Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Pearl settled back into the tall backrest of the booth, a deep cushioned pinkish-red that ran all up the seats. The middle of the room had been cleared, bar a couple of tables and a handful of still milling gems. She could see others- humans mostly, already sat, one at a time in each of the other booths around the room. The louder bubble of sound told her most of the second group was standing somewhere behind her, but she couldn't quite see them. She leaned out a little further.

Volleyball skipped by, a bundle of curls and smiles, pushing Pearl back into the booth, hands firmly on her shoulders. "Hey," she wagged her finger at Pearl, a glint in her eye. "No peeking."

Pearl held her hands up, and Volley was gone, already at the next table with only the briefest glance back, and a mouthed 'stay'. Pearl almost laughed. It had taken some convincing from them to get her to take part. Pearl had insisted she didn't need to, already knowing much of the human and gem population of Beach City and Little Homeworld, but the two of them had been insistent, maintaining that her presence would help calm the less experienced gems. It still seemed a bit superfluous. She was perfectly capable of picking up potential partners without the extra help. Volley had once commented that Pearl made a habit of it. It wasn't a habit. It just happened. And (like the speed dating), there was no harm in it.

Pearl found her eyes wandering again, idling around the booths that lined all round the edge of the room. They'd picked a good spot for it, some old restaurant a little way out of town with plenty of space. Newspaper cuttings and various sport paraphernalia adorned the walls above them, as well as framed pictures of seemingly random cities and people. She could smell the tell-tale musk of cigarette smoke too, long since embedded into the fabric of the room. Her nose twitched. It wasn't the cleanest place out there, or the newest, but maybe that was a good thing. There was less to accidentally break. But so far the gems present had been considerate, and well behaved, the larger quartzes and fusions shifting their size down to better fit in the space.

The sound system crackled, a brief intermission in Bismuth's patter, but she barely paid it any mind, continuing to roll through the introductions in her usual warming tones. The blacksmith was stood smartly in the centre of it all, adorned in a suit, her shirt half-open at the top to show her gem. To Pearl's surprise, it'd been Bismuth who'd come up with the idea for all of this. Speed dating: an opportunity for gems and humans alike to get to know and meet each other, mingling in groups they wouldn't usually. Pearl had been pleasantly surprised at how many humans were here, given how boisterous some of the gems could be, and conversely how cautious humans tended to be around gems. Pearl had run a couple of classes up at Little Homeworld for humans to get to learn about gems. They'd all been relatively well attended and received, but dating… dating was a whole other ball game. The evening might be a social event, but there were those here who were intent on finding prospective romantic partners, long term or not.

But Pearl was here just to help out, check in with each of the gems as they were going round. Sure she could indulge the other gems in practice, but, for one night, Pearl wasn't looking for a partner. She idly crumpled the piece of paper that had been placed out on the table.

"Two groups: One already sat at our tables, the other travelling counter-clockwise round the room. You get four minutes with each person. When the time is up, I will call 'All change' at which point you move on to the next match. Those sitting down remain where they are. Don't forget to mark off on your piece of paper who you want to get back in contact with by the end of the evening. If you both match, you get their contacts. If not, well, there are plenty of visitors here tonight, you're bound to find someone!"

"Any questions?"

Chapter Text

Bismuth disappeared behind a mob, trying to sort the last few stragglers into position. It took a few minutes, long minutes that Pearl filled, a little unwillingly with fiddling hands, dancing over each other in the absence of anything else to do. "Alright," Bismuth finally called. "If everyone's happy, then let the dating begin!" She sounded the air horn, which drew a cheer, and some laughter as a number of the patrons jumped. Pearl wondered who she'd see first.

Soon enough a nervous looking Nephrite slipped into the booth. Her hands were shaking, her eyes darting up and down Pearl, skating over um's and ah's. "Er hi." She stumbled over her words. "I'm new at this."

