It's been two weeks.

As the expert on procrastination - she does know big words, thank you very much - even she finds it ridiculous. Especially coming from Pearl, who's nothing if not neurotic. It's not like her to leave something this important for later.

So, Amethyst seeks her out. It's been pretty chill, lately, with Homeworld quiet, the two dorks at the barn not causing much trouble, and few Corrupted Gems attacking. Pearl is probably dancing in her room, or catching up on chores. A quick dive into one of the pools that connects their rooms results in no response from Pearl, annoyed or otherwise, when she yells for her.

Amethyst groans. Chores it is.

She shapeshifts into a seagull, flying out of an open window and up towards the Temple's open hand. Sure enough, the white Gem is humming to herself, loading up the washing machine with Steven's dirty clothes.

"Geez, P. Thought you were done with the midnight laundry." -she says as she flashes violet, turning back into her regular form.

Pearl blinks and stares at the pair of shorts she's folding, confused for a moment. "Oh. How embarrassing, I lost track of time."

Amethyst crosses her arms, jumping up to the top of the machine. "You sure that's all it is? 'Cause you used to do this. Y'know, before."

She frowns putting down the shorts. "What do you mean?"

The purple Gem rolls her eyes. "Ugh. Before! You know, you used to get all mopey over Rose, so you'd stay up all night like this. Nose-deep in Steven's laundry, or harassing the poor guys at the 24-hour store with your shopping list." -she says, frustrated. Then she looks her in the eye. "We...I thought you were doing better."

A cyan blush creeps up on Pearl's cheeks. "I...I'm not sure what to say. I am doing better. Greg and I have a friendship going, and thinking about Rose is not...as painful as before."

"So, what is it?"

Pearl purses her lips, then reaches into her gemstone, pulling out a small, familiar piece of paper. "I haven't called her yet. And I feel guilty about it."

Bingo, Amethyst thinks. "Yeah, I kinda figured. Also, Garnet has been hinting pretty heavily that she wants to talk to you about something."

She hums. "What is there to say? I missed my chance." -she says, stuffing the note back in. "I read up on modern human courtship rituals. I should have called her as soon as possible, but...I couldn't."

"Pearl, it's been super chill lately. You haven't exactly been busy."

"I wasn't busy. I just...I may have felt like I was betraying her trust. Rose, she...never asked for my loyalty, but she also never declined my vows. I've been thinking about our relationship lately. Not in the usual way, mind you, just...trying to see things from another perspective. She may have loved me, and I certainly loved her...but what we had was not healthy. How many human lovers did she take throughout the ages? Enough that I became used to the jealousy, the hurt...that I thought Greg was just the latest, when he was actually the last."

Amethyst winces. "Yikes. Heavy stuff."

Pearl smiles sadly. "With me, when isn't it?"

"Well, I think Rose would've cheered you on, dude. Y'know, for what it's worth."

"I believe you're right. But now...it's too late. 'S' will have moved on, by now."

Amethyst scoffs. "You've got a weird idea of just how long two weeks actually are. We could ask Garnet, but I'm pretty sure you can still call her, P."

"You really think so?"

"About as sure as I am that you're stalling, dude."

Pearl nods resolutely, as if she's about to face off Jasper herself, and not simply calling an admittedly attractive human. "Tomorrow. As soon as Steven wakes up and I can borrow his phone."

"You're definitely stalling now."

"I'm sure you'll hold me accountable."

She finger-guns at Pearl. "You bet'cha. Now, come on, let's blow this joint."

Pearl frowns. "I'm still not done with Steven's laundry, you know."

"You put off calling your mystery girl until tomorrow, you can forget about the laundry for a while. We need to get'cha in the mindset for the big c-a-l-l. And I happen to have the perfect idea for this."

"Which would be…?" -Pearl asks, skeptical, even though she's already powering down the washing machine.

Amethyst shapeshifts a pair of sunglasses, not unlike Sugilite's. "Let's fuse." -she says, trying her best to imitate Garnet's voice.

Pearl blushes ultramarine, gasping and giggling like a schoolgirl. "My stars, what sort of plan is that?"

"C'mon! Smokey gave me a big ol' boost of confidence and I'm in a sharing mood, sister."

"Well...alright. Only because I'm curious about what Opal has to say about all this, though."

Amethyst nods, excited. The glasses vanish as she takes a position on the statue's wrist. In another time, the hand would not be large enough for them to synchronize...but they're better at it, nowadays. One twirl and a swing of her hips is all they need to merge as soon as their hands touch.

Opal feels taller than before. She's not sure why, and she's not about to question it. Her existence is preciously short, and she's sure to enjoy it, especially given the poignant lack of enemies around her. She leaps off the Temple's hand before her components can think of protesting, gracefully pirouetting as she falls, landing in a shower of glittering sand. Her arms extend to their full length, instantly catching the sand particles before they have a chance to rejoin the beach. This is Pearl, speaking through the motions of the steadily building stream of sand around her. Amethyst listens, mesmerized, as Pearl lays out her worries through this dance. They're all around her: rejection, attachment, the fear of the unknown. The stream turns jagged, constricting.

Amethyst and Opal are quick to remind her that she's not alone, however, pulling whip after whip out of their chest, slashing through the sandstream until it is aimlessly floating around them all. Opal is a fusion of few words, fewer than most, but she never limits her thoughts. Your worries will not simply vanish. But...with some help, they can be managed, until you are ready to dissipate them yourself.

With that, the sand drops, no longer bound to their will. Opal walks towards the water, long strides getting her there rather quickly. She sits, cross-legged, staring out into the ocean.

"You will do fine." -Opal says. Amethyst agrees.

Pearl is inclined to believe them.

Pearl can control sand in canon and I can only imagine Opal can do it on a much larger scale.