Chapter Three: Discussion
Three days had passed. In those three days not much had changed. Peridot was still tied up with Amethyst's whip and was still constantly watched by Garnet.
Lapis Lazuli had become closer with Steven but she still appeared to resent the Crystal. When the other gems came around her, she would get quiet and sometimes scowl.
The Crystal Gems, except for Steven, looked at Peridot with the utmost hatred. She was sure that if not for the human child she would be bubbled immediately.
Lapis looked at Peridot differently. She looked at Peridot with pity and caution. Even though Peridot had imprisoned Lapis it didn't seem as though she resented her.
It was afternoon and Steven was out playing in Beach City. Peridot felt much stronger and she was ready to escape Earth. Pearl and Amethyst were making Steven's lunch and Garnet was still watching Peridot from the corner of the kitchen. Lapis sat on the couch a cushion away from Peridot instead of the usual two.
Lapis was staring at the whip around Peridot's waist with a heartsick look. Peridot didn't notice because she was too busy contemplating a good escape plan. With Garnet watching her like a hawk, there was no way she would be able make a sneaky escape. She thought about facing Garnet head on but that was an idiotic, childish idea. Peridot wasn't a strong gem. She would just have to wait for the right moment.
The day passed by painfully slow and at night Steven was about to go to bed. It was appallingly routine.
"Goodnight Lapis," Steven said, hugging Lapis. He then rushed over to Garnet hugging her legs.
"Goodnight Garnet," Steven said, smiling. He then walked up the stairs but stopped halfway. He stared down at Peridot and walked back down the stairs. Steven stood in front of Peridot.
"Goodnight Peridot," He said, wrapping his chubby arms around Peridot's waist. The peculiar action made Peridot's skin crawl and made her feel anxious. She got the urge to shove away the child but before she could he let go.
Steven rushed back up the stairs and Peridot watched him. The goosebumps on her arms went away. On Homeworld engaging in such affectionate actions were prohibited and even punishable.
The place where Steven's arms were burned her sides even though he didn't physically touch her skin. It made Peridot feel angry and flustered.
The night passed by slowly like all the other nights as Peridot waited for the right moment to escape. She knew the plan was farfetched and unorganized but it was the only plan she had.
It was around midnight when Steven had got up from his deep slumber.
"Garnet?" Steven whined, holding his stomach.
"...I don't feel good," Steven said, staggering down the steps. She stood up from her stool and went over to Steven. His face had a green complexion and he held his stomach. Garnet pressed her hand to Steven's forehead and in a surprising instant Steven puked.
Most of his vomit went on Garnet and Steven had tears in his eyes as he held his hand to his stomach.
"I'm Sorry,Garnet," Steven sobbed. Garnet paid no mind to herself as she lead Steven carefully down the rest of the stairs. She lead him into the bathroom to clean him up and give him medicine. As the bathroom door clicked shut, Peridot cringed. She felt her own stomach turn as she heard Steven make another revolting sound. The sound quieted as Garnet tended to Steven.
Peridot scanned the room and looked at the door with the yellow star. She started to formulate how to get out of the whip's hold when her thoughts were interrupted.
"Only the Crystal Gems can get into that room," Lapis said, sitting up. Peridot glanced at Lapis.
"Don't underestimate my technology," Peridot said as she started to struggle against the whip. She felt it loosening inch by inch.
"The Crystal Gems are monsters," Lapis said in a whisper.
"But Steven is different," Lapis continued, her dark blue hair falling in front of her eyes.
Peridot listened but still continued to loosen the whip.
"He set me free from my prison,"
"He could change them," Lapis said, sincerely. She looked up at Peridot.
"That is all irrelevant to me," Peridot said as she felt the whip give out. The whip slipped off her sides and Peridot stretched out her arms. She got up from the dreaded couch and walked towards the blue temple door.
Lapis got up quickly and grabbed onto Peridot's shoulder. Peridot turned to look at the blue gem.
"What?" Peridot said with a cold demeanor.
"You don't like Homeworlds ways. I saw you. At the beach when Jasper was going to break my gem you looked away," Lapis said, looking into Peridot's eyes.
"Just because I don't agree with senselessly breaking a gem doesn't mean I dislike Homeworld," Peridot stated. She put up her mental wall and shrugged off Lapis' hand. Peridot continued to make her way to the temple door but Lapis grabbed her arm with some force. Peridot turned around once more. This time Lapis had a scowl on her face.
"That's a lie. You don't like Homeworld at all," Lapis growled.
"And what makes you say that?" Peridot questioned, returning the scowl.
"Because when you lie your eyebrow twitches," Lapis stated. Peridot's wall broke and she felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment.
"You don't know anything about me," She said, letting out a small squeal of frustration. Lapis remained her scowl and they both glared at one another. After a while Lapis' scowl softened.
"Join the Crystal Gems Peridot. It's better than Homeworld. They don't kill gems here," Lapis said, looking into Peridot's eyes. Peridot looked into Lapis' blue eyes and she felt conflicted.
The idea of joining the Crystal Gems and betraying Homeworld was ludicrous. Yet, it was a tempting idea.
"And you will be joining the Crystal Gems?" Peridot asked. Lapis nodded and Peridot out of some short lived insanity nodded.
"Alright," Peridot said.
Lapis lead Peridot back to the couch where she re-wrapped the whip around her waist. She made sure it was comfortable, or as comfortable as possible, and as Lapis was just sitting down Garnet opened the bathroom door holding Steven's hand.
Garnet noted that Peridot hadn't tried to escape and lead Steven up the steps to his room.
End. Chapter Four coming soon.