Memory Crystal

Chapter 3: Taking The First Step

Sorry for the long wait everyone! This author had their final exams, and... most of them are the result of my overwhelming ability of procrastination—

Either way, enough about me, now it's time for Chapter 3!! I made it longer than the last one to make up for my absence!

Memory Crystal_3

"Turquoise! Look at this!" Opal grabbed them by their hand and placed their hand on top of a smooth object. Turquoise they frowned as they struggled to figure the unknown object out by its smooth texture. "What is this?" They could almost feel Opal's smile as blurted out words that Turquoise never expected to hear so soon.

"It's your new pair of legs!" Turquoise only gaped in shock, their brain failing to process this sudden information.

"Legs..?" Opal laughed at their dumbfounded answer as they embraced Turquoise happily. "Green Fluo and Spinel went out the other day in search for materials that would fit you. By some miracle there was a mass of healthy gemstones hidden behind a soft dirt wall, and better yet they have your materials!" Opal squealed in excitement.

"You sound like you're happier than Turquoise." Spinel blurted as they slumped onto their chair. "I agree." Rutile deadpanned, "They're most likely happy because they wouldn't have to carry them everywhere." Opal pouted, "So what? It's only natural to be happy for my partner—" Spinel cocked a brow at that. "Hold on, partner?" Opal froze, noticing their slip in words as they mumbled softly under their breath. "Oops."

"A-anyhow, let's try patching your legs up! I can't wait!" Spinel only gave them a side glance, seeing Opal's stubborn expression they could only sigh and let them off the hook for now. "Good point." Rutile went over and grabbed the container full of tree sap, pinching a tweezer with a small ball of cotton and dipping it into the bright caramel sap.

Opal quickly carried Turquoise and laid them on the medical bed, grasping their hand the entire time. Swiftly, Rutile glued the gemstone onto them, the gemstone slipping into Turquoise's uneven edges with a soft clink. Rutile slowly let go and backed away as Spinel walked forward. Spinel was wearing a pair of bizarre goggles, with several extra lenses on the side for magnification. They leaned over and pushed a lens over their eye, observing with great focus on how Turquoise's inclusions behave.

At first, the dull inclusions seem to reject the apatite, staying away from the edge and huddling close to one another, causing Turquoise to temporarily have paralysis. The blue gem stopped responding to Opal's nonsensical chatter and just laid on the bed stiffly. To Spinel's confusion, Turquoise's inclusions started to get riled up, suddenly creating conflict within them as they rapidly moved, some inclusions were pushed over the edge and into their new legs.

"Spinel, I don't think this is a good idea—" Opal called out when they saw Turquoise's eyes started drooping shut.

The conflict of the inclusions were burning off Turquoise's energy as they fell asleep. "Wait." Spinel's crispy cold voice halted the words hanging off Opal's tongue as they desperately turned to Rutile for help. To their demise, Rutile only gave them a side glance before continuing to observe Turquoise's inclusions through the naked eye.

The inclusions seemed to clamor down, smaller groups started to venture into the new area, exploring the area. Soon the conflict died down, a large portion of them still preferring to live in the torso, not crossing the boundaries. The others seemed to settle down in the new area, but it could barely be considered as progress.

"Alright." Spinel pushed the lens back to its original position before straightening themselves, pushing the goggles to their forehead as they had a thoughtful look on their face. "What's the problem? Why did they fall asleep?" Opal was anxious to know the reason as they walked closer to Spinel, trying to prove their need to know.