Second Gem | Video

[beyourrock]

[The feed opens up with Pearl, looking down into it. She looks a little irritated, but her brows furrow and she adjusts the screen accordingly before stepping back a few feet. All of her now being in frame. The Gem gives a small wave after clearing her throat.]

Greetings once again, Wonderland. This is Pearl, and I come to you all today with an offer.

[The gem in her forehead glows brightly. Closing her eyes, Pearl reaches inside the actual gem itself, extracting a rapier blade from inside it. That's right folks.

She pulls a sword from inside her head. Or, gem, specifically.

Pearl twirls the sword in her hand before she rests the tip of it against the floor.]

I would like to offer my services. I specialize in swordsmanship. I have a couple thousand years of experience. I'm willing to teach anyone, and it doesn't matter your skill level. Wonderland can be unpredictable, so it's better to be prepared, right?

For, now I'm gauging interest. Plus, it would be great, for myself, to start practicing again.

[A beat.]

Oh, and I could offer dance lessons if anyone is interested!

Comments

video;

[eatsyourscience]

[Admittedly, dance lessons sound fun. But Souji actually does have some experience with a sword, so he'll address that first.]

After a couple thousand years, you've got to be amazing. I'd be interested in learning from you.

[beyourrock]

Oh it's just a little something I took up in the free time I had.

[She blushes lightly, her cheeks blue.]

Have you had experience with swords before, Mr...?

[eatsyourscience]

My name is Souji. You don't have to use "mister."

[She's older than him, clearly, so it's not culturally appropriate for him.]

I've used a sword at home, but I wasn't really trained to. [He used it about the same way he'd use a baseball bat.] Someone here taught me awhile back, but I've still got a lot to learn.

[He's better than he makes himself out to be, but he's not an amazing swordsman or anything.]

[beyourrock]

[Pearl claps her hands together proudly and nods.]

Then we can certainly improve those skills of yours, Souji! [Appearance and age doesn't really matter to her. Sine she is over five thousand years old herself, looks can be deceiving.]

What was the reason for you taking up the sword in the first place?

[eatsyourscience]

I had to fight things called shadows. I started out with a golf club, but it turns out that a sword works a lot better in most cases.

[Said very dryly.]

Sorry for being so late!!

[beyourrock]

[Hold on.]

Shadows?

[Pearl rubs at her temple with her fingers. Right right, things were different here with this melting pot of individuals..]

What do these shadows consist of exactly?

np, np!

[eatsyourscience]

They take a lot of forms, but they're made from peoples' emotions.

[Her reaction makes him wonder, though...]

Is there something like that where you're from?

[beyourrock]

It's difficult to explain.

[Corrupted Gems were a hot spot of emotions. Frightened. Angry. Confused as to why they look disfigured. They're like wild animals, lashing out when all she wants to do is help.]

But for now... what kind of sword do you typically use when you fight these Shadows?

[eatsyourscience]

Since I got here, I've mostly used a Japanese sword. But really any long sword will work.

[He's used many kinds, but his height makes him suitable for swords on the longer, heavier side.]

[beyourrock]

Great!

[She laughs lightly as she holds up the sword in her hand.]

All I have are rapiers and my spears. I'd rather focus on the swords for now.

[She has quite a few of each in that little gem of hers.]

[eatsyourscience]

I have a friend who uses a one-handed sword like yours. We used to practice together sometimes.

[A beat.]

You're a gem, right? Like Amethyst?

[beyourrock]

Yes that's correct! I'm a Pearl.

[She stops herself and clears her throat.]

I mean, I'm Pearl. She and I are good friends back home.

[eatsyourscience]

[He notices that correction and wonders at it, but it doesn't seem necessary to ask about it. It would be a little abrupt at this point, too.]

That's good to hear. She was going to teach me to wrestle.

[He'd had a little trouble figuring out why magic wasn't allowed but folding chairs were, though, and so they'd never actually gotten around to it.]

[beyourrock]

Wrestling?

[She wrinkles her nose.]

So barbaric if you ask me. Messy. No form or class!

[eatsyourscience]

It sounded like fun.

[Souji doesn't typically take things like that seriously if it's between himself and a friend.]

But it did sound messy, too. I like the way I already fight better.

[beyourrock]

Exactly! It is messy.

[She nods, affirmative as she crosses her arms over her chest tightly.]

During battle, it's best to be precise. And I can teach you just that!

[eatsyourscience]

It might depend on what you're fighting. But against other people, face to face, I think you're right.

[He cants his head to one side, considering.]

If it's too many, or an opponent a lot bigger, magic usually works best for me.

[beyourrock]

Magic?

[Oh man, color her interested now.]

What kind of magic do you wield?

[eatsyourscience]

It's the power of my soul taking shape. It's called a Persona.

[A beat.]

I'll show you sometime.