Abandoned by her mother at an early age, Citrine has always been loved by her family and she loves them all the more in return. But even that love can't fill the hole inside of her, and chasing after her past only leads to more heartbreak.
cw: this section contains bullying and misgendering language
Moonstone: Don’t listen to a word of that, honey. It’s all a bunch of–
Saffron: Moony…
Moonstone: It is!
Moonstone: Basing someone’s worth on their color, on everything matching…it’s ridiculous.
Peppermint: But aren’t you both pure shades?
Saffron: Well, I am, but…
Saffron: All being a pure shade ever did for me was drive my parents nuts. Arranged marriages, your worth being only how many pure babies you could make…pfft, no. That can go and burn, yeah.
Moonstone And I only pass for pure–I’m more surprised Amber and Cal didn’t end up with pink in them.
Citrine: Their coins just didn’t flip true, Gramoony, that’s all.
Moonstone: Huh…that’s a new way to put it. Still, no one is worth more or less because of the color of their skin, or hair, or eyes. Who they are as a person is what matters.
Saffron: And sometimes not even that…
Peppermint: They?
Moonstone: Anyone, really.
Peppermint: No, I mean–you can use they for just one person?
Saffron: Of course you can! Plenty of people use it if they don’t like he or she or…anything else.
Saffron: Some of those other pronouns can get really confusing. What do the Raxar call themselves again…
Moonstone: Saff…*chuckle* The point is, baby, anyone who spouts “pure shade” nonsense isn’t worth listening to. Basil’s parents are stuck in an old fashioned mindset that should have gone out of style a long time ago.
Peppermint: …yeah. I…..why do people still think like that at all?
Moonstone: Who knows. It was a huge thing back when your Gramma Opal was your age, but even most Raws don’t think like that anymore.
Peppermint: It’s that old?
Saffron: It’s a lot older than that, kiddo. Raw history books put it as far back as the founding of San Marshmallow!
Peppermint: but that was hundreds of years ago! How could…how could it last that long?
Saffron: People will hold onto stupid ideas that give them power for as long as they can. And having a bunch of old, powerful families keeping it all in the family…well.
Moonstone: Power for power’s sake, that’s all. It’ll fade away someday.
Moonstone: So, did you have homework today?
Peppermint: …yeah. Are the family trees still on the shelf?
Saffron: Same as they always are. Holler if you need anything.
Peppermint: …hey, Cit?
Citrine: Yeah?
Peppermint: Have you ever heard of…someone using they instead of he or she?
Citrine: Sure. Um…I forget their real name but the actor for Sweet Tea from the Star Guardian movies uses they when they’re not being Sweet Tea. Why?
Peppermint: Just wondering. Gramoony said something, and I…
Citrine: Pep?
Peppermint: ….nevermind. Did you put Grampa Sirius on your chart?
Citrine: Uh…yeah, kind of…I’ve got Gramoony and Gramma Spinel and Granny Firefly and Gramma Saffron’s parents…man, that’s a lot of people to make us, isn’t it?
Peppermint: Yeah…sure is. You done?
Citrine: I’ll finish it later. I need a break.
A bit later…
Peppermint: Uncle Nova?
Nova: Hey, kiddo! Done with your homework?
Peppermint: All done. Um…could we talk a little? There’s something I wanna ask you.
Nova: Of course. Here, hop up.
Nova: What’s on your mind?
Peppermint: Um…this is probably gonna sound weird, but…on Kahje and Rakhana, are there people who don’t use he or she?
Nova: Of course. The Hanaria don’t have gender the way Maxis uses it, but they’ve come on record saying they’re fine with being referred to as “they”. Why?
Peppermint: Um…it was something Gramoony said. You and Uncle Cal are guys, right? Like, you use he?
Nova: Cal does. I don’t care what anyone uses to refer to me, but he is what I’ve used before.
Peppermint: Right. And…Gramoony and Gramma Saffron and Citrine…they all use she because they’re girls?
Nova: They use she because that’s what they like. Being a girl is…kind of a part of that, but anyone can use she if they feel like it.
Peppermint: So it’s just how you feel that makes you a…he or a she or a they?
Nova: Or a zhe, or a xir, or anything else. It’s all how that person feels; I’ve met people who were both he and she, and people who were neither by Maxis standards. Sixam has like, sixteen different pronoun sets for their people, and that’s not even a drop in the bucket with how many different peoples are out there.
Peppermint: Oh…man, this is harder than I thought…
Nova: This?
Peppermint: Um…do you promise you won’t get…mad or anything?
Nova: I promise.
Peppermint: Well, Gramoony used “they” a little earlier and I like how it sounds and I don’t really feel like a boy but I don’t feel like a girl and I–
Nova: Whoa, whoa, Pep, kiddo, breathe. It’s okay.