Pearl chuckled, smiling gently at her. "A lot of us are: don't worry. You're in the best place to practice and learn right now. If you've got any questions about all-" Pearl waved at the room, "-this, just ask. I'm happy to help."

Pearl waited, sat in silence as the nephrite didn't answer. The gem seemed to be boggling out at the burble of noises around her; and anytime her attention turned to Pearl and she looked like she would be about to say something, she clammed up again. Pearl took pity on her.

"Well, if you're not sure where to start, a simple introduction is always good, then you can tell them a little bit about yourself, who you are, what you enjoy doing- your hobbies and so on. Allow me to start: I'm Pearl. Crystal gem, rebel, scourge of Homeworld, and one of Steven's moms."

The nephrite's eye widened. "Uh, 's that Steven Universe?"

"Yes!" Pearl beamed at her. "Of course, you already probably know I also teach up at Homeschool. But beyond that I also like playing music, learning more about Earth from my human friends and their books, and I like human games. I particularly enjoy finishing those little cross-words they put in their weekly communiques- they call them newspapers. Physical printed reports full of stories from around the world. Or the local area, depending on the newspaper. They're really quite interesting. I think some of the pearls talked about setting one up for Little Homeworld not too long ago, just for gems."

She caught the nephrite staring at her. "Oh, sorry, I'm rambling! Bad habit-"

"No no!" the nephrite hurriedly said. "It's okay." She was smiling a bit now. "I like hearing about it. All this Earth stuff is so new."

"Do you like Earth?" The other gem blushed a little and nodded. Pearl smiled. "It's wonderful isn't it?"

"Yes. There's so much to it!" The nephrite seemed to settle, leaning forward across the table. "What's your favourite part of Earth?"

"Oh!" Pearl blinked. "That's a very good question."

Pearl took a moment to think about it. "I suppose it would have to be Beach City, because while we can travel all over Earth, this has become our home. Garnet, Amethyst, the temple… All our human friends are here." Pearl's cheeks warmed at the thought, the hint of a blush. "I suppose I've grown… attached."

"That's okay. It's nice here. Uh, Beach City I mean."

"That's nice of you to say." Pearl tilted her head, studying the nephrite. "What about you? What brought you here to Earth- or here tonight?"

The nephrite clammed up again. "Um." She mumbled something.

"Sorry, I couldn't catch that," said Pearl.

The nephrite drew herself up. "Iwantedtomeetyou." As soon as the words tumbled out she flushed a deep green and clammed up once more.

"Oh?" Pearl's curiosity got the better of her. "Was there a particular reason- oh! I didn't catch your name? Do you have a name you'd like me to use?"

The nephrite's eyes widened and her hands snapped into a diamond salute. "My designation is Nephrite facet eight-four-nine cut drop six-two, but you are welcome to call me Nephrite."

"Well, it's lovely to meet you Nephrite." To Pearl's surprise Nephrite blushed again.

"We've actually met before," she explained.

"Oh?" Pearl was taken aback. "I'm sorry, I can't recall…"

"Back during the rebellion." She paused. "You threw me out of a dropship."

"OH!" Pearl's eyes widened, that particular battle suddenly very fresh in her mind. "Oh stars, I am so sorry-"

"No no- it's okay! I was fine, I just drifted a for a little while and was picked up after. But seeing you, a pearl, doing that… I never stopped thinking about it. I always wondered what you were like, what sort of pearl- what sort of gem could rebel so freely. I think, if I'd come to Earth I would have joined the Crystal Gems." She hesitated. "At least, I'd have liked to."

Pearl was speechless.

Nephrite was blushing again. "It's silly."

"No!" Pearl assured her, "it's not."

"It's good to finally meet you," said Nephrite. "I-"

"Hey." Pearl waved away the newcomer, her attention on the green gem.

