Melanite's Moonstone

Chapter 5

        The diamonds had entered, one after another, announced by their pearls. They sat in their thrones, gazing at the crowd before them. Yet only one was missing...Rosy Brown Pearl stood at the front of the crowd, the spotlight on her. She seemed nervous...

        ",,,Taupe Diamond...is busy right now. I will be taking her place tonight," Rosy said, her voice softly trembling. Rainbow Diamond gave her an encouraging smile as Rosy went to Taupe's throne, trying to climb up.

        Rainbow watched her try for a minute before reaching over, giving her a boost. "There we go!" she cheered. Rosy gave her a sheepish smile.

        Rainbow Diamond looked over the crowd, beaming. "Welcome, everyone! Thank you so much for coming to Pink Champagne's ball- As you can see by the coral theme tonight!"

        The crowd cheered. Ah...so that's why Taupe didn't come. Tonight's ball was hosted by Pink Champagne. Got it.

        Pink Champagne giggled. "Someone REALLY tried to fight me on it being coral!" She looked up diagonally...

        "HEY," Sunset Diamond yelled to be heard by the whole crowd, "I TRIED TO SAY IT WAS ROSE GOLD! IF YOU'RE GONNA EXPOSE ME, DO IT PROPERLY!"

        Rainbow Diamond burst out laughing from the interaction, shaking the entire ballroom.

        Cyan Diamond gripped their seat. "Rain- RAINBOW! Y-you're going to make me fall!" Cyan looked down at the top of Pink Champagne's head. They were quite a ways in the air.

        "Don't worry! I'd catch you!" Pink Champagne said, looking up. Cyan smiled sheepishly back down at her. Mint Pearl's brow furrowed and she looked away.

        Rainbow Diamond sat back down and nodded to the musicians- officially ringing in the ball. As gems began to mingle more, the courts beginning to merge, Melanite rushed over to where Taupe's gems were, looking around. There weren't very many of them...But that gem had to be here, right? Melanite looked around, hoping to find Mocha Sapphire. She...she wasn't there. Why wasn't Mocha there?! She was the one who predicted that the special gem would be here! She TOLD her to come here! She-

        Melanite looked around once more, freezing completely as her eyes fell on a gem. Elegant, poised, soft-spoken...Smiling, laughing with other gems of Taupe's court...Melanite couldn't help but stare at the absolute beauty that was this new gem. Melanite had never seen a gem like her before...Since when did Taupe get one of these? Melanite knew Taupe had them in other colors, but...Never one like this.

        Melanite felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around, breaking her stare. She looked into the eyes of Mystic Topaz.

        "Mel...Are you okay?" Topaz asked gently. "I haven't seen you since...you know..."

        Melanite smiled softly. "I appreciate your worry...but I assure you, I'm alright." She looked back over her shoulder at the new gem.

        Topaz raised an eyebrow. "Are...you sure? You seem to be staring at that gem..."

        Melanite blinked, snapping back out of it and looking at Topaz. "...Topaz...I've never seen a gem like her before. Who is she? What's her name?

        Topaz laughed softly. "Oh, her?" She nodded over to her. "She's new. Just emerged yesterday! She comes from a new batch on one of Taupe's colonies, she's the only variant of her kind that's that color. That's why she's so popular already! Pretty, isn't she?"

        Melanite and Topaz both looked over at the new gem. Topaz whispered to Melanite.

        "I can see why you have your eyes on her...That's Coffee Moonstone."