Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The creation of a new Gem was exceedingly rare. However, the unique, mountainous world that Blue Diamond had recently conquered was rich with resources and perfect for experimentation. Besides, Pink begged her to do it. It was their little pet project.

Admittedly, feeling the tiny form adjust itself slightly in her hands, Blue felt an almost equally rare twinge of excitement—a feeling that showed even greater on Pink’s face as the smaller ruler rode on her shoulder. Excitement… and nervousness. Getting approval for something as world-changing as the introduction of a new Gem into society was massive. If things went sour though…

Well, Blue hoped Pink wouldn’t be too disappointed. Blue didn’t entirely understand Pink’s line of thinking for what need this Gem would fulfill, but relating it as something similar to her own abilities, she had agreed to give her the chance to see it through in the end. The smaller Diamond had longed to be more active in the affairs of the empire—to do what White, Yellow, and herself did—for an eternity now.  This was a big step. 

“Just let me talk it out with them, alright?” she asked Pink not for the first time before they entered the large assembly hall in White’s dwelling.  This project had become personal to Blue as well, given how much of her own time and essence was poured into it.  Yellow and White, however, were far more practical.  They would need convincing…

Pink nodded, her eyes practically twinkling.  Although she wasn’t entirely convinced, Blue offered her a soft grin.  Then, with a deep breath, the two Diamonds entered.

Save for the Diamonds and the silent Pearls at their feet, they were alone. They caught Yellow and White in some discussion regarding the repurposing of Gem Shards. It sounded serious, so Blue was hesitant to interrupt them as first; however, she and Pink’s abrupt presence alone caught their attention.  Yellow seemed almost annoyed while White glanced down, eyes slightly wide with curiosity, at Blue’s cupped hands.   

Blue had learned long ago that it was usually better to cut to the chase with the both of them, especially Yellow, “Yellow, White… I finished creating that new Gem I told you about. Pink helped me make her.”  She emphasized that last claim a little extra warmth, hoping the mention of their youngest would keep the pair from speaking with too harsh a judgement.

The Gem that Blue revealed in her palm was small and thin; a little shorter than a Pearl, but with a slightly more hourglass shape. Her face was round and simple, yet cute, with wide, bright eyes that complimented a gentle smile and a long mane with a widow’s peak. Since she was new, she still appeared doll-like, without much uniform or decoration, like most others that lacked the necessary programming for their established roles. As for her gem itself, it had an ovular cut and was located on the outside of her right forearm.

 “This is Andesine: She’s… a servant-type Gem,” Blue explained, trying to begin the pitch she and Pink had worked on together, “Say ‘hello,’ Andesine.”

Immediately, Andesine raised her hands in front of her chest in the traditional salute. “Greetings, my Diamonds!” Her voice was light, yet smooth—pleasant to listen to—and her superiors could approve of humility in it. “Thank you for this gift of life! I hope to serve you well.”

What caught the other two Diamond’s interest the most was her color: A set of blueish-greens sprinkled with a deep, reddish-pink. The latter flooded over her irises to parade across her cheeks like a fine dust, as well as painted her simple outfit. That in itself wasn’t out of the ordinary: She had been, after all, both Blue’s and Pink’s design, so it was natural for her to draw shades from the both of them—though, truly, a little bit of all of the Diamonds’ essences had been mixed in. She actually didn’t appear too different from a Watermelon Tourmaline’s coloration.

Soon though, as the seconds passed, Yellow and White noticed a faint change. Both the Andesine’s body and gem began to turn monochrome, consumed by the cooler color.

“What’s wrong with her?” White asked, a little disgusted, but mostly bewildered.

Taking White’s softer tone with encouragement, Blue answered, “It’s a special trait of this one. It means she’s happy.”

A brief moment of silence passed. While it certainly left little room for deceit in a subject, it was hard to call it a useful skill either.  In truth, it reminded the Diamonds more of off-colors. Yellow stared at the Gem dubiously before raising her gaze back to Blue, “Fine… You said she was a servant-type then? What exactly did you make her for?”

“To be a helpful companion.  To be a good listener who can stand at another Gem’s side when needed.”

Before she could say more, Yellow scoffed, “So what?  She’s basically a Pearl then?” At this, her own Pearl also frowned, either in simple agreement with her Diamond or peeved at the idea of the lesser replacement. “Blue, why would you let Pink waste resources for this?”

