epidemiology | OPEN (forward dated a little Jan 1)

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OPEN (forward dated a little Jan 1)

CHARACTERS: Pearl (

beyourrock) and you!

DATE: Jan 1st

WARNINGS: N/A

SUMMARY: Pearl takes some time to clear her head. Sort of.

[This past week, Pearl had been busying herself with errands, cooking, baking, anything that would get her mind off the mark on her hand. She slowly started to realize that these mundane tasks weren’t doing her any good. Her mind was still loud.

Let it be the most beautiful sort of disaster that consumes you...

Maybe it was time to take a different approach.]

A: Sworn to the Sword
[Pearl had cleared a small area for herself and her training. Scooping what snow she could into precise mounds. Dead grass was revealed, along with worn down dirt, in a perfect square, large enough for combat. It wasn’t preferred, but it would have to do. Especially without the use of Warp Pads here, in order to transport to the area she usually trained.

The Gem stood in the middle of the miniature arena, two swords in hand. He gem on her forehead glows brightly, producing a blue figure in front of her. A perfect copy, give or take the emotionless face it held. She tosses the sword to the hologram and it in turn catches it by the handle.

And the sword dance begins. Clashing metal, sparks flying, elegant movements, and yet, they both had considerable power behind each blow, letting out a rush of air in the nearby radius of the arena. To anyone observing, they may notice Pearl is rather focused on the task at hand, as her hologram evades her attacks, returning with its own.]

B: May I Have this Dance?
[After her self appointed training, Pearl had put away her swords, letting them disappear with a flurry of sparkles. The hologram of herself holds out its hand out to Pearl, in which she takes. Similar to her fight with the hologram, it’s elegant, but with a much softer edge to it as they danced. Spinning and twisting, gliding across the arena, despite the unstable ground.

Pearl closes her eyes, as if she has memorized all the steps, falling in line with her hologram. As she moves, the hologram flickers into different shakes of different people, never missing a beat. She spins, and the hologram changes into a barefooted young woman with long hair, and when she’s dipped back, a woman in uniform holds her under the small of her back, and then straightens her back up again. The hologram extends her arm outward, Pearl holding it and doing the same. Again, the form changes, into a man with armor. And then she’s tugged in, twirling again until she rests against the holograms chest, looking up to see a tall woman with large curls, a soft smile on her face.

The gem’s eyes widen and she breaks away from the hologram, which splits into two shapes. A tall woman with square shaped hair and shades, while another stood beside her. Much shorter but with long unkempt hair. The both stare down Pearl, smiling as well, arms either crossed or on their hips. Silent laughter passes their lips, soft and heart warming before they disappear in a fizzle.

Pearl stares at where the holograms stood, her breathing suddenly ragged. Her left hand clutches over her chest, her gaze falling to the ground. Furrowing her brow, she exhales heavily, closing her eyes.]

What would they think...?

C: A Girl and her Bird
[Pearl sits in the middle of the arena, sitting beside a giant white bird, with blue trimmed feathers. A small bag of feed is set down for him, and she quietly observes him eating, her gloved hands running through his feathers on his back. He was a hassle, but she seemed to be warming up to the idea of a mount. A pet of sorts, and Quartz seemed to be calming her mind.

The Gem closes her eyes and laughs weakly as she hears the bird gobble down his food.]

Relax Quartz. You’ll choke if you eat too fast.

[She says, scoldingly, but the bird doesn’t seem to heed her words, continuing his ‘feast’. Her shoulders slump, it wasn’t worth it at this point.]

D: Wildcard
{{ooc: If none of these tickles your fancy, you're more than welcomed to toss in your own! If you're not sure, just drop me a pp on plurk at littlestpenguin}}

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[ Kida expels a breath at Pearl's apology. If instead of shouting she'd just stopped and spoken more clearly, they could have avoided all these hurt feelings. ]

It is already forgiven, dear heart. I was wrong, also.

[ She reaches forward, laying her hands on top of Pearl's, on top of the command seal. There are two, now, where before the pattern repeated three times; Kida doesn't know if that's significant, but she suspects it must be. ]

I know you chose what you believed to be the best course of action. And--[ she steels herself ]--if he offered it to you, it was partly because I encouraged him.

[ Her expression is full of regret, but she remembers it, clear as day: 'Would you be free of the Grail, if one of ALASTAIR held your chain?' 'It would be worth trying to find out.'

She should have killed him, but what's done is done. The cup has broken, the water is spilt. She can't offer much to compensate. ]

I was the one to tell him he should seek a Master among the agents of ALASTAIR. I did not think--

[ I didn't think that meant you.

