Blue Pearl leaned her shoulder into Zircon's shoulder blades, providing the impetus for Zircon's movement. If Pearl did not shove against her constantly, Zircon would not have been able to move- she left the chamber in a state of shock. Pearl herded Blue Zircon into the center, then came around to her frontside, and awaited her return to reality.
It was not long in coming. Blue Zircon swallowed, then said to Blue Pearl, voice cracking, "Why do I have to defend the Diamond Killer? What did I do to deserve this? Why did you give me an unsolvable puzzle? Is there any chance you would explain to me, WHAT just happened in there?!" It didn't cross her mind that she was being unacceptably rude to the Pearl of a Diamond.
It wasn't as if Blue Pearl actually cared, though. More important matters were at hand. "I certainly can," she said.
"What?" asked Blue Zircon, stunned. Blue Pearl did not have a reputation for being chatty like Yellow Diamond's did, yet here she was, talking extensively throughout the entire trial and aftermath. Speaking of the ruthless, logical, Yellow Diamond, how would she react if she heard of this…?
"First I will explain the puzzle," said Blue Pearl. "My Diamond is in possession of Pink Diamond's Zoo, and human artifacts. She came across an interesting idea in human fiction-an unsolvable test used to screen young cadets. My Diamond was inspired, and with the encouragement of Yellow Diamond, created the board you saw. She gave it each of the Gems in this room." Blue Pearl tilted her head. "…You might think this used time better spent in other ways. Indeed, a certain Pearl might agree with you. But it has cheered up my Diamond, given her something to focus on, so it was worth it. Now, for the more important part."
Blue Pearl stopped to clear her throat. Zircon thought, "She must not be used to speaking so much."
After a moment, Pearl proceeded to explain in a speech that came out fluidly and without pause. "My Diamond has suspicions about this seemingly sharp-faceted case, but does not know if these are founded in logic, or her own grief. She does not wish to cause undue trouble to her sisters by appointing a difficult defense, nor does she desire to condone the shattering of Pink Diamond. So My Diamond has vacillated between appointing the best of her retinue, and just leaving the appointment alone, to let her suspicions go. She has decided to balance between the two extremes."
Blue Zircon placed a hand on her drenched forehead. "W-what? But why me? I'm not the best!"
Blue Pearl expanded. "No you are not. Indeed, My Diamond considered Béhierite for the longest. Your skills are not too far below Béhierite's. Therefore, in step with her fuzzy suspicions, she as appointed you. Someone whose skills are sufficient to handle a sudden twist in difficulty and who has been placed into danger before; the case does not warrant the best of the best."
Silence reigned in the hall for a moment. Then Pearl said, almost as afterthought, "And this case may become very dangerous. Should something unfortunate happen, the loss of Béhierite would be felt more than the loss of yourself."
It clicked. Blue Zircon said, "So I'm just…expendable?"
Blue Pearl fixed Zircon with a look from under her hair. "No Gem is expendable. You should have more self-worth!" Zircon flinched.
Blue Pearl folded her arms, and gracefully swept around, presumably to rejoin her Diamond. She paused halfway there, tilting her chin skywards, wondering if she should offer some form of comfort. "As I have said, you are a balance between doing nothing and going all-out. Please, do your best, but do not disappoint My Diamond."
Right before the door shut, she added: "The court coordinator will hand you the details."