The pink morning light filtered into the room, bathing everything in a warm glow and stretching out across the floors, casting sparkles in its wake as it explored the very new and polished marble. It touched on everything it could, delicate glass sculptures and large, metallic pots covered in decorative embellishments of gem figures and stones. The slowly moving light had been ignored as it hit the back the newest matriarch's chair, blocking it out and deepening the shadows she had been surrounded in since she had awoken early that solar cycle and taken up residence there.

Orange sat hunched over in her chair, the cold stone having long since warmed from her sitting in it all morning. A half eaten canister of tablets sat precariously abandoned at the corner of the desk, hard case pads laid scattered around it. Some open and still flickering with life, reading off various bits of information while being ignored in favor of the lit display in front of her, multiple diamond-shaped screens stacked in disorganized chaos that only she could understand as she flipped back and forth between them. It was only mid-morning and Orange felt like she was behind her own self-imposed schedule.

The first week she had moved over from White's palace to her own she had been so determined to take on all the work the others sent her way, believing it wouldn't be too much more difficult than what she already handled on the daily. As she hoped, the others had been so pleased with her, impressed even, that they had decided to dive head first into getting her acquainted with the feel of a real work load.

Now, she was regretting her decisions to accept her duty as a Diamond so early into her move up. She could have taken an entire millennia to herself and the others would have been fine with that, probably would have been happy even, considering her age. Instead, It had been four weeks since she had left her palace and she already wanted to tell them she couldn't handle all this. Her last call had been from Yellow and it had been very brief and all business. Blue was busy dealing with captured rebels and their sentencing, while White was doing only she knows what. She hadn't even heard from Pearl as some in-between communication from her. Orange was starting to miss her rather carefree life in White's palace.

Not even her own inner circle had been spared from her undertaking. She had little time to share with the others, having to deny seeing the Topazes and decline the Carnelians offers to spend a little downtime together while she exercised, which she had to all together nix from her schedule at this point. Iris was the only one that had granted time to speak with face to face, and it was all work. Her only company had been Pearl, who seemed to be the only one that slightly benefited from her new arrangement. But, even then, she seemed to be tired of the constant pattern of her work schedule, the same four walls, no matter how beautifully decorated and spacious her office may be, was quickly growing to be a tiring sight for both of them. Though, she must admit, Pearl was being a better champ about it than she was. Pearl had tried to lighten the mood as best she could with small talk, as awkward as it was, and little gestures of bringing her things, which Orange could appreciate.

Speaking of Pearl, Orange paused, her hand falling from the screen in front of her to the armrest of her chair as she glanced to her right. Pearl stood dutifully beside her, at this point mindful of the space she left her as she became aware she didn't like to be crowded while she worked. Pearl's attention had wandered to the windows, though her body still faced towards her desk, awaiting a command from her or until she realized it was time to get her another canister of tablets. In the four weeks she had Pearl, Orange had become a little more aware of her and a little more used to her presence. She might even go so far as to say she had grown to like it.

And while their working life may have grown enough that they had gotten used to the way one another behaved, she noticed she didn't know much about the gem herself. She was a stranger that had been thrust into her life, regardless of how either of them felt about it. A stranger she had very little understand of given the long four weeks they had been together, and that bothered her. She felt there should have been more effort on her part, and that alone was enough to bring shame to her. Pearl was just as much a victim in this arrangement as she had been, the difference being Pearl got the short end of the stick and she hadn't done much to try and ease that burden for her. It bothered her more when she realize recently, in her own frustrations, she had been treating her like, well, like a pearl. It was something she knew she had to make the time to correct, though time was hard to find these days.

Glancing back her screens, and then at the small gem beside her, Orange gave it but a moment of thought before she sat back with a heavy sigh.

"Alright. Enough of this." She said, catching Pearl's attention as she ran a hand through her hair, her eyes scanning the multiple screens and the cases in front of her that made the desk feel just a little too claustrophobic to sit at any longer than she needed to. "If I look at another form, I'm going to scream."

Pearl glanced at her desk and then back, thin eyebrows raised at her wording, though her tone was light as she asked "Is there something you'd like to do, My Diamond?"

Orange titled her head back, closing her eyes for a moment as she answered, "Truthfully, I've been thinking about something and I think today would be a good day to do it."

"Anything I can help with?" Pearl asked earnestly.

"Actually, it involves you." Orange answered, rolling her head to the side to look at her, watching her reaction.

Pearl blinked, "Me?"

Orange motioned to Pearl and then herself with her finger, "Let's do something together."

"With...me, My Diamond?"

"Yeah." Orange nodded, "I've been thinking about it and i'm not so oblivious to how much trouble we're having getting along, Pearl. So let's fix that."

Pearl gasped, her hands balling up and pressing against her chest, her round eyes shining with tears. Orange couldn't help but notice the gesture always seemed to cover her gem, whether instinctual or out of defense, she wasn't sure, but it stirred something inside her to know she feared for her life on some level when she got upset. "I'm so sorry My Diamond. It's my fault, I-"

"Pearl, stop it."

"But-"

"We just need to get to know each other." Orange said softly, turning her body in her chair to face the smaller gem as she gave her what she hoped was a comforting smile, "We haven't had a whole lot of time for that, have we? Honestly, thinking about it, I don't know anything about you."

Pearl looked taken aback, "A-about me?"

"Yeah. Lets take a walk and you can tell me about yourself." Orange said, standing up, before she realized that her attendant believe that to be an order. "Or-" She paused, looking down at her curiously, "Is there anything you'd like to do? You know, when you're not doing things for me."

"I...um-" Pearl's face flushed, her head tilting down and her eyes looking anywhere but up at her before she stopped to look back up through her eyelash, "I don't."

Orange furrowed her eyebrows, "You...don't know?"

Pearl looked away in what Orange definitely knew to be embarrassment "I've never done anything besides this, My Diamond."

"Never?"

Pearl's foot scuffed the floor beneath her, her hands lowering from her gem to her hips where she rung them together, "I was made for you. After I was made, and looked over, I was told to retreat back to my gem until I was needed. I...I don't know anything outside my work for you, My Diamond."

"You're blank." Orange blurted, too surprised to be embarrassed as it hit her and just how stupid she had been. She had been judging her all this time without ever even thinking about why she was the way she is, or just what it meant for a gem to be made for someone like her. It made her feel sick. "My stars, Pearl."

"I'm sorry. I know I'm not exciting, or a good talker, or-"

Orange placed her hands on her shoulders, her eyes gentle as Pearl looked up at her, startled and scared, "Don't apologize, Pearl. That's not your fault. Besides, we can fix that too."

Her eyes glanced down at the large hands warming her shoulders, cheeks burning all their own before turning back up to give her a questioning look. "Fix, My Diamond?"

