A/N – Hey guys, sorry for the delayed update – I've been pretty busy with college work and my birthday that was last Thursday. Thanks for the great feedback and tips!


Chapter XII

Farmyard Fun

"We have to take a bus?" Said Pearl unenthusiastically.

"Yeah, hehe. Sorry guys, I would drive you there but the van has been off its rockers recently," He scratched the back of his neck nervously, "But hey, public transport isn't that bad."

"I'll be the judge of that." She grumbled, crossing her arms.

"We'll do whatever it takes to make sure Steven has a fun day." Said Garnet, placing a hand on Pearl's shoulder, "I expect you to co-operate."

"Of course!" Pearl huffed, "I just don't like the idea of being in a vehicle driven by some stranger –"

"Yeah yeah P, we get it." Amethyst elbowed her companion hard in the stomach, "Let's just go already, I wanna see some bears or something."

"This is a farm we're going to Amethyst, no bear could be contained by a simple wooden fence." Pearl elbowed her back just as hard.

"Crystal Gems." Garnets voice sounded above them, "Come on, let's go."

X

"Can I sit by the window?" Steven tugged Amethyst's hair a little. He was currently on top of her shoulders whilst they all waited at the bus stop.

"Sure thing little man, it's the best spot to pull faces at people in their cars."

"Cool!" Steven then pointed at the incoming bus.

When it stopped, the four of them piled on a managed to find a set of seats.

"No seatbelts? What sort of deathtrap is this?" Pearl sat next to Garnet. Amethyst and Steven were in the two seats in front of them, with the latter happily pressing his face on the window and straining to look at the scenery passing by.


When they stopped outside "Farmyard Friends Farm", the five year old scrambled out of the bus and ran to the entrance.

"Wait up dude! Pearl's decided to be a slug for the day." Called Amethyst. She looked back only to find Pearl squished between two men standing in the aisle. Laughing, she managed to fish for Pearl's arm and then gave it a pull. The gem stumbled out of the bus and landed on her face.

"Amethyst!" She screeched, wiping the grit from her cheeks.

"What, I helped you didn't I?" The purple gem said innocently.


The first thing to look at were the rabbits and guinea pigs, which were housed in large pens inside a barn. The gems watched contentedly at Steven carefully picking up a fluffy brown rabbit and stroking it fondly.

"It's so cute!" The five year old exclaimed, holding it up to Garnet's face. She placed a hand on the animal's head and gave it a small pat.

"Not as cute as you." She said, and Steven blushed happily.

Meanwhile, Amethyst was busy chasing a guinea pig, and Pearl had taken to holding a large, white fluffy rabbit. Her fingers combed through the long hair, and she chuckled when Amethyst unsuccessfully tried to catch another guinea pig.

"They're just too fast." She huffed, "Maybe I should ambush one of them."

"Maybe you should just sit still, they might come to you then." Said Pearl.

"Who said that patience ever did anything? I prefer my way."

"You're way just causes the animal unnecessary stress, at least try it before you complain." Pearl placed the rabbit back in its pen and then gestured for Amethyst to sit with her. Within a minute, several guinea pigs came up to investigate, sniffing their shoes and nibbling on their clothing.

"Hey, you were right, as usual." Amethyst smirked, and then carefully picked one up. "These things are weird, like pears on legs."

"Yes, Earth's creatures can be quite bizzare." She looked over at Steven, "But some of them aren't so bad."


After looking at the chickens and ducks, as well as the cow and pig barn, the four of them stopped pet some donkeys.

"Look! They've got donkey rides, can I go on one? Pleeaase?" Steven looked up hopefully at them.

"Definitely no-"

"Yes, let's have a look." Garnet cut Pearl off, "It'll be an experience for him."
"An experience? Garnet, they look worse than the bus."
"They've got helmets Pearl, it's not like he's auditioning for a rodeo or something." Said Amethyst.

The man in charge helped Steven onto the donkey before handing him a riding helmet.

"Would your daughter like a turn as well?" He asked, holding one out for Amethyst.

Garnet chuckled, whilst Pearl eyed the man incredulously.

"O-our daughter? –"

"Would love a turn!" Amethyst grabbed the helmet and got on a donkey, sticking her tongue out at Pearl.

"Woop! Steven, let's race!" She tugged at the reins she held, only to be disappointed when the pace stayed the same.

"Sorry, but these guys only go slow for the riders, any faster and we might get sued if someone fell off." Said the man who led the animal.

"Aww, no fun." Amethyst leaned back, and decided to sprawl across the donkey for the rest of the short ride.


To conclude their visit, they all went into the goat pen to feed them. Steven was busy marvelling at one who chomped all the food in his hand. Pearl was behind him, making sure the animal didn't suddenly buck him.

"Did you know that goats produce milk?" Said Pearl, pointing its udders. "They can us this to make cheese."

"Wow, cool! Could we make some right now?" Steven gave the goat another fistful of food.

Pearl chuckled, "Probably not right now, we have to go soon."

"Awwww, okay. But you gotta hug Mr Goat goodbye!" Steven demonstrated and hugged the animal's neck.

Trying not to let her smile waver, Pearl went to hug the goat, only for it to bite her nose.

"Y'owtch! Bad goat, bad goat!" She stomped off to join Amethyst who was standing on the surrounding fence. Steven waggled his finger at the animal, "That wasn't very nice was it?" He scolded, only to give it more food when it nuzzled his hand.

Pearl rubbed her nose of goat slobber as she stood next to Amethyst.

"I could just shapeshift into an animal for Steven." She said as she watched him. "It's be a lot more fun."

"You know we can't use our…abilities in front of him, he isn't ready." Pearl patted her shoulder.

"I don't see why not, what's the worst that could happen?"

"He might question why his gem isn't working, or why we're different from humans. I don't think he would handle the explanation well. He's too young to carry our burden yet, maybe when he is older he'll understand better." Pearl sighed, "It's the only way to let him live as carefree as possible, I don't know what else to do."

"I guess you're right P, we all want what's best for him." Amethyst placed her hand on top of Pearl's. "I think we're doing a good job right now, I mean, just look how happy he is."

They both looked over to see him laughing hysterically at Garnet picking him up and swinging him around, weaving in and out of all the goats that blocked their path to the front exit gate.

"Pearl, Amethyst, a goat just kissed me!" He giggled. "He told me to give it to you Pearl to say sorry for biting your nose!" Garnet lowered him so that he could plant a kiss on Pearl's cheek.

"Is your nose better now?" He asked.

Although initially confused on how germs from a goats kiss could possibly make her nose better, she caught on soon enough and smiled. "It is now, thank you Steven."

"No problem!" He then looked at them imploringly. "Do you think I could have a pet goat?"

"Absolutely not." Said Pearl.

"A donkey?"

"Nah, too boring." Remarked Amethyst.

Before Steven could think of another Garnet said, "Maybe when you're older."

"Awww, how old?"

"A thousand years old." She said with absolute seriousness.

"Okay! That can go on my birthday list for when I'm a thousand!" He gave her a toothy grin, "You guys can be the first to pet it!"

They all laughed when Pearl grumbled, "I can't wait."