She hadn't even known Pearl and Gilgamesh knew each other beyond the dislike Pearl had admitted to on their second meeting. ]

He.. what?

Pearl shakes her head and moves her hands to hold Kida's own in them.] Kida, the contract has been done. There's no going back, and I understand what I've gotten myself into. Whatever transpired between you and Gilgamesh, in the jail, do not dwell on it. Don't blame yourself for this, please Kida. That's the last thing you, or I, need right now.

I could have said no. But I didn't. And... I do regret my choice. [Her hand clutches onto the young woman's tighter. Desperate.]

Kida, I want you to be careful of him. To be wary around him and keep your guard up.

[ Pearl's right, of course--worrying gets them nowhere. The message is clear enough. ]

I know. [ Of all the people Pearl needs to warn about Gilgamesh, Kida is the last one. Wasn't it her who'd been giving the warnings? This is not how she'd thought things would go. ] I know, Pearl.

[ She pulls the Gem into a hug, a fierce one. Kida's cheek presses into the pink fabric. ] Know that you have my support, no matter what. And--my friendship, as well.

[ Friendship seems to be something they are both in dire need of. ]

[Pearl goes rigid in her embrace, her eyes wide. Friendship. Kida was truly her first friend here, in this strange universe in which ALASTAIR tossed them into. Back home, she had her teammates, Steven, his father, and Connie. They were friends, sure, but they were all met due to important circumstances. Kida's friendship was made over a nightwatch, and it's made a significant impact on her in the following months.

Pearl wraps her arms about the Atlantean tightly, burying her own face into her ivory hair, tears stinging the corner of her eyes.]

You're too kind to me. [She manages to choke out.] Thank you, so much... I honestly don't know what I'd do without you here. You mean so much to me. I know I've made a mistake, but I'm going to own up to it. I'm going to make the best of it.

[ Pearl has been instrumental in getting Kida's world view to open and expand: not just in terms of their friendship, but in being her first true connection to a world outside Atlantis, to the possibilities offered there. For that, she is irreplaceable. Pearl deserves all the kindness Kida can give.

Her fingers rise, threading gently into Pearl's hair. ]

I know you will. You are strong.

[ She pulls back a bit, smiling softly now. ]

May I...spend some time here? With you?

[ Just to be friends. Live in each other's space for a moment. Put the matter of Servants aside for a moment and just enjoy each other's company--as friends do? ]

[She pulls back as well, using the edges of the scarf to wipe away what tears threatened to fall. But, thankfully, a smile cracks through on her features, nodding furiously and insistently.]

Yes, please! I'd enjoy that.

[She gives Kida's arms a soft squeeze as more confidence seeps into her smile. Pearl takes in Kida's heavy layered attire and chuckles.]

You must tell me how your holiday festivities have gone!

[ Kida pulls away, suddenly all too aware of how long it's been since they last spoke. Weeks, at least. What has happened? ]

I have been enjoying the festivities. I received many gifts--Steven made mittens for me, and Loki gave me a sweater! [ To show Pearl, she opens her cloak, revealing the article of clothing beneath. It's--well. She clearly loves it? ]

Besides that, I have met many of our new team-mates, and even Ninat has been making friends.

[ A beat. ] You have not yet met Ninat!

[She inhales lightly at the sight of her sweater.... and soon wrinkles her nose. She won't judge allowed, but it was certainly different. Some kind of animal vomiting candy and ribbons? Humans had strange items of clothing.

But her confused, and disgusted expression is quickly replaced with curiosity, looking up at Kida.]

...Ninat?

[ Kida grasps Pearl's hand, excited.]

Ninat is my companion--like your Quartz!

[ She pauses for a moment, considering. The woods aren't far--

Kida lifts two fingers to her mouth and whistles, sharp and true. The sound pierces like a bird's shriek. For a long moment, nothing happens. ]

Perhaps she didn't--ah!

[ Out of the darkness a shape cuts out in blue filaments, trotting out from the line of trees. It's cat-shaped, only impossibly large, the size of a horse. The light from their lanterns doesn't reach the animal, but it casts its own light, mottled blue spots along a vivid blue crest. It eyes are yellow in the dark. ]

Ni-nu! Masik!

[A companion like Quartz? She imagines a large bird like him. So when she sees a sleek figure emerge from the line of trees, she flinches in surprise. As the creature reveals itself a little more, she perks up. A cat? Nearly as tall as her own Quartz! And aquatic looking.

Pearl gasps in wonder, instinctively standing next to Kida as the shark cat approaches. Unsure of what kind of action to take. Maybe it'd be for the best for Kida to take the lead on this.]

This is.. Ninat?

Yes.

