Diamonds Are ... Forever? (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
diamondsare) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
lostcarnival2017-06-04 04:20 pm
diamondsare) wrote in lostcarnival2017-06-04 04:20 pm
Entry tags:
title goes here [Open]
Who: Blue Diamond, Open
What: Getting down locations, meeting new 'coworkers'
When: 1-2 days before Event
Where: All over the Carnival
Warnings: None currently
1
[The only thing keeping Blue complacent is knowing she made the choice to be here herself. The indignity of being reduced to a mere aid for others when she was a diamond for stars' sake would be intolerable even for her. But the prize is worth it.. and it's only a year.
A year is still long enough to need to know who her coworkers are and more importantly who those who outrank her are. Not all of them would be telling her what to do, but keeping things working smoothly in case she did need to go to them for something - or them to her for some requisition or other - is simple common sense. A little asking around gets Blue pointed in the right direction..
Which means visiting supervisor's grove. She has a mental list of descriptions and names of those she's supposed to be looking for, and once she spots one (and presuming they don't look otherwise occupied at some other task - Blue is mindful, and she knows what work looks like in its many forms), it's just a matter of saying hello.]
Pardon me. Do you have a few moments?
2
[Peoplewatching follows. There's a lot of people in the carnival, some human, some ... mixed? Some don't seem as if they were ever human to begin with but there's plenty of locations for Blue Diamond to settle down in a somewhat out of the way place and do nothing at all but watch the others go about their duties, sitting or standing depending on location.
The diamond - in this case the Ringmaster - of course set the tone of a location, but it's the lower class gems that always lived and breathed it, and if she was going to blend into this place, she needed to better understand how they behaved, what they did ... and why.
Perhaps you're the person Blue's chosen to watch right now, a silent seven and a half foot tall azure shadow keeping tabs on what you're doing, what you're wearing, everything you're saying.. it might be a little uncomfortable but for the air of benign benevolence she manages to cultivate.]
3
[With a better idea of what this place expects by way of appearance, it's time to familiarize herself with locations. If a new arrival can get there, Blue's going to be there sooner or later, looking around with interest and attempting to at least become familiar with various locations and what they're for.
Roping her into lending a hand with this small task or that one shouldn't take much effort at all, Blue seems interested in learning and being of what assistance she can be. Got a task? Make use of the strange blue lady hanging around.]
4
[There are times when Blue simply leaves the main carnival and heads into the woods for a little bit of quiet to allow herself some time to acclimate to new information and the general headache and effort of pretending to be this entire place's newest Pearl.
The forest prevents anyone from leaving, but Blue isn't trying to leave and perhaps something of the entangling, confusing place understands that. It's easier to find little quiet out of the way spots amongst the trees to loiter a while, even if she's not terribly comfortable with being surrounded by so much organic mass. She'll be here well into the evening, a dark blue wraith between the trunks, seemingly looking for something. She's not lost .. not yet, but that could change at any time with this place.]
5
[Wildcard; bring it on]
What: Getting down locations, meeting new 'coworkers'
When: 1-2 days before Event
Where: All over the Carnival
Warnings: None currently
1
[The only thing keeping Blue complacent is knowing she made the choice to be here herself. The indignity of being reduced to a mere aid for others when she was a diamond for stars' sake would be intolerable even for her. But the prize is worth it.. and it's only a year.
A year is still long enough to need to know who her coworkers are and more importantly who those who outrank her are. Not all of them would be telling her what to do, but keeping things working smoothly in case she did need to go to them for something - or them to her for some requisition or other - is simple common sense. A little asking around gets Blue pointed in the right direction..
Which means visiting supervisor's grove. She has a mental list of descriptions and names of those she's supposed to be looking for, and once she spots one (and presuming they don't look otherwise occupied at some other task - Blue is mindful, and she knows what work looks like in its many forms), it's just a matter of saying hello.]
Pardon me. Do you have a few moments?
2
[Peoplewatching follows. There's a lot of people in the carnival, some human, some ... mixed? Some don't seem as if they were ever human to begin with but there's plenty of locations for Blue Diamond to settle down in a somewhat out of the way place and do nothing at all but watch the others go about their duties, sitting or standing depending on location.
The diamond - in this case the Ringmaster - of course set the tone of a location, but it's the lower class gems that always lived and breathed it, and if she was going to blend into this place, she needed to better understand how they behaved, what they did ... and why.
Perhaps you're the person Blue's chosen to watch right now, a silent seven and a half foot tall azure shadow keeping tabs on what you're doing, what you're wearing, everything you're saying.. it might be a little uncomfortable but for the air of benign benevolence she manages to cultivate.]
