It wasn't fair.
Peridot had changed, had become a whole new freaking gem, and her only audience member that wasn't Steven or a Crystal Clod didn't even care.
She kicked at a paint can moodily.
It. Wasn't. Fair.
Okay, so maybe Lazuli had a point in being mad at her. After all, she had been a prisoner on their ship and been forced for information she knew nothing of. But still. Couldn't she just let that go already? How long could a gem like her hold a grudge, anyway? A few years?
Peridot could wait.
Of course she could.
She'd be Peridot the Patient. Persevering Peri. Perfect, patient, persevering Peri. And it'd all work out in the end like it did in Camp Pining Hearts: With smiles and reconciliations.
Encouraged by this rosy fantasy, Peridot straightened up and started to walk back to the barn. Lazuli would definitely be happy to see her. She'd been alone for what, a few weeks now? Probably feeling lonely and in need of a great and lovable Peridot.
Kicking some more stray cans out of the way, she entered the barn cheerfully.
"HEY, LAZULI!" she yelled. "ARE YOU HERE? I'M BACK!"
A shuffling sound came from upstairs, and soon Lazuli's blue head poked from around the corner.
"Peridot. What are you doing here?"
"I thought you might need some company," Peri chirped. Lazuli would definitely appreciate this thoughtful gesture. Maybe her cheeks would get all blue again. Peridot wasn't sure entirely sure what that gesture meant, but it suited the taller gem for some reason.
Instead, Lazuli scowled. "It's only been half hour."
Peridot blinked. "Wait, what? You're sure you're not wrong? I was sure weeks had passed."
Lazuli's scowl deepened. "Positive."
"Huh. That's weird. Earth time is so confusing, especially without my limb enhancers' computers to calculate it."
"Limb enhancers?"
Peridot raised her head importantly, always eager to discuss her phenomenal technological advances. "Yeah. My lengthened robotic arms and legs, designed not only to give me a more heightened appearance but also to serve as search engines for the entire cosmos. They were so cool. Unfortunately–" (here her tone soured) "–They got thrown away."
Lazuli didn't seem to be paying attention. She was eyeing Peridot strangely. The green gem felt suddenly self-conscious.
"What?"
"So that's why you're shorter," Lazuli deadpanned. "I thought something was different."
Peridot felt heat rise to her face. "I am not short! I am designed just as all the other peridots on Homeworld! We have no need to heighten our length; the only reason I had those limb enhancers to begin with was to prove my technological superiority over all the other peridots-"
"Well," Lazuli interrupted in the same bored tone she used for everything, "You're the only peridot I've ever met, and I find you short. So that's all I can say on the matter."
"I'm not- Wait, I'm the only peridot you've ever met?"
Peridot wasn't sure why she was so… pleased to hear this news. All she knew was that she hated the idea of any other peridot interacting with Lazuli before her. Maybe it was her competitive streak kicking in. She made a note to record that later in her log.
Lazuli hadn't bothered answering the question. She was going back up.
Peridot sighed. Friendship was harder than it looked.
"See you later, Lazuli!" she called.
The water gem didn't answer.