Red Diamond (English Version)

RD - 07: Pearly tears

Pearl kept reading.

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After I took Screamy for myself, I got a call from Yellow.

I went to her chambers alone, leaving Screamy at mine as a precaution.

The yellow pearl sent to pick me up opened the door and I got inside already in my diamond-size as I was announced.

Yellow was sitting at a throne in front of a huge panel with many screens. Her chamber was filled with pearls, which walked from one side of the room to the other; they were carrying portable screens at their hands as they verified information and typed at panels.

An ambient way different from my own silent and empty chamber, well, not completely empty thanks to Screamy.

"Do you need to talk to me, Yellow?" I asked.

She didn't answer, just lifted a hand indicating that I should wait.

Apparently finishing whatever she was doing, she turned her throne at my direction still sitting on it then she stared at me with her stern and disapproving look.

"I was informed that you purloined one of my rutiles, is it true?" Yellow asked.

"Purloined?"

"Means to steal." She supplied.

"Thanks for the explanation, but I know what it means. What I don't understand is why you were informed that I stole her when she belonged to no one." I said.

"She belongs to me." Yellow emphasized.

"And by any chance do you want a rutile that can't speak without shouting?" I asked.

Yellow looked confused.

"Looks like they didn't tell you the whole story..." I said. "This rutile is defective and have already been rejected by many masters, what I did was to avail myself of her and take care of the problem for you."

"You should have informed me."

"You were informed, but in the wrong way. I am sorry if I should have made some kind of written solicitation or request, it won't happen again."

"Can you explain to me why would you need a defective rutile?"

"I need help, from whoever it may be. Since I can't make my own gems why not take those no one wants anymore? It was what I thought at the time."

"How is she helping you?"

"She opens and closes the doors for me and... She is teaching me how to read and write."

I didn't know what to think from Yellow's expression. I noticed the pearls around me were in shock, so much they forgot what they were doing, but soon Yellow reminded them.

"Go back to work!" She yelled and the pearls jumped with the sudden shout, but that made them focus on their tasks again. "Are you serious?"

"I am. What's wrong?"

"A diamond shouldn't need help!"

"That's not what it looks like." I said giving a meaningful look to the pearls around us, what made Yellow angry. She got up from her throne and faced me. "You and I agree that I am stupid and have a low mental capacity, then how do you expect me to read and understand all the reports you and the others send me? I tell you: you simply don't expect me to. With Rutile teaching me, I will be able at least to write something on my own to you when I need. Isn't that something good?"

Yellow seemed to start understanding the situation from my side, much she calmed down and sat back at her throne turning it to face her panel.

"If you take another gem of mine, I expect to be informed personally or... by written request, if you manage. You may go."