Chương 175: LOG-167.

Entrance. LOG-167. The approach to the palace had me feeling distinctly conflicted. Because on the one hand, I was finally going to get back into proper, direct contact with Fawn. Sure, we technically were able to speak via the little datapad setup I'd managed to finagle together, but from what I'd understood the rebellion seemed to be operating off of new, far stricter protocols now. Protocols that I hadn't been clued in on, and couldn't be until I met Azurite in person.

But on the other hand, I had just had the perfect chance to finally leave, and I'd cast it aside with barely any deliberation, even after longing to return to Earth for so very long. After all, who knew when I'd have a proper chance to get a clean break like that again?

All in all, it meant that I had a rather severe frown on my face when I finally landed upon one of the many open pads set directly in front of the massive crystalline structure apparently owned by the Pyrope of this colony, nestled in between a ship that looked like nothing less than some form of interceptor, and another Roaming Eye.

Descending the ramp of my own Roaming Eye, the heels of my boots clicked slightly as I put a little more force than usual into each of my steps in some effort of expressing a fraction of my internal displeasure. The lithe, aubergine figure that immediately began scrambling to meet me had me taking back some level of emotional control by the time I stopped in front of her, eyes already moving to dissect her lightform for some clue of who she was, and what she wanted.

"The new Overseer of the Reef! Oh, a joyous visit indeed! Greetings, I am my Pyrope's Pearl, formerly of Reef order Seventy. Please, allow me to accompany you as a guide until we reach the interior of the palace, your seamlessness! Though it…would appear that you are alone? Where is the pilot that was assigned to bring you here?" Staring down at the apparently Reef-borne Pearl, I folded my hands behind my back and gave her a small nod, eyes narrowing as her beaming smile wavered ever so slightly.

"I had no need for one. Lead the way, Pearl." And just like that, her mask was back up, thin arms snapping into a traditional Diamond salute.

"At once, Overseer!" — It was after the seventh minute of walking through the central 'introductory' hallway into the palace that my patience for witnessing the history of the colony (all contained within the countless paintings lining the hallway's walls) finally broke.

"Pearl. Your Batch letter." The servant glanced at me out of the corner of her eye, and there was a lapse of perhaps half a second before she turned to fully regard me. Notably off kilter. Keeps trying not to stare at my claws and gemstone. Likely has gotten used to not seeing Nacres anymore. My presence is an interruption to that long accepted fact.

"Aubergine Pearl order Seventy Z, your seamlessness." Nodding at the designation, I stared up at the ceiling, noting the dozenth chandelier we had passed at this point. There was seemingly some kind of music playing from them, a bizarre mix of soothingly soft tones and occasional sharp, almost staccato-esque sounds.

"I was formerly Viridian Pearl order Sixteen B." Aubergine bowed her head in response to the statement, still smiling that same perfectly subservient little smile. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"Most in the Empire who would care to know are aware of this fact, Overseer. Us Pearls in particular are quite impressed that one among our number rose to such a rank." Strong emphasis on Pearls. No servant acceptant of their place in the hierarchy would care to draw attention to such a thing. Has been glancing at my claws whenever she believes I'm not looking. But not out of fear, judging by the micro expressions. Wariness. She's accounting for their potential use in… combat? A sudden punishment?

Either abused, trained outside of the scope of a Pearl (by her owner perhaps?), or otherwise breaking traditional boundaries for how a Pearl might behave. Rolling my tongue in my mouth, I considered the information the analytical code embedded in my mind was giving me, before deciding to take a gamble.

"Your owner, she treats you well?" Aubergine's eyes widened slightly at the abrupt change in topic, before she brought up a hand, mouth hiding behind her wrist.

"Ah-quite well indeed, your seamlessness." Hiding something related to her owner. Something inappropriate.

"This hallway, is it monitored?"

"I…yes. A Peridot I have met on occasion is in charge of surveillance." Lying, but only partially. The Peridot is watching but Aubergine speaks of her with more familiarity than two Gems who have only met 'on occasion.' Turning my gaze forward once more, I gave a soft hum. I still didn't quite like the presence of foreign code in my gemstone but…it was hard to deny its advantages, here and there.

"You've fused with your Pyrope, haven't you agent?" Gems didn't quite cough. That was a mostly biological reaction that we as a species simply didn't have the equipment or programming for. But Aubergine certainly did make a decent attempt at the action, inhaling and exhaling in a way that produced an amusingly squeaky sound as she whipped her gaze down to stare at my twitching talons.

"H-How?!" Smiling at the confirmation of my little assessment, I brought up a hand, gently tapping against the side of my head with a singular talon.

"Caretaker's intuition, Aubergine. Shall I dare to presume that Pyrope and Peridot are with us?" Which 'us' I was referring to was evidently clear enough for the spy to pick up immediately, the Pearl gently shaking her head as we passed a tall statue of some Sapphire or other, the construct formed out of a mixture of gold and glass from what I could tell.

"Peridot is. Pyrope is…someone I would like to bring in someday, but she's…not ready yet." Cares for her supposed master deeply. Doesn't want to involve her in the mess that is Fawn. Bowing my head in response to her words, I glanced up as a positively gargantuan door loomed in the immediate distance, decorated with what seemed to be tiny plates formed out of metal, and with two Citrine guards standing on either side of it, their arms crossed and eyes tracking the both of us.

"Mm, I'll endeavor to be kind to her, then."

"... Thank you, your seamlessness." Just a little bit further, at least until I could meet up with Azurite and get a proper picture of things. Hmph.