First, disclaimers are in the first two and sixteenth chapters. :)
Next, I'm so sorry about taking so long with this chapter. Thank you for being so patient, and thank you to all my followers who reviewed even the mini-chapters. As promised, here's a longer chapter!
After their talk, Pearl led them back to the market. Garnet glanced at the pale hand nestled in the crook of her elbow. Her gaze lifted until she could see Pearl's excited expression. She followed her to another booth selling toys. While this is their chance to relax and explore a new area, it was clear that Pearl missed Amethyst. It came as no surprise to her that her companion would want to bring her little admirer a few souvenirs back from their trip. Garnet picked up a doll, holding it up for Pearl to see. She shook her head.
Pearl didn't see anything that aught her interest or even remotely said Amethyst. She shrugged, figuring she'd find the purple gem a gift later. The collection of puppets, carved wooden animals, and kites all seemed like they would be less well received than Pearl hoped. Garnet looked around, noticing some wooden versions of weapons. She leaned down to mention it to Pearl who was inspecting a little wooden horse. Her reaction was what the fusion had hoped. The pale gem went over to the array of toy swords and staves, her fingers flittering critiques and approvals before she realized what her hands were doing and calming them.
If Amethyst summoned her weapon for the first time and it matched what Pearl and Garnet knew, the usual toys wouldn't do. Ever the strategist, she picked out a small round object. It had two thick wooden discs connected in the center by a rod, which had string wound around it to fill the space between the discs. At the end, the string tied into a loop large enough to fit a finger. The loop's knot slid to adjust size. Pearl turned to ask what it was, and hesitated when she realized she couldn't hold the toy and talk using her hands at the same time.
"Excuse me. What is this one called?" The woman minding the cart looked at the pair in surprise, then at Garnet who'd spoken to her in near fluent Chinese. She then looked at the object held in Pearl's outstretched hand, before lifting her gaze to the shorter woman's face. Curiosity, pride, and happiness clearly displayed on her face, Pearl seemed much more approachable than Garnet. The woman smiled, she'd seen that look before on mothers and older siblings who found just the right gift.
"It's an 'empty bell'. You slip your finger in the loop, and let gravity pull the spool down. When it does, you snap your wrist just a little bit to bring the spool back to you." She explained. Pearl bounced, twisting to hug Garnet. Then she looked back to the lady, a question filling her expression. "It costs twelve coppers, miss. You two must be very close friends to be so affectionate," she said as Garnet handed her the currency to pay for the toy. Her tone held no animosity, so Garnet nodded.
"Yes, we're very close." She replied, watching her mate's blush. Pearl readjusted her hold on the toy, pressing it against her palm with her thumb. She interlocked her fingers, palms to her, and made a small circling motion. The woman blinked, realizing the shorter customer was mute. That certainly explained why her friend spoke instead.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize, miss." By the confused look on her face, she figured Pearl didn't understand, whether it was the translation or the meaning. "How long will you two be visiting China?" Pearl and Garnet looked at each other, coming to an unspoken agreement.
"We're not sure yet." Garnet answered. She adjusted her shades.
"If you need a place to stay, try the inn just outside of town. It's not fancy, but you'll have clean lodging and warm food for a decent enough price." The woman said, smiling at Pearl. "Good luck on your travels." Pearl bowed again with Garnet acting along beside her. They moved on, Pearl holding onto the wooden toy with barely contained joy of finding an amazing gift for her little shadow.
It wasn't until the marketplace began packing up its many stalls that the couple began making their way further into town in the direction the woman selling toys had mentioned. Shortly along the way, Pearl noticed a cart selling a type of liquid food. It smelled enticing, drawing her nearer. She didn't like food as a general rule, didn't like the way she had to chew it into mush, or the way the mush felt going through her physical form. This food seemed different. Mostly liquid with small cut plants in it, it resembled stew with less meat and vegetables. She heard the vendor asking if she'd like some, but didn't answer.
Garnet held up a finger, and the vendor went about getting a bowl for them. She'd seen enough to know Pearl would enjoy the taste. She hoped this would be the future that her mate enjoyed it more than she disliked the feeling of eating. The person handed the bowl to her after she paid, and she guided Pearl off to the side. Steam wafted off the hot soup in wispy tendrils. Pearl looked hesitant standing there worrying her lip before she cautiously took the offering from Garnet. Raising it to her lips she sipped the broth, surprised how rich it tasted despite its simple ingredients. She swallowed, and brought the bowl back up for more.
Remembering Garnet was with her, Pearl blushed holding the bowl out for her. The taller Gem laughed, pressing a kiss to Pearl's gem as she accepted the bowl. "Glad you like it, love. Is it good?" The white gem nodded eagerly, looking up at her with shining eyes. She was right, it tasted good. Pearl smiled, pleased at finding something they both like. Her gem glowed brightly for moment, and she covered it quickly, blue dusting her cheeks. Garnet tapped her shoulder. When crystal blue orbs were focused on her, the hot pink Gem raised her hand to her mouth, and lowered it. 'Thank you.'