"Evelyn, I require your assistance," Karin said as she walked out of the small tavern and into the stable where Evelyn was preparing her Wyvern for flight.

"Whatever for may I ask lady Valliere?" Evelyn responded politely as he continued to adjust her Wyverns saddle.

"I need you to come up with an excuse that stops the Gems from considering accepting a proposal that I have been putting off, and will have to bring up today."

Evelyn froze for a moment before tightening the last strap on the saddle and turning to Karin. "I have not pressed you for anything despite some of what you have said over these past few days, both because it is not respectful and improper. However I will need more information if I am to consider even attempting such a thing, as you are directly asking me to impede Tristainian interests, and I am not intent on straining our two nations already limited relations."

"Of course, I expected no less. Let us head to my room to speak," Karin said as she turned and walked back toward the inn.

Evelyn nodded and followed her away from the stables, giving her a view of the small towns main road. Some houses had yet to be rebuilt after the destructive wave had collapsed most of the village, and so many others. The rebuilding was going slowly, but steadily as a squad of Tristainian soldiers had arrived the day after they had first spoken to the Gems. It was an interesting situation as officially they were at war with Albion, but with Albion having fallen from the sky, and their coastline battered by the blast that did it, it seemed they were more focused on repairing their holdings.

And of course gaining some sort of relation with the Gems. That fact had been on Evelyn's mind for a while now, because while Karin was very up front and polite, she was deftly avoiding certain subjects of conversation with them. Over the last week they had spoken to the Gems only three times, mostly as they gave some help in repairing the village they were now in to use it as a rest place, but in those three times they had learned much, but also so very little.

Her musings were cut short when she arrived at the room Karin was using. Like her own it was a simple sparse room of a spwooden framed bed that barely had a mattress, and a simple desk to the side. They were rough, ha ing just barely survived the blast that had wrecked the village, and for most nobility they were so pathetic that they would complain about them nonstop. Of course neither she nor Karin had complained omce, as they had seen the devastation the village had endured.

"Please close the door," Karin requested as she walked a cross the room and closed the windows sparse shutters, darkening the room some as Evelyn closed the door. "I assume you have noticed that I am not speaking of my queen and her wishes of late?"

"I have," Evelyn said with a nod. "I have also noticed that you have been speaking purely of non military knowledge with the Gems, and have been avoiding speaking to the green one called Uraninite."

"so you noticed that. They are related, but until I know one thing for sure, I cannot say much on it and have myself be believed," Karin stated awkwardly. "As I said though, I need you to stop me from either offering a proposal, or stop the Gems from accepting it."

"And that proposal is what, exactly?" Evelyn asked calmly.

"My queen wishes to not only know of the gems, but to have them , one of them specifically, come to the Capitol and speak to her."

"That does not seem to dangerous," Evelyn stated calmly. "Once we have learned much more about them and have delivered such information to our regents I was planning on giving my king such a suggestion that he may meet them himself. It is normal, if nothing else, for a regent to wish to personally meet the leaders of other nations."

"that is the problem, she cannot . . . I mean it would be less than ideal to, they cannot," Karin stopped talking amd took a num er or breaths, seeming to try to calm her down from her agitation. It was odd seeing the one known as the heavy wind and the iron maiden to be acting so agitated and anxious. But as soon as she was calm it became clear from her expression that it was not mere agitation, but something dangerously serious. "I had hoped I could avoid it, but I will need to tell you the whole truth, and due to that I would ask it not leave this room. Can you promise me that?"

"You ask me this knowing I am an envoy from the hated Germania?" Evelyn asked seriously.

"I know you are one who is trustworthy, as is your king. It is merely the arrogant and possessive of Germania I find ill to deal with," Karin replied coolly, now seeming truly in control of her emotions.

"I cannot fully promise such a thing on it's own, but I can promise that information that does not effect my land directly will not be spoke of to any unless you allow it. And any information that does effect my land shall only be told to my king and no others, " Evelyn responded just as seriously, every word properly stresses and made as clear as possible.

Karin looked at Evelyn and nodded, the slightest of smiles gracing her lips. "That will suffice. . . My youngest daughter dissapeared some time ago."

"I believe I had heard something of that," Evelyn said with a nod. "It was said that she simply vanished, or perhaps had ran away."

