A super important chapter, took too much revision, but here it is. 😄 Hope you enjoy.

-------

The hazy atmosphere of the fragmented planet filled the wide view screen, the artificial glow of technology that threaded through the natural rock and crystals like veins were just becoming visible to their naked eyes as they neared. Twin dusky halo rings reflected soft light, caressing the faces of the crew in a familiar welcome as they all revered the sight of their home.

Orange Diamond would only allow herself a moment to marvel at the way the rings hugged the crumbling planet, appearing to hold the chunks of floating planetoids together. The nearby sun seared the haze, illuminating a larger portion of the planet, and while she couldn't see it from space, she could envision the way it would be rippling through the sky, creating a beautiful gradient hue of pinks and yellows, having first lit up the southeastern part of the city as morning broke on the planet, to eventually spread over the center capital and wash into the western portion of the justice district. It was the view she had lived with every time she had come to see White, and now the one she would have for her time on Homeworld. And if she had been on schedule leaving Sol, it would have been the view she would be sharing with Pearl before she had to leave her to serve White Diamond.

Pulling her eyes away, the young gem turned her focus to her task, hands nimble as she moved over the glass screen, tapping buttons meant for smaller fingers than hers, adjusting their speed, and turning on a monitor with a live feed of the ships internal readings, leaving it up on the screen to her upper right.

"Approaching the planet with an ETA of 8 minutes." Orange called out to the two gems on either side of her, who, like the elite soldiers they were, easily slipped from their admiring into preforming their own tasks at the Diamond's commanding tone. "CX3, I want a link with Central up and clearance give before we hit the 5 minute mark. Lets get in the clear before someone gets some hasty ideas to blast us out of orbit, yes?"

CX3, a rather nervous Nephrite by nature, nodded her head in response so much Orange worried she would hit it on the console in front of her every time she asked something, "Yes Capt- er, i mean, my Diamond. Forgive me my Diamond. So sorry. So sorry."

Brushing past the slip, the diamond turned to glance to her left, "CL9,"

"My clarity?" said gem responded, looking up and meeting her superior's eyes in question.

"Systems powered up for breaking atmosphere. I want as little turbulence as possible. We're going to have very important eyes on us, so lets not give them a show."

"Yes, my diamond."

Behind the small crew, perched high in her chair at the center of the control room where she belonged, the captain of the ship, Emerald, watched disinterestedly as the youngest Diamond she had ever had the 'honor' of being in the presence of ordered her crew around. She had been watching for most of the trip, bored out of her mind, annoyed she had been pulled away from her fleet, only being somewhat mollified by the fact it had been Pink Diamond to ask her personally to escort the younger gem, and a little put off that she would not be showing her skills as the great leader she was to one of her superiors.

When Orange Diamond had been assigned to her, and her newly minted imperial warship no less, to say she was surprised would be an understatement. While she certainly detested feeling like a lowly Nephrite shepherding the young gem back to their homeworld, she could not resist the chance to at least be able to say she had been not only been handpicked by two diamond's for a task, one of said tasks was to escort one of their great leaders safely back home. Of course, by some cruel twist of fate laughing down on her, she had also been informed she would be under a gag order about talking about her mission, or anything to do with Orange Diamond, which was also extend to her crew.

It was simply a slap in the face when Orange Diamond had asked to fly the ship back, as if Emerald would have been able to say no. And while she had known she would be handing over temporary control of her ship to the Diamond, she had assumed it would be in a more command position, not her superior taking over flight controls. It made her nervous to think of her precious ship in the hands of some gem she didn't know, and couldn't order around.

Her fears had only been alleviated a smidgen when her ship hadn't been destroyed ten minutes outside of Sol, crumpled into the side of an asteroid. The Diamond at least seemed to know the basic controls of a warship, and every time Emerald had lingered beside her young leader, she had either been dismissed or ignored in favor of one of her gem's sucking up and showing her something about the ship.

