Chapter 15 - Con Mare

 

Thatti sat by the telecaster, the screen displaying Mallory Millarhoof in a sparkly pink gown as she recited the episode's lesson. The Plumlord had been defeated again, with a flick of her wand. She'd seen this episode a dozen times throughout the past few weeks, "Bedtime for Honeyblossom." It was her favorite. In the epilogue, the Plumlord stood in the sunrise, his eyes glowing white, a smirk on his lips, holding a black orb in his hand. The narrator read, "And the Plumlord's plans were still unknown. But he was a Plumlord after all. He will always return to haunt the marefairies."

"I want to be a marefairy. I should be a marefairy." Thatti said, voice frail.

 

But in the story, the marefairies were brave. In the story, Honeyblossom had saved the day. In her life she'd let one of the people closest to her die, and that fact sunk in. The scene replaying in her mind again and again, Jack's eruptive roar. She'd felt it, felt it right through the concrete and landed on glass. The floor and ceiling had shook, and she'd fallen over, unable to stop Jack. The screen switched to a montage of horses galloping over rainbows, and Jack's image flashed across the screen.

"AAAAAHHHH!" she leapt back, gasping. Her heart raced faster than light, feeling like it would never ever stop.

Jack was gone. Mallory was back onscreen, her strong maternal presence protecting the Evervalley from the Plumlord once more in the next episode.

There were tears in her eyes. "Shut it off," a voice boomed over her from her wand. She turned to Becca, who was sitting on a pillow. "You've been watching this show for 3 weeks, your hair isn't looking very shiny Thatt." Becca told her.

Thatti had been told that before. "O-one more episode.."

"Girl you need to get over this! Form a plan, figure out what you're going to do! If those Gems wanted to steal me anyday now you'd be a wreck to stop them."

Thatti didn't respond, and Becca fell out of bed. She tossed the wand in her handbag, and began preparing for bed at 4 in the afternoon. She stared up at the ceiling, a tear trickled down her face.

She didn't know if she was doing the right thing.

 

 

 

 

Later that night she'd failed to get any sleep, and was watching more eps, the show reminding her of when she and Becca watched marathons at the academy. Then she remembered when ‘he’ had watched it with her. The door swung open, Caleb and Jel heading behind the Orchid girl and her sparkly wand.

"It's about time. I think you've been watching this show for 2 weeks straight now." Caleb sighed.

 

She nodded. Jel looked at Thatti, and then behind her on the couch, towards the screen, Becca snoring peacefully. He whispered to her, and she nodded back.

"Thatti, we think you need a break." Jel said softly. "The way you've been watching this show for weeks, I think we can tell you've been avoiding thinking about Jack, because you can't move on."

She nodded.

 

Jel handed her a brochure. "Next week, a nearby planet in the next system over is hosting Galacon, it’s a a massive convention! Why don't you join us? I've heard it's a great way to meet new people and expand your knowledge of Millarhoof!"

"Expand my, knowledge?" She asked.

"Yeah! There's going to be a Mallory Millarhoof panel. My mom and some friends got us tickets, and one of them even hooked Caleb up with some salacious costumes." Jel winked.

Caleb blushed. "You'll look magnificent in a Vata-Tex leotard and bra-cup!" He smiled. "Veronica has already agreed to join my photoshoot, so you two can be the first pinup babes for my new social media empire!"

She stood silent and still, eyes lighting up just slightly when seeing the armored horse imagery on the brochure. "Look, if you don't go, you'll come home and cry in front of that show and waste away your life. If you do go, you'll come home with new memories and friends. So you have to choose Thatti, choose." Jel placed her hand on her shoulder.

"It does say they have Mallory Millarhoof attending.." Thatti perked up curious.

 

He smiled. "You can meet her! After you pose at the shoot. Just promise me you’ll join my photoshoot, and we can let you go! It’s a deal right!" He forcibly shook her hand, as if making a deal with the devil too eager to shake.

“Uhh.. sure!” She couldn't resist. She smiled, and took the pamphlet. "Okay, I'll go." She turned and looked at her telecaster, shutting it off.

Jel hugged her. "I knew you'd come around flowergirl."

 

 

 

 

The next day, Thatti received a knock at the door. She pulled her curtain to peer out, using Becca as a transformed hairbrush to comb over her hair. Diane waved from the other side, holding some sort of cold frosty beverage with fruit inside. She shoved the curtain back, turning Headhunter into a dagger before going to the entrance and slowly opening the door. The gem stood on the otherside scratching her back. “Uh, I know this is going to sound a little awkward but, I was in the neighborhood and wanted to ask if you’d like to come to my sisters… attorney’s

birthday?” She offered the drink. “I got you a fruit Snowshake Latte.” Thatti looked down at it, then back at the girl. “Isn’t it weird for you to come here right now when you’ve, you know, tried to fight me and beatme up for my wand these past few months?” The Orchid girl said with tired eyes. After the whole experience with Jack she wasn’t exactly in the most upbeat mood.

Daine chuckled quietly. “A bit. But I feel like this is the right thing to do. Thatti had a thought, realizing she should have gotten an idea of what she was doing with her life before talking about it with Diane. She began talking to her wand, Becca sputtering back. “No way. Nope, definitely not. Don’t trust this porno bitch.” Becca told her.

Thatti looked at the Snowshake and sipped it, loving how fruity the sweet elixir take. “Just me and you going to this, shit what was it again? Sister’s attorney’s party?” She scratched her butt, sweat pants still on. “Okay, I’ll go with you to whatever. For the fact that you’re going out of your way to be nice to me. I can probably make some sort of excuse for not going to class. And if you kill me then, no class either way.” The Orchid girl said with a shrug and slight smile. The two went on a long hike to the city-campus where the two spent the day trying to talk to one another, with Diane revealing that her sister’s name is Alicia Valencio. Soon they left the past the mountains and made their way to a fairly sizable grange, 5-stories tall and with numerous

stained glass windows along the masonry walls. “If this is part of your sinister plan, corpse

disposal better be somewhere less cliche than this.“

Diane ignored her. “Here we are!” She said, opening the door for the girl. Inside, Thatti witnessed two dozen girls running around that appeared of various ages from 6 to 20. They fought over dolls, practiced with swords and ran toy mallets against a pretend rubber-furnace and anvil.

Thatti, her jaw slack with surprise, watched as the scene unfolded.

 

"This is... something," she whispered, a touch of awe in her voice. The stark contrast between the seriousness of her past and the whimsical mayhem of the party was a bit disorienting.