"That was the official story, as what is the truth is, fanciful at best. Her diary that was left in her room at the academy told of how when she would fall unconcious from her failed spells that she was living a second life. The entries clearly read of how this other life was one she preffered due to the people in it treating her like family, and not like the outcast most had treated her like. Myself included, I admit."

"I see. Raising a child is said to be difficult, but as I have no experience with such a thing . . I am sure you had your best intentions with how you raised her, no?"

"I did. I saw so much of my younger self in her. Prideful, strong willed, intelligent, capable. But her inability to cast magic was a . . . . Problem. In the Hope's that study and hard work could help her through, I made my families rules of to not break rules, and to not let emotions drive you harsher upon her," Karin said, small tears forming at the edges of her eyes. "From reading her diary I now know that was a mistake. She held in everything, never showed how she felt and simply accepted the mockery of others and it ate away at her. And in my attempt to harden her so that she could succeed, she began to feel that ghe only one in our family who cared for her was my daughter cattleya. My whole family made mistakes that led to her feeling like a pariah. Like she was unloved and unwanted."

"I am sorry. And I am also sorry for saying this, but I do not see how this is related to our current situation."

"I am now there," Karin said as she took a deep breath. "Her diary spoke of a ritual to displace her to this other world she believed in. To an island of calm weather inhabited by people who were made of jewels and called Gems."

Evelyn stared at Karin, her expression of of impossible shock and surprise. "That . . You are saying that your daughter had known the Gems beforehand somehow?"

"Yes. And worse, her childhood friend, the princess now queen of Tristain, became intent on bringing her back. And has done so in a sense."

"You mean to say that, the Gems and their island, and perhaps the destructive wave that ruined the coast and destroyed Albion, may be the fault of your queen?" Evelyn asked very carefully.

"It is highly likely, yes," Karin confirmed after a few seconds of silence.

"This, is a lot to hear at once," Evelyn stated as she began massaging her temples with her fingers. "I have two questions, no, three. The first is, how does one transport themselves to a different place or bring a whole island to a place it should not be? The Gems have made it abundantly clear to us that they were never in our world until their island was brought here after all."

"By the Founders own power. By void magic. My daughters diary spoke that, after much research on her own, she came to believe that she had void magic, and that it was the reason she could not do magic normally. Days after she disappeared the queens magic began to change, as did her disposition."

"You mean she inherited the void magic your daughter had like is said in some stories?" evelyn asked, surprising Krin.

"Yes, but such stories are rare and little known, how do you-"

"I mY not be package, but knowledge is still power. I have done very in depth research into magic, and can say with surety that the king of Gallia is likely a void mage."

"I see. That, does explain many things perhaps. I have been told there was one story that stated that the Founders magic often changed a person's perceptions or feelings on matters," Kafrin said with a sigh. "This explains much actually."

"It does, yes. This alo answers another question but I still must ask this due to what you have told me. Diyour daughters diary make any notice as to who she was among them?"

"It did."

"I see that you have already met them then. Did they recognize you?"

Karin simply nodded shallowly.

"I see. Why is it so important that your queen does not meet them? Were they not friends?"

"Yes, but my queen has made comments that make me worried for what she intends. She wishes for my daughter to be by her side, whether she wishes to or not, and I fear that will cause even worse dangers considering what little we have learned of the Gems," Karin said with a heavy sigh. "I received a letter from her last night stating that, while she was impressed with my desire to learn about our neighbour she is ordering I invite them to speak to her directly."

"And you wish for me to find a way to stop such an invite from being viable because you do not believe your queen is in her right mind due to the void magic. Correct?"

"Yes. I have been speaking with Tristains expert on old legends aroundvoid magic via his familiar, and he agrees that we should not allow the queens plan, lest she become power hungry as the mad king of Gallia. And since you have confirmed the rumor that he could be a void mage, that fear now feels very real to me."

"Very well," Evelyn said with a defeated sigh. "I am loathe to participate in such maneuvers, but I understand the need and will do my best to assist. When were you planning on asking the Gems about it?"

"My queens letter insists it be one of the first things I, order, of them."

"So it is not even a request then. We should not tarry then. If it is somehow discovered you are acting slowly when given orders like that, I fear what you may have to deal with," Evelyn said as she turned and opened the door.

