LOG-157.
LOG-157.
Finally getting back into contact with Fawn after over a decade of silence was…just about what I expected, really.
[We are all so, so sorry.]
Lots of surprise on their part. Lots of apologies too. And of course, Azurite doing her damned best to start informing the higher echelons of the organisation that their supposedly lost agent was, as a matter of fact, still alive and kicking.
It was with a discerning eye that I watched my fellow operative's typing mannerism abruptly change to something distinctly more technical, various instructions being given in favour of self flagellation.
Naturally, I followed them. I'd been part of the rebel group long enough to know when a specialist was telling me how to upgrade my gear, after all.
A few tabs of opened and modified code later, and the two way connection between my datapad and the one I'd had Seventeen A deliver Azurite had been upgraded into a chatroom type setup, one which was rapidly devolving as various Coordinators and agents demanded answers and explanations.
Things like how I was alive. Where I'd been for the past few cycles. And how I'd apparently managed to escape White fucking Diamond, as a matter of course.
To their credit, just about everyone shut the hell up when they realised I was typing up a response, eagerly awaiting information.
[Has Fawn been compromised?]
Unfortunately for them and their burning curiosity, I had questions of my own which I needed answered first. The most prominent of which elicited a brief flood of responses, before whichever Gem was actually behind the network keeping the channel open silenced the lot of them, acting as a glorified moderator.
It was Azurite that answered me, in the end.
[A lot has changed. Fawn has been integrated into a significantly wider rebel network.]
Raising an eyebrow at that, I leaned forward slightly, elbow propping me up against my desk as I shot a quick glance towards my still locked office door, before turning my gaze back to the screen of the datapad.
[Summarise for me please. Did my information prove useful? And how is your new Pearl?]
A long pause followed, whether because the Gem on the other end of the line needed time to think, or whether because she was just a slow typer.
I took the time to approve a few requisitions being sent from the Reef's custodial staff, before focusing as a new, longer message made itself known.
[Your intelligence regarding a certain solar system was correct. Thank you for just springing that on all of us with little to no warning, by the way. To make things as short as possible, Fawn, Fight, Flight, and major portions of Freeze have been steadily migrating to this solar system over the course of your absence. We are more united than ever, due to the presence of a certain Gem that I will not name over unsecured channels.]
There was a slight pause, before another portion of Gem Glyph appeared on the screen.
[You have done more for our efforts against the Authority than any lone Gem has ever accomplished. And 'my' Pearl is doing quite well, thank you for asking. She told me to relay her greetings.]
Smiling slightly and trying to keep the stinging in my eyes in check, I leaned back, keeping the device propped up with one hand even as I brought the other up to rest my cheek against, letting out a shuddering breath as I did so.
"...Fuck. Okay."
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Shaking the reverie that had befallen me off, I typed out my next message, hitting send with a small grimace.
[That's good. I can't stay long, since I have a lot to deal with. Here are the most important details for you all to go over, at least until we can speak again. White Diamond appears to suspect nothing of my actual purpose, and chose to confiscate me from Yellow Diamond due to her assault of Blue Diamond. I was...changed into a Nacre, though the exact details escape me. This was done during my absence. I have now been designated the Overseer of the Reef-]
Scowling slightly as the familiar pinging sound of someone requesting my presence over the terminal system invaded the comfortable silence of my office, I shook my head and amended the end of my explanation.
[-and I need to leave for now, in order to maintain my cover. Keep in touch, I will try to find more time to resume our conversation. Kind regards, your favourite green Star.]
Standing up, I squinted at the second ping emanating from my desk's terminal, before shoving the datapad into my storage space with a sigh and moving to see just what problem needed addressing next.
—
Eventually, I found myself returning to the restoration pools, hands folded behind my back and heels pointedly clicking against the ground as I made my way inside, locking eyes with the Gem who had called me there.
Nacre One looked simultaneously eager and resigned at my presence, pushing off from the decorative pillar she'd been leaned up against to approach me as the doors I'd passed through slid shut, her eyes glancing at them for a second before flicking back towards me.