"They're just kids," Diane said, her voice softer than usual. "It's all a bit of fun." She smiled, her eyes betraying a hint of sadness. "I wouldn't know, being a Gem of Pride and all."

Becca, in the form of a dagger, materialized. "I wouldn't trust those kids for a second. You know how those gems can get...especially with those swords." She hissed. "Don't get too close, and for god's sake don't let them get their hands on you. Besides, if you haven’t noticed.. all these kids are Gems too."

Thatti, however, seemed less concerned about the children and more about the general mood of the party. She glanced at a nearby table laden with numerous strange gemstones, blowtorches, hammers, stone runes and tools, her stomach rumbling with hunger.

"Is this a... a Gem thing?" she asked, a touch of confusion in her voice. “That’s, just a little private thing of mine, don’t worry about it.” Diane said. Thatti grabbed Becca’s handle and transformed her into a broomstick with spikes on the end. “Okay, enough with the sweet talk. What did you bring me here for? You’d think a gem would know better than to trust the Orchid Domina’s daughter.” She said. Diane laughed. “Guess not! Not like I know much about Orchid anyway.” She placed her hand on the wall, creating a portal that Thatti fell through, landing into Diane’s catch on the other side of the kitchen. Diane's eyes softened. "I know I know, there's always more to it, where you’re from right? Orchid can be pretty brutal when it comes to the whole, social hierarchy and stuff. I'm glad my sister's not like that. She’s a true gem.”

Footsteps made their way through the kitchen. A red-maroon Sapphire with a glassy eye stepped forward. A woman with a navy pantsuit and phone stood behind her. “Speak of the devil, here she is now. My sis, Kuri. Technically all the gems out there are my sisters, but it’s Kuri’s

attorney’s celebration.”

 

“Uh, nice to meet you?” Thatti said, unsure if she was supposed to shake the Sapphire’s hand or ring it like some kind of phone. She took a step closer, the smell of cinnamon buns in the oven and the warmth of the house and the kindness of Diane slowly melting away her recent

anxieties. But something inside her, a nagging sense of foreboding, warned her that the chaotic scene around them, the play-fighting girls, the scent of baking pastries, and the warmth of

Diane’s invitation might just be a façade. Diane, with a playful smirk on her face, watched as Thatti devoured a plate piled high with pastries. The aroma of cinnamon and sugar, the warmth of the house, and the joyous chaos of the children playing around them had begun to melt away the tension between them. Despite the threat looming over them, a newfound sense of camaraderie was budding between the two.

"It's nice, isn't it?" Diane asked, taking a delicate bite of a macaron. "A chance to just relax, without all the crazy shenanigans of the world."

Thatti, still a bit wary but cautiously hopeful, nodded. "It's... different. You know, back in Orchid, I never really had a chance to just… chill."

"I get it. You're the Domina's daughter, things are bound to be a bit intense for you, right?" She smiled.

"I still haven't figured out what happened to my brother," Thatti muttered. "And there's Jack, that crazy obsidian gem who's always trying to hurt us. The whole thing with my mother… I don't know what to do. It's all so overwhelming."

"Don't worry. We'll figure it out," Diane said, placing a reassuring hand on Thatti's shoulder. "Right now, let's just enjoy the party. You know, you're pretty cool for an Orchid girl." Thatti looked back her, she rarely got compliments from games. “T-thanks..”

Diane cleared her throat. “Do you think I could have a word alone with Becca, in the other room.” She said.

Her wand immediately started vibrating and glowing. “Oh this is BULLSHIT, who’d fall for such a lame plan? Thatti transform right now and kick her ass.” She demanded.

“Easy easy, I’m not going to run off with you if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“Like hell you won’t.” Becca flipped up and bonked Diane on the forehead repeatedly.

 

Diane yelped, knocking the wand out of her hand. “Oh dear, you’re not very good at this are you?” The gem smirked. She raised her hand and sent a punch into Thatti’s chest, the girl falling to the ground in a heap. “Alright, that’s enough, I get it.” Becca was transformed. Diane looked down at the girl, her expression softening. "You know, it's been real bad between us lately." She said, with a slight smile. "But it's nice to be able to get along with you for a second." Thatti got to her feet. "What do you mean, get along with me?"

"Well, I know you're not going to like this but I think maybe, we could, you know, be friends?" The gem girl said, hesitant. “I wanted to talk to Becca about forming a truce, I wasn’t going to steal her I swear.” She pulled the red sapphire onto her lab and softly stroked her cheek. “If you can trust me enough that is.”

The young Nezura sighed and looked at Becca. “Alright… fine. BUT, I’m not just handing you Becca helplessly.” She held Headhunter up. “God’s Spark.” And with a flash of blue, the two transformed and switched placed, Thatti falling to the ground melded to Headhunter’s existence. Becca turned around and put Thatti on the couch, right besides Alicia. “If you try anything I’m busting every gem in here until they’re pixiedust, got it?”

“Attagirl.” Diane said. “Protective. That’s a good way to be. Why don’t you come with me?” She asked, directing Becca to her room three stories up a flight of stairs. Becca looked back every few moments to make sure Thatti was okay, suspiciously eyeing Diane from behind. The room they arrived in was filled with boyband posters, a model-train set and racks of spears, a bed in the corner. “Why do you have a trainset? What is this, for little kids?” She asked.

“I happen to LIKE trains.” Diane folded her arms.

 

“So, what do you think?” She looked at the head of the bed, a portrait of her with a tall, husky

 

shaven man in baggy military pants and a coat of arms hanging on the walls. “I think I’m ready

to talk.” The girl said. “You were planning on killing Thatti for the wand, and all that, what now? What do you want from me?” Diane scoffed, her face turning somber. “A deal. If you let me have it, I’ll stop hunting for you.”

“Oh I’ll let you have it alright.” Becca said winding her arm.”

“Easy there.” She sat on the bed, opening a portal along it to grab a cold drink and popping it open to sip before the closing the portal to the fridge. “I know we’ve had our, differences. And you two by now probably know why we’re after you. Hyde was assigned to retrieve you by some unsavory sorts, motivated by the prophecy that you’d become Thatti’s undoing. He put the task on me, then I put the task on the Crystal Gems. That’s why we’ve tangoed so far.”

“You’re not telling me anything I didn’t damn well already know.” Becca said grouchy.

