Peri had planned everything for that afternoon. She had summoned Lapis and Steven for their monthly fanfic reunion with enough time for them to come up with a story, or choose one of the many they've written in Steven's case. She had, with a little help, prepared the perfect story. She had chosen the perfect moment of the afternoon, when the light is plenty enough in the barn and it's neither too hot nor cold. She had considered every single detail so everything went perfect. But it never crossed her mind that Steven would bring a guest.
Steven arrived at the barn near sunset, as Peridot required in her message early that week. At first Peri had been glad to see him and had greeted him with a smile, then her entire face fell when she saw he wasn't alone. A cute human girl was at his side, holding his hand, with a big grin matching his. This would wreck the plan.
"Peri, let me introduce you to my best friend in the whole world: Connie." He said, ignorant at her despair, indicating the human next to him.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Peridot." Connie saluted, politely. "Steven has told me lots of things about you... most of them good." She finished with a shy smile.
"I... it's nice to meet you too, Connie." She finally answered, overcoming her first shock. This would complicate her plan, she'd have to go with Plan B… whenever she could figure out plan B.
They all entered the barn, and once again Steven introduced Connie to Lapis. They had already met, but according to Steven their last encounter hadn't been the most... friendly. That's why it was better to start over.
The group sat at the center of the barn (where there was enough space for them, and no Meep Morps in the way).
"You guys are probably wondering why Connie came today." Steven started. "You see, she loves fiction, mostly books. She have toooons of them and she always lends me some. Oh once I borrow this awesome series about a girl and her familiar and... oh! a familiar is this magical companion that everybody has which..." Steven stopped when he felt Connie's hand grabbing his arm. The look she was giving him said "calm down". He blushed lightly and gave her a little smile.
"Oh, sorry, I got excited." He apologized, still blushing. He cleared his throat and continued. "She loves fiction, and I recently learnt she's a terrific writer. That's why I asked her to join our little fanfiction club. And I thought it was time she met the rest of the family."
Connie blushed as well for his compliment. "I don't know about "terrific", but I do what I can. And I really want to hear your stuff guys." Steven had explained her that the gems didn't really write for their meetings, they just imagine a story and recite it, as if they were making it up on the march. That was Lapis case for sure, she had a great imagination and her ability to express her thoughts was incredible. If you didn't know better you will think she was reporting a true fact. Peri, on the other hand, was very meticulous with her stories. She came up with a plot, then she added details, changed things that didn't work out, just like a normal writer. But she didn't write it down, she didn't need to, her perfect memory was all she needed to create the whole thing and then tell it.
Lapis went first and tell them this story about the epic love between a human girl and a monster. They had plotted a whole plan where they faked both of their deaths so they could be together without anyone getting between them. And even when Barb had been reluctant to leave her friends thinking she had suffered a horrible (and seriously disgusting) death, the happiness and joy Demi (her nickname for her monster) gave her made everything worth it. Steven was extremely happy that they could be together at the end and Peri always encouraged Lapis even when she didn't know the fandom. Connie, although impressed by the turn of events in one of her favorite shows, gave Lapis positive comments because it really was an original idea and very well told. The blue gem thanked everyone and went back to her seat.
Steven had brought the notebook where he wrote his stories: it was all black with a yellow star in the front, a gift from Greg. He could tell his stories like the other gems did because he knew every single word in them, but the paper gave him confidence, so he used it when it was his turn. He had written about Pear and Tomato, and how they fought for being different but at the end realized they were both fruits "in the inside". The gems didn't understand the story that much, but Steven was happy about it, and that's all that mattered.
Connie was next. Just like Steven, she had brought a little red notebook where she wrote. But in Connie's case, the writing was a little more complex than fruits and thdir problems. She had focused on the psychological aspect and the recovery process of this two characters who had faced hell and came back... literally according to Connie's story. Peri loved it! She had liked one of the characters whose name was Percy; with a name like that he had to be cool. And they also lived in this camp, which was also incredible. Lapis gave her approval too, commenting that she had describe very well the idea of being trapped in your own mind and not being able to tell if you were back in the scenary of your worst nightmares or not. That was kind of the central idea of her fanfic. No one made any comment about why Lapis understood the concept, they all knew better. Connie thanked everyone, with a big smile. Then everyone turned to Peri to hear her story.
The little dorito had been so caught up in the others' fanfics that she had forgotten her current predicament: she couldn't go on with her original plan. PLAN B: lie.
"Oh, right, my turn... Well, you see... I didn't... I don't have a story for today." She finished with an awkward smile.
"But you invited us." Steven replied.
"Don't lie. You've been planning this day for weeks. I know. I saw the diagrams in your... tablet thingy."
"Whaaaat? I'm not lying" she tried to sound convincing but she knew no one was buying it. What should I do? My plan is perfect and deserves to be completed... but this could end terrible wrong with Connie here... but they know I'm lying. Uuuuugh! Why can't things ever happen like I want them to?
While Peri had her inner debate, the rest of the crew was staring at her. She was pacing around, moving her arms and making angry faces, inadvertently that her internal discussion wasn't as internal as she thought. At the end she sighed loudly and said "Fine" to herself apparently. She faced her friends again.
"Ok. The truth is that I... did come up with a story for our session. But now with Connie here I'm not sure if I can tell it."
"Aaaww, Peri. Don't feel embarrassed. I'm sure Connie will love it." Steven assured her, mistaking her apprehension for shyness.
"Of course she would love it, why wouldn't she?" The gem questioned him, as if he had suggested the more ridiculous thing in the world. When he didn't answer she continued. "The problem is that I'm not sure if you, Steven, would be comfortable with her hearing my story. I... I wrote about you."
That should have been enough for anyone to be suspicious about Peri's fic. Not our Steven though, he was thrilled. "Oh my Gosh! You did? Then of course you have to tell it. Go on!" The green gem had no other option, you couldn't argue with the boy when he had stars in his eyes.
Peridot, the Homeworld gem, former enemy of the Crystal Gems, the green dorito, stood up with a decisive look and positioned in the middle of the circle. Well, I tried to warn him, was her last thought before opening her mouth and starting telling her tale.