Which had led her to sitting grumpily in her chair, glaring bitterly down at her peons as they absorbed Orange Diamond's attention. Attention that should either be on navigating her ship, or on her. The only advantage to being all but ignored was she could evaluate her gems, and any flaws they could have that would lead to a failure in battle. Though, as can be expected by one of Yellow Diamond's elite Emeralds, she had chosen well, and her selection of gems under her had been well thought out and suited for where they were. Which left her attention turning to linger on Orange Diamond.

The Diamond may have been bigger than an overgrown Feldspar, but she was tiny in comparison to her own magnificent Diamond and seemed to lack any kind of self control when she had come on board, all shiny eyes and touching everything. She didn't think there was a single console surface that those ruddy fingers hadn't touched and by her own self-discipline and poise, and her Diamond's own radiant patience shining through her, she had managed to hold her tongue and simply stand back and allow her ship to be fondled.

She didn't know if it was better or worse when they were finally, finally, taking off and those ruddy hands were being concentrated to one area. Just the area that aided in keeping her gifted ship flying straight through multiple asteroid fields. While she could begrudgingly admit the young Diamond at least understood the basics of keeping the ship moving, she very much doubted she would be able to handle any maneuvers trickier than a pitchback. Luckily, no one had to find out, and the Diamond seemed to be quite pleased simply flying the bare minimum of the ship back for the trip.

So when they had finally arrived in their destination's system, Emerald had been keenly waiting for the usual song and dance for clearance and her crew, like the good little gems they were, responded to the Diamond's orders like they hadn't run similar situations a thousand times before.

Emerald was even a good sport, sitting back in her command chair as Orange Diamond spoke with Central City's operations. Clearance from on high was granted easily to her and her ship, as she had expected.

"Stratus Breaker, you're cleared for entry, please correct your flight pattern to land on the Diamond's Landing. I don't have to make it clear to not cause any trouble, correct?"

"No ma'am, we've got this." Orange Diamond responded, the operator obviously none the wiser of who she spoke with, "Stratus signing off."

She then looked to both sides of her as she questioned, "Is everything clear?"

"Yes, my Diamond."

The young diamond smiled widely, turning her attention back to controls, "Then it's time to go home."

Landing was nothing special, as far as the crew was concerned. A cleared area before White Diamond's side of the Diamond's Square awaited them, and there were no surprises breaking through the atmosphere, turbulence practically nonexistent.

"I think it goes without saying, but well done" Orange Diamond congratulated her crew, the gems smiling back to humor her, while Emerald rolled her. "That was the smoothest landing I've had yet."

Emerald was up and at Orange's side before the legs had even fully extended and touched down, stabilizing the body of the ship. "We've arrived, my Clarity." Emeraldlips turned up into a jagged grin and hands twisting together, eagerly waiting as the Diamond flicked off screens, turning to give her attention to the green gem.

Orange raised an eyebrow at how close she was standing, the look on her face making her inch ever so slightly away, "Am i sensing some doubt we wouldn't, Captain?"

"Never, my clarity!" Emerald's eyes widened and she shook her hands to dismiss the notion, "You did so well, which isn't surprising, of course! I suspected you would do wonderful the moment you stepped onto my ship! I can tell these sorts of things, you see."

"So says the surprise on your face when i said i would be flying us back?" Orange challenged, turning in the chair and standing up, the captain staggering back out of Orange's space and looking up to look her in the eyes.

"I," Emerald dragged out the syllable as she made an exaggerated motion of shrugging, "was merely not expecting someone of your stature to wish to pilot a ship such as this, my Clarity. It is sobeneath you, having to fly yourself, and all."

"I was smitten with this ship the moment I laid eyes on it," the Diamond responded, a tiny part of her satisfied to see the grin on her face strain, "It is a piece of art, wouldn't you agree?"

"Of course, My Clarity."

"You'll be returning to Pink Diamond after a ship check, so it will be the last time I get to see such a spectacular battleship docked on Homeworld for awhile. You and this ship are on loan from Yellow, right? Perhaps i can persuade her to let me keep one."