"Forget anything I have to do today." Orange announced, letting her go and stepping away from her chair, Pearl trailing behind her as she walked and talked, "Clear the schedule, because you and are going to find something you like doing, Pearl." She stopped, turning to look down at her with a large grin, excitement shining in her eyes, "Who knows, maybe we'll find you a hobby that you can do in your free time."

Pearl couldn't help the smile that formed at the look on her Diamond's face. A day centered around her? With her Diamond? It made her whole body feel flushed from the thought. "I...I'd like that, My Diamond. Thank you."

"Orange."

"Or-" She bit her lip before she could get more than a syllable out.

"Too soon, it's alright." Orange waved her off with a good natured laugh, "I guess it must be harder for new gems like you to go around our coding, huh?"

"Sorry."

"Don't worry about it, okay? One day i'll get you to say my name." Orange had to admit she enjoyed the way Pearl looked up at her in appreciation. "But for now, let's go find some things to do."

Orange motioned for her to follow her, Pearl sticking with her as they headed for the door. It was only once they neared that it hit her and she slowed. Glancing down at the small attendant, Orange scratched the side of her neck, her eyebrows raised as she asked, "What, uh, what do you want to do first? Any ideas?"

Pearl smiled, big and bright as she looked up a her. "Whatever you would like to do, My Diamond."

"I...well, I wanted to know more about you." Orange hedged, "Is there anything you'd like to do, or try?"

"I don't like anything, my Diamond, only what you tell me to. My feelings are irrelevant."

"No, they're not." Orange countered, her tone rather forceful, which she quickly tried to cover before Pearl could read more into it, her hand making a circular motion in the air, "Come on, anything, anything at all?"

"Is there something you'd like me to say, My Diamond?" Pearl questioned after she waited for a long moment, her eyes lowering to the floor, "I'm...I'm unsure. I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It's...not your fault." Orange shoulders slumped, trying not to let the discomfort and disappointment show on her face.

"I've upset you."

"No!" Orange shouted, startling Pearl and making the taller gem flinch as she watched her shrink away. She waved her hands, attempting to salvage the situation, " Don't be sorry, please....It's my own fault. I had expectations-"

"And I have failed to meet them. Oh, forgive me my clarity! I should not have assumed what you were going to say!"

"Hey," Orange stepped forward, reaching out to stop Pearl from potentially hurting herself by grabbing her wrists, stilling her as she looked up at her with wide, wet eyes. "It's okay, I swear. You don't have to apologize so much."

"I don't?"

"You're...well, you're like me, when I was younger." Orange couldn't stop the chuckle that escaped her. "You're new, so you don't know any better."

"My Diamond?"

She laughed harder at Pearl's wide eyes and confusion expression as she remembered just how it had been for her. She never expected she'd find herself in such a role reversal, "I thought you'd be like the others, but you can't be! You don't know anything."

"Ermmm."

Orange's laugh died down, her amusement quickly being killed as she registered the upset look on Pearl's face, her hands balled into fists as she still had her arms held still. Quickly she let her go, her hands pulling away as Pearl stood still even as she stepped back. "Stars, I didn't mean it like that! I...you don't have any actual experience with this world, of course you don't know what you like." She explained in a rush, pausing to give her an apologetic look as she looked back up at her, her eyes judging just how truthful she was being. "Listen, I have an entire palace to myself, and free time until I decide I have to return to my work. Let's try some things, maybe you'll find something you like. Is that alright with you?"

"If that is what you want, My Diamond."

"No," Orange reached forward, slowly like she would startle her if she moved too fast and scare her off, cupping her cheeks, pausing as she saw the alarmed look in her eyes and feel the tension under her hands before she gently wiped at the tear tracks on her face. "If it's what you want. Do you want to go do this? We don't have to, I won't force you, and I promise I wont be mad."

Pearl was silent, round eyes impossibly wider as she stared up at her, before she eventually gave a brief nod which she stopped once she realized Orange still had a grasp of her cheeks, her voice soft as she responded, "I'd like to."

This made Orange smile, her thumbs taking one last swipe at the thinning trail of tears before she pulled her hands back to her sides, "Since you don't know, perhaps we should get some ideas. Maybe the Carnelians will have something to try. They're still on duty, right?"

"Yes, My Diamond."

"Good!" Orange beamed, turning back to the door, glancing behind her to ensure Pearl was following before moving again, "Let's go have a talk."

Stepping out of her office, Orange ignored the highly decorated walls, the eyes of the gem figures lining the short hall that lead to her office doors avoiding both of the gems gaze as they passed by. At the end of the hall, Orange smiled as she found the two red heads she was looking for, completely unaware of them with their backs against the wall either side of the entryway.

Upon exiting the hall, both turned to look up at her, with Five being the first to move from her post, long since ignoring the rules of being dismissed as she grinned up at the larger gem, her fingers lacing together as she stretched her arms up over her head, "Time to go already, My Diamond?"

Seven leaned over to look at her around Orange, her eyebrows furrowed as she shook her head, "Cant be, haven't been here that long. Not even half cycle yet."

Orange turned to give her a questioning look, "Do I want to know how you know that without windows?"

Seven grinned back at her, "Forby and Karn walk by on their patrol mid shift."

"Forby and Karn?" Orange repeated inquisitively.

"The quartz, ma'am?" Seven supplied when she remained silent, "You met them a couple weeks ago."

"The Lemon Quartz that joined us, My Diamond." Five clarified, getting Orange's attention again.

Seven crossed her arms as she stepped forward, standing at Orange's side as she looked at her partner, "They re actually not as bad you'd think for newbies."

"Yeah, you'd like them." Five agreed before looking back up at Orange, surprised she still seemed to be lost, "Don't remember them?"

After a very long and awkward pause, Orange's face lit up as the memory of the two gems finally came to her, her mouth falling open as she gasped in realization. "Oh! Those two." Her cheeks warmed as she reached up to rub the back of her neck as the two red gems looked at her in amusement, "I guess I forgot about them."

Seven and Five shared a look before Five shrugged, "Hey, you meet so many gems, can't blame you for not remembering all of us."

"Hmm..." Orange nodded, embarrassed that she had forgotten them so soon. However, her embarrassment quickly slipped away as she looked down and noticed how uncomfortable Pearl looked she waited patiently while they talked, biting her lip and staring at their feet, hands subtly wringing together in front of her. Immediately her hand fell from her neck as she turned back to the two other gems as she remembered just why she was there. "Oh, but thats beside the point. I actually wanted to talk to you two."

"Hey, anything for our favorite Diamond." Five grinned.

Seven nodded, "What can we do for you?"

"Escort detail?"

"Lookouts?"

"Commentators?"

"Actually," Orange cut them off before they could continue, "I need recommendations."

Both looked confused as they looked at one another and then at her again.

"For?" Seven questioned.

"Things to do. You know," Orange's hand made a circular motion as she searched for the right word, "free time."

