Era1 Universe: The Global Appetizer Course

Your character finds a pirate's treasure map, what do they do?

"Burn it."

"Throw it in the ocean."

"Feed it to Ash."

"I'm calling in dead tomorrow."

Peri looked between the navy blue gem sitting to her left and the warm grey gem to her right. The sleek blue gem had a certain toughness about her. Her short hair falling in perfect spikes. Her gaze narrowed just enough to be menacing without being completely threatening. Her shoulders stiff and her arms folded across her slender chest. On the other hand, her other friend sat in a more relaxed pose, looking tired and somewhat done with everything and everyone. That was Snowflake. She often said she was around others because she had to be, not because she wanted to be. Peri's expression faded into a frown. "You guys are absolutely no fun."

"Who said I was supposed to be 'fun'?" Onyx scoffed then leaned her head back as far as she could so she was looking up at the sky.

Peri's gaze almost instinctively wandered upwards but there was nothing but blue skies above. District 9 usually had quite favorable weather. Today was one such day.

"I'm not the 'fun' one," Onyx finished her thought when she finally looked back at the cheerful soul in front of her. There were days when she was madly in love with this little green bean. Other days? She kind of hoped Peri would wander off and find a butterfly to chase for a few hours so she could have peace for five minutes. "I'm the war horse. The one burned by her own fire. I'm not 'fun'."

"Gee, because you don't remind us of that every FIVE DAMN MINUTES," Snowflake bit.

Peri shook her head and held up the paper. "Would you guys stop bickering!? I found this map in a bottle on the beach and wanted to go on an adventure!" She whipped to Onyx and stated, "we know, you're traumatized." To Snowflake she noted, "Quit bullying Onyx. That's my job."

"Your job?!" Onyx yelped.

Peri slapped the map down on the table and with a huff she stormed off to the beach. She quietly walked down the stone path and sat down on the soft golden sand. The only thing she could think to do was to draw frowny faces in the sand. Sometimes Onyx and Snowflake bickered and got snarky with one another. She loved them but there was the occasional moment she wished they'd just get along and be as cheery as she was.

Selfish.

She knew it was selfish. After all, both gems had seen a war she never had. Onyx had lost her life, identity, and sense of self. Perhaps the old Onyx was more tender-hearted and soft. But the present day Onyx was a lot colder and often wore herself out on these adventures the rebellion kept throwing her way.

Then there was Snowflake. Abandoned and left for dead after a betrayal by her beloved in the war? It made sense that her heart was guarded. She'd spent so many years isolated on the distant planet Earth alone. She was slowly warming to this idea of friends again but it took time.

Peri sighed heavily and watched the waves roll in. She knew she could find someone else to go adventuring with but it wasn't the same as her two closest friends. The sound of rustling fabric approached and she couldn't help but turn and see who was approaching. Her eyes went wide before the biggest of laughs rose in her chest.

Down the last bit of the stone walkway came walking Onyx and Snowflake adorned in pirate costumes.

"What are you two doing?" Peri choked out between howls of laughter.

Onyx looked down at her attire in a disgusted way. "Don't ask."

"We're dressed for a pirate treasure adventure!" Snowflake chirped happily.

"You didn't have to go all out," Peri choked out as she stood and greeted her friends.

Snowflake shrugged. "It makes life more fun."

"It does not," Onyx deadpanned.

Peri laughed warmly. "You really want to go on an adventure?"

Before Onyx could say anything Snowflake clasped her hand over the blue gem's mouth. "We really do."

~*~

"Sooooooooo..? Did you find treasure?" Zuli asked, not looking up from her work. She was focused on the present task at hand.

Peri laughed nervously. "Turns out the 'pirate map' I found washed up on shore... was in fact a map."

"...And?"

"It led us to an abandoned warehouse... full of spiders... and a rabid squirrel... and Onyx fought the squirrel... and the spiders."

Zuli yanked the bandages a little bit more snuggly around Onyx's leg and began to tie it off.

"Yeah, that's for that," Onyx groaned a little. The infirmary was her least favorite place to be. At least... when she needed medical attention.

Peri patted Onyx's hand. "Thanks for the adventure, Nyx!"

Onyx looked up at Peri and felt the heat of blush warm her cheeks. She couldn't feel too mad at the gem. "You're welcome."

"Next time though, don't try to fight squirrels," Zuli chided in a motherly tone.

"Zu... I make you absolutely no promises."