Steven Universe Fanfiction
My Pearl
Chapter 1: As The Days Go By
"Hello and welcome to Beach City! I'm Mayor Dewey, mayor of this fine ocean-side slice of paradise. I just know that you will be a fine addition to this town and will bring your own unique spice of uniqueness to this unique town," said Mayor Dewey.
"Erm…thank you, Mayor Dewey. We are glad to be here I'm sure," replied Edward uneasily.
The two stood before the cube-like building, Mayor Dewey's hands clasped around Edward's in a hardy handshake. Perhaps too much enthusiasm, in Edward's opinion, but an appreciated gesture since he did not expect the Mayor to welcome him and Patricia personally.
"Now, I understand that you and your wife are thinking of opening a tea shop?"
"Yes, Mayor. We thought it might be a good opportunity since there wasn't one in town and, well, the wife and I appreciate tea and thought it would be good to share it with others."
"A wonderful idea!"
"Darling, who're you talking to?" Patricia asks, her voice drifting down from the open window of their room.
"Oh, Mayor Dewey came by to welcome us to Beach City. Come on down and say hello."
"Coming!"
The two men wait but a few moments before hearing the glass doors whisper open. Mayor Dewey's posture becomes even straighter and more upright as he turns to slogan Patricia.
"Hello and wel-…," he begins before his brain comes to a halt, freezing everything else that would've come after as his mouth gapes mid-word.
"Hello to you too, Mayor Dewey. Thank you for taking the time to welcome my husband and I to our establishment and home. Won't you come in for some tea?" Patricia asks with a curtsy.
An awkward silence follows as the Mayor's brain hasn't quite started back up again, worrying the couple.
"Is…he alright?"
Edward doesn't answer; only produces a paper bag from somewhere and begins to puff into it. Sealing the opening, he then resolutely makes a BOOM out of it, shocking the Mayor back into reality.
"Huh, wha?"
"We lost you for a second there, Mayor Dewey. Are you alright?" Edward asks, steel ringing in his tone. The poor man begins to sweat profusely.
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't realize this beautiful woman was your wife!" he recovers, "You are a lucky man, Mr. Feng."
While the mayor has gone into campaign mode, there is a definite wetness in his eyes trembling to get out.
"Oh, stop it," Patricia rejoins playfully, "I'm sure a handsome man such as yourself says that all the time to women he meets."
"Patricia, my dear, your beauty has already shell-shocked him. Don't spoil him with flatteries," Edward teases, his eyes never leaving the mayor.
"Wait, Patricia?" Mayor Dewey asks.
"Yes…my name is Patricia," she says.
"Oh. Oh! I am so sorry. You see, you reminded me of this other woman and I thought…" the Mayor begins to say.
"And this woman is the one that has captured your heart," Patricia gently interjects. "Well, when you ask this woman out, I insist that you have your first date here where my husband and I can make sure it all goes off without a hitch. Oh, it'll be so romantic."
"Honey, you're doing it again."
"Doing what?"
"That thing you do."
"I am doing no such thing; I am merely expounding on a quality of our establishment that goes beyond the appreciation and consumption of tea," Patricia replies.
The couple continue their light argument before the mayor coughs awkwardly.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Mayor Dewey, we didn't mean to keep you. If you'd like, we could make you some tea to take with you?" Patricia offers.
"Oh no no no, it's quite alright. Seeing a happy couple such as yourselves all settled in and happy is but one of my many duties as mayor to ensure the happiness and comfort of all Beach City's citizens. I just might take you up on your generous offer on taking my first date here though, to be sure," Mayor Dewey says, a starry gleam in his eyes. "With that said, I really must be going though. Thank you and once again, welcome to Beach City!"
As the mayor's campaign van disappears around the corner of Waterman and Chestnut with its siren slogan blaring, the couple watching.
"That…is a man that tries too hard," Edward says. Patricia only swats at his arm, eliciting a faux cry of pain.
"Staring at the doors isn't going to convince people to come in, dear."
"Or will it?"
"No, it won't."
