@21308 I'll also miss Howlite as well, but it is also nice that we're not turning someone down.
Also, I have an idea about the new gem, and we can turn it down if we want, but in place of pretending the new gem was always with us in Howlite's place, what if they emerged later on and Eve returned to the Kindergarten (I imagine after exploring a bit on her own she'd want to return there, after all) and found them there? And of course, if Bloodstone picked up activity from the Kindergarten again, he could also meet with them. Or Chromite, for that matter. It could be interesting, I don't know. Again, it's 100% cool if we don't roll with this idea, it was just in mind.
PS - Still working on the Gilles post, no worries. I was stuck on babysitting duty at night so I wasn't able to work on it like I planned.