3
[With a better idea of what this place expects by way of appearance, it's time to familiarize herself with locations. If a new arrival can get there, Blue's going to be there sooner or later, looking around with interest and attempting to at least become familiar with various locations and what they're for.
Roping her into lending a hand with this small task or that one shouldn't take much effort at all, Blue seems interested in learning and being of what assistance she can be. Got a task? Make use of the strange blue lady hanging around.]
4
[There are times when Blue simply leaves the main carnival and heads into the woods for a little bit of quiet to allow herself some time to acclimate to new information and the general headache and effort of pretending to be this entire place's newest Pearl.
The forest prevents anyone from leaving, but Blue isn't trying to leave and perhaps something of the entangling, confusing place understands that. It's easier to find little quiet out of the way spots amongst the trees to loiter a while, even if she's not terribly comfortable with being surrounded by so much organic mass. She'll be here well into the evening, a dark blue wraith between the trunks, seemingly looking for something. She's not lost .. not yet, but that could change at any time with this place.]
5
[Wildcard; bring it on]
no subject
[Which, granted, is a very small portion of the carnival population, but.]
As for the holo-screens... Trust me, that was one of the first things I proposed to the Ringmaster when I got this job. She said something about it not matching the 'aesthetic' of the carnival, I dunno...
no subject
She's not likely to ever bother with this obstacle course herself, but learning more of it will be useful for others in her service. More importantly, what DID effect her..]
Perhaps all that needs to change is the visible interface, maintaining the functionality without the appearance of proper technology.
[Peridot was a peridot, she was certain the deformed little gem would have ideas for that herself if she wished to apply her mind to it.. And having such conveniences directly benefited Blue. Sure it also benefited everyone else, but that wasn't nearly as important.]
The surface of a mirror instead of a more convenient hovering display may integrate well with this level of development, and the favored appearance.
no subject
That's... actually a really good idea. Something to consider, anyway. Most jobs at the carnival wouldn't require it, but I could at least whip something up for the supervisors, and the more book-keeping heavy departments...
no subject
[Blue can be immensely practical when she didn't have the incredible distraction of grieving over Pink hanging over her like a burial shroud. The one benefit to being here ... she didn't have to worry about that any more.]
However if there is anything very specific you may require before general inventory is done [And she still expects that list] as I've been asked to watch for a certain handful of other items, it is no difficulty to add something of yours to it as well.
[It's a job. A job she apparently is going to remain rather professional on. This questionableness of working even adjacent to a corrupted gem sat unwell with her, but .. prices worth paying..]
... Except for 'school glue'.
no subject
School glue?
[Why does she have a feeling she knows who's behind this already.]
no subject
[Blue manages a rather graceful shrug. She really had no idea.]
I didn't ask why, nor am I entirely certain what it is. I'm not sure I want to know beforehand, it takes the fun out of discovery.
no subject
[Not that she wants any for herself, but.]
no subject
[And by her tone, she's absolutely certain of it. Zim didn't seem the sort to ask for things that would actually genuinely get him anywhere even if he thought it would..]
no subject
Meh. Just curious if it might have been a particular subordinate of mine or not.
[She frowns distractedly, already forgetting about the glue. As long as Blue is here, maybe... Maybe this would be a good time to ask her about matters of a more personal nature? It might be a foolish move. Maybe Peridot should have learned her lesson by now, about trusting Diamonds to be open to reasoning. But, then again... Maybe, Blue will be more willing to listen to an appeal than Yellow was. She looks back up, taking on a more serious tone.]
Blue Diamond. If I may... I'd like to take a brief moment of your time to discuss a matter of great personal importance.
no subject
[School glue, seriously. It didn't even sound like a particularly strong bonding agent, it sounded like something organic littles might use for entertainment.
... Actually that sounded about right given who wanted it.
The shift from very much business matters to something 'personal' draws a long, steady gaze from the taller gem, not responding for a solid minute or so.]
Are you certain it is something that requires addressing now? I would not wish to strain what must already be a difficult working relationship.
no subject
Not that that mile long stare does much for the sense of equality here. Peridot's face scrunches a little in the duration of it, as she debates whether she should speak up or not, like maybe Blue is actually just waiting for her to continue. Stars, she wishes.]
Ehhhhhh... [Don't fidget, fidgeting is a sign of weakness.] I'm afraid it directly affects our working relationship; therefore, I would much rather go ahead and address the issue up front.
no subject
Mm. If you insist.
[There is a faint note of disapproval but it isn't outright refusal. Blue knew things were already going to be uncomfortable in this place, deliberately finding ways to make it worse wasn't on her to-do list.]
no subject
Thank you. [She clears her throat quietly.] I have some concerns regarding the human hybrid, Steven Quartz Universe. Lapis has informed me of the arrangements you made with her, regarding his safety and preservation.
