Golden rays glinted off the tall, rocky spires, washing the temple in fiery reds, oranges and yellows. The temple of healing was a sparkling jewel among the painted stone of the Gato Grottoes, second only to the glittering heart of its one protector. Known widely as Mr. Rubens, the Ruby Knight of Jumi stood guard over his new home, silent as a tomb."Mr. Rubens, you have a visitor." A female voice broke the silence, luring Rubens to turn his gaze away from his watch to the source of the interruption. One of the nuns from the temple stood a few feet away, her eyes lowered humbly. Rubens scowled, his bright red brows knit in confusion.
"Who is it?" The Ruby Knight asked, crossing his arms over his chest. What sounded like sand sliding over silk answered him. Rubens looked into the deep, green eyes of Elazul, the Lapis Knight, standing at his door.
"Am I disturbing you?" Elazul asked, his voice smooth except for a slight hint of anxiety. Rubens shook his head, lowering his arms and switching his stance from defensive to relaxed. The nun excused herself, bowing her head and backing out of the room. Elazul walked in further, his fingers absently playing with the hilt of his saber.
"Sit, please," Rubens inclined his head to an upholstered chair. Elazul sat quickly. "What brings you all the way out here to the Gato Grottoes?" Rubens queried, sitting across from Elazul, crossing his legs. Elazul heaved a sigh.
"The Lucidia need you, Rubens. Diana wishes you to return to the city, even Florina wants you there," Elazul said, almost apologetically. Rubens shook his head. Elazul scowled. "Damn it, Ruby, I don't understand why you refuse to go home! I thought you wanted a place to belong to, to call home." Elazul ground out. Rubens shrugged.
"I do, and I belong here. There's nothing for me in the Jumi City." Rubens sighed. Elazul's face fell.
"Nothing for you there?" Elazul repeated, a little hollowly. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes downcast. "What about Diana? She wants you back, isn't that important?" He asked. Rubens scowled.
"No, it isn't. Diana was a quitter; I did all I could to help her, without harming others, sticking to my oath as a Knight. When she was healed, did she return the favor? Did she even try? No. She forgot all about me and what I had done for her. I will not be inflicted with that disease again." Rubens growled, his voice dripping with bitter resentment. Elazul frowned, raising his eyes.
"'Inflicted with that disease'?" Elazul asked, blinking. "That disease..." He lowered his eyes again. "Do you consider love a disease?" He asked softly. Rubens shrugged.
"I find it hard to believe that whatever the Diamond felt for me was love in any shape. I don't believe I have felt love, yet. I'm sure it could be a beautiful thing," Rubens smiled gently. "The love you feel for Pearl, for example--"
"Is nothing but a brother's sense of protection. I am not in love with Pearl." Elazul cut Rubens off short, surprising the Ruby Knight. Rubens blinked, shifting in his chair, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. Elazul noted Rubens' change in attitude and shook his head, standing. He glared at Rubens a moment before bending low, the tip of his hat tickling the bared forehead of the Ruby Jumi. Tilting Rubens' chin, Elazul crushed his lips to the other Jumi's, Rubens' red eyes snapping open as wide as they could. Elazul pulled away, almost as quickly as he had bent for the kiss, his cheeks lightly flushed. Rubens' countenance burned as red as his hair, his mouth agape in shock.
"You are my flame of hope, Ruby, and someday I will give you the cure to 'that disease'." With that, Elazul straightened, nodded an informal farewell and was gone.
The End.
