Chương 54: LOG-050.

The sky was getting somewhat dark by the time I finally heard light footsteps originating from within the temple's confines, even as I stood up from my position sat down against the base of the Roaming Eye's ramp, storing away my notepad back into my gemstone as I did so. Then I was staring at Pearl, and she was staring back somewhat awkwardly, neither of us seemingly willing to make the first move.

A little ways behind her, a certain fusion was standing back with her arms crossed, a patient expression plastered across her face.... Fine. Putting on a polite smile, I inclined my head slightly.

"Pearl. I assume Garnet told you I was willing to try out your... idea?" Thankfully, that seemed more than enough to finally animate my counterpart, what tension had suffused her lightform slowly draining away as she nodded quickly, stepping forward and gesticulating with her hands.

"Ah-yes. My apologies for being so indirect about all of this, Viridian. I... hadn't anticipated Garnet seeking you out on my behalf." Moving away from the Roaming Eye and approaching her in turn, I let my hands settle behind my back in a respectful, if slightly more relaxed stance.

"I can't say I did either... regardless, the concept has merit. I've been looking through some of the Kindergarten's systems in my off time but... I just can't quite piece it together fully, not without actually interfacing with the machinery itself and rooting around a little bit, which I don't know how to do safely. I... can understand the basic programs keeping everything together, but actually getting useful information out of it that could help is, unfortunately, rather beyond me at the moment."

I paused, glancing at Garnet for a second before turning back to Pearl, the renegade having finally settled to a stop in front of me.

"Which, I suppose, is where you would come in?" Fingers tapped against each other as the Gem hesitantly nodded, an uncertain look taking over her expression.

"That is my general view of things, yes. I figured that, considering how well you've handled fusion so far -first with Vermilion, and then eventually even Amethyst, we might prove compatible as well! You... seem to have a much better handle on the more computational aspects than I do, and, not to boast of course, but I've become rather handy with physical technology myself! Over the past few thousand years, that is."

Stars, it still didn't quite click in my mind that, given time, I would eventually get to be that age, provided nothing horrible happened. What would I even be like in a hundred years? What about a thousand years? Would I change? Would I stay the same like most Gems seemed to? Unaware of my inner thoughts, Pearl continued, weight idly shifting from one foot to the other.

"As such, I believe that merging our individual skillsets together, in a more literal fashion, might yield improved results compared to our current attempts at resolving things." If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. She paused, that uncertainty flaring back up a little as she wound down from her brief tirade.

"I just... didn't want you to feel pressured. I suppose. I understand all of this is so new to you and Vermilion-Stars, believe me when I say that I felt very lost back when I first came to Earth, but-" She stopped when I held up my hand, sighing.

"It's alright. I... appreciate you trying to look out for me, very much so, but I'm more than willing to try fusing if it means, at the very least, finding a proper way to deal with the Cluster." At her sudden stare, I felt a small bit of heat rise to my cheeks, one hand going up to brush my hair out of my face as I awkwardly shifted in place.

"As you can no doubt deduce, I've become... rather invested in this planet, and really would prefer if it wasn't damaged. So... I suppose the question is... would you care to try out your theory?" Understatement of the century, for various reasons. Yet it seemed to work, considering my outstretched hand was accepted by Pearl's own less than a second later, the rebel smiling brightly as we began to move back and forth, gently.

"I would be more than happy to." Giving her a small smile back, I nodded.

"Then we're in agreement, excellent. If it's all the same, you lead, please. I'd imagine you have more experience in this than I do." My handing over of authority only seemed to invigorate Pearl, as the flowing motions between us began to quicken.

"Of course! Just keep in mind that we need to focus on a goal if this particular fusion is going to work. Dancing together will only get us so far considering we don't know each other all that much. Just try and think of something that both of us can agree on. Grace, perhaps? Or-or saving the Earth! Though... those might be too vague or long-term, I suppose." I closed my eyes, slowly letting my counterpart twirl me around as I thought her suggestion through, before pulling in close to her at her silent behest.

What would both of us agree about? Something short-term and concrete enough that the hypothetical fusion could focus on, but that both of us actually cared about?

"... Putting our talents to good use? I think that's a rather solid goal that both of us share, no?" Her only response was an agreeable nod, even as we shifted into the next part of our impromptu choreography. It was almost familiar, the smooth, swaying motions I was slowly replicating as I continued to follow along with her lead.

Part of me almost wanted to compare it to some of the routines taught at the Reef, but there were sections that were simply too expressive, compared to the restricted, inherently submissive postures the Nacres had (sometimes literally) beaten into us. Yet regardless of my inner thoughts, as Pearl and I continued our dance the initial awkwardness eventually began to melt away, replaced by a sense of synchronicity somewhat familiar to what I'd achieved with Vermilion.

It likely helped that I actually knew what I was doing now, and that my partner was all but an expert in this, second only to Garnet or maybe Rose. Each step, each twirl, and each movement started to flow naturally between us, as if our bodies had always known this silent rhythm we were now moving to. Eventually, Pearl's movements grew more intricate, and I mirrored her with increasing precision. Our steps became faster, more deliberate, a seamless blend of grace and intent.

The temple's dim light danced along the edge of my vision, casting elongated shadows that flickered across our intertwined lightforms. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched a now smiling Garnet give a thumbs up, even as I internalized a new fact I'd learned today. Pearl was really, really good at dancing. The entire Batch would have been obsessed with her, if they'd ever met.

And as said dancing continued, the world around us seemed to blur, fading into the background as our shared goal took center stage in my mind. I needed to focus on what I wanted, just as my partner was no doubt doing right now. Soon enough, it almost became a mantra, repeated with each step and each turn. Talent. Purpose. Solving problems. Solving problems with talent. Over and over and over, my mind and body both going through their respective motions, in their own ways, just as Pearl's no doubt did as well.

I don't know for sure just how long we danced. It could have been a few minutes, or even a few hours worth of just contorting around each other in increasingly complex and elaborate ways, but the end result was the same regardless. My fingers intertwined with hers, our lightforms gently pressing together in an elegant, glorified hug as we both opened our eyes, heads ducking forward simultaneously.

Those bright blue eyes, staring back into my own with an unreadable look, were the last thing I saw before everything finally went white.

Did i t work?... Yes. Yes it did. Excellent.