Edward's shoulders slump down with a heavy sigh.
"You worry too much. It is only the first day of opening after all," Patricia consoles.
The establishment has transformed from emptiness to a melding of two old cultures. From the entryway, two suits of armor from the East and West greet potential customers in silent vigil; the main room is filled with tables and dining chairs made of simple but hardy red oak; the chairs have a bit more flair as the space in the back rest shape a heart. The walls are adorned with art scrolls of landscapes and portraits. Speakers from corners in the ceiling play Pachelbel's Canon in D.
"Perhaps my plan was too hopeful…to provide a place of peace for everyone to enjoy; the kids and/or teenagers would come in and hang out whenever while the adults would come in after work to relax. So far, the only one to come in was the Mayor's son asking for a caprese salad of all things…would that appeal to people? Light food items? Should we stock fruits?"
"Dear, you're doing that thing you do."
"Eh?"
"Overthinking."
"Ah."
"I'll admit that maybe we'd have more customers if we had chosen that other building behind the Visitor Center but like you said, you want to provide an area where people can relax in relative peace. The boardwalk is much too crowded and active for such a thing while on this side of the beach, it's perfect," Patricia says, her hands reaching up to brush off imaginary dust from the shoulder of Edward's ash-gray brocade changshan; the embroidery of phoenixes flying amongst the heavenly garden shine softly and seemingly trilling under her touch.
There's a ringing tone as the doors open; an old diminutive, bespectacled woman walks in with a younger woman. With a loving pat from his wife as she moves towards the kitchen, Edward approaches the maybe-customers with a smile.
"Hello and welcome to Tea Dreams, table for two?"
"Oh yes, please. I was quite curious about this shop and thought my granddaughter and I should pay a little visit," the old woman hunches over in playful conspiracy, "you see, she works too hard, I think, and could use a break."
"Gunga, you're exaggerating."
"You see what I mean?"
"Then you and your granddaughter have come to the right place," Edward chuckles, "Allow me to lead you to the patio. Some tea and the gentle sea breeze should do just the trick."
Leading them towards the side glass door, they make their way down the short walkway to the patio. The tables out here are considerably larger than the ones inside with their wrought-iron frames and reinforced glass tops. In the centers of these tables stand giant parasols for those unbearably hot summer days or the odd rainy day.
"Would you care for the parasol to be opened or closed, miss?" Edward asks.
"Oh, um, closed, please. It is a nice day out and the sun does feel nice after being inside all day."
"As you wish," Edward replies as he moves to help them to their seats, gently pulling it back and then pushing forward as they sit comfortably. He then places menus in front of them; a single page of simple print.
"Oh wow, I don't know where to start," the young woman says, her eyes roving over the various names of the teas, "I don't suppose you can recommend something, do you?"
"One can never go wrong with Jasmine tea but I find myself thinking that adventure is to be had in all forms of life so before I say anything else, would you prefer something light or something strong?"
"Oh, I'll definitely go for something strong, have to get back to work after this even if it is an extended break courtesy of my grandma," the younger one replies, said grandmother cackling jovially.
"I recommend the rooibos tea then. As a black tea, it has a strong taste and a natural caffeine content to keep you going for the day."
"Sounds good."
"Alright, and for the grandmother?"
"I will have the same. Oh, I would also like some milk and sugar if you don't mind."
"Not at all. I'll be sure to bring them out when the tea is ready," Edward says. With a bow, he then moves back towards the kitchen.
"He's a cute one, Kiki. Ask for his phone number!"
"Gunga!"
Edward only chuckles as he enters the kitchen to find Patricia has already prepared a kettle on one of the stoves, the flame set to medium, and a teapot to the side.
"Enjoying yourself, dear?" Patricia asks, as she briefly fills the pot with the warm water from the kettle, her hands then flash towards a cabinet revealing it to be filled with tins of various teas. Grabbing the tin of rooibos tea, she then opens a drawer filled with various small tools; one she picks out is a tea strainer shaped like a little ball on a small chain with a loop on the end. She undoes the clasp, splitting the ball and gently coaxes the right amount inside, reapplies the clasps and sets it aside.
