Pearlplay, Pt 1

Many years on from meeting Steven, an 18 year-old Connie is willing to give up a lot to make sure her training with Pearl continues, even after the ancient gem has nothing left to teach her about being a knight. But there is another role she could be trained for. Part 1 sets the stage, I’ll get back to it with more episodes, I just wanted to get this out after wrestling with the story flow for the last week. And getting long.

Also I want to do a shortfic down the road about Pearl’s early days teaching humans to poledance, and teaching it to Amethyst. But the next story will probably be a direct sequel to Lapis’ Pet Girlfriend.

Again, I don’t own any gay space rocks. Or cute girls with swords.

“I can’t believe it’s really over.”

“I know. The Earth is finally safe. Connie… You were amazing.”

“Pearl, I-”

“Let me finish. When you and Steven asked me to train you, I had my doubts. I mean, you were so small then, and innocent… but so brave and determined.”

Connie smiled, reminiscing in that moment about the girl who wasn’t even sure stories about aliens were real. Now here she was, 6 years on, a veteran of an intergalactic war who’d stood and fought Homeworld’s best. A shy young girl no more.

“What I’m trying to say is, I couldn’t be any prouder to have been your teacher, Connie. You’re an amazing young woman, and a true knight.”

“So, where do we go from here?” Connie asked anxiously, as she feared a likely answer.

“Connie… there’s nothing left for me to teach you. You’re a master swordswoman, both alone and as part of Stevonnie. You’re brave, courageous, and loyal. I’m humbled by how far you’ve come.” Pearl smiled, holding back tears of pride, mixed with the plethora of emotions she was still holding back from the conflict that had cost them all friends and loved ones.

“I see.”

No longer student and teacher, the two sat as equals, staring out at the ocean… together, and feeling very alone.

Days passed, and weeks. Life slowly began to return to normal in Beach City. With no threats to fight, Connie turned to the excitement of college applications. They were a formality, the woman who’d just helped save the entire planet would be welcomed at whichever university she chose.

It wasn’t even remotely challenging.

She sighed and sat back from her desk.

Was this going to be her life now? Just returning to life as a normal human, with a career and bills and friends and nothing to press her to be special?

“The tomatoes look amazing this year, Peridot. Fresh food’ll be a nice break from ramen.” Connie squatted, examining the ripe fruits of the barn gems’ labor.

“There’ll be plenty of everything this time!” Peridot retorted. “After the crows last year, I wasn’t going to take any chances.” She smiled proudly, leaned against one of the farm’s many newly installed laser turrets. The wrecked ships from Homeworld’s attempted invasion had created a bounty of salvage, and Peridot wasn’t about to let so much technology go to waste.

“Those… you do have them set to a non-lethal setting, right?”

“Of course!” Peridot beamed, moments before a turret fired off and sent a well-cooked sparrow tumbling to the ground.

Connie glared with disapproval.

“Nyeh… fine, I’ll reduce the power levels.”

“So what have you been working on? I haven’t seen you since the parade,” the technician asked as she fine-tuned the farms turret controls.

Connie was surprised by then scale of expansion Peridot and Lapis had put the barn through. Half blown-up, they’d almost completely rebuilt it into a proper and permanent home for both of them. She smiled, the two had made a home of the old barn, but this was something especially for them now, to call their own. “Not as much as you two, clearly. Honestly Peri… I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“Hrrm?” The dorito turned her attention to her human friend. “Are… you alright? You’re not losing memories, are you? I understand humans are prone to injuring their brains… you’ve certainly been through a large degree of trauma and-”

“No!” Connie cut her off. “I just… I don’t know. I mean, Peridot… we saved the world? What am I supposed to do?”

“I don’t know. Human… things?”

“It just… all seems so small, now.”

Peri moved softly to sit next to the distressed young woman.

“You feel adrift, without a purpose. Everything that defined you is gone, and you don’t know what you should be or should do. I know. It’s how I felt what I betrayed my planet and became a crystal gem. I… didn’t know what my life should be anymore. I’d always just been a peridot, doing what I was told, taking pride in my work… and that was all gone.”

“Peridot, I…” Connie trailed off, not knowing what to say.

“But I found something. I had all of you, but… I found someone who made me feel important… who cared about me, who I could make proud. That’s what you need to focus on, Connie. That’s what makes life on Earth special.”

“Peridot…” Connie gently brightened. “You’re right. Thank you.” Connie leaned over and embraced the small green gem, and found her hug returned.

“I’m going to tell her.”

Peridot’s face scrunched in confusion. “Her?”

“Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck!”

Connie paced anxiously outside Pearl’s room. This was stupid. It was demeaning. And it was a lie. But it was all she had.