Peppermint: It is?
Peppermint: It is?
Nova: Of course. Your gender–how you see yourself, how you want others to address you–that’s up to you and you alone. If you don’t like he, or she, that’s completely up to you and you never have to explain it, ever.
Peppermint: I don’t?
Nova: Nope, you don’t. All you have to say is what you want us to use, and we’ll use that. I can’t say we won’t mess up a few times at first, but we’ll do our best to use what you want.
Peppermint: …so if I said I wanted to try out “they” instead of “he”…
Nova: Then we use they instead of he, nibling instead of nephew. All that changes is the words, kiddo. We wouldn’t be mad, or love you any less, or anything else you might have been scared of happening.
Peppermint: I wasn’t! Not…not really, I just…I didn’t want it to be weird?
Nova: *laugh* Kiddo, I have seen weird, and you picking “they” is not weird. It’s normal, it’s natural, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Peppermint: I won’t. Thanks, Uncle Nova.
Nova: Of course.
Nova: Do you want to tell the others tonight?
Peppermint: Could I?
Nova: You bet. Lemme go get ‘em.
Citrine: Pop, what’s going on?
Nova: Peppermint has something to tell us. Kiddo, the floor’s yours.
Peppermint: Thanks, Uncle Nova. Um…Gramoony, you remember you used they when we talked earlier? To mention people who don’t use he or she?
Moonstone: I do.
Peppermint: Well…
Peppermint: Well, I…
Nova: Take your time.
Citrine: You’re okay though, right? You’re not…not sick or something?
Peppermint: No, no! I…well…*deep breath* Can everyone call me they instead of he, please?
Calcite: Oh, is that all? Okay, They, we can do that.
Saffron: Calcite!
Calcite: I’m sorry–of course we can, kiddo. You’d prefer that?
Peppermint: I really would. I dunno if I’ll stick with it, but…it feels right?
Moonstone: Oh…there’s a word for that. Darn it, what was it again…
Saffron: Non…something?
Moonstone: Non-binary, that’s it! I bet you could find a ton of people just like you if you searched for that!
Calcite: Or at least people going through the same kinda thing. Is there anything else you want us to call you? Like, did you want to change your given name, too, or…?
Peppermint: No, Peppermint’s fine. I just…don’t feel like a he, or a she, so…
Nova: So they is a good start. And who knows, you might find something else that fits better as you get older.
Citrine: People can do that? Just switch like that?
Calcite: Of course they can.
Peppermint: See! There it is again–they, for one person.
Saffron: It does have a certain ring to it. *chuckle* Alright then. They it is. Have you been thinking about this for a while?
Peppermint: Kind of? I didn’t have the words for it until today, though…
Nova: You didn’t know they existed until now, but people like you have always been around. You’re in pretty good company, kiddo.
Citrine: You’re still my cousin, though. That’s okay, right?
Peppermint: Yeah! I’m still me, Cit, just…a little different?
Moonstone: A little more comfortable, I hope.
Saffron: Oooh…Corona’s gonna flip she missed this.
Calcite: That reminds me: do you want to tell your parents or settle into it first?
Peppermint: Settle into it. A-and they’re really busy with the new school wing anyway…I don’t wanna bother them.
Citrine: Pep…
Peppermint: I’ll tell them later. Oh! A-and it’s okay if you mess up a little at first…I might mess up, too.
Nova: We’ll get the hang of it, kiddo, I promise.
Calcite: G’night, baby. Sleep well.
Citrine: Night, Dad…
-
Nova: Sweet dreams, kiddo.
Peppermint: *yawn* Night, Uncle…
Nova: Tomorrow’s a big day.
Peppermint: Uh-huh….ninight…
Nova: Well, he’s down.
Calcite: They.They’re down. And not the two of them, I mean–
Nova: Well, that’ll be an adjustment.
Moonstone: Just take it steady. They’ll understand a couple slips, I think.
Moonstone: I really wonder what brought this on, though. I hadn’t heard them bringing it up before today.
Nova: They hadn’t. I wonder if it was something at school…
Calcite: It definitely wasn’t Basil!
Calcite: Still, whatever it was, I’m glad they felt comfortable enough to come out and ask like they did.
Saffron: Of course they did! We’re all family here.
Nova: How do you think Corona and big ‘Mint will take this?
Moonstone: Oof. I have…no idea.
Moonstone: I don’t even know how Hori and Sundown’ll take it.
Saffron: They’ll be fine. They’re still their grandbaby and…okay, yeah, that’s gonna be a little confusing at first *laugh*
Calcite: I know, right?
Calcite: It’s worth it if they’re happier, though. …Although…
Saffron: Although?
Calcite: I’m a little worried about how the kids at school will handle this. Basil already picks on them for being mixed. How’s he going to do with…well, this?
