Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Pearl asked softly.

"This may be our only chance to get out of here." Garnet said quietly as she peered around the outer door leading to the courtyard. The clouds hid the moon in shadows above them. The courtyard had a thick fog holding it all the way to the wired fence. The guard towers swept there spot lights back and forth across the darkness every ten minutes, giving them a very narrow window to run and not be seen. Tonight was there only shot.

"Where's Amethyst?" Pearl asked as Garnet leaned back into the stone hallway, letting the door close a bit more as a light swept across it. "We can't leave without her."

"I'm here." Amethyst said slipping up next to Pearl "How's are little man doing?"

"Sound asleep." Pearl said holding the sleeping baby in her arms close to her chest. He was wrapped in several blankets to protect him from Pearl's cold form. "The medicine put him right out."

"Are you sure you both can do this Garnet?" Amethyst asked as another spot light swept across the door, lighting up the cracks slightly. The three of them knelt down as it passed. "The security is really high tonight."

"Did your letter make it out?" Garnet asked.

"Yea. My sisters are waiting for us at the ronde-vu point." Amethyst said "What was passed back was that they will be there tonight and tomorrow before heading back."

"Then were ready." Garnet said. "Stay close."

Garnet stood as another spotlight passed by. She opened the door enough to look back outside. She watched as the three lights on this side of the castle swept over the fence and yard before she crouched a bit and slipped out of the door. She took a few steps away and held it open with her foot for the other two. Once they there through Amethyst silently clicked the door shut and she herd the slight whine of the alarm going back on. They were officially locked outside. There was no turning back. They knew it was now or never to run.

Garnet stayed crouched as she moved across the yard. The other two followed close behind. The fog did a good job hiding them all the way to the fence.

"Pearl, you first." Garnet whispered to the vampire. Both her and Amethyst took a step back as Pearl adjusted the baby in her arms before nodding. Garnet took a knee and raised her hands up, palms down, fingers pointing out, towards the dead. "Levitar."

The palms of her hands glowed faintly for a moment before Pearl's feet left the ground. She floated in place for a moment before Garnet raised her up and over the fence. It was nerve wrecking because she couldn't do it fast. She couldn't draw attention to themselves. The towers always shot first, asked questions later, and they were trained to kill. Not take people back inside alive.

Once Pearl's feet touched the ground on the other side she turned and quickly went into the tree line. Garnet told Amethyst she was next but before she could line up to send her over the spot lights started to sweep by again. Both girls hit the ground and laid as still as they could. It was heart stopping as the lights swept over heads. The fog was the only thing keeping them hidden. It felt like too long before the lights fully passed them but once they did both Garnet and Amethyst got to there feet.

"Don't shift mid air." Garnet whispered as Amethyst's tail was wrapped around one leg while her ears were flat against her head. With a nod Garnet set her hands. "Levitar."

Getting Amethyst over was alot easier and quicker then Pearl since she wasn't holding any special cargo. Once she touched down Amethyst went into the tree line to find Pearl. Garnet looked at the towers before facing the fence and spreading her legs, getting into a good position. With clenched fists she whispered a spell of strength "O Vigor."

She was too egger. Garnet launched herself too quickly up over the fence and within seconds of her feet hitting the other side of the fence the spot lights hit her. She looked over her shoulder for a moment before sprinting off into the trees. A siren filled the air and every spot light on this side of the castle lit up the woods.

"Go!" Garnet yelled at the other two.

"What happened?!" Pearl yelled as she turned and ran, Amethyst shifting and staying right at her side.

Garnet didn't answer. The sound of horrible barking, snarling, and growling started to follow them through the fog filled trees. As they ran this way and that they could hear the foot falls behind them. The sound of claws digging into the earth like a thousands hammers hitting the ground coming after them was terrifying. Pearl held the baby as tight as she could without hurting him as she started to pick up speed. Amethyst was growling as she tried to stay close enough to Pearl but not lose sight of Garnet who was lagging behind.

"C'mon Garnet!" She yelled behind her.

"Go!" Garnet yelled. She was jumping up and grabbing thick tree branches and yanking them down. She uprooted the trees as she went and brought them down to the ground, making obstacles to slow down there pursuers. "Take the lead!"

"Amethyst!" Pearl called "I don't know where I'm going!"

Amethyst pushed herself hard to get in front of Pearl. t was difficult considering Pearl had undead speed on her side and Amethyst was short. She put her nose up into the air and howled as loud as she could into the night before putting it back down towards the ground. She was trying to pick up the scent of her sisters, her pack. The further they ran the more she started to worry. Were they still going in the right direction? Did her sisters decide not to come? Were they attacked trying to get here? They were moving very fast and already very far from the castle. She was worried something bad had happened.

Her questions were answered as Amethyst howled again and a choir of howls answered back. Coming out of no where, several wolfs shot out of the trees in front of them and darted past. Pearl screamed and scrambled out of the way of a few as they flew by her. Garnet just jumped clear over there heads. The pack attacked the monsters following the three, allowing the trio to get further away. Pearl and Garnet didn't slow down while Amethyst got yelled at to keep with them. The sound of fighting followed them close until the pack re-joined them. They could still hear that they were being followed but there was quite a few pursuers missing. The biggest in the pack came right up between Pearl and Amethyst.

"Get on!" They yelled at Pearl and Garnet who came charging up behind them "I can get us out of here faster!"

"Jasper! Boy am I happy to see you!" Amethyst yelled as Garnet jumped onto the wolfs back, offering Pearl her hand and pulling her up in front of her.

"Good thing we got here when we did!" She said with a laugh "You got some nasty friends back there shrimp!"

"Your telling me!" Amethyst said.

"Hold on tight!" Jasper called to her passengers "Were about to go off the trail!"

Garnet wrapped her arm around Pearl's waist as the other grabbed a fist full of fur. Pearl held the baby right against her as she grabbed a fist full of fur right next to Garnet's hand. Both of them leaned forward and when Jasper felt them settle she growled. She howled loudly and the pack responded. In moments they started to pick up there speed. For a second they were worried Amethyst wouldn't be able to keep up with them but the smallest wolf held her own at the front of the pack. There paws hit the ground like a thundering wave. They weaved there way through the trees so fast that the monsters following them quickly fell behind.

When they knew they had a good distance between them the pack took a sharp right turn. With a few growls and a bit of shoving the pack hunkered down and got into a tight group. Pearl felt the baby shift in her arms and she looked down to see him starting to stir.

"Garnet, he's starting to wake up!" Pearl said over her shoulder before talking to Jasper "We need to hurry!"

"If he cries he cries!" Jasper said.

"No, you don't get it!" Amethyst said "He can't wake up right now!"

"If he starts crying everything in this forest is going to find us!" Pearl said.

"How special is this kid?!" One of the smaller wolfs asked.

"Special!" Garnet said. "We need to get into the towns outer barrier before he fully wakes up!"

Jasper growled more and snapped at her pack before speaking "Hold on tight! Were going for the long jump!"

"Long jump?" Pearl asked as Garnet leaned into her more, forcing her to lean down closer to Jasper's back "What do you mean? What's a long jump?!"

Jasper didn't answer as the forest started to change. The trees became thicker and more spread out the further they went. A breeze harsher then the wind already in there face started to hit the group and soon Pearl's question was answered. They could see a shear drop off approaching fast and instead of turning or slowing down the pack spread out. Every single one of them howled up into the night air as they reached the drop off and launched off the edge.

Energy drummed through the pack and there passengers as they flew through the sky. The other side of this now seen chasm was a few feet lower then there starting point. As the pack landed on the other side they slid a good few feet from the cliffs edge. As they slid to a stop they all turned and looked up to the cliff above. The fog rolling off the cliffs edge from up there was so thick that all they could see of the monsters following them were there red glowing eyes. There growls were echoing down to the group but a single growl answered back and it wasn't from any in the pack. It was Pearl. Her blue eyes had turned red and were glowing. Her fangs were elongated and a deep predatory growl was coming from her throat.

Amethyst was looking from her to the rest of the pack. They were shifting back and forth and small growls and whimpers came from them all as they looked from Pearl to the opposing cliff side. Jasper herself looked super pissed and Amethyst waisted no time in nudging Garnet's foot with her nose. The taller looked down at her then around at the pack.

"Pearl." She said softly grabbing her arm "Enough."

Pearl blinked and snapped out of her locked stair down with the now empty cliff above. She forced a few deep breaths down her throat as her fangs retracted and her eyes settled back to there ice blue color. She apologized softly as she looked at Garnet before Jasper "How much further?"

"Not far." Jasper said lowering herself to the ground. Her passengers took the hint and climbed down. "We should be there before the moon is beyond the forests light."

Garnet nodded as Pearl looked down at the baby and bounced him a bit. "Lead on."

Jasper huffed as she turned and started to walk off. The pack circled around the trio as they started to move. Amethyst came right up to Pearl's side and rubbed against her leg. "How's he doing?"

"Good. He went back to sleep." Pearl said rocking him gently in her arms "All the shouting and fighting must of cut through the medicine."

"Must of been really loud then." Amethyst said "That dose in him is stupid strong."

"It should wear off when we get through the first few barriers." Garnet said "It's designed to dissipate when there is enough of a magical field to dampen his cry."

"Kid better be worth it." Jasper growled from the front. "The hunting party's are getting too close to our paths into that cursed land."

"He is worth it like me." Amethyst said.

"Next time you go back there were leaving you." Jasper said

"You won't." Amethyst said with a smile as she trotted up and nudged her sisters leg. The bigger just rolled her eyes nudged her back, knocking her onto her side. Amethyst just laughed and went back to walking next to Pearl and Garnet.

True to her word, just as the moon started to go down they entered the outskirts of town. The trees here were a beautiful green color and the ground was soft under there feet. Pearl and Garnet had lagged behind a bit as the rest of the pack moved forward. They were getting distracted by the world around them. The castle they ran from had dried weeds and cold dead earth to walk on, not the living warm earth under there feet and the soft grass brushing there ankles. The trees there were tall and dead where these were shorter but full of life. They were different versions of bright and dark greens with the occasional orange thrown in. Then they saw the flowers. Both girls had never seen real flowers. Real living flowers that is. They had seen fake ones, dead ones, and painted ones in portraits all across the castle walls, but never ones like these. Never ones that were living and beautifully smelling with bright eye catching colors and sizes. It was silently blowing there minds.

The pack hadn't realized they had fallen behind until someone in the back had asked where they went. The whole pack stopped and turned to see the pair a ways behind them. They all kinda looked confused until Jasper spoke up. "Move it! Don't want to burn down the forest cause one of you creeps in the dark!"

They could see there frowns from here but the pair started towards them. Jasper didn't wait for them to fully catch up before turning and walking off.

"C'mon Jasper, be nice." Amethyst said trotting up to her sisters side as they all started moving again. "This is there first time outside. They've never been beyond those fences. Hell Pearl's never been beyond the castle's walls."

"That's not my problem."

"Well there with us now so like it or not miss leader of the dead they are your problem."

"I am not the leader of the dead." Jasper snapped "That blood witch is in a league all her own."

"Only witch here is me." Garnet said suddenly at her side, making the wolf jump a bit. "You'd be dead if a blood witch was around."

Jasper huffed and rolled her eyes as Pearl appeared between them. A small smile was on her face as her eyes looked around. It made Jasper uneasy on how she just walked. It was more of a glide then anything and it was just creepy. If she personally couldn't see her legs she would swear she was just hovering next to her. After a bit more of walking the baby in Pearl's arms started to wake up.

"Hey little man." Amethyst said shifting back and jumping up to Pearl's side with a smile. He started to coo and babble and just make noise when he herd her "How you doin?" All he did was smile and grab at Amethyst's hand when she wiggled her fingers at him. "Aww he likes me."

"Someone has too."

"Bite me Carmella."

One by one the pack shifted back as they came clear through the trees. Then they all snickered at the look on Garnet and Pearl's faces.

Utter shock.

The town was rather big for one that was well hidden from the outside world. All sorts of people lived here. From the ones who could fly to the ones who walked the night. Everyone had a place and everyone had there limits. They knew and respected the other people and species in town and the respect was returned. Everyone worked together to keep there home safe and secure and hidden from all who would tear it down.

The pack walked into town like any normal day while Garnet and Pearl slowed down. They stuck close together as they looked around. The buildings were decent sizes and the houses blended into them so well the pair couldn't tell them apart. They all were mainly brick and the such with flowers, plants, and pretty little things here and there all over. The further into town they walked the more alive the colors and beauty became.

Stores had signs hanging out front and the whole place looked asleep, not closed. The street was made of cool stone that held onto what little warmth the days light had given and the whole town looked just beautiful. Then again, the pair hadn't seen anything but dark cracked stone and jagged corners most of there existence. What little they had seen of the world beyond that castle was such a distant memory you would think it was just a dream.

"This is where you guys go-oh for crying out loud." Jasper turned to address the pair but they weren't right behind them. They had once again stopped. Pearl was looked at a windowsill full of flowers and Garnet was looking in a random store. "Hey!"

The pair jumped but quickly came up to the pack.

"This is where we split." Jasper said "Witch, your stop is the tavern down the road here. Lights still on, they know your coming." Jasper pointed down the road a ways to a single lit window. "And you." Jasper looked Pearl up and down before pointing off into the distance. "Your kind go to the big house up there. There watching you as we speak. So you can just go right in."

The pair just looked at each other but made no indication on moving. The pack could feel the hesitation rolling off the pair but no-one said a word. It took Amethyst to break the tension. "Here, Skinny and Camilla will take you to the tavern Garnet. Pearl, I'll take you and mister sunshine here up to the house on the hill ok?"

"Shouldn't the kid stay with the witch?" Jasper asked crossing her arms. She stared Pearl down but was unsettled on how she just stared back. She saw her hold the babbling baby closer to herself and it made her frown. "Then with her?"

"Jas, its cool." Amethyst said gently taking Pearl's elbow and turned her around "Kid only likes her anyway. Will see you tomorrow Garnet."

With that Amethyst lead Pearl away. Garnet looked after them and didn't turn back around until the pair was out of sight. When she did most of the pack had left except for the two who still stood with Jasper.

"You don't like us." Garnet said mater o factly.

"No, and I trust the blood sucker even less." Jasper said turning on her heals and walking towards the tavern. Her dislike grew as Garnet walked next to her with no fear in her stride with her head held high. "I don't see why Ame wanted to help you two so bad."

"Because she liked us and bet she could beat Pearl in a game." Garnet said.

"She risked her life and ours over a game?"

"She was certain she would win."

"And the reason your smiling?"

"Pearl let her."

Garnet didn't wait for them to pick there jaws up off the ground before opening the door to the tavern. She walked in with more confidence then she had. Truth was, she was scared. It was her that told Pearl they should trust Amethyst when she offered them a way out. A way to freedom that they didn't take right away. It took two weeks and a lot of talking before they started to entertain the idea. What really sold it was when Pearl came to Garnet in tears. Once she learn of the child that was brought in and what was going to be done with him Garnet made the decision. They told Amethyst and after letting the small wolf win a silly game, they were free. Now, however Garnet was hoping it was still the right choice.

The tavern was very dimly lit, to Garnet's surprise. Round wooden tables littered the floor in tight but cozy groupings. Candles floated just above table tops and lit the room in a comfortable glow. The bar was across one long wall and the only soul in the place was behind its counter polishing a glass. Garnet kept her head held high as she weaved her way through the tables towards the bar.

"Garnet I presume?" The person said looking up. Garnet slowed only slightly but nodded "Names Leggy. We've been expecting you." When Garnet made it to the bar Leggy put the glass in her hand down and stood up. Garnet took in how short she was but didn't say anything. "Where's your mark?"

Garnet squinted slightly but put her hands on the bar top and turned them palm up. Leggy looked at her hands and a her eyes went wide. Garnet fought the urge to pull her hands back as the shorter woman pulled herself up onto the bar and touched the palms of her hands. Garnet felt little sparks of electric power jump off of her skin and bounce between them before the shorter pulled back.

"Stay here." She said before jumping off the bar top and quickly walking down the hole bar and then disappearing behind a curtained doorway.

Garnet stood stock still at the bar as hushed voices came from beyond the room. It was out of habit that she was frozen in place. Years upon years of being forced to listen and take what was given to her. Fear and pain of actions past were bouncing around in her head when the far curtain opened.

Two figures popped there heads around the doorway. One was Leggy and another was a woman who looked just like her with an eyepatch. Garnet's eyes were the only thing to move as a third figure shot out of the doorway. All she could see was a crookedly pointed hat cross behind the bar before a woman popped up into her line of view. She was short like Leggy and the other lady poking her head around the door but her hair was ice blue and she looked a bit blue herself.

Her hat was a deep blue like her dress and the black netting hanging off the top of the hat, that matched the netting round her waist and down the side of her dress, hid one eye, leaving one piercing blue one visible. She pulled herself up onto the bar top and stood on her knees, making her the same height as Garnet. The smaller woman just stared intensely at Garnet and she in turn just stared right back.

Garnet wasn't sure what to do. She wasn't sure what this woman wanted. Her gaze wasn't hostile towards the taller. It wasn't even cold. It was just intense. The only thing Garnet could think of to do was raise her hands and show her marks. She physically took a step back when the lady on the bar stool jumped to her feet and ripped her glove off. Her hands started to shake as she stared at her own mark on the smaller woman's palm.

"I-It's you." The smaller woman said with a shaking voice. "It's really you."

0

Pearl's eyes were glued to the big house as her and Amethyst walked down the street towards it. She wasn't really paying attention to what Amethyst was saying until she waved her hand in her face.

"Earth to Pearl." Amethyst said "Are we alive on that side of the grave?"

"Amethyst. Don't say things like that." Pearl scolded before looking back up at the house.

"Are you ok? You look pretty pale, even for you."

"I'm just... Nervous? Scared?" She shrugged her shoulders and waved her hand a bit, earning a giggled from the baby. "All I've ever known is that black hole. I'm worried about them finding us. I'm nervous about being here. I just..." Pearl smiled at the babies grabbing hands and gave him her fingers to hold on to "I'm scared but excited. Were finally... finally free. There's no-one trying to force needles into my skin o-or force me to be in this perfect little box. To be those little dolls who don't speak and only listen."

"Don't cry on me Pearl." Amethyst said nudging the dead as she wiped her finger across her eye "I don't have anything to get the blood off your face after."

Pearl gave a wet chuckle but pulled herself together. Amethyst smiled up at her and she smiled back. They walked in comfortable silence until they reached the small walkway up to the house. It was much bigger in person. Amethyst had explained that all the creatures of the night shared this house. It wasn't a case of being scared of the dead it was more of a safety in numbers kinda deal. "Its just like my pack." Amethyst had explained "Were a family and stick together. Same thing with you grave risers. We protect the day where you walk the night."

Both of them stopped and looked up at the tall house. If Pearl had a heart that worked it would be beating wildly in her chest. Her stomach was doing flips and she was feeling uneasy but not sick. No, physically being sick isn't something she ever did willingly and the times she was, well, they were so few and far between she honestly forgot she could until it actually happened.

"This is where you go on up alone." Amethyst said "I'm not dead so."

"What about him?" Pearl asked softly "He isn't dead either."

"Steven will be fine." Amethyst patted Pearl on the back and pushed her forward a bit "You on the other hand won't if you don't get inside before the sun comes up."

Pearl huffed at the push but nodded her head. She felt herself go a bit cooler as she slowly started to walk up the stone path. Pearl took note of the way the grass seemed greener and more alive the further she walked but that she chalked up to the moonlight. About two steps from the door it swung open with a unsettling creek. The sound alone had Pearl stop dead in her tracks and freeze a bit. It took a glance over her shoulder, and a thumbs up from Amethyst, for her to find the her courage. She knew the wolf wouldn't lead her to something that would hurt or kill her or Steven. She trusted her. She helped them out of that living hell. The wolf wouldn't throw them into another.

Holding the air she didn't need in her lungs Pearl took the last two steps into the house.

The door clicking shut behind her didn't help Pearl's nerves. She stood stock still as her eyes roamed around. The whole first floor wasn't something Pearl had ever seen before. There was a grand double staircase dominating the front and first thing you saw coming in. The rest of the floor had no walls. There were pillars all around in circles that would get smaller towards the center of the giant room. The floor was so clean that the light from the chandeliers hanging high from the ceiling was bounced all around the room, making it look bigger but keeping the darkness needed. Heavy red and black drapes and tapestries covered the walls in every space possible that even Pearl didn't know where the windows were from the inside. There were several doors spread out along the walls and an open archway towards the back of the room. The only indication to there places were the drapes tucked just enough out of the way to reveal them. The floor itself was such a reflective marble she could almost be fooled into believing she was standing on a gigantic mirror. It was very dim but not threatening. It was a deep warm cozy feeling that Perl felt out of place experiencing.

