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“-Just this way.” Xisuma reassured her, gently guiding her towards a particularly pretty portal. Gem stared at in wonder, still in disbelief that she had been invited to hermitcraft. She was finally, finally, going to get to live with Grian again!
They’d had a few brief meetings and a very teary reunion already, but Gem still missed him. She had so much to catch up on, considering that Grian had already been on the famed world for several years now as well. She wanted to know every detail about his life, every crush and every friend, major or minor.
But that didn’t mean she wasn’t nervous, and as patient as Xisuma was being, Gem could tell they needed to keep going. So, hesitantly, she stepped closer to the portal. X stepped through with an encouraging smile and Gem took a deep breath.
Stepping through the portal was like stepping outside on a crisp morning. The air wasn’t unpleasantly cold by any means, but it was still a shock. Wind that hadn’t been behind her before ruffled her ginger curls, and she was standing in an entirely new location.
Slightly off into the distance, she could see a circle of people gathered around, talking to each other. She could see the smiles and hear the laughter, such free expressions she hadn’t heard in far too long. She missed joy and whimsy, the freedom to just relax rather then be scared for your life at any given moment.
She didn’t seem to be the only nervous one however, as a tall brunette hid her gaze from Gem’s. It couldn’t hide the fact her moth wings were flapping slightly too fast and irregularly for it to be anything but anxiety. Though it had been ages since she’d seen Grian, Gem still recognised the emotions in just the basic movements of wings.
Gem also noticed her fear, as much as she hated to admit it to herself, because she was breathtaking. She almost didn’t notice Xisuma trying to lead her towards the circle and her brother because of how captivating she was. Gem didn’t want to look away, but she also didn’t want to be caught staring.
Oh, Grian would be so insufferable if he found out she had a crush already.
When they finally made it to the circle, Gem still awkwardly hanging back despite the welcoming smiles she received, Xisuma cleared his throat.
“Alright everyone, welcome to Hermitcraft’s eight world. We also welcome Gem and Pearl to our interesting family.” Xisuma announced, gesturing specifically to herself and Pearl. Pearl looked towards Gem and shot her a small smile, and Soluna above, she glowed.
“Let’s go!” Her brother shouted, interrupting the friendly introduction and getting straight to work. Two of the other hermits – Mumbo and Scar she had learnt their names were – followed him like lost puppies.
That was so much like her brother, completely ruining the moment. Though no one was actually upset at him. The others also took his cue to go off on their own as well, and Gem looked to Pearl, the only other member who looked lost.
Pearl sent her a small smile… almost flirting? And went off.
Gem couldn’t help but follow her, something in her chest tugging her towards Pearl. She was so pretty, and Gem’s heart was fluttering way too fast in her chest.
Following Pearl, they moved into a forest and began chopping trees like everyone else. Pearl was so incredibly strong, and she seemed to fell the tree with no effort.
Gem was so incredibly attracted to this women and she barely knew her. Oh, she was so fucked.
She couldn’t let Grian know she already had a crush.