A child of two worlds, Opal Crystal never really belonged anywhere. Loved by her heartsick mother, and loathed by her stepfather, she lived her life trapped in a tower of ivory and glass. But when said stepfather betrays her, selling her to the government for experimentation, she must find the strength to carry on...even when all seems lost.
CW: This Generation contains themes of medical torture, false imprisonment, PTSD, and terminal illness.
Aurora: I. Y-yeah. Everything’s just fine.
Opal: Ro–
Aurora: Don’t wait up, okay? I’ll see you when I get back.
Opal: I….yeah. Love you.
Aurora: Love you too, starshine.
*door closes*
Opal: *sigh* Something is definitely wrong here…
Cadence: So how’d it go? Did she come clean?
Opal: No! It’s like I’m trying to pull teeth or something–she’s not telling me anything!
Opal: I don’t understand why she just won’t tell me! I mean–it’s not like I need protecting from this!
Cadence: Maybe not, but Ro’s always been like this. She wants to keep the people she loves safe, Opal. And after everything you’ve been through…
Opal: I got through that because she was with me–you were all with me. And I’m handling this, aren’t I? She doesn’t need to handle it alone…
Cadence: You should tell her that. You two are partners now. Supporting each other’s part of the deal.
Opal: I know. *laugh* This’ll be a fun conversation…
Cadence: If you need some back-up, I can stay in town for a while. Forest has things covered at base.
Opal: I…no. Thank you, but I know you didn’t come here just to see us. With all that’s going on…
Cadence: Never a dull moment. But seriously–are you sure?
That night…
Aurora: I’m home.
Opal: Ro! It’s almost two in the morning–what happened?
Aurora: Nothing happened. I told you I’d be late, didn’t I? Why did you wait up?
Opal: Because I’m worried about you? This is more than just the new girl getting the short end–something’s wrong! What’s going on?
Aurora: Nothing. There’s nothing going on, so just drop it.
Opal: Why are you lying to me? We’re a team, aren’t we? Why won’t you just tell me what’s–
Aurora: Stop! Just–stop. It’s late, my head is killing me, and I have a shift tomorrow. Just. I’m going to take a shower.
Opal: …
Aurora: …What is it?
Opal: I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have jumped you like that. I’m just worried about you.
Aurora: You don’t have to be. Everything’s fine.
Opal: …It’s not. Cadence told me what happened. About the…the funding for the labs you found.
Aurora: What–how long have you known?
Opal: A few months now. I think since the day you called her and Forest.
Aurora: Oh…I’m sorry. I was trying not to worry you. *laugh* Guess I screwed that one up, huh?
Opal: We’re partners, aren’t we? I want to know what’s bothering you–if it were me, you’d want to know, wouldn’t you?
Aurora: Yes, but–*sigh* No, you’re right. You’re right. I’m sorry.
Opal: It’s okay. Tell me what’s going on?
Aurora: …the Stations look out for one another. Make sure we’re working right, doing all the paperwork, keeping each other straight, you know?
Opal: Right. Accountability when you don’t even really exist.
Aurora: Uh-huh. Newcrust keeps an eye on Honeycomb, and…the Station Chief here is on the take. He’s been taking bribes to look the other way while Honeycomb Station kidnaps people.
Opal: People like me, you mean.
Aurora: Mm-hmm. Half vampire mostly, but…yeah. It’s just like Strudelville. Nothing to see here, folks! Move right along! Pay not attention to the screams from the corner! *laugh* Watcher, what a mess…
Opal: Ro…
Aurora: It’s all rotten to the core, Opal…I can’t keep working that job, but I can’t just leave it, either! I don’t know what to do.
Opal: …It all comes back.
Aurora: The Balance.
Opal: Mm-hmm. But we don’t have to leave it up to fate. We can take care of this one ourselves.
Opal: We’ll figure this out, Ro. Together.
Aurora: Together…always.
Snow: Change is slow, Rain. We learned that a long time ago.
Opal: There has to be something we can do, though. It’s not like we can just burn it all down, can we?
Aurora: And what’s stopping whoever comes next from being worse if we do?
Snow: Not much. Only someone with a real moral compass could change things from up there.
Rainbow: Nikan. Are you implying…
Snow: Yes. Change like this starts at the top, Aurora. If you want to make things better, you have to get there first.
Aurora: Get to the top–become Station Chief? That’s…
Opal: Ro…
Snow: I can’t say it’ll be easy. It could take years and even then…this kind of thing is always more complicated than it looks.
Rainbow: An understatement.
Opal: It’s your call, Ro.
Aurora: I…
Snow: Take some time to think about it, sweetie. It’s not a decision to make lightly, at least.
Aurora: Yeah…thanks. I will.
Later...
