Dusty Origins

A fusion of a defective Dravite Queen and an Andalusite, Mahogany Obsidian was not always the most stable of fusions. Her dravite component was formed with the rare mutation of posessing wings, automatically denoting her a queen suited to rule a sector of the Mining Colony districts. She never was much good at her job, very unsure of her own orders and her advisors putting forth most of the effort to keeping their sector afloat. Within her sector was an andalusite who absolutely hated her job. The andalusites were usually in charge of cleaning, processing and refining the ores mined by the worker dravites. Their power over wind and dust enabled them to remove the dirt from the ores with ease so the pure ores were more easily accessed. This Andalusite, however, despised her job, feeling oppressed being stuck with a "dirty" job while the high class gems managed them from afar, never willing to get their hands dirty. She became lazy and neglected her duties, but on such a remote, far out mining planet, no one really cared enough to enforce regulations and she got away with a lot of back talking, neglegence and overall rudeness toward superiors she'd never have gotten away with on homeworld. Her rudeness got her nothing but isolation from her peers, who disliked her as they were the ones always cleaning up her mess and picking up her slack. That only made her more angry and bitter. She found a little relief in reading up on the few records of human culture were logged in the database, specifically some of their literature called "comics" and "manga." There weren't many records of those in the database as they were fictional and the Morganites had thought them of little importance, but she read and reread the few copies available until she knew them by heart. 

Meanwhile the defective Dravite Queen struggled to manage her colony. Her timidness and hesitance made it difficult for her to lead, and she often questioned her ability. Finally, without consulting her advisors or any of her staff, she took off to tour her mines and underlings, hoping that seeing them first hand would help reinforce her decision making. She wandered aimlessly a while, not really even sure who was in charge here in the lower ranks to speak to, and Andalusite found her wandering. Seeing her chance, she immediately introduced herself, careful to make a good impression. Once Dravite explained why she was there, Andalusite was more than happy to volunteer to show her around. She was overly sweet and acted very concerned for Dravite and extremely considerate, but nevertheless her pessimism and rudeness often showed through. Surprisingly, it didn't seem to bother Dravite much, she even seemed to respond well to this "real talk." The other Andalusites and worker dravites glared at her, knowing full well she was just trying to earn favor. One gem even tried to warn Queen Dravite about her, but Dravite, a bit naive, based her opinion only on what she had seen and didn't believe the gem, much to Andalusite's glee. They had almost completed the impromptu tour when Dravite's advisors and nearly all her guards came to retrieve her. Andalusite was rather ticked when Dravite was hauled away without so much as a thank you, let alone a reward. 

The next day though, Dravite appeared at her bunk again, unnanounced, as all the workers stared in confusion. It turned out that Dravite had enjoyed her company so much that she had come to visit again the next day. Hoping she'd be bestowed with a reward by doing so, Andalusite obliged, only for Dravite to be hauled away again by midday. The same happened the next day, and the next, and at this point Andalusite was getting irritated. She was after a promotion, not babysitting a lonely queen all day. However, it soon came to pass that her guards had learned exactly where to find her when Dravite disappeared, and out of exasperation Dravite's advisor finally invited Andalusite to live in the queen's court in the sheer hope that she would stay on-site. Really, this was all Andalusite ever wanted, to join the high ranks in a life of ease. She needed no convincing to accept the invitation, and settled into her new quarters expecting easy, lazy days... only to be immediately interrupted out of this fantasy upon the (re)appearance of Dravite. 

Andalusite was becoming, needless to say, frustrated. She'd finally gotten what she wanted, living the high life, and even left the mud pit Dravite so enjoyed visiting. So why was she still here instead of pestering someone down on the surface? Talking herself through those questions finally lead her to the realization that Dravite hadn't been visiting for more information on the colony. That first day, sure, but her repeated visits? Those had been to see Andalusite, not the colony. Dravite thought that they were friends. 