“No! You don’t get it! She’s not supposed to just listen and nod, or do basic chores, like a Pearl.” With the early scolding, the smallest Diamond couldn’t keep herself quiet as she’d promised. Pink suddenly jumped into the conversation, standing up and throwing her arms wide, “The Andesines can be problem-solvers, go-betweens—an every-gem for any gem who needs them!”

Blue glanced at Pink, urging her to be quiet, but she wouldn’t stop.  Just as she was about to warn her not to step out of line, she spotted White still staring hard at the Andesine, completely quiet. She allowed Pink to continue.

“Whether you need help solving a disagreement with another Gem or just need someone to talk to, they’ll be there,” Pink said, her eyes growing softer the more she spoke.  On the outside, she too seemed to be staring at the Andesine, though a closer look might reveal at that her words regarded a much more internal matter. “Always supportive and smiling, like the good friend you’ve always wanted…”

“You mean like your Spinel?” Yellow dismissed again, rubbing her temple, “I think you have enough toys to keep you entertained, Pink.  This is important work.  White, please tell her—!”

She cut herself short. Rather than share her frustration, White’s expression was one of… intrigue.  She was reserved, but intrigued nevertheless.  She didn’t completely dismiss this idea.    

“It’s not bad,” after a long, unnerving silence, White finally mused aloud, tapping a finger against her cheek, “Still, I don’t think the role of companion or servant fits this one.” She stepped closer. “No, she could be much more useful…”

While the Andesine had been nothing but content, as the much larger Diamond soon loomed over Pink, Blue, and herself, her grin faltered. It was extremely subtle, but tiny, magenta specks began to bleed onto her face once more as she stared blankly at the matriarch. Pink Diamond’s smile faded away completely, as if she could sense a change in the discussion for the worst.

Blue, however, was satisfied enough that White approved of the new Gem at all. Of course, adjustments were to be expected. “What do you have in mind?”

White continued to tap the corner of her mouth thoughtfully. She held out her hand in a silent instruction for Blue to pass on the Andesine to her. Blue gave her over. In the other’s hold, the Andesine remained perfectly still.

“You both may be onto something. Yes, she could give consul… She could keep her fellow Gems content, quiet them down should they fall out of line or show any unrest. As useful as they are, there’s only so much the Agates can do through fear and aggression alone.”

Seemingly reaching her desired conclusion, White’s grin grew wider. She reached down with one finger, tapping the Andesine on the head with the tip of her nail.

“Something more along the lines of… an orator, or maybe even a proxy should we require it,” she hummed, “Blue, Pink… you may have made the perfect little doll.”

Chapter Text

“Can you believe it? We can’t believe it, 13XT…” The faces of three cheerful Andesines crowded together within the frame of the terminal, squealing in unison, “You’re our new Shining!!”

The trio’ emitted such a loud, delighted shriek that it was a wonder that they didn’t short-out the device on their end. A single Andesine, 13XT, tried to make the nervous smile she gave them back as natural as possible. Besides not wanting them to worry, there were too many eyes here—all of them indignant and on her from the loud uproar the group was making.  

“We’re so happy for you, T!”

“No, no! We have to call her ‘Our Rarest’ now!”

“Ah, you’re right!” Even if the three might’ve noticed their friend’s discomfort, they were too swept away in their own excitement, now babbling more to each other than to her.

“We heard the Shinings can get lonely.”

“Oh, are you ok?”

“We miss you already!”

“We’ll transfer to Homeworld soon!”

“We can’t wait to see you!”

“We have to celebrate!”

We, we, we… She would miss that.  Andesines almost always spoke in collectives.  As a Shining though, she would have to get used to using terms like ‘I’ or ‘me’ more often.  Standing at the forefront of her kind, there was no choice.   

13XT listened to them with the same, painted-on smile. As much as she hated all the attention she was getting, if her newfound role had been switched with any other Andesine, she would’ve acted the very same. Becoming a Shining was the highest position an Andesine would ever receive. It was an honor, to be considered a ‘shining example’ for all others.

No Andesine actually wanted the position, but it was something they had to cheer about for the sake of the unlucky soul who got it.