 

“No.” The gem sighed. “Thatti, I think you and I have to make a truce. All these months, all the fighting... I was only trying to protect you two, to keep you safe. I know that sounds crazy but..” She placed her hands together, numerous tattoos glowing along with her eyes. “Look you need to LISTEN To me right now. My greatest mistake was I gave Hyde, his superiors his friends the power to travel universes, where they’ve planted spies and counts, with a few gifts.” She rolled her eyes. “Me and Hyde are kinda fighting about it now, but.. they’ll keep coming after you. I want there to be peace, but before I can support you I need something from YOU.” She generated a spear with her hand and aimed it Becca’s light blue-white forehead. “I need to know you can protect Becca, and keep her safe. I’ve seen, a lot of shit. And you’ll be up against enemies a lot more powerful than me or our gem classmates before long.”

Becca scoffed. “Bite a dick Diane.” She took the spear from Diane’s hands and threw it at the wall. “As if you expect me to believe those gems are your ‘sisters.’ Gems don’t have nonsense like that.”

“I do however.” Diane corrected her. “And I love all my creations, they’re important to me

protect. But you and Thatti need my attention more right now.” She said. Suddenly Thatti’s

scream was heard from downstairs. Ten minutes ago

Thatti, occupying the wand’s form laid on Alicia’s lap, all the other gems running around while she waited. They watched a program on Galanet, something about 'Ultras' from another galaxy. Alicia was pretty tuned in, which didn't escape her eye. “Why do you watch this type of stuff?” Thatti asked.

“I really like the idea of a hero. Big sis has always protected all of us, so I really love the idea of superheroes!” She put her hands out and made random spitty sounds for dramatic effect.

"Oh, you really love those type of heroes? I knew one like that once, he was so cool!" Alicia leaned in, her heart fluttering with anticipation. “Tell me.”

Thatti took a deep breath and spoke. “I had this friend back in Orchid. This boy, he was a hero, you know. He saved me from so many different things. And it was the weirdest thing, he’d just… show up. Out of nowhere. No warning, no explanation. He just…helped. Would be in my room or classroom or palace when I was in danger from assassins or almost broke my ankle and saved me. He even protected me from bullies sometimes!”

Thatti's eyes widened, a sense of curiosity and fascination sparking within her. "What kind of a hero? What did he look like?"

Alicia’s face lit up, her eyes brimming with admiration and a touch of wonder. “Oh, it was so cool. He had these bright blue wings, and he was so handsome strong. Oh oh oh and he always wore this white suit. He'd just suddenly appear when I was in trouble, and then he'd disappear just as quickly. It was almost like… like she was a phantom, or a strict silent soldier. Like he always knew where I'd be, it was really mysterious! We called him Phantom Mask, and he

seemed okay with that name."

"Ooo, cool. Phantom Mask?" Alicia asked curious.

 

Thatti nodded. "Yeah, that's his name. He's kind of my Guardian Angel.”

 

The wand began to vibrate excitedly. "It was really special because I didn't know who he was. He'd never introduce himself or even explain what was going on or anything. He just appeared when I was in trouble and then disappeared after I was out of danger. It was really... mysterious. And kinda spooky, too." She said with a faint tremble in her voice. “He’d even occasionally give me warnings about plots on my or my mom’s life, which always turned out to be true. It was really like he could see the future, just like a..” She looked down. “Sapphire?”

The Sapphire’s eyes were glowing an eerie white with a golden glow. They leapt out and tried to strangle Thatti, who slapped her away. The other gems had similar glowing eyes and swiftly stood up, looking at Thatti in a menacing daze. “Huh?! What kind of g-gem game is this?” She said, standing defensively. The entire group tackled the wand and she shouted.

Becca and Diane ran downstairs, seeing the entire gem “Alicia? Nightblair? Bloodpiper! Neptunia, Soulshade! What are you doing, cut it out!” The Gem of Pride yelled, attempting to get inbetween them. The group of gems failed to listen, forcing the two to grab Thatti out of the

entire pile and jump on the couch. They’d practically gone feral, attacking the two and trying to grab Thatti. Becca snatched her up and aimed her at Diane. “Try dumb shit, get dumb results. I knew this scheme would suck!”

“This isn’t me!” Diane yelled. “I don’t know what’s happening, my sisters aren’t like this.”

 

The group looked at the edge of the room, and Thatti’s heart sank. With her obsidian carapace, umbrella in hand and a strange silvery bracelet with an emerald on it. “Hello hello, runts.” She rose her hands up, the emerald shining green and reflecting in every Gem’s eyes. “Don’t let me

kill your vibe, keep going. Courtesy of a little friend of mommy, thanks ol’ Harmonizer.” With a

snap of her fingers, the gems went rabid, Becca forced to kick back and punt numerous gems.

“How do stop them?” Thatti asked. “Wait, don’t hurt them- She’s controlling them this way!” “Wait a second, why isn’t she controlling you ey bitchy?” Becca asked Diane.

 

“Rose Gem of Pride, remember? It’s a little harder to yank around someone this proud.”

“So you’re a narcissist, got it.” Becca saw Nightblair and Morgan Redhand approach, two adult

 

sized gems, an Maisma and red Lake Lazuli coming at her like the walking dead.

 

“Follow me!” Diane created a portal along the wall that lead outside and the three escaped, the other gems quickly making pursuit. Soon they were mobbed. Jack went outside and climbed up the balcony to get a good look. When Becca took notice of her, she grit her teeth. “You!” She transformed Thatti into a samurai blade and leapt with a thrust at her. Her swing was blocked by Jack’s umbrella, swiftly turning into a crowbar. “Free-“ “That’s not going to work.” Jack said, her own body turning a bluish-purple shade as she flashed everywhere creating afterimages, punching, smashing and bluntly knocking Becca a dozen bloody times. “She can use C- cascade?!” Diane said, nervously eyeing jack.

Becca was flattened onto the ground, her body in the dirt. “Pssh, jokes on that idiot.” She held up the bracelet she’d pickpocketed just prior. “You don’t grow up in NeoCity without learning a few tricks.” She threw it to the ground and stabbed it with Rose of Spirit Joining, the wand cracking the device controlling them until it shattered.

Jack rolled her eyes. “Well sugah, that’s no fun.” She smirked. “But good luck calming them

 

down after that. Cynara.”

The entire group of gems, while free were still in a frenzy.

“Aaah, I have an idea!!! Becca, switch with me.” Thatti and Becca swapped forms. “Get me a

portal to my dorm, p-please? Can you do that?” She asked Diane who was trying to pull back her

siblings.

 

“Y-yeah sure!” She slammed the ground, a hole in space-time appearing. Thatti leapt in with newfound courage, grabbed her tablet and rolled back out, scrolling to show all of the gems a huge link. “I present to you.. FANFICTION!”

