Chương 152: LOG-144.

Teacher. LOG-144.

"A completely soundproofed chamber you say? Well, I'd say it's unorthodox, but with how things are in my own Court these days… bah, it shouldn't be an issue!" I nodded along with the diminutive Gem's assessment. A violet Morganite, Blue Court crest proudly emblazoned upon her chest, even as she continued to pace back and forth in front of the hologram currently being projected by her Pearl, a similarly violet Gem. Calm, reserved and almost at ease.

Keeps making subtle corrections to the blueprints in response to her owner's gesticulation and commentary, sometimes even in anticipation of them. An assistant, rather than a mere slave. Has noticed my attention, but is trained well enough to avoid outwardly reacting to it.

"2WC, you were part of the construction team involved in the last few upgrades, yes?" My attention diverted to the relaxed looking Bismuth idling in the corner of the room, her bulky form turning to face her relatively tiny superior at the same time, even as one massive paw of a hand came up to rub at the back of her neck.

"Uh, yeah. Never made an entirely soundproof room before, but we did get asked to make some rooms less loud a while back. Shouldn't be a problem!" Subtle enough that no one else in the room could have possibly noticed, one of my eyebrows rose upwards at the seemingly innocent comment.

"Less loud. Do you think you could mark these rooms out within the Reef's schematics? Oh, and I'll need a hard copy for my own purposes, as a matter of course." The command earned a blink from the construction Gem, who hesitantly turned to glance at Morganite before receiving a hasty nod of confirmation. The benefits of being White Diamond's personal pet project, it seemed. Was that most of the Empire's servants were practically falling over themselves to please me.

Convenient, even if it left an ugly feeling dwelling somewhere deep in my gemstone.

"Of course we can do that! Will there be anything else, Overseer? Or shall we get to work immediately?" Waving off the violet architect, I turned back towards the desk I'd been practically glued to over the past two days (at least according to White One's local planetary rotation cycle, since I'd been carefully putting off looking at the actual date in order to avoid losing my mind once I learned how long I'd been under), ignoring my counterparts as they all quietly filed out of the room.

With no office of my own, and with it clearly being required with my status here, I'd effectively taken over Nacre Three's room, at least for the time being. An awkward affair, to say the very least, considering I didn't want to be anywhere near the other Gem, even if she was more than happy to… talk shop with me. It was still strange, being treated almost like a coworker by the insane bitch. Albeit in a horribly confusing'I'm your proud abusive mother but you're also now my manager' kind of way.

The idle thought of whether I technically had mommy issues or not (or perhaps had some forced upon me) came and went as I focused on not thinking about rampant abuse, violent colony drops, dangerous rebel operations, dead Zooman corpses, horrific violations of the mind and… so many other fucking things, instead scanning over today's schedule for Batch Seventeen. Productivity was key, at the moment.

Because if I could just distract myself with work long enough to get my own private screaming room, then I could avoid breaking down in public. Probably. This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. And more importantly, I needed to get out of this damn office. And hopefully investigate why the hell the Reef's construction crew had been commissioned to dampen the sounds in specific rooms throughout the facility. Cause Stars knew that was suspicious as fuck.

—"Come now Pearls! Type one, pattern one! This is your most important pose! Your introductory bow to your future owners-oh, Overseer!" The chamber would be familiar even if I didn't have perfect recollection. A large hall-like structure, with an adjoined balcony that allowed Nacre Caretakers to look over the specific Batch of Pearls they were training.

Pearls which didn't seem to know whether they were supposed to stop, or continue repeatedly posing in response to my presence on said balcony, even as Nacre Two hastily stepped out of my way, allowing me to step closer to the edge and look over the small sea of identical faces looking back up at me. One in particular caught my gaze, and I tried my best not to grimace as my little copycat's eyes almost seemed to visibly sparkle at the thought of having my attention.

"I'm here to inspect the current Batch for evaluation. Halt the lesson." For just a second, Nacre Two looked ready to argue. A sharp look flashed across her features, her hand raising.

"I-yes, Overseer. At once. Alright Pearls! We're having a change in schedule for today! I'll be leaving you in the care of Overseer Nacre Four here, so make sure to be on your best behaviour!"

"Yes my Nacre!" Staring at the other Gem until she finally got the hint and quietly exited the chamber, I turned to glance back down at the gaggle of lithe lightforms looking back up at me, features drawn with rapt attention. They're tense, trying to mask their nervousness. Some are incredibly inept at it, likely will require additional training. General body language shows hints of… mostly a mixture between fearfulness and hope. What could I say? They were used to Nacres by now, most likely.

And no doubt they all suffered the same abuses my own Batch had, back when we'd been in their place. How could I let them know I was going to be any different? And then, finally, an idea formed. Why say anything at all? What need did I have for the mouth of an Overseer, when I had perfectly capable hands?

And so slowly, those hands rose, the Pearls of Batch Seventeen visibly trying not to glance at each other in confusion as I remained silent, lifting my arms in front of me and dismissing my gauntlets with a small flash of light, exposing my actual, clawless digits.

Those glances were halted entirely, everyone's attention focusing back on me without fail as my fingers twitched and turned in subtle motions, motions that my Batch and I had discovered and taught to each other, back when I'd stood in their place, staring up at strict, uncaring caretakers.

'Hello. My former designation was Viridian Pearl Order Sixteen B, back when I was like all of you. The Nacre Caretakers call me Overseer, and you likely will have to as well.' I paused, a hum bubbling up in my throat, before I gave a barely perceptible nod.' But in private, you can just call me Viridian.' The flabbergasted expression plastered across every individual Pearl's face was almost enough to make me laugh, honestly.

It was just a certain green Gem's utterly awed smile that kept me from giving in to that desire, really.