Five exaggerated surprise on her face as she joking asked, "You have that?"

"Haha." Orange slapped her playfully on the shoulder, "Don't lose that sense of humor, Five."

Five saluted her, "As my Diamond commands it."

"No." Orange quickly tried to get back on track again, leaning back slightly to gently clap Pearl on the back, startling her in the process as she held her hand there, dragging the Carnelian's attention to her for the first time. "I'm spending the day with Pearl."

Five made a face, her eyebrow raising before she hesitantly responded, "Good luck?"

"Hey." Orange narrowed her eyes, her finger pointing at her and then Seven in a light warning, "Be nice, the both of you." She waited until both nodded, neither looking chastised but remaining compliant nonetheless before she continued, "I meant, we need recommendations for things to do so Pearl can find something she likes too. I need some ideas, so I thought of the two most fun gems I know."

"Aww, you hear that Seven?" Five's hands clasped together as she pressed them to the side of her tilted head, her mouth opening to say more before her head slammed forward as Seven smacked her in the back of the head, her hands flying up to protect her skull from further abuse as she hunched over, "Ow!"

"Shape up." Seven glared as the shorter carnelian titled her head to scowl at her, hands rubbing furiously through her hair to soothe the throbbing she had caused. Seven turned back to the taller gem, bowing her head slightly in apology, "Sorry My Diamond, she forgets the prestigious position she's in now." She cut her eyes to her, narrowing as she watched her stick her tongue out at her in response, "You know, personally serving a member of the Great Authority."

Five stood back up, grunting as her hands fell away from her ruffled hair, "I haven't forgotten. Sheesh."

"Well?" Orange pressed, bring the two back to her.

"Oh, uh right." Five cleared her throat, her arms crossing over her chest as she took a moment to think. "Well...we like to go to the Crag when we're off duty."

Seven titled her head as she considered it a moment, "I bet she'd have fun there, i guess."

Orange gave both a blank stare as she waited another moment for their suggestion to sink in before speaking slowly, "You think I, a Diamond, can take Pearl down to the Crag?"

"Well, it's not like they'll turn you away." Five argued.

Orange leveled her with a look.

Five placed a hand against her chin, rubbing as she thought harder, "Okay, well how about..." she paused, waving the thought away with her hand before continuing to rub her chin, "No no..oh! Well, no..."

"We go to the Arena." Seven supplied, finally cutting off her partner and gaining the others attention, "Maybe she'd like it there?"

"Oh!" Five snapped her fingers as she pointed to Seven, "That's a good idea. Maybe she'd like to spar?"

"Seriously? That's not what I meant." Seven motioned to the skinny gem as she gave Five an incredulous look, "She's a pearl, you really think she's gonna go toe to toe with another gem? pearls don't fight. She'd be much better with the numbers."

"Oh, come on. What if it was against another pearl?" Five challenged. A wide grin spread on her face as she nodded her head to the large gem between them, "You know, I bet our Diamond would like that, huh?" Five paused to nudge her elbow into Orange's side, her eyebrows wiggling as she looked up at her, "You know how she favors-"

Orange's large hand clamped down over Five's mouth, cutting her off as she glared down at her, "Alright, both of you can shut up now." She grunted, Five slapping her hand against her wrist until she pulled away, giving the smaller gem a warning look before she did so, "Pearl isn't going to fight for whatever fantasies you two have."

"Hey!" Seven protested, "I wasn't the one who suggested it!"

"She isn't a bet broker either." Orange threw back, giving her a look as well, "Pearl isn't going to run numbers for you."

Seven looked appalled, her hand on her chest even as she fought against the growing smile on her face, "I would never suggest that."

Orange couldn't help the exasperated laugh that escaped her, shaking her head as she closed her eyes a moment, "You two are incorrigible."

"Sorry we couldn't help." Five shrugged, her tone apologetic.

"You hang around all those other pearls, what about them?" Seven asked, the three gems turning to look at her in question, "Surely you can get something more suitable for a Diamond's pearl from them."

"Hmm." Orange tapped a finger to her chin, considering it for but a moment before nodding, "I suppose that's not a bad idea." She looked down at Pearl, who looked at her with questioning eyes as she proposed, "How about we try some of the things the others Diamond's pearls do in their free time. Maybe you'll like something I know from them. You could even bond over it if you find something."

Pearl nodded in agreement, "I would like that, My Diamond."

"Alright." Orange smiled, pointing behind her to the closed doors of her office, "Pearl, go grab two blank pads from my desk. I got a good place in mind for us to go."

Pearl bowed her head to her, "Yes, My Diamond."

------------------------

Settling into the plush chair, Orange glanced over at Pearl beside her, noting how she gazed out the window, large pale orange eyes scanning over the narrow, tall pane of glass that lined the wall this side of the hexagonal shaped room. On either side of it were floor-to-ceiling pillars, the mirror of it the exact same on the other side of the room, both sandwiching a wide open balcony. However, the reason Orange had chosen this side of the room instead of the balcony was evident as Pearl stared at the giant statue that stood just eye level outside this floor of the palace. Beside it was a gushing pillar waterfall. Behind it were multiple buildings, clear tubes and small bridges slightly visible through the small gaps of the overlapping structures. It was nice to know even the backside of her palace had a beautiful view, and one her pearl seemed to appreciate just as much as her.

Bringing her pad to life, Orange lifted up the bottom of it so that it would hold itself aloft at an angle in front of her. Beside her, Pearl must have noticed as she could see out of the corner of her eye as she followed suit. Pulling up a blank file, Orange cocked her head to look at her.

"Alright, so i'm not exactly an expert, but I actually learned a bit from Blue Diamond's Pearl." Orange told her, watching as she brought up a blank file of her own, finger hovering over the screen as she turned to look up her, giving her her full attention, "She's a great artist, so hopefully I've picked up enough to start you off."

"What...What do I do?" Pearl questioned, turning to look at her screen.

"Just draw what you see. Or anything that's on your mind." Orange shrugged, "It's what I did the first time."

Pearl reached forward and then stopped, her finger curling away from the screen as her eyebrows furrowed, "But what if i mess it up, or if-"

"Don't think too much about it." Orange said, her finger already moving across her own screen, "From experience, it takes a lot of practice to get anything right." She paused, turning to offer her a small smile, "And I've found that half the fun is simply making something of your own."

Pearl turned back to her screen, her eyes flicking to the lit buildings behind the statues that she had been admiring when they sat down. Glancing back, Pearl saw that her Diamond was already engulfed in her own drawing, a mess of white lines beginning to take a shaky shape she couldn't quite place, but understood it was a spire of some kind. Her Diamond was so concentrated already, the little quirk of her brow and the sharpness other eyes as she worked captivating. It was the first time she seemed so at ease in her presence and it was enough to make her smile. Turning back to her own screen she gave a small nod to herself before placing her finger to the screen. She could do this.

