Garnet shouldered her way through the crowd, Amethyst on her heels. She could practically feel the agents from the other coven honing in on them, preparing to strike. She made a sharp right and entered an empty alleyway before stopping. She cracked her knuckles and turned around just as the agents entered behind her. There were three males, all extremely young from the look of them.
"Good evenin' gents. Mind tellin' me why you've been followin' us?" Garnet's question was answered by a chuckle, and the tallest one stepped forward. He was thin and all sharp angles. Garnet could tell he wasn't quick on his feet or very coordinated. Pity.
"You know why we're here. Yellow Diamond demands retribution for your bosses interruption in our little... Business affair." The other two grinned and flashed their fangs.
"Kidnapping and selling teenaged humans is not what I would call business. Now, 'ow about you lot go scurrying back to your boss while you still 'ave the chance. I wouldn't want to have to kill anyone today." Their smiles vanished, replaced with barred teeth and tensed shoulders.
"Too bad we're the only one's that'll be doing any killing." The leader launched himself at Garnet straight away, the other two slinking towards Amethyst. Garnet caught the leader by his face and squeezed, his skull easily imploding under her grasp. The other two halted in place and watched their dead comrade's body fall to the ground.
"Anyone else?" Garnet shot them an uninterested look and they took off running.
"Woo! Way to go G!" Garnet watched the fallen vamp's body turn to ash then pushed at the small mound with her foot. The ashes blew away in the wind or drifted with the dirty alley water as it drained into the sewers. Once she knew he wouldn't be coming back, she shoved her hands in her pockets and walked out of the alley, Amethyst once again trailing her.
"It's my job to protect our family. It was nothin'." Amethyst scoffed and punched her in the arm.
"No way! That was totally amazing!" Garnet allowed herself a smile.
"Yeah I guess it kinda was. But don't tell Rose. She wouldn't like it that we took them on by ourselves."
"Yeah no prob! I'll keep my mouth-" she made a high pitched squeal and grabbed onto Garnet's arm, almost ripping it out of its socket. "Garnet look! It's my favorite bakery we HAVE to go in there!" Garnet rolled her eyes. Vampires didn't need to eat human food. It barely had taste and it had no nutritional value, but Amethyst loved to eat, she claimed it was the texture.
"Fine. But only for a few minutes." She squealed again and dragged Garnet into the shop. She released her at the doorway and went up to the counter, talking frantically with the cashier. It was a small family business, they had known them for years. It was a safe spot for their coven, a little home away from home. Garnet was scanning the booths for other agents, or perhaps more of her coven, when her eyes met those of a beautiful young woman. She looked to be around the age Garnet was when she was turned, when she was saved. She had short cropped strawberry blonde hair, and her pale cheeks were dotted with freckles. Her eyes were a gorgeous icy blue and her lips were the perfect shade between pink and red. At being caught staring, her cheeks darkened and she looked back down at her cup of what looked to be hot chocolate, a specialty of the shop. Garnet felt a shiver run through her, the hair on her arms standing on edge as goosebumps raised. Something in her had clicked, as if she had finally found the answer to a question long forgotten. She'd never experienced anything quite like it before.
"G? Hellooooo? Earth to G!" Garnet shook her head and looked down at Amethyst, who was looking frustrated. "You okay?"
"Wha- Huh? Oh. Yes, I'm... Fine." Her gaze was pulled back to the strawberry blonde, and their eyes met once more, but this time the other woman merely smiled and pushed stray hair behind her ear.
"You know, you could always go talk to her. I mean, if you don't, I'd like to." Amethyst gave her a suggestive look and Garnet growled at her, a predatory sound that startled both of them.
"No. You don't talk to her." Amethyst raised her hands and gave her a confused look. Her number was called and she backed away from Garnet to retrieve her food. Garnet shook her head and was mentally berating herself when she felt a soft hand against the skin of her upper arm. She looked down at the hand and then at its owner, her heart pumping wildly and her cheeks flushing. It was the gorgeous woman that she'd been caught ogling ever sense they arrived. Garnet didn't know whether to die of embarrassment or squeal out of pure glee.