Once Pearl's eyes wondered around the floor she focused on the staircase. The energy of the room had shifted and it drew her eyes to the lone figure standing just on the bottom step. The way she held herself had the smaller vampire feeling her power radiating all around. That she was the one in charge and Pearl had no need to challenge it. She was tall but thin, the way the pink and black gown on her figure flowed from her silhouette helped her look that much more like the dead. The way her eyes watched Pearl and took in every detail of her form had the smaller feel... it wasn't inferior but not as an equal either. When her eyes moved to the baby in Pearl's arms, the smaller vampire took a slight step back.

"What's his name?" The figured asked. Pearl just stood stock still prompting a small smile from the power across the room "Take a breath Pearl. Your safe here."

Pearl felt the air around her calm and she relaxed her shoulders a bit. The figure offered her hand out to Pearl and the warm smile the taller gave had Pearl walking across the room to her slowly. She got very close to the figure but stopped short of her reach. It was a show of respect to come when silently called but fear that kept her from moving any closer. What really scared her was the look that passed the taller women's face. It wasn't a hostile look but one that made Pearl feel like she had done something wrong.

"My name is Penny." The figure said lowering her hand. She let out a small chuckle as the way the baby played with Pearl's hand. "He is so lively."

"Steven." Pearl said glancing down at him for only a moment "His name is Steven."

"Amethyst said he was special." Penny said looking up into Pearl's eyes "Why is that?"

"I wasn't told why he was special when he was brought to me." Pearl lied "I was just told to keep him alive."

Pearl felt a wave of anger pass through her for a moment but she didn't break eye contact with Penny. She stood her ground and she couldn't tell if Penny was annoyed or impressed. Most vampires had a upspoken respect and mannerisms for others of there kind that Penny picked up the other probably didn't know and its confused her slightly.

Pearl lied through her teeth. She knew exactly what Steven was and there was no power on earth that would take him from her in harm. Steven was a Star Child. Born every hundred years, a child like this comes into existence. A Star Child was a being of pure light. They are born with a Gem in there body that has the power to heal and bring life, fortune, good luck to those to possess it. This made them highly prized and highly sought after. There gems were very valuable. Because of this, most Star Children never lived passed there first year.

"You must be tired." Penny said turning around "Lets get you settled in."

Pearl followed up the staircase after Penny but kept her distance a bit. She took note how soft the carpet was under her feet and how the stairs were made of wood. It was an interesting feeling. The feeling and awe didn't fade as they reached the next floor. The hallway was tall, grand, and looked to stretch on forever both in front and behind her. The same pattern of drapes and tapestries hung on the walls up here but the doors on this floor weren't hidden and much more visible for all to see. A quick count numbered that just down one way of the hall there were at least 16 doors.

"The building is enchanted with charms and spells." Penny said looking back over her shoulder at Pearl's confused look as she walked on "The building is small but the magic gives us the dimension we need to accommodate our numbers."

"It's very impressive." Pearl said. "There must be a lot of you here."

When they came to a door Penny opened it and turned to the smaller. "Surprisingly no, there is only two of us here. Four now that you two have joined us. This will be your room." Pearl looked at her and looked at the open doorway but didn't get any closer to it. Penny could see the hesitation in her face so she gestured into the room and placed a gentle hand on the smallers shoulder, guiding her forward. "We will get you proper cloths tomorrow but we had a coffin brought up and-"

Pearl felt herself tear up "I-I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm sorry." Pearl took quick steps back until her back was pressed up against the opposite door "P-Please don't put me in there! I'll be good! I promise!"

Penny looked startled and shocked. She had never seen someone react so negatively towards something that was crucial to there being, to there history. She could see the pure fear in Pearl's eyes and she was worried. They all had heard rumors about the castle Amethyst would visit for trade every once in a while but when the little wolf said she was bringing back actual people with her this last time... well not everyone was thrilled. They all had there reserves and now Penny wondered just how much damage was caused to these two girls she brought back. Especially now, the newest member to there fold was cowering against the far wall like she had been struck.

Penny let out a low whistle as she took a step back. Pearl was watching her through her tear filled eyes as the taller vampire reached out and closed the bedroom door. In a few moments another slim figure was standing with them. She was a bit away but close enough that Pearl had seen her appear. She was thin like her with flowing pink hair down her back and hiding half her face.

"You called Penny?" She asked gently. The eye Pearl could see was looking right at her until Penny started to talk.

"Take Pearl and Steven here to get something to sleep in for the day and something to take her out in at twilight. I'll send word to the twins that they have some new people to sew for. Also I'll be sending for some of the pack to come up and remove the coffin from her room. Will need to get her a bed to sleep on."

"You don't sleep in a coffin? Why-"

"Pink." Penny said cutting her off gently but firmly.

"Sorry."

"Also I'll ask the pack if they have any extra bed frames to spare and a bassinet. We have all the fabrics and such here to make a canopy but we don't have anything for a child so young. I didn't want you to be surprised when several of them suddenly appear in the house."

"Anything else?"

Pearl looked at both of them confused. The looks they were giving her was a little unsettling as she spoke "I-I get my own room?"

"Didn't you have one back there?" Penny asked a bit baffled then even more so when Pearl told her no. "Where did you sleep?"

"Standing up against the wall. We didn't have rooms. We had spaces." Pearl answered softly as she wiped her eyes gently.

"And the." Penny pointed to the closed door.

"Punishment... We were put in the coffins when we did something wrong or they decided we hadn't been good enough. S-Some had spikes while others had sandpaper o-or acid covered lining." Pearl whispered so softly it made then back up just a fraction. Pearl looked away and they could see the words seemed to get caught in her throat. It was like she was trying to speak words that refused to be spoken "Put in a nice little box to make you a nice little girl."

Pink looked horrified as Penny looked ill. It was a few moments of thinking before Penny spoke up. "Well, here you will have your own room, with Steven of course. Your own space with your own cloths and a soft pace to lay your head. No harm will fall upon you or him while here in our home or town. Now Pearl. Follow Pink and she will help you get some basic things together for the day while we fix your room."

"Thank you." Pearl said softly.

"You will learn very quickly that here, we take care of our own."

Watching the door close was such an eerie thing that Amethyst unconsciously shifted her tail out. She trusted the dead inside to be kind and take care of both Pearl and Steven but she couldn't help it. The house in general always gave her a weird uncomfortable vibe. She was moving back and forth in nervousness before she took a few steps back and turned back towards town. She couldn't stop her eyes rolling as her sisters bulky silhouette was just beyond the shadows down the path down.

"Your eyes glow when your upset or mad." Amethyst said passing her sisters hiding spot. "I don't need a babysitter."

"I don't trust them." Jasper said appearing to walk next to her sister "Not after-"

"Not after Rose betrayed us. Yea, yea I know." Amethyst said.

They walked for a bit in silence before Jasper spoke up. "Why did you do it?"

"Do what?" Amethyst looked at her funny.

"What made you want to save them?" Jasper asked. "You never mentioned them before when trading with that place. What changed?"

She looked down and saw her sisters brow creased in concentration. Amethyst was smart but impulsive and could be very lazy. She knew that doing this took alot of prep and energy that Jasper hadn't seen before in her. It surprised and intrigue her.

"I knew that they did bad things to people there. The few times I went I made it a point to say I had a big family to come home to." Amethyst's tail moved back and forth in nervousness Jasper caught "Pearl was the first person I had saw on that side of the rumors. She looked so, so dead inside, and I mean like dead dead. I only talked to her once to ask where to go for trading inside and the way she acted... It was like she wasn't even there. She spoke like talking was the worst crime ever and acted like a puppet on strings. I knew I had to help her so I went to the only other person I had met on that side of crap and Garnet looked just as bad. The witches here are so loving and happy and just so full of spirit that it was like... like it had been sucked out of her very being."

Jasper frowned while they walked. She was taking it all in before speaking again "What made them take so long to want to run?"

"Fear I think." Amethyst said with a shrug "They've been there so long I don't think they even remember what the world looked like before those stone walls."

"And the kid?"

At that Amethyst slowed. They had made it a good way towards home but they were almost too close to there pack house to talk safely. Amethyst didn't want everyone in town to know what had happen there. The pain and horror she had seen. The screams she had herd. Just looking at Pearl and Garnet made her skin crawl there first few encounters. She had be afraid to even walk near them. The way Pearl would stair off into space at nothing when standing stone still and the way Garnet's eyes would be the only thing to move when she wasn't doing what she was told, becoming nothing more then a stone statue of muscle. If she hadn't grown up around all sorts of magic creatures Amethyst would never of figured out what the pair of them were. They both were just so out of place.

"All I know is that Steven is special." Amethyst said "They won't tell me exactly what's up with him but when he came around they were adamite about getting out as soon as possible after almost having to beg them to leave in the first place."

"If he's so special then why doesn't the witch have him?" Jasper asked crossing her arms.

"Steven is more calm around Pearl and Pearl is very protective of him. She watches him and Garnet watches them. Honestly I'll be surprised if Garnet leaves the two of them alone for the day."

"That possessive?"

Amethyst looked at her sister like every word she had just said went over her head. "That protective. From what I saw of there interactions there, they stuck together through that hell. There were a lot of people there that I would never see again after one or two times but those two were a consistent. Maby it was because I got the two of them to actually talk to me for longer then just single words and the people who basically abused them had seen that. Maby they let them talk to me to lower my defenses or something, I don't know. There fighters though." Amethyst looked back the way they came from for a moment "They disserved to be free like us."

"Will see." Jasper said walking off "Freedom is given to those who are worthy. The real struggle is seeing if they can keep it."

"The only struggle I can see right now is those two being able to sleep today." Amethyst said following at her own pace "If they manage to be apart alright."

"The living can't enter the house of the dead and the Witches den is too bright for the burner." Jasper said pushing the door open to there pack house.

"Then there going to have one hell of a first day." Amethyst said with a chuckle "This is going to be fun."

Chapter Text

"So." Garnet started slowly. "You know me."

Both her and the small women were seated at one of the tavern tables. They had sat and looked at each other for a bit before Garnet felt the need to start the conversation. She wasn't one for talking. Everything in her world was to do as your told, cast the spells needed to do what was commanded of you, and don't mess up. Failure was met with pain and suffering. There was a reason Garnet had been one of the only witches in that castle. She made it a point to leave her mark and not get lost in the stone walls of that prison. Now sitting across from this women who seemed just a silent as herself, she felt a familiar pulse in her being but covered by a dense fog.

"Yes." The smaller answered.

"We have the same mark."

"Yes."

"Why."

The smaller sighed lightly as she looked at the mark on her hand. "A long time ago, our clan was traveling across the land, trying to find a place. A safe town to call our own. Me and my wife had a child and right before we found this place things... Things went bad." Garnet took note of the way she rubbed her thumb into her mark like she was trying to erase it from her skin. She knew from experience that wouldn't work "Our child was about three when she went missing. Our clan was attacked in the night and my wife was so upset because she felt like it was her fault for not being able to protect the three of us. We spent weeks looking for our daughter and but we never found her. I couldn't give up hope though so when we found this town we stayed put, hoping one day she would come back to us. Our clan stayed rooted here with us and now only a few of us still remain... Do you remember anything before that place?"

"I remember lights outside of those walls." Garnet said "Lights floating around and shiny beads. Its like a memory lost in the fog, like a dream from so long ago."

The lady smiled slightly and laid her hand palm up on the table. The way the candle light reflected off her mark was almost hypnotizing.

"If you want." She said slowly "I can show you what you can't fully see."

Garnet was stock still. The smaller women could see the hesitation in her face and she took her hand back with a small smile. "There is no rush to do anything Garnet. When you are ready, I will help you remember things from your past. But know that here, here you are free. You won't be treated as you were. Amethyst made it a point to bring you both back with her." She pulled her small glove back on her hand. "The girls a bit lazy but when she really cares she will put her whole self into whatever it is she's after. What is your friends name you came here with?"

"Pearl." Garnet said. "I want to be with her for the night."

The women nodded and got to her feet. "I'll have to ask if you can go up to the house of the dead. No living soul is allowed inside. Not out of spite, but safety. While word is sent lets get you into some proper cloths. You look uncomfortable in what you have on."

Garnet looked down at herself as she stood. "I get new cloths." She said it more as a statement then a question. When the smaller witch nodded she felt a look of confusion pass over her face. "Why?"

"...Was this your only set?" The women asked.

"No."

"You had more?" The woman spoke as she gestured for Garnet to follow, who did, but at a slight distance. They started walking through to tables slowly, the smaller not moving too fast as to not scare the bigger. She wasn't sure how much damage to her there was, but Amethyst had told her enough for her to be cautious.

"Just one other set."

"What was it for."

"Blood sacrifice."

The woman stopped dead in her tracks. She spun around so fast on her heals that Garnet took a few big steps back out of fear. Her composure was calm but unknown to herself, Garnet was giving off dense energy. The smaller witch could feel the fear and anxiety rolling off the taller girls shoulders and just sending waves of those feelings through the tavern. It was so strong that the other witches in the building sent there own calming waves of energy into the room. The woman did it too and she could feel Garnet slowly start to relax but not by much. She could see the face she put on to be strong and it worried her. Most witches were normally very open. Wither it be in a good or bad way, they were just open. Garnet was very closed off and by her energy and the way it flooded around her while she stood stone still it was obvious she had no idea what she was doing. The way she stood. The way she talked. The way she acted. It was no wonder she was stiff and silent. She had no idea about herself, her kind. She even thought that Garnet didn't know many spells. No witch was ever part of a blood sacrifice willingly.

"Blood rituals are barbaric and forbidden here." The smaller frowned and started heading across the room again "We don't hurt our kind like that."

Garnet felt like she had said something wrong but she was taken back by the witches anger. She could see that it wasn't directed at her and that confused her. All anger she was involved with came at her. No-one had ever gotten mad about her being hurt. Well, no-one aside from Pearl. "M' sorry."

"Sorry?" The smaller woman paused at the side of the bar and turned back around. She saw the look on Garnet's face and she waved her hands. "No! No, no, no, no Garnet, don't be sorry sweetie. You've done nothing wrong! I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at the way you were treated. Please don't think for a moment that anyone here in the tavern or up in the night house hates you or Pearl ok?"

Garnet nodded but couldn't believe the words herself. It's always been everyone against her and Pearl. Everyone fighting for there failures and destruction from the beginning. Logically she knew this was a safe place but physically she wanted to run. She wanted to run and stay put all at the same time. She wanted to find Pearl and Steven and just run until they ran out of power while she simultaneously want to stay put and hide themselves away here. She was confused and it was written all over her face. Garnet didn't realized she was concentrating so hard until she felt a cool hand on her arm. She looked down to see the lady smiling up at her.

"I know it will take time to trust us and be comfortable around us but I hope you three can find a home here." She said before chuckling "I'm Sapphire by the way. I got so excited to meet you that I forgot to tell you my name. Forgive me. Now." She took Garnet's hand as gently as she could. She gave the taller Witch all the time she nd to pull her hand away but when she didn't Sapphire took it as a good sign "Lets get you some proper cloths and I'll show you to your room."

"My room?"

"Yes." Sapphire said starting forward again and now pulling Garnet along with her "You will get your own room here. Your own space with your own cloths and anything else you wish to keep. We had a big bed brought in for you. We made sure that if Pearl was to come for a day or two that she would be safe from the sun. Also a bassinette for Steven as well."

Garnet was surprised by her kindness. She never really had people give her things past orders and demands. All she could do was thank her and got a warm smile in return.

Sapphire took Garnet behind the bar and through the doorway she had appeared from earlier. This doorway lead to a narrow hallway that lead to a wooden staircase at the far end. Going to the stairs they passed several closed doors and an open one that lead to a kitchen. Sapphire took them up the stairs and to a nice dark wooded hallway. The floor squeaked a bit as they walked and the rich sent of candlewood filled the air. Floating candles lit the hallway up like the tavern bellow and it made Garnet feel warm. She took note that each door she passed was decorated and different from the next. Some were painted a bright color while others had intricate patterns drawn onto them. Some had plants while others had shimmering magic. The only thing they all had in common was that every door had a name on it.

"This is your room." Sapphire said stopping all the way at the end of the hall. Garnet looked at the plain door then back at the witch. "To claim it as yours, just put your hands against the door." Sapphire smiled up at her and let go of her hand "It won't hurt. I promise."

Garnet looked at the door then her hands. She was hesitant to do as told. She didn't feel any malic or ill intent from this witch, nor anyone else here, but she was still afraid. Garnet took a breath and placed her palms against the door. Her eyes went wide then closed tight as the door glowed white. The hallway lit up for a moment before becoming dark once again.

When Garnet opened her eyes she took her hands back with a start. The door was no longer a dull dark oak color. It was a royal blue at the bottom and a fire red at the top. The two colors twisted and swirled together in the center to make a royal purple. Dull and glittery gems lined the door in intrigant patterns that she realized spelled her name. Garnet reached out slowly and let her fingertips just brush the wood like she was afraid it would break if she put just the smallest bit of pressure against it. "It's mine."

"Yes, it's now officially yours." Sapphire said. She could see the surprise on Garnet's face and she took great care in not showing her displeasure in the fact that it was obvious she never had one before "Go on inside and look around. I left a nightgown in there for you to change into and get some sleep. After your rested I'll take you into town to get you some cloths and anything else you need." Garnet nodded "Me and my wife's room is across the hall, just knock if you need anything."

"My friend."

Sapphire raised her hand "I'll send word once you go into your room but don't expect a positive answer ok? Pearl's kind can't wonder in the daylight like the rest of us can. The sun is very dangerous to her."

"We never were allowed out in the sun." Garnet said looking back to her door "I can't see in the light and it hurts Pearl badly."

"The sun is deadly to vampires." Sapphire said off handedly tapping her lip and looking away for a moment "But you can't see in the light?" Garnet shook her head and it confused the smaller "Can you kneel for me Garnet?" Garnet listened without hesitation but the fear written on her face was great. "I'm going to touch your face ok? I'm going to use a bit of magic to check your eyes. I just want to see why the sun blinds you."

Sapphire moved very slow as she reached out to Garnet. When her fingers touched her skin she watched Garnet flinch slightly and close her eyes. She didn't move until Garnet opened her eyes again. Sapphire placed both her hands on Garnet's cheeks and touched her pointer fingers to her temples. Garnet felt a bit of a tingle as Sapphire's magic jumped into her skin. Sapphire leaned in very close as she turned Garnet's head this way and that to look into her eyes. She could tell that it was more of a mental block to the sun then a physical one. She didn't want to jump into Garnet's memories and thoughts without her permission to find out why so she let it go for now.

Once she was satisfied she let her go and nodded. "It's an easy fix. All I need is to get you some special sunglasses to wear. It will help block out the brightness and will dim the sunlight so you can see comfortably without being blinded."

"Sunglasses."

"There like regular glasses but block out the light of the sun. Now, go change and let me send word for your friend ok?"

Garnet nodded and with that Sapphire walked off. Garnet didn't move until the small witch went back the way they had come and down the stairs. After glancing around she slowly grabbed the doorknob and opened her room. Stepping inside her surprise didn't diminish.

The room was a decent size with just a bed in it and a wardrobe against the wall next to a floor sized mirror to the left as you walk in. The bed was very big, covered in dark purple and silver sheets just littered with pillows. The frame was a beautiful light wood that twisted around the floor and slightly up the back wall, making the bed look like it was resting on the roots of a strong tree. Seemingly attached to the foot of the bed was a bassinet for Steven. The room was set up to hold a lot of things that Garnet could get, if she so wanted. As she stepped into the room she noticed that the bed frame was actually moving ever so slightly. The smile crossing her face only got bigger as she saw the room react to her presence. Several purple and blue flowers bloomed out from the bed frame that reached up the wall and they gave off a dim light, casting her in a calming glow.

Garnet left her door ajar as she stepped away from it. She ran her fingers over the soft sheets before she spied another door. Tucked right next to the wardrobe was where it was hidden. She walked over to it and upon opening the door she found a washroom. A beautiful bathtub covered in roots and flowers to match the ones above her bed lit the room up. There was a wood rooted sink with bubbling water coming from the roots itself off to the side. There were several bottles of all colors sitting on the tubs edge. Walking over she recognized the smell of shampoos and soaps. It wasn't until that moment that she realized how dirty she was, how much she wanted a bath. Her only problem was, she didn't know how to fill the tub.

