Forest Green Pearl
Her master is dead.
It was a good death, they say. She died in battle. She died taking down five traitors, in the heat of battle. She died a death dedicated to her Diamond. She died the death of a true Quartz warrior, loyal, brave and true.
But Pearl is crying.
The members of the court murmur around her, a few making some cursory attempts at comfort— she looks so pathetic, they can't help it. And of course, her tears are a beautiful thing. A testament to a pearl's loyalty, to see how deeply struck they are by the loss of their master. Such a pure, simple grief.
Pearl overhears their words, and weeps even harder from guilt.
She is grieving, but not for her master.
Oh, her Plasma had been a good master, as far these things went, she supposes. Pearl had been presented to her as a gift for particular success and valour on the battlefield, and Plasma had been very much honoured by the recognition. She'd treated her well; never beating or hitting her, complimenting her forms. Plasma's duties as a warrior took her away often, leaving Pearl alone for long stretches. This could be boring and tiresome, true, but it had often left her with a great deal of time to herself, which was more than many pearls could say.
And now Plasma is dead. Shattered. Gone.
And what is to come of her?
Perhaps she'll be assigned to some public post, as decorative piece of art for Gems to pass by on the street. Maybe she'll be assigned as a secretary to some busy maintenance centre, filtering their calls. Perhaps there's another quartz— another plasma, even— considered deserving of recognition, whom she can be awarded to. But even in that hypothetical case, would the quartz accept her? She would be second-hand, her gem placement and colour not matching her new master. Many would prefer to have no pearl at all.
No. No, far more likely that they will decide she is more useful elsewhere. Power is more necessary than frivolity.
She will be Harvested.
So while the courtesans croon about tragedy and loyalty and purity, Pearl cries, and she cries for herself.
oOoOoOo
Author's Note: Plasma is a variety of the the quartz chalcedony with a dark green colour. It's definitely near the top of the list of coolest gemstone names.