Nephrite flustered. "I've always been meaning to ask-"

"HEY, I'm talking to you!" the gruff voice demanded again. "You need to fix my-"

Nephrite turned first. "Excuse me. We're kind of in the middle of some-" her voice trailed off as she caught sight of the orange gem-mountain that stood beside them, her gaze rising all the way to the unimpressed scowl and sharp gem at her nose. "-thing."

"Outta my way." Jasper reached down, grabbed the nephrite and threw her clean across the room and out the window with a crash, before plonking herself down in her place.

"Jasper!" Pearl admonished, head flicking between the window and Jasper. She managed to catch a glimpse of the dazed nephrite standing and stumbling away, and Bismuth there too, agape at the broken window, her head in her hands. "You can't just throw people out of their seats!"

"You need to fix my boulder."

"I don't need to do anything of the sort," Pearl said quietly.

"Yes you do. You broke it. You fix it."

"No! Jasper, in case you haven't noticed we are-" Pearl paused, a wrinkle of annoyance rippling across her nose. "-were in the middle of something!" Pearl gestured at the room around her. "And you've come in disrupting the evening, throwing one of the guest out a window, and you think you can demand I come and glue a boulder back together right now?"

"If you hadn't broken it I wouldn't be here."

"You didn't need to be here now. You could have waited!"

"I don't wait."

Pearl huffed again. "We have our own lives Jasper. People can't just drop their schedules the moment you demand it."

"Well when can you fix it?"

Pearl grit her teeth, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "I'm not going to."

"Pearl?" Bismuth appeared at her shoulder. "Do you need a hand?"

"No it's fine." Pearl turned her best intimidating glare on Jasper. "Jasper was just leaving."

"No I'm not." Jasper lounged back, folding her arms. "I'm not going anywhere until I get what I came for."

"Uh-" Bismuth backed away.

"I already said no!" Pearl huffed, rubbing her forehead. "Jasper, that happened this morning: You've had all day to ask me about this, to find me up at Little Homeworld or the beach house, and you do this now? Why?"

Jasper shrugged. "Way I see it, it's as good a time as any. I don't keep tabs on your schedule. Why should I?"

"Because you can't just go around just charging into other peoples business all the time, interrupting their lives and breaking their things when they don't immediately listen to you."

" 'Breaking their things'?" Jasper sat, her stare cutting straight into Pearl. She held it there.

She wasn't the only one with their eyes on Pearl. Pearl blushed and looked away from the crowd. "...it was going to hit the beetles. You should have been more careful where you put those things. They tend to roll."

Jasper sat there in silence, her eyes boring into Pearl.

Her chin rose. "I picked those boulders myself. They're heavy. Tough too: as tough as they come. And you broke one. With your measly little spear."

The whole thing had split in two. Pearl felt her face warm. "What of it?"

"Gems like you don't do that."

"Says who?"

"You don't have the strength. Even from a summoned weapon like that."

Pearl bristled. "Excuse me?! I am plenty strong enough and you know it."

Jasper leant forward. "Except I don't. I managed to defeat you many times, and the only time you beat me was as a fusion. You are not stronger than me."

"Many-? Those weren't defeats! You know sometimes Jasper, there are bigger things to worry about than beating an individual in a fight. Many of those times I 'lost' I was protecting Steven, Rose, the Earth! and I still managed to do that. So I didn't lose, not as you see it."

"You were weak."

Pearl's voice dropped, low, dangerous. "You have no idea how strong I was."

"So prove it." Jasper leaned forward. "Fight me. One on one. Prove to me that you are as strong as you say."

"I have nothing to prove to you."

Jasper curled into a grin. "You're not scared are you?"

"No, I'm busy. And I don't have time for messing around on little fripperies like this!" Pearl huffed. "Now unless you're going to stay and join in for the evening, I suggest you leave."

Pearl pretended to study her notes, leaving Jasper to stew.

"No."

Pearl couldn't help but pause, the briefest hint of uncertainty in Jasper's voice drawing a raised eyebrow before she could wrestle her own features back to neutral.