When she finally pulled her hand back, she didn't know how long she had been at it, but she had to forced herself to sit back when she felt herself becoming frustrated the more she looked at her work and then back at the city view. The more time she spent on it, the more the screen became filled with lines, and the more she disliked what she saw. At first she had like it, seeing the rough shape of the buildings being made by the thin lines she drew out. But then she kept adding, and as the details piled on, the more she found she thought it looked nothing like what she had intended.

So she resolved to stop while she was ahead. Titling her head as she examined her screen one last time, she turned to look at her master, "How's this?"

Orange stopped her own work, looking over at her in a dazed surprise before registering what she had said, her eyes turning to the screen. "Oh, I like that." She said, titling her own head as she looked at it, taking in the different sections that made up the city she had done. "You did very well for your first time, Pearl."

"Thank you, My Diamond."

"Well?" Orange voiced as she turned her attention back to her with a hopeful smile, "Can you see yourself doing this?"

Pearl looked back at her screen, feeling her lip curl as she looked at it with distaste again. "I...I think my talents lie elsewhere, My Diamond."

Orange was already starting to close her screen, the holographic diamond flattening in on itself as the hard case came back together under her hands, "Fair enough." She agreed, "Let's try something else then."

------------------------

Standing in the familiar room of her appropriated gym, Pearl glanced around as Orange stood beside her, letting her take in the new room as she spoke, "Alright, now I know this is generally a pearl thing already, but Yellow's Pearl enjoys singing." She explained, her eyes squinting as she gave it a moment of thought and added, "Well, more humming, but I think it's just because she doesn't get to sing unless Yellow tells her to. So what about you, want to give it a go?"

Pearl turned to look up at her, hands clasped in front of her as she asked, "Would you like me to sing, My Diamond?"

"Yes." Orange nodded before shaking her head as she realized what Pearl had asked, "I mean, no. I..." she held her tongue, turning to face Pearl as she questioned, "Would you like to sing, Pearl?"

"I would like to sing for you, My Diamond."

"Alright." Orange conceded, gently patting her on the back of her shoulder, "Whenever you're feeling it, go ahead."

Pearl nodded, looking away and then back, her eyes flashing to the ground as she hesitantly spoke, "May I...may I ask...?"

"Ask anything, Pearl." Orange smiled in encouragement, "You don't have to ask my permission," she paused, holding up a finger as she added, "on the condition you don't say sorry."

Pearl's mouth opened, her brow furrowing slightly, "I...Why this room?"

"Huh? Whats wrong with-" Orange glanced around, before realizing what she meant, "Oh, because it's big and open. Yellow's Pearl said it was good for acoustics, whatever that is."

"Acoustics have to do with how sound travels, and its quality and it is perceived, My Diamond." Pearl stated happily.

"Suppose that makes sense." Orange shrugged, momentarily intrigued by Pearl's response before moving on with a shake of her head, "Anyway, acoustics aside, why don't you start whenever you're ready."

"You'll be listening, My Diamond?" Pearl asked, watching as her Diamond turned around, walking towards one of the raised seats that jutted from the floor, forming stone steps as it rose up in tiers.

Pausing, Orange turned to look at her over her shoulder, "That alright?"

"O-of course." Pearl blushed, nodding.

Orange turned back, making herself comfortable on the little too low seating. Leaning forward, she rested her elbows against her thighs, looking up at Pearl who seemed to be waiting for her and motioned to her. "Whenever you want, Pearl. I'm just the audience."

Pearl nodded. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes, a smile forming on her lips. This, this she could do.

Humming softly, Pearl started off her song slowly, building up her voice as she transitioned into a much louder cadence.

Across from her, Orange listened with rapt attention, her song beautiful, though she was more taken with the soft smile that tugged on the corners of her lips even while she sung, the way she seemed to relax as she continued to sing her own tune, a song Orange had never heard before. She had to admit, it was nice to see the smaller gem so happy for once, and comfortable in her own element. Orange could have cursed herself for getting so caught up when Pearl eventually stopped, realizing she had missed a good chunk while admiring the thin gem.

Sitting back, Orange played it off as she smiled back at Pearl, "That was beautiful Pearl."

"Thank you." Pearl bowed her head to her, very pleased with herself.

"So, what did you think?"

"I think it's a very useful skill to have if you liked it, My Diamond." Pearl responded.

"Er, sure." Orange nodded before pressing, "But what about you, did you enjoy that?"

Pearl blinked, the smile slightly slipping off her face. "Should I have?"

"I'll take that as a no." Orange sighed, slapping her thighs before forcing herself to stand up. "Let's try something else."

------------------------

"Are we supposed to be relaxing, My Diamond?"

Orange tilted her head up, fighting against the odd angle she had made herself comfortable at on the long couch, looking at Pearl across the room as she sat properly in her own chair, "No, well, yes. But really, the point is to get comfortable before you start."

Pearl glanced at the data cube in her hand, the light it projected displaying a long page of words. "And...you want me to learn this?"

"No. I don't want you to learn anything. You're just..."Orange responded, leaning back, her own cube resting against her stomach, "You're just supposed to sit and read." She paused, scrolling lazily through the text in front of her as she added, "For fun."

"Oh."

Orange's finger paused, her eyes straining as she glanced back in Pearl's direction without moving this time, "Think you can do that?"

"Of course, My Diamond."

"Good." Orange sighed, relaxing back further into the couch, straining to read the white text in front of her.

"My Diamond?"

"Huh?" Orange sat up, startled by the sudden sight of Pearl standing over her, the cube slipping from her stomach as she forced herself up onto her elbows, turning partially towards Pearl as she blinked, "What? How'd you get over here so fast?"

"You were doing that snoring thing."

"Oh!" Orange's eyebrows turned up as her hand moved stifle a yawn, having the sensibility to at least show Pearl she was apologetic, "I'm sorry Pearl. I didn't mean to fall asleep on you."

Pearls's fingers toyed with ends of her sheer skirt, her chin tilted down as she quietly asked, "Is....Is this meant to be a boring task?"

Orange chuckled, sliding her feet off the couch to sit forward, her hand moving to her neck to rub at the ache that had formed since she had lain there for an indeterminate amount of time. Her little library needed some windows. "Well, I guess that's an answer to my question. How about we move on? We're bound to find something."

------------------------

"I was a little unsure about this one." Orange said as they stepped through the pink front doors of the small building. "But I think it's a good shot."