Suddenly all of the gems stopped cold. They looked up and down the text, fascinated and calmed down.

“Yours?” Diane asked.

 

“H-ha.. no, actually. My mom’s.” She smiled. “See, my mom needs to write reports on potential threats to her throne or likely romantic pairings, aswell as fight outcomes. So she writes, probably scenarios of who might fight. Or fuck. It’s kinda, her thing.”

The gem of pride scratched her head bewildered. “Your mom writes.. fanfiction about others in Orchid? Of them fighting and- what?” She was utterly confused, her eyes squinting, cringing even.

“Yes.” Thatti hugged Headhunter. “That is, what I said.”

 

Diane’s expression turned somber. “I think, we’re all done here.” They said goodbye to Alicia, who had an inkling of an idea of what just happened but not the entire picture.

"Oh, one more thing Miss Thatti! I've heard of Phantom Mask before." Alicia’s face lit up, her voice brimming with wonder. "He's a legendary hero, he's like Orchid's Robin Hood, but better." “Really? Oh! The rumor I heard about him was that he was the son of a rich man.” Thatti said. “Like a blueblood, or some type of prince-turned-rogue. One time he was seen with a dark and brooding tough guy, I bet his backstory is really cool!”

“Yeah..I hope I meet him someday.” She said.

Alicia fell back into Diane’s protective grasp, she was checking over all the gems to make sure her little clan was okay as the two walked back.

 

 

After half an hour Becca finally screamed.

“Wait, why didn’t we ASK THAT GEM BITCH TO PORTAL US BACK TO SCHOOL?!!?”

 

 

 

 

Later

 

Within the week Galacon came around, Thatti dressed in a pink blouse with a matching pink hat and hairband. She hid something in a large backpack. The Galacon buzzed with a frenetic energy that threatened to topple Thatti over. Aliens in neon suits whizzed past, their antennae a kaleidoscope of light. Booths peddled strange candies that Caleb slapped her hand to stopped her from taking. The brochure promised exciting exhibits staffed by cosplaying employees, delicious food from intergalactic vendors, and a chance to meet the legendary Mallory Millarhoof herself. But mostly, it promised an escape from the suffocating grief that clung to her like a shadow. Caleb, resplendent in his cape and striped tights held his arm around Veronica, who was wearing a slick leotard with boots and gloves, her arms, legs and top of her breasts rather exposed. “Becca, you comfy in there?” She turned to her backpack, leathery hoofboots

inside with crinkled vinyl resting her like a bed. “Ahhh, yep. You won’t need me much today will

 

you? I’ma take a nap if you don’t mind.”

 

“Sure thing! You deserve rest. She turned to the boy.

 

“Caleb, your costume is really cool!” Thatti said, "Who is it?" "It's a superhero from Harvest, you probably don't know them." "Harvest, what's that?" She asked.

"Don't worry about it flowergirl." Jel said behind him, dressed with a green shiny cloak with numerous golden straps and bracelets, numerous colorful belt buckles around her waist, her hands held up in V formation. Her wings were folded behind her, her antennae wiggling in the air. Thatti recognized her costume as a Llavalite priestess. An emerald staff with a golden handle was held in her hands.

"Jellybean, that costume. Isn't that like, appropriation?" She scratched her head.

 

Her eyes turned from her phone up towards Thatti. "Why would it be? It’s my heritage." Jel folded her arms and pouted.

"Yeah, butttt you grew up in an apartment on a diet of junkfood and videogames, not on a meteor hive. I've never heard you talk about Llavalite religion, I don't think you could even recite a passage in their Sacred Canon if you tried. Isn't that robe what your people wear after like, years of initiation for ceremonies?"

"She has you there Jayjay." Veronica snickered.

 

"Yeah, well like they say among my folks, pish posh joobie-squash. I'm not gonna take this off for some stupid humans who don't respect my culture." Jel smirked. "Plus I'm like, totes really really pretty in it." She flounced around.

Caleb sighed. "She's right Thatti. We can't stop her from dressing how she wants. We should respect that, right?" He said, with a hint of sarcasm.

"Right." She said, giving in, "I'm sorry Jel, I should know better." The Llavalite girl rolled her eyes. "S'alright. It's like, whatever."

"Hey, I forgive you Jel, it was very thoughtful of you and your mom to help me out with my photoshoot by providing these hot costumes too!" Caleb said, smiling.

"Mhm mhm!" Jel responded turning back to her phone.

A ripple of disdain ran through Caleb, visible as forehead vein tightening as a sleek, black ship, visible from the glass rooftop, glided to a stop in front of the Galacon convention center, several individuals in tuxedos exiting. Out stepped Dylan, Caleb's ever-present rival, his slicked back golden hair gleaming under the spotlights. “Oh great, not this creep..” Caleb hissed. He wasn't alone. Flanking him were four identical figures, their faces obscured by identical, smug smiles and mirrored designer sunglasses. The doppelgängers dressed like him appeared to be children, around 7-10 years old much, younger than the original teenager although finely dressed.

"Oh look, its Dylan! And his.. Dylan Doubles?" Thatti observed.

 

"Yeah, asshole keeps his personal entourage sometimes, makes them hold his photoshoot props." Caleb spat as they approached.

"Ah, we meet again Orchid girl." Dylan eyed her, and turned to Veronica in her sultry getup. "Such a quaint setup you have here. Reminds me of swimsuits in my grandmother's attic… before the extensive renovations, of course."

Caleb's eyes twitched. "Sorry my sexy girl friends are going to leave your snotbros in the dust!" He pretended to make fisticuffs, Dylan pushing him aside effortlessly despite being a foot shorter.

"Oh, sorry, I'm late for your embarrassment! I must have left my coordinates at the last con your pitiful photoshoot faltered at. Wouldn't want to miss that pityshow."

“You wanna go dirtbag?” Caleb yelled.

 

"Caleb, stop this! You don't need to fight them!" Veronica said. "Don't need to, Veronica, but I want to." Caleb yelled.

"But, Caleb.. they're professionals! Kids? Kidfessionals." Jel said. “You cannot just hit them.”

 

"Jel, show them your staff!" Caleb gave her a withering look.

"Okay but.. it's not a real weapon?" Jel asked, confused. "Just a prop." "Shshsh, it’s totally sacred and cool. Make them respect your 'heritage!'" "Um." Jel looked at the emerald rod, giving it an awkward little shake. "We can hear you, idiot." Dylan yelled.

Caleb smirked. "So? You're too scared to face us now, Dylan? Or all of you? I mean you, you, and you and your little yous." He laughed.