Andalusite, on the other hand, felt she had little use of friends. She couldn't just tell her to bug off for fear of losing this newfound lifestyle. However, she realize there was a way she could use the situation to her advantage. At that point, she again obliged Dravite's fantasy, playing along and begrudgingly entertaining her, earning her trust. Then, when Dravite would confide her insecurities about ruling, Andalusite would be more than happy to give her suggestions and advice, eventually becoming her "puppetmaster," manipulating her into doing almost anything she wanted. Dravite remained blissfully ignorant, viewing her merely as a friend she could lean on when she needed advice. 

Andalusite's manipulations didn't take a necessarily negative effect on the sector, in fact improving many aspects. Things started getting done and action was taken decisively. The weight of ruling alone was also lifting from Dravite's shoulders and she was feeling all the better for it. Andalusite was getting her way and when not entertaining Dravite, had the life of ease she always wanted. The staff was also beginning to pick up on her behavior as well, but like Dravite, didn't realize her ulterior motives. She started gaining high favor in their court. In fact, the whole colony had improved in running so much more smoothly, Dravite's advisor even went as far as to suggest the two fuse- just temporarily to test how stable they were, to see if their fusion would be more suited to managing the sector. The suggestion was proposed in a manner comparable to an arranged marriage. Greedily hoping for an even tighter hold on Dravite's hand of influence, Andalusite readily agreed. Feeling a duty to her sector, Dravite too, agreed. However, the fusion didn't go as either of them had planned. 

They followed all the instructions of the advisors, who even went as far as to seek out a fusion counsellor to ensure the process went as smoothly as possible. They initiated the dance, and fused flawlessly in front of the entire court. Once they had merged into one being, Mahogany Obsidian, things went downhill. In her devilish excitement, Andalusite couldn't help but think of how her plan was working, how much more closely she'd be able to manipulate Dravite, how much stronger, more powerful, (figuratively and literally) she'd become, how-

Andalusite's plans were cut short when the timid voice of Dravite rang in her head. "Manipulating me? That's what you wanted?" Andalusite had failed to account for the fact that they were now one. Their minds and thoughts melded together, and Dravite had heard all she needed. She started breaking away to defuse, but in a panic Andalusite forcefully tied her back into the fusion. If she left and blabbed to the rest of the court, she'd lose everything. Dravite didn't say anything more, but quaked and stared wide-eyed in terror at the one she'd thought was her closest friend. 

Mahogany Obsidian collapsed to the floor, clutching her torso as she was overcome with a tidal wave of guilt, and defused. 

The staff of course was frantic, tending to both collapsed parties, wondering what had gone wrong. Andalusite's attention focused solely on Dravite. For possibly the first time in her life, she felt guilt for the things she'd done. In the fusion she'd shared Dravite's sense of betrayal, her fear... that wasn't the gem she wanted to be. "Dravite, I-" she just wanted to apologize, to do anything that could begin to make up for the pain she'd just caused. Dravite silenced her with a flick of her hand. Her face wasn't angry nor upset, just, sad. 

"I don't feel up to fusing again today," was all she said, vacating the room. Andalusite, terrified and miserable, likewise fled the scene to her quarters as she started getting bombarded with questions. Even reclining on her bed, a plush luxury provided only to the high society, caused her more turmoil. Andalusite finally settled sprawled on the hard ground, figurative stomach twisting and turning. The scene played over in her head, again and again, on a broken repeat loop she couldn't silence. Dravite's fear, her words. Not once had the queen ever gotten angry at her, just... disappointed. She had only treated her with kindness, even viewed her as a friend. And Andalusite took advantage of it. She hated who she'd become. She couldn't bear to face the queen again. She wanted to leave. She HAD to leave.

She waited until nightfall when she wouldn't be seen, turning away everyone who attempted to check on her in the meantime. She feared her public departure would arouse suspicion and she'd be hunted back down, thus assuming an unnoticed nightly departure would at least buy her time. With her belongings tucked into the safety of her gem's mindspace, she crept out the door to leave. Closing the door, she turned immediately around to the face of her Dravite Queen. Andalusite was petrified. She wasn't sure why she was there. Was she was angry? Seeking revenge? About to have her shattered? She realized with a start Dravite was unaccompanied, but before she could say anything, Dravite spoke up. Even now, no trace of anger laced her voice, just... uncertainty.

