the hit, your hand made impact with something solid and cold. The abrupt move was followed by a 'poof' sound emanating close to where the Ruby's face was, and by your rear falling flat on the sandy floor.

     "Woah, dude!" Amethyst's voice broke through the tension, her tone signaling awe. "I think you killed her."

     "I did what?!" You exclaimed, your eyes now looking around in search for Eyeball's presence. "Where did she go?"

     You searched around for her, and your eyes soon landed on a crimson ruby resting on the floor. Its colour was fainter compared to the time it was on the Ruby's face, and once your trembling hand reached out for it, a shudder crept through your spine.

     "Is. . . Is she really dead?" You mumbled, hesitating over whether or not you should take the now inactive Ruby in your hand.

     Followed by your question was a burst of hearty laughter coming from Amethyst's mouth. Her laughs lasted for a while, until she took in a deep breath and regained her composure.

     "You didn't kill her. She just poofed 'cause of the punch you gave her." The purple Gem assured you, a wide grin taking over her face.

     "Poofed?" The word was another concept you'd heard during the small lesson you had yesterday of what are Gems. "She's. . . only resting, then?"

     "Yup. She'll probably be back if we don't bubble her up soon."

     "We should interrogate her first." Garnet added, her tone making it unable to identify whether this was a suggestion or an order. "But if she proves to be trustful, it's possible we don't have to do that. . . Though I doubt she'll listen to us."

     "That does seem to be the best choice." Pearl chimed in, her eyes now showing pacifism. "Perhaps we can obtain more information about Homeworld and the Diamond council, as she does want to be a bigger part of them."

     "It's settled." Garnet declared, her hand reaching out for the ruby gemstone in your hold. "I'll bubble her for the time being. For now, we should make breakfast."

     With a small, though heartfelt smile, Garnet turned her head to face Steven. She made a gesture for him to follow her into the home's kitchen, telling him how she wanted to prepare a 'Together Breakfast' alongside him.

     Seeing them enter the building, Amethyst quickly followed behind, her smile showing anticipation over the meal the two were about to prepare. Once she entered, you could hear her ask if they needed any help, her tone hinting at vigor and enthusiasm.

     You stared at building's exterior in silence. Your mind was processing all the things that'd happened in just a few hours, and you found yourself immersed in the almost soundless environment of the place.

     "Are you alright?" Pearl's question made you snap out of your thoughts, her voice breaking through the silence that'd formed.

     You looked at her with uncertainty, yet once you took a better observation of her expression, you softened your own. You nodded your head lightly, and later spoke up.

     "I'm fine. . . Just a little surprised, is all."

     "What about that scar on your arm? Does it hurt?" She inquired, her slim finger pointing at your left arm.

     You inspected it carefully for any injuries, eventually finding the scar she'd spoken of. It was a reddish bruise caused by the fall you had when the Ruby's body 'poofed'. Close to that scratch was a more noticeable wound. Your wrist had received some damage of its own due to the strength the angered Gem exerted into it.

     "This doesn't hurt much." You assured her, a brighter smile making itself present over your visage. "I'm. . . I'm actually more worried about what I did to the Ruby. . ." You trailed off, your mind flooding with various thoughts and doubts.

     Pearl scrupled over her words for a moment, your statement making her recognize how unaccustomed you were of her kind, and how there was much left to explain before your brief visit of this place came to an end.

     Her pale hand carefully found its way to yours. Holding it softly, she lifted it until you were able to make visual contact with her.

     "I understand this might've a shocking experience, but you should rest for the time being. Focus on better things now— like how you defended yourself, for example." She smiled softly after that last sentence, letting go of your hand afterwards. "I would only suggest you be more cautious next time."

     "Alright." You nodded your head. Surety was visible over your tone, and a determined smile was apparent on your face. "I understand."

~ ~ ⭐ ~ ~

Quick A/N:

Hello there!

I'd just like to let everyone know that, now that this has reached its fourth chapter, I hope to keep updating at least once every week— most likely on Mondays. (There are approximately 6 more chapters based on how the story's progressing at the moment!)

Anyhow, I hope you've been able to enjoy the story so far, and thank you for reading until here!