The Llavalite scowled and wacked Caleb on the head. "You're losing it, Cay-cay, but it's fine."

 

Veronica snickered and posed. The girl, radiating confidence in her barely-there costume, posed effortlessly, while Thatti, stepping away from the loud argument behind her felt awkward and exposed in her simple pink ensemble. She longed for the solace of her pajamas and her silly show. Looking up, she saw a girl, cloaked in shimmering blue robes, its face hidden in behind a mask. It apologized hurriedly, its voice surprisingly soft and melodious.

"No worries," Thatti stammered, captivated by their aura. "Are you enjoying Galacon?"

 

The Gem hesitated, then nodded shyly. "It's... overwhelming. But the Mallory Millarhoof 15th anniversary panel... I've been waiting for this for cycles."

"Me too!" Thatti exclaimed, surprised at her own enthusiasm. "Maybe we can sit together?"

 

The Gem's eyes, a startling shade of emerald green, widened behind the mask. "I... I wouldn't want to impose."

"Nonsense!" Thatti insisted, a newfound energy blooming in her chest. "Come on, let's find some seats in the cafeteria the crowd swarms."

"W-wait." Caleb shoved in her face a bag. "There's the matching ensemble for the shoot, I had reserved a spot by the auditorium in 40 minutes, please be back then! You're gonna look killer in this." He winked.

“A-ah, thanks Cal.” Thatti shrugged, taking the bag and following the Gem to the a dome-shaped foodcourt far in the Con where they got slushies and sat down. “So you’ve seen Mallory Millarhoof?”

“Have I? I love everything about her and the series! From the holiday specials, to the Plumfairy

Nova Saga to the Equestrian Commandos.”

 

“Oh yes! I love them too! Have you read the comics?” “I’ve been obsessed with them since I was a kit.” The Gem’s voice quavered slightly with emotion. “Me too! And the new 7th era one with the Princesses…” They began to talk excitedly about the show, until a voice broke their

conversation. “Yo, Thatti!” The chunky purple gem, Maisma pulled off the Gem’s hood, Lazuli Kazan-Sung revealed underneath. “You two hanging out? That’s coo’. I always dig whenever you embrace your cool side of things.. cool? Get it Kim? Ey Kimmy?” She elbowed her slightly. “Because your power is water and ice? Ahh I crack myself up.” She sipped from a straw loudly, the cup in her hands jiggling some icecubes within. Thatti folded her arms and stared on unamused. Lazuli turned angrily back to Maisma, Pyra in the corner covering her face.

“Oh woops, did I just breakup your flow? Man, I am the WORST wingman aren’t I? Uhhh.” She started to back away. “Just ignore me!” Thatti stood up, irritated by the interruption. “I have to get ready for the panel with Mallory Millarhoof, I have to go.”

“W-wait!” Lazuli chased after her, removing her mask.

 

Thatti turned angry. “Kaz Song Lapu-Loolooo was it, Kim, or whatever?” She sighed. “What the

 

hell are you doing?”

“I, tried practicing shapeshifting lately. But I wasn’t sure I could pull it off, other than shifting my voice, so Petal lent me a mask.”

“Oh, sorry. Whatever you want to call this, you and your little gem friends can take your heist somewhere else.” She attempted to walk off, Lazuli following suit.

“W-wait! I-“ she grabbed Thatti’s arm. “I didn’t come to steal your wand. Petal is fed up with Diane’s orders and Hyde’s stupid plan, honestly so am I, I just wanted to talk.”

“What for?” Thatti was getting impatient.

 

“Just.. to talk you know? We’ve fought a few times but, I barely know you.“

 

“I barely know you either.” Thatti shook her out of her grip. “Look, I have to go.” “Just stop for a minute.” She pleaded. “I really want to apologize for the last few times we fought, I’ve been

wrong before, I just..” She fell silent. The words then came out abit whispery. “I think you’re cool okay..”

“You’re saying you’re wrong about all of this?” Thatti said, taken aback.

 

Lazuli looked down. “If it’s okay. I feel really stupid.” “Well, I don’t,” Thatti admitted. “What do

you want from me, Kazzy?”

 

Lazuli put her fingers together and started to blush.

 

"I kinda started to… wonder, if.. you would like to go out on a date with me?” Thatti’s eyes grew wide. “What.. what? You? A gem? Date me.” She started to laugh loudly and hysterically. “I know it’s like, bold and.. embarrassing,” Lazuli admitted, shaking. “I’m just.. if I had a chance with you, it would mean a lot.”

Thatti rolled her eyes. “Oh right. Is this about that dumb quiz-contest you won, which was just a trap setup by the crystal gems? Because I’m pretty sure that wasn’t actually binding. It meant nothing.”

The gem looked away embarrassed. “I know I know. I don't care about that. Just, when we were talking just now.. I had fun. I didn’t lookup Mallory so I could trick you or anything, I’m genuinely a huge fan.”

"You're a Hoofy-sis?" Thatti asked, looking at her suspiciously.

 

Kaz put two hands in front of herself, her wrists bending awkwardly as if they were hooves, then clapping three times as she did the signature 'Deer children' gesture.

Thatti gasped. She cleared her throat. “S-so you like the same show, so what? Don’t expect the desired answer, I’m not like you guys.”

"In what way?" Lazuli put her hands together, as if praying. "I'm from Orchid, just like you. I have a family, hopes, dreams."

"For starters.. I'm an actual person. Not a.." She poked Lazuli's gem. "You know.." Then eyed the vending machine, tilted her head mockingly, and took a long, loud sip from her straw.

Lazuli felt her heart sink as Thatti walked away. "You, you're wrong about me." She whimpered. "I'm... I'm so much more."

Thatti stopped. "Oh is that right? More than what?” Thatti turned around, annoyed.

 

She turned around. "Well you know what, if you really wanna see me, try acting like a real person for once, and don't come at me on some stupid masked bullshit, got it?" Thatti said. Her eyes brightened. "Okay, come to think of it, we're doing this photoshoot in a bit before the Millarhoof Meetup. I need to prepare. I'm leaving!"

She turned on her heel and left, abandoning Lazuli looking on to her back. "Actually. You're going... too right? You said you were a true fan of Millarhoof, Kaz."

"Huh?" Lazzy Kazzy looked at Thatti's back, her legs quivering slightly. "Yeah but.. The meeting was moved up two hours prior. It's happening for abit in like, fifteen minutes. If you have a photoshoot, you won't make it."

"WHAT?!" She turned around. There was a look of fear and panic on her face.

