after all (challenge entry)

BINCH I CRY

TYSM FOR A FEATURE

Pearl bit her lip and rubbed her swollen eye. “Hold still, Pearl, this’ll only feel odd for a little.” Rose said in her comforting voice. She walked up to Pearl with a lumpy ice pack raised, and lightly pressed it against the pale gem’s face. Pearl winced at the sudden coldness. Rose suppressed a laugh. Pearl smiled awkwardly, and took the ice pack from Rose. “So, how did you get that bruise?” Rose asked, sitting down in a chair beside Pearl. “It was the fusion. We were practicing and they kicked me in the eye.” She chuckled softly. Rose brushed back a rebel curl from her eye, and smiled. “Garnet really learns quickly.” Rose sighed. Then, Rose showed a look of concern. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Rose questioned. Pearl gave a look of shock, and began to speak. “I am, Rose! I’ve been ready for a millennia!” Pearl exclaimed. Rose looked down, and bit her lip. They exchanged a worried glance. “I’m just, scared. That’s all.” Rose whispered. Pearl showed great concern on her face. “I’ll come back, I promise.” Pearl whispered back. Rose nodded, and walked towards the warp pad. Pearl followed soon after, and put her hands on Rose’s shoulders. Rose clasped Pearl’s hands. “Come with me.” Rose said flatly. Pearl responded with a whisper that could barely be heard. Pearl threw aside her ice pack. Rose stepped onto the warp pad, and faced Pearl. Pearl stared her in the eyes. She then walked onto the warp pad, and warped away into the unknown known.

Pearl had been to colonies like this. She used to be part of a colony like this. She had worked in one. But this colony was different. Everything was so... earthy. They included trees in the buildings. They formed strong columns to hold up the pink ceilings with the elegant carvings. This wasn’t like a homeworld colony. Homeworld colonies had a cold element to them. Pearl couldn’t comprehend why Homeworld colonies had this essence about them that this colony had. It wasn’t like Homeworld at all. Pearl had stood agape for so long that it had seemed like time had just stopped. Pearl then looked forward. Focus. She put on a serious face, and started to walk forward. Pearl heard faint footsteps while she took the walk towards her destination. In preparation for an attack, she put her hand on the grip of the sword. Rose had given this to pearl as a blessing. Rose has given this, to her. Pearl felt warm inside to hear those words. The gem still continued forward. More noises filled her ears. The sounds of a screaming Agate. The sighs of a peridot. Pearl had worried that one of these gems would stop her. But the corridors were empty. The end of the hallway had come closer, to Pearl’s dismay. Her grip had tightened on the handle of the sword. She had started to feel dizzy, as if she was swaying. Then the large doors had come close to her face, staring at her almost. Pearl bit her lip, and put her hand on the door. She then stopped herself. What was she doing? Who would listen to her? Pearl stepped back. She needed more superior rank than a pearl would have. She looked down at her hands, and then to the sword. Pearl put her hand to the door, and her form started to glow and morph into another shape.

The gem stopped in front of the large diamond. “Hello, your honor.” The diamond was clicking away at a screen. She then turned to face whoever had spoken to her. The diamond’s mouth hung agape as she turned. “I am Rose Quartz, and I’m here to speak with you.” The gem explained boldly. The diamond’s shock turned to anger as she opened her mouth. “Guards!” She yelled. Two Jaspers came from both sides of the room. “Wait! I’m here for a peace offering.” Rose quickly said, looking both ways at the Jaspers. The Jaspers had gnarled looks pasted on their faces, especially the bulkier, orange one. Her hair was long, and untamed. It was pretty intimidating, actually. The Diamond then stopped. “Jaspers, please hold your ground.” The diamond quickly said. Rose exhaled quickly. “What are you doing, Pearl?” The Rose-Quartz-looking gem thought, “You’ve just shapeshifted into the leader of the rebellion, just to seem ‘legitimate’. But I have to do this. I have to do this for Rose.” Rose (who was actually a shapeshifted Pearl) straightened herself. “I would like to talk about peace. We do not need to have war if you allow us to protect the earth. We’ll leave your colonies be.” Pearl explained, sweating a little. The diamond gave a look of amusement. “And what would you do after that? How or where would we negotiate peace?” The pink diamond chimed in. “Pink Diamond, your honor, we would negotiate at our base, close to the cliff. And we would-“ Pearl explained. “Close to the cliff? Wait a second, is this a trick or shatter me?” Pink diamond suddenly said. Pearl was taken aback. “Your honor, no no no no no-“ She quickly said. The diamond stood up, a snarl on her face. “You worthless gem! I knew it! But look where you are now. I could easily shatter you in an instant! Your soldiers would be shattered too! And so would your pearl. That gem that’s so special because she’s a pearl.” Pink diamond yelled, crouching down and getting to Pearl’s height. “You will pay!” She yelled. Pink diamond reached out at Pearl, but Pearl was quick. In a millisecond, pearl had had a rush of energy to her brain. She grabbed Rose’s sword and plunged it into the essence of a diamond; their gem. The diamond looked horrified. Pearl was shaking. Then Pink diamond’s eyes rolled to the back of her head, and she ceased to exist. The whole room had gone silent. Pearl looked around to see all the gems. An eyeball ruby, a padparadsha sapphire, and that Jasper. They all had tears in their eyes. All of them were horrified. Pearl looked down, and sprinted away. She could hear the muffled screams coming from the room, but she couldn’t confirm who it was. There was too many possibilities.

Pearl sat on the beach. But that’s what she always did. She would sit, and think about when the war would end. But right now, different thoughts filled her head. She could not face Rose again, that thought was final. Rose would leave her to be shattered. Pearl had fat tears streaming down her face by the time a gust of wind had picked up. It made Pearl’s tears go sideways, and off into the sand to Pearl’s side. A different thought popped into Pearl’s head. It wasn’t just Rose that wouldn’t forgive her. What about her comrades? They would hate her. Pearl wrinkled her nose her nose to hold back tears. After all, this was her fault. After all, she had just shattered someone. After all, who would forgive her? Pearl didn’t turn around when Rose tapped her shoulder, or when she hugged her deeply. Pearl just was thinking too much, after all.

I had the pleasure of entering this challenge and getting the coolest aesthetic??? I got adrenaline rush and I had no clue what to do. I (also) wanted to do something for Month it Rose. So here it be. I’m super proud of this. Enjoy!

#Riaesthetic

#MOR

#CuratorReview (feeling cocky rn)