Steven Universe: The Diamond Legacy

Tea Above the Sea

Hello Readers!

The mysterious new Gem will be introduced next chapter, but in the meantime I wanted to write a short chapter with Nora and Skyla. I feel Skyla doesn't get much attention between Chalcedony and Selene, but she is just as important, and she was Nora's close friend before the story began. Hope you all enjoy.

Also 200 votes! Thanks a million!

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I breathed in the salty ocean breeze as I sat on the statue's Hand above the sea, a picnic blanket spread on its palm with a delicious lunch basket set up. "That was so nice of Gala to send this." I unwrapped the basket, setting up the deli sandwiches, soup, tea, and delicious homemade pastries. "Thanks for sharing this lunch with me Skyla. It's been a while since we've spent time together."

"No problem Nora." The sweet-natured Lapis smiled. "I love spending time with you. You're one of my best friends." We sat across from each other, enjoying our meal to the sound of the waves and Grandpa's radio show Beach City Drift. "It almost feels like everything's back to normal, us sitting and having lunch together."

"Yeah, just like the good ol' days." I remarked humorously. "Back when I was living the life as an average teenage girl who didn't have a tyrannical empress out to kill me because of a prophecy saying I'd doom her empire."

Selene laughed. "You're so funny!"

"Why thanks." I grinned. "Most people don't expect me to have a sense of humor, being y'know...but once I'm comfortable with them and they get to know me, I am the master of comedy."

"I'd say you're pretty comfortable around me." Skyla said. "I remember when you first started working at the orchard, you were so shy and quiet. You didn't talk to anyone unless they talked to you first, or you needed help."

"Yeah. It was a strange new environment with new people and it was my first ever job, I had to process what I was doing while trying make a good impression on everyone. You were the first one I felt comfortable around. I felt like, even if I messed up, you'd be okay and understand."

A relationship grew between us. I'd never expected to make another friend outside my high school group (I miss them so much!) but we hit it off really quickly and less than a month after starting my job, Skyla asked me if I wanted to hang out  at the Town Square.

"I wanted you to feel you had someone to help you." Skyla said, looking out at the direction of Gem City, the sunlight glimmering on her face. "I remembered what it was like when I first came to Earth. I felt so alone and scared being in an unfamiliar new place, but then I found Gems who'd been in my shoes and they helped me through."

"You went to Little Homeschool?" I said. 

"Yes, it was really nice to be in a place with other Gems in the same position as I was. I learned how to live on Earth, how to interact with humans, and I found my own path that wasn't what I originally was meant for, but still used my gifts."

"Horticulture." I said. "Using your water powers  to nurture plants and create gardens. Gala's lucky to have you as her employee."

"She's lucky to have you as a niece." Skyla nudge me. "Yes. When I met you, I wanted to pay it forward, to be someone's helper like they were to me."

"You really were a big help to me Sky, and you still are." I hugged her. "Thank you for sticking with me through all this. I know you're not doing this because Gala's compensating you. It means so much to me  and I feel awful that I'm keeping you away from your normal life and your job." 

Skyla hugged me in response. "No, don't ever feel awful about it. I'm here for you Nora, and I'll always be here when you need me."

We sat on the beach after lunch with our feet buried beneath the sand and the waves curling at our toes.  I watched Skyla levitate the water, twisting and morphing it into unique shapes. She often liked to play with it  the same way I enjoyed messing with light projections. It was one of the many things I connected to her from. "That's such a cool power to have."

"Thanks." Skyla smiled. "It comes in handy a lot of times." She shifted the water into a familiar shape. "Hey that's me!" I laughed.

"It is." She giggled, splashing the water into the sand, bending both the water and sand from her will and building a makeshift sandcastle. "You're a genius Sky." I complimented, flexing my fingers. "It must be so nice to have a power that you're allowed to use. Something that's part of you that you can utilize to the fullest, nobody tells you not to because they think  it's dangerous."

"I never want to utilize them to the fullest." Skyla said quietly, guilt and fear swept across her face. "I've seen how scary they can be."

"But you can still use them, even if it's a small amount. You don't have to suppress a part of yourself." I encased the water blobs she levitated in bubbles.

"You never have to suppress them around me." Skyla held a bubble in her hand, shifting the water inside like a lava lamp. "I trust you."