"Not this ship!" Emerald barked, and then reeled back, her cheeks darkening as she backtracked from her outburst, "I mean, it'll be so scuffed and outdatedby the time everything is finished, with the war and all. You could have a much better one made."

Taking pity on the flustered gem, Orange held out a hand to pacify her, "I did not mean to imply i wanted to take your ship, captain, calm down."

"Oh..." Emerald deflated, momentarily placated, "forgive me, your clarity. I should not have been so bold."

"It's-"

"My Diamond?" one of the crew members called, pulling both Orange and Emerald's attention to them, "We just received a go ahead to disembark, along with a notification that there is a Pearl waiting to escort you."

Orange had to catch herself from reacting to the news, instead composing herself long enough to nod in acknowledgment and to turn back to Emerald. "It has been a pleasure to experience your ship and crew, captain. I wish you a safe travel back."

Emerald, ever the grecious commander, saluted the young diamond, "The pleasure has been ours."

At a much faster pace then was probably appropriate for a Diamond to be taking, not that Orange really cared at that moment for decorum, headed for the ship's entrance. As she approached, the door swooshed open, the bright light on the horizon a temporary blinding contrast to the artificial lights of the ship. Stepping down the large ramp and using her hand as a shield from the light, Orange's eyes scanned the open landing pad, large smile displaying just how eager she was to find Pearl and finally talk to her. When her eyes finally landed on the only pearl she could see on the open platform, her smile began to slip from her face as her eyebrows pinched together. Stepping fully off the walkway, the Pearl, flanked by two white topaz officers, began to approach her.

Before her was not Pearl, but a pearl she was unfamiliar with, as were the topazes. The pearl, while of the same pallor as White's Pearl, looked nothing like her, with short, choppy white hair that covered her eyes and a large smile that curled her lips into something that wasn't quite as welcoming as it must have originally meant to be.

The two soldier stopped just behind the pearl when they had neared close enough that Orange had to look down to at least politely acknowledge the presence in front of her, both soldiers standing at attention, eyes ahead and faces hard with a sternness that her own Topazes seemed to lack. And while Orange couldn't see this Pearl's eyes, hidden behind her short, choppy bangs, she could feel her stare all the same. It made a constant tingle go down the back of her neck in alarm, and her cheeks warm with embarrassed annoyance to be made to feel so uneasy by such a small, unimportant gem.

A little more tense now that who she had expected to see wasn't there, Orange grew serious, pulling on that increasingly familiar face of displeasure she had started to become used to using, internally once again glad for the growth she had recently had to be able to stand taller than the three before her. The pearl was unwavering under Orange's more intense stare, lips still sweetly twisted up and the Topazes continued to refuse to make eye contact with the young Diamond, almost vacantly staring ahead.

"Orange Diamond," The Pearl chimed, dragging Orange's attention to her, "If you would please follow me, my Master wishes to see you immediately."

Orange did not attempt cover her contempt as she purposely tried to make one of the gems waver under her stare as she looked this pearl up and down, mimicking the action with the two Topazes as well, but none of them wore a distinct diamond insignia on their person that she could see. A sign that they were either well out of their normal positions being here, or they were so low on the caste, that they were commonly passed between the Diamonds for general use.

"And your master is?" Orange demanded. Simply based on their coloring, and their very presence on the Diamond's landing pad, Orange knew she could make a well educated guess as to who her master was, but a confirmation was more ideal than assumptions. She was a strange gem, and something in her gut told her to keep away from this gem, as if there was something wrong with her.

"White Diamond."

Orange frowned, unsure why White wanted to see her now or why it wasn't her Pearl out here to greet her, or at least at the palace entrance with a more familiar guard to accompany them. This wasn't what she had pictured coming back to, and it only made her want to find a more friendly face when she looked at the three in front of her. Squirming under Pearl's veiled stare, the feel of White's Pearl's present pressing into her hip where she kept it hidden behind her belt to ensure it was safe, reminded her that she had intended to leave it in her room until she would be able to give it to her. Her room, where the Carnelians should be.

