Chapter 1: The reef before

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The reef was quiet today. Pearls stood at their podiums, the nacre in the back, working in the newest pearl designs. The waterfalls trickled quietly against the walls, the mist glittering in the air nearby. The atmosphere was bright lavender, gleaming with high quality perfection. Along the sides of the long hallway, we're many white podiums with various heights. Some with holo pearls, some reserved to display the nacres pearls. Bored Guards at their posts, making small talk and not giving their attention to the pearls, who also started to gossip.  An ocean, caramel, and azure pearl shared a three sectioned podium, whispering about the other pearls they shared the reef with. Caramel was known for being the highest quality pearl there. She was entitled, two faced, and vain. She always seemed to negatively judge the other pearls for their performances, as if every other pearl's skills were beneath her. She often saw herself as the most prized pearl in the whole reef. Azure was always blunt and unemotional. She only really cared for the nacre's approval and presenting her most skilled self. She would say honest comments about others that can come off as hurtful, but her analytical coding prevents her from seeing it. Then there was ocean. She seemed to follow caramel and azure around. She's snarky and likes to spread rumors about the other less skilled or less pretty pearls. Then there was grey pearl. An older transfer from another reef. They came off as cold and unemotional, similar to azure. But unlike azure, grey truly felt nothing, almost like the holo pearls that stood on various podiums. They were blind, and always was left alone because he intimidated the others.


The quiet chatter from the pearls ended abruptly when the back doors opened, revealing nacre and a brand new batch of pearls behind her. This nacre walked with her hands folded in-front of her. All the pearls in the room stiffened, turning their attention to the elegant purple mother.
"Pearls, may I present to you, your new reef mates." She stood to the side and gestured her hand to show off five brand new pearls.
The first one to walk forward in the line was a peach colored pearl. She had a cute 1960's attire. Her walk was fun and bouncy. Then walked a brown pearl. She walked quietly and elegantly, not afraid to show off her glamour. Caramel scoffed, rolling her eyes at her confidence. Next was a dark pearl. Her walk was dominate, almost model like and her gaze was fixed straight ahead. She had a dark, slightly greenish complexion and attire.

"Geez, are all these pearls so full of themselves?" Caramel whispered to ocean, covering her mouth as she did so. Ocean snickered, watching the next pearl.
After her, was a turquoise pearl. She had short bouncy hair with bangs that covered her eyes. She walked with her head hanging lower than the others, with her hands held in front.
A smirk grew on caramel's face, till the very last pearl walked.
Periwinkle pearl was taking everything in for the first time. She walked with her arms at her side and with a curious demeanor about her.  She had short curtain bangs, and two puffy space buns that complemented them. She had a light indigo complexion, and a tummy gem.

"Well, at least some of the newbies are seemingly naive." Caramel's eyes followed the last pearl.
"Caramel do you really have nothing better to do than to make more pearls lives miserable?" Azure said flatly
"Well when your already so perfect, it's hard to find other things to do azure. But I bet it's hard for you to understand, since your always desperate of keeping your reputation perfect."
Azure only kept her eyes on her holo pad, watching analytics.
" eyes on me pearls!" The nacre clapped, standing next to the lined up pearls.
" I introduce to you, matte peach, taupe, Tahitian, sea foam, and periwinkle! I expect you all to be very hospitable. Show these pearls who they are meant to be hmm?" With a smile on her face, the nacre announced a special free time for all the pearls to commune. The lobby filled with the rest of the pearls. The sounds of chatter rose.

The nacres amber assistant fluttered high to get a better view of everyone. "Look at all these new faces! You really outdid yourself your elegance!" The amber said with a high voice, flying back down to meet the nacre at her head level.
"Why thank you amber. I did try my very best in these ones. They are all very different." The nacre smiled , holding her hands in front of her. " They will serve their owners well."
"Do you think they will settle in well?"
"Knowing some of the pearls? They may struggle unfortunately. Anyhow, I'm going to alert my clients about our new stock. Keep a close eye on them will you amber?" She turned to leave for the backroom, but just before walking in, she called upon the grey pearl. Her personal assistant. The little grey pearl followed her to the backroom so he could assist with the digital messaging.
The amber flew about the reef, watching the pearls commune. She enjoyed listening in, hearing their excitement for making new friends.


" oh really? You think you'll get picked just like that?"
Amber's ears picked up a honeyed voice from the other side of the pearl group. She hovered closely to see what was the situation.

" you barely look high quality. And you said your skills where..singing?"
Caramel seemed to be berating seafoam pearl. The turquoise Pearl's head hung low in shame, her hands held behind her.
" yes.." her voice trembled lightly.
"Well, let's see then." Caramel had her arms folded, looking down at seafoam. "Sing a note"
Hesitant, sea foam prepared herself to sing a note, clearing her throat and taking in a breath.
" what's going on?" A soft gentle voice interrupted.
Seafoam turned to see periwinkle standing close to her. Her expression softened.




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