The shuttle bay was its own building, separate from Pink Diamond's massive base. It was across a large courtyard, fitted with an ornate granite fountain in the center, spilling pastel colored water from one level to the next — pillars of soft, cool water. Pearl had somehow always been fixed on it, for some reason. She didn't often get the chance to leave the confines of her master's side, but on the brief occasions that she was aloud to exit the building. Perhaps her fixation was on its organic form. Everything that she was used to was engineered for perfection: sharp angles, straight lines, nothing without its purpose. Pink Diamond was unusually fond of organic forms, if in a twisted way. She prized organic things for their seemingly arbitrary formation. Pearl remembered herself and took long strides to catch up so that she was just beside Rose Quartz once more. The sliding glass doors to the shuttle bay closed behind them, and they were in the dimly lit corridors of the shuttle bay. The long, stone hallway was lit by torches on the wall; glowing pieces of rock set into spires on either side.
"How long have you been Pink Diamond's Pearl?" Rose Quartz asked casually. It took a moment for Pearl to register that she was speaking directly to her.
"As long as I can remember. Going on, roughly 7,203 years, by my estimation. I was…under someone else's services for around the 1,000 years prior."
"Ah. You are created around the same time I was created then, that's interesting."
Pearl did not know what could possibly be so interesting about that, but she said nothing, just nodded. Rose Quartz went on.
"This colony that we'll be traveling to is supposed to be very…alive. It should be quite interesting." There was another pause, as though she expected something of Pearl.
Pearl was unfamiliar with this kind of conversation — she was not accustomed to engaging gems in conversation, and wasn't sure of the protocol. Rose Quartz seemed to sense her hesitation.
"You are allowed to speak, you know? If I tell you to speak freely, would that be taken as an order?"
"I suppose it would have to be. Technically speaking, I'm currently in your charge."
"Then speak freely, Pearl. Have you ever seen organic life?"
"Not in person. Pink Diamond has spoken briefly in my presence about organic forms and their entertaining properties."
"Its much more than that. Their freedom and their…world of opportunity. Its fascinating. Really," she nodded encouragingly. Pearl couldn't wrap her head around the concept of open opportunity. She imagined how conflicting it must feel to have no direct purpose. Despite her programming, something buzzed at the back of her brain; something…curious? She corrected herself. "Do you feel that that's a difficult concept for you? Given your occupation?"
Pearl thought about lying, but that thought dismissed it almost as soon as it came. "Yes," she admitted. "I'm a servant, and I serve Pink Diamond because that's what I know. It's my purpose, and it seems to me that life without a purpose would be wildly overwhelming."
"But what if your purpose was to yourself? And your own life?"
"What about my own life is more important than the Diamond Authority?" Pearl cocked her head to the side.
"Your own free will! That's important, Pearl." She smiled at her, almost fondly. Pearl felt her cheeks flush. Was this a trap? Was Pink Diamond listening to all of this? "I apologize if I've made you feel uncomfortable. This has to be a very morally conflicting conversation for you."
"I'm not used to it. The majority of my interactions are mere exchanges of information. I wasn't built for critical thinking and…"
"Having opinions," Rose Quartz finished for her. Rose nodded. "That's fair. And by the way, I've never seen a Pearl draw a weapon? Are you able to materialize that?"
"Its mostly for show, I don't…" Pearl blushed. "I haven't been trained to use it."
"Trying to scare me off," Rose laughed. Pearl thought it sounded musical, light. The sound stuck in her head. It was more difficult to stave off. She felt herself relaxing…
"Rose Quartz!" the gravely baritone of a Jasper interrupted Pearl's train of thought; she snapped to attention, immediately flushed with anxiety. "Jasper TL47-92. The engine for one of the explorers is in need of repairs, our departure may be delayed, but the Peridots are at work currently."
"Find me another. Your Diamond will not wait."
"That may…not be possible on such short notice…" the Jasper faltered, stumbling over their words.
"Then I want you to find me a crew of Peridots that are capable of repairing this ship so that departure is not delayed. If they have to work overtime, this mission will leave on time, in precisely three cycles. Clear?"
"Yes, ma'am," the Jasper nodded "We'll make it happen."
Pearl was stunned. She had seen other generals work, and in general they were direct, harsh, sometimes downright abusive with their subordinates. Rose Quartz was different — her subordinates seemed to have at least a small amount of respect for her. They…responded. Maybe it was tiny; it was the respectful understanding, instead of the blank stare of silent comprehension. Pearl knew she was forgetting herself again, although for the life of her she was not sure why.
Rose Quartz was the only general of her kind — theoretically the kindergarden had not successfully produced an adequate amount of those that met the high standards of Pink Diamond. She would have everything perfect, and that was that. Pearl was accustomed to her high standards. She had witnessed that first hand, it had been a key point in her development. She cleared her throat, making a mental note of the timeline. Three cycles, engine troubles. To be corrected by Jasper TL47-92. Retaining mundane information was a talent of Pearl's. There was no use for taking messy notes all over the place just to misplace them and be without.
"Do you travel outside of Homeworld often with Pink Diamond?" Rose Quartz asked, again innocently enough.
"Not at all. Pink Diamond often remains occupied here with her planning, and if she does have need to oversee a colony's development, she'll usually send members of her court in her place."
She nodded. Of course she had already known this, Pearl wasn't sure what information she could give Rose Quartz on this matter that she wouldn't have already had access to. "Or me. But you've traveled. I was thinking of asking Pink Diamond for your assistance on this mission."
Pearl was frozen, thoroughly confused. "My assistance? Of what use could I be to you in an exploratory mission?"
"Pink Diamond consults with you directly, and it may serve better to show her at least second hand the organic life and the potential for her new colony. I also have much use for a Pearl regarding the running of the fleet, because as it stands I've got no second-in-command. My Amethyst is occupied elsewhere for now, and either way lacks certain…organizational skills."
"I understand. If it pleases my Diamond, I will go where I am commanded to go."
"I have every confidence in that, Pearl," she smiled again, and Pearl couldn't help but smile back. She couldn't remember the last time that she had smiled, not genuinely. She wasn't even sure what had prompted it. All that she knew was that it sprouted something close to feeling—a warmth blossoming over her chest, like a flower. She shuddered nervously, shaking off the feeling and returning to her mental notations. You have a job to do, Pearl. Control yourself.
Author's Note: I am not insinuating that the Amethyst mentioned is our Amethyst, merely presenting the theory that maybe they all have similar talents for organization.
If you see any conflicts with the canon time line please alert me, as I'm trying to stay as close to canon as possible. Please read and review! Keeping these chapter's shorter, as they are not as action-packed.