"I do as well. But you are right. Let us be off. It has been a few days since we were there due to assisting this village get back on its feet for our stay after all," Karin said as she followed.

"Yes, I just hope nothing extreme has occurred while we have not been there."

Yellow diamond walked through the hills of the school, sighed, and then turned down a hall to the rooms and stuck her head in the doorway to Obsidians room, finding them working on a sword. "Hey, have you seen Uraninite?"

Obsidian looked up to Yellow and shook their head. "No, not since this morning. Uraninite said they were going on a patrol since the human envoys haven't been here these last two days."

"Oh, darn. Rutile is still trying to finish everyone's hardness evaluations, so they asked me to find Uraninite as they are about three hundred years overdue."

"Are they overdue if they, and Sensei, are not even sure if they physically existed during that time?" Obsidian asked, standing up away from the sword on the table, looking to have completed its blade.

"I'm not even going to consider the meaning of that," Yellow diamond said with a shudder.

"Should I go find Rutile as well?" Obsidian then asked, making it clear they hadn't been examined in a while.

"I'm not sure. They were adamant about testing Uraninite and Phosphophylite, but didn't mention anyone else."

"Rutile is testing Phos? They usually pass them over."

"I know, but they said something about being curious how their gold alloy has effected the toughness of their body and their agate legs," Yellow Diamond said with a shrug. "Either way I'm not getting in the way."

"that sounds intelligent," Obsidian agreed as they stretched their arms above their head and then picked up the completed blade off the table. "When do you think those humans will come again?"

"Don't know," Yellow Diamond said as they stepped in and learned agasint the doorframe. They said they would not be here for a few days due to business in a town, but that was all. The idea of a town is weird."

"I agree. Just imagining hundreds of anything is odd, but a grouping of buildings, all filled with people is strange sounding. I wonder why they don't all just live together like we do?"

"theres probably a reason. Could ask them next time they come," Yellow Diamond suggested before tilting their head slightly. "Could also ask Uraninite too I suppose. Might be faster."

Obsidian shook their head. "No, it would better if we ask them questions instead of suddenly just knowing. And I think Uraninite would like that better too."

"True. And it has been telling when they tell us one thing, and how Uraninite tells us it differs to what they are telling us. Even if they are little differences."

"Yes. It's unfortunate we cannot ask them why they are not telling us the real truth without revealing Uraninites past."

"I think its useful. These humans seem to like to lie to us more than any Gem would even consider. Them not knowing we know better is probably best for us. Besides if we can-" Yellow Diamond began, only be cut off as the school bell rang a few times in a strange, and still not fully recognized sequence.

"What was that?!" Obsidian said as they went over to the window I their room and looked out. "I don't see a Sunspot."

"That was the signal for humans I believe," Yellow Diamond provided with a sigh as they stood away from the door. "We should probably go and meet them."

"Right. It's a good thing I finished this blade when I did. If I stop midway they get brittle," Obsidian commented as they walked to the door and joined Yellow Diamond in jogging down the halls of the school.

"Well as long as you don't get brittle," Yellow Diamond joked, making Obsidian just scowl slightly as they came down the stairs to the bottom floor or the school and quickly made their way outside.

Just as before the two humans were by the bell tower with their strange beasts. Unlike other times Phosphophylite was there as well and seemed to be speaking to them. Which was a slight problem as it had been agreed that everyone but the three of them would hold off speaking to any humans as much as possible for the time being.

"Phos, what are you doing?" Yellow Diamond called as they and Obsidian slowed themselves to a casual walk just before Phosphophylite and the two humans turned to look at them.

"Ah, Yellow, I was just speaking to the humans while waiting for you to-" Phosphophylite began today as they ran over.

Only for a hammer to fly through the air, slam into the side of their head, and send them falling sideways into one of the jellyfish pools with a splash.

"Ah," Yellow Diamond gasped , both from the sight, and due to the two humans reactions. They then turned in the direction the hammer came from to see Rutile, looking very pleased with themselves, and Uraninite who had a hand over their face and looked to be shaking their head. "Rutile, what is that about?"

"Phosphophylite keeps running. I simply sought to stop them, and to expedite their hardness test," Rutile responded as Phosphophylite's golden goo began oozing out or the water and wrapping around a nearby stone , providing an anchor to pull themselves out with.

"Of course I am going to run you quack doc! You could have cracked my head open!" Phosphophylite yelled as soon as their head was out of the water.