 

"I can still make it in time. I'll run and meet Mallory real quick!" She turned to the bag.

 

"I... I almost forgot," Thatti stammered, unzipping the bag. "Caleb wanted me to wear this, icky thing for his photoshoot. I brought my own for Millar, but if I have to change into two costumes.."

Inside was a revealing costume, even more provocative than Veronica's. The thought of wearing it made Thatti's skin crawl.

"You don't have to wear it if you don't want to," Lazuli said softly. "You look beautiful just the way you are."

Her words, simple yet sincere, washed over Thatti like a wave of warmth. She didn't feel pressured to conform, to be someone she wasn't.

With a newfound confidence, Thatti closed the backpack and smiled at Lazuli. "You're right. I don't." Thatti shook her head. "Sorry, I gotta go. I need to hurry." She winked, waving at Lazuli. Then she rushed out, leaving a shocked Lazuli staring. She turned around, her face felt a thousand shades hotter.

Pyra, who observed the entire scene patted Maisma. “Am take it easy, you are NOT the

 

WORST wingman.”

 

 

 

 

Heading into a restroom, Thatti rapidly threw off her clothes and reached from her backpack. A costume made up of a combination of cheap vinyl, tape, stapled parts and chunky hoof gloves

were rapidly assembled, the cheapest and shoddiest outfit possible. A long, tube-like cardboard container around her chest, a bloated baggy sleeves and forearms connected to hoof gloves hooves, and a hat with a veil covered her from head to broom-made tail, though most of the outfit was barely sewn together, it held up by sheer force of will. The costume flopped as she sunk it on herself, like a sad, deflated discount donkey made in a discount basement, her eyes and face visible from the open mouth of the cheap rubber-molded horsemask whose snout went out over her forehead. The ears, made of felt and cotton were sewn into a headband.

She put on the shoes, then her wand in the holster by her backsaddle. Becca, still dozy and barely awake somewhere was absolutely flustered. When Thatti stumbled out, she could barely walk straight in her ridiculous costume, it was the ugliest paper mache-with rubber hoof gloves and boots sort of tacky costume anyone at the Con had ever seen.

"How do I look?" Thatti asked her, holding her up.

 

"Looking.." Becca stopped short of a full reply. "Like a girl who knows what she wants, I guess." She mumbled, yawning loudly. Thatti turned around, facing the mirror. She pouted, her hair was a mess, it looked like she got beat up and had half-attempted fixing herself with an oversized costume, and the wig-coverup was all messed up. She looked stupid, and if she were still back in school, a few bullies would be picking on her right now. She gave her widest smile and ran out, heading through the halls towards the Mallory Millarhoof pavilion, a huge curved arch with a colorful printed cutout of the titular mare and her friends shining overhead. She ran as fast as she could to make the panel, bumping into one of the Dylans along the way and

dropping her wand as she tripped. “S-sorry little boy!” She yelled, as she got back up and ran

clumsy through the convention hall, eventually arriving in another venue area.

 

"Hey hey you're here," Lazuli said., seeing her from the panel's short back line. "Looks like you made it. Good! Nice costume. We can both get a signing." Lazuli said. In front of the table was a

man dressed like a cow with a tie, after a minute she went up to him, handing a T-shirt. "Sign this out to, Kazan Song please." The man coughed a few times and did so.

Thatti stood confused. "W-where's Mallory Millarhoof?" She asked. He continued coughing, sniffling abit. "Hm? What'd you say girl?"

"Uhh.." Thatti stammered. "Her actress? Patricia Layla Miller, aka her actress name Mallory Millarhoof? She was supposed to do a panel today, for the 15th anniversary of her show."

"Oh, her. She had some, complications with her schedule and couldn't make it." He leaned in, his eyes squinted, his mouth close to Thatti's ear. "You know, that isn't her on that poster? It's just some stunt double who used to do the show's art. But, I'm the man of the hour, it's the real deal alright. I'm T.J. Thaumtropia, the show's executive Orchid production assistant. Here to do signings, but it's just a simple meet-n-greet."

"Oh." Thatti, dressed like a poor imitation of Mallory straightened her big goofy horse headgear. "I love your costume!" he winked.

"T-thanks." She sighed. Slowly she walked away, Lazuli following in pursuit. "Hey I'm so sorry. You came all this way and.."

"It's fine, Kazzy." Thatti told her, Thatti offered a weak smile. "Also..." Lazuli mumbled.

Thatti raised an eyebrow, sensing the shift in her tone. "What is it?"

 

Lazuli hesitated, then blurted out, "You're.. really pretty. It's.. hard to not notice." She flinched, her cheeks flushing, before trying to kiss her on the cheek, Thatti backing away instinctively. "Sorry. I didn't mean to.. I'm not sure if.." She bit her lip, then added. "That was.." She was struggling to describe her feelings.

"You don't have to apologize. I know." Thatti looked down. "I was kinda happy someone from Orchid cared, even if they were just a mere Gem. It was the first time, the only time I was with someone who didn't belittle me, look at me like I was some weird freak. I liked that."

They stood out in the hallway, rubbing their shoulders awkwardly. "Wanna go play Dance War Deluxe: Mega Busters?"

She turned to 'Kaz.' "Uhh.."

 

"C'mon, I won't bite. I promise." Lazuli pinched her felt ears. Thatti smiled.

 

 

The two stood in front of a large screen, Thatti setting aside her costume so the two could stand over a mat with specialized bracelets on their wrists and ankles. As knight-like avatars shot arrows at digitalized Set, the two danced in a room full of neon lights and catchy pop music. In her horsesuit, Thatti grew increasingly sweaty and sticky as the heat grew intense, but her score outpaced Lazuli's significantly. Lazuli's bracelet's buzzed, indicating the end of the game, her knight-avatar blowing up while Thatti's freestyled. "Aah! You're amazing at this." Lake let go and sat down. “You win, in that suit no less with a huge handicap. You’d could win tournaments without it.”

"No, I'm not. I'm not anything special."

 

"You are." Lake said. "Besides, like Petal said, I just like playing. She's much better at it than me though, gave me a few few lessons." Lazuli struggled to think of what to say, her eyes looking down at the ground. "Hey you said you like Dance War Deluxe right? Well.." She got up and ran to the jukebox, put in a coin to change the tune to a catchy pop tune, then walked over turning back to Thatti and held her arms out. "Then dance with me. In the arcade."

"Eh?" Thatti said. "Lazuli what are you.." She blushed, confused. "I don't know how to dance, outside a game that is."