"Was... was I that bad a leader?"

"Wha-? I-"

"That bad a leader you felt like someone else should be in control? That... you should be in power?"

"No no! I-" Dravite wouldn't allow her a word in edgewise, cutting Andalusite off again.

"I mean, you're a good choice. You see things as they are and don't sugarcoat the facts. You're observant and can read people and situations, obviously you know how to pull strings and manipulate things... and people... And then there's me. I overthink things, I'm too scared of screwing up everyone's hard work to be sure of my own decisions... yeah, I guess I can see why you wanted to be in control. Things got done when you were playing me," she wistfully laughed, tears filling her eyes. "You should be the one in power, not me. I get that. But I... I just thought you were my friend. That's all I wanted. But... I guess that was too much to ask for too, huh?" She turned, unsure whether or not she should even leave. 

"No, Dravite," Andalusite's glasses fogged with dusty, muddy condensation, tears streaming down her own face. "What I did... was w-wrong, and... and I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry." Andalusite crumpled to the ground, defeated, and Dravite turned back. Andalusite was sobbing uncontrollably. Dravite wiped her own tears.

"I know you're sorry," she shrugged, "I felt your grief when we were fused." She tugged her sleeve. "I was almost mad. But I thought about it, and you were right, even if your motives weren't. I guess I can't even be upset about what you did because... it helped. The mining sector hit a peak, it's more efficient than ever. I even felt better. It felt like the weight of the world wasn't on my shoulders anymore, you know, because you were helping me carry it. Then I realized you don't need me to carry anything. You never did. You're so much stronger than me."

"I'm NOT! I'm not, Dravite, I'm... weak. I'm so weak. I was just tired of my job, tired of having to try so hard to fit a mold I wasn't made for. And then when you came and invited me to live the high life with you... that was just me taking an easy way out. I manipulate people to make my own life easier. I'm selfish and a coward... thats not the makings of a leader. But you- you're kind, and so empathetic... you actually care about the hardworking gems down there. I didn't know there was any royalty like that left." Dravite considered her words, slumping against the wall and joining Andalusite on the floor. 

"I guess neither of us are up to the job," she sighed, looking blankly off into the distance.

"I guess not," Andalusite eventually said. She had stopped her uncontrollable sobbing, at least, and now rested silently on the ground, chest still heaving from the effort. 

"But... we were doing something right... right?"

"Huh?" Andalusite scrunched her face and adjusted her glasses.

"Well... the sector's doing really well... right? With your management skill and my people skills... maybe we can be the ruler the sector needs."

"What are you saying?" she sniffled.

"I'm saying... maybe we should give fusion another chance."

"You... still want to fuse with me? After knowing what I did?" Andalusite leapt to her feet, almost yelling. Dravite simply shrugged.

"I know you're sorry... and I can't run the colony on my own like I had been... it just seems like a logical decision."

"Oh."

"And-" Dravite went on, "I... think I'd miss you if you left."

"You would?"

"Well... yeah. You're the only one who was ever frank with me. Most of the court staff treat me differently because I'm a Queen. They act treat me like I can't handle the truth, shield me from every negative thing... maybe thats just them protecting their jobs thinking I'll fire them or something, and they pamper me with praise and luxuries I don't deserve. You always told me things like they were and didn't treat me different. Well, maybe at first, but then you relaxed and treated me like one of your peers. I liked that."

"That's the thing- that wasn't the real me either." Andalusite withdrew into herself, bunching her knees up under her chin.

"Well..." Dravite thought. "I'd like to meet the real you, then." She offered her hand, and with it, a second chance. Before, the lowly gem wouldn't have hesitated to take advantage of such an offer, but now something caused her hand to falter and quake, hanging unmoving in the air. She was frozen, wondering if this was the right thing to do. Dravite smiled, and closed the rest of the distance, sealing her hand around Andalusite's. The entire residential wing lit up with the brilliant, blinding light of a fusion. Mahogany Obsidian spread her wings and flew off into the night sky.