"I'm sorry, but we seem to have caught each other's eyes and I..." Her cheeks flushed a dark red. "I'm not exactly sure what I'm doing, but I just had to talk to you, and..." She trailed off, her voice growing smaller as Garnet turned completely towards her. Her eyes flickered over Garnet's face and arms, taking in the faint scars over her biceps and cheeks. She lifted a hand to one near her mouth, but quickly pulled it back when she realized what she was doing. "I-I'm sorry, I should-" She spun around and began walking away but Garnet grabbed her hand, stopping her in her tracks. Electricity coursed across their connected fingers and the other woman shivered, turning back to Garnet with wide eyes.
"I'm Garnet. Please, tell me your name?" Their hands still connected, Garnet took a step closer, barely any space left between them.
"My name is Pearl..." Her voice was small, barely a whisper, but even so they were music to Garnet's ears. A frisson of warmth swept down her back and her whole body seemed to heat up.
"That's a beautiful name." It was out before she even realized what she was saying, but a smile spread across Pearl's face and 'oh god'. She was even more beautiful than was legal, she made Garnet want to whimper and fall at her feet. Garnet, a battle hardened killing machine, brought to her knees by a pair of pretty eyes in a skirt. There was a first for everything it seemed. Garnet hadn't even realized they were moving closer until the sound of a throat being cleared pushed them apart. Amethyst was looking between them with a grin, her arms loaded with food.
"Garnet, tell your lady friend goodbye so we can get back to the co- erm, house." Amethyst cleared her throat and stepped back a bit, averting her eyes from the pair to give a small amount of privacy.
"Yes, we must be getting back. Pearl, it was nice to meet you." The name was sweet on her tongue, just as perfect as its owner.
"Garnet, I want to- Uh, that is, maybe we could see each other again?" Pearl gave her a sheepish smile and Garnet returned it.
"I would like that." Numbers were exchanged and Garnet left with a promise to call her, a small flame lit in her chest.
"Well, that was weird." Amethyst burst out laughing and began shoving food down her throat, savoring each bite.
"I've never felt anything quite like it. She was amazing, did you see her!? She was beautiful, gorgeous, I've never seen anyone so perfect so-" Garnet cut off and halted in place, pulling in a deep breath.
"G? What's up?"
"I think she was my mate." Amethyst nearly dropped her load, only managing to keep it together with her vampire reflexes.
"Whoa, wait, are you sure? I mean, that's pretty serious, we need to tell Rose and-" Garnet was already striding down the sidewalk as fast as not-suspiciously-possible. After what felt like an eternity they walked up the stairs to their house and walked in, Amethyst bee-lining for the kitchen and Garnet for Rose's office. Her coven leader's door was open, the taller woman sat at her desk, organizing papers and reading. Garnet double tapped on the door before walking in, making sure to keep her stance nonthreatening.
"Garnet! Oh, thank god you're okay! I heard there were mercenaries sent off with a large bounty on our heads, but I'm glad to see they haven't touched you. We've taken care of most of them." Garnet decided to explain later and flopped onto the chair across from her, tense but elated. "Is everything alright? You don't look too good."
"I want to ask your permission for something..." When Rose replied with only a raised eyebrow Garnet took a deep breath and sat up straighter. "I want you permission to add another member to our coven." Rose looked just as shocked as Garnet knew she would.
"What!? But, Garnet, you've always been against turnings! Why the change of heart?"
"I... I believe I've finally found the one, Rose."
"Oh my god! Are you serious?" Garnet nodded and Rose squealed then clapped her hands together. "Garnet that's wonderful! I have to meet her! This is so exciting, I'm so happy for you!"
"So wait, did I just get permission?" Rose held up a finger, face suddenly all business.
"Now, Garnet, you know there are rules. I have to meet her first, and if I believe she's the right fit, I will give you permission. Arrange a meeting, and we'll see." Garnet knew a dismissal when she heard one, and she gave a quick nod before she stood and left the room. She was so close to getting approval. Now she just needed to get the girl.
