LOG-073.

  The cell was a significantly calmer place than it had been just a few moments ago.

  Now, had it been strictly necessary to get into a fight with my-or rather Emerald's subordinates? No, not at all. I could have easily disregarded both of my components' feelings and defused immediately, leaving the work to them. I could have made all of this much simpler.

  But actually no, I couldn't have. Not like that anyway. Still, I could have certainly made things much more difficult if they'd felt less strongly about the issue.

  Thankfully, I was more than amenable to the plan that mostly consisted of engaging in combat and talking at various intervals during said combat. Especially since it worked rather well, all things considered.

  Besides, fighting was great fun! The Citrines were now significantly less tense after getting the frustration and shame of being imprisoned aboard their own vessel metaphorically (and perhaps in a certain sense literally) beaten out of them and my two halves had gotten some much needed 'bonding time' while I'd been busy making a mockery of what were supposed to be elite warriors.

  No offense to the Citrines, of course. They'd fought more than well. I'd simply fought better.

  "So let me get this straight."

  7XA paused, presumably for effect, as she gestured at my completely untouched lightform with both hands. Hands distinctly bereft of a weapon, after I'd rather thoroughly educated the yellow Gem on just how futile it was to try and fight me as we currently were, even with two to one odds. Which in turn had of course led to the desired result, namely that of us all talking like sane individuals.

  "You're both Emerald...and Viridian."

  I nodded, even as I silently noted the way 7XB was ponderously glancing at the exit, likely gauging whether she could dash past me in order to make a break for it.

  "Correct." My polite smile must have spooked the Quartz somehow, because she immediately stepped closer towards her batchmate, now much more focused on me above all else.

  "At the same time. As-as Green Onyx. Like...well like a fusion. But with two different Gems."

  Idly rubbing my thumb against my fingers (namely on what I was beginning to consider one of my 'Pearl' hands), I inspected the thinner limb for a moment, before lowering it.

  "That is what this is, yes."

  She paused, visibly cringing at the next words that came out of her lips.

  "And that's...that's safe?"

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Tilting my head slightly, I simply quirked an eyebrow in response, evoking a certain admiral's air while gesturing to the dents around the walls where I may have gotten just a little carried away in throwing the duo around.

  "I haven't had any significant problems with it so far."

  The Citrine slowly nodded, lowering her own hands to plant them on either side of her waist.

  "I...yeah I've got nothing. And all the other stuff, about the rebels and how we're all okay now and the-"

  At my continued nods, she finally stopped, sighing.

  "Okay. I...I mean I can see your gemstones. And you had my Emerald's-or your weapon I guess-look I'm sorry this is all just a little fast for me, alright?"

  I inclined my head, crossing both sets of arms.

  "Take your time. If you'd like, I can unfuse. I do believe my respective components are both happy enough with the situation at this point, as am I."

  At 7XA's quick but visibly hesitant nod (we were both doing that a lot, I noticed), I smiled slightly wider, before stepping backwards to make some space.

  "Just a moment, if you'd please."

  Light.

  ---

  Blinking slightly out of reflex, I glanced around only to all but freeze as three sets of eyes rather effectively pinned me in place, even if one of them were blinking in an almost exact mirror to my own.

  Then my-then Emerald (oh damn it there was so much to unpack over that little mental tick) was sighing and running a hand through her hair, and one of the Citrines was apparently making some kind of apology that was pretty much just washing over me because holy shit being a part of Onyx was one Hell of a rush.

  Fucking...punching and dodging and deflecting and being able to tell which blow would land when and where and oh man it was so fucking cool! We'd had katars for weapons! Fucking katars! For just a short amount of time, I'd felt like Stars damned Captain America or something. A super soldier, yet one that was adept at both matters inside and outside of combat.

  I'd felt bloody invincible.

  ...

  It...it brought to mind Pearl's issues with Sardonyx. If they even were issues yet, maybe not. Regardless, that was my first thought after getting off the...what, the fusion high? It just...it felt incredibly easy to get sucked up into the greatness of it, I supposed.

  Even now, without the fusion's sheer processing power and distinctly analytical mind at work backing me up, I could still just barely make out the hints of expression on the admiral's face indicating that she'd apparently enjoyed it just as much as I had. And judging by the slight widening of her eyes and upwards quirk of her lip, she'd just realised I had as well.

  Which...was good. That we both knew that we both also in turn knew and that we'd both enjoyed it after sorting ourselves out. That was good. Right? Probably? Had that fusion been healthy? It had definitely felt healthy and we both seemed to have come out distinctly better for it-

  Right. Calm.

  Feelings were a complicated thing, and I could deal with them later. Maybe. Besides, despite my somewhat more positive than usual state, I had other issues to resolve right now, like the babbling Gem multiple times my size damn near close to tears as she threw no small amount of emotional word vomit at me.

  Not to discredit her, of course. It was very touching now that I knew she wouldn't grind my gemstone into dust or send me back to the Reef for having the wrong opinion. Friendship goals, hey!

  "-and we never intended to make you feel-we never knew you were scared and I'm sorry that I thought-"

  7XA's mouth closed with an audible 'clack' as I turned to stare at her, taking a deep, very much unnecessary but incredibly soothing breath of fresh air.

  "...I forgive you. You didn't know and I'm also sorry it all had to settle like this and I'm really glad we can go forward without...all of that being an issue anymore. So, let's move on and maybe work out how we're gonna repeat this process with the rest of the crew, okay?"

  At her nod and the understanding in her eyes as she finally realised the utter shit we were gonna need to deal with after all of this, I finally exhaled.

  "Okay. Now, can we all please get out of this cell? It feels very crowded in here."

  Getting three simultaneous nods in response, I promptly turned on my heel and stepped out of the cell.

  Only to in turn feel a pair of (by now) familiar blue arms wrap around my lightform, Brim's excited voice filling my hearing as I stiffened in place.

  "I really liked that! That was something I really liked!"

  ...Damn it Bri-no. No, I truly couldn't blame her this time.

  I'd really liked that as well. Green Onyx was great.

  Feeling a slight grin tug against my lips, I let my still somewhat giddy mood express itself in the raising of my arms as I hugged the Lapis Lazuli right back, prompting a pleased croon from the glorified rock cutter.

  Then my eye twitched as one of the Citrines giggled from somewhere behind me, prompting an amused grunt from Emerald and a chuckle from their batchmate.

  Big clods. The lot of them. Who were they to laugh at me and my clingy Lapis?!