Opal: I know that face. You’ve made up your mind, haven’t you?
Aurora: I have. I’m going for it. At least, I’m going to try. Is that…you’re okay with this?
Opal: More than okay with it. I’d be more worried if you said you weren’t going ahead with it.
Aurora: *laugh* What did I do to deserve you?
Opal: Been yourself. Been the woman I fell in love with, the one who does the right thing even when it’s hard.
Opal: You saved me. You know that, right? And you’re going to save all those people who need you, too.
Aurora: How can you be so sure?
Opal: Because I know you.
Opal: You don’t have to do anything. Just…one thing?
Aurora: What?
Aurora: Everything else, huh?
Opal: *laugh* Absolutely everything else.
Opal: You know, for someone who passed their fourth year placements, you don’t look too happy.
Quartz: I’m just not sure, you know?
Quartz: I mean, I like coding, and I like tech, but it’s just all so fast. Like…how am I supposed to know if this is what I want to do with my life?
Opal: Q….
Opal: I don’t think they’re setting you up for life. It’s just an option. One that you’re good at, and one that may make things easier while you figure out the rest.
Quartz: Not the way my teachers talk about it! They keep saying, “Oh, you’d do so well in this!” or “Oh, how talented!” Like it’s the only thing that matters!
Opal: It isn’t. But…okay, look at it this way.
Opal: You like to code. It pays well, and you’ve got a full ride scholarship to San Marsh U because of it. That’s four more years to figure out what you want to do, and you’ve got a talent you can pull out anytime you need cash. People pay well for code, right?
Quartz: Well, yeah! It’s like with your paintings, or your gigs.
Opal: Exactly! You don’t have to make it a full fifty year career right out the gate. You can take your time, feel your way through, and it’ll be there if you need it.
Quartz: Just like that?
Opal: Just like that.
Quartz: It can’t be that easy. What in our lives is that easy?
Opal: Hey! There has to be a first time for everything. Why can’t it be this easy?
Opal: Go. Give it a shot. And if it doesn’t work out, you can always come back here.
Quartz: …thanks, Opal.
Quartz: Seriously. I don’t think I could have told Mom about all this.
Opal: Don’t mention it. And don’t thank me yet–we still have to finish this thing!
Aurora: I’m home! Ooh, something smells good.
Quartz: Opal’s magic cake, that’s what.
Opal: It’s a box mix! I swear, you say this every year.
Quartz: It’s true!
Aurora: It’s true, babe. That stuff tastes better than any bakery I ever tried. What’s your secret?
Opal: A more closely guarded secret than anything you’ve got. *laugh* Maybe someday I’ll teach you.
Opal: How’re things at work? Making any progress?
Aurora: Some. It’s…slow going. I’m getting what I can out to Cadence and Forest, but it feels like I should be doing more…
Opal: You still could blow the lid off, but…wouldn’t they just move on? Start over?
Aurora: They would. It’s like your Mom said. Start at the top.
Opal: Then we keep going, until it’s all in the light again.
Snow: And you’re sure this is what you want to do, sweetheart? It’s a long way back to San Marsh…
Quartz: I’m sure, Mom. The Tech District’s nowhere near Finance anyway. It’s not like I’ll be running into Salt’s old partners or anything. I’m not going to get roped into being chair of the Holding.
Aurora: And if something does go south, we can just spring over and pull her loose too.
Opal: You do have a habit of that, Ro.
Aurora: See? Everything’s gonna be fine, Mrs. C. Quartz can look after herself, too.
Quartz: And I’ve got the bruised knuckles to prove it.
Snow: Oh–oh, alright. But I want calls every week, young lady. No dropping off the map!
Quartz: Mom, I’ll be fine, I promise! You don’t have to worry.
Snow: I’m always going to worry about my girls. I’ll be worrying until we’re all in the grave!
Quartz: Quit it, Mom.
Snow: …You’re really sure about this?
Quartz: Honestly, we all need a little space. Besides, the bullet trains are opening soon. I’ll only be an hour away once the station is open.
Snow: *sigh* You both just had to get your stubborn streak from me, didn’t you. Alright. Well, we’ll drive you up in the morning.
Opal: Watcher, Mom gets up early. You have everything?
Quartz: Everything but eight hours of sleep! When Mom said morning, I kind of expected after sunrise! Rainbow said this’ll beat the traffic but I swear…
Opal: There’s coffee in the thermos, and you’ve got our numbers and–
*horn honks*
Quartz: Ah, geez…that’s my cue.
Opal: Come here. Take care of yourself, okay?
Quartz: I will. Ro, you’ll look after this one for me? She’s got a habit of worrying herself sick!
Aurora: *laugh* I know. I’ll watch over her.
Opal: She’ll be okay, right?