Jasper seemed to gather herself. "No. I'm not leaving until you give me what I want."

Pearl frowned. "I'm not going to fight you Jasper."

"Please,"

"No."

"You-"

"No. I'm not going to fight. I don't have to. I don't want to. I spent far too many years learning to fight and fighting because I had to, because I had to protect the people I love, and the Earth. And I've helped bring peace. I've earned the right not to fight anymore. Especially when I don't have to. And besides, I'm too busy."

"So un-busy yourself and we can finally sort this out!" Jasper shouted, slamming her hands down on the table, half-out of her seat. The room went quiet. Jasper leaned closer. "Just one match," and she said no more.

Pearl eyed her. For all this time after the beginning of Era Three, and even after Steven had left on his travels, Jasper had really changed much. Her deigning to come down to human settlement to find her was an improvement (not that the deposit or proprietor would agree), but she still reverted much to her solitude and battles, always fighting all the time. Like she didn't know how to do anything else.

"Is that it?" Was it? In the corner of her eye Pearl noticed a group of gems creeping closer, excitedly whispering amongst themselves about the newcomer. But her attention was on Jasper, still leaning over her. "All that bluster and posturing and you just want a sparring match?"

Jasper didn't answer, but her teeth flashed with the barest hint of a growl.

"Fine." Pearl folded her hands over each other and set them on the table. "I'll agree to spar with you, once: no fusion, no tricks, no interference. On one condition."

"What?"

"I'll duel you- IF you stay and join in here for the evening."

"What."

"It's speed dating." Pearl gave Jasper a quick explanation, the larger gem looking increasingly perplexed. "...and, if by the end of the evening they've marked you as a match too, you're put in contact, so you can arrange to meet them again."

"Why would I want to do that?"

"To find friends, other people with similar interests that you get along with. Some try and pair up with the best matching partner from the evening. Romantically. It doesn't have to be. There are many different reasons to reconnect: company, recreation- you might even find a few sparring partners. Think about that."

"I-"

"I mean it shouldn't be too hard- You already appear to have a fan club." Pearl gave the slightest nod to the fawning gems on the other side of the room. "And stars know the socialising will do you good."

Jasper stood gawping, her mouth opening and closing as if struggling to decide what to say.

"You're not scared are you? Talking to other people? Letting them get to know you?" Pearl unfurled her fingers, proffering up a spare notecard to the gem. One challenge for another. "Is that too much for the bigger gem?"

"NO! I will win this 'dating' easily." Jasper snatched the paper as she straightened up. "Just as I'll crush you in this sparring session." She gave Pearl a hungry look. "I'll accept your offer. I look forward to demolishing you in battle once again."

Then she left, Pearl's thoughts racing as the huge gem moved on. Sparring, with Jasper. Certainly not what she expected to appear on her plans after tonight. There were gems who'd scramble over each other to get a chance to get that chance. Hopefully Jasper would agree to indulge some of them as well, wear herself out. She could hear a few fawning over the impressive gem even now.

"What?" Jasper barked at the tiny wide-eyed bloodstone sat open-mouthed in the next booth, her muscles bristling with confidence. "You want me to pound you into the dirt too?!"

"…yes please."

Chapter Text

Pearl still had her mouth agape when Volleyball slipped into the booth several rounds later. "How's it going?"

"I-" Pearl blinked and shook her head as she recovered from the previous...encounter. "I had no idea Spodumene could make jokes that dirty. And so many of them!" Pearl froze up as the orangish gem leant out of the next booth to wave back at her. Pearl waved back, hoping her own friendly smile was more smile than grimace. "I think I may have to wash out my mind."

Volleyball smiled her sweetest smile. "Having fun then?"

Pearl's eyebrows shot up. "Have you been teaching her?" she said, the accusation carrying a knowing weight.