Squaring her shoulders, Orange turned her eyes to the general area she knew the Pearl's eyes would be, "I will be stopping at my room to drop off my things first." She informed her, and made a shooing motion with her hand, "Run back to your master and-"

"White Diamond was insistent, my Clarity." Pearl cut her off, head ever so slightly tilting to the side as the diamond bristled as she spoke.

Narrowing her eyes, Orange bit back her retort, vaguely annoyed to be receiving orders, and attempting to calm her own self, her annoyance stemming from what she knew was irrational anger at this gem who was only doing her job. "I can go myself.You're not needed."

Instead of being so easily dismissed, as Orange hoped, Pearl lightly shook her head and responded in that light tone that seemed to hold much more patience than hers could, "White Diamond was also clear that you were to be escorted, my Clarity."

"Then I can be escorted by my own gems." Orange reasoned through gritted teeth.

"White Diamond-"

"Correct me if I'm wrong," the diamond stopped her before she could argue further with a motion of her hand she had seen Yellow make when a soldier talked too much for her liking, a gesture she had never really seen a use for until now, "But a gem that doesn't follow a diamond's orders, Isn't a very useful gem. So, what are you still doing here?"

"I am following orders, my clarity." Pearl answered, and then added with a small bow of her head, "My Diamond's orders."

Grunting, Orange closed her eyes and rubbed a hand over her forehead, mumbling under her breath, "You're annoying, is what you are."

"I'm sorry?" Pearl tilted her head, and with her ever contact smile, Orange could not quite tell if she was being sincere or merely remaining polite as she added, "Could you repeat yourself, your radiance?"

"Nothing." the young diamond waved in dismissal, "Why is White so insistent that it be you?"

"I am only a pearl, I am not privileged with such information." Pearl replied humbly and yet Orange found her answer to have almost been delivered with a mocking undertone, which was quickly dismissed from her mind, as she could not imagine some stray pearl willing to speak to a superior in such a manner. Perhaps, she reasoned, her annoyance with her expectations for returning were getting to her, and she was merely projecting onto this gem, who she recognized she was unjustly giving a hard time to.

"I merely find it odd." Orange brushed off, wishing to at least move on with her day and not spend it arguing on the landing pad. "Proceed, then. Wouldn't want to defy White Diamond's wishes."

Pearl's hands moved to lay flat in front of her legs as she bowed her head respectfully, "Thank you, your clarity." and then she was turning around, to walk back the same way she had came, with a quietly uttered, "Please follow me."

The two Topazes finally coming to life as they moved, turning together in one fluid motion to face one another, waiting for Pearl to move between and then past them and for Orange to follow, before moving to flank them from behind, boxing Orange in between the three of them.

Glancing from one corner of her eyes to the other, Orange frowned, that tingling at the back of her neck there again at seeing the Topazes had silently created a formation with Pearl. Biting her tongue, she looked forward as they began to descend the stairs down from the top of the pad, watching her footing and, despite her longer legs, just barely managed to keep up with the pearl in front of her as she just seemed to flow down the stairs with ease. At the base, Orange nearly tripped herself as she had to abruptly turn to keep following Pearl as she took a different direction from the normal entrance to the Palace to get to White's head ship. Eyebrows furrowed, the young Diamond turned to look towards where she knew the front entrance to be and then back at her escort to ask, "Why are we going this way?"

"There is construction a little further ahead." Pearl answered, turning her head ever so slightly to respond over her shoulder, "It is for your safety, your radiance."

"Construction of what?" Orange inquired, face twisting in equal amounts of confusion and interest. For as long as she had been alive, she had never seen White constructing anything near her palace. It was perfect as it was, what upgrades could be needed?

"A new landing pad, my clarity."

