Peridot sits in the holding room, rhythmically banging the back of her head against the wall. Where was Pearl? She's been visiting her every day, but it seems she's late this time. The door to the room activates at that moment and Peridot sits up straighter, watching it hopefully. Pearl walks in holding a screwdriver, and at the sight of it the green gem at once begins to feel uneasy.
"Good morning, Peridot." She sing songs, twirling the screwdriver in her hand. Peridot takes a gulp of air, eyes fixed on the tool.
"What's so good about it?" The homeworld gem asks genuinely, crossing her legs to a more comfortable position. Pearl makes surprised eye contact with the other gem before laughing.
"It's an expression, Peridot." She says between laughs, crouching down in front of her. Peridot shrinks against the wall, nervously biting her lip.
"So… What did you bring that for?" The green gem asks, her voice a little unsteady. Pearl follows her gaze to the screwdriver in her hand and smiles understandingly.
"I thought you would like it if I finished fixing your wires. I've noticed you have trouble moving some of your fingers, and your legs are still pretty shakey-"
"No, don't. I'm fine." Peridot interrupts, looking away. Pearl blinks and furrows her brow in confusion. Didn't she want to be fixed?
"It's really no trouble; I don't mind. In fact, I enjoy doing these types of things." The white gem insists, leaning forward in an attempt to catch the technician's eye. Peridot groans and covers her face with shackled arms.
"You really don't have any idea, do you?"
Pearl frowns, looking even more confused. She's about to go on to ask what the green gem meant, but stops as Peridot drops her arms with an exasperated sigh.
"Alright, fine. Just… Make it quick. Please."
Pearl searches her eyes and nods with a small smile, setting the screwdriver on the ground. She reaches forward and gently brushes her hand along Peridot's metal arm, passing the control panel cover and stopping at the shackle.
"I'm going to have to take the shackle off while I work so it doesn't get in the way." The white gem explains, her gem flashing as she pulls a small grey key from it with her other hand. She unlocks the shackle, letting it fall to the floor with a rattle of chains. Peridot watches her with wide eyes- - everything the white gem did was so graceful, even something as simple as unlocking an iron restraint. Pearl notices her stare and narrows her eyes.
"I'm trusting you, Peridot. I know your other arm's still shackled, but I'm trusting you not to try to shoot me with this one." She taps the technician's freed arm with a finger, eyes serious. The homeworld gem nods, completely transfixed.
Pearl glides her hand over Peridot's arm again, stopping at the control panel cover. She looks up at the green gem.
"Um, could you please open it? I had to be pretty violent to get it open last time, and I don't want to hurt you."
Peridot's face flushes and she nods shakily. Her gem glows briefly as she allows the cover to unlock and swing open. She looks away.
"I don't know how you expect to be able to fix my wiring with that metal human stick. It doesn't make any sense." The homeworld gem protests, refusing to look forward. Pearl looks up from examining the panel and holds herself back from laughing at Peridot's flushed face.
"Oh, don't you worry. I've made some simple modifications on this tool to fit my every need." She demonstrates by pressing a small button on the side of it, which causes the screwdriver head to retract and be switched out by a pair of wire cutters. She presses it again and the wire cutters are switched out by a small blow torch. Peridot moves her gaze to watch the tool, mouth open.
"I'm impressed." She breathes, a dark green blush painting her cheeks. She quickly looks away again as Pearl snaps the tool back to the screwdriver head and turns her attention to her control panel. Her blush darkens as she feels Pearl carefully brush the screwdriver head over some of her already connected wires, causing a shiver to pass through her. She lets her head drop back against the wall, gritting her teeth. Why couldn't she just be unconscious for this? She feels Pearl freeze and sees her look up at her out of the corner of her eye.
"Are you okay?" She asks with a worried voice. Peridot swallows dryly, trying to compose herself.
"Don't worry about it." She manages to choke out, refusing to look at the other. The white gem shrugs and continues going through her control panel, completely oblivious. Peridot feels a spark rip through her as Pearl reconnects one of the wires controlling her fingers, and she's unable to stop herself from crying out. Pearl tenses and leans forward, gently placing one hand behind Peridot's neck and the other over her mouth, shushing her.
"Shhh, sh sh sh. Peridot. The others will hear you. …And I'm not exactly supposed to be in here with you, let alone fixing you." The white gem explains with a desperate tone, wide eyes searching Peridot's. The homeworld gem manages a small nod and Pearl removes her hands, going back to the control panel. Peridot bites her lip to stifle her yelling as the white gem continues to reconnect the rest of the wires. It seems like years before Pearl finally sits back with a proud smile, placing her hands on her hips.
"There. Now try moving them."
Peridot sits more forward and raises her arm in front of her face. She tests her floating fingers, bending and stretching each one. Her eyes light up as she realizes she has full control of them without any pain.
"In the name of Diamond! Pearl!" The homeworld gem turns her gaze to the crystal gem and grins. "You've done it! Thank you!"
Pearl can't believe her eyes. Peridot was smiling at her and thanking her. Peridot! This was the first time Pearl had ever seen her smile genuinely without any sarcasm or malice. It was brilliant- - she looked so sweet, almost even innocent. The white gem can't help the blue blush that dusts her cheeks.
"Oh… You're welcome." Pearl responds, her eyes dreamy.
"Could I try separating them into cannon mode?" The homeworld gem asks with a hopeful look. There's a pause before she adds "I won't shoot you, I promise," with a playful glint in her eyes. Pearl considers the question before nodding.
"I suppose so… Just be careful. I'm not sure how correctly I reconnected you."
Peridot stretches her arm in front of her. There's a click as her fingers separate, leaving one in the center.
"It works!" She cheers, smiling at Pearl. Pearl tilts her head and is about to smile back when the door to the holding room activates. It opens to reveal Garnet and Amethyst, whose jaws drop and eyes widen at the sight of Peridot pointing her arm cannon at Pearl.
"Peridot!" Garnet yells with a voice full of rage. She summons one of her fists and charges at Peridot, pulling her arm back for a punch aimed directly at her gem.