The next few weeks Jasper tried her best to get adjusted to her new home. The only thing she couldn't get use to was the weird human hybrid, Nephele. She constantly stared at her when she wasn't looking trying to figure out what or who she was. Even though Steven had explained she had belonged to White Diamond, she didn't quite get it.
Nephele talked about being on a ship with White Diamond and traveling through space while Pearl and Steven listened to her. Jasper wondered why a Diamond of all the gems would have a need for an immortal human being. The other thing that was unusual was the fusion called Garnet had remained separated for a while and they had not tried fusing back. Everyone seemed under stress.
"What are you thinking about?"
Jasper jumped. She had been sitting by the washer and dryer listening to it. It sounded soothing.
"Waiting for... laundry?"
Nephele smiled and sat down beside of her.
"So... you like staring at people huh?"
Jasper's face turned bright red.
"This planet is strange."
Nephele laughed.
"You know... I would have to agree with you on some of it. I watched the way everything changed here and it was... Interesting. Even though I missed Earth... I was ready to go to White Diamond."
The quartz soldier nodded in agreement.
"How do you feel about your Diamond being alive?"
"I don't understand why she did everything she did. My feelings are mixed."
"Pearl seemed to understand you."
"Yes. I can imagine it being harder for her."
Jasper turned to her to say something but Steven warped up to check the washer and dryer. She bit her lip and looked away. Nephele smiled and waited patiently until Steven decided to sit between them. Jasper became flustered and gripped her knees tightly like she was trying to control herself.
"My-... um... Steven?"
Steven looked up at the giant quartz who's face was a dark red color.
"Yes?"
"Can um... you go. I am talking to Eritque Arcus."
"Oh! I'm sorry!" Steven said getting up.
"It's ok Steven. You didn't know."
Steven warped back to the beach house.
X
It took Jasper another hour before she managed to get the courage to say something. Nephele waited patiently while she struggled to get out what she wanted. For a short while she babbled on about meaningless things until Nephele put a finger on her lips making her quiet.
"Calm down. I am not upset or anything. Ask what you want."
"Can you... Can you help me with something?"
"Sure, anything you need."
Soon they were on the porch looking in at Pearl. Jasper's sudden confession to liking the thin gem surprised her. Amethyst had mentioned that and quoted, "She was thirsty for Rose." Nephele didn't say anything to Jasper because she didn't want to discourage her. They watched for a little while until Sapphire and Ruby caught them.
"What are you doing?" Ruby asked.
"Looking at Pearl."
Jasper stared at them.
"Can't you two fuse already? It makes me feel pathetic when I look at you."
Nephele looked mildly surprised like Ruby. From what Steven had told her, she didn't like fusion until she had gotten stuck with Lapis for months underwater. The way he made it sound was that Jasper thirsted for power and apparently Lapis was full of it. She wondered if Jasper knew Pearl wasn't a powerhouse like the ocean gem flying through space.
"We aren't ready yet."
Jasper rolled her eyes, "All because your leader was actually Pink Diamond? It's a lot to take in but you don't see anyone else making a big deal about it. Beside, Steven misses Garnet. You're hurting my Diamond with your pettiness."
Sapphire and Ruby looked at each. It was true though.
"You don't understand-
"Peridot explained everything to me. I watched all of Camp Pining Hearts. Pierre and Percy belong together."
Sapphire blushed.
"I will if you want too," Ruby said with a smile on her face.
Sapphire nodded in response and held out her hand. Ruby pulled her in for a hug and they were shrouded in white light. Nephele had never seen anyone else fuse before but it was quite interesting. Garnet looked down at them with her three eyes smiling.
"GARNET!"
Steven slammed the screen door and jumped into her arms.
"I missed you!"
Jasper smiled and looked away from the scene. She didn't want to be caught staring.
"I have so much to tell you!" he cried as she carried him into the house.
"So how do you want to tell her?"
"I don't know. How do you go around confessing to someone?"
Nephele shrugged, "For me it kind of just happened."
"How does something just happen?!" I don't understand how this works!"
"Do you know how to dance?" Nephele asked.
"I'm not asking her to fuse with me."
Nephele made a face, "Causal dancing. Not a fusion dance."
"I don't understand. There is more than one dance?"
"I keep forgetting you haven't been on Earth that long. It takes me a little bit. Come on! I'll show you!"
X
X
"Hm? Nephele didn't show up. It is dinner time and she does enjoy eating."
"She ran off with Jasper. They were hanging out a lot today."
The screen door creaked up revealing Jasper. She looked very nervous. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she was wearing a tux. It was burnt orange and black. Everyone couldn't help but stare at her because it was so strange seeing her in human clothing.
"Go!" Nephele hissed.
She pushed Jasper forward and Jasper stumbled up in front of Pearl who looked extremely confused. The quartz pulled out a small bouquet of orange and pink flowers handing them to her. Garnet held onto Amethyst as she tried to jump up and down. Steven looked confused then he realized Jasper liked Pearl.
"Um... Pearl."
"Yes?"
Jasper dropped down to one knee and held the flowers up to her.
"Will you go out with me?"
Amethyst screamed loudly in excitement. Steven covered her mouth quickly.
"Really?"
Jasper hung her head trying to hide her burning red face.
Nephele popped out and gave Pearl a thumbs up and a nod.
"I would love too."
Jasper looked up at her with a stunned look on her face.
"R-really?"
"Yes! Um, where did you want to go?"
"Well, you don't liking eating, so a dance at the beach? I have been told by Steven you dance beautifully."
Pearl's cheeks turned a light blue.
"Um, thank you. You want to leave now?"
Jasper nodded.
The two of them left together leaving everyone in the house speechless. Nephele turned around and smiled at her brand new friends.
"Can we stay up and wait for them?!" Amethyst asked, "I haven't seen Pearl like that since Rose was here."
"What made Jasper like Pearl though?" Steven asked.
"A mutual missing of someone."
Nephele sat down at the table grabbing a plate of food.
"We should eat while we wait," she said.
I had not originally intended for Jasper and Pearl end up together. The night Pearl released Jasper and they ended up falling asleep on the couch... What could be more perfect?