Orange turned to look over her shoulder again towards the front, but knew she would not be able to actually see anything as they had already moved to follow a path to a side entrance Orange could not recall seeing before, the large white building blocking her view. Perhaps she and Pearl could take a trip to their hideaway to see it more clearly later. "More ships to be docked?" She said outlaid, more to herself than to keep a conversation with Pearl going. "Interesting."

"Mmmm." Pearl hummed in what the diamond assumed was agreement, turning her head towards her direction again, "Are you fond of ships, my clarity?"

Orange's face slipped into a much more neutral expression, mouth forming a rigid line across her face as she turned back to look at Pearl. "No."

The trip through the palace and lower ship section would have been almost awkwardly silent if Orange didn't spend most of her time split between looking around at the path the Pearl had chosen to take her on, a much longer route that involved more back corridors than the Diamond knew was necessary, and trying to descreetly look around to see if she could spot any stray gem she knew moving through the hall, which seemed to be more vacant than usual.

By the time they had reached the upper halls of White's ship, the overly large doors to White's control room in sight, Orange had allowed her weariness of the three odd gems to lower in favor of knowing White Diamond was in sprinting distance, and the excitement to be back had returned. While she had certainly planned to see White later, and the question as to why she wanted to see her right now still gnawed at her, she had to admit seeing White would bring what she had come to name as her Diamond Tour to an end.

"We have arrived, Orange Diamond." Pearl announced, turning before the scanner to acknowledge her superior, "White Diamond wishes to see you alone."

"Thank you." the young diamond, managing to pull some semblance of politeness together, nodded her head once toward Pearl, "Open the door."

"Yes, your radiance."

A moment later, the pad lit up at the small gem's hand, the doors slid open, immediately assaulting Orange with the familiar brightness of the eldest diamond. Without a second glance to her escorts, she darted inside, making a quick B-line to White, her lips curling up into a toothy smile as she looked up at White Diamond who was already looking her way the moment the doors had opened.

"Orange, you've returned." White's voice echoed in the empty chamber, her ever smiling expression turning down to look at the young diamond as she approached.

"White!" Orange practically launched herself at the older Diamond, and in a well worn routine, White bent at the waist, reaching out to catch her in her palms, long nails and slender fingers forming a protective cage under her. Bringing her hands up, she held the smaller gem close to her body as she knelt in her palms, staring up at her with bright eyes filled with excitement and affection. "It's so good to see you again."

"Hello, my little gemling." White responded, eyes crinkling at the sides as her smile widened, her eyes briefly looking the young gem up and down, "You are looking well."

Orange's smile slipped ever so slightly at the name, catching herself enough before she felt it was noticeable and hummed her agreement, "Mmmm. I learned a lot while i was away."

Ever the observant gem, White cocked her head as she regarded the youngest diamond with a curious look, inquiring,"What is on your mind?"

Orange bit the inside of her cheek, hesitant, but knowing White would not take 'nothing' as an acceptable answer. Instead, she asked, "Can I ask you something?"

White raised one perfectly formed eyebrow, intrigued, and agreed. "You may."

"Why do you still call me that?"

"Hmm?" White"s expression showed her puzzlement at the young gem's question, so Orange continued.

"Little gemling?" Orange leaned back on her knees, as if White could not already fully see all of her, her tall frame evident even as she was folded up in the older diamond's hands, "I'm not so little anymore."

"But you are to me." White responded, features evening out into amusement, "You will always be my gemling, Orange."

Orange's eyebrows furrowed, her mouth opening to argue and snapping closed just as fast when she was cut off. "But-"

"Now, I'm glad you're finally here. I have a surprise for you." White shifted Orange to one hand, freeing the other to bring up a set of three screens with a wave of her hand. The translucent white screens sparked to life instantly, already filled with rows and rows of information that the younger gem couldn't understand, missing context for a lot of it.

Orange bit her tongue, taking a moment before asking with a little more mustered interest, slightly put off with White's own dismissal of her question. "A surprise?"

