Many years ago
"Rose, why did you bring us here? If every other Kindergarten was empty, why should this one be any different?"
"Because if there is a Quartz still on Earth they're probably lost." Rose explained. "We did find some corrupted ones so we know some have been left behind."
Rose was walking through the dark and dreary Kindergarten with Pearl at her side while Garnet was back protecting the temple. Pearl would like a lot of gems to keep her company like before the war, but she only needed Rose Quartz.
Recently Rose had been talking to a farmer named Lewis Fryman that lived near the Temple. Pearl internally scoffed, like Rose was deserving of that.
However the Kindergarten outings have given Pearl more quality time with her leader and much to Pearl's pleasure, less time with that sloppy farm-loving man.
"Um, did someone say something?"
"Who said that? Are you a gem?" Rose yelled at the voice in the distance. Pearl couldn't believe it, another gem?
Out of the shadows stumbled a small Quartz, and that's what surprised Pearl. That this purple creature wasn't 8 feet tall. Heck, she was shorter than Pearl.
But Rose didn't look at her with any less love.
"Oh my goodness, another gem! And a cute quartz at that." Rose smiled at the purple quartz. "You must be an Amethyst!"
The runt quartz nodded her head eagerly and Rose picked her up.
"You must come back with us! We're the Crystal Gems!" Rose explained. "I have a spare room in the temple with your name written all over it! How does that sound?"
"Amazing!" Amethyst squeaked.
Pearl rolled her eyes, this new gem didn't even know what a room was yet! And it wasn't even a full grown quartz, which would've been extremely useful to the team.
But Pearl almost never disagreed with Rose. Perhaps this new addition could be useful to the team after all.
"When are you gonna show me fusion? Rose said we could fuse and I've seen Rainbow Quartz all the time!" Amethyst told Pearl with starry eyes. "I wanna know what we'd be!"
Pearl was looking away from Amethyst with her spear loosely in her hand feeling numb inside. Rose used to spend nights with Lewis andher, but Rose no longer spent nights holding Pearl and trailing kisses down her face and neck. It seemed as if she was devoting all her time to this pathetic mortal.
"Peeeeeearl? You're not even listening are you?" Amethyst complained.
Pearl looked at Amethyst and slightly blushed looking at the purple quartz's puppy-dog eyes. Was it just her, or did Amethyst look cuter than usual?
"I...yes Rose did promise that. And Garnet is out on a mission so I guess we'll practice fusion." Pearl concluded. "Most fusion requires a synchronized dance beforehand. When I offer my hand, take it and we shall attempt to meld into each other. Now, let's begin."
Pearl began stepping back on her tiptoes and twirled, in her view she saw Amethyst whirling around in a crazy and passionate dance.
When Pearl reached her hand out she felt an impulse that she acted upon: she pulled Amethyst towards her and leaned to kiss her. Immediately their forms turned white and melded into one creating Opal.
The first thing Opal felt was surprise and smiled remembering being kissed...and oddly doing the kiss as she felt both sensations before she defused because Amethyst was curious.
"Was that a...kiss?" Amethyst asked. "Rose told that's an invitation to become romantic with you...?"
Pearl nodded trying not to think about Rose. After all, if Rose Quartz was going to see her human lover more, she might as well take the new Crystal Gem as her's.
"Awesome!" Amethyst giggled blushing. "Rose, look! Pearl is my girlfriend!"
Pearl's eyes widened as she looked where Amethyst's finger was pointing to see Rose looking slightly hurt at the two. Even though Pearl was convinced her relationship with Rose was over, she felt like the worst gem alive.
Rose's face brightened suddenly and she hugged Amethyst.
"That is wonderful to hear Amethyst!" Rose gave her million dollar smile. "Pearl, do come to my room in the temple. I'd like to...go over my mission with you."
Pearl began shaking with excitement. She knew those six words were codewords that meant Rose desired Pearl to spend the night in Rose'sroom. Which meant...
But Amethyst called me her girlfriend, not lover. If she considered us lovers, it would've been easier to keep seeing Rose. And if I cheated on her and broke her heart...it could sting the stability of the Crystal Gems for years. I'll just explain the situation to her, she'll understand!
Pearl gave a brief nod and followed Rose to her room and smiled at the pale pink surroundings she's gotten so used to seeing. She blushed when Rose put her hands on Pearl's shoulders from behind.
"So you're Amethyst's girlfriend?" Rose asked. "You've always had other lovers besides me. Sometimes we shared the same lover. But girlfriend? You should've talked to me about this first."
Pearl felt anger boil within her. So Rose can get serious with somebody but when I do it I need permission?!
"Pearl, please don't get angry. We've seen each other for thousands of years and I don't want it to end like this." Rose begged. "Turn around and tell me this is really what you want."
"This isn't what I want!" Pearl snapped, turning around and looking at Rose's confused expression. "I would've been perfectly happy with Amethyst just being my lover. But she had to label our relationship as exclusive!"
"Then talk to her." Rose suggested.
"Why? Just because you want me to?" But Pearl felt secretly satisfied that her new relationship with Amethyst was getting to Rose's nerves.
"Because you want to." Rose answered softly, she cupped Pearl's face. "And admittedly, I want you to as well."
Pearl pulled Rose's face and passionately kissed her. Rose pulled away after two seconds.
"Please talk to Amethyst before you do any of that." Rose explained, hurt that she had to pull away. "She's a very young gem and I don't want to betray her trust and neither should you."
Pearl nodded embarrassingly and hugged Rose before leaving the room. Regardless of what happens, at least she got Rose jealous.
