"You speak of Professor Sycamore? That is who we are in search of, as well." Nephrite gestured to her boa and Clive next to her. "However... what is your intentions for meeting him?"

Nephrite, upon entering the room, blinked absentmindedly at the two sets of eyes. One eye against four... Though she heard the name-- a portion of it at least-- and wondered what these two creatures wished to do with the professor.

And, according to her knowledge, Earth creatures couldn't talk?

She continued her walk until stopping at a door with a handle that stood out to her. "Whelp! Let's try our luck with this one." Nephrite opened the door, finding a dark study. "Professor... Sycamore. Are you here, professor?"

have always been better handlers in battle, after all!" She chuckled, but it was a strained, pained thing. Nephrite's head would raise and look ahead again. "Hopefully it won't come down to that, though! That'd be awfully erratic!"

The gem began walking quickly down the hall, fists tightened.

to shove..."

Nephrite's head lowered, and she stared down at the ground. Her boot poked at the ground. She groaned, and if Simon was looking, he could see her eye wince. "I... have a comrade, who I could call upon for assistance. In fact, he may be much more help than I in that department. Emeralds

At the top of the flight of stairs, her single eye stared out down the long hallway. "If Targent are to find us, I will put myself on the forefront to protect both of you." She let out a sigh. "I ask the two of you to not get involved in any combat. I cannot die as you mortals can, and if push comes

That would not be possible, for that would be a use of materials that could not be touched lightly. Targent would need to mean worldwide danger if she were to even consider the option. Perhaps she couldn't have a full entourage, however...

As the three of them made their ways upstairs, Nephrite took in everything her companions discussed with each other. The gem leaned mostly towards this Targent group that seemed to be popping up all the time. Maybe there was some way to be rid of them, to keep the lives of these organics safe...

the boy a nod of confirmation before opening the door in an almost identical way she had the first door.

It must’ve been strange, being affiliated with similar people in the ways people like Simon were. Maybe she would come across that sort of blight herself with… her own alternate self. Maybe she wouldn’t! And maybe that was irrelevant currently.

At the workshop door alongside Clive, Nephrite gave

Nephrite chuckled in return, and then turned to look at Clive. “He makes a good point. We should check the rest of the manor. Hopefully the professor will be in one of these rooms.”

She gave a soft smile, but hummed in agreement. "You're right. We ought to get Clive back to him, too. He's been awfully worried about this professor... and I have many a question to ask him regarding all this."

On one hand, she should've been relieved that there was no mention of... it. On the other, being a first year meant that there was a lot of information left unlearned, which didn't give a more precise answer to her inquiry.

"I appreciate your help all the same. Thank you, Simon."

hole, something impenetrable even by light itself. An odd thing that has the perfect ratio of 1: 4: 9."

Her stare intensified; she looked more serious than she ever had their entire interaction. "There was nothing... fitting that description, was there?"

so quickly and develop all they could despite how long ago the Azran Civilization had existed? A starting point to their most infamous legacy, being something in which was not created by them at all."

The gem went silent and looked very tense. "I am told it would be something similar to a black

Despite not needing to, Simon could hear the gulp that went down Nephrite's throat.

"Let me put it more bluntly: what if this relic was something... powerful. Extremely powerful. In fact, let's hypothesize, Simon. What if this thing was actually what allowed the Azran to evolve

was there perhaps any mentions at all of an... ancient relic? One that was not of the Azran's own creation, but was vital to their culture, so to speak?"

It was vague but deafening enough, and maybe she'd be told nothing at all. Nothing, in her case, may not be a bad thing.

Alright, this was good! Finally, she could get off to a good start on her research... but, she was going to have to be forward about something, given the uncertainty of their time together. She gave Simon a melancholic look.

"Please don't act surprised when I ask this of you, but in your textbooks,

Hmm. Well, better bite the bullet before things get too hasty.

"Mm, perhaps Simon, there is something you could help me with. Or perhaps not-- regardless, you're being hunted by Targent, yes? I don't suppose this means that you, too, are knowledgeable of the Azran?"

"No no, don't apologize. That is the truth of your reality as of now. However, Simon, this seems like quite the predicament for you and your family. I can assure you now that you have my protection. Whether it be in my boa or when you're back to your normal size, I will make sure you are safe."

“Of course, Simon.” She smiled and gave him a soft chuckle before her eye blinked quickly.

“Though, tell me a bit more about yourself, hm? What brings you to this manor?”

and I currently am here for rather... classified purposes. Rest assured you, however, that it is in everyone's best interest that I am here. Clive, here, can attest for me."

Clive could only really confirm her words, based on their shared promise, so it would not jeopardize becoming compromised.

She was, at first, going to nod out of instinct, but kept her head intact in order to not knock the small Simon over.

"That it is. Maybe now would be best to introduce myself, slightly. I am Nephrite, Facet-108, Cabochon-3, however most simply refer to me as Nephrite. I am not from this world,

"I understand. So they are an admirable, open bunch." They would probably not be so welcome to seeing a full-on gem alien in their home, but given the other humans' acceptance of her...

"If we are to cross paths, I hope they don't think ill of me given my... everything."

Now there was another question. She retracted her hand and turned her head slightly to face Simon. "And who exactly are these Mr. Hues and Ms. Woods? And safe, safe from what now?"

a way to figure it out."

"So I've noticed..." Nephrite grumbled as she rose her hand up to her boa, keeping it there for Simon to walk onto it and get himself situated.

"That was what made me worried and defensive, alongside the traps outside? Seriously I'm not sure what's going on with this place, but I hope there's

if you so wish. After all, trio is better than being on your lonesome in uncertain times."

This wasn't really the case for her, but it could be for both Clive and Simon. 'The more the merrier,' or something like that.

assuring a connection with Simon was probably the best bet of both herself and Clive. She extended a hand to the small human, "it may be wise if you stick with us, for now. Given your state, it must be terribly hard-- and very long for that matter-- to move about. I will position you on my boa,

such as herself, so she would be the one-time scare. Hopefully. It would definitely be problematic if another gem happened to show up.

But again, like that was going to happen.

"Mm, seeing we have no choice in the matter, I suppose we'll agree with you." She still had questions picking at her, but