Aurora: Of course she will. Coming from your family? There’s no way she’d be anything but fine. She’s a fighter, just like her big sister.
Aurora: Happy Winterfest, Opal.
Opal: Happy Winterfest, Ro. I’m glad I get to spend it with you.
Opal: You know something? I never thought I’d be here.
Aurora: Because of the lab?
Opal: Mm. That, and…
Opal: I never thought I’d leave San Marsh. I didn’t know what would happen, but I was just…so sure I’d spend the rest of my life in that apartment. I thought I’d never see anywhere else. *chuckle* I never thought I’d get this far.
Aurora: …How would you…like to go a little further. With me.
Opal: What?
Opal: …Ro, are you asking me…
Aurora: I am. *deep breath* Opal Crystal, will you marry me?
Opal: What–why would you want to–
Aurora: Because I love you. I love your kindness, your bravery–you amaze me every single day, and I can’t imagine a life without you. I want to spend the rest of my life by your side, if you’ll have me.
Opal: I–yes! I love you, too, I don’t–oh, Watcher…
Aurora: Hang on–I’ve got the ring in here somewhere…
Opal: Ro…what did I ever do to deserve you?
Aurora: *laugh* You were yourself, starshine. The woman I fell in love with. The one who keeps going, even when things are hard, even when everyone else would have quit. You’ve been with me this whole time and I can’t…I don’t want to see life without you ever again.
Aurora: Have I ever told you how amazing you are?
Opal: Once or twice. *laugh* You’re the amazing one, you know. I can’t imagine doing this without you.
Rainbow: It is a shame that Cadence and her partner could not attend this ceremony as well. We owe them much.
Nebula: Lemon will send them a video when it is over. I am not allowed use of the camera.
Lemon: Neb, baby, you cut people’s heads off every time you use the thing!
Aurora: He’s got a point, Dad. I was headless for my preschool pictures.
Nebula: And you made for a beautiful headless child.
Rainbow: All do, but let us not ruin such an occasion. Thank you for your services, Lemon.
Lemon: It’s nothing. You ready for this, kiddo? It’s a big step!
Aurora: I’ve never been more ready for anything.
Aurora: It feels right, you know? Like…it’s been a long time coming and we’re finally here.
Nebula: That is what love tends to do to you.
Quartz: Places, everybody! She’s coming out!
Snow: Nervous, sweetie?
Opal: Not really? Everything’s worked out, you’re all here, and this is all that’s left to do.
Quartz: After the months you two spent planning, I sure hope this is all that’s left!
Opal: This could be you someday, you know. Haven’t you and Val been together for a while?
Quartz: Oh, no! Don’t go there! If–and it’s a huge if–Val and I make any moves, it’s in a courthouse in our jeans! You can keep this fancy stuff all to yourself!
Snow: We’ll see about that when you’re ready, Quartz. Could you go let the others know it’s time?
Snow: …Okay. You’re as ready as I can get you. *chuckle* My baby. Feels like only yesterday I was taking you home for the first time.
Opal: Mom…thank you. I know things went sideways for a while, but…thank you. I know things were hard.
Snow: They were. But it was all worth it in the end. Now go on–she’s waiting for you.
Aurora: Oh…oh, wow.
Opal: It’s not that much of a surprise, is it?
Aurora: No, you’re gorgeous, I just–this is happening! We’re actually going to–
Opal: *laugh* We won’t if you pass out, you know. Breathe, Ro!
Aurora: I know, I know–we’re doing this. We’re getting married!
Opal: We are. …You know, you clean up pretty well yourself.
Aurora: *laugh* Oh, Watcher. How did we even get here?
Opal: We kept going. You ready to go further?
Aurora: With you? Always.
Snow: Congratulations, sweetheart. I’m so happy for you.
Opal: Thank you, Mom. For everything.
Quartz: No hogging the bride, Mom. Congrats, sis.
Opal: Thanks, Q. When do you have to leave?
Quartz: Right the fudge now. I’ll call you when my flight lands, so don’t be doing anything dumb!
Opal: *laugh* I don’t think you have to worry about that. We’re just going to take it easy. Hey, Mom? How do they do things on Sixam?
Rainbow: Weddings on Sixam can last for days. Something tells me that would not be your style.
Opal: Oh, definitely not!
Lemon: Did you know they’d get this far?
Nebula: I did not. I hoped, and all of my hopes have come true thus far. They will be fine, nikan.
Snow: How are you so sure? Anything could happen.
Rainbow: They are strong, and they have one another. Should anything come to pass, they will face it together. That is why I do not worry.
Rainbow: They will be fine.
Aurora: Tired?
Opal: Mm. It’s a good kind of tired, though. I don’t want to be anywhere else right now.
Aurora: Me either.
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