The hidden city of Bayside located in a lost region between Canada and America has a long history of gemstones, the land itself seeing a long line of explorers and vagabonds enter the sacred land starting from the Greeks and the Vikings, the golden era of piracy and explorers, the witch trials even the Underground Railroad all found it's way to Bayside ending in the most recent hundred years of World War II refugees, ex soldiers, well to do business men and actors of the old Hollywood era; the one era creating the most everlasting effects were the witches, an old tale surrounding Duke Montfort's metamorphosis into a beast by a jealous witch created the first generation of Gem Queens and all female inhabitants of Bayside regardless of whether they were born in Bayside or not, were blessed with gemstone.
23 year old Nasu Hijiri from Sendai Japan was a woman still awaiting her gemstone, the rest of the family had received their gemstones, even her best friend and sister-in-law Mikoto awakened with an Amethyst gemstone when her brown eyes changed to purple on her wedding day, Nasu's life was far from normal although many would argue that her upbringing was full of opportunities.
As a pre-teen, she excelled at figure skating and rhythmic gymnastics, she was an exceptional athlete in high school, is one of the most formidable racers on the highways and can out game the best online.
But the reality was cruel; her rival was picked over her for the Olympic gymnastics team, she suffered injury at the figure skating nationals, she failed to qualify for the summer Olympics and was overlooked for numerous team sports, her car was wrecked against yakuza boss Kara Shindo and she was kicked off her gaming team after a heavy defeat to Blood Raven, all she had left was her receptionist job at Haruna Inn, she worked with Mikoto, two school friends in Sylvia and Emily along with a fresh out of school bell hop named Sissi; the Inn was named after the late Haruna Yamato, a dear friend to the Hijiri family, her daughter also named Haruna, is a master stewardess, a title given to Bayside's most respected tour guides, Haruna even suggested that Nasu take the exam but she only took the receptionist job as a last resort and that no one would hire a BWI girl with no awakened gemstone in anything more high profile, BWI being the Bayside Women's Institute which allows it's members to find employment in any desired field, since gemstone awakenings can also change your appearance, it wouldn't feel right to pick something that becomes more difficult if Nasu's body changed too dramatically, an example she saw with her friend Emily who grew well over 6ft tall when her Turquoise gem awakened.
There are options in the BWI that could make things easier, Nasu could expand her involvement in BWI's Ballroom program, a legal requirement asked of all BWI members is learning Ballroom dancing and participating in at least one of the monthly competitions, partnered with Hanyu, Nasu is higher ranked than most but cannot afford the step up to competition dress which isn't paid for by the BWI and a receptionist paycheck wouldn't cover a simple ball gown let alone a custom design.
If her gem awakened, it might open doors but for now Nasu is gem less and lost in a loop, the receptionist job is all she has which feels devastating considering how many things she had a part in before.
Also out of the question is a forced awakening, the incident of historian Jessica Richards ended in her gaining incredible proportions but her body belonged to the witches, a fate that also happened to Amy Virgo when she was desperate for a way out of retail.
"Cheer up Nasu, I'm sure it'll awaken someday" Mikoto said
"I'm just tired of the boasting from my cousins Asuka and Mitsue about their Emerald and Topaz awakenings" Nasu trying not to think about her more unruly family members.
Asuka is a high flying lawyer while Mitsue is a translator for the government office, both are high ranking in the BWI even if Mitsue is a flamboyant Gyaru girl, even Asuka's sister Shoko who awakened a Ruby gem is a concert violinist, Nasu's own younger sister Hime who is applying to become an official Snow White probably won't be long before her gem awakens.
"If you're done moping about your gem issues we need to open up Mt Haruna" Kaito arrived to scold Nasu.
Kaito is Nasu's older brother and Mikoto's husband, the gems have a different effect on men, boosting one trait rather than a complete transformation, for Kaito it was natural presence, he can command a room easily, the younger crowd would call it aura farming.
Mikoto shared a loving kiss and hug with her husband as the inn opened.
"Welcome to Haruna Inn"