Garnet was thinking of how too when she touched the side of the tub. As if the tub knew her thoughts, water started to bubble up from the bottom. Garnet jumped a bit but didn't take her hand away from the edge until she was happy with the tub being almost full. Garnet then took her cloths off and tossed them aside.

Stepping into the tub had her giggling slightly to herself. The water was so warm and when she sat down she closed her eyes in bliss. Her body relaxed as she laid back and sighed. She'd never had a hot bath before, or even a warm one! Most bathing times were with a bucket and cold water. They were super quick and an after thought. Garnet was fighting the instinct to hurry and rush as she slowly bathed. She never felt so wonderful getting clean before in her existence. Garnet didn't realize how long she was in the water for until she got out and saw her fingers were very wrinkled.

The smile wouldn't leave the witches face as she wrapped herself in a soft towel and looked at the tub. For some reason she said thank you out loud and to her surprise the tub started to drain. She was intrigued but liked it. She liked the feeling of being surrounded by magic. She still was cautious but felt calm and safe here. It was something she would have to get used to. It was just such a foreign feeling.

As Garnet left the bathroom there was a knock on her door. She held the towel wrapped around her tightly as she looked to her door. She herd Sapphire ask to come in and it confused her. No-one ever asked her permission to do anything before. It took her a minute to remember to speak. "Yes."

Sapphire came in and smiled upon seeing the tall girl standing there in a towel. "Looks like you figured out how to work the tub. It's really neat isn't it?"

"It is." Garnet answered. "I've never seen anything like that before."

"Oh wow, those are so pretty!" Sapphire said looking at the bed "Ruby is the only other person I know who likes glowing flowers instead of candles."

"Ruby?"

"My wife. You will meet her later but I came to tell you that for tonight you can go to the house of the dead. The Coven leader said you could stay with Pearl your first night here. Apparently she is having a hard time with there ways."

"There ways?"

"Penny didn't really tell me why but Pearl freaked out when they showed her her room. Something about coffins."

"Coffins are used as punishment." Garnet said frowning "Were put in them when they want to hurt us. I was never kept in them for long but they would keep Pearl in them for days if she didn't do what she was told perfectly and even if she did."

"That's horrible!" Sapphire looked like she was going to be sick. "No wonder she is having a hard time. Coffins are what most undead sleep in. It's a staple of there culture. Knowing Penny she just showed her one and that's where things must of gone bad."

"Who's Penny?"

"The Coven leader. She's the head of the vampires in the house along with the other undead that reside there every once in a while. She is also the leader of our town. But get dressed, there should be something in the wardrobe for you to wear out. The sun hasn't gone above the horizon yet so it should be safe for us to walk you up to the house without your eyes hurting from the light."

"Us?"

"Me and my wife. Now get dressed and will meet you down stairs."

0~~~0

"When was the last time you bathed?" Pink asked. "Or ate something?"

Pearl was following her down the hallway back towards the first floor. After she had calmed down enough Penny told her to go with Pink to get cleaned up and such before going off to send word out for things they needed for there newest member. Pearl was still very stiff and ridged with her movements as she walked. She was scared but understood she wasn't in trouble or had done anything wrong. If anything she felt bad for scaring them.

"I'm not sure." Pearl said following Pink down the stairs. "I only bathed when told too and got to eat when they thought I was good enough. I wasn't really able to keep track of time too well."

"Were... you not allowed to do anything without being told?" The vampire asked over her shoulder.

"When I did I was punished." Pearl said as her feet hit the cool marble floor.

"Well here you don't have to worry about that." Pink said leading the way across the floor. "We have a few rules here for you to follow but other then that your free to do what you want and go where you please. As long as you don't attack anyone or hurt anyone or yourself you will fit in, in no time."

Pearl was silent to that as she followed Pink across the floor. She was stunned and confused. No-one had ever treated her like more then a decoration, let alone an actual person. For as long as Pearl could remember she was standing against a cold stone wall. Told to blend into the background to be seen and never herd. Used as a punching bag and talked down to feel like less then dirt. To be abused when she did something wrong and even when she did something right. For so long she was forced to be in a perfect little box that fit there image of a perfect statue in that castle that she forgot what doing anything on her own felt like. She had been a hollow shell of a person for so long that when she first met Garnet she didn't know what to do. Garnet had been the one to treat her like a person and slowly taught her how to breath on her own again.

A gentle hand on Pearl's shoulder had her jump almost a foot in the air. She came out of her thoughts to see her and Pink standing in front of an open door. Pearl noticed that they had made it all the way across the marble floor and had stopped.

"You looked lost in thought." Pink said before taking Pearl's hand and turning back to the door. "I didn't want to disturb you but will never get you cleaned up if I let you just stand there."

"Sorry." Pearl said softly as Pink let out a yawn.

"Don't be." Pink said waving her free hand and moving through the door and down the stairs, tugging Pearl behind her "I know you have a lot to think about. A lot to take in. Its going to take time so don't be sorry when you need to stop and think or adjust or whatever you need to do to understand things. Our ways are going to be foreign just like the town and the people. It's not going to be an easy journey to fit in and understand everything but the main thing to remember is this. Don't be afraid to be yourself."

"Be myself..." Pearl mumbled to herself looking down at Steven, who had fallen asleep again "I don't think I ever was myself."

Pink worried her bottom lip as she let what Pearl said go. It was hard for her to understand what this new coven member had gone through but the way she talked made it sound like she didn't really know what emotions were. Also by the way she acted, she figured that there was more then just words to the evidence of abuse leaving the others mouth. She would find out soon enough.

Pearl's eyes went wide as they reached the bottom of the steps. The room they entered was huge. It was a high walled cave with beautiful water pools everywhere. Steam rose from there surface and many different smells filled the warm air. Wooden paths wove there ways around the room, on the stone ground and floating on water. Next to the stairs were several gigantic wooden structures, upon being pulled past them, Pearl discovered them full of cloths. Candelabras jutted out of the cave walls and lit the room in a soft orange glow. Upon peaking into the closest pool on there way by Pearl saw that the water was a beautifully gentle blue that glowed softly from cracks in the stone bottom.

"There natural hot springs." Pink said as she pulled Pearl to a stop next to a wooden divider. "When the house was built they discovered them down here. We converted them into this bath house so we could take care of ourselves without going out in the sun and getting hurt."

"The sun hurts?" Pearl asked looking around a bit more before looking at Pink "I've never seen the sun. I was never allowed outside."

"The sun can kill us Pearl." Pink said trying not to look shocked at her lack of knowledge "It's very painful. That's why we only go out when its night time and the twilight hour."

"Twilight hour?"

"When the suns just behind the trees and not up in the sky. As long as the suns rays don't hit your skin you won't get hurt. You'll just be very uncomfortable until it fully sets." Pink said letting go of her hand "Now, go behind the divider and take your cloths off. No-one else will come down here so it will just be us. When your ready will get you into one of the pools to get cleaned off."

Pearl didn't move as she looked at the divider then the pools. She was unsure on what to do. She knew that her and Steven were safe, that no-one was going to hurt them, but she was scared. Every time she had to bathe before she was beaten along with horrible things done to her. Removing any clothing around another always made her cry and she was fighting that urge very hard right now. Part of her wanted to run but the conditioning in her forced her to stay in place. Pink was silently watching her expressions change on her face in a small pattern before speaking up.

"Pearl, It's ok." Pink said softly "No-one is going to hurt you here. Believe it or not vampires are one of the strongest species in the world. They would be stupid to try." Pink realized her words weren't really helping as she said them so she tried a different tactic. "Would it make you feel better if I bathed with you?"

That thought did make Pearl feel a little better. If she was going to be hurt then no-one would willingly be hurt with her so she nodded. With a smile Pink took her around the wooden divider. On the other side were several stacks of towels and baskets with different bottles of colors in them. Pearl watched as Pink emptied one of the bigger baskets and placed several towels inside.

"You can put Steven in here. We can keep an eye on him without putting him near the water." Pink said with a smile "So he can sleep and we can bathe."

Pearl nodded but didn't move to put Steven in the basket right away. She looked at the sleeping baby in her arms and smiled slightly. Steven was precious to her. Him being a Star Child had nothing to do with that. Pearl just loved him for him. He was such a good baby. Star Children rarely had to eat. They slept most of the time and when they did wake it was important to take them out into the moonlight. That light would cause there gems to glow and help them grow. It was a rapid growth from what Pearl had over heard before. A babies first moon light glow was supposed to be one of there strongest. They would grow to be about the size of a toddler in one go. It reminded Pearl to ask either Pink or Penny later about full moon cycles around here as she eventually placed the sleeping baby in the basket.

"You really care about him." Pink pointed out as she pulled her nightgown over her head and placed it in a basket against the wall.

"I do." Pearl said fiddling with the edge of her ratty cloths.

Pearl was shy about getting undressed as first but pushed it to the back of her mind as she discarded her cloths. Pink bit her tounge at all the light scars littering Pearl's body as she grabbed two towels for them to use. She had never seen someone so scarred up with them being on this side of the grave. After turning, most undead's scars and marks from there mortal life faded away and healed. Seeing Pearl now means that these were all inflicted after she had turned. What worried her the most was the scars across Pearl's chest where her heart should be, the lightly bruised skin around her ankles, and the ones lining the whole inside of her arms with deep angry red scars.

Pink looked away as she grabbed a basket full of different soaps and shampoos. She took them over to the closest pool, after setting Steven's basket up so Pearl could still see him, and sat on the edge. Pearl watched as Pink handed her the basket while she pulled out a ribbon.

"Pick whatever soap and shampoo you like and I'll help you wash your hair."

Pearl nodded and joined her on the pools edge. She folded her legs under herself as as looked into the basket. Every bottle was a different color and every color had a different smell. Some smelled sweet while others smelled... well it wasn't a bad smell, just not something Pearl liked. Pearl shifted through a few bottles until she settled on tow blue and silver ones. Once she picked them she set them aside and looked to Pink.

The other vampire was already lounging in the water with her hair tied up onto her head, a big scar across her one eye and part of her face. Pearl jumped slightly at the sight and Pink opened her good eye to look at her. "Pick your soaps yet?"

"Does it hurt?" Pearl asked lightly touching the side of her own face.

"Not anymore." Pink said picking up what she was asking about and shrugging her shoulders "But that's a conversation for another time."

Pearl nodded and looked at the water. She could feel the heat coming off it's surface and it made her feel a bit warm inside. Vampires were naturally cold and Pearl personally tended to gravitate towards warmer beings. Garnet was used to her clinging to her a lot and she never minded. Garnet was a walking heater so while she warmed Pearl up, Pearl in turn cooled her down. It was an even exchange.

Pearl slowly uncurled her legs from under her and slowly dipped one foot into the water. The little sigh that left Pearl's lips had Pink smiling. Pearl slowly got her other foot into the water and lowered herself to sit down. Her eyes fluttered shut with a smile of her own on her face. The water was very warm and it made her feel wonderful. She felt the cold that followed her everywhere leave her form as her muscles relaxed for the first time in a long time. She doesn't know how long she just laid there before Pink had her focus. They both bathed and Pink helped Pearl learn to wash her hair.

"It's very long." Pink said running her fingers through Pearl's strawberry blonde hair. "Do you like it like this?"

"It's too long for my taste." Pearl said honestly glancing over at Steven for what felt like the hundredth time. She knew he was ok and safe but she couldn't help it. She was used to him always being in danger and worried he would be taken from her that she never had her eyes off him for long. "My... abusers liked it this long. Easier to grab onto."

"We can get it cut if you want." Pink said washing the shampoo out "It won't grow back unless you want it too."

"I can do that?" Pearl asked turning to look at Pink "I have a choice?"

"You will always have a choice here." Pink said "As long as you follow the few rules we have and just be yourself, you can do whatever you want. You will always have a choice in everything you do here. No-one will demand or tell you what to do. Not like that horror show you came from." Pearl looked down at herself, running her hand over one arm and the many scars littering her skin "Your free here."

"Girls." Both vampires looked up to see Penny standing at the base of the stairs "When your done meet me in the front room near the door."

"Yes Penny." Pink said as the taller turned and walked back up the stairs. Pearl looked at Pink as the other was turning around and placing her hands on the pools edge. She caught the look Pearl was giving her and she smiled as she pulled herself out of the water "Were not in trouble Pearl. If we were she would of yelled at us."

That did make Pearl feel a little better but physically she was shaking. She still felt like she did something wrong, but she followed Pink out of the pool quickly. Taking the towel Pink offered to her and wrapping it around herself she followed Pink over to the giant wooden structures. She went and stood next to Steven as she watched Pink. The other vampire looked at her and back at the cloths a few times as she shuffled through them. It wasn't long before Pink pulled out a blue dress and held it up. "How dose this look?"

Pearl looked it over carefully. It was a short silky blue dress and very pretty. It was sleeveless but would cover her whole chest. A beautiful blue ribbon encircled the waist and the dress flared out a bit at the hips. It looked like it would stop just above the knees of whoever wore it. "It's very pretty."

"Good, then this is yours." Pink said putting it into Pearl's hand. She smiled more as the look on Pearl's face was confusion followed by understanding. "Yes, it's yours Pearl. We have a nightgown up in your room for you to sleep in but this is now your dress. You can wear it out tomorrow when we go into town to get you more of your own."

"I get my own cloths?" Pearl looked at the garment baffled "I get more then one set?"

"Did you only have that one pair?" Pink asked pointing to the rags on the floor where Pearl left them. She frowned with the nod Pearl gave her as she pulled her nightgown back out of the basket she left it in and put it on "Well you will have plenty being here. We don't let our own go without."

"Thank you."

"No need to thank me. Do you need help getting it on?"

Pearl looked the dress over and nodded. She didn't want to ruin such a beautiful gown with her clumsy hands. With a smile Pink had them both dressed in no time. She even helped Pearl pull her hair back with a ribbon to match. Pearl would be lying if she said she didn't feel pretty or like an actual person for the first time in her life. Pink had even found something clean for Steven to wear, though Pearl didn't let her help dress him. Pink understood her hesitation and stood far off to the side.

Pearl held Steven close as they headed up to the first floor. She liked the way the smell of the shampoo followed after her and flowed off her hair. She liked that the smell of the soap sunk into her skin. She couldn't wipe the smile from her face as they reached the first floor and it only got bigger when she saw who was standing near the front door.

"Garnet!" Pearl was all but running over to her tall friend.

The other four standing in the room took note on the way the pair acted. Pearl moved a lot slower then a vampire should. They could see by the way she walked that she was restricted. Like she was holding back. They also took note on how the silent Witch smiled brightly for a few moments as she met her friend half way for a hug. They noticed the way they clung to each other. The moment the Vampire was in her arms the Witch got defensive. Pearl curled into Garnet and Garnet wrapped around the two of them protectively. It was a classic stance for those in abusive surroundings and situations. The smaller would always coward against the one who would stand as a protective figure. This behavior worried the four more as the pair didn't look like they were going to let each other go any time soon.

"Girls." Penny said getting there attention. "First, I want to welcome you both into our town and homes officially. I hop you both can find comfort here and safety." She took a moment before continuing. "I want to make it clear that for tonight only, Garnet is allowed to stay here. It is very dangerous for you to be in the house of the dead, I want to make that very clear. But in the same thought we want you both comfortable your first night somewhere new and safe so I've bent the rules this one time you two."

Both girls nodded before Garnet spoke up "What if Pearl wanted to come to my room. Would that be allowed?"

"That is fine but you would need to clear it with the rest of your clan in your home before then." Penny answered "And make sure that your room is enchanted so the sun won't hurt her." The taller looked to the two short witches standing near the door "But seeing as both Sapphire and Ruby escorted you here then they already talked to the clan for you."

Garnet looked at the two quizzically and Sapphire smiled "We figured that you two would want to be close your first few weeks here so we went ahead and had everything set up before your arrival, like I told you earlier."

"Thank you." Pearl said looking between the witches and the vampires "Really... We-Were very grateful for everything."

"The pack are the people you should thank the most." Penny said "If it wasn't for them we would never of found that castle and there leader would of never seen you two."

"Seen us?" Pearl mumbled.

"It was Jasper's idea to try and establish trade with them and when Amethyst found you two she kept going back. The rest you know." Penny said with a wave of her hand before stifling a yawn. "Now we will talk more tomorrow night and answer any questions you both have but now it's time for bed."

With that the door behind the witches swung open with a creak and the pair smiled at the girls.

"We'll see you both around twilight." Sapphire said as Ruby took her hand "Sleep well."

Garnet waved goodbye and after the two had left the door swung shut with a silent, barely audible click. Both her and Pearl looked to the stairs to see just Penny standing there.

"The pack set up a bed for you Pearl with a bassinet for Steven." Penny said turning on her heals. "Come along."

Pearl took Garnet's hand and pulled her after the vampire. They followed in silence up the stairs and down the hall. The closer they got to Pearl's room however, the slower she moved. She slowed down so much that by the time they reached it Garnet was the one pulling her along. Garnet remembered what Sapphire had told her about the coffins and she knew Pearl was still scared.

Penny opened the door and waved them to go inside "Have a good sleep girls. Pink will be by at twilight to get you guys."

With that, the girls were left alone in the hall. Garnet blinked in surprise. She turned to Pearl to see her eyes glued to the doorway. Fear was written all over her face and she couldn't remember how to make her feet move. Garnet squeezed her hand and watched only her friends eyes move to look at her.

"It's ok Pearl." Garnet said gently "I'm right here with you."

Pearl took a breath and with a nod, Garnet took them into her room. Pearl was wowed by it. The walls were a dark blue and the floor was covered in soft carpets. The bed waiting for them was something she'd never seen before. It was big with black sheets and a few pillows. The frame was a dark metal that went up in a box shape before connecting at the top like a tent. Various silks and fabrics matching the rooms colors hung down from the frame and made a beautiful hanging canopy that splashed across the floor. There was a big closet against the left wall that was open wide. Pearl figured it was so she wouldn't be scared again. There was a big desk with a few candles on it that were burning softly. The rest of the room was dark but several unlit candles sat here and there to be lit at Pearl's leisure if she so wanted.

Pearl spied the bassinet and went right for it to lay Steven down as Garnet shut the door behind them. The dead smiled at the soft animals and toys in there for him with a heavy scent of the pack lingering on them. As soon as Pearl laid him down Steven grabbed a pink lion and hugged it to him, quickly falling asleep with it. The sound of the lock clicking into place made both girls feel better. Locked doors had started off as a bad sound to them but quickly grew to one of security when they found the time.

"He's been good?" Garnet asked watching Pearl wrap a blanket around Steven as she walked over and closed the closet doors after giving a thorough look inside.

"Yes. He was a bit talkative earlier but went back to sleep." Pearl said watching her.

"And you?" The taller walked over and the smaller followed her over to the bed. "You smell nice."

Pearl giggled and ran her hand over the sheets. They were so soft that it made her pause. It was soft like her dress. "Ok I think. They've been very nice to me. Pink helped me wash my hair and let me keep this pretty dress." Garnet took her hand and twirled her around in a circle. Pearl smiling made her smile herself. "She even said I can cut my hair. Its my choice! I'm so excited."

"I can tell." Garnet said turning and looking at the bed. "It looks soft."

"It's really mine." Pearl said softly. "Help me out of this?"

Garnet helped Pearl out of her dress and into the nightgown they gave her. Garnet had brought her own and soon they were laying down on the bed. Both of them were on there back and looking up at the canopy above.

"Were free." Pearl said softly.

"Yup." Garnet answered.

"No more beatings."

"No more torture."

"No more screaming."

"No more test's."

"No more coffins..." Pearl turned on her side to look as Garnet the same way she turned to look at her "I'm scared..."

Garnet opened her arms and Pearl scooted into them. She held the dead close with them both relaxing a bit more as there body heat switched between them. Pearl put her face into Garnet's neck and Garnet put her face into Pearl's hair. "Me too..." Garnet looked up to check on Steven as Pearl took a breath to speak. "He's ok."

Pearl let out her breath and sighed a bit. They both laid in silence for a while until Pearl spoke up. "Garnet."

"Hmm?"

"I can't sleep."

Garnet frowned. Her arms tightened a bit as she took in the smell of Pearl's shampoo. It smelled like sea and sand. Even Steven smelled like flowers and it made Garnet smile. She herself smelled like, she think they were called lilacs or lavender. She couldn't really remember. She liked it much more then the smell of bleach and roses they were so used too.

