[center][u][b]Collab between 21308, Guardian Angel Haruki, & Akayaofthemoon[/b][/u][/center]



Maeve stopped for a breath of air, panting as she looked around to make sure that she was headed the right way when a feminine voice rang out.

"[color=darkred]Hm? Who's there? Come now, don't be shy,[/color]"

She whipped around in the direction of the voice, pushing the bushes aside to pop out into the crash site. Her bright green eyes instantly looked Carnelian over, a feeling of hope creeping up on her but she shoved it down quickly. It was possible this woman wasn't a gem since she looked pretty human other than the orange eyes but it was Halloween. Colored contacts were a thing after all so she knew she needed to ask but the words wouldn't come. Could she really take another let down?

Maeve steeled her resolve, ready to ask when more people started to show up...well she knew they weren't people unless this new person on the scene was an albino or something. She looked between the two in front of her and opened her mouth to ask her much desired question when it died on her lips and a bright smile appeared. There was no way this other being was not a gem since they were huge....a gaint woman.

She could hardly contain her excitement and enthusiasm as she stood with the group of gems. More and more started to appear, making her want to float away and when one became two...she didn't even know what that was! It was unfortunate that some had left so soon but at least she could still get answers, hopefully since she didn't seem to be the only one that wanted information.

[color=fdc68a]"I can't believe I finally found you all...."[/color] Maeve said softly  muttered, the reality of it all finally hitting her. She wasn't alone  and her mother wasn't alone or the only one of her kind. Now she  actually had others that understood a part of what she was and could  teach her more about herself. 

Carnelian watched with interest as a girl stepped forwards to show herself and stare at them. The reddish orange gem noticed the other gems and Candice arrive on the scene...one of the gems was a taller woman who seemed to be standing close to the human girl, but she kept her attention on the young lady who seemed awestruck. She waited patiently for the young lady to speak, and when she did, Carnelian raised an eyebrow. 

She looked at the girl carefully to see that she looked mostly human, but there was a gem on her earlobe. She asked the girl in curiosity, "[color=darkred]Dahling, may we inquire as to who you are and why you were searching for us?[/color]"

Candice, who had immediately rushed towards the town on foot just after the corrupted gem fled from her group, soon arrived, only to find that the problem was already taken care of. Ignoring the fact that Larimar had been by her side, and just unfused, Candice tried to focus her attention on their discussion, but she was somewhat distracted by the newcomer. 

This girl...she looked human, but the gem on her earlobe was clearly not an earring stub. There was also something familiar about this person. Who was she? Did she met this person before? Was it on a previous mission?! If she had, then her cover could be in jeopardy! She kept a stone cold expression on her face as she studied Maeve discreetly, trying to remember where she had seen her before. 

[color=fdc68a]"Oh, I apologize. I must have lost my head there for a second and forgotten my manners. My name is Maeve and why I was searching for you all was....well..."[/color] she started, a sad smile touching her features as she touched her earlobe.[color=fdc68a] "I wanted to learn more about my mother and her kind as well as find out more about myself." [/color]she answered truthfully, letting her hand drop away from her ear.

[hr]

Chromite followed Bloodstone to the ship, seeing little purpose in remaining where she was since she had no responsibility to protect the town and there were several other gems there.  
Chromite winced at seeing Bloodstone injured, but she ignored the mild shock of what happened and immediately grabbed his gem and bubbled it, allowing the bubble to hover over her hand for the time being.  The cluster was continuing to expand at an alarming rate and she didn't have the means to stop it, so sending Bloodstone's gem to another part of the ship was not a viable option.

Chromite teleported back down and ran to the spot where the battle had taken place, carrying Bloodstone's gem with her, and hoping that Aquamarine was still there.  

Larimar watched as the beast took off, looking over at Candice for a moment to see what she would do. The fusion didn't want to leave Candice's side but at the same time they would split soon if she decided not to head for town since Aquamarine would go no matter what. She would not leave the town to suffer if something went wrong and what about her young gems...she didn't even want to imagine if one of them shattered. Aqua knew they were strong but the worry didn't lessen for her. When Candice started off for the town, Larimar followed quickly behind and making sure to stick close to the human in front of them. 

By the time they arrived, the beast was taken care of and it seemed like a meeting of the gems, well mostly gems as it seemed a human was in the mix. The fusion joined into the group, eyes scanning over each of them to make sure there was no damage but staying silent as the others asked questions to each other. 

