Chapter 7: Clank
Author's note: I'm sorry for not updating in a LONG time. The main reason is school and becoming an adult.
Peridot went back inside when the sun had gone down and the stars had come out. She didn't like looking up at the stars now that she was a member of the Crystal Gem. The stars reminded her of the danger that was left to come.
Peridot entered the home with clanky foot steps. Her metal legs were starting to become rusty without the proper lubricant and she sighed. She knew it would be only a matter of time before she had to assemble new legs.
Steven was snoring loudly in his bed and the Crystal Gems were in their selective rooms. Lapis had been looking at the fridge but had turned around when she heard Peridot's loud footsteps.
Peridot tried quieting the steps but it was effortless. She was simply surprised that Steven could sleep through the noise.
"What are you doing?" Peridot demanded, looking at Lapis. Lapis gave a small smile and pointed behind her towards the fridge.
"I'm looking at Steven's drawing," Lapis said. Peridot could feel Lapis' eyes wander down to her legs.
"Are you okay?" Lapis asked, a little concerned.
"Yes," Peridot snipped. She took annoyingly loud steps toward the fridge and looked at the fridge. On the fridge hanged a pathetic drawing of all the Crystal Gems. Peridot looked at the one of her. It looked like a stick figure with a green triangle as a head.
She let out a snort. The drawing was horrible. She looked at the Lapis and saw it was slightly better but not by much.
"I think it's cute," Lapis said, lightly. Peridot huffed in disagreement and Lapis grew quiet as she looked at the drawing.
"Do you remember what Homeworld was like before the rebellion?" Lapis asked.
"No. I was assembled after the rebellion," Peridot answered, dryly.
"Assembled?" Lapis questioned, looking at Peridot. Peridot felt herself herself shrink away mentally but she pulled herself back. She did owe allot to Lapis Lazuli. The least Peridot could do was tell her story.
"I'll tell you but not in here," Peridot said as she turned around. She made loud footsteps as she exited the temple Lapis followed and the two walked to the beach shore. Lapis walked out into the water and sat on the surface. Peridot felt a sense of deja vu but walked out to her and sat next to her.
Peridot sighed and looked at her creaky legs.
"I wasn't born like most gems. I was born in an incubation unit," Peridot trailed off.
"Like Amethyst and Jasper?" Lapis asked.
"No," Peridot said letting out a snort.
"My gem was placed in a stimulating gel that had gem needing lifesource. I was the first test of being incubated in gel. I was a failure. I was born with a physical form that had no forearms or lower legs but I did have a big brain. So, Yellow Diamond allowed me to live as long as I built her weapons," Peridot said. Lapis looked at Peridot's distant eyes.
"Did she create your limbs?" Lapis asked, motioning towards her arms.
"No. I did," Peridot said. She reached for her left leg.
"Does it hurt?" Lapis asked, watching Peridot.
"Sometimes," Peridot confessed and felt her wall slightly go up. Lapis reached out a hand, touching Peridot's mechanical leg. Peridot quickly pulled her leg away from the blue hand.
"I can't feel it," Peridot said, distancing herself. There was a labored silence.
"You know you can trust me," Lapis said. Peridot frowned. Don't trust anyone but yourself. It was a key point of surviving in Homeworld.
"No. I can't," Peridot said. She pulled a leg up to her chest. Lapis grew silent again.
"Can you at least say I'm your friend?" Lapis asked. She placed her hand under the water. Peridot knew what friendship meant even though it was rare on Homeworld. She never had a friend.
"Fine," Peridot said with disinterest. Lapis looked up the green gem and gave a warm smile.