13XT tried to get a word in between the group. “I’m fine… Green as can be…” She tired straightening herself a bit, but mostly just succeeded in raising her taut shoulders, “Gems, it’s not that big a deal, really…”    

Her attempts to quiet them down failed miserably. 13XV, an Andesine with part of her hair covering one eye, clasped her hands together in front of her chest, “No one knew who was going to replace our last Shining! Andesines were turning red at the thought. Our entire Cut is so proud of you!”

“’Not that big a deal?!’” 13XR raised a brow at her humble statement, holding out her own hands in an all-encompassing way, “Thanks to you, all four of us are going to be living on Homeworld! Helping elites!”

All Andesines already mirrored each other almost flawlessly, but 13XS and 13XR was so perfectly matched that it was the envy the others. The only way to tell them apart was by which direction their hair favored. The former encouraged her, “Just think of Blue Diamond! You could get summoned by Blue Diamond!”

“Blue Diamond?! I don’t know….” This time, 13XT’s grin faltered a bit. Her mind screamed a fierce, terrified rejection that she dared not voice aloud.  

“Oh, don’t be modest!”

“Look at you! So excited, you’re practically speechless!”

13XT could feel a cold pair of eyes pierce through her back.  It was a Pearl with a soft, savoy blue color and her gem in the same place as the Andesines, marking her as one of their servants.  She was the lead servant, the previous Shining’s Pearl—not officially, but everyone knew it.  They had rarely been seen apart, no different than how Andesines stuck with their own, and now…

The negative energy directed toward herself was impossible for 13XT to ignore. Now, she had taken her place.  Now, the previous Shining was likely nothing more than a pile of Gem Shards.

Soon enough, the Pearl interrupted the call. She kept her arms behind her back, appearing calm if somewhat annoyed, “Shining, you do realize you’re on a tight schedule, right?”

Before she could answer, her companions did for her, “Ah, busy already! Well, we won’t keep you, Our Rarest!”

13XT tried to stop them, “W-wait, gems—!”

“Ooh! Blue Lace is here!”

“We gotta go, T!”

“We’ll see you soon!”

Just like that, the transmission was cut. 

“This way…” the Savoy Pearl turned and began walking expectantly before muttering, “The last Shining would never approve of her replacement being late.”

13XT quietly followed.  She hadn’t wanted to say goodbye so early.  When the order came that she would be the new Shining, she’d been whisked off to Homeworld almost immediately—away from one of Blue Diamond’s colonies, the only planet she’d ever known, and the Andesines she’d spent her entire life with.  Her very first order as Shining had been their own transfers, but despite the promise to see each other soon, there was really no telling when they’d get meet again.

On the positive side, Homeworld really was as amazing as she’d imagined it to be. It was a marvel of deep chasms, the best of Gem technology, and the Diamond’s overwhelming presence. It’s Adamantine Hall—where all Andesines both worked and resided—was massive, seen well across the cityscape not far off from the Diamond’s own dwellings.

Given that Andesines under all four of the Diamonds stayed here, she might’ve expected as much, but it was still impressive. Pillars lined its perimeter outside and abstract fixtures like the individual facets of diamonds blossomed at the bottom of four main towers.  Each of these towers was under the authority of a different set of Andesines according to the Diamond they served.

13XT’s jaw hung slack. “Oh my stars…” Walking across a long bridge, she gaped at the structure almost the entire time, “It’s… certainly a lot bigger than the Hall on our colony.  Are there that many of us here…?”

She called to the Pearl, but Savoy didn’t answer. She just kept marching, not so much as bothering to slow her longer strides when the new Shining fell behind. When 13XT tried to ask her to slow down, her request also fell on deaf ears. Eventually, she fell silent.

Andesines and their Pearls had a… complicated partnership, to say the least.  On the surface, there was little difference than how other Gems and their Pearls conducted themselves, with the latter in the servant’s position. The issue was, as public servants, both the Andesines and Pearls worked closely together.  No Andesine truly owned a Pearl, but rather a collective of Pearls worked under a collective of Andesines. The Pearls assisted their Andesines in their daily tasks while the Andesines gave their Pearls the same help they’d give anyone else.

In the best of cases, if a Pearl and Andesine were close, they could give each other a bit more freedom from social rules. However, there were still many interactions that were more like what 13XT was experiencing now. Pearls might be servants, but Andesines weren’t supposed to complain. Therefore, each was perfect for the other as a scapegoat to their own frustrations.   

