Dinners can be incredibly awkward.

This is why so many folks watch tv while eating together.

THIS dinner-however, was the epitome of awkwardness.

Yellow Pearl was still in her "Crying Breakfast Friends" printed blanket. At this point she had been given food, a fork, and a plate- but was having the most difficult time eating anything through the embarrassment of her appearance.

The renegade Pearl wasn't eating anything either. She was giving her yellow counterpart a nasty glare-possibly due to the mess in the kitchen.

Gamma, on the other hand WAS eating, but as SLOWLY as humanly possible. He really did want to focus on how this new cuisine tasted, but it was incredibly difficult with the awkward silence in the room. He thought if he said nothing, and just kept eating no one would bother him.

Toaster seemed oblivious, if not slightly confused. She had picked up a hot dog and bun, and was attempting to eat the strange item like someone would do to a corn on the cob.

In addition, Amethyst didn't seem to notice anything- either that, or she was distracting herself by snarfing all items in her radius that were edible.

Steven saw Garnet with her arms crossed. He wasn't sure if she was upset, or waiting for something important to happen. The small half-human decided to break the silence. "Um...Pearl?"

"Yes?"

To the boy's surprise, both Pearls in the room answered at the same time. "Oh...uh...sorry...the-erm Crystal Gem Pearl? Would you mind passing the salad?"

"Certainly Steven!" Pearl abliged, before staring daggers at her counterpart again.

The opportunity Garnet had been waiting for had finally showed itself. The fusion began to inquire: "Hmm. This won't do at all. Pearl- or-rather- Yellow Pearl, have you ever considered choosing a nickname like the rest of your crew?"

"NO! Of course not! Why should I?! I AM a Yellow Pearl after all! It would be atrocious to call me by any other name! I am not ashamed of my Gem type!"

"l understand that. But it would make things much easier if you were to give yourself a new nickname. As you just witnessed, being called "Pearl" is confusing to humans. Having such similar names can cause problems in conversation.

"Than make your clody renegade change HER name!"

Pearl interrupted: "I will do NO such thing! I have lived on this planet far longer than you, I currently have the seniority in this case- plus Steven already knows me by that name!"

"So- you refuse to re-nickname yourself, just because a bunch of idiotic primates and some freakish hybrid will become a bit...inconvenienced?!"

At this comment, Steven's head dropped in shame. It was clear calling him such horrific nicknames was not boosting his esteem.

Garnet unconsciously gritted her teeth. This new visitor was out of line. How dare she use such slurs against her friends and family?! The fusion decided to put her foot down. "If you do NOT choose a nickname yourself, WE will choose one FOR you."

"Oh! Oh!" Amethyst raised her hand enthusiastically spitting food slightly through her full face. "-how about "Loud Mouth"?"

To the absolute horror of Yellow Pearl's remaining dignity, a conversation started!

"Yellow?"

"Lemon!"

"I think "Ignoramus" would suit her just fine."

"Fred 2!"

"She kind of looks like an Onion...no...wait...we already know someone named Onion..."

Yellow Pearl could not believe this conversation was even going on! They- they were forcing an idiotic brand name upon her- not unlike one would give a pet or a space ship!

"Oh! I know!" Steven piped up. "Gamma said that you can sing people to sleep- right?"

"What of it, defective hybrid?"

"It's Steven- but, what if you had a nickname that was MUSIC oriented!? That would make sense...right?"

"I suppose..."

"Here! I'll look up some terms online...let's see here..." The boy proceeded to take out his phone, and begin to do a basic search. "Trebble...Melody is kind of pretty...OH! How about this one?!" The boy squirmed with excitement. "A capella! It's when a singer is not accompanied by instruments during a song...kinda like a solo, I guess? It says here that people usually say it as two words, but I think it would sound kind of neat if you stuck them together...like "Acapella!"

As much as the Yellow Pearl hated to admit it, she did enjoy the fact that the name was a play on words, as well as having a double meaning that hilighted one of her best talents. It was certainly a better choice than "Fred 2"...The Gem seemed hesitant for a few seconds, before responding: "Acapella...it's...decent." Yellow Pearl huffed, and looked away from Steven in defiance.

"HA! That means she likes it!" Gamma laughed. "I said the same exact thing the first time I tried her cooking!" The Keronian smiled at the newly named Acapella.

The Pearl blushed a horrific shade of dark yellow, and proceeded to sink further into the "Crying Breakfast Friends" blanket.

Garnet smirked, quite pleased with the outcome. They had reached a compromise with surprisingly little strife. The Fusion decided the conversation should shift gears. Garnet turned to the frog. "So, Gamma. Tell us about your new home."

Surprised by this sudden inquiry, the Keronian gulped down whatever he had been chewing on. "Well...it has a LOT of white carpet...3 bedrooms...all upstairs...two bathrooms. One on the first floor, and one on the second." The frog nodded. "It's a nifty little nook, but is lacking in substance. There are no beds, decorations, or furniture...but the flora around the place is pleantyful. OH! It also came with a "microwave", Pekoponian oven...I think...and an evil box!"

"Evil box?" The description piqued Amethyst's interests.

"Yes. Yes. We have put the "evil box" in one of the closets. It's very loud, makes the house shake, and sends an electric shock to anyone that comes close to it!"

"-It's scary!" Toaster added her quip before going back to eating.

"What an...odd thing to come with a household!" Pearl seemed intrigued...wondering what sort of electronic device the Keronian could be describing. Perhaps it was a stereo system?

"Well, if you guys wish us to donate the "evil box" to your...erm-temple home? You are welcome to take that horrific thing off of our hands." Acapella nodded in agreement.

"I...don't think that will be nessesary. I just want to see what it is first!" Pearl attempted a smile equipped with a nod. "I think it would be most beneficial to start teaching all of you right away!"

"Teaching? From YOU?!" It was obvious that Acapella did not think this other Pearl was up to the task.

"Yes, from ME." Pearl stood up with her hands on her hips. "I taught Steven how to read, so I can CERTAINLY TRY to teach YOU. Steven seems much more...intelligent...but, what can I say? I like a good challenge!" Pearl smirked at the Yellow Pearl's insaulted face.

Steven blushed terribly at the flattering compliment.

"We start first thing tomorrow! Oh how exciting! I haven't taught human linguistics to a Homeworld Gem in eons...let alone a Keronian! This should be fascinating for everyone!" The Pearl seemed...giddy.

Garnet was appreciative of her fellow Gem's enthusiasm, but decided to politely interrupt: "Pearl, perhaps we should get them some decent food and furniture FIRST...BEFORE diving into spelling and grammar?"

"-Oh! Oh...yes! Yes of course!" The Pearl blushed suddenly. "The Keronian, at least, does need a bed and some decent nutrition..."

"I wanna bed too!" Toaster raised her hand eagerly! "-with lots o' pillows, and soft stuff!" If Gamma was going to get a bed, Toaster certainly wanted one as well! It was only fair...after all...

At the little Ruby's quip, the room lit up with enthusiasm!

Tomorrow would be a busy day for sure...

A special thanks goes out to Fanfic-Rick42 for the suggestion on Yellow Pearl's name! Thanks again!