"Hey!" Volleyball cried, full of indignation, then she softened."Maybe a little," she conceded. "But the puns, you can thank Bismuth for."

"Yes. Although I don't think this was the intent of that particular class. Bismuth would blush prisms if she heard."

Volleyball giggled. Pearl couldn't help but smile. It was such a pretty sound, and it was always nice seeing Volleyball this relaxed and enjoying herself. Pearl had noticed she was enjoying directing the other gems around too; being in charge suited her. A welcome change from all the years before.

"So what brings you over here?" said Pearl.

"Oh, I just wanted to check in with you."

"Mmm, sure, but we'd best not keep them waiting." Pearl nodded to the flint waiting to one side, some sort of book clutched in their hands. She kept glancing at Volleyball, hands tapping over the hardback.

Volleyball ignored her, leaning forward to pour over the scrap of paper showing Pearl's matches instead. "You've only ticked one of these. Have you forgotten to use it?"

"No," said Pearl. "I haven't needed to."

"Tough crowd. What about-?" Volley's finger hovered over the one circled number.

"Nephrite. I ought to er..." Pearl couldn't stop herself from looking to the window, now covered with chipboard, "...patch things up with her. At the very least I need to make sure she's okay."

"Hmm." Volleyball was frowning. "I just thought you would have had lots of dates by now."

"Not necessarily." Pearl peered at her card. "And besides, this is just the screening process. The real dates come later."

"Oh? A real date?" Volley feigned surprise. She leaned in. "And how would I get on one of those?" Their noses almost touched.

"Volley!"

Volleyball pulled back. "What?"

"The whole point of this evening is finding new people to hang out with," said Pearl.

"'Hang out'?" Volley rose and half-draped herself across the table. "Like this?"

"Like spending time with them. Getting to know them better."

"You could get to know me." Volleyball fluttered her eye at Pearl.

"I already know you, so no. Not tonight."

Volley pouted. "So I don't get a date?"

"No." Pearl said succinctly. "We've been on dates before." Volleyball opened her mouth to argue. "And we will be again, but not tonight. Tonight it's not about us." Volleyball was pouting at her, and Pearl reached out, taking her hand in hers and giving it a squeeze. "We'll have time for this later." Volley still seemed uncertain. "Don't worry, I won't forget."

Volleyball pulled a face, but gave a nod and stood.

"I will see you later," said Pearl, and turned back, introducing herself to the new gem. She thought nothing more of it after that.

Until the change call came again and a familiar pink gem sat down before her.

"Volleyball!" said Pearl wryly. "Back so soon? Did I miss something?"

"No, I just missed you." Volleyball smiled back at her, before looking around. "How's it going?"

"About the same as it was eight minutes ago," Pearl observed. "Biggs couldn't stop talking about the rebellion, all the big battles we won against- actually no, it was all the fun battles we won against Homeworld: the ones were we humiliated vast swathes of Homeworld's forces, with barely a fraction of the numbers they claimed to have been thwarted by. Maybe we should do some sort reunion of the rebellion gems: start making a record of the events of the Gem War. Homeworld will have formal records, of course, but-"

"You know she was flirting with you, right?"

"What, Biggs? Nahhh. No. Of course not! She would never-" Pearl hesistated. Volleyball was looking at her. An eyebrow went up. "Really?" Volley nodded. "Oh," said Pearl. "OH."

"Well that's…" Pearl started again, her mind working overtime. "Really?"

Volleyball nodded again, and giggled. "You are so oblivious sometimes."

"I- Well-" Pearl held her head. "Biggs?!" She flustered some more, eventually settling a little. "I suppose I'd better add them to my list."

"All that time, you had no idea. You were winding her up so much, I thought she might dissipate!" Volley joked, laughing again, Pearl chuckling through her own embarrassment.

A polite cough drew their attention (at the second attempt), to a third pearl stood with them, perched awkwardly to one side. She vaguely waved her notecard at the table, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Erm… I, ...ahem."