With one hand holding her, White's long fingers interacting with the center screen, the blocks of text turning to a new one, and then another, as White flicked through the stores of data kept there. She continued to search even as she spoke, "I had been worried it might be difficult to keep it a secret for long enough, given how curious you are." A glance over to Orange, amusement crinkling the side of her eyes again as Orange grew more interested in White's surprise for her.

"But, as it happened, you worked with your fellow diamonds and made a travel plan to go see them." The older diamond's voice had slipped into that honeyed tone Orange had long since realized White used, at least when she had been younger and cried a lot, to encourage and show her approval of the younger gem's actions. "All by yourself. How exciting!"

Orange did not feel White was being condescending to her, and thus let the affectionate, if somewhat embarrassing, way of being spoke to go without incident. Instead, she explained by simply stating, "I want to be more independent."

White nodded approvingly, "As a good Diamond should be. And that just solidifies my decision even more."

"What decision?" Orange's eyebrows furrowed together, confused, glancing between White's face and the screens in front of her.

"Shhhh." The older diamond hushed her, and then continued talking as if she had never been interrupted in the first place, "But imagine, the luck for you to leave so I could have your surprise ready for when you returned."

The curiosity that had been on Orange's face slipped, falling with her expression as she realized White had had her own reasons for letting her leave, and not just for Orange's original thoughts. "Is that why you agreed to let me go?"

White glanced down, seeing the younger diamond's fallen expression, and stopped her search for a moment to reach a single finger up to tip Orange's chin back to look up at her, "Do not look so glum, Orange. It worked for all of us, did it not?"

"I suppose..." Orange begrudgingly agreed, eyes darting away from White look at the diamond screens, "but what's the surprise then?"

Turning back to the center screen, the eldest diamond made another adjustment, and made a small noise in the back of her throat when she finally found what she had been searching for. Tilting the screen, White looked down at Orange expectantly, "Look."

Standing up to get a much better view, Orange scanned the screen, taking in the white lines that formed a blocky outline of a building, small notes dotting the screen to indicate certain details that were to be mandatory. Blinking in confusion, Orange turning to look up at White, "Schematic? What are these for?"

"As you know, a Diamond's image is very important, from the way we appear, to the things we own. As such, and with much consideration and observation, I've decided it is time for you to start building your own image."

Orange's mouth slanted as she tried to follow White's line of thought she was obviously trying to bring her along to, glancing back to the schematics still being displayed, "With...a building?"

"With a palace, My little one."

"Wait!" Orange yelled before she could contain it, head whipping to look back at White with wide eyes and an open mouth smile, "You made me a palace!?"

White nodded her confirmation, allowing the youngest diamond to process the true magnitude of her surprise. Orange looked over the schematic again, taking every bit of her willpower not to break down into crying laughter, mouth opening and closing as she gaped at the representation of what would be her palace. Hers. "I was...I was only gone for, like, four months. It was built so fast!"

"I had some of the finest gems on it." White answered dismissively, "A palace for a new Diamond is very important."

Orange smile widened, eyes flicking over the schematic again, shining with unshed tears of joy. "My own palace..."

"It is a rare sight to see you at a loss for words."

"White!" Orange yelled, startling the older diamond at the unexpected response, slowing her reaction as the smaller gem leaped from her hands, latching onto her neck as she hugged her tightly, tears eventually slipping down her cheeks even as she laughed between words, "This means so much to me! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

Blinking, White tilted her chin down, a hand coming up to clasp over Orange's back to keep her from slipping from her precarious position. "Shhh, Orange. No tears...but you are welcome."

Eventually, Orange calmed down enough from her hysterics for White to take her back into her palm, turning her attention back to the schematic to dismiss the screens now that they had served their use.

"I can't believe it." the younger gem grinned stupidly, "You made me a palace."

"It was only a matter of time. As a Diamond, you will need your own palace here on Homeworld. A place that is yours."

"But..." slowly the smile slipped from her face as realization started to sink in through her excited haze, "I'm not allowed to be know to the public yet. Won't they question the building?"

