Quartz sits fidgeting across from his equally fidgety younger brother.
Quartz: First I don’t want you to be alarmed-
Garnet: How can I not be alarmed? We’re all pawns in the talons of Prunella!
Quartz: Eh?
Garnet: I’ve been putting the pieces together with Christopher, trying to figure out what’s really happening.
Quartz: Have you now? (mutters) That boy and his bloody conversations. Not sure if I should tell him to keep his mouth shut or send him flowers, depending on what he stirred up.
Garnet: What was that? By the way, where are you?
Quartz: You don’t remember? You’ve been here before, Gar? Fourth wall between stories where the dead or enchanted can come back to talk?
Garnet: Huh?
Quartz: Right. What was the last thing you remember?
Garnet: We moved into the cottage Nimmie Not led us to. You were gathering stones for Prunella. Only I was just talking to Christopher wasn’t I? All that was in the past, you were dead or cursed, and there was a girl-ouch, my head is all a muddle.
Quartz: Right. It’s because that scribbler has gotten muddled. Something you figured out made her stop and think, dropping one of the stories she’s been juggling, confusing all of us in the process. Stupid scribbler.
Garnet: Huh.
Quartz: Never mind that. Just what have you figured out, lad?
Garnet: It’s just odd. It’s odd that none of us noticed that the mines we fled to were occupied by a dragon. Wouldn’t we have noticed? Wouldn’t they have noticed?
Quartz: Not necessarily. Prue takes very long naps. They might not think our arrival was worth waking up for. That dragon isn’t disturbed lightly and the seven of us are fairly light compared to Prue. Nimmie Not has to make a right pest of himself to get that dragon to stir when napping.
Garnet: Prue…you’ve got stones, Quartz, giving that beast a nickname. (shudders)
Quartz: Eh, Prue isn’t so bad. Sure they sometimes collect knights and damsels, not to mention all kinds of junk, plus their breath stinks up a cavern something fierce, but they’re a civilized sort.
Garnet: I’m not sure if I’m now less worried or more.
Quartz: Right. Just what’s worrying you, lad?
Garnet: You’re gathering a lot of healing stones, taking them to one place all by yourself.
Quartz: You were there when Prue asked. It was the price for settling in the Forest of Tears. When it comes to the affairs of dragons and kobolds, it’s best to involve as few family members possible.
Garnet: Why? Why do you have to pay the price for all of us settling in the Forest of Tears to that dragon and not for mining the mountain where “Prue” themselves sleep?
Quartz: Huh. That’s a good question. I’ll ask Prue.
Garnet: Try not to get incinerated when you do. You might have to use your own healing vessel on yourself. That’s what you’re shaping with all the stones, right?
Quartz: You really don’t remember. Gar, I don’t have all the answers. I’m just trying to roll with the changes, while seizing a little happiness when it comes.
Garnet: By a little happiness, do you mean Nimmie Not?
Quartz: Shut up. (blushes behind his whiskers)
Garnet: Right. I just hope you know what you’re doing, dealing with dragons and kobolds.
Quartz: So do I, Gar. So do I.
Garnet: I also hope you’ll ask us for help when you need it. We’re all living in the cottage, Quartz, all six of your brothers with you. We ought to be helping you pay the price for it.
Quartz: (looking away) Don’t need you to. Better if you all stay out of this. Scramble out of that talon while you can.
Garnet: If you say so. (sighs)
Quartz doesn’t reply.
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