Love

Rose hadn't actually learned an extensive amount about each of the other Diamonds. She knew a small bit about them, but you could hardly say it was much. She had only spoken to them at meetings; she had never seen them outside of one, or had spoken to them about anything other than politics. Except for Pink Diamond, Rose barely knew the Diamonds at all. She had never even been to one of their parties, though now that she had asked Pink for information, she was being forced to go to one.

"If you want to learn about them, you have to meet them yourself, Rose. It's a lot to explain." Pink had said that day on the way home.

And so, this is how Rose found herself being dressed up and dragged down the streets of the city to White's palace.

She did not, under any circumstances, want to go to this party. In fact, it was the least important thing on her mind. But if Pink wanted her to, Rose would go. Rose would do anything for Pink, as long as it didn't harm herself or others.

The walk to the higher gem's palace was long, and the streets were crowded due to the lazy nature of the day and the fun of wandering the city. There were so many shops and stands, who wouldn't like to wander them?

Pink and Rose arrived at White's fashionably late. It wasn't incredibly late, not at all, and maybe it wouldn't even be considered tardy. The only sign to show them that they weren't right on time was all the bodies gathered in the main room, talking and laughing and drinking. Rose immediately felt uncomfortable. Sure, she was a very social gem, but these gems didn't seem to be the most friendly. All around her she heard bickering, and bragging, and saw offended glares and boastful grins. They looked ready to kill each other, not like they were diplomats seeing each other at a nice party. She twisted her fingers in front of her as she glanced around, and quickly decided that, no, she did not want to be here. Not really. She looked up to Pink to ask to leave, but was disappointed to find that her friend was no longer beside her. Looking around, she didn't find Pink anywhere even near her. How had she disappeared so fast?

Begrudgingly, Rose decided she would wander. Either she would find Pink or she would make a friend. Either way was better than simply standing there looking dejected, right? She moved ever so slightly to the left, trying to gracefully make her way around all the warm bodies surrounding her. It was every so crowded, and Rose was afraid that their weight may cause the elevated floor they were on to fall through. Well, not really. That was simply impossible, but it was fun to think about. Rose hid a tiny smile as she just imagined all of the gems before her, just fwoop, falling through. A few higher up gems shot disgusted looks her way as they caught site of her grin, but she ignored them. Maybe she didn't want to get to know the Diamonds anyways.

She wandered somewhat aimlessly through the large palace, her eyes landing on each and every piece of fancy decor in the area. The area she was in now was somewhat secluded, save for the few gems that had sneaked back to argue.

"Pink?" She called softly, thinking that maybe her friend had come back her to get away from the noise. The lack of response confirmed Rose's inner thoughts that her wishful thinking was impossible; Pink was too sociable for that. She tried again, however, hoping that just maybe...

"Pink, are you here?"

Within moments, a small squeak came from her right and Rose turned to see a door slowly opening.

Pearl was not okay. Everything about her was sore; the evening before had been terribly distressing. Not only did the young gem not understand what was happening, she also was not physically able to withstand the beatings and forceful behavior. And so, when her unconscious form was greeted with bright lights landing upon her face, she immediately felt confused. She had been left in White's leisure room, lying completely undressed under her pristine white blanket. She could see her now-dry dress and delicate slippers hung carefully by the door, and as she sat up she found a small note propped at her bedside.

I have gone, it read, but I am extremely pleased with your performance. Please, dearest, do behave yourself so next time I won't be forced to teach you a lesson beforehand. Get to your cleaning as soon as you arise, and please do avoid Moonstone. She has some learning to get done herself.

And that was it. No explanation of what had gone on, no nothing. She was left without guidance again, and so, she did as any Pearl would. She began to tend to her daily tasks.

Scrub the walls in the meeting room; check.

Mop the floors in the ballroom; check.

Organize the holopads in the office, check.

Pearl was dusting when she heard soft footsteps approach her. Stifly she continued her task, knowing good and well that if she turned she would see Moonstone behind her.

