A/N: Oh-ho-ho looks like a second chapter happened! I'm not promising anything though. My muse is a fickle pickle.

Your reviews are deeply appreciated!

Pearl nudges Peridot awake as the bus pulls to a stop. Blinking the bleariness from her eyes, Peridot gazes out the window in wonder. Dark cliffs tower over the campsite, with shapes carved into the sides. She's heard about the many theories of course, ranging from ancient civilization to aliens. Even from this far, she can see the shining lake in the middle of camp. Cabins are arranged around it, and they at least appear fairly well kept. According to the brochure, it's slightly modernized, with electricity and indoor plumbing. On the opposite side of the road, is the forest.

She can see a path leading into the mountains. There are bright yellow signs at the entrance, suggesting it's off limits. She's admittedly intrigued with scientific curiosity. Pearl's hand is still on her shoulder. She's in awe as well.

"Maybe this won't be so bad," Pearl offers. Peridot gives a noncommittal hum. Her opinion won't be swayed yet.

"Okay students," Vidalia announces, "I'll be giving you cabin assignments! There'll be four to a cabin."

There is a collective groan. Peridot brushes off Pearl's hand and squeezes her eyes shut. Please, anyone but Jasper or Aquamarine. Anyone!

Pearl grabs the number cards for them and hands one to Peridot. "Looks like we got the same number."

Peridot's eyes open to see Pearl smiling at her. It makes her stomach do a funny thing. She glances around to notice a lot of people got assigned with the person sitting next to them, except for Ruby and Sapphire, and others who are in obvious romantic relationships. But who are the other two assigned to Facet 2F5L Cabin 5XG?

"Hey Pearrrl."

Amethyst's voice breaks through her musing. "We're cabin buddies!"

Skinny gives them a little wave, their note card in hand.

"Oh, Amethyst. That's uh, fantastic! Just keep your mess to one side, alright?"

"I'll try, but no promises."

Peridot buries her face in her hands. Pearl sighs in sympathy. "Well, it could be worse."

They both glance at Jasper and Aquamarine, who are making disappointed noises they're not in the same cabin. Aquamarine is with Topaz, Lars, and Kiki, while Jasper is with Ruby, Nephrite, and Bismuth. She thanks the universe for not giving Jasper everything she wants. None of the ones she's been assigned with are the kind of people Jasper will have an easy time bossing and pushing around.

Unlike Peridot.

"Yeah, and don't feel bad for Jasper, but I've roomed with Nephrite and Bismuth before, the former yells during sleep, and the latter snores like a chainsaw!"

Pearl giggles. "Not to mention Ruby will probably keep her lamp on all night, writing love letters to Sapphire."

"Oh, that's rich. Jasper needs the darkness to sleep. It's perfect!"

Peridot raises her hand for a high five before she can think twice. Pearl stares at it in surprise for a moment, before her palm slaps Peridot's.

Peridot also fist pumps. She catches Jasper glancing her way. She points and sticks her tongue out. Jasper growls and buries her nose in her phone. Pearl continues smiling in amusement. Peridot only notices she's grinning too when her cheeks start to ache. She clears her throat awkwardly. She's saved by the teacher telling them all to calmly line up and get ready to leave the bus.

They all shamble toward the cabins. A tour guide meets them, a man named Mr. Universe who insists on them calling him Greg. There's a grinning young boy in a pink shirt at his side, adding commentary and jokes. Apparently, they come here every summer to get away from it all. Peridot's eyes search like a hawk for their cabin. She grows confused when she can't seem to find it.

"Do any of you see our cabin?"

"Nope," replies Amethyst, popping the 'p'. She also pops a lollipop in her mouth. She offers them to the others. Skinny takes one, but Pearl and Peridot both decline.

"That's strange. We should have seen it by now."

As the tour comes to a close, everyone heads off to the cabins to get settled in. "Remember," Vidalia informs them, "You're all to come to the mess hall at 3:30!"

Peridot approaches the camp director. "Mr. Uni - I mean Greg. We can't seem to find our cabin."

Greg takes the card and doesn't look any less confused. Steven chimes in, "Oh! That's up the spooky mountain path!"

"The what now?"

Steven points at the path Peridot had noted while still on the bus. He leads them over. Now closer, she can see that they're signs warning to use caution. Her assumption that it was forbidden was incorrect.