[“Arrangements”. Like Blue had worked something out with Lapis in an amicable manner, as opposed to giving her a direct order.]
I was also informed me that upon the completion of your contract here, and the subsequent successful restoration of Pink Diamond, you intend to let leave Steven’s fate up to her discretion, and make him face judgement for the crimes of Rose Quartz. Is this correct?
[Peridot may be a bit of a goofball, but she knows how to act professional, when the need rises.]
no subject
Peridot is no empath. There's no visible way to tell she is anything but utterly calm and composed at the moment.]
I do.
[Her tone never wavers in those two words. Likely she'd have to explain matters in a way this small distorted gem could grasp, though she didn't really have to explain herself to a mere Peridot.
A peridot likely intending to argue for the continued safety of the Crystal Gem leader.]
You ... are a newer generation Peridot, are you not?
no subject
Affirmative. I am an era 2 Peridot.
no subject
[There doesn't seem to be any judgment based on simply when Peridot was created, but it did help explain why she'd be interested in defending Pink's killer. She simply hadn't been there for any of it.]
Please continue.
no subject
[There may not be any judgement on Blue's part, but that sure doesn't stop Peridot from feeling strangely self-conscious, all of a sudden. Just having that part of her identity singled out kind of throws her, makes her wonder why she wants to know.
She clears her throat again, trying to fill the silence while she struggles to pick her point back up.]
Oh, yes. As I was getting ready to explain: I'd like to make sure that it's understood why prosecuting Steven would be a vast miscarriage of both logic AND justice. I'm not sure if Lapis had the chance to explain this fully, but Steven is not Rose Quartz. He may possess her gem, but believe me, I've known him for a while now, and he is no rebel leader. He's just some weird hybrid, he's more flesh than light. When I first met him, he barely even knew anything about the war!
no subject
I am certain your education was not lacking as to the nature of a gem, but perhaps a reminder is needed if you've been here long enough and this place's corruptive influence has also affected your memory. [Her patience could be endless when she chose it to be, and this explanation, while tedious, is given gently, as if to a particularly dense ruby.]
We are our gems, Peridot. And era one gems are well capable of shapeshifting and deceit. If the gem is there, so too is the mind inside it. We cannot simply give our gem away and become another person, we will still be who we are and what we are.
[Something like Steven is a complete impossibility. Never had anything like him even been rumored before and there were plenty of scientists to be had in Homeworld's reach.]
You are young. You were not there for that terrible war, and you do not know what the Crystal Gems were truly capable of. I am certain Rose Quartz is capable of putting on a kind and innocent face, and maintaining it for a mere handful of years would be no great difficulty for any of us.
[She spreads her hands.]
That aside, the court has already heard admittance of guilt on the matter from the mouth of the accused, before both myself and Yellow Diamond.
[WHAT.]
Thus there is no need at all for a delay until Pink Diamond's restoration, but I have chosen to do so regardless. We Diamonds are not without a sense of justice, Peridot. Though a handful of years of kindness do not erase centuries of crimes, there may be ... mitigation of the inevitable sentence.
[Like Zircon pointed out. How did a mere quartz, kill a diamond? It was impossible.]
If you wish to influence Pink Diamond's decision in this matter, then I suggest doing what a peridot should be very good at: find information. Not the verbal accounts of criminals and those they associate with, assuming they would dare stand before the court and risk their own trials, but tangible physical and irrefutable evidence. If you return to Homeworld before I do, seek out the Zircon currently defending Rose Quartz's case, she will be interested in having a little more to work with than conjecture, once she reforms. I imagine your status as an associate of the Crystal Gems' leader is not well known yet, and you should have little difficulty.
[The Diamonds had a confession. They didn't need anything else, there was no reason to delay shattering Rose Quartz on the spot. Blue had chosen to put it off for an entire year anyway in spite of her hatred and anger and grief. Something happened during that trial.]
no subject
Mostly what stops her is the weight of the information that Steven apparently confessed. That… it doesn’t make sense. Steven can’t have been lying to her this whole time, can he? There has to be some explanation, some reason for why he would do something so clodding stupid! And when would he have even gotten the chance to GIVE a confession in the first place? He’s never even been to Homeworld, he told her so himself!
This has timeline shenanigan stink all over it. She’d bet her bowtie on it.
Honestly after the initial shock wears off, Peridot just looks impatient, frowning and waiting to get a word in edgewise. Most of what Blue is saying gets basically tuned out after that particular revelation, as she’s hung up on it more than anything, so she just gets right to the point:]
With all due respect, Blue Diamond, I have every reason to believe that Steven is telling the truth.
[Though at this point it actually sounds like she’s having some difficulty maintaining the whole “respectful” tone. She’s frustrated and holding back, you can hear it in her voice.]
