Blooming Rose: A Pink Diamond Character Study

A Confidante, Found

"Greetings, my Diamond! I am your new Pearl. How may I serve you today?" the Pearl spoke; luckily, Pink's headspace had cleared at least somewhat, so she could at least have a meaningful conversation with the newly formed Gem without having to ask to repeat herself every single time.

However, "somewhat" was far from "fully", and the potential for conversation topics between Pink and her new Pearl was still going to be rather limited. Just like she had absolutely no idea what her "preferred customization options" were, she also had no idea whatsover on what sort of actions her Pearl could do to "serve" her.

So, she groaned again.

"I didn't quite catch that. Please repeat?" Even from her very first conscious moments, the Pearl seemed to be rather insistent on certain actions.

"I did not... say anything..." Pink mustered.

At this point, something flashed through Pearl, as though she had figured something out. "It seems as though you are incapacitated in some way. Is the Gem Empire faced with an existential threat in the form of a war? Should I defend your, and the Empire's, honor?"

Pink was understandably confused. "Huh? I don't hear... a war going on... is there really one?"

Wait, was this the reason she had a cracked gem, a cracked mind and everything else that came with it? Because the entire race was under attack, and the attackers somehow managed to get to the Diamonds themselves? Momentarily, Pink panicked.

Yet, it didn't take long for memories to flash through her mind. Strangely enough, though, it seemed as though the memories were completely in third person, and Pink had to realize which of the participants of the memories was herself.

Looking at her own physical, holographic form, and then, looking at the petite figure arrogantly voicing her demands to the other Diamonds, she could definitely place that it was herself. And yet, she seemed so far removed from herself; were such a situation to happen right now, Pink just... wouldn't try and shout in front of the Diamonds or feel "entitled" to anything at all.

However, only a few more flashes of memory made it clear what had actually happened to her: it seemed as though she had destructive powers, and harmed herself and... her previous Pearl.

"No... I think... I did this... to myself..." she spoke.

The Pearl was immediately shocked, her expression too difficult for Pink to parse right away. Nevertheless, Pink still had something to add.

"And also... isn't it nice... that they just give me... a new Pearl... after throwing out the last one... when it breaks..."

"Huh-what?" the Pearl exclaimed, the sequence of words being completely out of left field for her.

Was it normal for a newly-made Pearl to act like this? It wasn't like Pink had encountered a newly-made Pearl previously in her life, and even if she had, memories of her would be far too hazy.

Nevertheless, the Pearl was shocked, and she needed at least some consolation, and though she might not have liked it or felt especially capable, Pink was the best Gem in the room to provide said consolation. "Don't worry... I will treat you... like a person... and not a toy..."

"I honor your words, my Diamond, and hope to be able to live by them. Until then, and until you expect me to do something else, I will stay still and watch over you." The Pearl spoke, deciding to take a seat next to Pink, who only lightly nodded before burying her head deeper and shutting out the outside world.

From her first experiences, Pink just felt like something was wrong and never clearing, no matter how much she tried. Memories would never be something more than a haze, she would always live in a realm of clouds even if she fully, clearly saw her true surroundings, and Gems would be thrown off by the sorts of things she did.