"Overseer."
"Caretaker."
My blunt response drew a wince from the lithe Gem, before she shook her head and balled her hands into fists at her sides, expression turning hesitant.
"I…in regards to what happened in my office-"
Acknowledging proper hierarchy even when dealing with personal matters. Is prepared to make concessions or promise favours. She'll likely attempt to beg for my forgiveness if that fails.
She paused as I held up my own hand, sighing at how silly my life had partly become.
"Your games are ultimately harmless. Regardless, I want exactly nothing to do with them. It is your business, and I expect you to ensure that it remains your business. Am I understood?"
My counterpart opened her mouth, prepared to say something no doubt, before slowly bowing her head, eyes closing.
"Yes, my Overseer. Thank you for your discretion and patience."
Staring at the Nacre in discomfort for a few seconds, I finally nodded, crossing my arms as she looked back up.
"Good. Now I sincerely hope you didn't drag me all the way out here just for that. This is about 1A, yes?"
And just like that, the obedient attitude faded, a light flickering to life in the Caretaker's eyes as she bobbed her head up and down in confirmation.
"The last of the damage has sealed over entirely, and I have personally confirmed there are no remaining faults in her gemstone. However she has been…requesting to be released back to the service of her Diamond, and I felt it prudent to contact you prior to any major decision making."
There was an urge to wince at the words, one I repressed in favour of stepping past my fellow Nacre, making my way towards the section of the area I knew would lead to the pools.
Judging by the sound of a second set of heeled feet beginning to move behind me, One had chosen to follow, so I chose to speak, keeping my voice level as I did so.
"Has Yellow Diamond been informed of her Pearl's current state?"
A pause.
Yes, she has. Nacre One expects that the action will lead to complications in the future, yet she didn't think she really had any choice in the matter.
"Yes my Overseer. Standing procedure, as per her order, was to keep her updated in regards to any changes."
That time I did wince, features scrunching up slightly before I smoothened them out into my usual flawless mask.
"Unfortunate. I've taken the time to inspect some of the memos sent to the Reef that coincided with my own arrival. As per White Diamond's personal order, 1A is to be confined to the Reef indefinitely until such a time that she has decided her fellow Diamond has earned the right to be reunited with her adjutant."
The slight hiss of air that the Caretaker behind me let out was expected, even as we passed through yet another doorway, past glittering murals and magnificent statues, bringing us into sight of a series of pools, only one of which was occupied.
The yellow figure hunched within one of them looked miserable, all things considered. Knees pulled up to her chest and arms wrapped around her legs, leaving her practically curled in place, half submerged in glittering water as I approached.
Of course the Pearl sprang to her feet the second the echo of our footsteps reached her, previously complicated expression turning indignant, sparkling liquid splashing around her limbs as she waded her way out of the repairing solution and onto the floor, trace remnants dripping off of her lightform to impact the ground as she turned her glaring gaze up towards me.
"Finally! I've been waiting for far too long! And I…"
And then promptly hesitated, eyes widening as a note of wondering familiarity entered her tone.
"And I…my apologies, you look…exceedingly familiar. Have we met?"
Arching an eyebrow as I stared down at the Pearl, I smiled slightly, allowing some of my own amusement to enter my voice.
"Well I'd certainly hope so. As I recall, we briefly met within our Diamond's palace. I was then abducted, rescued, and even ended up briefly working beneath her, though only during your unfortunate absence of course."
The statement earned a blink from the tall yet relatively short Gem, even as Nacre One took her place at my side, glancing between us but choosing to remain silent.
"Oh. Viridian Pearl order Sixteen B? The ah…the deserter admiral's Pearl?"
"...Yes, though most refer to me as Overseer within the limits of this facility."
"...Oh."
"Mm, that does tend to be the reaction."
Turning, I waved my arm, even as I began to stride away.
"Come along, we'll talk somewhere less…wet."
The two other Gems briefly glanced at each other at that, the Nacre staring down at the Pearl for a second as yet another droplet of water splattered against the ground.
Then, as was expected, they both obediently moved to follow.