"It's easy." Lazuli took her hand and began to sashay from side to side with the other, twirling her around. "You just.." She stopped short, then began again. "I mean it. You just do.. your own thing." Thatti followed suit, leading her take the lead as she spun like a ballerina and began to do an awkward jig, then spun Lazuli around. "Like this?"

Lazuli stopped, covering her mouth, eyes teary. "You, you're the best dancer ever."

 

Thatti rolled her eyes. "Kaz, I'm a loser who's good at two things, being beating people up and bingeing trashy horse shows." She said.

Lazuli looked down and shook her head. "Not anymore you're not. I think we both had some sort of misunderstanding about what we are, and who we are. You may look like an odd duck, and for an Orchid girl like me you kinda are, but it's what's in your heart that matters most. You're not wrong about what you are. I'm not either, and I've lived as long as you. For.. as long as this gem on my chest says."

They both continued to dance. "I think you're a gem I'd like to keep."

 

"Uhh." Lazuli looked down in surprise. "I'm pretty sure that's not how dating works." "Oh, this is a date now?" Thatti chuckled.

"Thatti..." Lazuli put a hand over her lap. "Sorry if it bears repeating, but...I know we just.. I know we're not together. But I... I really... really like you."

"But Kaz, you're just a Gem. You aren't, a person? You haven't dated someone who actually ‘is’ before." Thatti laughed. “Meanwhile, I’ve dated a gem already. You guys forget your place, real fast.”

Lazuli held her hands and looked at her directly in the eye. "Just.. give it a chance. Let me take you out for a date, like we promised."

Thatti looked at her, baffled.

 

"Don't think she'll tie the knot, Kaz." A masculine voice said, the two turning around to a suited individual in the arcade. "Believe me, I've tried. This girl's got a wild side to her that not even someone with a bit of magic can tame." The bad boy patted Lazuli on her head and tightened his tie.

"Hyde!" Thatti yelled, reaching for her Wand, but unable to find where she placed it.

 

"Don't worry she's harmless," Hyde assured. "Just remember, every Gem needs a person to look after them. Isn't that what you believe, Thatti?"

"Tsk, screw off you prick." She stood defiant.

 

"Well, I am a Gem." Lazuli said. "And the one, who's looking out for me, is me."

 

"Hey now! Don't you, don't be all mushy with this girl!" Hyde said, turning to Lazuli. "There's a million reasons why this won't work, and I'm just glad to be off from babysitting. And I have one more tip: no matter what she says, she's not looking out for you, or anyone but herself." He insisted.

"I don't need you to babysit me! I'm not like Diane or some lovestruck schoolgirl.." She stopped and blinked. "O-okay just look, you cannot influence me or tell me what to do! Today I'm off- duty, so I'm not helping you steal her friend!"

Hyde smiled. "Wouldn't dream of it, raindrop." He turned to Thatti. "But you're welcome. The girl here clearly wants you for herself, and you're looking good in that...” He looked up and down her horse cosplay regalia. “Lake, you want my Ex? By all means let her. If she can make it work, great. But don't forget, I promised to protect you one way or another. This is your chance to let

me do it peacefully." He put one hand behind his back and bowed. "Surrender Becca to me, and we'll all be friends and enjoy our day."

"I knew you were a prick from the start! Now you're doing this to me? You and your Gem friends invaded my school to stalk me, torture me nonstop!" She threw her hand out, hooves clopping.

"Laz, you know the prophecy I told you about, right? Sapphires are rarely wrong. She is so dead unless she and Becca separate. It's our destiny to save her. That is why I took you under my wing."

Song paused and shook her head. "Maybe so, but.. I trust Thatti." "I bet you do."

"So if destiny has a target on her head, she'll beatup that snot! In the nose!" She yelled, giving a clumsy arm-swing, trying to sound braver than she was.

Thatti chuckled. "That's.." She stopped short, "that's great! Kaz! 10 points for you. You're a great dancer, and have good taste in fandoms. -1 million points for Hyde because you're a shitty jealous Ex and you suck. Suck suck suck. Always putting the charms back up, I bet. Get lost." She turned and left the arcade, waving at Lazuli. "Bye Kaz!" She picked up her horse helmet and costume and started to slip back into it as she left the arcade room.

"Wait, Thatti!" Lazuli called.

 

Thatti stopped and turned around. "What?"

 

"He came here to intimidate you, he told me he has plans. If-"

 

"So what? Let him. He can't beat me, I'll just get my friends and we'll kick his ass!" She turned around and left.

 

Thatti slowly made it back to the main convention room where the scene was ablaze with shouts. In her clunky, poorly constructed suit she peaked over, seeing Caleb argue with Dylan who stood smug with his duplicates. “Your time is up, Lame-leb. You ”

“Just 5 more minutes! I paid for a full 20 minutes of the Photographic Placement center, and by

Sandra I’m going to get 20 minutes!” He shouted, looking around for Thatti.

“Actually I paid.” Veronica added.

 

In the midst of the chaos, Thatti managed to sneak through. “I’m here now!” She said ecstatically, hobbling and tripping until she landed face-first on the mat where Caleb and Veronica were. “He-hey! Caleb!” She yelped.

“Thatti!” he looked and cringed. “What the heck are you wearing? And where is..” He looked

 

over her, as if she were dead roadkill. “The costume I gave you?”

 

“I didn’t like it.” She screamed, trying to get up. Veronica tried to comfort her, helping her in the bulky costume, hearing her clop and approach a disgusted Caleb. “You. Didn’t like it? I don’t understand.”

Dylan began laughing hysterically. “Oh, this is rich. You and Orchid girl BELONG together. You know what take the mat, we’ll do our shoot in the cafeteria with the commoners.“

When Thatti finally arrived to her feet, Caleb’s hands were shaking.

 

“Caleb! I really I wanted to be here for you! I really did! But I know it’s dumb, I wanted to see Mallory Millarhoof and I spent all night working on my costume last night to impress her so I..” She swallowed. “I ran to go try to see her, but she wasn’t there so uh, Kaz invited me to the arcade..” She trailed out, realizing her words were making it worse.

He sighed. “It’s okay, I’m not mad.” The boy took a deep breath. “It’s not that you look bad or anything, it’s just..” He looked around, embarrassed. “It’s, alright. I brought a spare costume for Jel but she’s, well Jel. Llavalites, amirite? You can change real quick and we’ll do the shoot now!” He said, taking a skimpy leotard, boots and cat ears out of a bag. “Just change out of that shitshow real quick. C’mon c’mon!”

Thatti looked at the outfit and shook. “Uh, actually Cal. This photoshoot, it won’t work. I’m sorry

 

Caleb. Can we go home?”