“Connie!” Pearl exclaimed as she opened the door. “It’s good to see you!”

The two hugged. Pearl wouldn’t accept Connie’s bows anymore. “It’s good to see you two, Pearl.”

“So…” Pearl probed, “I was surprised to say the least that you called. I… well, I apologized when I made the offer. You were right, it was wrong of me to suggest you needed to be taught to take care of Steven’s needs.”

Connie bit her lip anxiously, and launched into her lie. “Well, it’s his… NEEDS… that I could use help with.”

“I… don’t understand.” Pearl stared blankly back at Connie.

“His… ‘needs?’”

…

“In… bed?”

“Oh. OH. Oh… Oh my.”

“I was hoping you might have some ideas to…” Connie hated herself as soon as she said it, “Make things… special?”

Pearl blushed heavily. “Well, I… I mean, I’ve never, with him… I WOULD never, but… I suppose… if he’s anything like his mother…”

“So you’ll teach me?” Connie gazed hopefully into Pearl’s eyes.

“Alright, just… don’t make fun of me for being out of practice at explaining this.”

“Why? Aren’t things going well with Sheena?”

“I didn’t have to teach Sheena anything Connie,” Pearl smiled playfully as Connie blushed.

~Jackie is a punk~

~Judy is a runt~

~they both went down to Berlin~

~joined the Ice Capades~

The bell jingled as Pearl pushed open the shop door, momentarily interrupting the mix of classic punk and lo-fi indie that the dominated the store’s speakers whenever the assistant manager was on duty. She looked from her book to the door, and smiled as the ancient gem and her human charge entered.

“Hey babe.” The former Mystery Girl smiled as Pearl strode confidently to her counter. A soft kiss, a gentle reminder of their affections, and Pearl replied. “Connie here…” she looked over at the slightly anxious young woman “… needs an experienced hand.”

Sheena barely stifled a snicker. “Hey smart girl! It’s been too long, good to see you. Huh, okay then… well just don’t send any giant monsters crashing through my wall, okay babe?”

“Mmm, no promises.” Pearl teased as they kissed again.

The building was old, and built to last. One of the oldest in Beach City, it had gone up within the first generation of Dewey’s landing. It was intended to honor the gems who’d saved the colonists and been good friends to them, mediating disputes and bringing harmony between colonists and natives. And in particular, it was built to honor Pearl. On that spot for millenia, she had kept alive a First Era Homeworld tradition now not even practiced there. The Dance of the Pole, a stunning display of athleticism, artistry and precision, had capitvated the first humans who’d witnessed it, and Pearl had taught many over the centuries who spread the form far and wide. But this was the place where it had come to Earth, and where it could be found in its purest form. Yes, this building, christened as “The Crystal Gams” (Pearl never could convince them to fix that misspelling of “Gems”) had been the cultural center of Beach City since before its founding. The shop had been added onto the back in the ninteenth century, providing “marital aids” to the citizenry. Altogether, it looked not unlike someone had set up a sex shop in a colonial book store.

Connie’s composure was tested as Pearl led her through the store, explaining the fruits of many human lifetimes worth of sexual tourism and experimentation, all while piling clothing and toys into Connie’s arms.

“Oh and you would just look irresistable in this, it matches your eyes perfectly!”

“Yes ma’am,” Connie continually answered, trying to absorb every bit of info for later reference.

Soon the two had made their way to the dancers dressing rooms, and Connie had changed into the black latex thong, halter top, gloves and boots that Pearl’d given her. “The uniform for all the new dancers. It’s traditional.”

“You’re going to teach me to pole dance?”

“Well, it is part of Steven’s culture, after all… and humans have always seemed very excited by the dance.”

And so Pearl showed Connie the forms and movements she had preserved for thousands of years. And Connie learned quickly and capably. Her teacher’s approval and guidance filed her with the same glow of accomplishment as she learned and her skills quickly grew. By the evening, Connie was left sweaty, sore, and proud as Pearl called an end to the day’s training.

“Bravo Connie! You danced beautifully!”

Connie blushed deeply at the praise, as she habitually bowed to her teacher.

“I’m sure you’ll impress him with those moves,” Pearl said. Connie replied with a look of mild confusion.”

“Steven,” Pearl said matter-of-factly. Connie blushed again, flustered. “Oh, right, yes! For Steven!”

“Connie…” Pearl suddenly turned stearn. “What’s really going on?”

“What? Pearl, I don’t…”

“Connie!” Connie stood silent. Pearl sat on the edge of the stage, and beckoned Connie to join her. “Please… if something is wrong, let me help.”