"Well, we do have our very first customers so yes, I dare say I am, and a saucy lady she is at that," Edward chuckles, moving towards the refrigerator to taking out the milk. Opening a cabinet, he takes out a creamer and a small bowl and carefully pours the milk in creamer. Satisfied, he reseals it and returns it to the fridge.
Opening a long drawer near the ground reveals it to be filled with very plain trays of white plastic with the edges lined in blue; not as classy perhaps but very cheap and affordable. One creamer of milk, one bowl, two saucers and tea cups…
"Feels like I'm missing something…other than the tea."
"Sugar, dear."
Edward lands a quick peck on Patricia's lips as he moves towards the pantry, removing a box of sugar cubes that is carefully poured into the bowl.
Meanwhile, the kettle whistles that the water has reached a boil. She turns the flame off, the sharp sound coming to a halt. Palming the bottom of the tea pot and feeling it is still warm, she dumps the water before placing the strainer inside and pouring the hot water from the kettle. The steam and robust scent of the tea plumes out before she places the lid of the pot back, looping the chain on the knob of the lid and leaving the tea to steep.
"There, everything's set."
"I'll go back and check on our esteemed guests." Edward says, opening the door.
Just as he opened the door to the main room, the ringing tone sounded again.
"Hello, welcome to Tea Dreams, table for…?" Edward says before coming to a pause.
A chubby boy wearing a white sweater and red footie pants had walked in alone, wide unblinking eyes just looking around the room before coming to a stop to something displayed on the wall above the cash register: a battle axe with a crescent head and a sharp point opposite of the blade, its haft a dark black material. Embedded in the juncture where axe blade and point came together, a Cat's Eye gemstone lay shining.
"Where are your parents? Do you need help finding them?"
The boy's eyes sweep over Edward. A quick shake of the head and he suddenly dashes out.
"Wait!"
But too late. As soon as Edward makes it out to the street, the boy is gone without a trace. A figment of imagination or some apparition, he knows not. Either way, he will worry about it later. For now, he must return inside and tend to the customers on the patio. The doors slide open once more with a ringing sound.
"Edward? Is everything alright?" Patricia asks, the tea tray ready in her delicate hands.
"It's just…never mind, I'm sure the boy will be fine."
"Boy?"
"He came in earlier…seemed a little too fixated on the axe we have on display above the register…"
"I always thought we should have at least kept that in a glass case if we were going to display it."
"Dear heart, one does not simply encase a fine weapon as that in glass. Besides, what if I need it to go on a bloody rampage?"
"Edward." Patricia deadpans.
"Yes?"
"Tea. Customers. Now."
"Yes, dear." He acquiesces, gingerly taking the tray and walking out the side door. Down the path onto the patio once again, he finds grandmother and granddaughter chatting amiably amongst themselves.
"Hello and thank you for your patience. Two rooibos teas, with sugar and cream on the side. Is there anything else I can get for you two?"
"No, that'll be all for now…but why not sit down and chat with us a little? Business seems a little slow, eh?"
Edward cannot help but laugh.
"Hah, yes, I suppose it is. I'm hoping it will pick up in the coming days. Maybe the wife and I will go around town with paper advertisements or something of the kind. Oh, I'm sorry, I should've said this before but I am Edward Feng and I own and run Tea Dreams with my wife, Patricia. A pleasure to make your acquaintance," he finishes with a small bow. The two women return it in kind.
"Nanefua Pizza."
"And I'm Kiki Pizza. Our family runs 'Fish Stew Pizza' on the boardwalk. You and your wife should stop on by and try some. Actually, here," Kiki digs her hands in a pocket of her apron, pulling out a couple of coupons, "50% off your first three pizzas."
"That is very generous of you. We will be sure to stop by and make a purchase soon. A curious name though. Do you make stew as well or is there a Stuart in the family?"
