"Not all the time," Steven says, shaking his head. "Only sometimes, when we're going on a mission." Even then, he doesn't strictly need the backpack. Lion has way more space in his mane. But Lion's still working on his listening skills, and it's too cool a backpack to just leave at home all the time.

It occurs to him, a little belatedly, that 'missions' might require further explanation. Most kids don't go on missions, they go to school. "I'm a Crystal Gem," he elaborates, hiking up his shirt to show off the shiny, rose-colored gemstone set where a normal child would have a belly button. "We defend the Earth from danger! Usually it's just mutant Gems; that's what we were going after today." Before the whole rift thing happened. It's okay, though; Steven's sure the others can handle some mutant Gems without him.

Taking in the Balladeer's expression, he adds, "I guess you don't have those in this universe."