Nova: Probably not well. Hm…that’s worrisome, you’re right.
Moonstone: I wouldn’t worry too much. I’m sure that Pep can handle themselves…and if they can’t, Citrine is right there. She can teach Basil a lessn.
Calcite: Mama…I’m not sure that’s something we should be saying.
Saffron: Oh, hush. Sometimes bullies need to be taught a lesson, too.
Calcite: Ma! *sigh* Well, we’ll just have to keep an eye on things, I guess. Pep knows they can come to us…that’s enough for now.
The next day…
Oceana: They? Like, multiple people they?
Peppermint: Kinda? There’s a lotta people who use to mean just them, and that’s how I mean it, too.
Rose: So you’re…what was the word…someone who was a boy but becomes a girl?
Peppermint: That’s trans, but no. I’m non-binary.
Peppermint: Not a he or a she or both but kind of…neither?
Rose: Ooooh…okay, neat!
Oceana: Definitely neat. I had no idea you could do that!
Peppermint: Me either! But there’s so many people like me and so much to read about it–it’s neat, really.
Oceana: So the bracelets are…
Peppermint: Oh! These are the colors of the non-binary flag. Citrine made them for me.
Citrine: Heh…I’m just glad I had the right purple.
Rose: There’s a flag for people who aren’t either?
Peppermint: Sure! There’s flags for women who like women like your Grams and ours, and men who like men like my Uncles, and even for people who don’t like anyone!
Oceana: Wow…is there a flag for…well, I guess for people like my parents?
Peppermint: Um…
Peppermint: I…don’t think so? Divorced or…no, I don’t think so. I didn’t see one, anyway.
Oceana: Eh, that’s fine. It’d just go to Dad’s head anyway.
Rose: So you’re a they, but did you change your name or…
Peppermint: *laugh* No, I’m still me. Just…they fit better, you know?
Rose: Sort of? I’m happy with she.
Oceana: Me too. Citrine?
Citrine: huh? Oh, yeah, I’m fine with she, too.
Rose: But if you’re happy, that’s fine by me, Pep.
Oceana: Though you know Basil’s gonna jump right on that, right?
Peppermint: Let him. I don’t care.
Peppermint: I’m me, and nothing’ll ever change that.
Basil: You’re right. Nothing’ll ever make you not a freak.
Peppermint: I am not a freak! I’m–
Basil: A freak. Being mixed was bad enough, but now this? You competing for freak of the year or something?
Oceana: Ugh! Basil, would it kill you to be nice?!
Basil: I can be nice. To people who deserve it.
Citrine: And you get to decide who deserves it?
Citrine: Just because someone’s different from you doesn’t mean you get to be a bully!
Basil: Ha! Look who’s talking! What, do you like having a freak for a cousin?
Peppermint: I’m not a freak!
Basil: Yes you are! You’re the freakiest of the freaks! You’re so freaky even your parents left you!
Peppermint: That’s not true! Mom and Dad left because–because!
Basil: Because they knew what a freak you’d turn out to be!
Citrine: That’s enough.
Basil: Or what–
Citrine: I said that’s enough!
Citrine: You take that all back, Basil! You take it all back right now!
Basil: Whoa–
Citrine: You take it all back or I’ll–I’ll–I’ll blacken both your peepers!
Rose: Citrine!
Peppermint: Cit, don’t–
Polar: What is going on here?! Break it up, both of you!
Basil: She started it!
Maroon: Well. I don’t think I have to tell either of you that this is a very, very bad look. We have a zero tolerance policy here, and from what Miss Freeze has been telling me, Basil is long past that.
Sage: And yet, Citrine started the fight.
Nova: Defending her cousin. That has to mean something.
Nova: It was their first real fight, no one was physically hurt…
Sage: A childhood misunderstanding. An apology or two and we can just…move past this.
Citrine: I am not apologizing.
Basil: Me either.
Citrine: He called Pep some terrible things and that’s not fair, or right! I’m not apologizing for doing the right thing.
Maroon: Peppermint, do you have something to add, son?
Peppermint: I…um…no, Principal Brilliant
Basil: And I am never apologizing to that–that–
Sage: Ah, the…energy of youth.
Nova: No one wants any trouble, Principal Brilliant. I don’t suppose a first time suspension is an option?
Citrine: For what?! Standing up to a bully?
Basil: And I was only telling the truth! You can’t punish me for that!
Citrine: No, but they can punish you for being a jerk!
Citrine: If you’d been nicer, we wouldn’t be here!
Basil: Hmph. Nice, to someone like you two. Give me a break.You’re just as stupid as you look.
Basil: You’re just as stupid as you look.
Sage: Basil! You are not helping your case, darling, so please be quiet.
Basil: Hmph!
