video | username: pearl

[beyourrock]

[Pearl was a little apprehensive at first to go ahead about this. But when she thought about it, this would be beneficial to many people here. Especially for people who were not used to missions, or even fighting for that matter.

Swallowing hard, Pearl lifts her head and sets her 'communicator' on a rock in the outskirts of the city. Out of harm's way. Once it was perfect, she starts.]

Greetings everyone of ALASTAIR. My name is Pearl, and I wanted to offer my assistance.

[In her hand, it looks to be a sword, held confidently. She bows in greeting to the jewel, shifting awkwardly. This was so different than what she's used to. Heck, she didn't know if it was even working.

Behind her, another 'Pearl' comes up behind her, with a sword as well, about to strike her over the head with it. But in one swift movement, the opposing Pearl falls to the ground, flickering. Pearl lowers her arm, the sword having penetrated the hologram, which fizzles out of existence altogether.]

I have experience when it comes to swordsmanship, and as well as experience with the use of a spear. I wanted to gather if there would be any interest for some training. We all come from many different backgrounds, myself included. I want to make sure everyone has a chance to defend themselves.

For now, I'm gauging interest. Also, if anyone else is interested in hosting some training as well. I don't... mean to be the 'head' of any group. I merely wish to help where I can. This would help immensely for what might be on the horizon for us.

If anyone has any questions, please let me know. And if you wish to speak to me in person, I'm just on the outskirts here.

Comments

[beyourrock]

[She nods furiously once more and a hologram flickers into view in front of Pearl. A small one, for example, of herself and what looks to be a larger and taller gem.

The two of them dance fora brief moment before their gems glow and they literally form into a single, much larger being.]

I probably should have shown you first. Sorry, I get a little... passionate about these things.

[adlantisag]

[ She watches the display, and realizes how wrong she'd been. She has the grace to look sheepish. ]

Oh.

[ That's much clearer. By now Kida has finished her stretching, and she moves to sit in the grass, inviting Pearl to sit next to her. ]

That is a very interesting ability. It fusing done for recreation?

[beyourrock]

Its alright really! [She offers her a reassuring smile before she takes a seat down beside Kida, her hologram disappearing.]

Sometimes it's for fun. It's quite the display sometimes.

Other times, it is necessary for certain tasks at hand.

[adlantisag]

[ She considers the idea. In the example Pearl had shown, the two gems had fused to form something bigger, stronger. Meaning: ] Something that would require more strength than a single Gem possesses?

[ Her people have no such skill, and she's glad for it. Merging with another...it makes her skin crawl. Who is she when she isn't herself, anymore? ]

What does it feel like...?

[beyourrock]

Yes. Exactly that. The more gems fused together, the stronger the fusion can be.

[She rests her hands on her knees and lets her shoulders relax.]

I know it sounds bizarre, but it feels just. So amazing. I feel so strong, like I can do anything.

[adlantisag]

[ She tries to imagine three, four, five gems fused together. ]

And you remain yourself? How do you...think? Do you share thoughts?

[ Kida might be overthinking this, but she finds it both fascinating and gruesome, in a way. She can't imagine sharing body and mind with another individual, but then--maybe she's just never met anyone that meant that much to her, that she trusted so wholly. ]

[beyourrock]

We do share thoughts. Sometimes one personality will override another, but both gems work in tandem. The shared mind is like a vast plan in which both Gems share the space. They converse with one another, and move the fusion as one.

[Pearl laughs sheepishly.]

Now that I say it put loud, it must sound so... silly.

[adlantisag]

[ A hand fall on Pearl's shoulder, stable and reassuring. ]

It is not silly. Thank you for sharing this with me. I never knew many outsiders, living in Atlantis, and for many years I considered our way of life superior, and all intruders as tresspassers upon our land.

[ It's her turn to bring her knees up, disguising the gesture of comfort as one of practicality by massaging her legs gently. ]

There's so much I am ignorant of. I want to know everything.

[beyourrock]

[Pearl's shoulder relaxes under her hand and pale blue eyes shift to look over at Kida, the blue hue on her cheeks dimming down.]

Did you get to meet many people? From the outside, I mean. To talk to them?

[adlantisag]

Since I have come here, yes.

[ The implication being: not before. Kida looks up into the pitch-darkness of the sky. ]

But Atlantis is so remote, visitors are rare. Before Anwick, when we spoke, I hadn't seen the stars in thousands of years. Since before the Maebelmok.

[ The way she says that word implies something bigger than just a word. More shakily, she admits: ] There was barely any light in Anwick, and the sun is gone here. I hardly remember what the sun looks like.

[beyourrock]

[Pearl feels her chest become heavy. She hadn't seen the stars in that long? The sun even. Atlantis sounded wonderful, but it also sounded like a prison. Pearl would go mad if she could never see the stars again.

Hesitantly, she rests her hand on Kida's shoulder. Human reassurance right? Was she doing it right? None the less, Pearl returns her gaze down to Kida.]

Whatever this quarrel's outcome may be, I'm sure the sun will return. You deserve to see it. The stars. Everything. This is a chance for you to experience so many things. Meet so many people...

[adlantisag]

[ Kida smiles at being offered such kindess. She isn't the type to dwell on the things she can't have or hasn't had. The sun will return to her life--and her people's--or it won't. She'll press on regardless.

Still. A bit of warmth feels nice. ]

Thank you, Pearl. [ She tilts her head against her shoulder, her hair falling over Pearl's fingers. It's been a long time she hasn't connected to another being. Perhaps it's fitting that Pearl should also come from afar. Two strangers in a strange land. ] I am glad to have met you. Will you sit with me a while, and tell me more about your people?