"Oh no, there's my dad and sister, Jenny. No Stuarts in this family. As for the stew thing, we get asked that a lot but I think it's more or less just another word my dad tacked on."
The three talk on, sharing various moments of their lives in Beach City. The wind breezes softly over them as the waves lap against the beach, drumming a constant rhythm. The sun shines high as its rays bask everything in its warm glow. The shrill cries of seagulls are heard as they ride the winds. On and on it goes as time passes and as the tea is consumed, right down to the dregs.
"Ugh, that was an ordeal. More fish than we knew what to do with and it's not exactly a popular topping on a pizza to begin with. So I guess we knew what we were having for dinner every night for the next month or so," Kiki grumbles.
"At the time, I really did make a fish stew just to get rid of it all," Nanefua chuckles.
"I imagine cats and raccoons were all too happy to sift through the garbage afterwards."
"Oh my gosh, they were! Gunga even had to fend a pack of stray cats off with a broom from the shop once!"
"Pah! Stray cats are nothing compared to honey badgers," Nanefua says, tiny fist pounding her chest proudly like the little warrior she is.
"I am truly humbled to be in your presence, my lady," Edward bows, moving to pour more tea, "Oh dear, empty. Forgive me, would you two care for another pot or perhaps a different kind of tea?"
"Uh-oh, what time is it?"
"It's about noon," Edward replies, checking the watch hidden under a sleeve.
"We should probably start getting back then. We don't get too much of a lunch rush but still, dad wants us around. Besides, I think we've been gone longer than we should have anyway," Kiki says, a worried frown marring her features.
"Do not worry so much, I'm sure they are fine," Nanefua assures her granddaughter. "Besides, what's thirty minutes between family?"
"I'll be right back with the check. 50% off of course," Edward says with a kind smile as he cleans up the mess, softly placing the tea ware on the tray.
"Oh, you don't have to do that!"
"Please, I insist. Your gift is a generous one and I'd be remiss in my duties as a gentleman if I didn't repay you and your family in kind."
"Well then let us insist on walking with you to the register," Nanefua cackles, already making her way inside ahead of the younger company. Edward and Kiki can only laugh as they follow.
Inside, the air conditioned space now plays a soothing instrumental of an erhu as Patricia stands in the middle of the room with a broom, sweeping dirt into a pan.
"Oh, Miss Pearl, I didn't know you worked here. What a pleasant surprise," Nanefua greets jovially.
"I-I beg your pardon?"
"Gunga, I don't think that's Pearl," Kiki says slowly, not quite sure what to make of it either.
"N-No…I'm…Patricia," she replies, her grip on the broom tightening.
"My wife, dear customers," Edward interjects softly, "next time you visit, I'll introduce her at length but I believe you were needed elsewhere, no?"
A round of apologies and a bill paid later, Nanefua and Kiki Pizza are headed back towards Fish Stew Pizza. As Edward closes the till, Patricia is still in her previous position: stock still with broom in an ever tightening grip, the wooden handle cracking. She flinches, eyes widening and looking.
"Love," Edward approaches with a whisper, his hand gently overlapping hers.
"It's…nothing, I just thought I'd never be called that again after so long…"
"And you won't be. Just…give it time."
Another beeping sounds as the doors open, as more customers walks in. A soft squeeze between their hands, husband and wife separate as they resume their roles.
"Welcome to Tea Dreams, table for three?"
"I am beginning to have regrets moving to Beach City, my darling bird."
"So am I but we can't let this get us down, not right after we just started getting regular customers; not to mention making friends with the neighbors and other residents, I'd hate to see that all go to waste…" Patricia trails off. She grips Edward's arm to her a little tighter, a little closer.
The couple walks into town to find it in disarray and greatly damaged as it is littered with large chunks of some red metal. Miraculously enough, it seems that they hit mostly the streets and none of the buildings. And yet, who is to say none of these may have hit an innocent pedestrian?
As they walk, they come across a young man: a rather rotund fellow with messy blond curled-dreadlocks wearing a red button-up shirt, khaki shorts, and wrap-around sandals. His bespectacled eyes are focused intensely on his smart phone, digital camera shutters clicking away with picture after picture of the debris and rubble.
