Episode 1: Phosphophyllite
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In Land of the Lustrous episode 1, “Phosphophyllite,” after what might have been years or decades of fruitless deliberation, Kongou finally thought of a job suitable for Phosphophyllite (Phos). Phos’ relatively low hardness of 3.5 meant even bumping into their friends might shatter them. Unfortunately for Phos, Kongou’s assignment of writing their encyclopedia seemed like a consolation prize. Phos spent a lot of time trying to get the others to take the job; the others spent as much time pushing back. Finally, Phos went out to visit Cinnabar, the only person who might have rare information Phos could use. Unfortunately, before she found Cinnabar, the Lunarians attacked with the intent to turn Phos into pretty green jewelry. With a hardness of only 3.5, what can Phos do — especially so far from home?
Episode 2: Diamond
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In Land of the Lustrous episode 2, “Diamond,” Phosphophyllite (Phos) had gone past worrying about writing the encyclopedia. Now, they worried about the promise they had made to Cinnabar. Jade, sick of Phos’ pestering, suggested they find Diamond and Bort, who were on patrol. Phos found Diamond and asked for help, and being tender-hearted, Diamond did their best. But a Lunarian attack interrupted them. Can Diamond hold their own against the attack? Where’s Bort? And what’s the terrible, high-pitched noise that Phos hears every time Diamond deflects an attack?
Episode 3: Metamorphose
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In Land of the Lustrous episode 3, “Metamorphose,” Diamond and Bort fought the giant shelled gastropod that had eaten Phosphophyllite (Phos). They barely managed to save their compound when the beast fell into their salt water pond and shriveled — leaving only a tiny gastropod in Diamond’s arms and the giant shell on the bottom of the pond. Phos was nowhere to be found, though Diamond insisted Phos had become the gastropod. Was Diamond right? Was almost everyone else right, and it didn’t matter — even if Phos was a little slimy creature, at least Phos was quiet now? Will Cinnabar be relieved that Phos is gone? Remorseful that a chance to rejoin society is now gone? Or is there something else going on?
Episode 4: Soul – Flesh – Bone
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In Land of the Lustrous episode 4, “Soul – Flesh – Bone,” a dream troubled Sensei Kongou to the point he called himself “reckless” for having it. Meanwhile, Phosphophyllite (Phos) endured a trial of their own: they’re the only one who can understand Ventricosus, the now small, travel-sized snail. The other gems either humor Phos or tell them to get counseling. Soon. Ventricosus shows some initiative and cleverness in trying to get Phos to take them closer to the sea. Why? What does the snail want in the sea? And why does Kongou forbid Phos, or any other other gems, from going there?
Episode 5: Return
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In Land of the Lustrous episode 5, “Return,” the Lunarians used a basket to haul a broken Phosphophyllite (Phos) out of the sea. Ventricosus, Phos’ betrayer, demanded her payment: access to her brother Aculeatus. The Lunarians, though, changed the terms of the deal: they demanded she deliver more of the gems to them. With the guilt at what she’d done to Phos eating at her heart, she tried to demure, but the Lunarians prodded her with fire. They even burned off one of her arms. Phos, exhausted and gagged, could do nothing. Is the end for our green hero?
Episode 6: First Battle
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In Land of the Lustrous episode 6, “First Battle,” Yellow Diamond lamented that though they are the oldest, all their partners have ended up captured and on the moon. Rutile tried to cheer Yellow Diamond up, then noticed something startling: Phosphophyllite (Phos) was missing! Last Rutile knew, Phos had been unable to walk, their new legs being completely unresponsive. Yet, now Phos was nowhere to be seen. Did Phos go somewhere willingly? Was Phos the victim of a new Lunarian attack? Or is this just a case of “Now what is Phos up to?”
Episode 7: Hibernation
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In Land of the Lustrous episode 7, “Hibernation,” Rutile reassembles Amethyst after the disastrous encounter with the Lunarians in the previous episode. Phosphophyllite (Phos), who had been too terrified to even move during the fight, groveled at Amethysts’ feet, hoping for forgiveness. Before Phos could even speak, Amethyst apologized, saying they had been too focused on giving Phos a good example. Phos, however, felt trapped by the failure. Was there anything Phos could do assuage their conscience? Maybe help Antarcticite protect the other gems as they hibernated for the winter? Or would that end just as Phos’ other efforts had ended — in failure and pain?
Episode 8: Antarcticite
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In Land of the Lustrous episode 8, “Antarcticite,” Antarcticite tried desperately to find Phosphophyllite (Phos)’s arms after the ice floes had sheared them off. But it was no use. The ice was too dangerous. The depths had claimed the green gemstone. Antarcticite accepted full responsibility, but Kongou asserted he was to blame. Regardless of who was to blame, Phos was still without arms. Fortunately, Kongou knew of a possibility to restore Phos’ arms: The Chord Shore, the source of the materials that gave birth of all of the gems. Is there a chance Phos could regain their arms? Is the journey safe, even assuming only 10 days of sun during the winter — days when the Lunarians can attack?
Episode 9: Spring
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In Land of the Lustrous episode 9, “Spring,” Phosphophyllite (Phos) had picked up the mantle of responsible left by Antarcticite’s capture. Now Phos went on patrols and defended the sleeping gems from the Lunarians. The cost, however, was enormous. Kongou watched with growing unease as that cost became clear, though it was not without benefits. What did the loss of their arms mean to Phos’ memory? What new abilities did Phos’ new gold/platinum arms provide? Will the other gems accept Phos when they awake in the Spring? Or will Phos have to go the same route as Cinnabar?
Episode 10: Shiro
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In Land of the Lustrous episode 10, “Shiro,” Bort seemed very interested in Phosphophyllite (Phos)’s newfound abilities. So interested, in fact, that Bort asked Phos to train with them. There are only two problems with that. First, Phos was terrified of Bort, and that has gotten only a little better after Phos’ upgrades. The far bigger problem is that Bort already has a partner: Diamond. How will Diamond take the news? What will that do to Diamond’s already shaking self-confidence? That question comes into sharp relief when, on their first patrol together, Bort and Phos encounter a new kind of Lunarian. Will the gems’ relationships get in the way of their defense? Or be the key to their victory?
Episode 11: Secrets
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In Land of the Lustrous episode 11, “Secrets,” Bort, filled with a cold rage at what the Lunarian creature did to Diamond, attacked with icy precision. Bort’s sword-strokes were perfect and sliced clean through the creature. Which then became two creatures. Once of those creature fled, only to run into Phosphophyllite (Phos) and Alexandrite. Phos tried to engage the enemy, but it was brutally powerful and forced them back. Phos asked Alexandrite to attack, but Alexandrite couldn’t even bear to look at the Lunarian, much less attack it. How can the gems deal with a multiplying enemy that can overwhelm every their most accomplished fighters?
Episode 12: New Work
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In Land of the Lustrous episode 12, “New Work,” Padparadscha awakened for the first time 231 years, 11 months, and 1 day. Phosphophyllite (Phos), desperate for information about the Lunarians, goes on patrol with them. Padparadscha made no attempt to hide what they thought about Sensei Kongou, much to Phos’ surprise — and chagrin. Can Phos accept what they learn about their leader? Later, Phos has a wild idea about what Cinnabar can do– something only Cinnabar can do. How will Cinnabar react? And is Phos sure they’ve remembered all of the important parts of the promise they made to Cinnabar?