[Steven rubs his wrist a little after she lets him go, not because she was hurting him but because it was weird - weird being touched by someone he's only heard about in vague stories before. At least it doesn't seem like she's going to do anything right now... which is fine. He'd rather skip the fight and have her find out that hurting him wouldn't stand on her own terms, instead of him having to point it out like a threat.

He's not exactly comfortable with her attitude, but it's distressingly familiar by now. She has the advantage that she actually isn't trying to hurt him yet, unlike a lot of her subjects. And other rebels. And... well. Lots of people. He exhales slowly, not able to make eye contact at the moment.]

I think I get what you mean.

[It's said with his own sad regret. It's like Garnet had told him... how apparently his mom had had to kill Pink Diamond because there was no other way for the other Crystal Gems to be free. She had to put necessity above her morals, and that sounds like the same concept Blue Diamond is expressing.

Not that he would dare compare the two of them. Not right now, anyway. He sees the connection, regardless.]

It's okay if you don't like me, because of... what I represent, or... or whatever you feel like right now. But we can't fight while we're both here. I'm working for the Ringmaster, too.