[ Kida reaches out her hands, and Ninat happily meets her halfway, butting her giant head against Kida's palms. ]

Ninat, Pearl pridos kagin essetot. Tokh kereg!

[ Having been prompted to 'say hi', Ninat turns her great fact over to Pearl, fascinated by the foreign way the Gem presents to her: scentless, absent of a nervous system, her entire body just one resonating glow.

Ninat reaches her head over, inquiring after a pat. ]

[Pearl looks from Kida and slowly looks up at the giant cat creature. With a thick swallow, Pearl reaches her hand out hesitantly to pat her hand atop her head. Stiff an awkward. Unsure of how to pet the smooth skin of the creature.]

Hello there, Ninat....

[She speaks from the corner of her mouth to Kida.]

What did you tell her?

[ Kida smiles, watching her friend and her companion interact. ]

I told her you are a friend, and to say hello.

[ Ninat makes the choice for Pearl, leaning her head to the side for Pearl's questing fingers to rest on the line where her crest meets her neck. She likes being scratched there. ]

I have said to you before: supak, which is a greeting. Tokh is like supak, only more...familiar.

[ It's basically 'hi', in Atlantean. ]

[She looks between the two of them once more before she makes a small sound of surprise. Oh, Ninat knew exactly what she wanted! She was much more affectionate than Lion was. Then again, her and Lion were on strange terms.

The Gem scratches the offered area and laughs softly.]

Supak, Ninat.

[Pearl looks over to Kida for confirmation. Is that right??]

[ Ninat had been reserved more often before, Kida has noticed; now that she's discovered that people other than Kida can give her pats, however, she seems increasingly intent on seeking it out. ]

Your accent is cute.

[ Kida's earnest rather than teasing. As Pearl scratches Ninat's crest, her gaze slides over to Pearl's face. ]

Did you get many presents?

[That earns a small blush from the Gem, but she giggles softly, watching carefully where she scratches on the creature's skin. Her eyes soften as she keeps her gaze focused on Ninat, just in case she causes any discomfort for the fish-like cat.]

A few things, yes. I was honestly surprised. I'm not used to receiving gifts from anyone else, besides Steven. [But he was a given. He's Steven after all.]

You know... with all the ups and downs of this world, I don't regret being whisked away from Earth like this. [Pearl pulls her gaze back towards Kida, pale blue eyes fond.]

[ She's about to mention Steven's mittens when Pearl continues--her tone is soft, but it makes Kida's mouth dry. She's happy to have left? Kida's expression turns contemplative. ]

I... [ There are very few people she'd admit this to. ] I cannot say the same. I miss Atlantis. ALASTAIR has given me this opportunity, but all I wish is for the sight of my homeland again.

[ In this season of giving, all she wants is selfish--to be back among her people. ]

[Pearl perks up and waves her hands, needing to clarify.]

I mean...! No I don't wish to stay here forever! Not at all! I wish we all could return home. You especially! A-And I still have unfinished business back home.

[Her hands return to rub at her arms.] I guess what I'm saying is that it could be a worse prediciment to be in. I mean, I've met wonderful people here.

Like you.

[ Kida smiles, comforting. ] I am being melancholy again, am I not?

[ She reaches forward, putting her hands over Pearl's as she wraps herself up. ]

I do not regret meeting you. I do not regret--this chance I have been given.

[ She purses her lips. ] I regret that my people could not enjoy my freedom. And the more I see, the more I fear I will not be able to give it to them.

[Tension leaves her shoulders as she watches Kida, her chest aching in sympathy for the young woman. She unwraps her hands from around her own arms and clasps her hands over Kida's own, holding them as if to cherish them.

A wide and warm smile is offered as the Gem looks at her fondly.]

You will be able to bring it to them, Kida. I know you will. And you'll be able to show them these experiences, and guide them along the way! You have the drive to do something great for your empire, and your experiences here will help that.

[ She takes a deep, steadying breath. Pearl's right. Besides which--there isn't any point in wallowing in the what-ifs, is there?

A slow smile blossoms on her face. ]

Mmm, Pearl, you are wise. [ More genially, she swings an arm over, encircling Pearl's shoulders. ]

Do you know what would cheer me up? [ She makes a show of 'go on, guess'. After a few seconds: ] A spar with my friend! [ Her tone turns sly. ] That is, if she is ready to cross blades...

[Pearl stumbles a little at the arm slung over her shoulder, but finds herself grinning at the gesture, leaning into her friend gleefully. She nudges her side in turn with a small huff.]

Of course she's ready! You name the time and place and she'll be there no matter what.

As long as it makes you happy, she'd be more than willing to spar with a good friend.

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OPEN (forward dated a little Jan 1)

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