 

“We can head home as soon as you dressup and we shoot, hurry! I promise I’ll watch Marky Minkyhoof with you or whatever after, just, chop chop.“ He clapped his hands in front of her loudly, and tossed her the costume.

She held it and shook her head. “It’s late, it’s late, I’m tired. It’s like, really cold outside and it’s

almost dark and I’m not okay! I.. I need to go home, Caleb. Don’t make me wear that.” “Thatti.” He fidgeted, and put one hand on her shoulder. “Do this for me. I need this.”

She glared, the calm and kindness in her expression turning to annoyance, and pushed back the leotard. “Caleb, mud-sweetie. Boy. This is degrading, and I’m not wearing this, that’s final.”

“NO! C’mon, Thatti.” He said, the desperation and anxiety in his voice clearly evident.

 

“WEAR IT ALREADY!” He screeched.

 

“No?” She took a step back. “Absolutely not.”

 

“Fuck!” He yelled. “Fuck fuck fuck!” The boy turned to Veronica, who stood in the middle of the mat, her face a blank. “No, no! This can’t be happening! What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“Caleb. I’m going home. So sorry.” She tried to slip past him, but he grabbed her and squeezed.

“No! You promised! We had a deal, now you’re breaking it.” His hands gripped on her hips.

 

“Take that stupidass horse getup off and get sexy already! What do you think you’re doing to

your boyfriend? JUST DO IT!” He ripped off her felt horse-ears from her head and threw them to the ground, stomping on them repeatedly.

“But-“ She pulled away from his grasp. “FUCK YOU!” He yelled, his hand swinging towards her cheek but stopping inches before he looked around, his voice carrying across the convention hall, struggling to catch his breath. Everyone’s eyes were upon them.

The convention went silent. Caleb slowly let go of her and turned away.

 

“A boy, should not be talking to me this way.” She sighed. “I understand now, mom.”

 

Caleb took deep, deep breaths, slowly letting them out. His hands clenched and unclenched. “Just stop, it’s fine. I..” She took a deep breath. “I’ll have Becca erase your memory this ever happened. You’ll be happy, trust me, I want boys to be happy-“ Once again she reached for her holster pockets, unable to find where Becca was. “Becky?” The longer she searched, the more her eyes teared up. “B-becca?” “Oh what now?” Caleb snarled. “I’m looking for her! Please just.. leave me alone.”

“What, after ruining my shoot- my con, crushing my dreams? You’re gonna cry like a dumb

 

crybaby? Because you cannot find your glorified raddle? Waah. Waaaah.” He walked in circles around her. “No wonder she always takes the lead when it comes to fights, because Becca’s the only one with a spine. Makes sense you need her to fight all your battles. Hard to believe she has a piece of your soul when all you do is whine and cry.”

“S-stop it! Boys are-“ She sniffled, eyes a faucet. “You’re being so mean!”

 

Lazuli stepped in behind them. “Cal you goof! She has a point. She’s not doing what you want, and she’s trying to talk you down. She’s not being a princess! But you need to treat her like a princess!” She said, hugging Thatti. “It’s okay to have emotions.”

“We’re not in your flowery hippy little Orchid, gem bitch. What have you even done for her

besides help her enemies and try to kill her? Have you changed her litterbox?”

“Do not. Call me a gem bitch. You cannot just treat me nor her that way, after everything she’s

done for you.”

 

A voice broke up the argument from afar, Dylan turning around to see one of his boys waving a wand. “Hey morons, look what I’ve got! Your dumb prop!” The kid held up Headhunter, and stuck his tongue out. He started to run towards the exit, Caleb screaming a guttural mix of sounds while chasing after him, Thatti soon followed. As they ran for the exit, the crowd separated to make a path for the chasing boys. The chase went about two minutes until they entered the habitual biosphere outside, grass and sunlight abound, Caleb tackling the Dylan Duplicate into the dirt. Caleb shouted, grabbing Headhunter from the boy.

“C’mon. I’ll get it back for you” Caleb promised as the kid tried to hold onto it in front of them. Caleb began swinging his fists into the kids face until he screamed and let go, the kid rolling into a turtleball to protect himself from the blows. Caleb pinned him down and kept punching his face, and Lazuli caught Thatti away as she tried to intervene, he cried and screamed, blood coming from his nose. A minute later he had a blackeye, his shades cracked and broken. The kid dressed as Dylan laid there savagely beaten. “Haha, owned!” Caleb laughed, then got up and slowly returned to Thatti, dropping Headhunter into her hands like a mic. "You're welcome." He said.

"Caleb." Her eyes full of snot and tears, met his. "You and I, are not partners. Why did you call yourself my boyfriend?" She asked. Her boots crunched in the dirt, she held the crumpled horse ears to her chest. "You kissed me! Made out with me on the tourship, remember?" He said. “That was just because you couldn't control yourself and you thought it was alright. Boys are horny. That's all. Just because you kiss someone, doesn’t always mean you’re their mommy." He nodded, but she did not. "That's something you don't seem to understand. You ARE a boy. You cannot tell me what to do, why do boys forget their place?" She practically bit her tongue on her

words.

“What the hell is that even supposed to mean?” He whined.

 

"Get this straight. You are beneath me. BOYS are beneath me. I try to treat you kindly, to make you happy, to pamper you. But my sympathies and patience only go so far. You're less than me and always will be, so one less than me can NEVER tell me what to do. By their nature that's what you boys are, woman’s inferior. It's just nature. You're lucky to be my property, my pet if anything." Thatti gently grabbed his collar and held him closer to herself. "A proper girl, will never sacrifice herself or her happiness for some boy. And you need to get that through your skull."

Lazuli stood by, and put a sympathetic hand on Thatti's shoulder. "C'mon girl." Thatti looked down at the muddied horse costume in her hand, and gave Lazuli a sad smile. As they walked away, Caleb cleared his throat. "Okay well," She turned around again to hear him.

"You're a dumb cunt dressed like a horse."

 

Thatti stared, unblinking. She had nothing to say. He was her boy, but now, he wasn't hers. She had given him her trust and love, and he had spit in it. Caleb took one final look at her and turned away. Thatti didn't know if she would ever see Caleb again. She didn't know if she wanted to. They were done, done for good. She would never look at him the same way again.

The sky erupted as a gigantic kaiju appeared in the distance, a bestial slithering serpentine made of light with multiple lanky limbs shaking the ground and speeding towards the Con.

Becca and Thatti turned around and looked up horrified as its lumbering visage overtook the dark horizon ahead.