"Pink Diamond?"
The Gem in question hurriedly checked herself before taking a seat in her palanquin.
"Yes?"
A Hessonite entered and saluted. "The Nephrite fleet has landed. They are all positioned in strategic areas, as you requested."
The larger Gem nodded, fiddling with her hair.
"My Diamond instructed me to tell you to expect a signal from her soon."
The former jumped. She looked incredibly on edge.
"That is all," the Hessonite finished, and, saluting once more, she retreated through the curtains.
The seated Gem sighed in relief, visibly slumping, and the her form was whited out. The diamond against her navel disappeared as her figure shrunk, moulding, thinning. Instead, it was the genuine pearl that remained visible.
Pearl was left sitting upon the throne, pale and drained. She almost let herself close her eyes before a gust of wind blew the curtains inward, prompting her to jump down and slip into the shadows at the back of the palanquin.
The real Pink Diamond was out masquerading as her Quartz persona. She had left Pearl in charge of upholding her authoritarian image and conducting audiences. She had been confident that, seeing as she was White's original Pearl, she apply any colour she wished to her form. As usual, Pink had been right — but even with her bettered stamina, Pearl was finding it increasingly difficult to hold her cloned form. At times she had even been forced to project a tinted hologram of herself to act the Pearl — a newfound talent she found she had to hurriedly develop.
So far she had managed to dupe the Pink Court and other visiting Gems, but she doubted she could fool another Diamond the same way. If Yellow didn't pick up on her new ticks, she would certainly notice the change in her voice or her unusual silence.
It was at that moment the panel flashed yellow.
Instinctively, Pearl shifted hurriedly into Pink Diamond's form, brushing her hair down over her gem. She reached for the panel with a gloved hand, and then stopped.
She couldn't fool her.
Her heart stuttered in her chest as her mind raced. There was only really one thing to do. But if Yellow found out. . .
She squeezed her eyes shut, steeling herself, and melted back to her own form. Then, taking a deep breath, she answered the signal.
The viewing panel was projected into the air above her and Yellow Diamond's pinched face materialised onscreen. She looked faintly surprised upon noticing the smaller Gem, and then frowned.
"Where is Pink?"
"She is out inspecting the Nephrite positions, Ye—" she cut herself off, horrified, and hurriedly spoke again. "—Your Clarity."
Yellow Diamond opened her mouth as if to say something, took a breath, and closed it again. She cleared her throat.
"Well, can you notify her that I—" something like guilt flashed across her features and she began again. "Can you tell her that I have some plans she may want to look at."
"Yes, Your—"
"And that she's doing well."
And then she was gone.
Pearl had been tasked with answering quite a few more signals before she had the chance to speak to her Diamond again.
When finally a uniformed Rose Quartz walked through the curtains, Pearl gave a relieved sigh and ushered her inside. Pink Diamond, with what looked like regret, hurriedly shifted back to her dormant form and sat down.
"So. Has much happened since I've been gone?"
Pearl straightened. "Yes, my Diamond. I have messages from Blue and Yellow to—"
"Pearl."
She stopped and looked up. Her Diamond looked unsettled.
". . . Yes?"
"Can you . . . I don't want to be your Diamond. Please, can you call me . . . Rose?"
Pearl blinked. "Yes . . . My Quartz?"
Pink appeared to relax a little. "Just . . . Just Rose. Please."
Pearl barely had the space of mind to nod. "Y-Yes . . . I, ah. . ." her voice faded and she stood gazing at her Diamond for a moment. Pink seemed unfazed, slumping indelicately back against her throne.
"You said you had some messages?"
Pearl shook her head. "No. I mean— yes. Yellow Diamond requested I let you know she has some plans you might want to see. And she also said you're doing well." Pink was silent. "Blue wants to meet with you in her palanquin and she also wanted to let you know that your behaviour has been exemplary."
Pink Diamond's eyes were cold. "But I haven't been here."
Pearl froze.
Pink abruptly stood. "I need to get back to the Crystal Gems."
When she began striding for the curtains, Pearl's mind caught up and she rushed after her. "No, wait! My Diamond—"
"It's Rose," the latter hissed, shrinking as she went. In a matter of seconds she was back in her mock uniform, strawberry ringlets trailing down her back.
"Rose, please! Can't you stay? Just . . . Just for a little while! You only just got here!"
"You can handle it." She grabbed hold of a curtain. "If you've won Yellow's praise. . ."
She looked like she was about to say something else, but then she slipped into the evening, and was gone.
"I'm sorry I've been away so long," Pink Diamond said softly, and took a hold of her hand.
Pearl lowered her gaze. "It's . . . okay. I know you've been busy."
"I've missed you, Pearl."
Tears burned in her eyes. "I've missed you too. It gets so lonely."
"You know you're more to me than a Pearl. You're—"
"Pearl! Pearl!"
She lurched back and Pink Diamond's hologram dissipated. When she spun around, she found Rose barging into the palanquin, white dress fluttering.
Pearl gasped. "Rose, your . . . your dress— you'll get caught!—"
Rose paid her no mind, sweeping forward and capturing both her hands in hers. "It's wonderful! A Bismuth joined us today, and a whole horde of new Gems! We're getting stronger! Gems are joining our side!"
Pearl could only gape dumbly, and Rose gave a light-hearted laugh. "They're all so wonderful! Oh, you'd love to meet them! The Bismuth brought in pink Rubies, a yellow Jade— and, in a few weeks, Blue will be holding a meeting at the Sky Arena! Bismuth can make us weapons! I've already asked for three swords!"
"Three?" Pearl stared at her.
Rose only laughed. "They're not all for me! She's going to make you a pair!"
Pearl felt light-headed. She was expected to fight for the Earth?
"Do you really think I . . . I'm important enough for that?"
Rose looked scandalised. "Of course! Pearl," she leaned a little closer and lowered her voice. "You're the one that made this all possible. I would never have had the courage to come down here if it weren't for you."
She paused, and then, in a flighty sort of way, she leaned down and pressed her lips against Pearl's own.
Pearl's eyes widened, startled (but pleasantly so), and watched with some niggling regret as Rose pulled away again.
". . . What was that?" Pearl breathed.
"I see humans do it all the time! They're so interesting," Rose smiled, and, quite unexpectedly (which was, ironically, to be expected with Rose) she raised her arms and twirled the smaller Gem.
"Now, come on! Blue and Yellow won't notice. It'll only be for a couple of days. And then, when we finally save the Earth, it'll just be you and me, together."
"Together?" the Pearl echoed, dazed.
"Forever," she promised. Pearl felt the tension in her shoulders loosen.
". . . Alright." She mustered up a brave smile. "Let's go."
A/N
Oh my gosh is that a long chapter I see?