There was no sign of Aquamarine, or the gem she had fused into where the battle had taken place.  It looked like Chromite was heading into the town after all.  She headed in that direction as quickly as she could.  Chromite searched the town, following any evidence of the battle that had just taken place, until she came across a group of gems, several of whom she recognized.  She approached the one who she recognized as the fusion of Aquamarine and Mars. [color=darkgray] "Excuse me, Aquamarine?  ...Or whoever you are, I need to speak with you, preferrably unfused.  It's important."[/color]

Larimar turned attention onto the new voice amoung the group, brow arching as interest was piqued until the owner was recognized Chromite for one and two, that whatever she needed only required Aquamarine. The two really didn't need to stay fused anymore since the town was save and so was Candice so Larimar once more became a swirl of energy, splitting into two different quite known forms before becoming solid. Aquamarine took a moment to get use to her form again before focusing back on Chromite. [color=7bcdc8]"What is it you need to speak to me about? Is everything alright?"[/color] she asked, realizing that Blood wasn't with her and the two had disappeared as everyone else moved for town. 

[color=darkgray]"There's been a development with the cluster the commander and I took care of.  He tried to contact you but I predicted that your fusion would destroy your headset.  It may be best if we spoke of this away from the others, I'm not sure how many people he wants to know."[/color]

Aquamarine felt a bit nervous about what Chromite could possibly say and to even make matters worse, the gray gem didn't feel it nessassary to let more people in on it either. She gave a light nod and motioned for the other to lead the way since Aqua wasn't sure how for she wanted to go away from the group. 

Chromite led Aquamarine behind a nearby building and looked behind her to make sure nobody else was following.  When they were out of sight and earshot Chromite said [color=darkgray]"I realize that this isn't a good way to start since I'm asking you for help, so maybe you should just take it as a precaution.  Please try not to get emotional."[/color]  Chromite hoped she hadn't offended Aquamarine but didn't really want to know.  She pulled out Bloodstone's cracked and bubbled gem for her to see.  [color=darkgray]"As you can see, the commander is a bit out of sorts, I assume he was trying to contact you because he knew he'd need help."[/color]

Out of all the things Chromite could have said not to get emotional about this had not been what she had in mind when Blood's cracked gem in a bubble came into her view. Any other words said we lost on her as she looked to the bubble, her mind going over the possiblities on what could cause such an injury in the first place and if everyone else was in danger. [color=7bcdc8]"Hand him over."[/color] Aqua ordered calmly, holding out her arms for the bubble and not going to take no for an answer.

[color=darkgray]"Thank you, I realize you don't exactly owe us anything." [/color] Chromite handed Bloodstone's gem to Aquamarine.

[color=7bcdc8]"I wouldn't quite say that but that is a story for another time and probably one you could care less about."[/color] Aqua smiled softly and held the bubble close, popping the bubble with ease as the gem dropped into her awaiting palm. She would have usually started a healing ice globe but that was only one way to heal and the one she used to avoid...awkward situations she had learned about on Earth. She moved the gem to her face, closing her eyes as she started up her healing but instead of making an orb Aqua leaned down to gently kiss Bloodstone's gem, letting it glow and slowly stitch back together. She bubbled him once more, sending him off to her room in the temple for now since he would be safe till awaking. It was obvious that something was a muck at the ship or they would have just gone there.[color=7bcdc8] "Now, how did he get that way and what do you mean their is a development with the Cluster? What happened and should I be worried for the others?"[/color]

[color=darkgray]"Well, when we returned to the ship, the Commander attempted to do something with the gem shards instead of bubbling them individually and sending them away.  They fused back together and he put them in some kind of solution, which only seemed to irritate them more.  The creature they turned into has not regenerated, however the gem cluster quickly expanded to an unprecedented size, which is what injured the Commander.  It had overtaken Commander Bloostone's lab and was neaing the control room as I left, and at the rate it was going has likely destroyed the ship at this point.  However, I'm aware of no danger to you or your friends."[/color]

[color=7bcdc8]"It should be checked on, just incase it doesn't stop growing and needs to be contained." [/color]

[color=darkgray]"Yes, I was thinking the same thing.  I intend to do that soon after we're done here.  Am I to assume you sent the commander back to your temple?  I suppose that place is as good as any for now."[/color]