Pearl stuck to her side, eyeing the Amethyst guards as they passed. It wasn't until they were alone in the hall of the entryway did she realize she had latched onto the bottom of her master's tunic, her face flushing as she looked up, though the tall Diamond didn't seem to have noticed her momentary lapse of judgment either. Instead, her eyes remained on the doors ahead and leading her towards their next destination. It wasn't until they had passed them, entering a round room that only had two doors to choose from on either side of their entranceway, her Diamond taking the left, was she greeted by a very unexpected sight. Her Diamond had taken her to an incredibly large open room, the ceiling was domed and made up of many hexagonally shaped tiles that lit up the room, simulating sunlight. At their feet were thousands of plants, flowering buds and boastful colorful and wide leaves, many of them were much taller than her.

"It's...it's so beautiful, My Diamond."

"Its my mother's." Orange smiled wistfully, her voice far away as she looked at the lavish fauna.

Pearl was hesitant to speak, to intrude on whatever moment her superior seemed to be having, though she was concerned by her prolonged silence. "My Diamond?"

Orange's head turned to her, seeing her concerned and questioning eyes before realizing what she had said. Clearing her throat, she turned back, hiding her reddened cheeks as she corrected herself, "I-I mean, it belongs to Pink Diamond, but she wont mind us being here." She turned, crouching down to grab a bag that leaned against the doorway before motioning for Pearl to follow her as she stepped forward, "Come on."

The polished floor they had been walking on quickly transitioned to dirt, and she paused at the threshold of it, hesitant to place her feet in, though her Diamond seemed to have no such qualms as she stepped over the small lip that kept the dirt and soil in, leaving her there. Pursing her lips, she quickly made the decision to follow before she lost her, her eyes on the ground as she gingerly touched the dirt, watching her once clean shoes sink into the topsoil as she slowly stepped forward. It wasn't until she looked up to see her Diamond watching her with an amused smile on her face did she see that her Diamond wasn't in the dirt at all, and was in fact standing on a stone pathway that winded through the room, getting lost in all the green. Pearl could feel her cheeks redden at her blunder. It was her only blessing that her Diamond said nothing as she hurriedly skipped over the dirt and to the pathway, Orange giving a slight shake of her head as her smile widened before she turned, continuing to lead the way through the indoor garden.

"If I may ask, My Diamond," Pearl said, eyes bouncing to and from the stone pathway to her Diamond's back in front of her, insuring they wouldn't become separated, "What are we doing here?"

"You don't have to ask if you can ask me something, Pearl. I prefer you speak your mind with me, okay?" Orange paused to push a large overhanging plant out of the way, moving aside to let Pearl walk ahead of her before allowing it to drop back in place behind them, "If we're going to be friends, we have to learn to loosen up a bit around each other."

Pearl was stunned, friends? She couldn't imagine being friends with her superior, what would that even be like? She recalled the easy playfulness her Diamond had with her personal guards earlier. Could she really have that kind of relationship like the Carnelians? It looked so much more appealing then the strain she had been facing since she had been given to her owner, how could she not want it? "Of course, My-" Swallowing down her automatic response, she nodded, "I understand."

Orange smiled, pleased with her response as she took back the lead, "Now, what we're doing here is...." She waited a moment as their path diverged into a Y, leaving the area in front of them open, which she stepped to the side and turned, motioning to the large patch in front of them, "We're going to tend to some of the plants."

Pearl blinked, eyeing the plants. They weren't as tall as all the others surrounding them, and there seemed to be large gaps between the shrub plants that grew closer to the ground, dotting the little area. It looked to be an odd choice, sticking out from the rest of the garden around them. She turned to give the older gem a questioning look, "But...Isn't that the job of a serpentine?"

"Well, yes." Orange conceded, "But we're going to take care of some of these. If you like it, i'll have some plants put in my palace for you."

Pearl couldn't stop the tiny gasp that escaped her, "You would do that for me?"

"Of course," Orange grinned at the look on her face, "if it'll make you happy."

"My Diamond..." Pearl sniffed, fighting back the tears that lined the bottom of her eyes.

Orange crouched down, tilting her head to look at Pearl as she offered her a smile, reaching out to take her hand, "Hey now, no need for tears."

"Sorry..." Pearl sniffed again, wiping at her eyes as she smiled in appreciation. She couldn't believe her Diamond was being so kind.

"Hey, look at that."

"huh?"

Orange grinned, "You didn't call me My Diamond."

"Oh! I'm so sorry-"

"Ah Ah." Orange interrupted with a playful wag of her finger, "It's not quite my name, but its a start." This earned a giggle from Pearl, which assured Orange that Pearl wouldn't devolve into more tears, releasing her hand as she stood back up. "Now, let's get to it."

Pearl watched as Orange held up the bag she had been carrying, pulling out two small pink blades, tossing the bag onto the pathway before turning and offering the handles to her. Cautiously, she took hold of it, eyeing the small blade before watching as the taller gem stepped off the path and into the dirt, heading towards the closest plant in the lot. Following her lead, Pearl took up the spot next to her, eyeing her own plant. It was small, like the others, as if it was undernourished, or perhaps simply a small growing species, she couldn't tell. From the corner of her eye, she noted that her Diamond knelt into the soil, uncaring of the dirt on her knees. However, Pearl could not get over the thought of dirt on her form and decided to crouch down, her knees tucked to her chest as she eyed the plant again.

Reaching out with the small knife, she mimicked her Diamond's actions, though she paused at one spindly branch before deciding to move to another, and then passing again. Finally, she pulled the knife away, cocking her head to see what her Diamond was doing as she asked, "What...what should I do, my- ummm, I've never done this before."

Orange paused, knife blade presses against a gnarled twig as she looked over at her. "well, we're going to prune first. Just get rid of the dead bits, or anything that looks overgrown." Orange instructed, turning back to her own and pressing the blade through the thin sprig as she pinched it between her blade and finger before adding the separated twig to the small discard pile she had made beside her in the dirt, "This is my patch, so its alright if anything happens."

"Your patch?" Pearl repeated, surprised, though her attention was refocused onto her plant, eyeing it but a moment before deciding to just dive in, gingerly stripping the plant of the darkened, dead branches she could see.

"Yeah...." Orange nodded, a small smile forming on her face a she looked over the patch of plants they occupied. "Pink gave me my own section to work on when I was younger." She explained, a quiet chuckle escaping her as a memory came to her. She stood up, moving up to the next plant as she continued to speak, Pearl slowly following her to another at her side. "I remember she used to try to help me, but I'd get so angry when she did the work for me. I was so horrible at gardening though and the plants often wilted. When they did that, Pink would always bring them back for me so I wouldn't feel bad." Orange's hand stopped, her hand placing down the knife as it lifted back to cup a open faced pink flower that sat atop the plant, a fond smile on her face. "She thinks I didn't know that I was killing them or that it was her bringing them back, but I knew I wasn't good at keeping things alive like her. I never have been. It annoyed me then, but...thinking about it now, it was really sweet of her."

"But these look so good, my Diamond!"

Orange turned to look at her, giving a slight shake of her head, "I haven't been down here in centuries, honestly. I think Pink might have been here before she left for her colony again."