"The stop running and submit," Rutile commanded as they walked over to Phosphophylite, who was still half in the water, and pulled another hammer out from in their coat.

"Ignore them," Yellow Diamond said to Obsidian with a sigh as they walked straight for the two humans, Uraninite having already walked over and opened conversation with them.

"Welcome again. I apologize you had to see that," Uraninite said stoically.

"It is no trouble, though I will admit I am curious. Would a hammer not be dangerous to your kind?" Evelyn asked, clearly meaning nothing negative in her choice of words.

"They might be, but Rutile knows what they are doing, " Yellow Diamond said with a grin.

"And, what is it that she, I mean they, are doing," Karin asked, looking slightly irked at having to correct herself. After all one of the longest conversation they had early on was the concept of the Gems not having gender.

"A hardness check," Obsidian said before continuing when they noticed the humans confused looks. "Every century Rutile does hardness checks on everyone to make sure everyone is good and solid. They can tell just from the timbre if we have any problems."

"Ah, so that one is some form of healer then?" Karin asked.

"Rutile is our doctor, yes," Yellow Diamond said, earning a strange look from Karin.

"would they not be something else?"

"Why?"

"Well a doctor is. . . . . Ah, excuse me, I made a crass assumption that your meaning of the title would be the same as ours," Karin said with a nod of her head.

"Its fine, I am sure we likely have made some comments about yourselves that may have been as such," yellow Diamond said with a grin. "If its not a problem, may I ask where you have been these last two days though?"

"the closest village to this island of yours is a small fishing village and was devastated by the blast that a accompanied your islands arrival. We elected to stay there and help with the rebuilding efforts to speed the process up is all," Evelyn responded simply.

"oh, I guess that makes sense, though I admit the idea of so many people in a different buildings is a bit odd" Obsidian spoke up. "Why not just have everyone live together?"

"That would be difficult," Evelyn said, sounding upset with her own words. "In human culture there is a divide that certain groups of people do not normally mingle together. Family groups do of course live together, but different families, and those of different classified groups, do not."

"I see," Uraninite said with a light sigh that hid their true thoughts on the matter, and silently told Yellow Diamond and Obsidian that some information had been omitted. "The last day you were here I recall you commented that the room we had chosen to use was dark. Would I be correct in assuming that humans do not do well in dim light?"

"Not exactly," Karin spoke up. "That room was enough for the needs of a meeting, it just may have felt a bit dreary with how bare and dim it was. Humans do not see well in the dark, but that much was not a huge issue."

"Well we can apologize anyway. We have no problems sitting anywhere, but it looked like you both were a bit uncomfortable in there," Yellow Diamond stated with a smile. "Why don't we sit out here or in the fields on the grass to talk?"

"I have no issue with this, if you do not, Dame Evelyn?" karin asked as she looked to Evelyn.

"I like the idea. It reminds me of going on a picnic. Just with no food," Evelyn responded with a snicker.

"Then let's head out there, its only a short walk," Yellow Diamond said as they began leading the group out into the field. It was a bit of a walk, but nothing major and only took a few minutes to arrive as a small hill where they promptly sat in two lines z Ross from the other. "As your question about the bell tower was the last question last you were here I believe it would be our turn to ask a question, yeah?"

"Very well, what would you like to ask?" Karin spoke up while looking like she had a question of her own.

"Uraninite has a question, actually," Yellow Diamond said as they looked over to Uraninite, making bothKIarin and Evelyn look curious. They had after all spoken little and had not yet asked a question, leaving them to Yellow Diamond and Obsidian for the most part.

"The broken landmass that you called Albion. You called it a country like your own and said it had been in the sky, and that it was destroyed and it's people lost. How do you know that?"

"We saw it fall, in a sense," Evelyn answered.

"Ah, I am sorry, I meant it's people. How do you know they perished?" Uraninite said, focusing their question.

"It is not believed anyone could survive such a thing," Karin answered as she stared at Uraninite, trying to figure out what they were up to.

"So your people did not think to even see if your others needed help?" Uraninite asked, making Karin pale a bit as she realized what Uraninite was asking.

"No, but as they had declared war on Tristain, unjustified," Evelyn added as she spoke, surprising Karin by her defence. "Germania saw no need and I assume Tristain had similar opinions as they would have attacked them."