I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about with regards to getting a confession out of him, but setting aside all my impassioned defenses of his character and how nice he is, I can tell you this: There is something seriously wrong with his gemetics. For example, let me ask you something: When you had Steven in your alleged custody, did anyone every try to subdue and contain him with the use of a gem destabilizer?
gettng words in edgewise on authoritarian dictators is a chore
[She doesn't seem particularly concerned. It's not her problem if Peridot's been lied to, everyone knew the Crystal Gems were duplicitous to begin with.]
It was unnecessary, he came to Homeworld willingly according to Aquamarine's report. There were no violent altercations. As I said previously, if you believe you have tangible evidence beyond relying on emotional appeal and testament from gems already compromised, in a year when his trial resumes, have it prepared.
[And now Blue's tone cools, a little less friendly than it has been.]
And I do mean tangible evidence. Information. Data. Science. Diagrams may be useful. If any of the Diamond Authority are to be swayed it will have to be through irrefutable fact that does not rely on the observation and opinions of traitors or humans. It must stand on its own, as obvious as the stars in the sky to refute the testimony of trusted eyewitnesses and a confession.
[It's easy to understand the cold, remote authority of the Diamonds, all friendliness is gone now.]
I did not have defer to Pink and provide another chance to someone who confessed to the shattering of a Diamond, Peridot. Before you think to voice further distension, consider that you have an opportunity that, were the Ringmaster not involved in being able to restore a shattered gem, otherwise would not exist. Now there is at least a chance for you to aid Zircon in proving her case, because I wish it to be so. What you do with that singular opportunity to prove his lack of involvement... is up to you.
[Her smile is small, but bloodless, friendless, and pure ice. For a Diamond, even allowing the opportunity to try to prove the innocence of a condemned criminal was making a significant stretch. As far as Blue's concerned she's gone above and beyond what is required of her.
Because she wants to know how it happened.]
I suggest you and your companions don't waste that chance, if you truly believe in who Rose Quartz claims to be.
SHE'S TRYING HER BEST
The smaller gem's tail is erratically lashing now in her anger; Pumpkin has wandered back over to her side too, and she's now growling softly at Blue as well.]
Can I say something? I have science to back me up. And I have my OWN testimony, as well as extremely thorough data logs from my mission to Earth, which long pre-date my association with Steven. I could help your Zircon, heck, maybe I WILL when this is all over, if I can ever make it back to Homeworld! But that's not the point! The point is that right here, right now, you have to co-exist with all of us for a year, and things are going to get PRETTY DIFFICULT to cope with if you keep up this whole... "Steven is a confessed criminal and his day of judgement is looming"! THING!
[She stops and takes a calming breath, until her claws stop trembling.]
I don't know why he confessed, but I can assure you this: I'm going to get to the bottom of it. And I'm going to find a way to prove him innocent, HERE, at this Carnival! And you can keep trying to defer responsibility all you like, but eventually, you'll HAVE to see the truth! You won't have any choice! And hey, who knows--!
[Peridot pauses to scoop Pumpkin up; when she straightens up again, she's still scowling.]
--Maybe being proven wrong will be as good for you, as it turned out to be for me.
[And with that, she turns on her heel and marches back towards the door to her trailer. But before she disappears inside, she looks back over her shoulder one more time.]
Oh, and one more thing... YOU LOST YOUR RIGHT TO BOSS LAPIS AROUND WHEN YOU LEFT HER STUCK IN A MIRROR ON EARTH FOR FIVE THOUSAND YEARS! WOW THANKS FOR YOUR TIME! I GENUINELY HOPE OUR NEXT INTERACTION WILL BE MORE PROFESSIONAL AND LESS HOSTILE THAN THIS ONE TURNED OUT TO BE!
no subject
She'd thought perhaps corruption had spared this peridot's mind.
Clearly not.
The poor thing probably doesn't even realize how far she's slipped. She probably still thinks herself sound in mind and judgment and not halfway to slavering mindless beast. Corruption was easier to deal with and think about when Blue wasn't interacting with a gem directly that was slowly declining into that empty animal state.]
I am unsure how much you truly understand, Peridot, but I'll remind you that you chose to change the nature of our relationship. I warned against it.
[Even Blue's tone is suspiciously gentle, like talking to a wounded animal that just needs soothing. It must be hard, to think she's whole when she's so obviously .. not.]
And if you don't wish to see your friend protected.. so be it. The results will be on your hands.
[Because she's not the only one who wishes to see Rose Quartz broken.
And now when nobody stands in the way because Peridot insisted that nobody has the right to assign Steven a guard... well.
That works well enough for Blue Diamond as well, who simply checks her list and heads to the next Supervisor's trailer.]