Chương 214: LOG-205.

It was nearly time now. Close enough that I was starting to feel something resembling irritation at the fact that I wasn't already on the metaphorical road, and chained to timewasting 'just in case' goodbyes and tear filled embraces. Part of me viewed it all as complete and utter foolishness. And yet the rest recognised that such a view was peculiar considering the context of my entire life, and thus isolated it, leaving me to stare from the other end of the lobby as the local Pearls interacted with one another.

There was surprise, of course. As much as Eyes, Horn and Head were still themselves, they looked just different enough to draw attention. Their faces actually being visible was probably a big part of that, huge, colourful pupils constantly twitching about to take things in, and drawing the occasional giggle as they did so.

Shell had been the least shocked, though that was likely due to the fact that the Reef's former heart had seen my handiwork with Violet, thus her general ambivalence to it all left her standing awkwardly by the side of everyone, not particularly close to me but neither maintaining any kind of proximity with a Batch she had borne no hand in making. In turn, I was of course the furthest, standing by the exit and most definitely not impatiently tapping a foot against the ground as I observed everyone else.

My own Pearls were intermingled amongst their Atoll counterparts, though slowly parting ways with them in favour of moving towards me. And the locals… well.

"Don't you dare die! You hear me?!" Tilting my head as Khaki abruptly lunged upwards and wrapped her arms around Head's neck, with the larger Gem laughing and holding her up in response, I did my best not to listen in on whatever conversation they were having. They'd earned the privacy, all things considered. Especially when one considered that I was going to be taking the largest amongst them into what would no doubt be an active battle.

"Viridian?" The thought was set aside immediately, and with a smooth motion I turned to regard the long haired figure of one of my creations. Hazarding a small smile, I inclined my head slightly as Patina finished her gradual approach, Violet fluttering along just above her shoulder.

"Mm. Done speaking with the others, then?" The two glanced at one another uncertainty, and I found myself having to resist the urge to frown slightly as the larger of the pair looked back up at me with worry.

"Yes, we have. In addition, we have…concerns. Can we discuss things? Away from the others?" May have some relation to my extended focus throughout the prism project. Possibly worrying over my mental health, though solely fixating on such a thing is unlikely, considering my previously displayed resilience. Holding back from both pursing my lips and pointing out that we were already technically away from the others, I nodded.

"Of course, follow me." Physical health is of no issue as well… I have been acting somewhat out of character thanks to increased environmental pressure, alongside the acknowledgement of White Diamond's programming. That might be the subject. No, that probably is the subject. Considering the thoughts as I led my creations into a nearby alcove, far enough that everyone else would have to truly strain to hear us, I turned and spread my arms out in a shrug. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen.

Report the violation.

"There, nice and quiet. Speak your minds, if you would." Once more, there was another glance between the duo, before Violet darted forward, her antennae (something I was still honestly only somewhat getting used to) standing straight as she reached out and… Poke.

The hand that had brutally poked my nose caused me to blink out of reflex, if nothing else, and for an instant I debated the merits of shapeshifting some kind of mimicry that would allow me to sneeze, before focusing back on the tiny Gem who had prompted the thought in the first place.

"And that was for…?" Violet's eyes narrowed, a familiar kind of determination lying within them that had part of me feeling uneasy, and another urging me to exhale in exasperation.

"You've told us about the additional code injected into your gemstone, prior to our creation, and…we think it's been tampering with your mind more than usual." Ah, bingo on that theory, then.

"I'm afraid you're entirely right, dear." This time it was Violet's turn to blink, even as Patina shut her mouth, halting whatever she had been preparing to say in the face of my exceedingly blunt response. Waiting a second to see if one of them might speak up, I finally shook my head, one hand coming up to rub at the side of my face wearily.

"It has been…tampering, as you say, since I left White Diamond's facility. I've just been rather stubbornly resisting it, and of course, hiding its presence. Current circumstances have forced my hand in the matter, however." Predictably, Violet's eyes only narrowed further. Though it was Patina that spoke next, her features twisting with a level of concern that left me feeling…strange.

"I remember you telling me in your office how bad it was. How you would never give in to it, if you had the choice…" Regarding the admittedly truthful statement with a sigh, I nodded. Because I'd changed, hadn't I? Been changed. There was a solid core's worth of me that was still exceedingly wary regarding the whole thing. How much further would it go? Would it remake me until I figured this was what I had wanted the whole time? Would I even remain myself by the end of it?

I had already considered it a boon during my scientific endeavours. Which it objectively was, but still. Just a short while ago, I had been constantly comparing my current thought patterns to the memories I retained during my time on Earth. Now I had… stopped.

"I'm changing, Patina. Violet-no, listen to me." My arms reached out, one settling on the former's shoulder and the other turning about until it served as a decent platform for the latter to stand upon, even as I leaned down slightly, frowning.

"I am changing. And I don't want to. Don't ever forget that. The moment I find some kind of way to reverse… whatever the additions to my code are doing, I won't hesitate to do so. But until then, I'm stuck fighting a war within my own mind, and it's…" Biting my lip, I considered how, just a short time ago, I would have never shared a true weakness with my creations. I was their rock. Their guide. Their perfect creator.

And even now, I could feel some small irritation at admitting my own flaws, no matter how truthful.

"Tiring. It's horribly tiring having to watch and censor every thought within my head, trying to pick out which are borne of me, and which originate from White Diamond's code. To call it a dangerous distraction during a time in which I need to focus would be an understatement, to be certain." Shrugging my shoulders helplessly beneath the weight of their stores (a motion that might have caused Violet to stumble slightly if I hadn't expended the effort to keep my hand from following it), I bowed my head.

"But I also want to remain myself. Which is why it's good that you two noticed, no matter how much it pains me to involve you. The fact of the matter is that I've been compromised by these changes. I can't truly determine whether I am still acting the way I should, any more." My breath irrationally wanted to catch on something, but I held that nonsense back, settling on a brief pause instead.

"... Or more accurately, I won't truly determine it, which really tells us all we need to know regarding how I'm doing, doesn't it?" Realisation lit up both their faces as the next few words came out low, my voice descending to something just above a whisper.

"Regardless, that is why I'm asking you both to keep me in check. Because a time will come when it will be needed. And when it does, because it no doubt will, I'll be counting on the two of you to remind me of myself, alright?" The hesitation shared between the two lasted only a second before they both firmly nodded at me, apparently now resolute in their new role. Good. Nothing less would suffice in the face of my own mind failing to assert itself- Clank. Clank. Clank.

Freezing at the abrupt noise, I glanced up, evidently not the first one to have done so, considering both Head and Eyes seemed to be staring at the doorway that connected the lobby to the lower levels of the facility. Clank. Clank. Clank. The sound echoed from beyond, settling into something that sounded disturbingly like footsteps as everyone else slowly but surely noticed it as well. Clank. Clank. Clank.

Releasing both of my creations, I flexed my claws and stepped forward, moving to intercept the tall, angular shadow now standing just beyond the light of the lobby. Because what was just one more complication prior to our departure, right? Hmph.