Ametrine

It had been centuries since Ametrine had patrolled with another, Hardened by the loss of Ludlamite and Mellite. One morning Ametrine was summoned by Sensei, after a brief chat he tells Ametrine that from this day forward they are to mentor and partner with the youngest gem, Painite. Appalled by this decision but unable to disobey a command Ametrine, reluctantly, accepts. At first patrol was a disaster. Ametrine quickly lost their temper with the young gems' naivety and unearned confidence. Many arguments were had on the fields outside the school, Ametrines' voice rang through the spacious halls. They couldn't stand how much Painite reminded them of themselves when they were younger. The more time Ametrine and Painite spent together however, the more Ametrine grew to like the young gem. They reflected on Ludlamite and how she used to Mentor Ametrine in battle, perhaps they were too hard on Painite. The next day Ametrine suggested that they begin training together, Painite gladly accepted. As they grew closer Ametrine managed to come out of their shell more and more and Painites improvement was insurmountable. They grew to deeply care for Painite. He had always been given a hard time by the gems around him so Ametrine began to work behind painites back, intimidating any gem who gave Painite any slack. They would never let him know this however as they still struggle to be upfront with their emotions, but they hope deep down that Painite understands how much they care.

When the young and naive Ametrine received their first partner they were overjoyed. Ludlamite was stern and bossy despite only having a few years on Ametrine. Ludlamite immediately got Ametrine on an intense training schedule and over the course of a couple years the two grew to be inseparable. They had a synergy unlike any other when on the battlefield. Ludlas serious personality meshed well with Amerine's cheerfulness. However Ludla’s expectations for herself and Ametrine were impossibly high and this began Ametrine's pattern of overworking. They worked themselves to the bone for Ludla and yet every time something wasn't good enough. They loved Ludla but felt like they may never be enough for her. This made losing Ludla all the more traumatizing. When a new type of lunarian never before encountered was stumbled upon by the 2 gems on patrol they were stunned. Ametrine couldn't bring themselves to move and instead stood and watched as ludla jumped into action. She begged Ametrine to move as a downpour of arrows descended upon her. And yet ametrine didn't move an inch. They stood still as they watched ludla shatter and her weapon fell to the grassy earth below. All that work they put in for Ludla, to protect and make her proud, was for nothing. They had no control.

It took a couple years before Ametrine was able to take a new partner. The loss of Ludla left them changed and traumatized. Mellite, a gem of similar age, lost their partner only a year after Ametrine. They were shocked when suddenly the short yellow gem asked them to be her partner. Ametrine had no reason to decline. Mellite was nothing like Ludlamite and it was a hard adjustment for Ametrine. It, however, was a much needed adjustment. For the first time since Ludlamite was taken Ametrine was able to feel free of that burden with Mellite. They were finally able to love again, but without the pressures of perfection. Sadly, nothing that good could last that long. In a freak lunarian accident around 1000 years after they were partnered, 4 gems were taken, Mellite was one of the casualties. Ametrine did everything possible to save her, they refused to have a repeat of Ludlamite and yet the lack of knowledge and preparation for such an undiscovered encounter lead to the worst outcome. Yet again, they had no control, they couldn't protect someone they loved and now they were alone.