"Oh!" Pearl immediately stood up. "Where are our manners? I've still got people to meet! Sorry Volley: business you know."

"Oh no, no," the other pearl held up her hands and backed off. "It's okay, I don't want to interrupt. The time's almost over anyway. Four minutes. I might as well-" The pearl looked to the next booth, blushing browns across her green.

"No, no, not at all. There's still time," Pearl said as Volley finally moved to switch places with the gem. "You'll have to be quick though."

"Right." The new pearl nodded, and held out a hand. "Hi, I'm Hazel, I'm a huge fan of you Renegade, and I'd love to get to know you better."

"Well Hazel," started Pearl.

"AAAALL CHANGE!"

"(oh crack it!)" Hazel cursed under her breath, starting to get up.

"Hey," Pearl took pity on her. "I run a few classes up at Little Homeworld that are pearl only. You're welcome to come along to any of them and we can catch up more then and after if you'd like." Pearl held up her notecard, pointedly circling the pearl's number.

"Oh!" Hazel blushed again. "Yes! Thank you! I'll see you then!"

Volleyball dipped back in as soon as she'd gone, draping herself over Pearl's shoulder.. "So I don't get a date huh?"

"I told you, they're not dates. They're matches."

"Well, am I a match?"

"No."

Volleyball let out a scandalised gasp and pulled away.

"You're not a match because you're not on the list." Pearl explained. "I can't 'match' with you if you don't have a number and you're not taking part like everyone else."

"Awww."

"Now come on." Pearl tapped at Volley's arms, draped around her shoulders, as the next gem stepped up to her table. "I've got some people to meet."

Barely a handful of rounds later, Pearl looked up. "Volley."

She beamed at Pearl. "Hi, I'm Volleyball," she chirped. "I'm a pearl, and I like gardening and finding all sorts of wonderful things to take pictures of on Earth. I would really like to go on a date with you."

"What are you doing?" said Pearl.

"I'm taking part," Volleyball said. "There was a gap so I joined. We can go on a date now."

"Volley," Pearl couldn't hide her exasperation. "We already know each other. I already have your mobile telephone number: You don't need to do this."

"I like long walks in the forest, overthrowing unjust hierarchies and fusing in dangerous and non-dangerous situations-"

"Volley-"

"-especially with people who have saved my life." There was a moment of silence.

"I also like people who fight with swords. And spears," Volley hurried to add. "Also you're hot."

For a moment they both blushed, the heat prickling at the collar of Pearl's jacket. "Very hot," Volleyball added.

Pearl flustered for a moment more, stumbling over herself. It was rather warm all of a sudden. "I appreciate the sentiment, but now is not the time for it."

"All change!" Bismuth's call echoed around the room once again.

"Time to go," said Pearl. Volleyball looked at her in confusion. "You're taking part right? It's time to move on to the next booth." Pearl gave her an encouraging smile. "It's okay, I'll see you later."

Pearl had another thought. "Hey, if you stick with it all long enough it might even loop back round."

Volleyball's eye lit up, and she finally left.

"That was quick." Pearl barely looked up, already knowing Volleyball was sat across from her once more.

"I don't know what you mean. We've gone all the way around already!" she chriped.

"No we haven't. It's at least three dozen people too quick and I know:" Pearl looked up. "I've been counting." She gave a nod to the edge of the booth. "Off you go."

Volleyball stuck her tongue out at Pearl, got up, and left, still pouting over being caught. Pearl couldn't help but smile behind her.

"Good Evening." Pearl paused at the voice, all too familiar and yet different, as though someone was trying to imitate some old Victorian gentleman.

It took half a second but- "Volleyball…" Pearl's admonishment cut short at the sight of her. So much of her pinknesss was covered, from gloves, to trousers. She was wearing a long tailed suit and top hat, and had, out of somewhere, even sourced a monocle. There was a moustache on her face, held on by inferior human glue that appeared to have given up on actually attaching things several weeks ago. Volleyball pushed it back into place.