"I see. That is all I wanted to know," Uraninite said, their expression impossibly neutral.

Silence reigned for a moment, Evelyn and Karin unsure what to make of what they had been asked and what it could mean for them. Until Yellow Diamond held a hand out toward them. "I believe it is your turn for a question now."

"Ah, yes, or course," Karin said as she composee herself. "It is less a question, but my queen has sent me a missive with a request for you to-"

Suddenly both Evelyn's wyvern and Karins manticore stood up from their respective places where they had been lying and began growing. Loudly. A second later the sharp trill off a dragon echoed out over the grasses drawing all eyes up to where it was gracefully circling overhead.

"As they are not attacking or immediately landing, I believe they are waiting for us to motion for them to. It appears we have guests," Evelyn said simply.

"So it seems. I would guess it is a scout sent to investigate this island from either Gallia, or perhaps Romalia," Karin said seriously. She then turned to the Gems. "I believe it is your call if they may land since they are being so passive about it."

"If they are here to speak I have no issue with it," Yellow Diamond said with a shrug.

"Very well then," Evelyn said as she stood up and walked a it away from the group, then did a strange hndmotion up to the dragon three times. Whatever it was the rider seemed to recognize it and slowly descended until it was able to gently land.

The dragon was a lighter shade or blue than any either Evelyn or Karin had seen, and its riders were not what they expected. Two girls, not even women from age. One with short blue hair and an expression of boredom or perhaps neutrality, and the other an extremely well shaped girl with tan skin and bright red hair that reached down to her hips. They both were wearing travel gear, but they both would likely have looked perfectly comfortable in the uniform of the magic academy.

"I take you girls are here for reasons beyond simple sightseeing?" Evelyn asked first, seemingly intent on comfir,ing the reason for their presence as passively as possible.

"Envoy. Gallia," the blue haired girl said quietly as she clutched her impressively carved staff in her one hand, while the other was brushing a leather bag that hung from her shoulder.

Evelyn nodded at that, knowing no one from Gallia would have the ball to lie about such a thing, then turned to the redhead, feeling as if she recognized her, but not being able to put her finger on it.

"Ah, I'm her friend who decided to tag along. I will mind my tongue, don't worry," the redhead assured, her accent confirming to Evelyn that she was Germanian. She just still could not quite figure out whom she was.

"Alright, then come, we can get introduction in order and perhaps tell you a bit of what we envoys from Germania and Tristain have learned," Evelyn said as she turned and walked back over to Kzrin and the Gems with the two girls hot on her heels. "It appears Gallia had sent an envoy as well to your island,"

"Well that could be a good thing," Yellow Diamond said as they stood up and smiled at the two girls. "Welcome to our island. I am Yellow Diamond, one of three speakers our kind have agreed upon to speak to yours."

"What, are," the blue haired girl said as the red head starring wonder at Yellow Diamonds hair.

"pardon?" Yellow Diamond asked, not sure what she was meaning.

"Ah, I think she is asking what you are exactly," the redhead explained for her friend. "I mean, on first glance I would assume a golem, but golems cannot talk."

"We are Gems," Yellow Diamond said before gesturing to the other two. "This is Obsidian and Uraninite, the other two speakers of our kind to meet with those of your nation who seek to talk and speak. And these are the Envoys from other countries, Evelyn of Germania and Karin of Tristain," Yellow Diamond said professionally.

"Tabith. Gallia, envoy," the blue haired girl introduced.

"Ah, I'm her friend, Kirche," Kirche said a second later when she noticed Karin staring directly at her.

"What is your family?" Karin asked as she gently stood up, only Evelyn and Uraninite noticing that her muscles were tensing.

"ah, yes, of course. My full name is Kirche Augusta Frederica Von Anhalt Zerbst of Ger-"

Kirche was unable to finish as all hell broke loose.

Kibble scribble: this feels like a good place to end this chapter.

Also I should point out that having to not use gendered pronouns for some chars but not all is way harder than I thought it would be originally, like ugh.

Also writing Karin is fun. I see her a lot as just evil or haughty and never misunderstood, and I hope I'm showing that she made choices that she now regrets. Character growth should still be a thing even for a character like hers right?

Well that's all for now. It should be pretty obvious what set her off, ut if not you'll see in the next chapter.