"Oh. Great."

"Let's go! Race ya!" No one is able to get in a word as Amethyst takes off, Skinny close behind. Pearl heaves a long-suffering sigh and briefly pinches her nose.

"We're not going to race them, right?"

"Of course not. If she took a moment to listen, I would've told her it's probably dangerous. At least Skinny will be with her, though."

The pair left in the dust cautiously begin to climb the hill. The path is worn, but it obviously hasn't seen much traffic for a while. The plants are starting to grow over it. Dead trees loom overhead, and even though it's still afternoon, Peridot thinks she hears an owl hoot. She jumps, knocking into Pearl, who steadies her.

"Sorry."

"No problem, Peridot."

She blames the shiver going down her spine on the bleak atmosphere. They can't spot Amethyst and Skinny yet, meaning the two have managed to get way, way ahead. She groans as the weight of her bag becomes cumbersome from the long, steep walk. Pearl doesn't seem to have much trouble with hers. She might look frail at first, but it's clear Pearl has some experience with casual physical labor.

Peridot notices an interesting pattern on the cliff. It must be documented. She puts her bag down for a moment to dig out her camera.

"Oh!" Pearl smacks herself in the forehead. "That's what I forgot! A camera."

"Hey, you can use mine anytime you want! I don't mind." Peridot snaps the photo. She gets pictures of an oddly shaped tree and an owl too. She hangs it around her neck and picks up her bag again.

Or rather, she tries. She heaves, but her arms are just done for the day. She wipes the sweat from her forehead. "This is an unfortunate dilemma."

Pearl rearranges her own bag, slipping the straps around her shoulders. Then, she lifts Peridot's bag with one arm. "Come on, we're almost there."

Peridot gapes after her, dazed for a moment. She shakes herself and scrambles to catch up with her shorter legs.

"Wow, thanks. You're strong," Peridot remarks when they reach the cabin door.

"Not really. I'm just trained to withstand a lot of strain and conserve energy."

"Uh -" Trained in what exactly? Calisthenics? She's certainly more than meets the eye.

The door swings open. An unimpressed Amethyst assesses them. "Geez, took you guys long enough. What did you do, stop to play tonsil hockey in the bushes?"

On the bunk above her, Skinny snorts at the jab.

Pearl turns red. It takes a second for her words to dawn on Peridot. She is flustered too and starts to stutter explanations as Amethyst's smile grows.

"Amethyst! Honestly you are so - so crude!" Pearl plops the bags beside the empty bunk beds.

"Whatever. It just means you don't get the better bunk beds ya slowpokes."

"They're exactly the same, Amethyst."

"Says you!" Amethyst rolls onto the bed and buries her face in the pillow. "This is the life. No responsibilities, no homework."

"You know there's going to be activities right? Hikes, clubs, competitions, team building exercises -"

"The Man can't make me do any stupid exercises if I don't want! It's a free country!"

Pearl rolls her eyes. "That's not how it works but... you'll find out, in time."

"Leave me alone and go snuggle with your girlfriend Pearl, gosh. You're such a wet blanket."

"She's not - why - you!" Pearl stomps her foot and gives up. Peridot thinks it's just as well. Amethyst seems quite stubborn.

"Don't mind her," Pearl mutters as she starts to remove items from her bag. "She just teases me a lot. It's how she shows friendly affection."

"I get it. Lapis is always roasting me with her sarcastic quips."

Pearl giggles again. Peridot is growing very fond of the sound.

"You're close?"

"Very, who would've thought? It was rocky at first but we found common grounds. She was disappointed she couldn't come - Lapis love-love-loves the outdoors. Stars know why! So, she wants me to document as much as I can with my camera, journal and -"

Peridot pulls out her recorder and turns it on. "Peridot's log, June 21st, 2:26. We had difficulty finding our cabin, until the fourteen year old son of the camp director, Steven, told us it was up this creepy mountain path! Dead trees, owls, overgrown path, the whole package. I'm sure you would've enjoyed it, Lapis! My cabinmates are Amethyst and Skinny - you probably remember them, the class clowns basically. And then there's Pearl. Even though she looks like she'd fall over like a tender sapling in a brisk wind -"

"Hey!"

"She must be a pro at yoga or something! She carried my bag for me no problem."

Peridot clicks the recording off. She throws a wink and a peace sign to Pearl.