#this is pearlphobia

Since the lovely project that is the @hundredsofpearls-zine is reaching completion and has opened preorders (get it before the end of July!), it’s time to preview the work I did for it.

My fic features two pairs of Pearl OCs finding their way on Earth: Wine and Blush created by @huecy and Sandy and Lavender by @outerspace-iiinnerspace. Here’s a little excerpt, featuring a Pearl picking a name, and Little Homeworld’s Pearl School, Which Is For Pearls.

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“Oh no! I am so sorry, how clumsy of me! Here, let me just–”

She wants to shout that it’s fine, get away– as the other Pearl dabs at her front with a handkerchief produced not from her gem but from the little bag at her side. Instead she blurts out a very undignified “What is this?” in a voice that has never been meant for anything but perfect dignity.

This makes the other Pearl - Sandy, her tag proclaims her - stop, almost frozen, until she launches into a ramble. “The humans call it wine! They make it themselves. It’s a fascinating process, really, and the stages and byproducts are wildlydiverse–”

She tunes out the rest fairly quickly when her gaze drops down to the blank nametag on her own front. 

Unlike her, dear Blush got a nickname fairly quickly upon coming to Earth - a sweet disposition coupled with appealing colouration seems to have made it easy, somehow. But she herself has no idea how to approach this, not after centuries of self-effacement and obliteration of any sign of anything outside of what She wanted, what She needed. Her voice coming out of Pearl’s throat because that is how She made her…

Pearl shudders, and very deliberately pushes the thoughts aside.

Her nametag is glaringly empty, deep purple-red stains aside, a strange bother even with all the assurances that there’s no rush whatsoever, that it’s fine to wait and put something meaningful there, that there is no pressure and, oh, should she want to change whatever she picked, that is of course perfectly normal and fine–

She glances down at her arm, the now barely discernible stain the colour of the gem at the small of her back, then at all the Pearls milling about - not a blank nametag to be seen.

Colour-based names are a very popular choice–

Earth phenomena you will become familiar with during your stay–

It doesn’t have to mean anything, whatever strikes your fancy–

She grabs the pen she was given together with the tag and scrawls– well, being a fine Pearl, even her scrawl is elegant cursive:

Wine

A small bubble of some giddy feeling rises in her, and the thought: I need to show Blush. She pushes forward with all the others, the entire group suddenly moving towards the classroom, noticing their teacher has arrived. And as if on cue, Blush is at her side. Quiet but warm. A familiar, comforting presence as they navigate yet another new Earth experience together, and move to find a seat in the auditorium.

The crowd is nothing if not spontaneously organised, Pearls lining up in a very orderly fashion. Wine, with Blush in tow, ends up next to the two from outside - Sandy, still bearing some traces of spilled wine on her skirt, and - Wine squints - Lavender. But before she can say a word and bring up the oddly significant incident from moments before, Blush takes her hand, and turns her attention to the improvised podium, where a very recognisable Pearl stands ready to speak.

“Welcome, everyone, to this year’s Pearl Orientation class!” The Renegade is not terrifying at all, except perhaps in subtle, mere suggestions of things. The look of her entire, unique and somehow untouchable, bearing a strange sort of promise. It’s not the first time they’ve all seen her - she was there, handing out the nametags and offering helpful and not-so-helpful advice, and a chaotic selection of earthly writing implements. 

She waves her hands around happily as she talks, then clasps them in front of herself. “Now, I do not intend for this to be an ex-cathedra type of class. Past experience has led to some, in my opinion, excellent methodology… very collaborative and horizontal! So while I am more than happy to provide advice and pointers and guidance, I in no way wish to present any kind of strict authority. However…”

The pause is brief but the excitement oddly real, and Wine feels herself want to lean forward in anticipation.

“I do have homework for you to start us off! That is, a small task for you to try to complete - not for anyone’s benefit but your own. Your task is to go forth…” the Renegade’s voice lowers dramatically, “…and deliberately break a rule! Tomorrow evening I would like to hear each of you give a report on your experiences doing this: consider your motivations and reasoning, and why you picked whatever you end up picking.”

A lavender hand shoots up next to Wine’s head with almost frightening speed. “Excuse me!”

“Yes, uh,” the Renegade’s eyes flick down to the nametag quickly, “Lavender?”

“I am completing the task. By refusing to do the home work.” Lavender states very matter-of-factly, unblinking gaze fixed on their instructor.

“I… that is– well, quite creative, to be sure! Of course something like this crops up every so often - Pearls and the creative misinterpretation of orders, name a more iconic duo, ahaha!” She pauses at the blank stares. “It’s, oh, just something Steven showed me. Never you mind. I think Lavender here has quite a grasp of things already, and I am excited to hear her contributions to the discussion tomorrow. Now, off you all go! Feel free to consult with myself or my assistant Volleyball here,” a pale pink Pearl turns to wave at them all from the front row, “if you have any concerns or questions at all.”

They file out - and Wine is certain it isn’t just her imagination - a little less orderly than before.