Progress had been much quicker than expected. The technicians assigned to monitor the planet Homeworld's ecological progress were shocked at how quickly life rebounded on the once dormant planet. Plants sprouted, animals were being introduced back into the area and were adapting well to the thick urban landscape, even if it was hard for people to get used to at first. With a little help from other planets, bodies of water were being artificially created, therefore precipitation and the condensation of clouds was now possible.
Moonstone and her committee of representatives overseeing the reforming planet were especially happy about this, seeing as this was one of the many things Moonstone believed was worth fighting for back when she was merely a rebel against the perceived deities, Yellow and White Diamond.
However, this wasn't enough for her. How could she feel so unsatisfied after all this progress and joy? This was what Rhodonite wanted, right? But Moonstone couldn't help but feel she had been cheated. Once. She visited Earth once and spent quality time that she much desired with Rho, but it wasn't enough. It was like half of her heart was longing for its partner waiting at least a galaxy away.
Romance wasn't all she fought for. She couldn't possibly be forced into the role of the lovesick Pearl, just like in the first revolution, could she? Moonstone prided herself on fighting for her planet and all its life and all its potential. But there was still her. It was requited. She never left. But the distance was unbearable.
A letter. I have to hear from her again. Moonstone thought to herself as she strolled through the streets of Homeworld with Black Pearl, who had become her best friend and sole confidant since the war. The city wasn't as dark as before. The sun and reduction of smog in the sky was enough to make the city look more alive and vibrant instead of dreary and soulless.
Black Pearl was silent as she walked. She rarely spoke on their daily walks unless spoken to. She appreciated silence, and frankly, found it relieving.
However, Moonstone snapped out of her deep concentration to talk to her friend. "Oh! Sorry! You must think I'm ignoring you! No, I'm not." She said awkwardly.
"It's fine. Have you heard from Fire Opal and Carnelian lately?" Black Pearl asked. Fire Opal and Carnelian had left shortly after the war to the Dagobah system to reflect on themselves, their pasts, presents, and futures.
"No. They completely disconnected with us when they left. I sure hope they're alright. I hear Dagobah isn't the prettiest planet in the universe." Moonstone replied.
"They're dealing with everything in their own way. Aura and I have decided to work a little closer to home. She's making strides...but I'm not sure if I am." Black Pearl said, looking down and watching the lines in the concrete pass with each step.
"Jet..." Moonstone began before getting interrupted.
"But what does that matter? I can suffice just fine right now. Aura Quartz needs more help than I do, and she's been a priority to me since the war."
"You really love her, don't you?" Moonstone said with a quiet chuckle and a sigh.
"What? No! I just figure she would contribute to the reformation of Homeworld better if she wasn't such a coward and a drama queen!" Black Pearl shouted in defense. Moonstone sighed again and went to staring at the sidewalk as well. It was almost mesmerizing. "Moonstone..." Black Pearl reached to put her hand on her shoulder. Be empathetic. Be empathetic. She repeated in her head.
Thrust out of her head and back into the real world, Black Pearl was snapped into focus by a sharp gasp from Moonstone. "Jet! Look!" She pointed at the sidewalk.
Black Pearl, still recovering from the shock of Moonstone's sudden gasp, looked at the elated Gem with confusion. "What is it that's so import-" She couldn't even finish her sentence when she saw the tiny red flower sprouting from a sidewalk line. It was small and frail, but beautiful. "Tant." Black Pearl whispered the end of her sentence quietly. "What is it, Moonie?"
"It's a Ruby Rose! It's so beautiful! Look at the crystalline accents in the petals, the way they glint in the Sun!" Moonstone shouted, her body shaking excitedly.
"Right. Sorry. My botany is rather rusty seeing I haven't worked in the intellectual records in several thousand years..." Black Pearl rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly.
"Don't you know what this means?" Moonstone twirled on her heels to Black Pearl and grabbed her shoulders. "After all these years, a Ruby Rose seed has been laying dormant...how? Does it have the same Gem component to adapt to the conditions of any planetoid?"
"I don't know, it's compelling to me as well..." Black Pearl mumbled.
"Either way, it's a sign of hope! It's a sign that we didn't fight for nothing! Oh, Jet!" Moonstone squealed before picking up Black Pearl's lean and light body and swinging her in the air. Unbeknownst to them, their Gems and bodies glowed as the two phased together accidentally, quickly forming an elegant dark purple-skinned fusion with a lean and agile figure with four arms and three sparkling lilac eyes. She had mountainous turquoise hair and wore a grey glittering maxi dress. Surrounding her was a black fog, but her skin glowed with the light of the moon.
However, the beauty was fleeting as its two halves realized what was happening and split apart abruptly, both falling on their butts on the sidewalk.
"Moonstone!" Black Pearl gasped, trying to hide her blushing face.
"Jet! I am so sorry! I didn't mean for that to happen I just got excited!" Moonstone jumped up, blushing as well.
"No, no, it's okay. I understand." Black Pearl said quietly, standing up and wrapping her hands in Moonstone's.
"But Aura-"
"It was an accident. She doesn't have to know." Black Pearl winked. "And neither does Rho."
Moonstone nodded. "I guess. Although, it was kinda nice."
"What? Oh no, don't go thinking-"
"No! It's just, I really miss Rho...it's been hard without her. I don't know I survived before I met her, and I'm not sure if she's ever coming back to see me." Moonstone explained quietly.
"And that short time with me made you feel better." Black Pearl completed the thought.
"Yeah!"
"Still not doing it again."
"I know, but should I move on? I can't help but feel tied to her. Like if I leave her then she'll come back and I'll break her heart." Moonstone said. "It's like she's Rose Quartz and I'm the renegade P-"
"Plaything." Black Pearl said coldly.
"What?" Moonstone asked.
"Nothing." Black Pearl placed her hands on Moonstone's shoulders and looked her straight in the eyes. "Moonstone, listen to me." She said with a serious intimacy. "I don't know squat about this Shakespeare crap you've got going on. Just don't beat yourself up over it. Whatever happens happens, and you just gotta go with the flow and see where life takes you. If it takes you to Rho, then it was meant to be. If not, well, don't let her stop you from moving on."
"That was really profound." Moonstone said quietly.
"But if my advice goes wrong, don't blame me! Remember that above all else. Don't. Blame. Me. Got it? Okay, good talk, Moonie." Black Pearl said before leaving Moonstone with the Ruby Rose on the sidewalk.
Isn't it?
This character study has been sitting in my inventory for a while but after watching (and loving) Mr. Greg I figured it would match the theme of that episode.
MoonstonexBlack Pearl was one of my favorite crackships when writing Broken Together. They're not exactly in a relationship in canon, but this is one of those moments where there's a little something. Moonstone will always love Rhodonite, and Black Pearl is pretty crazy about Aura Quartz even if she doesn't show it. Moonstone doesn't really ever...move on, actually. Sure, Rho visits Homeworld every once and awhile but not enough for them to have a life together. It's kind of sad.
I have some more character studies, but I doubt they'll be good. I have an Aura Quartz one and a Fire Opal and Carnelian one. I felt like those two didn't get enough development in the actual story.
Anyway...REVIEWS ARE ENCOURAGED! And I hope you enjoyed this!
(Btw, Moonstone and Black Pearl's fusion is called Tanzanite, and their fusion theme is "My Imaginary Friend" from the Beyond: Two Souls soundtrack, except instead of bells in the beginning I'm thinking more piano.)