Chapter Text
Who knew that causing all of the world’s problems could be so dull. Even with infinite time to think, they were still stuck like a rock in a tide pool, tumbling to and fro as waves came by, battering around. At least most innocent little rocks don’t spew mercury on everything nice.
--
“Hey Cinnabar, check these out!”
The south shore was littered with mussel shells, but Yellow must have forgotten. Cinnabar inspected the diamond’s twin shells to humor them.
“They’re so pretty, aren’t they? I’ve never seen shells so violet before. And, look at this.”
Yellow split the shell’s base, fanning the halves out.
“This one is Thirty-Three, and this one is Eighty-Four!” Yellow chuckled, but Cinnabar wasn’t amused. Although it had been centuries since they’d seen the Amethysts, Cinnabar doubted they looked like mussels.
Yellow continued despite Cinnabar’s skepticism. “I wonder why these shells are so shiny. When you look at it from this angle,” said Yellow, holding the shell up against the bright moon, “the inside looks shiny and bluish. But if you turn it a bit, it looks more like red.” Yellow returned to Cinnabar. “I bet you’ve noticed that, though.”
Cinnabar loved the phenomena of iridescence. It reminded them of being a young gem, exploring the island with Diamond and their mesmerizing hair. Those were better times.
But what could Yellow’s business be out here at night? Anyways,
“If you look at the ground in the morning, the beetles are the same.” Cinnabar commented.
“Hmm. Yeah, you’re right.” Yellow grabbed their chin in thought, calling the critters to their mind’s eye. “Oh! There’s one!”
Cinnabar yanked their mercury away as Yellow dove into the grass right at their feet. Was this old gem so oblivious that they forgot what personal space was? Along with being gross and dangerous, mercury is also incredibly heavy, so moving it around is draining.
Yellow Diamond stood, a shiny green beetle snatched between their fingers.
“Got one!” Yellow chuckled warmly. “It’s a little helpless, isn’t it? So many creatures with nice shells around here.” Yellow pondered for a moment. “How come the grass isn’t full of beetle shells like the shore is full of seashells? Sensei said something about that once, but it’s been so long.”
Forgetting their annoyance, Cinnabar spoke up: “They sink into the ground after a rain or two. I’ve seen it happen a few times.” A few hundred times would still be an understatement.
Delicately, Yellow placed the beetle back down. “It’s strange how they can just.. stop working. Disappear after a season. That reminds me.” Yellow’s whimsical attitude grew solemn, the bounce in their feet vanishing. “Have any of the others told you what happened to Phos?”
Not again. Cinnabar turned away, lest Yellow see the failure on their face. Failure at their biggest chance to help someone, to have a purpose. Yellow is an honorable gem, it’s best to keep up appearances near them, right? Putting on a strong face is all a low hardness gem can do. “There’s no helping that one.” Cinnabar uttered, twisting the hem of their pants.
“It really seems like that, doesn’t it?”
“Well, I’ll cut the details,” Yellow concluded, “Phos lost their head.”
Cinnabar checked the diamond’s face to make sure they were sincere, but all they saw was honest meekness. That’s… hilarious. The idiot gem truly lost their mind. Despite the heavy implications, Cinnabar couldn’t help but release a laugh, which, stifled, sounded like coughing.
“Cinnabar? Are you alright?” Yellow is too kind.
“Yeah, it’s fine. So what do they plan to do to fix that? Wait for more phosphophyllite or apophyllite?”
“Actually,” Yellow tilted their head in consternation, ”Sensei approved attaching Lapis Lazuli’s head, if you remember that gem. It’s all too strange.”
Ridiculous, too risky, whoever’s idea that was. Patience is important.
“Strange indeed,” Cinnabar agreed, but there was still a nagging sensation. “Is that why you’ve come here, Yellow? To inform me about phos?”
Yellow seemed mildly impressed. “Well, you can see right through me, Cinna. I suppose I’ve been wanting to talk to you…” Timidly, Yellow dropped their gaze, “...not just because Sensei sent me, but because I want to get to know you better. It’s been at least a thousand years, right? And we’ve hardly spoken. And…” they sighed, and gave Cinnabar a tired half smile, “it would be nice having a friend who won’t get taken to the moon.”
A... friend? After a millenium, someone who isn’t an idiot wants me?
Cinnabar felt a rising sensation in their chest, and mercury seeped from from their loose fingertips.
Wait a minute; calm down.
Cinnabar took a deep breath. They clenched their fists; no more mercury.
It’s a terrible idea to get one’s hopes up, lest they fall as far.
Cinnabar replied in a measured tone. “If you want to visit, I start my patrols by the Cape of Emptiness. Just please don’t endanger yourself on the way, I’m sure the other gems need you.” The guilt of a noble diamond being stolen by the lunarians is the last thing they need.
A golden, genuine glow returned to Yellow, lighting the dusty air aflame. “Thanks, Cinnabar. You know exactly what to say.”
Yellow checked the moons, and Cinnabar did as well. It was full above and a crescent on the horizon. “It’s late now, I should head back.” Yellow smirked. “See you later.”
Yellow Diamond waved goodbye, their paces through the crackling grass fading as they grew more distant. ‘See you later’. That’s something Cinnabar hadn’t heard in a while. Usually it’s ‘bye’, partnered with avoidance of eye contact. It was a new sensation, and Cinnabar cherished it.
--
Lying prone in the hostile cave they call home, as the morning sunlight pushed their eyelids down and the pounding of waves lulled them to sleep, Cinnabar had a purpose. They could be there for Yellow Diamond, their sunspot in the night. If Cinnabar could help one person, then…