As the weeks passed, Pearl found the relationship between herself and Pink Diamond shifting. It was subtle and any other gem looking on wouldn't even be able to notice it but she felt it. Her boldness had paid off in some respects. In others, it began to frighten her. She found herself allowing her mind to wander to things outside of her duties as a pearl. Listened closer to the whispers of other high-ranking gems' servants and pearls. She learned things that made her cheeks turn blue with embarrassment, despite not truly knowing what some of these things meant.
What did not change were two things. One, her need for the approval of her Diamond and two, that her Diamond still seemed very far away in a place that she couldn't quite reach her. Had it not been for their conversation earlier, Pearl would have been absolutely certain that she was an utter failure as a servant to her Owner. Now, she wondered if there wasn't something deeper there that had nothing to do with her at all.
The pair were sitting side by side in the high gardens. It took several moments before Pearl realized that Pink was examining her. This had become a new trend since the day at the human zoo and it made her skin feel warm.
She smiled placidly back "Is there something you need, My Diamond?"
She shook her head. "No, just marveling in how lovely a pearl I have." Laughter bubbled up as she watched a blue flush crawl across her pearl's cheeks and her eyes drop to her feet. She wondered what exactly would happen if she ever brought her to one of the secret events they held for high-ranking gems.
"Surely you know you are a sight," she continued. "After all, you are a pearl. Not just to a high society member but to a Diamond. You were designed to be beautiful."
Pearl gazed up at her, taking the time to study her Master carefully. "I am glad you think so, My Diamond. After all, a gem as beautiful as yourself deserves to be happy with her subservient."
Pink eyed her. "You truly think I am beautiful?"
"Absolutely," she responded immediately. The smaller gem realized that wasn't just saying it to please her Owner. She truly believed it.
"You're not just telling me that because I am a diamond?" She pressed.
It passed through her mind that this could be a test but for what, she wasn't sure. "I am... I am bound by honesty, My Diamond. I only speak the truth."
They fell quiet again, this time they didn't look away from one another and something deeper began to change between the two of them. It was only after several long moments of one gem looking, truly looking at the other that they broke their gazes.
Pearl knew on an intrinsic level that her light form was visually appealing. After all, that was a part of her design code. She was to be decor at the side of a higher class of gem and in this case, the highest so it would stand to reason that she had to be aesthetically pleasing. However, the way that her Diamond had called her beautiful made her look at herself a little differently. Realistically speaking, all gems were very lovely to look at. Some types, such as herself or higher up gems, were more ornate. Hers was more for pleasure than to show class, for even as pretty as she was, Pearl was considered one of the lowest classes. That didn't change the fact that they were highly sought after. As she pondered over the way Pink had called her beautiful, she realized that she wanted so much more praise from her Owner.
