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It's maybe a week when Pearl first visits Gem and Joel's nice little island, car and all.
Less then that even. If Pearl had to guess it would be about two days into the next cycle of the cursed death games. If you asked Gem, however, it would be far too soon.
They're both still green, they haven't yet gotten a chance to settle in their new base and it isn't fair (but nothing about these games are, when the gods that run them play favourites)
Pearl arrives, all bright smiles, all bounding energy and yet Gem keeps shifting around her.
It's on Pearl's second visit that she giggles, and (partially) jokes "You must really hate me, Gem"
And how could she not? There's still blood between Pearl's nails, an unspoken bloodlust that thrums in her veins; remains of another death games, before Gem.
"Something like that" agrees Gem
How could she, when betrayal is much fresher in her mind than anything else?
So, Gem offers a wry smile and replies ; "Maybe"
Pearl doesn't come back the next day.
She returns the day after, of course, still chipper smiles, and warm giggles.
(And Gem truly hates it. She does! Because to put it bluntly, blood lust is a loose cannon she isn't willing to keep)
"So," asks Pearl, cheekily "How much do you hate me today?"
It's a slower day today. The wildcard—people's heights changing all over the place— has mostly calmed.
"You betrayed me last time" replies Gem easily, pushing past the heartbreak, voice taking on an edge.
For once, Pearl's face falls. As if she can't remember her sword crossing with Gem's on a blind mission to kill.
"I didn't mean to?" She answers uneasily, uncertain in her movements. Pearl stills, something unusual for her.
"Really Pearl? You and Scar double teamed me!" yells Gem
"Gem, I'm sorry. How…how do I fix this?"
Gem shrugs, looking over Pearl.
There is still a dagger in her belt. There is still an axe strapped to her back, and rotten flesh sits in her pockets.
Her bloodlust, or whatever the Watchers have dubbed the thing, the violence, pounding through Pearl's veins, is a loose cannon.
"We can be friends when we're both on red" replied Gem, only partially joking
"Sure, Gem" says Pearl, a soft giggle on her lips.
And with that, she's gone.
Everyday, she returns, a smile plastered on her face that wavers if Gem looks too hard.
"So," asks Pearl, every day. "How much do you hate me today?"
Gem's answer is the same, often dismissive and occasionally a barbed reply.
Pearl's blue hoodie is gone, bloodstained (and if that isn't a familiar sight). Her eyes are tired.
"I told you," says Gem, crossing her arms. "We can be allies when we're both red"
She doesn't meet Pearl's stare this time.
(If she did, her eyes would meet with red, red, bloodshot eyes, staring at her as if she had torn the stars from the sky)
Pearl's first instinct is to grab her dagger, to place a hand on her dog (named Billy this time) and take a step back.
Gem watches her. Neither one moves to attack, and Pearl leaves for the day.
A couple days pass, and another Wild Card.
Pearl isn't gone for long, but it's longer then it's ever been.
Gem still sees her of course, laughing with Cleo and Scott languidly. Her grin is sharp (and Gem mourns a version of Pearl she never met, one who wasn't shaped for violence by sadistic gods)
It's nearly two weeks later when Pearl shows up again.
This time, her cloak is torn, and Gem can see the growing bags under her eyes.
Cautiously, as if with a wild animal, Gem sets down her sword in the grass, eyeing Pearl carefully.
"What is it now?" She asks, arms crossed
Pearl holds up a small bouquet of hydrangeas, the same colour as her eyes. Some of the petals are fallen, partially wilted or crushed.
Pearl steps forward, in careful movements and presses the flowers into Gem's hand.
"Please," she whispers "I'm sorry"
It's human and painfully so. And yet, Gem isn't blind to the way Pearl holds herself.
Carefully, Gem cups Pearl's face, with a look of gentle horror.
The seams of her glove press against tear- stained skin, and Pearl relishes in it. Her eyes are tired and bloodshot, a scar running through her lips.
Pearl isn't exactly a loose cannon but in a death game, its close enough. She is a wild dog cornered, she is a bowstring pulled tight and a cry of anger.
For her, blood lust is second nature. And Gem knows this isn't how it's supposed to be, not when she's close enough to see scars from the last round of games that should've long since faded.
Not when there is purple underneath the red of Pearl's eyes. Not when the same hands that pressed flowers into Gem's hands turn now, so easily to violence.
Gem knows herself well enough to know she can't be Pearl's allies when she will constantly be looking over her shoulder for Pearl's diamond sword and her Cheshire grin.
Delicately, she takes one of the flowers, a daffodil, from her own ginger hair and tucks it behind Pearl's ear
Firmly, her voice wavering, she promises Pearl; "When we're both red, alright?"
Pearl nods, pushing the hand on her cheek away.
The bouquet falls to the ground in a flutter, Pearl staring at Gem for a moment
"I…I'll see you then, I guess" says Pearl, not meeting Gem's eyes and her voice quivering
Gem nods mournfully
"I'll see you then"
Pearl leaves, all too quickly after that.
The next, and last time Gem sees her, the daffodil is still there, tucked into Pearl's cloak.
Its the only time they where both red, and Gem is dead before Pearl can share the good news.