Chương 169: LOG-161.

In the end, I had created something that looked like a Pearl. That sounded like a Pearl. That acted like a Pearl. Keyword, of course, being acted. Violet was very good at acting, and I found myself having some difficulty parsing whether it was alright that I felt so much pride in that little fact. I'm trying to impose external hypothetical value systems onto myself.

This is pointless, because whatever metrics I have for them that I end up imagining, there will still be no adequately external arbiter fit to judge me. In the face of moral uncertainty, I have no choice but to decide what I deem to be correct internally. Only I can truly judge myself in this regard. Anyway, good actress or not, there were places that the mask wasn't needed. It was with that in mind that within the safety of my office, the miniature Gem was granted full leave to access my terminal's systems.

She would need information. Context. I had given her the drive needed to ensure that she would never truly fall in line with the Empire's ideals. Never truly submit to the slavery she publicly existed for. But in order for that drive to fully function, she needed to know the ideals she was rejecting. To understand just what kind of fate the society she'd been born in had in store for her.

My creation was a quick learner, and the sheer severity of her scowl as she read through the standard duties and practices of Pearling within the Reef's digital archive was impressive to behold, even as I took the time to get back in touch with Fawn, datapad shining light against my face in a corner of the ever dim room. The rebel organisation hadn't been idle during the lapse in our communications, which was something I could appreciate the efficiency of.

Already there were plans being drawn up on how to recover me, preferably without another Diamond sized spanner being thrown into the works this time around. According to Azurite, the easiest method would involve… socialising, of all things. Apparently since while Nacres participating in events outside of their respective production facilities wasn't exactly common (considering their authority effectively ended outside of those areas), it also wasn't entirely unheard of either. A ball for the aristocratic class.

A triumph for some general or admiral returning from a warfront centered around distant stars. A celebration announcing the creation of this or that new facility. There were plenty of options, the trouble simply came from choosing the one that would seem the least suspicious for me to try and attend. But with a bit of time, planning and effort, it could be done. Slipping into a Fawn controlled ship from there would be practically child's play compared to everything else I had done. And then I would be home free…

Shaking my head slightly to set the immensely pleasing thought aside, I responded with the usual affirmations and well wishes, alongside a few requests. The fact that there was some kind of rebel coalition no doubt meant that my spy friends had likely met my Earth friends in some kind of encounter by now. Getting an update in that regard would be nice. And if I could get some form of communication open with Brim, Emerald, Vermilion and everyone else back home… well, all the better-"There's someone at the door."

Blinking, I reflexively shoved the datapad back into my storage space with a small flash, even as I turned to regard Violet. The mini Pearl was facing away from me, leaving her backpack-like gemstone on full display. And just as she'd said, the door was beginning to make the usual tone indicating a visitor. Letting out a sigh, I stepped towards the barrier in three quick strides, before waving it open with a hand.

"Yes? What is it now-" Pausing at the lack of a Nacre's usual presence, I slowly lowered my gaze before staring down at a familiar pair of golden eyes, which seemed to scrutinize me in turn. Smoothing my expression back out into something better reserved for someone who hadn't entirely annoyed me, I dipped my head in greeting.

"Diamond Pearl 1A." The servant in question's expression shifted slightly at my tone, what almost looked like a flash of irritation flitting across her face before she presumably focused and performed a slight curtsy. Still doesn't quite see me as a Nacre. Likely thinks me little more than an overgrown Pearl.

"Overseer. May I have a word?" Glancing to the side at where Violet was still watching from her position atop my desk, I slowly nodded.

"Come into my office. We'll speak in private." — 1A's reaction to Violet could have been any number of things. Shock. Bemusement. Disgust. Instead the golden Pearl froze halfway into the room, the door shutting behind her coinciding with a slight gasp as her vision no doubt zeroed in on the practically doll sized figure standing next to my terminal's projected screen. Standing just a little away from the formerly damaged Gem, I folded my hands behind my back and waited to see just where things would go from here.

There was perhaps a second of hesitation from both sides, before Violet promptly did what I'd programmed her to do and put on a mask, the fabric of her outfit shifting as she performed a bow and shot back up.

"Greetings!" From where I stood, I could see 1A blinking, before the Pearl turned to glance at me, bewilderment plain across her face. Resisting the urge to smirk at the unspoken question, I tilted my head towards my creation with a small nod.

"Diamond Pearl 1A, meet Violet Pearl Eighteen A, identifier pending modification to reflect her currently experimental nature." The words earned another blink, before the Gem visibly shook herself and nodded, turning back towards Violet with a haughty, if still somewhat hesitant air to her. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it. Thrown off by Violet's size. Thrown off by a lot of things lately.

