Steven was at the local furniture store with Pearl and Amethyst browsing bed comforts for Topaz. He thought it was the least they could do for having caused her so much trouble yesterday.
When Steven brought up the idea, the response was less than enthusiastic. But, Garnet had pushed for the idea. Whether or not she liked the idea remained to be seen-she wasn't there with them now, helping pick things out.
Pearl had offered that Topaz probably didn't know the size of the mattress she had, or at least didn't understand the sizing system concerning human beds. From Pearl's eye for detail, she had deduced the mattress to be a size twin XL.
Being in a small town, albeit one that thrived on its tourism, the selection for excessively modern or decorative bed decor was scant. But, they had found a simple bed frame that included a design of vines and a flower made out of cast metal at the head of it that Steven had found lovely. Then they found an egg crate mattress, two pillows-one soft, one firm-pale pink pillow cases, and a fitted sheet with an appropriate flower pattern sewn into it.
All that was left was the sheet and comforter (or duvet, as Pearl liked to call it).
"Why are we even doing this for her?" said Amethyst.
"Because," said Steven, "we weren't very nice to her yesterday and other times before that and this is a way to say-"
"No, I mean, why are we doing this for her?"
"I know you don't like her, but-"
"She's tried to hurt all of us. And I can't stand her attitude. 'Neegh! I'm Topaz! I'm so petty, I hate everybody! I'm so damaged, I can't see when people actually try to help me! Guess my nose is just too fat for my own head!'"
"Do you want her dead?"
Amethyst was taken aback. "I don't like that she's here. On Earth. Free to do whatever. Who knows what other bad things she could do."
"But she is on this planet," said Steven. "Been here for over a year now. And she hasn't gone out of her way to hurt anybody. She lives here now, and she's not on Homeworld's side anymore. Far as I'm concerned, we're on the same side. For her sake, Garnet says she needs time alone to help herself. I'm not entirely sure what she means but..." Steven shrugged. He found and squeezed a nice white comforter with a flower on it.
"Why do you care so much about her?" said Amethyst.
"...I don't really know how to answer that question. But, I do know that I don't want to hate her. And that's all I really want, is for everyone to not necessarily like each other, but to not hate each other. And some kindness in her life couldn't hurt, either... I like this set. What do you think?"
Amethyst looked at the pillows and pillow cases in her arms, then to the comforter. She blinked. "You even think she'll like these colors?"
"Uh-unno."
"A'ight. Whatever. Let's get it and git!"
Before they left the furniture store, Steven also grabbed a Pillow Time Plush Pal. (It was a pig.)
The things that weren't packaged they sealed into cardboard boxes. At a spot next to the warp pad that overlooked the Beta Kindergarten, they left the bed things for Topaz, taping the lighter boxes to the heavier one with the bed frame so they wouldn't blow away. Taped to the box on top was a note written by Steven, mentioning how sorry they were and for the best wishes. He signed it with a little heart that had a smiley face in it.
He got Pearl and Amethyst to, reluctantly, sign it as well. Pearl went ahead and forged Garnet's signature.
If Topaz had already gotten her bed things last night, then at least she'd have two of everything.
On this side of the world, where it was nearing twilight, before Steven, Amethyst, and Pearl stepped back up to the warp pad, the beam of light flashed onto it. It momentarily blinded Steven and made him hold his breath.
The one who used the warp, noticing Steven and the Gems, recoiled from them like a vampire cowers from crucifixes.
"Peridot?!"
...