"Do you think standing would help?" she mumbled.

"I don't want to..."

"Then don't." Garnet said kissing the top of her friends head "I'll be here when you wake up."

"Promise?" Pearl aske so softly that it would of been lost with any other sound that would of been made in the room. The pair of them were so used to sleep being a rare thing. So rare that when it did come, most of the time it was forced. Having the option to do it willingly now was proving to be very hard. It was a silent agreement that they were afraid to sleep. Afraid that when they woke up, that this would all be a dream.

"Promise." Garnet answered.

0~~~0

Amethyst was lounging on her bed when her sister Skinny popped her head onto her room.

"Fork over some soft stuff." She said.

"Why?" Amethyst asked annoyed "I like my pillow horde."

"Dead can't handle a coffin." Skinny said with a roll of the eyes "So we got asked to build her a bed."

Amethyst groaned as she flopped out of bed and onto the floor. Her sister just laughed as she watched her. Amethyst dramatically dragged herself across her mess of a room to the far corner. Her body dragged itself into the big pail of soft things there before popping out the top with a smile.

"How much do you need?"

"Handful and some soft things for the kid." Jasper said passing by the door. "Carmella is helping me which means you two are on watch duty."

"Aww whaaaaaat?" Amethyst protested as she started throwing soft things out into the hall, Jasper and Skinny skillfully dodging out of the way of a few well aimed pillows. "We did that yesterday!"

"You can't build a bed." Jasper said gathering the soft things off the floor and walking away. "And your not going into that house so get going."

"Yes moooooooom."

Skinny laughed as Jasper walked off growling at her younger sisters. Both her and Amethyst begrudgingly got dressed. The pack was really laid back when it came to doing things but followed a strict set of rules. Safety in numbers, check in with the pack leader, and keep the town safe. The pack was the biggest and strongest species in town so they took it upon them selves to keep there town out of harms way. They were the first to respond to a threat and the last to fall. They were friendly with everyone and it took a lot to cause issues with them.

Both girls threw on ratty shorts and tank tops before heading out. Amethyst was tying her hair back as Skinny shut the door behind them.

"Yo spell casters!" Amethyst called to Ruby and Sapphire who were walking from the tavern hand in hand. "How's ya girl doing? Our grave robber isn't fairing too well."

"She's getting cleaned up." Ruby said as they walked over "Were actually on our way to find her some sunglasses. She has issues with light."

"Garnet mentioned Pearl's fear of coffins." Sapphire said looking up at the dead house. "We sent word to see if she could stay the night up there with her to help calm her down. Apparently coffins were used to hurt them."

"It was bad." Amethyst said "Did you two?"

She gestured between the pair of them and Sapphire shook her head. "Garnet is very closed off and hesitant. She doesn't seem to know how to use her powers and just looked at me when I offered to help with her memory."

"She will come around when she's ready guys." Skinny said with a shrug "It takes time."

"Yea don't worry too much." Amethyst said "Trust me, the situation was messed up in that castle. Its going to take a lot before there comfortable enough to open up. Just be ready for them to have weird behaviors."

"What do you mean?" Ruby asked.

"Well, Garnet knows basic spells to enhance her body like strength and speed and she knows how to levitate stuff. Hell, she got all three of us over there creepy prison fence with no issue." Amethyst said "I know she was used to move heavy stuff there but I never asked what else she did."

"And the corps?" Skinny asked.

"Decoration." Amethyst frowned "I've seen slaves treated better then her. But we gotta go do our rounds before Jas gets angry at us."

"Good luck with your glasses search." Skinny said.

With a wave both parties set off. Amethyst and Skinny messed around as they made there rounds. They did this for a few hours until the sun started to set. On there last track around Skinny told Amethyst she was going to get some stuff in town and promised to meet up later for food. Amethyst was all too egar to head home and peaced out quickly. This would start a series of bad reactions to happen. Staring with Skinny not making it back at twilight.

Chapter Text

Chapter 3

It was a hard first day to sleep through. Both girls kept waking up through the day but neither of them moved in fear of waking the other. Pearl kept herself curled up against Garnet's chest with her arms wrapped around her neck. Half of it was for comfort. Half of it was that fear of waking up alone. Garnet kept her own arms securely around Pearl's waist. Her fingers were tangled up in the back of her gown like life itself depended on it. She felt like if she physically held onto her then everything was going to be ok. That as long as Pearl was in her arms no-one would be able to hurt her. Hurt them.

They laid together like this all day until it was late into the afternoon. What got them really moving was Steven. He was wiggling and babbling so much that when Pearl sat up and rolled over to the side of the bed he was on he was ready.

Steven was smiling and grabbing for Pearl which made her smile. "Hello Steven."

Garnet sat up and stretched as Pearl picked the baby up. She propped herself up against the pillows as Pearl scooted back to sit next to her. Garnet smiled and took Steven when he reached for her. She bent her legs to rest him against her thighs so he could play with her hands. He still had the stuffed Lion in his grip and made it clear that he wasn't letting it go.

"Hi Steven." She said as Pearl curled up next to her. He just babbled happy at the pair and proceeded to nibble on Garnet's fingers. "Tiny hands. My one weakness."

"We need to find out when the next full moon is." Pearl said "He needs to start growing."

"He will grow when he's ready Pearl."

"He isn't like normal children." The smaller said running her fingers through the babies hair "He isn't even like us" Garnet lowered her hand to rest on Steven's stomach. "The bigger he gets... the more of a chance he gets to live to see a world we were robbed from."

Garnet could feel the warm pulse from the gem in Steven's skin. It even started to glow a bit with the smile on his face. He could tell that they were holding him, that they loved and cared about him. He always smiled and talked but he would do it so much more with the two of them. He even did it a bit with Amethyst the few times she met him.

"Will ask the pack." Garnet said "Amethyst should know."

Pearl laied her head on Garnet's shoulder and they both watched the baby. Steven played with Garnet's fingers for a bit longer before blinking off to sleep, pulling the stuffed lion up to use as a pillow. The pair stayed like that for a while before Pearl looked at the door.

"We should get dressed." She said scooting around Garnet to stand "There taking us into town tonight. Pink said we get to get our own things!"

"Sapphire said the same thing." Garnet said handing Pearl Steven so she could stand.

"What do you think of them?" Pearl asked going and putting Steven down as Garnet started to change into the borrowed shirt and pants she was given. "Of being around other witches."

"I'm not sure." Garnet answered pulling her shirt over her head. "There very honest."

"Honest?" Pearl pulled out cloths for Steven before going over to where her dress was laying across the desk "Can you help me with this?"

"They let me know that what they did to us was wrong." Garnet pulled her pants on before walking over to Pearl "Sapphire was very upset when I told her about the sacrifices and the coffins."

"You told her?" Pearl looked over her shoulder as Garnet helped pull the dress over her head. She looked very scared but wasn't shaking to her credit.

"She asked about clothing and the sacrifice came up." Garnet tied the ribbon around Pearl's waist into a pretty bow for her "Then she told me that you got upset with the coffin they brought in for you. That's how they were used got brought up." She grabbed the ribbon in Pearl's hand and ran her fingers through her hair "I didn't know it was bad until she said something."

"Were really broken." Pearl said softly "Aren't we."

"If we were, they wouldn't want us." Garnet said tying Pearl's hair back with the ribbon before turning her around and hugging her "But they do. They want us. They want Steven." Pearl hugged her back "They care."

"Do you think they will still care when they learn about Steven?" Pearl whispered. "About what he is?"

"They will." Garnet said.

"And if they don't?" Pearl asked looking up at her.

Garnet was silent for a long time before speaking. "Then we do what we do best. We survive."

The pair was silent as they let each other go. Pearl gathered Steven up as Garnet went to the door. After unlocking the door the pair silently made there way down the hallway. They made it all the way down the main staircase before they were stopped.

"Wait." Pink was in front of them in seconds "You really don't know how bad the sun is for you, do you."

"I'm sorry." Pearl said softly as her and Garnet jumped at the vampires sudden appearance, taking a step back.

"No, its ok." Pink said waving her hand before pulling a black cloth off her arm "I was on my way to your room to get you guys when I herd you go down stairs. Are you ready to go out?"

The pair was stone still as Pink looked from one to the other. When they didn't give her an answer Pink smiled and shook out the cloth in her hands. "First, put this cloak on." She flung it over Pearl's shoulders and tied it into a nice bow in the front "This can come off after the sun is fully set. While it is twilight out it can still hurt you."

Once the cloak was secured on the dead's shoulders, Pink put her own on and the hood up before turning to the front door, Garnet watched this and then put Pearl's hood up for her. Pink called out to Penny that they were leaving and the front door opened for them. Pink reached behind her and took Pearl's hand, making the dead flinch slightly at the touch and the Witch become slightly more defensive. She pulled the smaller out of the door and Garnet scrambled a bit to follow.

The four of them set out into town at a calm pace. The closer they got the more the pair slowed down. Pink didn't mind and let them set the pace as they walked. There were a lot of people still walking around. Most were talking and chatting while others were closing up shop. Kids and kits played games in the street while there mothers called them home for supper. Some were casting spells and messing around with magic while others watched and scolded with laughter. The town was so alive that the pair were awestruck. Curious glances were thrown there way but most just ignored them and went about there days.

As they got further into town Sapphire and Ruby appeared around a corner to greet them. They were happy to see the two out and about and after greeting Pearl officially they told Pink they would take over.

"Thanks. Here's a list of things Pearl needs for us up at the house." Pink said handing off a list and a bag of coins to Sapphire "I'm not sure about Steven though."

"We got that covered." Ruby said with a smile "We watched half these kids grow up and helped with quite a few as well. If we get stuck will just ask the pack."

Pink nodded and looked to Pearl who was looking around a bit "They will go with you to get your stuff. I need to take care of some things for myself and Penny so I'll meet back up with you later ok? If you want to get anything that's not on the list just ask."

Pearl nodded and Pink gave her a smile before walking off.

"Well Pearl." The vampire turned to Sapphire "You need to get the same things as Garnet, give or take some stuff, so this should be easy. After were done then we'll take you both around town."

Pearl gave them a small nod, Garnet remaining silent, and they set off. There first stop was the fabric shop, run by the Rutile twins. Ruby called out a greeting as they walked into the decently sized shop. The door had a slight ring to it as it was pushed open and the smell of cotton and leather filled the pairs head. At first they were hesitant but the memories they had tied to smells like these were nothing compared to what they saw. The inside had fabrics and leathers lining the walls and floor. Tables were set up to show off materials and candles floated about here and there above little saucers to catch the wax. The atmosphere was open and warm and they didn't feel unwelcomed. The girls never knew so many different shapes and patterns existed before.

"Hello." The pair looked to the counter and had to do a double take. Standing there were two girls who looked just like each other. Mirror copy's. The only indication that they were not the same person or an illusion is that when one moved, the other stood still. "Welcome to our shop."

"We brought new people for you to meet." Ruby said with a smile "This is Garnet, Pearl, and baby Steven."

"So your the new people Amethyst brought back." The girl on the left said "I'm Ru."

"And I'm Ti." The other said "Were twins."

"Twins?" Pearl looked a little confused "Is that why you look the same?"

"Yup." The two smiled and nodded before Ru came around the counter. "Now lets get you measured out."

Garnet reached out and pulled Pearl back a bit as Ru got close. Upon seeing this reaction she stopped walking and held up her hands. They had been warned that the pair wasn't used to real human contact that wasn't hostile. "Its ok. Measuring is when I take this tape measure and take your measurements so we can make some cloths for you to wear. It doesn't hurt."

"It's ok." Sapphire said placing a hand on Garnet's, prompting the taller to look down at her. "We wouldn't take you somewhere that would hurt you."

As the girls were looking at Sapphire the twins were looking at Ruby. Ruby in turn went over and pulled herself up onto the counter to whisper in Ti's ear, telling them a bit of what they already suspected. "That place was dark. They don't know anything about the outside world. Just be slow and try not to spook them."

Both twins looked at each other before the pair again. "Would it make you feel better if we measured Ruby first?"

The small nod Garnet gave was a good sign.

"I need to get a new cloak and hat anyway." Ruby said standing on the counter and flexing her arms "Also theres no harm in getting fitted again."

"You mean showing off." Sapphire said looking at her wife with a smile, who just flexd her arms more.

"Anything to get your attention." The blush and laugh on Sapphire's face made Ruby grin bigger. It turned to a frown when Ti picked her up and put her on the floor. "Hey!"

"Not on my counter your not. Go stand on the stool." She chide.

Ruby grumbling and the twins chuckling had the pair relaxing slightly. They watched with hesitation and curiosity as Ru moved this way and that with the tape measure. Ti was explaining what an inseam was and other measurements were as Ru measured this way and that. When it was Pearl's turn they couldn't help but laugh. She would turn and look at what Ru was doing, messing up every measurement she took. It took a few try's for Pearl to hold still for them to get an accurate measurement but they didn't mind. Garnet just stood stone still when it was her turn. It made the twins a bit uncomfortable but they hid it well.

When it came to Steven, Pearl became very hesitant about the twins touching him but the baby had his own plans. He had woken up when Pearl took the blanket off him and made it clear it was his time to shine. He was harder then Pearl to measure. He kept knocking the tape measure away and grabbing Ru's hands when they got within his reach. They had laid him down on the counter and it took both Pearl and Garnet to kinda hold him still enough to measure, Ru smiling the whole time.

"He is such a happy little thing." Ti said as Ru giggled at Steven's grab on her pinky "We have measured a lot of baby's in our time but none as lively as him."

"He is such a delight." Ru said. "Ok, I got all that I can with mister happy here dancing."

"How old is he?" Ti asked as Pearl started wrapping Steven back up in his blanket. The look she gave the twin was a bit unsettling. It was hollow and so cold that Ti put her hands up and back up a bit.

"What's next?" Garnet asked looking to Sapphire like nothing was wrong. She was so calm about Pearl's gaze that she made even the witches uncomfortable. No-one really knew what to do as Pearl picked Steven up and walked over to Garnet's side and looked to the witches expectantly. It was a minute before Sapphire took a breath.

"Were going to the potions shop next." Sapphire said turning to the door and swinging it open "Thank you twins!"

"No problem." They said waving. They watched the group leave before looking at each other. "That was weird."

"Very."

The group walked along to the next shop in silence. The Witches were in no rush to get to there next destination and let the pair looked around. They noticed the way Pearl looked at all the flowers and plants as they passed by them. Garnet was trying to look at them too but kept wincing away. They thought it was because of how bright they, and everything else, was. Once they reached the shop Sapphire turned to Pearl.

"This is something we need to do with Garnet alone. I'm sorry Pearl." Sapphire said "It's a Witch thing."

"I-It's ok." Pearl said with a forced smile "I'll wait right here."

"Actually here." Ruby came over and took Pearl's free and and put a few coins in it "Go down the street towards the tavern. There's a flower shop a few doors past it. Go pick out a few you want for your room." Ruby smiled up at her "I noticed how your always looking at them when we pass by some so why not get a few for yourself? The fairies in there are Peridot and Blue. There's a third but she tends to keep to herself. They should be able to help you pick some that can survive in the dark."

"Flowers can live in the dark?" Pearl asked before her eyes went wide "I get my own flowers?"

"You can get whatever flowers you want." Ruby said "It's your choice."

"Will meet up with you at that shop when were done here." Sapphire added.

The witches smiled as Pearl's own smile was wide across her face. The stars in her eyes sparkled as she looked up at Garnet. The other gave her a thumbs up and soon she turned and hurried off. Garnet didn't move as Pearl went down the street and out of sight. She looked to Ruby and Sapphire who were looking at her with gentle smiles before turning to the shop.

"This is an herb shop." Ruby explained as Sapphire went up and opened the door. "We own a potions shop connected to the tavern but we come here for all the things we need to create our products."

"Paprashia?" Sapphire called as Ruby followed her inside with Garnet trailing behind. The taller Witch was surprised by the shop. There were random plants and creatures in small cages. Different erbs and spices hung from the ceiling and tables were littered with various random things. Some glowed, some moved, some ticked. It was all very interesting to look at. Garnet didn't know what anything really was but it all fascinated her. She walked over to the counter and was staring at the little animal sitting there that when the owner appeared in front of her she jumped pretty high.

"His name is lucky." She said "He is a mini python dragon."

"Paprashia." Sapphire said with a smile coming up to Garnet's side.

"Sapphire." She said with a smile in turn. Both women exchanged kisses to the others cheeks before parting.

"I see you got him to stay alive this time." Ruby said jumping up to look at the mini dragon as Garnet leaned back down to see as well. "Nice going."

"It was the cresathamums." Paprashia said "That's what was making him exsplod each time so I switched to poppies."

"Did everything we requested come in?" Sapphire asked as Ruby held out her finger to the dragon, who nipped at it. Garnet thought it was neat and did the same. Both girls were smiling at the dragons attempt to eat there fingers and huffing smoke at them. "Don't patronize him."

"Yes it did." The owner said jumping off her chair and rummaging about behind the counter as Ruby and Garnet pulled away sheepishly "Came last night right as I was closing up. I put it all together this morning when I opened."

"And the glasses?"

"Right here."

Paprashia popped up and put two bags on the counter. One was big and the other was a bit smaller and moving slightly. Garnet was looking at the bags before Sapphire. She watched her take the glasses and cast a few hushed spells on them. To her surprise the blue Witches hushed words turned to small sparking blue magic. The magic wrapped around the glasses and left pretty runes in the frame work before they faded away. After Sapphire looked pleased with her work she turned and offered the glasses to Garnet. The taller just looked at the offered gift making no move to take them.

"Sunglasses." Sapphire said "I put some enchantments on them so you can see in the sun without hurting your eyes."

"There for me." Garnet said.

"Yes."

"Why."

"Because you are important." Sapphire said "We protect our family and you, Pearl, and Steven are family to us."

Family. Garnet knew what the word meant but never imagined it being applied to her and Pearl. Pearl (and now Steven) were always very important to her. She didn't know there was a word for it. She liked it. She liked the idea of being in a family. A family that cares about them and there well being. A family that didn't want to hurt them or get hurt. A family that saw them as actual people instead of tools.

Garnet knelt down and let Sapphire put the glasses on her face. To say she was pleased was an understatement. The three watched Garnet look around with new excitement. The smile on her face and laughter bubbling out of her was causing them all to get just as energetic. The taller Witch moved this way and that around the shop, looking and touching everything. The light wasn't bothering her. She could see clearly and looking out the shop windows to the few rays of setting sun that made it through the glass didn't make her flinch or hurt in any way. She couldn't find the words to how happy she was. Instead of telling them how thankful she was she simply picked each of them up in a hug and spun them around the floor.

This made Ruby and Sapphire very happy. Meeting Garnet for the first time and seeing her now was like looking at almost two different people. The Witch in front of them, in this moment, was open and laughing and just happy. Her energy was just so positive and contagious it was flooding the whole shop and poring out into the street. It was so much that everyone who passed by had a big smile on there face. You would swear that the stoned faced closed off witch they had first met wasn't the same person you saw right now.

They hoped this mood would stay but it wouldn't. Amethyst's shouting out in the street and Pearl streaking by made Garnet stop everything and run out of the shop.

"Garnet!" Amethyst was standing a few feet away with Steven in her arms "What's wrong with her!?"

Garnet turned to see Pearl running off into the trees down the road and she took off after her with a very angry Jasper following close behind.

0~~~0

Pearl was all smiles as she walked off on her own but got lost very quickly once she rounded the corner. She paused in the middle of the street and looked around. She didn't ask what the shops name was or what street the tavern was on. She was too excited and now she was worried she made a wrong turn. There were a few people around but Pearl wasn't able to ask them for directions. She was unable to just talk to others on her own. Abusive conditioning had seen to that. Lucky or unlucky for her someone took notice of her lost look.

"What are you doing by yourself?" Jasper asked coming right up to the Vampire. Pearl's eyes moved first before the rest of her. Just doing that made Jasper uncomfortable slightly as she threw the big bag she was carrying back home over her shoulder. It was just so unhuman. She wasn't used to it. The other two Vampires in town didn't do it, nore any other dead that would pass through from time to time. She was starting to think it was a Pearl thing.

"I'm not by myself. I have Steven." Pearl answered earning an eyeroll.

"What are you doing in the middle of the street?" Jasper clarified adjusting her bag and moving her other arm to rest on her hip.

"Looking for the flower shop." Pearl said getting a bit excited "Ruby said I can have my own flowers. Flowers that are actually mine. I ah-got too excited and walked off before I could ask her where the shop was." She looked around with a slightly embarrassed look "Or the name of it."

