Pink and Blue Pearl were having the time of their lives. The whole group was out in the Hunter training fields, practising their skills for battle. Amethyst was off at the shooting range, nailing more than his fair share of targets, Opal cussing beside him as her score fell further and further behind. Emerald and Diamond were sparring nearby. The white-haired leader was on the offensive with a pair of tonfa, but Emerald was tanking any and all hits admirably with a mechanism that looked like a confusing mix between a tower shield and bracer gauntlets that completely covered one arm. Sapphire, meanwhile, was checking over her medical supplies while Ruby chatted endlessly nearby about some sort of fashion designer as she nonchalantly twiddled about with her explosives.

The only ones not holding a weapon of some sort were the young twins, who were too young for such things. Instead they each held a single skipping rope between the two of them and were hopping and singing a catchy song in complete unison. Just because they were too young for weapons didn't mean they weren't going to build up some basic skills in the meantime!

Unusually, their hermit friend had decided to accompany them today. The newest member of the Gem Gang, his platinum hair frizzing up a bit in the chill morning air, was watching the group with an expression somewhere between boredom and mild curiosity. He cocked an eyebrow when Opal swore in a long stream and left the purple sniper to his devices, a triumphant smirk the only acknowledgement the man gave the spastically swearing female. She stomped over to the twins, bringing out some sort of energy whip as she went. Within short order she was skipping over the whip at a blazing pace.

The pale blonde meandered over, his curiosity evidently winning out. "Is this some sort of training?"

"Huh?" Opal turned, her surprise beating out her temper. "Oh, yeah, skipping rope! Yeah, it's actually really good for speed and coordination. Did you want to try? Er, wait..." she looked around, "actually, it looks like we don't really have a spare, sorry..."

"That's-"

"-Okay!"

"He can-"

"-Borrow ours!"

The twins, ever cheerful, immediately held out their own towards him. He took it hesitantly, looking at both ends before firmly grasping them. The blonde glanced at his footing, swung the rope experimentally, and gave a few tentative hops before speeding up.

Three seconds in the rope caught his ankle, immediately tangling him up and vaulting him face-first to the ground. A plume of dust shot up as the three Gem Gang members nearby stared.

Pink frowned, "I think the rope might be-"

"A bit short for you," finished Blue.

The fighter wordlessly got to his feet, handed them back the rope, and walked out the of training grounds with a face as red as a beet, catching the eye of a very confused Sapphire as he left.

Opal promptly fell to the ground laughing.