"Your time to be announced is arriving quicker than you believe." White made a dismissive gesture with her free hand, "We must first get you settled into your own space, before you are started with your court, and finally, a colony of your own."

"Pink had to wait 3 millennia for a colony, right?" Orange inquired, "Shouldn't I wait at least that long?"

White raised an eyebrow, eyes narrowing ever so slightly at the younger gem's question, "You would base your readiness on your fellow diamonds rather than you own achievements and skill?"

Orange sat up straighter, expression becoming serious as she responded in a well practiced, professional tone, "I'd base it on the wisdom of my superiors, who have had eons more experience than me, and from what I have actually witnessed regarding what it takes to make all these things happen. I have seen what it takes to actually be a diamond and to do their job, and I do not see it as something to take lightly."

Orange could tell White was inexplicably pleased with her response, giving her a single nod of approval, though it was her eyes that really expressed how delighted she was with the youngest diamond. "You are more prepared then you know. But don't worry," White reassured, "I have no plans to give you a colony of your own for at least another thousand years."

"But, my own palace...Stars." Orange couldn't get over how giddy she felt over a building. but a building that had been made just for her. her own palace, hers. the first building that was hers, and hers alone. the start of being a real diamond with a court and real meaning. no longer a secret, an equal. Everything she had wanted was before her now.

Sitting up straighter again, Orange's eyes widened as her voice raised, "Wait."

"What's wrong?" White questioned.

"What about a court?" Orange asked, "When am I going to start that?"

Chuckling, White's responded, "I believe you already have one in the making."

"You mean my guard?" Orange's eyebrows turned up as she tried to figure out what White meant.

"Oh, my little gem, you are not so ignorant as you may act." White chided, "I'm very aware of the gems who wish to join you in my own court. I would not be surprised if they have not sprouted up in the others as well."

The color drained from Orange's face, the implications of White's words not lost on her. "I...I didn't....I'm sorry."

"Don't be." the older diamond countered, unmoved by Orange's apology, instead explaining, "It isn't uncommon for a...more experienced Diamond to give a newly made one a few gems to aid them, until they begin to make their own. Of course, it is not for these gems to decided to defect from one court to another. It can't, and won't, be tolerated."

"Are you going to punish them?" Orange couldn't help asking, her mind going to the Carnelians immediately, her first thought to do what she could to protect them.

The smile on White's lips slipped slightly as she chastised the younger diamond, "What I do is my business, Orange.You should not ask."

Orange looked away from the older diamond's disapproving stare as she nodded, "Yes, White."

"You can be sure, you will have gems," White told her, moving on, "but gems who are not loyal to their Diamond must be taught their place. It is the way of things."

"But, can I have them, then?" Orange pushed, looking back up, a new spark in her eyes.

"Hmm?" White hummed, eyebrows rising in interest at Orange's question, or her audacity to ask again, she wasn't sure.

"If gems need to be loyal," Orange responded slowly as she thought her response out, "then they can be loyal to me. If they already are, by choice, then they would be perfect for a starting court. I'm familiar with a lot of them. I can have them, cant I, White?"

White's eyes narrowed,"You have certain ones in mind, already." It was not a question.

"I know the gems that have been gifted to me, but a handful of Citrines, Carnelians, two Topazes and an Agate doesn't make a court." Orange challenged, spurred to continue when White didn't stop her, and decided she would have a better chance if she used her teachings than to beg White for it. "Blue has made sure I understand how everything works, and Yellow has walked me forwards and backwards through the caste system more times than i care to count. I can't be a proper diamond, and do what I need to, without the proper pieces to my game, right?"

White chuckled, amused at Orange's challenge to her decision. "You are attempting to bargain for these gems."

"Shouldn't one diamond be able to negotiate with another?" Orange asked a little too innocently.

White laughed again, nodding her head, not in agreement, but approval of the younger gem's actions. "Sly. Very sly, little one. I make no guarantees, but will consider it, at the very least."