Jasper sighed and frowned to herself before turning on her heals "You'll scare them if you go in alone. I'll take you."

"I don't want to be a bother." Pearl said catching up to the wolfs side. "If you tell me the shop name I'm confidant I can find it."

"And I'm confident you'll scare the life out of Peridot if you just appear." Jasper answered. "Fairies can be a bit flighty when scared."

Pearl hummed to herself and the pair walked in silence. It wasn't a long walk and when they reached a cross roads a breeze picked up between the buildings. At this Pearl paused. "Oh." She spoke softly to herself holding the back of her hand up to her nose. Jasper looked back at her and went a bit stiff at the look on the deads face.

"What's wrong?" She asked with her gaze darting around them.

"Is someone in town hurt?" Pearl asked looking over her shoulder at the far tree line.

"Why?" Jasper followed her gaze before sweeping the area. She didn't see any threats or hear anything out of the ordinary so she wasn't sure what Pearl was smelling. "If someone was I would know about it."

"Oh, it just smells like someone is." Pearl said waving her hand before starting forward again "It's probably something in town. There's a lot of new sounds and smells here."

Japer's eyes squinted a bit at the small Vampire but continued forward again. She hadn't cared to learn much about the pair her sister was bringing back from the castle. She only became interested when she learned what they were. Vampires tended to travel alone where Witches traveled in big groups. Learning that it was just the two of them and a child had sparked her curiosity. She remembered after leaving the castle the first time that she never wanted to return to it. The screams and torture she could hear happening was horrible. As they walked Jasper wondered if it was one of the two new people that she had herd that day.

When they reached the shop Jasper was a bit taken back by the smile on Pearl's face. The smaller went right up to the window and looked at the flowers blooming in the box out front. She took her time walking up to the door and holding it open. "There's more inside."

Pearl blinked and turned to see the pack leader holding the door open for her. She paused and looked at her a bit funny. No-one had ever held a door open for her aside from Garnet. She didn't think people normally did that. She was usually the one to open and close them so it took her a few moments to make herself move and walk inside. "Thank you."

Jasper's grunt in turn didn't register in Pearl's head as she looked around. The shop was filled to the roof with plants. One wall was just covered in vines. Flowers of different colors and sizes flowed across these vines like a rainbow. Tables and pots littered the floor and hung from the ceiling from magic and strings. There was just things everywhere. There were plants that were glowing while others moved. Some were eating the occasional bug that flew by where others wiggled and looked like they were trying to escape there pots and boxes. Pearl turned in a circle as she moved further into the shop. She slowly lowered her hood as Jasper came into the shop after her and was greeted while she dropped her bag by the door.

"Jasper!" A short girl behind the counter said causing Pearl to turn and face her "Who's your friend?"

"This is the new resident to the dead house." Jasper said thumbing at Pearl.

"I'm Peridot." The girl said with a smile. Pearl was looking at her funny but jumped back a bit at seeing the fluttering of the girls wings over her shoulders. She looked to be a bit taller then Amethyst with green tinted skin and bright green eyes watching her from behind thick glasses. Her wings were a transparent green that shined and sparked a bit every time they moved. Her hair was a bright blond mess of curls that stuck up in every direction, defying gravity.

"You have wings." Pearl said leaning to the side to try and look around Peridot's shoulders.

"Course I do." The smaller said as her wings lifted her up and over the counter "Never seen a fairy before?"

"No." Pearl answered which through the fairy off. "Not a live one."

"Oh.. well I'm Peridot." She said.

"I'm Blue." A gentle voice floated out from behind a curtain. A thin girl with blue hair in her face and blue tinted skin came into view and over to the counter. Her wings were slowly beating back and forth as she smiled "You must be Pearl. We've herd a lot about you. Amethyst said you liked flowers."

Pearl took a step back but nodded her head, holding out the coins in her hand "Ruby said you could help me pick a few for my room."

"We have all kinds." Peridot said gesturing around "Any kind you really want? If we don't have it we can grow it."

"I... don't know." Pearl said looking around "I've never had anything of my own. I'm not sure what I would like."

"You didn't have anything?" Peridot asked.

Pearl shook her head as she looked around a bit more before looking at Jasper "What kind do you like?"

"Huh?" Jasper said tuning into the conversation.

"What kind of flowers do you like?" Pearl asked "What do you think would look good?"

"Why are you asking me?" She said getting a bit irritated.

"I just... thought you would have a good idea on flowers." Pearl said looking away "Since your outside lot."

Jasper crossed her arms but felt a little bad. She didn't realize that the pair had come from hell and owned nothing but the rags they appeared in. The dress Pearl had on now was very pretty and matched her well. The kid was even matching her. Jasper couldn't get the reason she was asking her for her opinion but understood why she would. She knew Jasper more then Peridot and Blue. She probably trusted her more too since she helped get them here safely.

Jasper then took in the way Pearl stood. She looked like a statue. Her eyes were on the floor and she looked like she had gotten in trouble. This confused her. She didn't do anything wrong but the way she reacted made the alpha realize the damage that possibly was done to her. She looked scared and Jasper didn't want her to be, and for some reason, she felt bad.

"The flowers I like are ones that need sunlight." She said pointing to the flower wall. "The ones with closed buds are the ones you would want."

Pearl looked at the flower wall and felt like she had said something wrong. The pack leader didn't look to happy with her asking for her opinion. She wasn't in trouble but she felt like it. No-one was hitting or screaming at her yet. No-one was yelling at her that she was horrible and needed to be punished but she didn't want to risk it. The conditioning in her had rooted her in place. Her eyes were glued to one of the plants next to her when a big hand on her shoulder made her look up. The pack leader looked down at her with a calm expression. Her hand felt nice on her cold form. It was warm and made Pearl lean into her touch a bit. Jasper herself felt a little weird about how cold the vampire was. Pink and Penny weren't this cold.

"Will start simple." Peridot said looking back at Blue and watching there exchange. They were a bit puzzled by the Vampires reactions. They knew one was coming but she was so out of place. Normal dead were more alive then the statue before them now. It took a little bit before Peridot spoke "What's your favorite color Pearl?" Both fairy's felt unease as cold distant eyes looked at them before coming alive again.

"Blue." Pearl said "Light blue... and orange."

Peridot looked around and fluttered off "Lets see what we got."

Pearl watched in fascination as Peridot and Blue fluttered around the shop. She was smiling to herself as her eyes followed them. She had never seen a live fairy before. She didn't even know they could fly! It looked like so much fun. She also didn't know that Jasper was watching her. The Alpha was confused still, even more so now. Pearl looked like she knew she wasn't in trouble but the only thing moving was her eyes. She stood stone still and then wondered if it was because her hand was still on her shoulder. She didn't want to keep her hand there but she didn't want to really move it either.

Eventually Peridot flew up to the rafters of the shop and Blue floated back down to the counter to wait. Peridot move this way and that, pushing hanging pots around and floating ones aside. Blue herself was looking at the baby in Pearl's arms. He was awake and looking around but not crying. He nibbled on the stuffed lions ear in his hands but looked content. It was like he was watching Pearl for her reactions and taking in his surroundings.

"He's so cute." Blue said softly, getting Pearl's attention "What's his name?"

"Steven." Pearl said.

"He yours?" She asked. "He doesn't look like you."

Jasper could feel the drop in Pearl's skin. The cold was just rolling off her body in waves so thickly it scared her inside, making her take her hand back. She was so cold that her fingers went instantly numb.

"He was given to me." Pearl said holding Steven a bit closer. Pearl's frozen form started to make Steven wiggle. He was whining a bit and grabbing for Pearl as she stared down Blue. "He is mine."

"Where did you get him?" Blue asked a bit cautiously leaning forward. The three could see the dead getting tense where she stood. They could also see that Steven was getting upset. The more Pearl looked scared the more he looked like he wanted to cry. Jasper didn't know if the fairies could sense it but Jasper could sense the connection between the two of them. The baby was very connected to the Vampire and them questioning her was making both of them upset.

"He's mine." Pearl repeated take a step away from Jasper. She held Steven closer and he started to whine louder. He was starting to kick and and fuss with his eyes brimming with tears. Peridot floated down from the roof and Pearl just backed up more as Blue floated over to be next to her. They wanted to say something but Jasper held her hand up to stop them. She could see the fear in Pearl's eyes. She could also tell how upset they both were getting with how much Steven was reacting to his caretaker.

"Pearl. Take a breath." Jasper said "No-one is going to take him from you." Pearl didn't take her eyes off the three of them as she started to rock Steven. It did little to calm him so the Alpha kept talking. "Your upsetting him."

That broke Pearl's trance on the three. She looked down at Steven and bounced him a bit. She rocked him and just talked softly to him. He started to calm down at her attention but really relaxed when she gave him her hand with a smile. He just sniffled a bit but looked a lot better as he claimed her fingers as his own.

"I'm sorry." Blue said "I didn't mean to make you upset."

Pearl just glanced up but didn't say anything. They could see she was still scared and Jasper did the only thing she could think of. She walked over slowly and stopped in front of the dead. Pearl froze as Jasper placed her hand on her shoulder and leaned down to be eye level with her, causing Steven to whimper at the lack of movement.

"Pearl. We didn't mean to make you upset but I can promise you, no-one will take him from you." Jasper rumbled soft enough for just her to hear "I won't let them."

"Promise?" Pearl whispered. Jasper could feel her shaking a bit but the hope sparkling in her eyes were pleading for her words to be true. The pain beyond was so old that Jasper felt a pull to make sure she never felt it again.

"Alphas word." Jasper said tucking a stray hair behind her ear. "Now, do you wanna finish finding some flowers for your room? Maby pick a color Steven here mite like."

Jasper poked Steven's nose and he froze. Jasper felt like she was about to get attacked by Pearl while Pearl was looking down at the baby in worry. It took a shrilly giggle to get both of them to relax. Steven started babbling happily and holding onto the wolfs finger so intensely, forgetting Pearl's completely. It was even cuter when Jasper tried to take her hand back and Steven teared up.

"He likes you." Pearl said adjusting Steven in her arms so he could be propped up against her chest facing Jasper. "He only ever dose that with Garnet."

"Can I hold him?" Jasper asked "It's ok if its a no. Kids just seem to like me for some reason."

"It's cause your a walking mountain." Peridot said from where her and Blue were hovering. They had stuck together as Jasper calmed Pearl down. They had whispered back and forth about Steven but nothing more. They were curious about how Pearl got him but even more so about Steven himself. He wasn't a vampire. He didn't even look special past being a human.

"People don't attack mountains." Jasper said. Steven was tugging on her finger pretty hard making her look at him. "You can't keep my finger, I'm gonna need it back eventually."

Steven let go of the wolfs finger but in turn used them to grab up at Jasper. He started leaning forward a bit and made his wishes known. Pearl was hesitant but was curious about Steven's behavior. He never let anyone other then Pearl hold him back in the castle. He would scream and cry until he was given back to the vampire. He felt safe in her arms. The same could be said for Garnet as well. The first time she held him his gem actually started to glow. Garnet was stunned like Pearl was when he glowed for her the first time. He hasn't done it since and secretly Pearl wanted to see if he would do it again.

"Do you want to hold him?" Pearl said softly "He really seems to want you."

"Only if your ok with it." Jasper said.

Pearl watched Steven whine a bit more, leaning forward slightly towards Jasper more before she nodded. Pearl appreciated Jasper moving slowly as she took Steven in her arms. Pearl was nervous the second Steven wasn't safe against her but he was still within reach so it wasn't to bad. Steven was giggling in Jasper's arms as she smiled down at him. He looked so tiny against her massive muscles. He was making grabby hands for Jasper's face and looked so determined. The Alpha looked down at him funny but held him up a bit higher for him to reach. The second he could, Steven smacked Jasper in the nose. Pearl stifled a giggle behind her hand as Jasper grumbled but didn't pull away. Steven kept patting Jasper's face and nose until the Alpha grumbled more and stuck her tounge out at him. Steven in turn just did the same.

"Cheeky, aren't you." Steven just blew a spit bubble in response and Jasper was smart enough to pull away from it and give him her hand instead. "Nice try pork chop. Sisters used to do that to me all the time. Won't fool me."

Pearl was smiling to herself at there interaction when Peridot got her attention.

"Pearl, this would be a good flower for you to start with." The green fairy said slowly floating over to her and holding out a pot with a stick in it. Pear looked at the pot in confusion but took it as Peridot kept talking "It's called a NightBloom. There flowers that were forged by magic a long time ago for the dead to enjoy, like yourself. It-Whoa!"

The second Pearl held the pot in both hands the stick started to glow. It was a gentle blue glow that got brighter. From the tip of the stick a bud appeared. It grew bigger and bigger until it burst open. The flower was white and after it bloomed the magic seeping from its petals moved down its stem and made it thicker. Three more blooms started to form and one by one they opened up. Several smaller buds appeared but didn't open. They just hugged the steam like they were asleep. Pearl's first reaction was to hold it away from herself but she didn't drop it. Her eyes were big as the closest flower to her turned blue. "It changed colors!"

"There known to change to the owners favorite color." Blue said as Peridot looked starry-eyed at the plant like Pearl "The more blooms, the more important people you have in your life. If one of them touches the plant then a flower will turn to there favorite color as well. You could have a beautiful bouquet of the rainbow in your room."

"I've never seen a NightBloom actually flower in the daylight!" Peridot said looking at the flower at every angle. "It's only supposed to bloom at night."

"Is it broken?" Pearl asked a bit worried "I still want it if it is."

"It's not broken." Blue said.

"It wouldn't be blooming if it was." Peridot said "It must be feeding off your energy to bloom. You must have a lot of love to give. Can I take it? I want to put it in a bigger pot so it has room to grow."

"Oh, sure-" Pearl paused and looked at Steven who was looking intensely at the plant. He had one little hand holding onto Jasper's finger and the lions ear while the other was reaching for the closest flower. "Do you wanna see the flowers Steven?"

Steven in turn blew a spit bubble and leaned forward. Pearl turned at held the plant up for Steven to see as Jasper adjusted him in her arms so he could reach them and not fall. Steven was all smiles as his finger brushed the closest flower. The flower glowed brightly for a moment before its petals turned red and yellow. The four of them looked in wonder as Steven clapped his hands and giggled at a job well done.

"Oh, its a star." Pearl said lowering the plant down to look at his flower "Right in the center."

"Man, what is this kid?" Peridot asked off handedly as Pearl handed the plant to her "He must be really pure to make something like this."

"Maby he is intune with the planet." Blue said "Lapis can make water dance."

"She's only half fairy though." Peridot said floating over to the counter while Blue turned to a certain spot in the shop and started going through different pots and boxs. Both were oblivious to Pearl's stiff posture "Not full and besides." Peridot put the plant down and went over the counter to the other side "It's not like she will meet him. She doesn't like people."

"Were not people." Blue said.

"You know what I mean." Peridot said.

Pearl looked to Jasper a bit confused and the wolf translated for her "Lapis is half fairy half teller. She has the ability to touch anyone and tell you exactly what they are. She's also a stuck up loner who doesn't like anyone but Peridot visiting her."

"She's not stuck up Jasper." Peridot said "She just prefers to be alone."

"That's what I said."

"No you didn't."

"Did too."

"Your just jealous she doesn't like you." Blue said.

"She doesn't like you either." The Alpha grumbled.

"She likes me more then you." Blue's comment made Jasper grumble more. That made Steven giggle and chew on her finger a bit and Pearl smile. The shop door banged open and everyone turned to see Amethyst standing there. She looked a bit panicked "Ah, she isn't here either!"

Pearl squinted at the small wolf a bit as her words slurred and faded away. The smell she picked up earlier flooded the shop and made her feel disconnected from herself a bit. She could see Amethyst an Jasper going back and forth but she couldn't focus on what they were saying. Something in her was telling her to leave the shop and she did.

As Pearl stepped out into the street the colors of the world faded away. Everything was black with white outlines. People and objects moving by had a grey streak of energy behind them that faded away only a few inches from there forms. Pearl blinked slowly as a red trail came into view. It was like a winding path through the air that made a lazy stream from the other end of the street. The trail was coming out of the tree line and the smell was so much stronger out here and just flowed off this trial.

Pearl herd Amethyst say her sisters name, Skinny. Pearl blinked slowly again and soon footprints appeared under the trail. Pearl took a step and slowly started to follow this trail. After a few steps she looked back to see the trail disappearing behind her. It was only after a few feet did she start to hear the sound of fighting. The sound of the monsters who tried to catch them and the sound of someone loosing.

Every step Pearl took moved her faster and faster down this trail, down the street. When she hit the tree line she was full on sprinting.

Jasper was watching Pearl closely as Amethyst burst through the shop door. "Ah, she isn't here either!"

"Amethyst!" Peridot scolded "We just replaced that door! Don't knock it down!"

"Who are you looking for?" Jasper asked adjusting Steven in her arms and giving her sister her full attention "Where's Skinny?"

"Ugh, that's the problem! I don't know!" Amethyst said throwing her hands up. "I haven't seen her since we did our rounds today."

"Amethyst, I told you all to stay in pairs since we helped get these three out of that hell." Jasper growled "They tried real hard to stop them from leaving so its good to assume there not going to give up that easy."

"No duh, I was there!"

"When was the last time you saw her?"

"About three hours ago."

"Three hours ago?! Amethyst!"

"Uh, where's Pearl going?" Peridot said.

Both wolfs looked to see Pearl outside. Jasper was surprised. She was so focused on her sister that she didn't even see the vampire go and move. She was annoyed at her sister, worried about Skinny being MIA, and now she was holding the kid of a very strange Vampire who was standing in the middle of the street. She was going to say something but it stopped dead when Pearl turned to look behind her. Her eyes were red.

"Hold him." Jasper said shoving a wiggling Steven into her sisters arms "Were hunting down Skinny in a second."

"Pearl." Jasper said her name as she stepped out of the shop but Pearl wasn't paying attention to her. The Vampire was moving down the street and an increasing speed. She was walking at a fast pace with her eyes glued to the ground. She kept glancing behind herself where she had walked and Jasper could see the whites of her eyes getting darker and darker where the red was getting brighter and brighter. Jasper started after here as Amethyst came out of the shop and screamed her name.

"Pearl!"

It was as if a switch had been hit. In seconds Pearl was running down the street and on instinct Jasper took off after her. All she could see was a Vampire on the hunt about to hurt someone and all she could think was that she had to stop her.

Garnet came running out of a shop and Amethyst yelled to her "Garnet! What's wrong with her?!"

Jasper watched Garnet turn to Pearl. The Witch didn't say anything as she yelled a spell and took off after her "Rapidez!"

Garnet was soon streaking down the street after the Vampire and Jasper had to turn to keep up. The Alpha let out a high pitch whistle as Pearl disappeared into the tree line. Soon the other sounds of wolfs filled the air after the trio as she caught right up to Garnet at the tree line.

"What is she doing?!" Jasper snapped as the pair followed the dead. "Where is she going?!"

"I don't know!" Garnet answered "She's never done this before!"

"She looks like she is going to bite someone!"

"That's impossible!"

"How?!"

"She doesn't feed off the living!"

"All vampires feed!" Jasper snapped "That-"

The pair cut off as the sound of fighting came to them. They were soon jumping over broken and displaced trees and foliage. The ground was torn up and blood was splattered all around. The sound of Skinny whimpering made Jasper growl more and push herself harder. Both her and Garnet were no where close to Pearl as Skinny came into view. She was beaten pretty badly and was trying to crawl away from whatever was attacking her when Pearl seemed to pick up speed. Dread set into the pairs stomachs as they realized they couldn't reach either girl.

Both of them yelled at Pearl to stop but she didn't. Just as they thought Pearl was going to attack Skinny the Vampire ignored her. She ran at the closest tree and pushed off it, launching herself over the hurt wolf and slamming into the monster that appeared out of nowhere to finish what it had started. Both the monster and dead rolled across the ground but Pearl recovered first. Jasper stopped over Skinny and snapped at Garnet's pants, stopping her dead in her tracks from getting closer to the monster.

Pearl looked at the monster and took a step back. She looked all around them at the mess that was made before turning to the closest tree. Pearl held her wrist tight before bringing her arm back and slamming it into a tree. They herd Pearl's breath catch as her forearm snapped but she didn't stop there. She pressed her arm into the tree more as she ran it up and down the bark. The monster struggled to its feet but when it did it turned to the trio instead of the dead closer to it. It was about to jump at them, Jasper and Garnet getting in front of Skinny, when a new smell filled the air.