"Excuse me…um…Ronaldo? Might we have a word with you?" Patricia asks.
"Hold on, just a second! I'm in the middle of a VERY important investigation!" the young man yelled back.
"You know him?" Edward asks.
"A little. He's Mr. Fryman's eldest son. We always greet them on our walks, remember?"
"Ah, right. I…don't exactly recall seeing much of the older one though."
"True, his father says he's mostly working in the back or investigating something or other. I guess this is what he meant."
A few more clicks and Ronaldo is finished, dashing towards the couple.
"Oh hey, you must be the new people from out of town."
"Yes, we are. I'm Patricia and my husband, Edward," said man gives a small wave as he observes the young man. "Is everything alright here? What happened?"
"Oh man, it was so weird!" the youth exclaims, arms flailing wildly as the couple takes a step back. "The mysterious incident started when a second sun appeared in the sky but it wasn't another sun but THE APOLLO 11 REPURPOSED INTO A SPACESHIP BY VAMPIRES TO TAKE OVER THE HUMAN RACE! Luckily and even more mysteriously, it was destroyed by something else, thus causing this vast amount of debris to crash onto Earth. I was hoping to find remnants of the vampires in their ill-gotten space craft but unfortunately, there's nothing. Then again, I shouldn't be surprised. The vampires couldn't possibly pilot the ship without risking the ultra-violet wrath of the sun, which as you know is a vampire's fatal weakness like garlic and wooden stakes to the heart, etc."
Patricia and Edward only stare at the young man, in a concerned fashion. While she is shocked and not quite sure how to express her…doubts, Edward has no qualms.
"Are you high and who is your dealer? I'd like to have words with him."
"EDWARD!" Her reprimand is accentuated with a punch to the arm, drawing a hiss from Edward.
"Clearly, the boy isn't right in the head! Vampires? Really? I will admit that it's weird…"
"THAT'S EXACTLY IT! IT'S WEIRD! AND THAT'S WHAT KEEPS! BEACH! CITY! WEIRD!" The young man excitably interrupts, fist-pumping the air accentuating each word of the slogan.
"RONALDO! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? GET OVER HERE AND HELP ME AND YOUR BROTHER CLEAN UP!"
A burly bearded man approaches, clad in a simple red shirt and shorts covered up by a somewhat clean apron. His hair is a brighter shade of blond and stands straight up like a strange Mohawk.
"Mr. Fryman! Oh, what a relief to see that you and your family are well."
"Ha, well, the boys are fine but the shop took a couple of hits."
"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that."
"Nah, it's fine. I've been meaning to do some work around the place anyway. A touch up here, a repair there, the works." Mr. Fryman chuckles but it dies down quickly into a small groan.
"Anyways, what about you two? Everything alright?"
"Yes, Edward and I were out of town to procure some tea supplies. What in the world happened though?"
"Ah heck if I know. All I know is that there was some sort of weird red eye thing in the sky and things started getting crazier the closer it got."
"A 'Red Eye', you said?"
"Yep, it was weird."
"KEEP! BEACH! CITY! WEIRD!"
"ENOUGH, RONALDO! Sorry, there's a lot of stuff to do and uh…ya know."
"No no, it's quite alright. I'm sorry to take up your time like that. I do hope everything works out," Patricia replies with a curtsy.
Leaving the family to their work, Edward and Patricia continue their walk in a haze, not quite sure what to make of this event. The moon is high and the stars glimmer when they reach their home. Silently, they go about cleaning themselves and preparing the futon. Edward slips in first, wearing nothing but thin dark blue flannel pants as pajamas. Patricia soon follows, wearing a cream white nightgown, revealing the pearl where her slight cleavage starts. As she rests her head against Edward's bare chest, she listens to the steady drum of his heart. His arm snakes around her, resting comfortably at her waist. Sleep falls upon them heavily.
Edit 10/13/16 for corrections and clean-up.