Pearl stopped her work, watching her Diamond as her own attention turned to the flower in her hand, the soft look on her face as she spoke. "You really care for Pink Diamond."

"Of course. She...She means the world to me." The breath left her as a heavy feeling settled behind her gem, "And the last time I talked to her, I got in an argument with her. I should call her and apologize." Orange's hand pulled away from the flower as she felt something on her cheek, reaching up and finding she was wiping away tears. When had she started crying? How embarrassing after telling Pearl not to. She scrubbed her face clear, covering her action with a small laugh, cocking her head away so Pearl could see, "I'm sorry." She huffed, pushing away the heavy feeling that settled in her chest and turning to offer Pearl an apologetic smile, "Here i am getting all sentimental and reminiscing. I didn't mean to make this about me."

"No, no!" Pearl shook her head, not wanting her Diamond to be ashamed for showing her emotions. It was such a step away from their normal relationship, she didn't want her to think she was bothered by the display, if anything she felt honored. Trusted. "Its alright, it's..." she paused, a small smile on her face as she looked at the flowers in front of her. Her Diamond's hard work, and she was being allow to help care for something so special. She was a lucky pearl. "It's nice seeing you smile, My Diamond."

"Thanks...but we came here for you." Orange said, clearing her throat once more before attempting to change the subject, "So what do you think? Maybe this is something you could like to do?"

"I could." Pearl agreed, her eyes flicking to her Diamond as she looked at her and then away, attempting to give her the pretense she hadn't noticed her tears at all, "Would you prefer I like this?"

"It's not...it doesn't matter what I want." Orange sighed, picking up her knife and standing up. "Do you like it?"

"Well, I guess-"

"It's okay." Orange bent, brushing the dirt from her knees as she shook her head, "We'll find something eventually. Let's...I'm ready to return, actually. I should probably get some more work done before Yellow realizes I've been gone and blows a gasket."

"Oh, of course." Pearl stood up, quickly checking her legs for dirt before hurrying to join her Diamond on the path as she took the knife from her to put back in her borrowed bag, "I will escort you, my Diamond. Would you like your supplements when we return?"

"No. I'm not hungry." Orange declined, turning to start leading the way back to the start of the path.

"But, My Diamond, it's past time for your next canister. Are you sure?"

"Yes, it's okay." Orange waved her off over her shoulder.

Pearl's shoulders slumped, her head bowing as she decided it best not to press the matter during her Diamond's soured mood. perhaps they could pick this up again later. "As you say."

------------------------

"My Diamond?" Pearl called out as she entered the room, finding her at her desk. The room was much dimmer than when it was flooded by the morning light, now primarily being lit by the floating diamond sconces that were above the simple pillars built into the wall.

Orange leaned on her desk, her eyes fluttering as she slowly clicked through the requests on her pad. So many requests to see her, to ask her for things, Iris wanting approval on certain tasks and a rosters of new gems. A lot of it she didn't care about at all. "Hmm?" She hummed in acknowledgment, her eyes never leaving the screen.

"You have a visitor."

"Who?" She sighed, leaning back against her chair and stretching her neck out, before leaning the side so that she could turn to look at Pearl behind her chair, "I wasn't expecting-"

"Hello, my Diamond."

Orange's mouth dropped open, eyes widening as she stared at the second pearl standing in her doorway. Pushing herself up, Orange's hand remained on her chair's arm as she circled around it, steadying herself as she took in the sight of White Pearl standing beside her own, looking as professional as ever. "Pearl?"

Pearl bowed her head to her, the smallest of perceivable smiles on her face as she looked at her, "You're looking well, My Diamond."

"Thank you..." Orange said as she found her voice, cleaning her throat as she stood up straight. Her eyes flicked towards her own pearl, reminding herself she was being watched before her attention returned to the other gem, "What are you doing here?"

"I am here on request from White Diamond. She wished to know how you were settling in."

"Ahh," Orange breathed out a short laugh, her lips pursing as she nodded, motioning with her hand for her to come further into the room, "of course she did. Please, come in."

"Thank you, My Diamond." White's Pearl bowed her head before following her instructions. Beside her, Orange's Pearl followed behind her, at least until she looked up and saw her Diamond staring at her, making her pause. The other pearl stopped, turning to look at her as well, and she couldn't help but shrink back at the combined stares from both of them.

"Pearl," Orange pointed to the door, "give us some space."

"My Diamond?" Pearl questioned, confused as to why she was being sent away. "Are you certain-?"

"That will be all, Pearl." Orange interrupted her, her serious expression leaving little for her to interpret.

"Yes, my Diamond." Bowing her head, Pearl turned, though she could still feel the eyes of both gems on her until she slipped behind the safety of the door. As they closed behind her she paused, leaning back against them with a sigh. She couldn't stop herself from wondering why she had been sent away, and why had her Diamond looked upset with her for wanting to stay? Their day together had gone so well, hadn't it?

"Commanding? Thats not something i'm used to hearing from you."

Pearl blushed as she realized she could hear the conversation inside, realizing the proper thing to do would be to leave now. However, she felt she could barely help herself as she heard her Diamond speak, and against her better judgment, turned to press her ear against the door.

As soon as the door closed, Orange let the large, toothy smile she had been holding back stretch across her face, her eyes crinkling at the sides as she looked at Pearl. Stepping forward, she leaned down to pull the thin gem against her, arms wrapping around her. "My Pearl." She sighed, feeling her solid form in her arms, one hand on her back, holding her close, while the other cradled the back of her head. Her cheek pressed against the side of her head, taking a long moment to memorize the way she felt in her arms, "I'm so glad to see you."

"Orange." Pearl returned her hug, arms slipping around her neck and disappearing in her mass of hair. She squeezed a little harder as the smile she had been holding back appeared, her feet lifting off the ground until she was only on the tips of her toes while she allowed the much larger gem to hold her. She buried her face in her neck, mumbling against the warm skin there, "I've missed you."

It was a long time before Orange released her, neither completely letting the other go as Pearl's hands slipped from her neck to be grasped in the Diamond's much larger hands.

"I thought it'd be nice have my own place." Orange said, thumb running over Pearl's knuckles, her eyes on their hands and admiring how they looked together. "But now I'm so far from you."

"Your just a walk away, Orange." Pearl giggled, giving a light shake of her head. "You're being dramatic."

Orange looked up at that, an amused smile on her face, her eyebrow raising, "Am I?"

"Yes," Pearl responded, glancing down for a moment as she squeeze Orange's fingers lightly, feeling the natural warmth of her form. "But in this case, I have to agree."

That earned a chuckle from the larger gem, her hands moving to let Pearl's go only to circle around to her lower back, pulling her to stand against her, titling her head so she could look down at her. "So, are you really here for White, or-?"