All eyes turned to Pearl. She was barring her teeth to the monster as her arm hung limp at her side. To the pack members horror, blood was poring out of her arm. Now, when a Vampires created there hearts stop (obviously) so when that happens there blood stops flowing through there veins. The longer there dead the darker the blood in there veins gets. Pearl's blood was the color of tar as it dripped from her fingertips.

Pearl didn't wait for the monster to attack. She took her good hand and ran it over her arm, getting her blood on her palm, and waved it across the monsters face. It didn't take more then a second for its attention to be drawn to the blood, and for Pearl to start running. She knew that these things were determined hunters. They wouldn't stop until they were wither killed or finished the hunt given to them. It took a lot to draw there attention to a new target but Pearl did it quickly.

The pair of them were gone in a flash and quickly followed by several more monsters that came barreling out of the trees around them. Each one ignored the three in favor of chasing down the runner. As quickly as they disappeared the pack finally caught up to the pair. Garnet took off after Pearl as soon as she disappeared from sight but Jasper couldn't move until backup arrived. She was snapping orders the moment they all appeared.

"Get her back to town!" Jasper snapped "And make sure NO-ONE leaves until we get back!"

"We?! Who's we? What happened?! Jasper?!"

The Alpha had turned and took off after the others. It didn't take her long to catch up. The closer she got the more confused she got. First person she saw was Garnet. She was running her hands over the trees as she went, burning the bark.

"What are you doing?!" Jasper snapped catching up to her side.

"I need to get rid of her trial!" Garnet said "If they find this then there going to know where we are!"

"Trail? What trail?! What are you talking about?!" Jasper snapped.

Garnet just rolled her eyes and pushed Jasper's face forward. The Alpha snapped but quickly understood what the Witch meant. A few feet ahead of them were the horrid chasing the dead and the dead was a few feet ahead of them. Pearl was running back and forth as fast as she could. She would rub her arm against one tree and then her hand against another. No-one was more impressed then the two at the back of the pack as they watched Pearl work. The monsters weren't following her directly, they were following the smell of her blood.

Vampires can't bleed out and die like the living can but it still affects them. The longer they blead the longer it would take for there bodies to regenerate all that they lost. It was a slow and often painful process. As they bleed out, they become weaker and weaker. It was comparable to being out in the sun for any amount of time. Dieing without the dieing part. In Pearl's case, the more she ran, the more she blead, the weaker she got. She stumbled once and felt claws scraped across her back, ripping the cloak from her shoulders and tearing her dress and flesh. As she stumbled she gave up marking the trees and just full on sprinted. From the back of the pack Garnet and Jasper were getting worried.

"How long is she going to run for?" Jasper snapped.

"She won't stop until you make her!" Garnet said.

"What?!"

"It's beaten into us!" Garnet said "We run until we can't no more!"

"God, how fucked up was that place?!"

"Take a good look at us and figure it out!" Garnet snapped before yelling a spell "Leve!"

Jasper watched a ball of light leave Garnet's finger tip and shoot into the trees ahead of them. The ball exsploded in the branches and opened them for the sun to shine down to the forest floor. Pearl was just missing the beams of light as they ran. The monsters chasing her weren't so lucky. They were running right through them and getting disorientated and smoking slightly. The more balls of light Garnet shot the more the monsters started to slow.

Soon there were less and less trees around them to blast magic in to. Patches of natural sunlight were starting to filter down to them and Jasper knew where they were headed. "We need to stop her! There's an open field coming up!"

"Don't let her get caught in the light!" Garnet yelled. She could feel her magic start to dwindle lower then she liked. She was going to run out too soon so she hoped Jasper could stop the Vampire ahead by shooting one of the last few spells she could into the Alpha "Rapidez!"

Garnet's fingers barely brushed Jasper's skin and the wolf felt her form fill with power. As Garnet's speed wore of in seconds Jasper kicked off the earth under her paws and shot forward. Jasper bolted through the monsters like lightning, shouldering them out of the way as she closed in on Pearl. She could see the field coming and when she was within snapping distance of the dead she turned back and grabbed her arm, digging her feet into the earth.

"STOP!" Her voice boomed into Pearl's ear. The volume and command of the wolfs voice had Pearl snap back to reality and dug her own feet into the earth, bringing both girls just inches from the foliage protecting them from the sun and field beyond.

The monsters didn't stop. As they slammed through the plants and sunlight washed over them, they clawed and ripped at the pair. The Alpha was growling at the claws scrapping across her back and annoyed at the sun suddenly in her eyes. Pearl covered her face and turned away screaming as she instantly started to smoke and burn. Jasper quickly yanked her forward and pulled the Vampire into her arms, twisting away and pulling them back into the tree line. The monsters skidded across the open field smoking and burning while trying to stop. Garnet finally caught up and grabbed Pearl's broken arm. She pulled it right out and burned her wound closed. Pearl cried out but Garnet's other hand came up and covered the dead's mouth.

"Don't move." She whispered as two sets of eyes turned to the monsters in the feild.

The monsters were fumbling around crying out in pain and throwing up there heads in the air. They were trying to pick up the smell of Pearl's blood but couldn't, trying to find it so they could find the safety of the trees again. There behavior made the two watching realize that they couldn't see them. They had followed there scents to find them and when they came across Skinny they recognized her from there rescue run. They must of mistaked her for one of the pair.

From here Garnet slowly let Pearl take her arm back before taking a step away from the others. She slowly raised her arms out at her sides before taking a breath. "Fogo!" Garnet yelled out and brought her hands together, fire ripping from her marks. In a wide arcing wall, fire shot out and set the monsters a blaze. They stumbled and screamed as they burned to death in front of them. Jasper looked on in horror as Pearl flinched more into the Alphas shirt while Garnet looked on in fear. No matter who or what it was, watching something burn alive is a horrible thing to witness. Only after the monsters had fallen to the ground did Garnet turn back.

"We need to get back." She said "There going to send more when these don't come back." They both looked to Pearl who hadn't moved "How far did we run?"

"Far." Jasper said. She looked down at Pearl and didn't ask if she was ok. She knew she wasn't and Garnet could see it too.

"Hold on." Garnet looped one of her arms around the Alphas "I'm going to teleport us back. Hold onto her and don't hold your breath." Jasper tightened her arms around the Vampire and grunted at the Witch. When Garnet was sure they were ready she took her free hand and held it palm up. As her mark started to glow she spoke of where she wanted to appear, or more importantly, who she wanted to appear at. "Steven."

Chapter Text

Chapter 4

When the trio appeared back in town it was a bit chaotic. Garnet frowned as they looked around. They didn't appear where Steven was. Pack members were running in every direction as the town went into defense mode. Penny and Pink were doing there best to direct people when they spotted the three.

"What happened?" Penny demand as she streaked over to the trio with Pink right on her heals.

"Get them help and don't let her out of your sight." Garnet said turning to Jasper and making sure she wasn't going to let go of Pearl "Make sure every person who helped us in your pack get scent dullers. Enough for a week."

"Where are you going?" Penny asked as Garnet turned on her heals and started sprinting down the street. "Garnet! Ugh- Pink go with her! Jasper with me."

Garnet ran a bit before turning a corner and almost knocking Sapphire and Ruby over.

"Garnet!" Ruby said "What happened?"

"We were so worried when you all ran off." Sapphire added.

"Where's the potions shop?" Garnet asked.

"Why?-"

"There's no time!" Garnet snapped "Please!"

"Don't be a jerk." Pink said appearing and grabbing the Witches wrist "This way."

Pink lead Garnet to the shop right past the tavern and pulled her inside. Before she could say anything Garnet was moving. She started running around the shop and grabbing random things off the shelfs. "What the hell are you trying to find?" Pink asked watching the Witch run back and forth as Sapphire and Ruby ran into the shop "God, do something about her!"

The Witches were just watching the taller move. They looked on in confusion as Garnet would pick up random bottles, just looking at them and smell them before putting it back down. She wasn't even looking at the labels and this made Sapphire step in her way. "What do you need." She watched Garnet's eyes move back and forth from under her glasses and she snapped her finger to get her attention again "Garnet. This is our potions shop, we know where everything is. I want an explanation when everything calms down but you need to tell us what your looking for so we can help."

"I don't know what there called." Garnet said looking around "I only know them by look and smell."

"Start with color." Sapphire said as her and Ruby started moving boxes around and pulling shelfs out of the other shelfs "What's the first color you're looking for?"

"Uh, blue. Like the blue after a rain storm and it smells like morning dew." Garnet said moving out of the way of the two smaller Witches that started running around her feet and up onto the boxes and shelfs to reach higher things "I need a big beaker and a few smaller ones."

"Under the counter." Ruby said running by Garnet.

"I got it." Pink move around the counter with Garnet right behind her. The vampire started pulling beakers out and Garnet started to pull the ones she needed to herself. One after another the Witch described the things she needed and the smaller's did the best they could to get what she asked for. It was a lot of trial and error.

Garnet was tapping her fingers on the counter as she waited. She wanted to help but she knew she wouldn't be any. She didn't know where anything was. It was a lot of trust she was putting on these people to let her do something she wasn't explaining to them. It was hard for her to just sit here but she didn't have much a choice. She kept her face neutral and tried to keep herself from shaking as one after another, the things she asked for were brought to her. Everything she was handed that was right she put into the beaker in front of her. She was making a potion she learned on her own to hep fix herself and Pearl back in the castle when the people who owned them couldn't be bother to fix what they had broken on the pair. It wasn't pleasant or tasted nice but it did its job in mending them.

The trio helping Garnet were getting more and more worried. Every moment that passed Garnet's nervous energy seeped more and more into the air. It was making them anxious enough that Ruby started casting calming charms over the taller Witch in whispered words. With every thing they brought her the more they questioned what she was making. The items and liquids she wanted were random things that had no business being mixed together. Only after the last item was brought to Garnet did Sapphire speak up.

"What is that for?" She watched as Garnet poured the final item it into the beaker. She frowned when Garnet didn't answer her and instead covered the top of the beaker and started shaking it. "Garnet."

The authority in her voice made the Witch look at her. "Something to fix Pearl."

"We have a medical group to do that." Sapphire said. "Your making poison."

"I'm making the only thing she can eat." Garnet growled as the liquid in the beaker started to turn grey and condense down.

"Blood will be better for her." Pink said.

"She can't digest it." Garnet said coming around the counter.

"And poison will work?" Sapphire countered. "That's suicide."

"I would never give her something I didn't try first. We were left to fix ourselves in that castle when they couldn't be bothered." Garnet said turning the beaker over and poring it into the palm of her hand. The liquid had turned into a dense clump and Garnet started rolling it in her hands. "This is the only way she can drink any blood without getting sick."

"That's insanity!" Ruby yelled "Did you guys eat anything normal?!"

"Whos blood did she drink?" Sapphire asked ignoring her wife's outburst.

Garnet just looked at them and kept making the clump in her hand smaller and smaller. "Take me to her please. She's lost a lot of blood and won't recover without this to help her."

Before the Witches could speak Pink spoke up "How.. dangerous are you two when your at full power?" She looked right through Garnet's shades and into her soul. The Witch was silent as she stood there "Because no sane person would keep you two beat down like this without knowing exactly how strong the two of you can become."

"The first person to try and hurt Pearl after the first time we broke a rule, they never found more then a strand of his hair and a tooth in a sealed off cemented stoned room with just the two of them inside." That sent a shiver down there spines. "After that we were never left alone. Pearl wasn't allowed outside and I wasn't allowed out other then to bring big delivery's of goods in."

No-one said a word as Garnet asked to see Pearl again. Pink simply lead the Witches out of the potions shop.

0~~~0

"Where are you going?" Penny asked as her and Jasper watched Garnet turn on her heals and started sprinting down the street. "Garnet! Ugh- Pink go with her! Jasper with me."

Jasper was frowning after the Witch as Penny turned to look at her. Her eyes went wide as the Alpha swept her arms under Pearl's legs and picked her up. "What in the living hell happened?! You two look beat to living hell and the Witch looks drained."

"Those monsters caught Skinny in the woods." Jasper growled turning on her heals and started towards there infirmary "Pearl smelled the blood from the fight and lead us right to her. She saved my sisters life by breaking her arm, bleeding all over the place, and almost dying in the sun."

"Your bleeding too." Penny said coming up and walking next to her "How in the hell did they find us? Why was Skinny alone?"

"Amethyst already got yelled at." Jasper said "Depending how bad these two end up being depends if she gets a beat down or not."

"No need to go that far." Penny said speeding ahead of her to open the infirmary door. "You need-"

"Don't butt into my pack business Penny." She growled stopping and looking at her "I will deal with my sisters as I see fit as Alpha."

"Will finish this conversation later." The vampire said back.

The whole time Pearl was shaking lightly. She was already not feeling good from all the blood she lost and how hard she was running. Picking up the smell of Skinny's blood sent panic into her about the wolf being hurt. Her first instinct was to find her and help her. When she had gotten closer and caught the scent of the monsters she knew she had to act. When Skinny came into her line of sight she was surprised to see her alive. The only thing she could think of was to get the monsters attention. There driven by smell and only something stronger then what there focused on would change there target. The only thing Pearl had was herself so bleeding all over the place was the best plan she could come up with. It had worked but the sun is what she didn't count on. The second the sunlight hit her she was immense pain. The sun had shinned right across Pearl's front and for a moment, just a moment, she saw the light. She felt the suns warmth on her skin an the feeling of pure light fill her being. It was beautiful. Bu then... that moment was over. Her forearms and legs were a deep burnt red with her skin ripped apart. Her hair was burnt in uneven places and a nasty burn made a home right down the center of her forehead.

She didn't expect Jasper to be behind her and pull her to a stop so quickly. She was already weak from the lack of blood in her veins so that is what really helped save her. If she had been any stronger the Alpha wouldn't of been able to stop her. She also didn't expect Jasper to pull her against herself and shield her from the sun along with pulling her back into the shade. She was under the impression that the Alpha didn't like them. Now she wasn't sure at all.

Being against the wolf made her feel a weird sense of protection. Aside from Garnet she had never felt remotely ok being touched by someone else before. Pearl had just clutched the front of Jasper's shirt the second she touched it and even tighter the second the Alpha decided to pick her up. Being carried sent fear into her body and she just held tighter to Jasper. So when they entered the clinic and the wolf tried to put her down she found that the Vampires grip was steel on her shirt. She couldn't get her to let go.

"Pearl." Penny said coming around to Jasper's side. The pair had walked in and hand been directed to a far room. They had passed Skinny's room on the way by and hearing her whimper and growl in pain made all three finch. Now they had to get the Vampire and Alpha separated so they could be taken care of. "Pearl, you need to let Jasper go."

Jasper could feel Pearl shaking against her and just held her a bit closer out of habit to protect the weaker. She was surprised to see the pale paler then she thought they could be and was almost afraid she was frozen in shock. It was only when Penny touched her shoulder lightly did Pearl jump and yelp like she had been hit. Penny took her hand back quickly and both her and Jasper looked at each other in a bit of surprise. They didn't expect that reaction.

"Find the Witch." Jasper said turning and sitting on the bed "I'll stay with her until she calms down."

"Jasper-"

"We don't have much choice Penny." Jasper said looking down at the Vampire in her lap.

The older disappeared and left the Alpha to try and dislodge the dead in her arms. She could feel Pearl's slight shaking now that she wasn't moving. She could see the deep burns on her form and just how much pain she could be in. Hearing her whimpering slightly just killed her inside. She remembered doing that when she was younger as well as the daredevil's and pack members in town who would bite off more then they could chew. For how quiet she was being Jasper was wondering how bad they had been hurt before this. She knew she would of been screaming in pain and wanting to break everything around her in the Vampires position.

"Pearl." Jasper said softly into the top of her head. She ran her hand up and down her back in slow soothing motions. "I need you to let go of my shirt so the guys here can help fix us up." She watched closely as the smaller's grip on her shirt tightened and she started to shake more. If fear could been seen the room would be full of it. Jasper wasn't sure what to do. She didn't want to rip her from her cloths because for one, she liked this shirt and two, that would just traumatize the smaller more.

"Pearl." Jasper said softly "You helped my sister by saving her life. Now let us help you by taking care of your burns and injury's." The Alpha looked up to see a one of the medical staff standing at the door. She waved them off, telling them to wait a few minutes, before turning her attention back to Pearl. "I'll be right here the whole time. No-one is going to hurt you ok? Not after you took on living nightmares. No-one would be crazy enough-"

"Pearl." The wolf looked up to see the Witch coming into the room quickly. She looked pissed that the Vampire was curled up in her lap but Jasper just shrugged.

"I can't get her to let go." Jasper said as Garnet came right over to them "I didn't want to rip her off and hurt her."

Garnet sat on the bed and touched Pearl's shoulder lightly. The vampire jumped and Jasper started rubbing her back again. She could see the displeasure on Garnet's face but she ignored it. Garnet in turn didn't like that Pearl was clinging to the wolf. She didn't like anyone touching Pearl because everyone who ever had, that wasn't herself, would hurt her. It was taking a lot to not force them apart but she was more concerned with her best friends well being.

"Pearl." Garnet said grabbing her wrist. Jasper looked on in displeasure at the way the Witch was handling Pearl but she bit her tounge and just watched. She understood she didn't know how they functioned together and survived before but it was still hard to look at. Handling someone like this, in force of any kind was not the best way to go about it.

"Let go of her." Garnet said gently pulling Pearl's arm back, which she gave hesitantly but willingly "I can't fix you if you don't let me."

With those words, in just a flash, Pearl was sitting on Garnet's lap. The Witch in turn wrapped around Pearl and made it clear with a glare that Jasper was no longer needed or welcomed in the room. The Alpha herself had a few choice words to say to the pair about everything but let it go for now. She would definitely bring it up later but got up and walked over to the doorway.

"If you need me just call." She said more to Pearl then Garnet "I won't be far, just down the hall in another room." She ignored the glare the Witch was giving her as she continued "No-one here is going to hurt you ok? Don't fight the doc when they come in to help fix you up."

With that Jasper left to find her sister and get herself looked at. Penny wouldn't let it go if she didn't. That was the last thing she needed right now.

Garnet waited until Jasper left to look down at Pearl. She took the dead's arms from around her chest and made her sit up. Pearl unfortunately understood the drill and let Garnet turn her this way and that to look her over. She whimpered at every movement and stretch. Pearl hadn't opened her eyes since she was drowned in sunlight and it would be a lie to say she wasn't afraid to open them now. She secretly feared she would open them and realize this was all a dream from a sever beat down or something.

Garnet placed the clump she had condensed down into the size of a small pill between her teeth to hold. With her hands she put Pearl's on her lap and held the vampires face in her own. She gently rubbed circles into Pearl's cheeks as Sapphire and Ruby appeared in the doorway with a doctor and Pink. Garnet paid them no mind as she coaxed Pearl to open her eyes. She smiled gently at her and Pearl in turn sniffled.

"Don't cry Pearl." Garnet said taking the pill clump from her teeth and brushing the Vampires hair from her face. "You lost too much blood to be able to do that right now."

Pearl nodded slightly then winced as Garnet's finger rubbed over the burn on her forehead. Pearl whined a bit at the pill but didn't fight Garnet on putting it in her mouth. It was hard for anyone watching to watch Pearl swallow that pill but when she did she gaged a bit. Garnet in turn just pulled Pearl against her in a tight hug as a violent shiver rolled through the smallers form. Garnet just defaulted to there routine of recovery any other time they were hurt. She simply held Pearl tight as the concoction she made worked its way through the Vampires body violently, sealing her cuts and scrapes while her wounds closed themselves. The deeper wounds closed but left dark scars across her back and on her forehead. Pearl clung onto the Witch so tightly that she ripped holes into the back of her shirt from her grip.

The ones watching from the doorway were frozen in place. The doctor had watched and promptly left to get bandages while the Witches and Pink remained. The Witches had never seen a healing like this so horrible and Pink had never seen wounds close like that. It was violent and unethical to do but she understood why Garnet did this instead of letting anyone else help Pearl. The pair didn't know any better, hadn't been taught any better. She figured by Garnet's ability to tell them what she needed that it had been a lot of trial and error when coming to find a fix for themselves. There look on life and survival was very disorientated that she waved off the doctors that came up behind them. She knew it would do them no good for them to be looked at right now.

"They fixed themselves." She said gently to them "Go fix Jasper up and get the scent depressors for the pack." She glanced back into the room before ushering Sapphire and Ruby away "Let them be. They've had enough excitement for one day."