"What? No, no," she said in that strange, deepened voice. "There's no Volleyball here, oh no. I am Mr Holly Paul."

"Oh really?" Pearl placed her pen down.

"Yes, of the long 'Paul' line. We are a proud people, who reproduce and have many different batch years like humans all do. All the time."

"Oh really?"

"Uh-huh." Mr 'Paul' was nodding away, their moustache creeping looser with each shake.

Pearl couldn't resist having a bit of fun. "You know that's a strange name Mister Holly," she mused, tracing a finger across the tabletop. "Usually a name used for women. Not one that someone who calls themselves 'Mister' would usually use…." she clarified. "Now, I'm not saying you're using an alias..."

"No, no, no, not at all."

"...because there are plenty of reasons people use them, particularly on evening's like this- anonymity you know."

"Oh yeah, anomininity, of course!"

"But you might want to come up with a better name than that. Otherwise people will know what you're up to right away! You've got to be a bit more discreet." Pearl looked back at Volleyball and the hat that had slipped askew, held up by one of her bright pink hair buns. "More subtle."

"Oh. Oh oops!" Volley seemed to think about it for a moment. "What if I call myself Jolly Fall?" Pearl shook her head. "Multi Tool? Polly Cule?" More shaking. Volleyball changed tack. "Basket Ball?"

"All female," Pearl bluffed.

"Then how about…Mr Cricket McCrickface?"

Pearl couldn't help but snort at that one, the sound catching in her nose and throat in the most undignified way.

"What? It's my name." Polly Volleyball quickly slipped back into her 'accent'. "I come from a long and distinguished line of 'McCrickfaces'! Why my third Uncle twice removed had their estate in the deep northern tracts of Eeen-gland."

Pearl's hand couldn't cover her laughter anymore, spluttering over the sides, and beading in glistening teardrops at her eyes.. But Volleyball kept going. "I would be a fine acquaintance of yourself and-" She paused briefly as the moustache tried to make an escape. "And, I would very much appreciate being considered for a date."

"Hmm." Pearl drew the sound out as soon as she had gathered herself, making as much of a show of considering it as she could. "I dunno…if you're from England, you'll be travelling all the time, all those long-distance calls, so slow across the human networks. And, of course, being organic, you can't use the warp pads, so we'd have to travel… I'm sorry Mr McCrickface, I don't think it's going to work out."

"ALLL CHANGE!"

"Peaaarrllll," Volleyball whined. "Just tick me on your thing. Look." She drew a smiley face around Pearl's number for the evening.

"No." Volleyball's face fell, and Pearl softened. "Volley, why are you so worried about getting a date with me tonight? You know you don't have to do any of this be able to spend time with me."

"But I want to."

Pearl's eye's widened a moment before she gathered herself. "And I do appreciate the effort. But it's disrupting the evening for others. You're only meant to get four minutes with any of us, and you've already had much more than that. Let them have their chance." Volleyball was pouting again. Somehow it looked even cuter with the top-hat and outfit.

A thought struck Pearl. "Have you tried talking to any of the other gems?"

Volleyball hesitated.

"Well, you are in the game now. Properly signed on and everything: you should give it a go. It's only four minutes at a time, and there might be a few you might like. If not, then you've had a fun evening finding out."

Volley seemed to think about it, uncertainty and reluctance drawn all over her.

Pearl seemed to pick up on her mood. "Tell you what, why don't you see if you can find out what's the most embarrassing story they'll tell you in four minutes? That'd be fun. You can tell me all about them after!"

That was enough to break a giggle out of Volleyball once more, a flicker of triumph rising in Pearl's chest. She finally had her cracked.

"Alright," said Volleyball, getting up to go once again. "But I'm telling yours as well!"