Elements of her former home are likely different than she remembers.

"Greetings to you as well. It's nice to see that the Reef is still…proving itself rather innovative, even now." We both moved closer to the desk at that, and I found myself casually sliding around the length of the piece of furniture and settling into my seat, even as the two Pearls in the room continued to stare at each other, one bearing feigned politeness, the other still visibly curious.

"Maybe this is what my Diamond feels like sometimes…" Likes it. The murmured words were enough to get me to gently clap my hands together, shocking my guest from her internal reverie and getting her to turn her attention away from Violet and back to me, even as the tiny Gem quietly settled down to observe the upcoming conversation. And that's where we found ourselves. A Nacre sitting behind a desk. A Pearl standing on the opposite side of it.

And a smaller Pearl standing in between the two, though in a way that left her waiting by the side in turn. Eventually I grew tired enough of the silence to break it, and began with a wave of my taloned fingers, even as 1A's eyes tracked them with a surprising amount of intensity. Interested in my change. Trying to discern whether it's merely physical or mental as well. Probing for something.

"Well, you wanted to speak. So speak." The Pearl froze at that, eyes glancing to the left and right as her lips vaguely moved as if to make words, only for none to come out. Is about to take a risk. Is trying to be subtle. Isn't used to what she's doing. Is worried whatever she's about to attempt won't work and will lead to consequences she might not like. Keeping my expression flat and level, I waited patiently until my counterpart finally gathered her courage.

"Viridian…" The singular word came with a small, somewhat trembling smile, even as the Gem spread her arms out wide. In response, I merely quirked an eyebrow. The action causing another tremble to move across 1A's lips before she got it back under control. My lack of overly negative response or correction has emboldened her. She's going to commit to whatever she's attempting here, potential punishment be damned.

"I…would like to know when I will be returning to my Diamond's service, if possible. Her current lack of a Pearl is the height of impropriety, as you should well know, given your ah…substitution during my absence!" Maintaining my silence, I continued to watch as 1A twitched and shuddered in front of me, nervousness leaking from her lightform. She's hiding something. And bad at it.

"W-While I do appreciate my time under Thulite, even with her…eccentricities, and the opportunity to catch up with my old Caretaker…being a fashion assistant isn't my purpose!" There's a slight gleam in her eyes at the statement. She likes doing whatever work Thulite has assigned her to. Most likely modeling various outfits and decorations.

"So I ask again, how long will it be until I can return to my post?" Rubbing a clawed thumb and finger against one another beneath the safety of my desk, I noted Violet had begun staring at me at some point during the conversation, a look of concentration on her face. Trying to figure out what I'm actually feeling. Frustrated that she can't quite pierce my mask. Then I focused back on 1A, finally breaking the quiet that had overtaken the room once more.

"I don't know." The Pearl responded immediately, hands coming up to her chest and making vague, incomprehensible motions.

"Oh that's a relief, I was worried for a mome-wait. What do you mean you don't know?" Leaning back into my seat, I regarded my fellow Gem with lidded eyes for a long moment, bringing one arm to rest above the desk even as the other remained at my side.

"I mean that I haven't been given the timetable for your return, nor the authority to send you back. It is per White Diamond's direct orders that you remain here at the Reef, until Yellow Diamond has… learned her lesson." There was a twitch to her left eye. A hitch in her breath as words tried to form and were denied. An almost visible desire to say something reflected across her lightform, only for its owner to hold whatever that something was back. Angry. At me. At White Diamond.

Doesn't know whether she should be angry at me or not. Doesn't know what to feel. Out of her usual element. She should be more confident, more direct, but whatever she's trying to do is throwing her off massively. She's not at all used to trying to be subtle save for knowing when to be quiet when the Diamonds are speaking. She wouldn't behave like this naturally. … She's not here of her own volition.

"Ah…I see. Well, thank you for answering! May I…may I be excused now?" In the end, I sent the Pearl off with a casual wave of my hand, eyes narrowing as I glared into the back of her head, right up until the door slid shut behind her. The most likely scenario behind her bizarre behaviour…1A has been in covert contact with a superior. Either some kind of intermediary, or Yellow Diamond herself. … I was going to need to get Peridot to check up on any outgoing communications from now on, wasn't I?

"Well…that was certainly something. Did anyone ever tell you that you're rather proficient at looking all ominous and refined?" Blinking at the interruption to my…to the…other thoughts, I looked down at Violet, quirking a lip as I did so.

"Not very often, no." The miniature Gem cocked her hip at that, one hand resting against it even as the other was flicked at me in a mindless gesture.

"Yeah well…you are. I can see where I get it from now!" …Hah, adorable little brat.