"I feel like crap." Pearl mumbled into Garnet's shoulder.

"That was reckless." Garnet said "Even for you."

"I couldn't leave her to die." Pearl whispered "Not by those things." She shivered and pressed closer to the Witch "They shouldn't suffer because of us."

"But they have." Garnet said.

"What are we going to do?" Pearl asked. To this Garnet didn't have an answer. She just rubbed Pearl's back and kissed her head. "There going to find us."

"They won't." The Witch said. "I won't let us go back."

Pearl sniffled and put her face into Garnet's neck. The Witch took the hint well enough and only flinched a bit at the feeling of sharp teeth cutting into her neck. Garnet felt drained for how hard she pushed her abilities and how fast she used up her magic supply in her body. Now giving blood wasn't making it easier. If anything it just made her a bit woozy and everything a bit fuzzy but she didn't stop her. They took care of each other and this was something that wasn't going to change. Pearl groaned and put her head against the Witches forehead when she was done.

"I hate doing that to you." She mumbled as Garnet watched her eyes turn from a deep calm red to her normal sky blue "I wish there was another way."

"It's part of your being." Garnet said "Just like the moonlight is essential to-"

"Steven." Pearl shot to her feet but Garnet grabbed her arm before she could run off. Garnet took the lead as she walked out of the room.

"Amethyst has him." The Witch said. "We just got to find her."

The pair walked through the clinic with not a single person stopping them. No-one even really looked at them as they made there way out of the building and it was hard. The pair kept there eyes down and avoided looking at anyone directly. They flinched at every doctor or healer that got too close when passing and they nearly ran when someone would brush by them and say sorry. They didn't even look hurt anymore. The majority of people were focused on the two pack members that no-one payed them any mind as they left. Safe to say no-one even noticed them depart.

Once outside they took a breath of relief and looked around. The moon was high in the sky and only a few clouds covered its shine. There weren't many people out at this time of night and it helped them focus. Pearl took a deep breath and tuned into her connection with Steven. Star Children had a strong bond they formed with the people they cared about. This helped them always find there way back to them and to safety. It didn't take long for Pearl to feel the pull from there connection and then the desperation following it from Steven. He was scared and upset they weren't close to him.

Pearl held Garnet's hand tight as she yanked the Witch down the street. It was like a different person from earlier today was leading the way as they moved. The Vampire was looking around wildly and twitching every so often. Anxiety was clear across her face and it only grew the longer to took to find Steven. Pearl followed the pull from the baby until they ended up at the pack house. Right as they started getting close the pair could see Penny and Amethyst standing out front. The wolf looked upset and Steven was crying in her arms.

Pearl let go of Garnet's hand and Amethyst never looked happier to see a pissed off Vampire appear in front of her. "Thank god! He started crying after you all ran the hell off and hasn't stopped since! I don't know what to do! Take him."

Pearl quickly took Steven into her arms and immediately started soothing him. She took a few steps away and rocking him back and forth gently. She talked softly to him as Garnet caught up to them. Penny watched silently as the Witch put herself between the two of them and the other two. She wasn't threating in her posture but stood in such a way that she had the other two in her sight at all times. The older Vampire recognized the stance and frowned.

"Garnet." She said holding her head high "There is no threat to you two here so do not stand there like that."

Penny knew that all the girls could feel her authority rolling off her form and it made them all twitch a bit. Amethyst just looked away at the other two while Pearl took a few steps back as she continued to talk to the baby. Garnet however didn't budge. She held her head just as high and the older Vampire felt her pushing back on the authority she had. It was not the Witches intention to challenge Penny but she sure as hell was doing a good job of it. Penny could see habits she didn't like from the pair and could feel the fear rolling off there bodies. There stair down was broken when Ruby and Sapphire appeared out of nowhere in a small puff of blue smoke and hugged Garnet's legs, effectively making her look away and flinch at the contact.

"You can't just run off like that!" Ruby said "We were worried you two just ran off into the woods and got hurt! O-Or died! O-O-Or-"

"Were happy your both ok." Sapphire cut her wife off.

"I can't leave anyone alone can I?" Jasper's voice growled as she made her way over to the group followed by Pink. She looked to the two and then her sister "Don't run off like that! God, the whole clinic was looking for you two! And you, Amethyst your lucky Skinny doesn't want to beat the hell out of you for being dumber then a door nail!"

Pearl was ignoring there interaction a in favor of Steven. He was still upset and Pearl just kept rocking him. He was sniffling and fussing and just so upset that it was starting to stress Pearl out a bit. She felt that every time he looked at her he didn't recognize her. It broke her a bit.

"Steven." She said trying not to get upset at him crying "It's ok. I'm ok. I'm right here." She ran her hand over his cheeks and tried to wipe away the stream of tears from her eyes. The moment Steven took Pearl's hand in his he started to glow a bit. This stopped Pearl dead in her tracks and all other conversation as the Gem in him started to glow brighter and brighter. It started glowing pink and engulfed the pair in light. It only lasted a few seconds but when it stopped Steven was the only one smiling. His tiny hands reached up and touched the now light pink scar on Pearl's forehead and then her nose. The vampire's eyes were drawn to her arm to see that scar was now gone completely from her skin. Her back didn't feel stiff anymore either. She even felt a little better but that was quickly replaced with anxiety nd slowly deepening breaths.

"Star Child." Penny's voice pulled Pearl out of her head to look at her the same time Garnet got out of the shorter Witches hugs and back up to be in front of the two of them protectively "You have a Star Child?"

Everyone looked at them with looks that the scared pair couldn't place. The only one who was confused was Amethyst. "Uh, what's a star child?"

"A child born from the stars. There highly valuable because the gems they have in there bodies are very powerful." Jasper said. "Most kids like him are killed before there first full moon."

"No wonder there looking for you three." Pink said "They want his gem."

"This makes things complicated past just hiding these three till the heat is off." Penny said rubbing the sides of her temples in clear annoyance "There going to send more of those monsters."

"We know how to beat them." Jasper said "The sun hurts them like the three of you. Fire on top of that will take them down. There scent based trackers."

"The suppressers will not only hide the pack but these three as well. Jasper, when's the next full moon?"

"Two days." She replied looking at the pair. They looked so scared and she raised her hands slightly "Hey, relax. Were still not going to take him from you. No-one is."

"Do you guys know how he is supposed to grow?" Penny asked. She got a small nod from Pearl and she nodded in turn "Good. Then you know the longer he stays small the more danger he will be in." The vampire was thinking what to do for a bit before speaking again "I think it's best for you two to lay low at the tavern. If anymore of those monsters come around, with the pack taking scent depressors, then they will zero in on you three through the barriers. At that point will move you three to the dead house. They won't be able to follow you inside."

"Will set up a safe place for him to grow in the moonlight." Jasper said "Then one of us will come get you."

The pair wasn't sure what to do. They wanted to trust them and run from them all at the same time. Pearl was afraid they were still going to take Steven from her but mentally knew they wouldn't. Garnet was afraid they would just throw them out if any person came from the castle for them. Garnet decided to stay silent while Pearl gave a small ok.

"Good then go on to the tavern and-and there gone." Penny sighed. "Get going lady's. We have a lot of work to do."

Chapter Text

Chapter 5

The moment they were dismissed Pearl had run them down the street and Garnet lead them the rest of the way to the tavern. They had absolutely no problem locking themselves in Garnet's room for two days and didn't show any sign of life beyond the whole time. Sapphire and Ruby had left food and cloths outside the Witches door that they and the others had left for the pair and Steven. They gently knocked and let them know the stuff was there the first day and then left them alone. They were worried when they got no response or herd a sound, with both the pack and dead insisting they just get into the room by force to check on them down in the tavern below, but they were glad to come back later that night to see everything gone. Well, almost everything. None of them believed Garnet about Pearl not drinking blood. The dead had given the witches a small quirked bottle of it along with the other things for the dead and it was the only thing left outside of the door. Ok, in all fairness it was taken into the room but was place back outside a few hours later. This pattern followed them into the next two nights. When the night of the full moon came the two smaller Witches had knocked on Garnet's door and asked them to meet them outside when they were ready.

The pair had spent the first few hours in the room hiding in the bathroom after locking themselves inside but had slowly relaxed to walking around the rest of the room. They were laying on the bed, with Steven sleeping between them, when the knock had come. Both of them had jumped with the knock being louder then the silence around them. Pearl instinctively wrapped one arm around Steven protectively as Garnet did the same to both of them.

"Do you think it's a good idea?" Pearl asked softly to the Witch, who was staring down the door "I know it's safe and they won't hurt us-"

"How do you know they won't?" Garnet asked cutting her off. "How do you know they won't just take him and get rid of us?"

"Jasper promised." Pearl answered "She promised they wouldn't take him or hurt us."

"Do you believe her?" The Witch asked. She wasn't being mean about it, quite the opposite. She was worried beyond belief and wanted to know that the Vampire felt the same way as her. It was her own doing that they left the castle and came here so she wanted to make sure that Pearl knew she had a say in everything happening. She didn't want her to feel like she didn't have a say. That Garnet was forcing her to do stuff she didn't want too. They had that done to them for so long. She didn't want that here.

"Garnet." Pearl touched the Witches face and pulled her out of her thoughts "If they wanted us dead they would of killed us the second they figured out what Steven is."

Garnet nodded and kissed Steven's head before getting up. "Lets get ready then."

The pair silently got dressed. Garnet wore a dark pair of pants and shirt while Pearl dressed in a light colored skirt and a flowy white top. The Witch slipped on a pair of boots left for her while Pearl decided to just forgo shoes completely. As Pearl dressed Steven Garnet grabbed a red shirt with a star on it. When Pearl looked at her she shrugged one shoulder. "For him to wear when he gets bigger."

The dead nodded and the Witch helped tie her hair back. "We need to ask who can cut your hair for you and fix it."

"Dose it look that bad?" Pearl's shoulders flinched in worry and Garnet gently smiled.

"No, but I know if you could see it you wouldn't like it."

"We can then, when this is all over with." Pearl said waiting for her to finish before picking the baby up. He was wide awake as he looked up at Pearl with twinkling eyes. It was as if he knew what was going to happen tonight. Steven was humming to himself while chewing on the stuffed lions ear. "Ready Steven?"

Both girls smiled as he babbled a bit at them and kicked his feet.

"I'll take that as a yes." Garnet said.

There smiles faded a bit as they went to the door. There hesitation was evident as Garnet unlocked it and they slowly walked out into the hall. Upon shutting the door behind them Garnet took the lead and lead the way. The only sound was Steven humming to himself as they made there way down the stairs and through the bottom floor of the tavern to the front door. Once outside they found both Ruby and Sapphire waiting for them. They stood right at the taverns entrance and just looked at the smiling couple. They could see both girls were nervous and stood angled towards the doorway, ready to run back inside if they felt unsafe. The fact that they came out was a good sign the Witches were going to work with.

"You guys look great." Ruby said with a smile "Ready to go?"

"Where are we going?" Pearl asked.

"Down to the river." Sapphire said taking her wife's hand "Were going to where one of the fairies live. She resides alone and doesn't like people too much but agreed that her space was safe for Steven to moonlight grow."

"Lapis." Pearl said "Her name is Lapis."

"Yup." Ruby said "Lets get going."

"How did you know that?" Sapphire asked.

"Oh, one of the fairies in the flower shop told me." Pearl answered.

The smaller Witches lead the way and the pair followed behind. It was a calm walk filled with random questions the pair would ask about the town and people. They asked about different shops and the species the town held but not much else. Not due to lack of curiosity however. It was mainly because they didn't know too much outside what they had seen. The small Witches figured that in time they would have many many more questions as they learned about the world around them. Another thing that surprised them were how soft there questions were. At first they didn't hear there words until Garnet spoke just a bit louder then a murmur. It was strange to them, that they were so quiet, but them smiling an answering the questions they knew the pair seemed to come a bit more alive. The further they walked the more there voices came up to a normal volume. They still walked a bit slower then the married couple but they seemed to relax just a bit.

"The river is just down here." Sapphire said as they reached the far side of town. The stone street turned to dirt as a wide path wound its way through the woods. As they walked down it the pair could hear the sound of water moving. The trees sat closer together around the path but not suffocating the air around them. Bugs lit up the night and sounded loudly in the air. Garnet liked the way the moon would peak through the branches every once in a while where Pearl liked that she could feel the warmth from the suns rays still hiding in the dirt under her feet. It was peaceful and almost made the pair forget what they were doing. When they rounded a wide corner in the path the pair stopped.

The river was a wide but shallow one. It wasn't fast moving but a gentle current making just a slightest bit of running water sound like a lullaby. The water ran over rocks of all sizes and a big tree sat right on the waters edge. It was absolutely ginormous and dwarfed the rest of the trees around them. Floating lights hovered in its branches and around the rivers banks, setting off a welcoming feeling. Sitting on the waters edge was Amethyst and a two fairies. Standing a bit away was Jasper and Pink softly talking. What caught there eyes however was that both wolfs had ears and a tail shifted out. They looked around and didn't see anyone in danger or hurt so they were a bit confused. It slightly fascinated Pearl more then Garnet although it didn't stop the curious looks they gave them. Garnet had interacted with wolfs of all kinds and species when moving goods into the castle. Pearl was never allowed down in the back rooms where the Witch had worked so she was very curious about the wolfs appearance.

The pair started moving towards everyone when the Witches had joined the ones standing. Amethyst waving over to them had one of the fairy fly towards the pair quickly.

"Pearl! And company." Peridot said stopping a bit away from them. Jasper had told her not to fly too fast at them or get too loud. They were still spooked pretty bad. She did ok not making them jump too horribly. "Ready for this?" She was a bit too excited but she was doing her best to hold back.

"Where should we?" Pearl looked around a bit confused as Garnet shifted to be in front of her a bit. She didn't like Peridot's enthusiasm and felt she got too close to them too fast.

Jasper had been watching out of the corner of her eye and she wasn't the only one. The other fairy at the rivers edge spoke up "Peri, let them breath. Your freaking them out."

The pair looked to her as Peridot scoffed but flew back over "I was not Lazuli."

"The big one looked ready to clock you." The other deadpanned. This made Peridot blush but settle back down next to her.

"C'mon over." Amethyst said coaxing the pair to walk over but not get too close. "This is Lapis."

They looked to see the girl look at them. She was blue like Blue but seemed more cold. Her hair was blue like her dark blue wings and she looked annoyed. More so that everyone was here bothering her instead of the other fairy being too much. She looked like she just wanted everyone to go away and was only doing this because Penny had asked her.

"Thank you." Garnet spoke "For letting us do this."

"I'm only doing it for the kid." Lapis said floating up to be eye level with the Witch "I could care less for the two of you."

"Lapis." Peridot said.

"Alone and bitter." Garnet said as Pearl grabbed her arm and pulled her back gently "Good look on you. Must rack in all the suiters."

Peridot stopped Lapis from coming at Garnet and Pearl pulled the Witch a few steps away, silently scolded her. The others found it quite amusing. Amethyst was muffling her laugh with her tail wagging back and forth while the others standing away from them had to look away and bite there lips as to not snicker. It didn't really work.

"Be nice." Pearl scolded softly.

"I was nice." Garnet answered.

"Is everything ready?" Jasper asked walking over to the group. Her tail moved back and forth gently from the energy in the air. The full moon was hard to not get excited and hyped about for her. It was a lot of self control the sisters had right now not to just shift and run around like nuts. They could hear there family's howls from here. The rest of the pack was running around in a big group outside of town and they wanted to join them so bad but duty came before fun. Jasper helped set this up and had to be here where Amethyst was with her out of punishment for her mess up earlier.

"We just have to move the branches over head so the moon can filter down." Peridot said as Lapis huffed and few off above them, Peridot following shortly after. Ruby and Sapphire came over and looked up while Jasper told the pair to come away to let them set up.

"Ok, we brought a blanket for you to lay Steven on while this happens. From what Penny said you guys are gonna be really surprised." Pink said as the they watched the fairies and witches slowly get the giant tree to move its branches. They watched as the four worked in unison. The branches of this huge tree moved and swayed as they were manipulated to where they wanted them. The wood groaned and protested as a few leaves floated to the water below but it moved as it was told "When your ready their going to move the branches and the moonlight will do the rest."

"He is going to be completely fine." Amethyst said "Though I would change him into the shirt you brought so he isn't bare boned for all to see."

"Are you sure he will be ok?" Pearl asked the Alpha as Amethyst went to lay the blanket out.

"I promised nothing would hurt you three." Jasper said placing a hand on the vampires shoulder, which the witch didn't like "And I don't break a promise."

"Let's get him changed." Garnet said drawing Pearl's attention. She didn't like the way Jasper just touched Pearl and talked to her. She understood she was being nice and trying not to scare them but they had been tricked before. Old habits and memories die hard. They had there share of scars across there bodies to remember.

As the pair got Steven ready the others had given the all clear to get started. Pink had Garnet and the wolfs stand with her as Pearl slowly walked over to the blanket. The closer she got the more active Steven became. He was babbling and drooling a lot as he kicked and flailed his lion around. Pearl smiled at the stars in his eyes. It was like he knew what was going on and was so excited. With a kiss to his head Pearl laid him down on the blanket and quickly re-joined the others. Once standing with them Pink held onto Garnet's arm while Jasper took Pearl's. Fear quickly crossed there faces but was put to rest.

"So you don't try and grab him when he starts glowing." Pink explained "Not only will you get hurt it will hurt him too."

"And one of you will die."

"Jasper."

"No need to hide that fact." The wolf said with a shrug and a flick of an ear "It's important for them to know."

"Lets get this show on the road!" Amethyst called.

With that they began. The four waiting for Pearl to be clear used there magic and powers in unison, letting the moonlight start to filter down. At first just a few beams made it to the ground but as soon as the moonlight hit Steven he started to glow. His gem filled the area with a bright pink light and his laugh echoed all around them. Everyone watched in amazement as the baby grew in size and shape before his light settled, the vampires having to look away from his light for a fe moments.

Sitting on the blanket was now a toddler. He had a mess of black curls on his head and his thumb in his mouth. His other hand held tight to his stuffed lion. The red shirt hung off one shoulder a bit and the bottom reached his knees. He looked all around as he started pulling. He was pulling on his connection to Pearl and the vampire immediately responded.

Jasper let Pearl go as she started towards Steven. Her pace was slow but the need to hurry was very strong. Steven watched her walking over to him and he stood. He paid no mind to anyone else as the others moved the tree back to its resting place and joined the group. Pearl got right to the edge of the blanket and knelt as Steven pulled on there connection hard.

"Hi Steven." She said softly as he pulled on there connection again "Yes, it's me. I feel you pulling." She smiled as Steven touched his chest when Pearl said his name. "Yes, your name is Steven." Steven smiled and patted his chest before walking the few steps over to Pearl. She sat stone still as he stopped and looked at her. He touched her chest and waited. "I'm Pearl."

Steven touched her face slowly. He traced her features and Pearl let him. His small fingers traced up her nose and over the light pink scar on her forehead. When she told him he fixed that he looked so proud. He put his lion at his feet as Pearl offered him her hand. When he took it, his eyes lit up with such love. He looked right at her and held her hand tight in his tiny ones. "Mama Pearl, my Pearl"

She blinked and everyone was surprised. No-one expected him to talk. The biggest smile spread across her face as Steven picked up his lion and wrapped his tiny arms around her neck. Pearl in turn held him tight as she stood. She was so happy he knew who she was. He wasn't afraid of her or running from her. He had immediately started pulling on there connection to find her. Not Garnet, not anyone else, just her. It would be a lie if she wasn't a bit smug about it. She felt so important to him.

Once standing and feeling secure in Pearl's arms Steven started pulling on his connection to Garnet. It wasn't as strong as Pearl's but the vampire could feel him pulling to her with him in her arms. Garnet felt the pull and soon started walking towards them. Pearl felt Steven tighten his grip around her neck a bit as Garnet got closer. He was nervous but felt completely safe in the dead's hold. When she reached them Steven pointed to himself. "Steven."

"That's right cute pie." Garnet said as he reached out and touched her chest. "Garnet."

"Garnet." He repeated with a bit of struggle. It cam out as garment but he was trying.

"Nice job." The witch said.

Just when they thought he was done Steven concentrated again. The group watched on a bit confused while Jasper grunted. She was feeling an odd pull to walk towards the three of them and she didn't understand why. She felt the pull again and grumbled slightly, shuffling a bit where she stood. Her ears twitched and her tail moved.