[ If nothing else, she's eager to trade stories. ]

[beyourrock]

[Pearl's smile grows softer and she nods. Kida was very different. Pearl was so used to modern humans. The genuine curiousity she expressed was refreshing to see. Beach City had it's charms, but this place. What ALASTAIR was doing... it offered so many new venues of knowledge. Experiences. People.]

There's no need to thank me. You deserve it. I'm glad to have met you as well.

[She pulls her hand back.] My people? I wouldn't exactly say they're my people. Not anymore, at least.

[adlantisag]

You told me you had left them, yes. [ Kida shakes her head. ] But I meant--like your dancing, your fusion. Tell me about your culture. It is foreign to me, and I want to know more.

[ Especially if Pearl is divorced from it--that gives her a perspective she might otherwise lack if she was immersed in the culture herself. ]

[beyourrock]

[Pearl glances over to Kida before she sighs heavily.]

Well..

[She spoke of her homeworld, and how lavish Gems dressed up. How some Gems were held in such high regard, and Pearl spoke of this all rather passionately. Especially about fusion and dancing.

As they exchanged stories, Pearl realizes that they had been talking for quite some time. How long exactly? Who knows. Their surroundings were pitch black, sans the torches nearby. Pearl laughs.]

Goodness. We've been talking all night.

Day. Whatever time it is. You must be tired!

[adlantisag]

[ Kida listens with rapt attention. In exchange, she speaks of Atlantis: its former glory, its current disrepair, and her conflict with her father, the old King with old ideas. How Kida believes she can bring Atlantis back to what it once was, if she brings back knowledge to her city.

Night stretches on in every direction. When Pearl finally calls attention to how long they've been speaking, Kida has to laugh. She pushes herself up, wiping down her trousers. ]

Only my legs! But rest will be good. You do not sleep, do you?

[beyourrock]

[Pearl stands up beaide Kida, dusting off her leggings. Pearl stretches her arms high over her head in a long stretch, feeling it all the way down to her ankles. The Gem nods and taps her forehead as she relaxes from her stretching.]

That's correct. My gem sustains itself. However, I could experience sleep if I wanted to, like many other human experiences.

I've experienced it once. It was... strange.

[Pearl approaches the torches, snuffing them out. But her gem glows brightly, to keep the immidate area illuminated.]

[adlantisag]

[ Pearl's gem is accompanied by Kida's pendant, also glowing to ward off the darkness. ]

Strange in what way?

[ Perhaps sleep is as odd to consider for Pearl as fusing is for Kida. As her companion finishes up with the torches, Kida steps along the path back to the city, also stretching while Pearl catches up. It's colder in Chantes than in Atlantis, and she's glad for the new clothing she bought. ]

[beyourrock]

[Pearl quickly catches up to Kida. She looks at her crystal and smiles, seeing it glow in the darkness. It was very pretty, and mysterious. Being able to power so many things. Concentrated power...]

The idea of lying down, eyes closed, and vulnerable. What if I were attacked? What if something were to happen while I'm asleep?

[There's also the fact that her dreams are projected in her holograms...]

[adlantisag]

[ Kida laughs. ] If it were very bad, you would wake! I know very few people who could sleep through a crisis.

[ That doesn't mean she knows none, but humans are generally good at self-preservation. She envies Pearl's ability a bit, despite herself: she could accomplish a lot in all those hours sleep would take. ]

Will you accompany me to the inn? What do you do during sleeping hours?

[beyourrock]

[Pearl shrugs. She has a point. But Pearl couldn't see herself sleeping very often. Only if she really truly needed it.]

Sure! I'll accompany you. [Finding her stride to match Kida's, she folds her hands behind her back, a small spring in her step, thoughtful as she stares skyward.]

Mn, I train, research, read, dance, clean, build things... Anything that needs tending to really.

[adlantisag]

[ With that springy walk, Kida wonders if Pearl doesn't simply have infinite stamina...her legs are still burning, those sitting hours having done nothing but settle the ache deep. ]

And here?

[ Research, she assumes, though how the townspeople react to someone so obviously inhuman wandering at all hours Kida can't begin to guess. She's glad to find herself back in the glow of the city, as they cross the gates and make their way to the square. ]

[beyourrock]

[That was a good question. Research was a given. But besides that? What else could she really do? She wasn't in her element. She wasn't at home, discussing things with Garnet or picking up Amethyst's messes. This was all unknown to her.

The spring in her step disappears as they head into the square.]

I... don't know. I mean, I do have Steven to look after. Someone from home who traveled here as well. He's a sweet young boy, but I don't wish to smother him with my... mother chickening. [Mother henning, but close enough.]

I'll... find something to bide my time with.

[adlantisag]

[ Steven--a sweet young boy-- ]

Oh! With curly dark hair? He helped me with my dragonet, at Anwick. [ Kida smiles fondly at the memory. He'd been so enthusiastic, it was hard not to soften. ] He seemed to have more energy than skill, but his intentions were excellent always.

[ He didn't even know how to hunt! What a terrible education...... ]

[beyourrock]

Ah yes! That's him!

I'm one of his caretakers back home. His... mother entrusted him with us and his father when she left us. He means well, and he's still getting used to his gem powers. He's just gotten the hang of them for the most part! Summoning his weapon, being able to heal with his spit and...

[Oops. She catches herself gushing again and blushes lightly, shaking her head.]

He's learning. And he's always eager to learn more and make new friends.

I worry.