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

[beyourrock]

[Say what now? Pearl tilts her head.]

You.. saw her memories. But how is that possible?

[determinedest]

It was an event. Memories...fell from the sky, kind of? Like stars. Only they never really happened.

[Their expression screws up into one of disgruntled confusion.]

...it's complicated.

Apologies for being late!

[beyourrock]

How can this place just... play memories?

[She rubs at her brow.]

Does this place have that much power over us all?

no worries!

[determinedest]

[Frisk winces. It can't be the easiest to take in, they know firsthand.]

It...does, yeah. They were like memories of things that didn't happen, but could have happened? Like a future that didn't exist.

[beyourrock]

So, were you two in a memory, or were you shown it?

[Memories of what could have been? Terrifying...]

[determinedest]

Shown it. Like, Peridot was there, and you were there, but you were both saying stuff that never happened? And Peridot had these big long arm things.

[They motion inadequately to try and indicate the memory-Peridot's limb enhancers, without much success.]

[beyourrock]

Long arm--

[Oh that makes sense. Why her foot fell off and. Why she's rather small now...]

She had limb enhancers before. [Pearl frowns tightly and looks at Frisk in the feed.]

Do you remember what was said?

[determinedest]

You guys were talking about building something, I think? A...warp something. And there were these little metal robot things, looked like little balls?

[Another gesture, this one approximating a spherical object.]

Amethyst said they exploded into toothpaste.

[beyourrock]

Robonoids...

[She thinks for a moment longer before she bows her head with a heavy sigh.]

I have no idea why a 'memory' would play something like that, but thank you, Frisk, for letting me know.

Do these... events happen very often?

[determinedest]

That was the first time I saw an event like that. And it hasn't happened again. But we tend to get events of some kind very week or so.

[They shrug their shoulders, opening a hand.]

Sometimes they're fun, but usually they're...not.

[beyourrock]

[That's unsettling.]

Do you ever know when an event is coming up?

[determinedest]

Usually one of the residents says something. Er - the people who've been here for forever. They make an announcement or something.

[beyourrock]

That's oddly helpful.

Well! Looks like we'll be expecting the unexpected then!

[determinedest]

That's kind of all we can do here.

[Accompanied by a faint, apologetic smile.]

That's the one thing that stays the same - everything always changes.

[beyourrock]

[She tries to return them a small reassuring smile.]

You know what? I'll be sure to come to you with questions. You seem pretty knowledgable. We can both teach each other!

[determinedest]

M-me?

[They wouldn't consider themselves knowledgeable. But it's a...nice compliment, if an unexpected one.]

I mean I can, I'll try!

[beyourrock]

[Pearl smiles brighter and bows her head, her smile growing into a grin.]

I know you will, Frisk. You're a teacher compared to me when it comes to Wonderland here.

[determinedest]

[They're not...but they're just a kid, aren't they? Aren't they supposed to be too small and stupid for that kind of responsibility? That's what it's supposed to be like. No one puts kids in charge of things. No one tells kids they should teach people.

It just doesn't work like that.]

But -

[The protest dies in their throat, and they shake their head, rearrange their expression into a smile.]

Um. Okay. If you, if you say so.

[beyourrock]

[Pearl furrows her brow as she looks at them.]

Did... I say something wrong?

[determinedest]

N-no! It's fine. I just...didn't really expect that. That's all.

[They flash a hasty smile that they hope is at least slightly reassuring.]

[beyourrock]

Well, wouldn't you say you're pretty experienced with Wonderland?

How long have you been here, Frisk?

[determinedest]

I...guess so? I mean, some people have been here for years. I've only been here since... [Their expression screws up in thought for a moment.] ...since January, I think. Yeah.

[beyourrock]

[Pearl counts on her fingers before she grins.]

That's still a lot of experience, especially compared to me, who has only been here for a few months.

You have plenty of knowledge to offer.

[determinedest]

O...kay. I mean, I just don't know why you'd ask me instead of - aren't adults better at this sort of thing?

[beyourrock]

Sometimes the younger generation can give interesting perspectives.

It's what I've noticed lately.