Nova: …right. Well then. I suppose…
Maroon: …I can see asking for apologies isn’t going to happen. Given that no one was physically hurt, I’ll end this with a three day suspension for both Basil and Citrine. But this is my only concession. If this happens again, they’ll both be removed from the school.
Basil: That is so–
Nova: Kid, take an out when you get one. Thank you, Principal. Come on, kids. Let’s go.
-
Basil: Mom–
Sage: Ah! Not one more word.
Peppermint: Three days with no school…lucky you.
Citrine: Speak for yourself. Pop, how grounded am I?
Nova: Three days grounded.
Citrine: See? Not lucky at all.
Nova: And that’s if your father doesn’t get hold of you first.
Citrine: …oh no…not Dad’s disappointed face…
Sage: Ah–Mr. Crystal, a moment, please?
Sage: I wanted to thank you for standing up for my Basil back there. This is all just a…terrible misunderstanding, I assure you.
Citrine: Didn’t seem like a misunderstanding…
Sage: Oh, but it is. You see, Citrine…
Sage: What your cousin is going through is just a phase. A simple…childhood fancy. It’s hardly anything to give attention to.
Citrine: That’s no reason to be rude!
Nova: And even if it was a phase, that’s not for us to decide.
Nova: Peppermint decides who they want to be.
Sage: *sigh* Honestly, all this “they” nonsense…Peppermint, sweetheart, you don’t have to fit to some abnormal narrative for the sake of your uncles.
Peppermint: Wha–I’m not! They’re not putting me up to this! I really am non-binary!
Nova: Putting them up to this–putting them up to this?! Mrs. Herb, what you’re implying is–
Sage: Honestly, Nova, darling, I know things were very different on Rahje or Kahana or whichever planet you grew up on, but down here on Maxis we do things a bit differently.
Citrine: You can still be really rude anywhere!
Peppermint: No one’s putting me up to anything! I chose this–this is who I am!
Basil: Yeah, a complete freak!
Citrine: Basil, you–
Nova: Okay, everyone stop. Mrs. Herb, we’re going to walk away and go home. I suggest you think about how backwards what you’re saying is. Letting someone decide who they want to be is a basic right on most worlds, including Maxis.
Sage: Well, of course it is. In terms of jobs and whatnot, but this…
Sage: But this…this is too far. You’re damaging the boy by letting this go on.
Peppermint: No they’re not…I’m happy like this, I…
Citrine: The only ones damaging anyone are you two!
Citrine: And I’ve had enough, I’m gonna–
Nova: Oh, no you don’t!
*Citrine squeaks*
Nova: We’re going home.
Nova: You two…go do your homework. I need to talk to your dad.
Citrine: Okay, Pop.
Peppermint: At least we got the homework…
Nova: *sigh* What a mess…
Calcite: Didn’t go well, huh?
Nova: I want to punch a certain “pure shade” in the face, does that tell you enough.
Calcite: Whoo boy, does it ever. Let me guess: Basil’s dad?
Nova: His mother, actually. Called Pep’s identity a “phase”, implied we were putting them up to it because I’m not from Maxis. I just–
Calcite: Oookaaay…well, we’re not sending her cookies. Come on, babe. Sit.
Calcite: Did the kids tell you what happened?
Nova: *deep sigh* Pep was telling their friends about being non-binary and Basil came up to them. He called them a freak and Citrine got…physical.
Calcite: Citrine. Our Citrine.
Nova: She shoved him and started telling him to take it back, but he didn’t. Miss Freeze got involved and they’re both suspended for three days.
Calcite: Fair, I guess. …But you don’t think so.
Nova: She was defending her cousin. Self-defense or defense of others shouldn’t be punished.
Calcite: I agree with you. But she did break a pretty set in stone rule. Just because Basil did it first doesn’t mean she didn’t do it at all.
Nova: It’s her reasoning that should take priority. I’ve read…so many horror stories of kids who were bullied for years, and how those stories ends…If punching Basil in the face stops him, then I’ll teach her how to throw a punch myself. I don’t want our kids pushed that far.
Calcite: They won’t be. Babe…they have us.
Calcite: It won’t come to that, I promise.
-
Peppermint: You know you didn’t have to do that, right?
Citrine: Sure I did!
Citrine: You’re my cousin, Pep. I’m not gonna just…stand there and let someone call you names.
Peppermint: But you got in trouble…
Citrine: So what? It was still the right thing to do.
Citrine: You’d do the same for me, right?
Peppermint: Of course!
Citrine: So there! And I’ll do it again if I have to, so…get used to it, I guess.
Peppermint: *sigh* ..thanks. I’m gonna…I’m gonna go see if I can talk Uncle Cal outta grounding you.
-
Nova: I’m starting to think we should be looking for another school.
Calcite: Whoa, hang on–
Peppermint: What’s wrong with school?
Nova: Pep–!
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