Disclaimer: I don't own Steven Universe!

Title: Restless

Summary: Captain Lars faces his hardest challenge yet; getting re-accustomed to Earth.

Chapter Title: Lovely Talks

...

Subtle Shenanigans- Thank you!

ShinigamiPhantom- You bet she is!

Carbuncle (January 23rd)- I think she is! If Fluorite's friends were threatened, all six of her would be in perfect agreement, and in that moment she's very powerful indeed. She's a gentle, meandering Gem, but she's still strong.

Toni42- =)

...

"Hello, Steven," Padparadscha said suddenly, making the boy jump. "Aren't these odd textured things interesting?"

Steven cleared his throat and picked one up. "They're, uh, they're leaves. They fall off things called trees."

The Sapphire had one between her gloved hands, slowly but surely running her thumbs over it. She frowned. "How unfortunate!"

"Oh, no no no, it's okay!" He flapped his hands as if about to fly away. "They grow back when it gets warmer."

Padparadscha slowly settled, bringing the leaf to her chest. "Oh, thank the stars."

Steven watched the display with a warm smile. He didn't know any of the Off Colors as well as he knew his own Crystal Gems, but they all seemed to be pretty open to trying new things, and he appreciated that. "How're you all settling in?"

"Hmmm?" She turned to look at him, though he couldn't really look back with her bangs. "It's been delightful so far. The Rutiles spend a lot of time at your boardwalk. Rhodonite has a passion for the sands. I think Fluorite may have gotten one of your Earth jobs. The Captain spends most of his time sleeping; I believe he's reluctant to go and speak with his 'parents', whatever those are."

"That sounds like him," Steven agreed, and filed away a reminder to talk to him about it later. "And you?"

"Yes?"

"Well, are you happy here?"

Padparadscha smiled. "This is the most beautiful planet I've ever seen."

"Really?" The boy's eyes widened. "I always thought- well, I mean..." He tried to find the right words. "Pearl always says Homeworld is the prettiest place she's ever been. I just figured..."

She set the leaf down and shook her head. "Oh, I never saw Homeworld."

"You didn't?"

"Not the top part, anyway. I came out of the Kindergarten too early- no one was around. I wandered away before anyone could arrive." Padparadscha seemed disinterested with the information, as if it weren't part of her story. "Rhodonite found me. She's a good friend."

Steven hesitantly reached out to touch her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Paddie."

She tilted her head to the side. "There's nothing to feel sorry for. I'm here now, and it's lovely here."

"I'm glad," he said, heartfelt. "We're all glad."

Padparadscha took longer to answer this time, more so than was usual. Steven thought she might be ruminating on what he'd said. The Sapphire handed him her leaf as if as a prize for his kind words. "I know my time isn't right," she hummed. "I've accepted that. I try to help regardless. And look where I am now? I'm Captain Lars' Technical Adviser!" she said the words with relish. "I get to be a friend, and I get to be here. Isn't that amazing?"

"It is," Steven agreed. "You're amazing, Padparadscha."

She processed the praise, smiling, and handed him another leaf to touch.

Author's Note: A short chapter, but a good one! Padparadscha just wants to help, ya'll. She takes it all in on her own time.

Next time, on Restless (which I AM still considering re-naming): Lars fixes a car.

-Mandaree1