Pearl shrugged, laying her head against her stomach as she returned her gentle hold, arms loosely wrapping around her hips. "I'm sure White Diamond is quite interested in how you're doing."

"How devious of you." Orange couldn't help the grin on her face as she stifled a laugh. She could hardly believe her Pearl lying and using White's authority like that, and just to see her. It made her chest feel like it could swell from the happiness she felt in that moment.

"Im afraid you've been rubbing off on me."

Orange sighed fondly, "I've missed you too."

"I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner." Pearl said, titling her head so that her chin rested against Orange's stomach, supporting her head as she looked up at her. So close, Pearl could see all the details of the taller gem's face, from the smile that curved her thick lips, the little lines at the corners of her eyes as she met her own, or the thin lines that had formed under her them. Reaching up, she gently ran the pad of her gloved thumb over the little line there, the sight of it unfamiliar to her. "You're looking tired."

"I've been kept busy." Orange defended, leaning into her touch.

"You're one of the Greats now, my Diamond." Pearl teased. "Busy is in the job description."

Orange groaned, eyes closing as her head titled forward, "Don't remind me."

"I thought you wanted this?"

"I did. I do," Orange respond, tilting her head back and pulling away from Pearl's touch to speak with her properly. "Don't get me wrong, it's just...more than I was expecting. Today was the first day I took off."

"It didn't look like you were relaxing when I came in."

"I can't leave everything for another time, unfortunately. I spent the daytime out with my pearl. It was...." She paused, searching for the right word before settling on, "Interesting."

"How is she?" Pearl questioned, finally speaking one of the questions that had been bothering her since she had left her care, "You seem...discontent with her."

"Have you always been able to read me so well?" Orange questioned, the corner of her lips curling as she raised an eyebrow at her.

Pearl nodded. "It is a useful skill when one can't talk openly."

"Hah."

"Yes." Pearl answered, "But I have gotten much better at it, recently." She titled her head, pulling back slightly to looker her in the face with a slightly more serious expression, "But that doesn't answer my question."

"Honestly?" Orange sighed, slowly pulling away from Pearl, letting her go as one hand moved to her hip and the other rubbing the back of her neck, turning to pace in her spot as she contemplated her question. after a few moments she stopped, cocking her head to look at her, hand falling from her neck as she waved her hand in the air in a gesture of indecision, "She's not what I expected. She's nothing like what i'm used to."

"She isn't doing her job properly?" Pearl pressed, eyebrows furrowing slightly.

"No, it's not like that. She's just..." Orange shook her head. She opened her mouth, paused, before pursing her lips as she gave the smaller gem an uncomfortable look, "I feel like I'm walking on thin ice here, talking about pearls like this."

"Then tread lightly." Pearl joked, her small smile all the indication Orange needed to know she hadn't been anywhere near offended by her.

"I guess..." Orange struggled as she tried to find the right words to explain her situation and thoughts, "Well, you know how Diamonds expect the best?"

"Obviously." Pearl nodded.

"And when a Diamond gets a Pearl, you'd think, they'd be the best of the best. Or at least much better than any of the basic pearls the lower aristocrats and generals get, right?"

"You mean Fancy Pearls." Pearl corrected, "We're called Fancy Pearls."

"I..." Orange faltered, blinking as she looked at Pearl, eyebrow flicking up briefly as she acknowledged her correction in interest, "I did not know that."

Pearl smiled playfully, "There's plenty of things you still don't know about me."

"Oh?" Orange grinned, stepping forward as she reached down to gently play with the sheer material of her long skirt, "And just what else could you be hiding?"

"You're getting sidetracked." Pearl reprimanded, lightly smacking her on the chest as she giggled.

"What?" Orange blinked, her cheeks blushing as she looked down and quickly let her skirt fall from her hand, taking a step back from Pearl as to keep herself from being too tempted to not pay her the proper attention, "Oh, right. Where was-?"

"You were talking about proper pearls." Pearl reminded.

Orange nodded, taking a moment to recall where she had been going in her explanation and continuing on, "Okay, so the first week, if I had been asked, I'd say she was pretty bad for a pearl. She gets too frazzled easily, she's constantly at my heel, and not in a good way. She needs constant reassurance and, honestly, she can be tiring to be around. I've sent her on errands more than once just to get some breathing room and work done."

"That's concerning, Orange." Pearl said seriously, the smile slipping from her face.

"I know, but after today, I would say I was wrong. I had her all wrong."

Pearl studied her for a moment, eyes slightly narrowing, "Please explain."

"She's nice, Pearl." Orange shrugged, "A little naive, scattered brain maybe, but she's dedicated."

Pearl was quiet for a moment before she rose her eyebrow as she spoke, "So a little like you?"

Orange paused, her head titling as she thought about it a moment. "...which part? Scattered brain or dedicated?"

Pearl just smiled at her, which made her grin at the continued teasing.

"Look, I just think with a little time, she'll get better." Orange continued without Pearl prompting further, "I don't want to give up on her yet. I think she's just scared to branch out, to experience more of the world than just wherever I go and I don't mean because its scary to her." Orange explained, "She just doesn't want to break the rules."

Pearl nodded in understanding, "As most new gems are inclined to be like. And, I imagine, something White Diamond wanted in a gem."

Orange stared at her, studying her, "Were you?"

"Yes." Pearl answered, stepping towards Orange as she reached out to her, hand skimming playfully along her belt, "But with time we certainly find ways around that coding."

Orange was surprised when Pearl attempted to tug her forward, only taking a moment before she obeyed, stepping into her space as the smaller gem smiled at her compliance, rewarding her by leaning forward, tangling her hands back into the mess of hair around her neck. "Otherwise, we'd never change. Perhaps its like you say, and all she needs is time. After all, time with you changed me, didn't it?"

Orange titled her head forward, pressing a quick kiss to the top of Pearl's head. Her eyes shined as she looked at her affectionately, "You're breathtaking, Pearl."

"Charmer." Pearl giggled, her cheeks heating up, though she made no move to pull away. "But, it's going to take a lot more than some sweet words to make me forget you owe me something, Orange Diamond."

Orange blinked, head tilting as her eyebrows furrowed, thinking very hard about what she could mean. "I do?"

"You do," Pearl confirmed, a coy smile playing on her lips as she leaned forward to rest her chin against Orange's stomach once more, "I do believe you owe me a dance, my Diamond."

"Oh?" Orange rose her eyebrows, responding in the same playful manner, "I don't recall that promise. Please, remind me?"

"It was the one for your coronation. We never did get to celebrate that."

"Oh, that dance." Orange nodded, her hands slipping around Pearl's hips, "How could I have forgotten?"

"You are so very busy these day." Pearl said, pulling away slightly so that she could look up at her properly, a smile curling her lips the entire time, "Are you certain you have the time?"

