I’m starting to realize:

Steven arriving on Homeworld has political implications

Everyone saw the arrival of Pink Diamond’s leg ship. They heard the news: Pink Diamond is alive. Of course she is. It was all a mistake. Nobody could really shatter a diamond.

“Everyone is soooo relieved.”



The gems of Homeworld came out in crowds to celebrate. They lined up in formation to create the symbol of the Great Diamond Authority.



…but it’s not the new, revisionist symbol with 3 triangles used since the dawn of Era 2.

It’s the original symbol with all FOUR diamonds represented.

Everyone’s expecting a return to the glory days of Era 1, when the Diamonds were still known to be immortal and indestructible. When their power was unassailable and resources were plentiful and nobody had ever heard the troubling word “rebellion”.

And that suits White Diamond just fine, thank you very much.

Because White Diamond has a problem, you see.

The rebellion and shattering of Pink Diamond sowed a tiny seed of doubt. If a Diamond can be killed, then maybe, just maybe, they are not perfect. Maybe they aren’t infallible.

And that’s how you get gems like Peridot whispering things like “resources are scarce” and “they can’t make gems like they used to.”

So, the “Triumphant Return of Pink Diamond” plays out great for White.

But…

That will all fall apart if people learn that Steven is a forbidden, half-organic hybrid abomination.

White absolutely does not want him wandering around talking to people and spreading heretical ideas about individuality and freedom and love.



So White needs Steven safe and alive on Homeworld as a symbol of power, but she can’t let him appear in public or talk to the general population.

Hence, why White Pearl showed up to grab Steven and whisk him away from the eyes of the public the instant that he stepped foot outside Pink’s ship.

tl;dr:

White is never going to let Steven leave his room or her sight ever again.