At least Savoy’s neglect was understandable. Stone-faced as she was, 13XT could still feel the Pearl’s grief and resentment. Few might’ve been able to feel it, but for an Andesine, it trickled from her like water bled from a rock.  Not only was the leader she served gone, but the one now in her position was an outsider.       

Besides, while she had every right to call out the Savoy Pearl’s behavior, nothing good would come out of it. The last thing 13XT needed was a confrontation on her first day.  Every Andesine—no, every Gem that laid eyes on her—would be paying attention to her every action.  She could be criticized for being too meek, but the danger of being criticized for acting aggressively was much worse. Giving how upset Savoy was, she also wouldn’t have put it past the Pearl to exaggerate any negative thing she said.  If she just put up with this for now, she could get another Pearl on her side later.   

The Hall was not only open to Andesines and their Pearls, but all Gems.  It was necessary for Andesines to be available to whoever needed them at all times.  Moreover, the Hall doubled as a place of cleansing; an alternative to the spires only available to intellectuals or temples which were fewer and father between.  Currently, it wasn’t too crowded, but there was an ever-diverse bunch of Gems inside—all escorted by sets of Andesines.

Even with the presence of so many others that shared her gem, it was hard for 13XT to breathe any easier.  A few who recognized her—or, rather, the fact that Savoy was with her—dipped their heads in greeting before rushing off to whisper among themselves. On one hand, it allowed her to get a read of the place: On the other, she would’ve rather blended in with their numbers.

“Shouldn’t I greet the other Andesines?”

If still without looking back her way, Savoy answered at least one of her questions at last, “You’re too busy to socialize.  It’s enough that they know you’re here.”

13XT muttered a soft ‘oh’ in discontent, but nothing more.

Eager to focus on anything other than the challenge ahead, she stretched her senses to the flow of energy around her.  There was a tension to the air only those with her ability could feel, no doubt stemming from the stress of catering to elites on top of the sheer amount of problems these Homeworld Andesines were required to mediate daily. As always though, no Andesine wore anything other than a bright smile. 

While the towers of the Adamantine Hall were divided by the Diamond one served, each level was divided by caste.  The first level consisted mostly of a grand receiving chamber; simple, but carved with beautiful stonework.  There was plenty of seating and visuals of the Diamonds to decorate its space. Travelling either by warp pad or by the triangular-shaped stairs winding through each tower, the mid-levels above that consisted mostly of various wellness facilities: Pools, salt beds, or even just basic offices for Gems that required nothing more than some conversation. These facilities were available according to Gem-type. 

All in all, still nothing too different from what 13XT was familiar with on the colony.  Even the hidden room and passages linked between levels—the empty, dim spaces where Andesines and Pearls tucked themselves away when there was no work to be done—were the same.  There were mirror rooms for polishing one’s speech and body language, crowded cubby rooms, and isolation chambers for when temporary removal was necessary.

If there was any difference besides the sheer scale of the Hall, it was the towers themselves.  Andesines under separate Diamonds rarely worked together outside of Homeworld.  The only clear variation between them, they even dressed differently depending on the leader they served—as a reflection of the matriarchs rather than their own class. For example, an Andesine under Yellow donned as rigid an appearance as she did, while those under Blue wore long, flowy attire. The changes in the towers went the same, the one 13XT would be staying in leaning toward a blue palette with much heavier imagery of her Diamond.

At the top of each tower was a large office allotted to the Shinings.  On one side was a warp pad for distinguished guests; on the other, a desk and plenty of seating.  In the middle of the chamber was an elegant podium fixed with a Diamond centerpiece.  The space had no walls, held up only by glass and a set of twisting columns.  As 13XT stared outside to Homeworld’s shimmering horizon, she could almost feel all of Homeworld staring right back.  It was as if—sitting at the highest position in the Hall, contained within the glass—she had become nothing more than figure on display.

It was getting harder and harder to hide her nerves, “This is really ornate for one Andesine…”

The Savoy Pearl almost scoffed, “Of course! You’ll be conducting meetings with elites, after all.  I’ll be assisting you today, but I’d suggest remembering the words of the last Shining.” 

As she drew closer, 13XT could almost feel the other Gem looming over her:

“’A greenish glimmer is beauty unspoken. A reddened radiance is better off broken.’ Do try not to forget that.”