"I always have time for you, Pearl." Orange responded, one hand slipping from her hips to hold out beside her in request for her hand, "May I?"

------------------------

Orange hummed as she sat upon her bed, popping tablets into her mouth with her eyes closed as she sway, remembering just hours before her time with Pearl until she had to leave. It had been awful to let her go, but she had promised to visit again much sooner than four weeks, a visit Orange was already looking forward to.

Opening her eyes, Orange gazed out at the night sky, the bright lights of the palaces in her view, as well as the neon lined buildings that she loved to see brought to life in the dark at the end of the solar cycle. She wasn't sure how preoccupied she must have been in her own thoughts, but it wasn't until a sound to her left caught her attention, did she acknowledge that she may have been very distracted. She quickly identified the sound to be humming. Perhaps she had drowned out the noise with her own humming? Whatever the reason was, it intrigued her where the noise was coming from, deciding to get up and find it.

She listened for the humming and followed it, though it was a short distance to find as she moved to stand in the entryway that connected her room to the other, surprised to find her Pearl there. She was by herself, humming as she bent herself backwards, one leg bent at the knee and raised, the other underneath her, supporting her weight on her toes. In the next moment, she was leaning forward and then on the tips of her toes, twirling her way across the floor before she stopped, her right leg extending in front of her and her opposite arm raised overhead.

Orange was intrigued by the sight. She had never seen her dance before, though she had always assumed she could, considering it was a basic part of a pearls abilities.

However, she didn't get to see much more as Pearl stopped, her eyes opening as she blinked, widening in surprise, though she smiled at her all the same. "My Diamond."

"You're good at that, Pearl."

"Thank you." Pearl ducked her head, a light blush coloring her cheeks. She hesitated a moment before she looked back up at her, shyly asking, "My Diamond...would...would you like to dance with me?"

It was Orange's turn to be surprised, her eyebrows shooting up under her long bangs. "Excuse me?"

"I'm sorry," Pearl shook her head, "I shouldn't have asked. I-"

"No, no, it's alright." Orange assured, leaning over to set the metal canister down, "I just...I wasn't expecting you to..." she stopped, standing up straight and stepping into the room, making a motion towards her, "you want to try dancing?"

"I know how to do it," Pearl explained, "and I thought I might...I might see if it is something I could like as well."

"Then let's see." Orange smiled, stepping up to her. "Just how well do you know how to dance," she asked, "I'm unfamiliar with what Pearls are programmed to know."

"I am fully capable of dancing multiple favorite styles of Homeworld, my Diamond."

"Okay. Let's do something simple, then." Orange said, leaning over slightly to accommodate Pearl's smaller stature as she held her hand out in offering, "Warning, I'm told I can be rather clumsy in my footwork. Though I won't step on your toes, promise."

Pearl gingerly placed her hand in hers, giggling as she got into position, placing her other hand onto Orange's arm while her own moved to her hip.

Starting off slowly, Orange lead her in a slow walk across the floor, the both of them getting used to their new partner before she felt they were in sync enough that she stepped them into a twirl, and then another, earning a quiet laugh from Pearl, who seemed to be enjoying their dance. Much more than she had any of their earlier activities. Orange couldn't help but admire the smile on her Pearl's face.

It surprised the Diamond how much it pleased her to make her pearl smile, or to calm her nerves when she was so unsure and scared to be wrong. It almost reminded her of herself, centuries ago, scared and disappointment being the worst thing she could have received. It was nice being able to return the kindnesses she was given to someone else who needed that same reassurance now.

It was nice to think that Pearl could really be her friend. In a manner, she almost reminded her of her first pearl, and despite her complicated feelings on that matter, it warmed her to think she might have found another friend like that.

Eventually, when Orange felt the fatigue beginning to settle in her limbs, she slowed their dance to a very slow paced back and forth step, which Pearl seemed to be fine with as well.

"So what brought this on?" Orange asked.

"Huh?" Pearl titled her head back, seemingly surprised by her sudden question.

"The dancing thing." Orange clarified, "What made you think about this?"

"I was inspired." Pearl answered, her eyes lowering from Orange's.

"Inspired?" Orange repeated, an eyebrow rising, "When were you inspired to-" she stopped moving, her body freezing as her mind quickly connected the dots. Dropping her hands away, Orange stepped back, her eyes turning serious as she looked down at her, "Pearl, why did you ask me to dance with you?"

Pearl bit her lip, hands rubbing together as her eyes flashed up to look at her and then away, "I...I heard..." she stopped as tears formed at the corner of her eyes, her eyes turning back to her Diamond as she gave her an apologetic look, "Forgive me my Diamond. I overheard you and White Diamond's Pearl. You seem to be very fond of dancing with her, I could see it on your face when she left, so I thought, maybe-"

"Pearl." Orange's voice was hard as she cut her off. Her eyes were wide, scared, before that was quickly engulfed by anger. Her eyes narrowed, teeth bared as she clenched her hands into fist, "That's...." She stopped herself from yelling, seeing the frightened look on Pearl's face. She forced herself to take a breath, though she couldn't help the hard edge her voice took when she spoke again, "What White's Pearl and I do together is personal. Don't..." she stopped again, pointing a finger at her as she took on a very harsh warning tone, "Do not ever ease drop on us again."

Pearl bowed her head in shame, voice quiet as she responded, "Yes, my Diamond."

Orange stepped around her, ignoring her as she looked up at her while she moved past, heading towards her personal desk. Sitting down heavily, Orange stared at the far wall, elbow resting on the arm as she leaned her face into her palm, fingers curling over her mouth as she worried her bottom lip between her teeth.

How could this happen? Her own pearl, a risk. They had been so good at hiding their relationship, and for so many years. Sure, she was aware that the Carnelians suspected something, but she trusted the Carnelians. Five and Seven would allow themselves to be shattered before they betrayed her secrets to anyone that mattered. But Pearl? Could she really trust her? She had stuck her nose where it didn't belong, had disobeyed her orders. How was she supposed to trust her with something like this? Something that...something that could end with White shattering Pearl if she found out.

Her fingers pressed hard into her mouth, teeth clenching painfully. She would never allow that to happen.

Allowing her hand to drop to rest on the arm of her chair, Orange kept her eyes on the wall as she called out loudly, "Pearl, come here. Now."

Pearl was quick to come to her side, eyes wide and wet with tears. She stood with her hands folded together in front of her, though her shoulders were hunched forward, the fear evident in her eyes.

Orange turned her head to look at her, staring at her for a long moment, which unsettled her further.

Resolving to go with her decision, Orange maintained her eye contact as she spoke, "I am ordering you, do not ever speak with anyone about what you see or hear between White's Pearl and I. Do I make myself clear?"

Pearl's lips pressed together, tears slipping down her cheeks. She clenched her eyes closed as she bowed her head, "Yes, Orange Diamond."