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“Why are we doing this again, Joel?” Gem questions, fumbling a bit with her needle.
“Because, Gem, everyone and their blooming cats keeps accusing us of being thieves and void forbid they do it about our clothing!”
Steadying her hand, Gem decides that yeah, that's fair.
To explain what they were doing, it's necessary to say that after the first few days were over and factions were made, they were given time for them to design their outfits.
It was the only time they were allowed to even remotely leave. Being able to go to some strange store for all their clothing needs.
She and Joel had chosen relatively simple outfits compared to a couple others—such as the Bamboozlers, who had sewed theirs from scratch. (Gem was shocked at how good Jimmy was if she was being honest.)
After browsing the store, Gem had picked up some overalls and a sweater, and Joel got a sleeveless brown jacket, light brown pants, and, of course, a white tunic. It was simple, but what would really make their outfits was the accessories.
Originally Gem had tried to go for a more bold outfit, but Joel just said “It's all in the styling, Gem! Gosh, someone's clearly never seen Barbie or literally any fashion show. What are you, uncultured?”
Which, fair.
But she's also never seen the Fast and Furious movies, so what was he really expecting from her?
They got fingerless gloves, mechanics belts, some appropriate footwear (Gem assumes for mechanics), and then Gem grabbed goggles while Joel picked up chains to go around his neck.
And that's what leads them to where they are now.
Joel thought it'd be a great idea if they customized their accessories. 1. To put in references to our 2 allies—Etho and the Bams. And 2. So people wouldn't accuse the two of stealing their accessories.
Gem can't exactly say his concerns were unfounded, it's astounding how almost everyone on the server except their family has tried to accuse them of robbery.
Joel spent a whole day transporting those cows and he was the thief!?
Insane!
So, customizing it was.
They wanted to be simple with it though, as to not distract from their general awesomeness.
They put some of their allies’—family’s— colors around the outfit and were now monogramming their stuff.
They finished the belts and started working on their gloves. As she finally finished the last stitch on her glove however, Gem noticed something.
Those gloves were far too big for her.
“Uh, Joel?”
“Yea, Gem?” He replied, finishing his own embroidery.
“...I think we switched gloves.”
"…"
“OH MY VOID!”
Joel banged his head against the wall before turning over to Gem who was extremely concerned.
"Joel, are you okay!?"
“I'm fine, but what are we gonna do about the blooming gloves now!?”
“Make new ones?” She suggested.
“How about…no.” Joel deadpanned, “It took 3 hours for the Bamboozlers paint colors to dry on it. Plus the design day is almost over, we don't have time to go get new gloves!”
“That is true...”
The duo thought long and hard—for a solid 5 minutes— before Gem's eyes lit up.
“Wait- oh my gosh, Joel, it's perfect!”
He looked at her quizzically, “Perfect? We've got the wrong initials on 'em!”
“Joelllll,” She dragged out, as if it should be obvious, “we're family!”
When Joel still didn't get it, Gem elaborated, “We have each other's initials on our stuff to show how close we are as a family! We share our stuff, like a family does!”
A surprised grin formed on Joel's face, “Oh my car, you're a genius.”
Gem smirked proudly, “I know.”
“I mean, I suppose it only makes sense that I, a genius, would of course have a genius little sister."
She laughed, “We're the best siblings, obviously.”
“Obviously.” Joel agreed.
——
Gem was diligently working on her barn when Lizzie swung by.
“Gem, how you doin’? Can I see the new skin?”
The redhead playfully rolled her eyes at Lizzie's wording. She always says oddest things. Acting like it's all a game. That's Lizzie for ya!
“Of course!”
Gem stood up, twirling around, to let her see her outfit.
“Ooo, very nice!” Lizzie complimented, “You like mine?”
“Mhm, it's very amusement park themed.”
“Then I have succeeded at my goal!” The fairy fist-pumped, "Jimmy may have sewn it, but I designed them!"
Her eyes then traveled down to Gem's right wrist, “Is…is that my husband's initial on your hand?” She asked with narrowed eyes.
"We may be green, Gem, but I assure you, accidents can happen."
Gem looked confused at the threat for a second before she realized, “Ohhhh! No, no, no!”
Lizzie tilted her head, hand resting on the sword Gem didn't even notice she took out .
She had to resolve this fast.
“Don't worry, dear Lizzie. I'm your sister-in-law!”
Lizzie blinked slowly, putting the sword away.
“Oh, right, you guys got the whole family thing. I'm his wife and you're his sister!”
“Yeah! Exactly!”
“You're gonna love family game night, Gem,” Lizzie said, wrapping an arm around her, “I will however warn you, Jimmy screams really loudly when he doesn't win. Which is always. He's always screaming.”
“I would expect nothing less, Lizzie.”
“Ah, this is so exciting! I'm usually the only girl so this is a nice change of pace. We can gossip while they fight each other for nachos or something.”
“Hm…if it's nachos, then I may have to join that fight.”
“Sigh…” Lizzie said dramatically (yes, she said the word sigh), “What did I do to get a family of complete barbarians?”
Gem shrugged, “You did choose to marry Joel.”
“And that decision shall haunt me for the rest of this game specifically.”
“That's a you problem. I'm rather happy with how things have been turning out.”
———
...
The gloves were a mistake.
But like most things in the games, they worked out perfectly.
This way, they had known they'd always be there for each other, if not in person, then in spirit.
They may not have really been siblings, but at least in this game, as anyone could have told by the way they interacted, hung off each other's shoulder, and the initials that rested on their wrists, Gem and Joel were siblings.
Even after they both took their final breaths and their corpses decayed in the world, those monogrammed initials on leather gloves would be the last thing to go.
And at least for Joel, that bond would remain.
He remembered now after all.
In every game, there were so few people he could truly say he trusted, and the ones he did were special to him. Gem was forever a part of that now.
Joel didn't have friends, he had family.