"I can take that." Orange smiled, relaxing again, feeling as if she might very well have managed to persuade the eldest diamond, which would be quite the accomplishment to her.. "I trust you, White."

"As you should."

"When will I be moving into my palace?" Orange inquired, now more interested than ever to head down to White's palace to look out to see what her own looked like.

"Soon." White replied, "There are still parts that need to be completed, and first, you will need to be introduced to the rest of the Authority's courts."

"How will that happen?"

"There will be a ceremony, a coronation." the eldest diamond explained, "It has been some time since Pink was introduced."

Orange's eyes lit up, "So I'm going to have a party?"

"In a manner of speaking."

"Will there be dancing?"

"They will be dancing for the Authority," White confirmed, "Yes."

"I can't wait!" Orange exclaimed, hands coming together in front of her to keep them from pumping into the air.

"Do not get ahead of yourself." White tempered, seeing Orange's excitement rising and wishing to avoid another outburst of emotions. "This means there will be plenty to do before that can happen."

"Like what?"

"I still wish to see how much you really know." the eldest diamond explained, "Considering you were not made with all the knowledge you needed like we were, I find your retention for information impressive. But knowing and doing, are two very different things."

Orange visible deflated, lips tugging back in disappointment, "So I have to have moretests."

"Do not pout." White chastised, "It is a part of the process."

"Okay...but what else?" Orange asked, "Anything i will actually like?"

White considered this a moment, "You will need to choose a head of guard, once you have the basis of your court. You will also need to experience an extraction chamber, in the presence of one of the other Diamonds, to ensure nothing occurs."

Orange's eyebrow raised as she questioned in confusion, "I can't do that with you?"

"I have much to do, my little one." White reached up to pet the top of her head in an attempt to placate her, "You understand."

"I suppose..." Orange acquiesced, remaining subdued for only a moment before she bounce back into excitement, eyes wide as she looked up at White and asked, "does that mean the others are coming home too?"

"Yellow Diamond should be the first to arrive," White replied, "if all is on schedule."

"Our family is coming home?"

White nodded, "For your ceremony, all the Diamonds will be present."

"Even Pink?" Orange hesitantly questioned.

"Pink will be required to come, Yes."

"I can't wait." Orange told her, "It's worth it to have all of you here."

"There is much else to be done. You will be apprised of what must be done when details have been discussed and revised."

"Anything for me to do now?" Orange asked curiously.

"At the moment, us older Diamonds must take care of things." White leaned forward, holding her hand out in signal it was time for Orange to leave the comfort of White's hand. "For now, you should return to your room."

Orange jumped down, taking a moment to straighten out her tunic and discreetly reposition the present behind her belt that had shifted down before turning around to look up at White, feeling bold enough to ask, "Without an escort?"

"My Pearl is away on personal business." White said, explaining what Orange had been wondering for some time now, "I will have another take-"

"I'd like to go myself." Orange interrupted her, not missing the slight narrowing of White's eyes at her action, but continued anyway, "I'm in the safety of your ship, and no one here hasn't already seen me. It's a short trip to my own room, and a Diamond should be able to move autonomously, without aid and supervision. As you have taught me."

White raised an eyebrow at her, amusement quirking up the corner of her lips, "Another debate?"

Orange grinned as she answered cheekily, "I think you like my debates, White."

"Who else would challenge me?"

After a moment, Orange questioned again, "So can I?"

White, with a motion of her hand, dismissed Orange to leave her control room with a spoken, "Go."

Grinning, Orange waved as she turned and moved towards the doors, "I'll see you later, White!"

As Orange exited, White motioned with her hand again, the screens she had before appearing again. A moment later, out of the corner of her eyes, the pearl with hidden eyes seemed to solidify from the shadows of the room, stepping forward into the light of White Diamond.

Turning to glance down at the gem, White assessed her and then returned back to the diamond displays. "Keep an eye on her."

"Yes, my Diamond."

--------

It's that time again: Who's the Diamond mom of the day? Anyone won over your heart from a previous one you had been set on?