Peridot was practicing her movements as usual.
She couldn't stand up for more than some seconds, but she had mastered to a certain extent her upper body.
Expressions were still very complex, she could simulate a faint smile, but she seemed like a psychopath.
She never noticed before but the movements of the forehead and eyes were essential points to simulate believable expressions more than simply moving her mouth.
In her past life, she was introverted, but not a death trap while talking about social meetings.
Peridot could smile as wide as she wanted and make connections even with her usually stoic demeanor.
Her grandma many times influenced her to make friends, nevertheless, Peridot was always a strange child who preferred to spend her time playing alone.
She was the kind of person who had just a few strong connections.
With her future-oriented nature, she classified many friendships as trivial or fleeting and often avoided making connections.
Many of her friends were online because she didn't want to waste time with connections and preferred playing games or watching series, alone or with her grandma.
Stare
Peridot stopped her hands above Priyanka's head. The woman was still sleeping on her lap.
'What is Priyanka to me?'
Peridot curled Priyanka's hair around her fingers while staring at her tired and serious face.
She couldn't feel anything in her fingers, see anything through her eyes, or hear any sounds in her ears.
Life was boring and monotonous.
The Appraisal was the only thing that allowed her to notice the world, so she naturally started to pay more attention to her surroundings.
Priyanka always took her to beautiful places, respected her introverted nature without being impulsive, and defended herself from unwanted advances.
'A friend.'
Peridot decided to consider her a "friend".
The word friend had a special meaning for Peridot.
It was someone you could rely on, someone who the time didn't seem like a waste.
Someone she could really care for.
'My first friend...'
A faint smile appeared on Peridot's face without her control, her eyes had a faint green light.
Peridot decided to ask for Priyanka's address when she woke up. She would visit her from time to time.
The woman was a bit strange at times and had stolen her first kiss, but Peridot managed to turn a blind eye to it.
She pocked the woman's face as if it was a toy.
For some reason, happiness filled her heart everywhere after her realization.
As anyone was staring she hadn't reason to restrict her thoughts, she just curiously explored this feeling and brutally pocked Priyanka's face.
Mock~
Pftt...
It was so fun seeing the woman reacting to her touches.
When was the last time she laughed without worries?
'She feels like home.'
This thought filled her body with a feeling she hadn't felt for a long time.
Security, that must be the feeling.
Peridot had lost everything, this world hadn't anything she really cared for.
But didn't seem like that now.
More than a forced optimism, a sincere reason to live had appeared.
Peridot felt like she could be tortured twice as strongly as she was in the desert, but would still be able to endure.
Because there was a reason to live.
Little by little Peridot's mind started to slow down.
Like a marionette with its strings cut, Peridot's body fell.
"..."
For the first time since she came to this world...
Peridot slept.
*
"YES!!" said a little boy wearing a pink T-shirt with a star print.
There were dark circles around his eyes and several cups of coffee scattered across the floor.
"We did it, Mr. Queasy!"
He said while shaking a peculiar plush with a disgusted face.
"Ooh, kid, don't shake me- Ugh!"
"Hahaha~ I love you Mr. Queasy~"
This boy was Steven Universe.
The Gems had gone on a mission as usual leaving the little Steven alone to explore all the games he hadn't finished yet.
Before him, a TV displayed the message "THE END".
Steven had played Golf Quest Prelude all night without stopping. It was one of the games he was most anxious about for its release.
There wasn't any aspect this game failed, it was a masterpiece! If there was something he didn't like it was the uncomplete ending.
But there wasn't anything he could do about it, the game was just a prelude after all.
The real stuff must be twice, no, three times better!
"Ha... I'm dying..."
Steven's body had already reached its limits.
With no one to watch him, he often overindulged in games.
"Tomorrow... The sequel..."
Thump.
Steven's vision started to blur and his body fell directly on the floor.
His mind vanished in a land of dreams.
*
*
*
"Mr. Queasy?"
Suddenly, the world was completely red.
Where was he? Where was Mr. Queasy?
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Steven wandered aimlessly through a red garden.
"I feel... weird."
Steven couldn't say exactly why but this place made him extremely uncomfortable.
Shiiin-
"Ah, mom!"
Steven's steps stopped when he noticed a pink light coming from his gem.
His mom showed her existence again, it was one of the rare moments it had happened!
"No, no, no~! Why are you going out~?!"
Steven was in a panic. His Gem was a complete mystery for him, randomly shining and fading.
Tap. Tap.
Shiiing!
"Ah, again!"
When Steven tried to walk further his Gem again emitted a strong light.
"You want to show me something?"
Said Steven, eccentrically talking with his belly.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Steven ran forward, every time his Gem emitted a strong light he would run even faster.
His feet and legs were stained dark red. The ground was covered with peculiar roses and crimson dirt.
Even the sky was shaped in the most diverse shades of red.
"Ha... Ha..."
Shiiiing!!
His Gem was emitting a strong energy. In front of him, there was a huge apple tree.
It was the most evident place in this garden because it was the only place with green exposed.
"Is it here...? T-The place...? Ha, ha..."
Steven approached with unstable steps. The flowers seemed to bloom as he approached.
Shiiiing!
In front of him stood a strange figure with a lowered head, hugging another figure.
"Hey! Are you ok...?"
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Steven approached innocently and without remorse, worried about the strange figure.
Sniff.
The sound of crying welcomed his ears. It just made his steps faster.
"Hey! What happened?!"
Steven touched the shoulder of the pitiful red-haired woman.
"!!"
Two black and sinister eyes stared at him. This gave shivers down his spine, but somehow Steven managed his impulses.
"Y-You, are you ok...?"
He asked, scared but still worried for the woman before him.
Tip. Tip.
Black drops fell from her face.
Suddenly, the world was completely black.
"What?!"
The dark matter started to envelop his legs.
"I- I- I- I-"
The woman started to say something incomprehensible without stopping.
"I can't understand! What is that?!"
At his words, the dark matter seemed to stop.
Stare.
The red-haired woman stared directly into his eyes with an emotionless face.
Move...
Her hands approached his cheeks cautiously.
"I- Im..."
Her words were still intermittent like a broken machine.
"What? What are you trying to say to me?!"
The dark matter started to envelop his body again, reaching his neck.
The woman opened her red lips slowly with her black eyes staring directly at his face.
[IMPERFECTION]
*
*
*
"Ah!!!"
"Ooh, kid, don't shake me-"
When Steven opened his eyes, the TV displayed "THE END", just as before.
"Huff...! Haa!"
Steven tried to catch his breath desperately.
Shiiing.
A light came from his house, there, a huge woman with sunglasses appeared above a crystalized surface.
Steven's eyes immediately stared at her with panic and tears.
"GARNET~!!"