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[bergamotrose]

Name: Lorenz Hellman Gloucester (un: LHG)
Date: 3/1, Evening
Format: Text


To those who know Marianne von Edmund:

I wish to thank you. It is with regret that I inform you that she no longer resides within these walls, but her time here was made easier and less stressful because of the people who had the kindness to speak and spend time with her. Given her reserved nature, I am not certain how many here have had the priviledge of meeting her, but it seems only fair to let others know in case her presence is missed by someone I am not yet aware of.

Unfortunate has her departure from here is, she does grow into a strong, admirable person by several accounts. None can say for certain what fate has in store for her; I only hope that she sees some kindness in the months and years to come.

However, my friend's absense has left me with a particular... shall we say problem?

When we arrived several months ago and were searching for a residence, we found a small home which was already occupied by a family of cats. As the kittens were still newborn, Marianne took it upon herself to stand as steward for them. In time, she named them after our friends who yet remain in our home:

Claude. Hilda. Raphael. Ignatz. Lysithea. Leonie.

But, with only myself in the house now, I find that I am not in a position to care for all of them with the attention that they deserve. Ideally, we would find someone willing to adopt all six, but that is not a reasonable request. Because of my friend's kind heart and how habituated the cats have become to house life, it would also be a disservice to abandon them to the streets.

Thus, I am asking you all to help me find homes for them. If they are adopted separately, I would like to keep one. However, if someone is able to care for the entire family, I will give no argument on the matter.

All I care about is that they find themselves in a safe and attentive home.

Thank you.

-LHG.

Comments

[bergamotrose]

Lapis. This a home intended for a small family. There is more than enough room for your plants to have one to themselves.

[mirrortide]

i dont know what a small family means sorry gems dont have families

also i think id like to stay with them anyway since they were important to peridot if that can be done then i dont mind either way i guess

[bergamotrose]

A small family is a group of three to five humans, two adults who form a union together and the smaller ones they create.

Suffice to say, there is space enough for the both of us to have our own room, the plants to have a room, and have yet another room to spare.

[mirrortide]

wait

wait wait wait

what about steven it was just him and his greg and i guess that andy greg but he was something called an uncle i think but also rose quartz i mean pink diamond was his mom but then we gems dont have families but hes half gem and does it count if its just him and greg even if he doesnt live with his greg


[The Gears Are Turning]

[bergamotrose]

[Hear that sound?

That's the sound of the finely arranged and balanced display case of fine, painted china and tea ware crashing to the ground and shattering all of the delicate glass into ten thousand little pieces.]

Lapis.

Please.

I do not know all the details for what you're asking, but what I offer is the most basic definition of what a family is. Truly, family is made of the people who you care about and who care about you. Whether this is by blood or by choice doesn't matter.

[....however.]

Didn't you say once that Gems are intelligent beings made of stone? I do not see how a human who is half Gem is even possible.

[mirrortide]

then whats the point of calling them family if friends does the same thing

technically our forms are made of solid light i just seem to be entirely made of lapis here for example generally its only our actual gem thats the stone but as for your question

i have no idea but if i had to guess i would guess something to do with the fact we can shapeshift

[bergamotrose]

[...

...

...

...]

What?


[...

...

...

Congrats, Lapis. You broke him.]

[mirrortide]

what

[bergamotrose]

I did not know you could shapeshift.

[mirrortide]

well its not like its hard with a body thats made out of solid light

most gems can shapeshift except for the era 2 ones like peridot but im an era 1 so i can not that i do or did because it was kind of frowned upon at the time

amethyst does it all the time though for fun

[bergamotrose]

It sounds like it certainly could be fun. You should try it, at least for yourself, at some point.

To answer your question: Bonds. The bonds people have with each other are what makes the difference between close friend and chosen family. Other than that. there is no simple way of explaining.

[mirrortide]

nah i like my form just fine theres not really a point to it for me

i dont get it

[bergamotrose]

Unfortunately, I don't know how to better explain.

It may be something you need to see and experience for yourself one day to understand. People are complicated, as you've likely noticed. It sounds like Gems are as well.

[mirrortide]

ok well

what would you classify us as friends or family

[bergamotrose]

[Sure. Go and ask the hard questions. Lorenz took a moment to pause and think before he wrote his reply.]

After what happened last month and the month before, you should realize that I am not a person who trusts easily. It seems that you're very much the same in many respects.

I consider us to be good friends at the moment, but that isn't to say that we can't become more in the future.

[mirrortide]

ok so family is more than friends then if im reading that right

[bergamotrose]

Yes, you have that correct.

Marianne, my friend and compatriot who recently returned to her timeline, is someone I hope to one day have as part of my family-- if she is willing. Even if she does not share the same wish... I do hope that we will remain close friend regardless of where our lives take us.

[mirrortide]

what you have to make someone your family

[bergamotrose]

Only if you wish it to be respected in legal affairs. Marriage, for example. Adoption for another.

If the emotions are all that matter, then no paperwork needs to be filed. It's an emotion you feel in the deepest part of your being.

[mirrortide]

YOU CAN HAVE ILLEGAL MARRIAGE

also whats legal marriage whats adoption

1/2

[bergamotrose]

[Lapis, you're really breaking him tonight.

At this rate, he's going to march over, knick on your door, haul you over his shoulders and drag you back to the house. They can get the plants later.]

2/2

[bergamotrose]

I do not know the details of an illegal marriage, but a legal one involves an exchange of tokens, vows, written agreements, and the oversight of a minister of your choosing.

Adoption is... similar. It is less about the act of becoming Wedded Partners and more about the act of taking a child into your home and becoming a parent or guardian to them. Humans, when they're born, are fragile and unskilled. We require many years of education, support, and guidance to become functional as people while we grow.

[mirrortide]

[You can't just put approximately 400lbs of rock over your shoulder, Lorenz!!!]

does this mean the crystal gems adopted steven even though he has his family is that how that works

also i think garnet married herself with all that because when i got back to earth it looked like there was a celebration thing going on and i think i was told about that sort of thing so i think i get it but does that mean garnet is family with herself

[bergamotrose]

I cannot answer you about Garnet, but it certainly does sound like Steven was adopted by the 'crystal gems'. Families can get quite complicated.

[mirrortide]

THEN WHATS THE POINT