"Who are you pulling for Steven?" Pearl asked gently as he leaned to look around her. She could feel him pulling to someone else and when she looked she saw how uncomfortable the Alpha was. Steven was concentrating hard when it clicked to her. "He wants you to come over."

The wolf squinted at the trio but when she felt the pull again she slowly started over to them. Jasper felt a bit weird about it. She didn't understand why Steven had a connection to her at all. She only held him once and she didn't think that counted as a reason to connect to someone. Maby it was because she had also talked to him? Maby? She didn't quite know.

As she came to a stop in front of him Steven reached up to her. Jasper kinda just looked at him and he huffed. He leaned a bit more forward and Garnet gently took the Alpha's arm and pulled her down to be level with him. Jasper glared at the witch but a tiny hand on her face made her look back at Steven. He looked deeply into his eyes and he patted her face. "What?"

"Steven." He said taking his hand back and tapping his chest before reaching out and tapping her face again.

"Uh, Jasper." She said looking at him. "I'm Jasper."

They all watched him struggle to say Jasper's name. It came out several different ways before he huffed and decided on something else to call her. "Woofie."

"No." Jasper said as Amethyst started laughing behind her "No way."

"Woofie." Steven said with a smile, ignoring the Alphas glare in favor of leaning around her to look at Amethyst. He pointed at her with a serious look "Foofy."

It was Jasper's turn to laugh as Amethyst stopped. "Hey!"

Steven just giggled and clapped his hands before yawning. He rubbed his eyes a bit before putting his head on Pearl's shoulder and nuzzling into her neck. He pulled the lion tight in his arms to snuggle as he got comfortable. Both girls were smiling at Steven's interaction with the wolf sisters. He showed no fear in them and they were grumbling about being told there new names by a toddler and unable to fight it.

"Think it's time for bed." Garnet said.

"Oh, he won't fit in the bassinet now." Pearl said looking down at him. "Or his cloths."

"We got some he can borrow." Jasper said looking down at the sleepy kid "Foofy here is short enough, some of her old shirts should be good enough till you get proper ones for him."

"If Woofie here can find them." Amethyst said throwing a rock at her sisters back. This earned a growl from the Alpha and a sleepy giggle from the toddler. The others were watching in fascination. Steven was someone they had never seen before. They all had herd stories about Star Children but no-one in there group had ever seen one in person. His sunny disposition seemed to warm everyone around him. He didn't seem intimidated by the wolf in front of him or the dead holding him. If anything he looked completely at home surrounded by magic, death, and power. It was all touching to watch Steven talk to the three people he was connected with but the lone fairy had her fill of people.

"Well if your all done here then don't get wet feet on your way out." Lapis said loud enough to get everyone attention before floating up into the big tree.

"Lapis!" Peridot said with a frown.

"Lets go Peri." Amethyst said as Pink started back towards town. "We did barge in unexpectedly to ask for help. Least we can do is leave when she wants us too."

Jasper agreed and the rest of them started towards town. Steven had said a sleepy 'by lappy' to Lapis and the fairy just waved them off. Pearl was gently rubbing Steven's back as he fought off sleep. He was much more interested in looking around. The witch had been watching him and took notice rather quickly. "Get some sleep Steven. When you wake up later will go around and look at everything together ok?"

"Pomise?" He asked.

"Promise." Garnet said.

With a satisfied smile Steven promptly fell asleep in Pearl's arms. She smiled as she kept rubbing his back. She liked how warm he was but was doing her best not to leech the heat from his body. This caused her to shiver as another thought came to mind. He was going to want to be up during the day now. He was going to be much more active and it made Pearl happy but worried at the same time. She wasn't going to be able to follow him and keep him safe when she couldn't step foot in the light. He needed to be around others and socialize to flourish. Even with there horrid life Pearl knew that much when it came to kids. He probably wasn't going to be allowed up at the dead house either.

Garnet had been listening to Amethyst talk about cloths Steven could wear while they walked. Jasper had lagged behind to listen (butt in really) when she saw the look of panic pass over Pearl's face, followed by the dead worrying her lip. "What's wrong?"

The dead's eyes looked up at her as Garnet looked to her friend. "I am going to loose Steven."

"Why do you say that?" Jasper frowned.

"He is going to want to be awake during the day." Pearl said "He needs to be in the sun and interact with others to grow. I'm not going to be able to see him... O-Or be with him. What if he gets hurt or someone finds him from the castle? I can't do anything in the light."

"Pearl, do you think I won't be with him?" Garnet said before Jasper could say a thing. She was tired of the alpha butting into there business. She didn't fully trust her and wanted as little to do with her as possible. She was grateful for all the help she has been to them, she just didn't like her much. "Witches are creatures of the day. I'll switch my sleep schedule so one of us will always be with him."

The wolfs watched silently as the others listened. They didn't really want to butt into there personal business too much when it came to Steven. He was in there care after all and they had the right ideas when it came to his well being. The sisters watched the life in Pearl's eyes die as she nodded "That's a good idea Garnet."

"Are you going to be ok walking around at night while they sleep?" Amethyst asked.

"Yea." Pearl said looking down at Steven to avoid there eyes.

"Seems pretty lonely." Jasper said.

"I-I'm used to it." Pearl said with a shrug "It was lonely in the castle when I couldn't see Garnet but its different here. As long as Steven is safe and happy I'm content with whatever we choose to do."

"Hey, don't worry Pearl." Amethyst said "Me and Jas here will keep an eye on them long with the lovey dovey couple up there. There going to be completely safe." She smiled and walked backwards to look up at the dead. "If you feel uncomfortable just do that connection pully thing Steven was doing to you back there. Will teach him to tell us when your pulling so we can take him to you ok?"

"I don't want to be a bother."

"Your the one he is completely attached too." Jasper said "Just like a kid with there mom, he is going to want to be connected to you to know that everything is ok and to feel safe. It's going to be hard on him when you can't be in the light at the same time but he will get used to it. The first few times is going to be scary for him and he is going to pull on your connection hard but we all will be right there with him so he has someone to hold on too."

"Just be ready for when he want's you in the middle of the day and you don't get any sleep." Pink said "That's just going to make Penny's day with him coming in and out of the house."

"He can still stay with me in my room?" Pearl asked surprised.

"As far as were all concerned your his mom and were not about to keep him from you so." Pink waved her hand.

"He will be welcome with you and Garnet in whatever home you want to stay in." Sapphire said. "You both have a room at the house and tavern so you have options."

This did make Pearl feel a little better. Just a little. The feeling of loneliness was going to eat away at her slowly though. She didn't want to wonder the night alone. True she had Pink to keep company with and Penny if she wanted but she wouldn't be able to talk to Garnet or really hold Steven. She didn't want to be selfish and keep the witch up or deprive the toddler from growing. She just felt like she wasn't really going to be a part of it. Just watching from the sidelines. That made her hold Steven a little closer.

Garnet on the other hand was dreading not being around Pearl during the day. She didn't like the separation they were going to do but she understood. Steven needed to be in the sun and around people to learn and grow and become stronger. He couldn't stay in the dark like they had for so long. To live in the shadows like the dead did to survive. She was also worried Steven wouldn't be able to cope with Pearl not being with him. These first few days were going to be crucial for him to get his bearings around others. She hated that Pearl wouldn't be able to join them but knew she wouldn't leave his side when the sun went down. She was also going to have to get over her dislike of the alpha. Steven was connected to her and she wouldn't sever that connection over petty stuff.

When they came to the top of the path and back into town Pink stopped.

"Pearl, lets go get your hair fixed." She said "The hair dresser is a phantom so there always around. The rest of you should go get some sleep."

"Before anything else decides to happen. Next full moon however, Pearl were taking you out to party with us!" Amethyst bounced as she headed towards the sound of the pack running about with Jasper while Peridot waved goodbye and fluttered off towards home "Peace!"

"Were going to go too." Sapphire said as Ruby rubbed her eye and leaned on her wife "If were going to change your sleep schedule its best to start now Garnet."

Garnet looked at them then at Pearl. The vampire was holding Steven a bit closer but she didn't look as fearful as she did earlier. She looked to Garnet and smiled "Guess you take him from here."

"If your going to sleep at her place tonight then just hold onto him." Pink said "This won't take long so you'll be back before you know it."

Garnet smiled at her friend "I'll see you soon ok?"

Pearl nodded before turning and following Pink. Garnet stood still until they were out of sight before turning back to the witches. They both had taken notice of the way Garnet would just watch the two until they were out of sight. They didn't want to bring it up and make the taller witch uncomfortable but the pair couldn't hold back there curiosity any more.

"Garnet, why do you do that?" Sapphire asked.

"Do what?"

"Watch them until there out of sight." Ruby said "We notice that you tend to do that when your both going different places."

Garnet blinked "Habit."

"Habit?" Ruby questioned.

The witch mulled over her words as she slowly started towards the tavern. The other two walked beside her and let her think her words over. They understood talking about the castle and what they had gone through wasn't an easy thing to do. The pair had endured traumas they couldn't possibly imagine. Just learning of the few horrid things they had been put through and thought to be normal was scary in itself. It was safe to say they all knew the amount of reprogramming and de-brainwashing that was going to need to be done to help this pair learn to function on there own without fear was going to be enormous.

"The one and only time I didn't watch her go she got hurt." Garnet said.

"How bad?" Ruby asked.

When Garnet remained silent the pair let it go. There was going to be a time and place to ask those kind of questions but now wasn't it. They made it all the way to the tavern when Garnet stopped. She let the pair go in before her and she followed quietly. When they mad it up to there doors she looked at them.

"What's it like?" She asked causing the pair to jump a bit at her speaking "Living in the sun?"

The smaller witches looked at each other before looking at the taller. They could see the hesitation in her for asking so Ruby smiled as she answered her question. "It's wonderful."

"And...the thing with my memory." Garnet said slowly looking at her hands "You can help me with that?"

"In the morning." Sapphire said covering her mouth as she yawned "Will do it once your rested and have food in your system."

Garnet nodded and waited until the smaller pair went into there room for her to go into her own. Walking in the flowers started to glow and it made her feel warm inside. She silently dressed in cloths to sleep in before sitting on the edge of the bed. She was hesitating to lay down. She felt weird with Pearl not being with her. In the castle they did almost everything they could together. Beatings, eating, assaults, punishments, everything. They were each others rocks and Garnet was feeling a bit of separation anxiety right now. It took a lot of deep breaths and calming thoughts for Garnet to just lay down. Even more so for her to close her eyes.

Unknown to her Ruby and Sapphire had sent a few sleeping spells and charms over the other witches room and self. Gently helping her to sleep with the taller being none the wiser.

0

Pearl followed Penny as they silently walked through town. At this point in the night no-one who didn't walk among them (or were the pack running around blowing off the last of there steam from the full moon) were asleep. Leaving just the two of them and a few ghosts and spirits to wonder in peace and quiet. Pearl was feeling nervous and was rubbing Steven's back as a way to try and distract herself. It was working for her but Pink noticed Steven frowning in his sleep, moving ever so much.

"Pearl, relax." Pink said looking at the other as she slowed down to link Pearl's arm with her own "Your nervousness is going to wake him up."

"Oh." Pearl said softly looking down at him. His face was a bit destressed but Pearl kissed his head and forced herself to calm down, happy to see Steven's face relax back into a peaceful sleep.

They walked for a bit more before Penny took Pearl to one of the outer roads in the town. This street was the first one they had passed on there way into town when they had first arrived. The store fronts and houses looked less loved and taken care of then the ones further into town. There was grass and weeds starting to grow through the worn stones under there feet. The plants around the path and leading off into the trees looked better for wear, just untamed and unloved for quite some time.

"Why is this different from the rest of the town?" Pearl asked.

"We do our best to keep our town hidden from the rest of the world." Pink answered "The world is afraid of people and things that aren't like them. Most fear people like us so the few humans we do have in town know how to take care of other humans, who are traders and travelers, to the market and then either on there way out of town or to the only rest house for them. We keep the first two roads looking like this because, well for one it scares away most people who aren't like us. It also makes a great haunting ground for the ghosts and phantoms we have in town. Most people don't mind them and they prefer to exist alone so this space is for them." Pink had stopped walking them down this street and opening a random door "Also, apparently it's very uncomfortable for someone to walk through them."

"Veeeeeeery much sssoooooo." Pearl didn't make it a few steps into the building before stopping. The voice was making her a little uneasy but the atmosphere in the room was very welcoming and charming. "Wweeeeellllcoooomeee."

"Hello Fluorite." Pink said following Pearl inside and shutting the door behind her. "How's that side of the dirt?"

"Mooooore aaaaalive then yoooooouuuuurs." The voice answered as an apparition started to appear. It started off as a little ball of light that quickly grew in shape and size. Soon a tall round looking lady was in front of them. She looked like she had lived a good long life before her passing to the other side. She looked like any other ghost Pearl had seen, her body fading into nothingness pass her knees. Pearl was silent as she looked her over.

Pink was surprised to see Pearl not scared of her. She looked a bit stiff but not afraid or fearful. With everything that's happened she was very impressed, a bit skeptical. "Your not scared of her?"

Pearl looked away from Fluorite an to Pink. "There were a lot of ghosts in the castle. When I wasn't with Garnet or being hurt I would go to the dark abandoned places to talk to them. We even had a few poltergeists but they left me alone."

"Ttttttthhheeeeeee caaaassstllleeeeee." Fluorite said slowly turning and floating over towards a mirror. Pearl looked around to see the room was oddly set up. There were a few chairs sitting in front of counters with mirrors on top of them. There were brushes, combs, and a few other things Pearl couldn't name as well. "Iiiiiiiii haaaaavvvnn't seeeeeeen thaaaaat plaaaacceeeeee since Iiiiiii diiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeed."

"I rememeber." Pearl said "You were supposed to be decapitated."

"Tthhhaaaaaatttssssss riiiight." Fluorite said turning and looked just as surprised as Pink did "Hhoooooow did yoooouuuu knoooooww thaaaaaat?"

"I was there when it happened." Pearl said with a small shrug like it was no big deal.

"Yooouuuu weeerreeeee theeerrreee?" Fluorite said surprised.

"You know how she died?" Pink said.

"I was brought there the day it happened. They made me wait to get processed because they wanted to see you die." Pearl frowned "In the end they decided to poison you instead since you were such a sweet lady."

"Thaaaatt waaasssssss overrrr sssseeeveeennnnn hundred yeaaarrrssss agooo." Fluorite said.

"Wait, your seven hundred years old?" Pink said.

"I was twenty two when I was turned." Pearl said thoughtfully "Maby a decade or two before I was brought there... I'm not entirely sure though. A lot of my time in the castle was... I can't really remember much anymore anyway."

Pink was stunned into silence. Not only did there new clan member know one of there oldest spirits in town she was there when she died. Making her much older then both herself and Penny by decades. Pink herself was four hundred where Penny was five thirty three. More concerning was that Pearl didn't remember anything that wasn't related to the castle. This left her a lot to talk to Penny about.

"Florite." Pink said "I need to go back to the house real fast, can you take care of Pearl's hair for me?"

"Suuuuuuure thiiiiiiing." The phantom said. "Cooooooooome sit deeaaaaarrrrrr."

Pearl looked at the seat Fluorite gestured too but didn't move. She held Steven a bit closer and Pink didn't wait for her to move on her own. "Pearl, it's ok. It's just a hair cut."

"I've never had one before." Pearl said looking at Pink before Fluorite "Will it hurt?"

"It wiiiillll feeeeeelll wooonnnnderfuuuullll." Fluorite said with a smile "Cooooooome siit."

Pink nudged her forward before turning and disappearing out the door quickly.

Pearl became very uncomfortable fast but Fluorite was just as quick (for her) to calm her down. It took a bit of coaxing but eventually she got Pearl to sit down. They talked the whole time Fluorite was doing Pearl's hair. She was slow and drawn out but Pearl didn't mind. She was reclined on the chair, Steven snuggled happily into her neck, as Fluorite worked. She had the dead talk about anything she wanted, which happened to not be a lot, before falling into comfortable silence after she had said all she wanted to say. After the phantom had washed and brushed Pearl's hair she asked her what style she wanted.

"I don't know." Pearl said running her free hand through her hair for a moment. "I-I'm not sure what would look good on me."

"Iiiiiiii think shooooort hair woooullldddd loooooking gooooood on yoouuu." Fluorite said bringing her hands up and showing Pearl where the cut would be.

"That's so short." Pearl said "Is it really ok for my hair to be like that?"

"Yooouuuurrr noooooot at the cassssstle anymooooore." The phantom said with a smile "Theerrreeeee rules dooon't apply heeerrreeeeeee."

"Then..." Pearl looked at where she would be in the mirror before raising her hands "How about this short?"

"Veeeeerrryyyyyy bold." Fluorite said.

"Is it too much?" Pearl asked softly.

"It'sssss peeeerrrrrfecct." The phantom answered.

Pearl smiled and sat up a bit. It was a very rare thing for the word perfect to be tagged to Pearl without failure being thrown in somewhere. It gave the dead a nice feeling inside... like she wasn't a complete waist of space and air.

After taking a few breaths, and kissing Steven's hair, she told Fluorite to start. Like everything Fluorite did, it was slow and drawn out. The first snip of hair had Pearl flinch in her seat. Soon it had her smiling. Every long strand that fell away to the floor had the dead smiling more and more. She was even slightly giggling. The more Fluorite cut Pearl's hair she wanted the more Pearl was getting excited. By the end it took a lot of restraint for her not to jump out of her seat and wake Steven in her arms.

"Whhaaaaaat do you thiiiiink?" Fluorite asked as Pearl stood.

"I love it!" Pearl answered turning and smiling brightly at her, running her hand through her new cut. "Thank you so much!"

"Iiiiiit's no prooobleeeemmmmmm." Fluorite said putting the scissors down but before she could turn to grab the broom she kept in the corner Pearl was there taking it "Yooouuuu doooon't haaave to do thaaaaat."

"It's the least I can do." Pearl said sweeping quickly with one hand "Since it's my hair and Pink didn't leave me any coin to give you."

Fluorite didn't really argue with her on it. Though in all fairness, she had no need for coin. She was dead! A ghost. The need for physical possessions was very little. She watched her work and when she was done she offered to walk her back. "The suuuuuuuns going to be uuuuppppp soooooon. Weeeeee should taaaaake youuu baaaack."

Pearl frowned "I don't want to burn again. It really hurt... The sun won't hurt you?"

"No, Iiiiiit juuuuuuuust makes me veeeeeeery tiiiiiierd." Fluorite answered turning to the door. she waved for Pearl to follow and the dead chuckled as she went through the door instead of opening it.

Pearl followed behind, shutting the door, before squinting up at the sky. It was starting to turn a lighter blue signaling the night was coming to an end. Everything leading up to tonight's events must of taken longer then she thought. Or she was in there with Fluorite a long time.

The Phantom quickly, for her, lead Pearl back to the tavern. With a smile she wished her goodnight before turning and making her way back down the street, slowly vanishing from sight. Pearl looked after her and smiled before slowly pushing the Tavern door open and stepping inside.

Shutting the door at her back Pearl saw Sapphire and a few Witches that looked like Ruby, but weren't, walking around inside. Sapphire was sitting at the end of the bar while the other Witches were wiping don tables. The dead stood stone still as she watched Ruby come out from the back and over to her wife with just the top of her afro poking over the bar top.

"You could be more awake if you ate something." Sapphire said taking the offered cup from Ruby before kissing her on the head. "Thank you."

Ruby hummed in appreciation before climbing up net to her wife and kissing her cheek "I wanted to wait until Garnet woke up. Just so she doesn't fell weird eating alone or like were trying to poison her."

"As long as you don't cook she should be fine." Sapphire said.

"Hey!" Ruby huffed "You can't cook either!"

"That's why Eyeball and Leggy are cooking, not us." Sapphire giggled at her wife's pouting face before leaning over and kissing her cheek. At that she finally noticed Pearl standing at the door. "Good morning Pearl."

Pearl gave a small wave of her hand before Sapphire gently gestured around the bar "Garnet's still asleep but your free to go up there. Do you remember which room is hers? It has her name on it."

"I can't read." Pearl said just loud enough to be heard in the quiet room "But her door is Purple."

"In the center, yes." Sapphire said as Ruby hummed gently "Go on then dear."

They watched the dead quietly glide around the table and vanish behind the bar and curtain before Ruby leaned close to Sapphire. "Think I can do something about that."

"The reading thing?"

"Yea." Ruby said with a smerk "And I know just whos buttons to push."