Here we are everyone! Homeworld! I was really excited to write this chapter but it still took longer than I thought, Yellow Diamond is really freaking hard to write and I love her so much. Well I hope you guy's are enjoying reading this story so far and I'd love to hear from you either here or on tumblr. Please don't be shy!
Thanks for reading, see you tomorrow!
When Homeworld came into view, Domina's jaw dropped and she quickly moved to the screen in an attempt to get a closer look. Pearl knew the girl had been off planet a handful of times, mostly tagging along on supply runs to nearby gem bases.
Homeworld though, Homeworld far surpassed any base in the middle of nowhere. The ship took the scenic route through the planet on it's way to the docking station in Yellow Diamonds main district. They flew past great spires, and through high arches. The Diamond Flagship, White Diamonds warship came into view and Domina gasped in awe. Finally the shuttle landed gently in a hanger.
Domina got up vibrating with excitement and Pearl quickly moved to open the door. She schooled her features to become impassive. Outside the shuttle the Feldspar waited as a group of rubies unloaded the cargo compartment for transfer of Domina's luggage to the flagship where they would be staying while on homeworld.
The moment Domina set foot outside the ship every gem in the hanger snapped a salute,Pearl nearly ran into her when the Diamond stopped in the doorway frozen.
"Um...thank you?" She said to the room awkwardly, glancing back at Pearl who stared straight ahead hoping beyond hope that Domina would remember what they had talked about. Pearl heard Domina take a deep breath and then Pearl followed her off the ship. Meeting the pair towards the center of the hanger was Yellow Diamond's Pearl.
"Your brilliance," Yellow said bowing low, her voice was nasal as ever. "My Diamond has requested that I direct you to her personal quarters so that she may speak with you." Pearl saw Domina looking between the two pearls in astonishment.
"You look just like Pearl." Domina said with a grin, the breeze was back, light enough to ruffle both pearl's skirts. Pearl resisted to urge to smile at Yellow's momentarily baffled look. "Oh sorry!" Domina's face turned red "I'd love to talk to her, please lead the way." She said.
Yellow saluted and turned to lead towards the warp pad. Domina started walking then slowed when she noticed that Pearl was walking behind her. Pearl also slowed down, staying behind Domina. "What are you-" Domina started to ask, Pearl cut her off with a gentle tap of her own gem. Domina slumped slightly and nodded then followed Yellow Pearl up onto the pad. In the warp stream Yellow glanced at Pearl out of the corner of her eye. Pearl gave her a reassuring smile. Yellow slowly looked at Domina, then back at Pearl as if to say 'Is this really her?' Pearl simply nodded.
The Warp steam dissipated and the group was standing just inside the large hall that led to Yellow Diamonds personal chambers. Pink Pearl could count on one hand the amount of times she had been here. Domina was staring out the window at the city beyond. The girl was so entranced that she walked right into the door before Yellow Pearl had finished opening it.
"Oh your brilliance I'm so sorry, I should have been faster I ap-" Yellow Pearl began to babble. Domina rubbed her face.
"Sorry, It's not your fault," She said smiling. "I wasn't paying attention. And you don't have to call me that, I'm just Domina." The doors slid open. Yellow Pearl still looked like she was about to poof herself. But she still made her way into the room and bowed low before Yellow Diamond.
Yellow Diamond stood when Domina entered the room, Pearl closed the door behind them then retreated to her customary place at the side of the room next to Yellow Pearl. Domina glanced helplessly at Pearl who gave her a reassuring nod. Then craned her head back nervously at Yellow Diamond and smiled, the wind around them had weakened to a timid breeze. Both diamonds stared at each other, neither seemed to know how to proceed.
Finally, Domina's gem glowed and she took a short leap into the air. Very shakily she began to rise, until she was roughly eye level with Yellow Diamond. She smiled, a little stronger this time.
"Hello," She said. Yellow Diamonds face was impassive, Pearl had to wonder if she was intentionally imitating White Diamond's mannerisms. The Diamond nodded.
"Hello, I suggest we dispense with the pleasantries and get to work." Yellow Diamond said. The room shifted slightly and a small dais appeared next to the chair she had gotten out of moments before. Domina looked surprised but landed on the platform with a slightly stuttering fall.
"Right, of course." She said, still keeping her smile, the breeze was back, maybe a little more noticeable than before. "Where do we start?"
"So that's her then?" Yellow Pearl said softly as Yellow Diamond and Domina talked with each other.
"That's her." Pink Pearl replied.
"She's not what I expected."
"I don't see how anyone could have expected her."
"Is she always like this?"
"Like what?"
"So.." Yellow Pearl frowned and mulled over her words for a moment before lowering her voice even more. "Well, pardon me for saying but she seems more like a new made Ruby than a Diamond."
"She's half human, they're not fully developed until they've aged 18 years."
"That's insane,"
"That's what organics are like. Have you seen Blue?"
"Not in the last decade. Her diamond has been off mourning. My Diamond doesn't have that luxury, she's been doing the work of three for the last 12 years."
"Well hopefully Domina will be able to take some of the load off."
"I hope so, she's been more high strung than ever,"
"That's something coming from you."
"Precisely." Yellow Pearl said. Pink Pearl smiled and directed her attention back to Domina who was looking mildly overwhelmed listening to an impromptu history lesson from Yellow Diamond, that one of her innocuous questions had spurred.
"Post rebellion the process has of course changed thousands of times in an attempt to avoid planets with sentient life due to-"
"What rebellion?" Domina piped up. Pearl could feel the tension in the room grow sharp. Yellow Diamond's calm facade dropped and she stared at Domina. Then for the first time Pearl found herself the focus for Yellow Diamond's terrifying gaze. It didn't last long, Yellow Diamond stood and turned from the room holding her fists that were now sparking with electricity.
"It's not important." Yellow Diamond said, she turned seeming to have calmed down "You should go, I will have my Pearl redirect the information and requests for the outer colonies and the fleet to you. There will be a list of the Beryl's in charge of them you may contact if you have questions. We will reconvene later this week."
"But-" Domina began, Pearl caught her glance from the side of the room and shook her head rapidly. "Alright, thank you." Domina said uneasily.
"What did I say wrong?" Domina asked as they warped aboard the flagship.
"Nothing my Diamond." Pearl reassured her. The wind had followed them into the warp stream but dissipated out as the landed.
"But I had to of, Should I know about a rebellion? Why didn't anyone tell me about-" Domina stopped her nervous line of questioning and gazed around. The Flagships entry hall was vast, made only emptier by the sheer expanse of pure white. "Oh." Domina said.
"Yes I believe the rubies put your things in Whi-your-" Pearl frowned.
"In Mother's personal room?" Domina asked. Pearl sighed with relief.
"Yes."
"Is it as big as Yellow's room?" Domina asked, the wind was nearly a tempest in this area. Pearl hesitated and then gently set a hand on Domina's shoulder. The girl relaxed and the winds slowed.
"Yes."
"Is there somewhere smaller we could stay?" Domina asked. Pearl stared at her then shook off her surprise.
"There are some storage rooms on the lower levels, they're about the size of you and your father's quarters on 19-H25." She said hesitantly. Domina nodded.
"Lets stay there, and I want to call Pater."
"Of course my diamond."
"And Pearl," Domina said tugging uncomfortably at the cape and starting at the floor. "I'm just Domina."