Connie sat and sighed, holding her face in her hands, tears held at bay for now. “Nothing is wrong with Steven, Pearl. God…” she chuckled a bit, “he takes care of everything I could ask from him. And I love him.”

“Then what, Connie? This doesn’t make any sense.”

“Because I couldn’t lose you!” Connie finally blurted out, tears welling up. “You’re so smart and wise and strong, Pearl, and I don’t want to stop learning how to be as amazing as you!” She ended in a slobbery mess as her facade and composure failed completely.

“Connie…” Pearl stared, heartbroken for young woman she’d seen grow so far, and who still… idolized her. She gazed off. “You don’t want to be like me. I spent half my life chasing someone who never had the feelings for me that I had for her. I’m no role model.”

“But you’re so strong,” Connie sniffled, wiping her eyes. “You’ve gone through so much, and you’re still here, still trying.”

“Connie,” Pearl turned back to meet Connie’s gaze. “You are the most amazingly strong human I’ve ever met, and certainly that I’ve ever taught. You are so strong. And I’m so proud of you.” She reached out and gently cupped Connie’s chin.

“I just…” Connie sniffled again. “I just want to keep learning from you. For as long as you have anything to teach me.

“I… I don’t have anything else about fighting that I can teach you.”

“Then…” Connie practically begged. “Teach me to be something else. Anything. Please Pearl. I don’t want our lessons to stop.”

Pearl looked deep into Connie’s eyes, and sighed. “I… there’s one thing. But I’ve never taught it to a human before.” She paused and regained some semblance of the teacher’s detachment. “If you’re serious about this, truly, it will mean pushing you further than I’ve pushed any human.”



“I’m ready-” Connie interjected, before Pearl shushed her.

“Think this over carefully, Connie. If you’re still determined, we’ll meet again tomorrow. But don’t take this decision lightly. What I’m proposing will risk your safety, perhaps even your sanity, and change your life forever. If you’re still determined, I will teach you.”

Connie remained silent, nodding softly as she held Pearl’s gaze.

Connie was determined. Whatever Pearl had in mind, she would do it. If Pearl thought it might be too much for her, it was all the more reason for her to take the challenge. So here she was, back at the club the next day.

“Connie,” Pearl began. “There’s only one training I can think of that is worthy of the strength, the determination, and the loyalty that you’ve exemplified for as long as I’ve known you.” She circled Connie as she spoke, inspecting her posture and composure. It was flawless as ever. “That training…” she stopped in front of the human woman, eye to eye. “… is that of a Homeworld pearl.”

“A… pearl?” Connie replied with a healthy amount of reservation.

“Yes Connie, a pearl. The most demanding, frustrating, and demeaning station in Gem society. A life with no rights, no freedoms… treated as barely more than a possession, a pretty bauble to be used or ignored or even completely forgotten about. That was my life, Connie, before I rebelled. But if you think I’m strong, that’s what made me strong.”

Connie’s fists balled in anger at the injustice of all of it, and she wondered for a moment if Pearl was toying with her. But she had come this far, and refused to walk away now. “I’ll do it.” She kneeled as a knight, ready to begin.

“Tell me what you want to be, Connie.”

“I…” She was puzzled a moment, until the gravity of the question hit her. And the finality of the correct answer excited her.

“I want to be a pearl. Please, make me a pearl.”

Pearl smiled, unable to resist a moment of teasing her protege. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather stay a free human?”

“No ma’am,” Connie replied, flushed at the excitement of the moment, as Pearl toyed with her.

“Very well then,” Pearl said. “Take off your clothes.”



“Ma’ma?” Connie asked, worried she’d done something wrong.

“Humans wear clothes, pearls do not.”

“Oh, y-yes ma’am,” Connie answered, embarrassed. She stood, and disrobed, and for the first actual time in front of her teacher, stood completely naked and defenseless.

Pearl smiled slyly as she looked over Connie’s taught and graceful form, honed by years of training and fighting. “A few rules to begin with, little pearl…” she walked closer, her eyes drinking in Connie’s graceful brown curves. “Firstly, you have no name. Pearls are pearls and nothing more. Secondly, never question an order I give you.” She gauged Connie’s reaction, watching the resolve burn in her eyes, even as Pearl’s attention and tone began to weaken the girl’s knees. “And thirdly,” she trailed off.

“Yes ma’am?” Connie asked after a moment. Pearl brought her face as close to Connie’s as she dared with such a weaponized nose.

“Don’t ever keep secrets from me.” And what for a split second sounded like a tense threat, was quickly derailed by a soft and tender kiss on Connie’s warm lips. It left no doubt as to Pearl’s intent; this would be hard love, and lots of it, but it would be love first and foremost.