"Pearl, why have you avoided me?" The clear voice spoke. No doubt she had acted as a translator for White Diamond in the past or currently. The taller gem shrugged clumsily, avoiding eye contact with her friend and focusing on her dusting.

"She told you to avoid me, did she not?" Moonstone said, showing the first sign of anger Pearl had ever heard in the small gem. She was somewhat surprised, and so she turned to her.

Her mouth emitted a tiny squeak as she attempted to speak, and then she satisfied her need for speech by allowing a low rumble to settle from her vocal cords. Her hands gestured softly at Moonstone, and within seconds, the latter caught on.

"Oh, you would like to know why she did?" Pearl nodded, thankful that she could get through to her without the usage of words.

"She does not like her workers to participate in non-work related activities, dear Pearl. Unless she herself initiates them, White does not like any enjoyment." Moonstone stuck her tongue out and rolled her eyes, earning a small giggle from the younger gem. She, too, smiled.

"You do know, Pearl, that I did not mean for any harm to come to you, and that I do not wish to put you in harms way again?" Pearl nodded, her nervousness of disobeying her master slowly melting away.

"Would you like to join me in filing White's papers? She has a party tonight, I am sure she would like the work to be finished by then."

Pearl nodded happily, and allowed Moonstone to take her hand and lead her away.

Filing papers had taken much longer than expected, even with two of them, and within a few hours they could hear the palace begin to fill with the sounds and motion of a party.

"Pearl, we should remain in this room until the party is finished." Moonstone said, her eyes looking to the door when she heard the commotion. "If we exit this room, White will force you to work with the guests. If you remain in here, we can say you were finishing your last assignments and she will not be angered that you did not work." The short gem looked hopefully to where Pearl was seated cross-legged on the ground from where she was at the desk, and the younger gem looked uneasy. She did not know if she should listen; she did not want to be in trouble again, or be expected to participate in 'relaxing' as she was the night before. Maybe she should go to work with the guests...

"Pearl, are you considering going out to White?"

Pearl nodded sheepishly, knowing that her friend was not happy with her.

"If you would like, you may go out to her, but I would much prefer for you to keep me company."

Pearl decided she didn't like being programmed to please others. She wanted to stay with Moonstone, of course. She enjoyed her friend's company, and she wanted to stay with her as long as possible. But, as well as that, she truly did not want to get in trouble with White again. She didn't know what to decide, and so the gem simply remained seated on the floor with her papers. Moonstone seemed to be pleased with this idea, and smiled softly as she looked back to her own papers.

An hour past, then two, and the next time Pearl looked through the crystalline window, it was much past night. Stars were present in the sky, and the two moons were moving slowly across the sky. Her eyes moved to the desk where, she was interested to find Moonstone's head down on the table. Obviously she was resting; gems did tend to do that, Pearl knew from her limited knowledge of the world. Now that Moonstone was unaware, maybe she would not notice if Pearl slipped out. She really should be helping at the party, after all. She couldn't mind, could she? If Pearl went to find White, received an assignment for the party, then moved back to the office, she could tell Moonstone that they had been found and that she was put to work when the other gem awoke. It was decided that that was a good idea, and Pearl soon found herself moving quietly to the door.

"Pink, are you here?" The small gem heard. She tensed immediately, but soon relaxed as she realized she did not recognize that voice. A guest certainly couldn't know that she was supposed to be elsewhere, could they? She opened the door as quietly as she could and shut it softly behind her, smiling to herself as she stood against it.

"Oh, hello, little one."

She startled, her eyes wide as they looked up to see who had noticed her. A tall gem stood beside her, her bright pink hair billowing gracefully down her shoulders and her chocolate brown eyes warm and inviting. The gems skirt reached just above her feet, which were bare and soft, and her gemstone was a deep, sparkling pink. Instantly, Pearl understood the feeling of love.