Just A Pearl -Her beginnings-

Chapter 2: New friends and foes

"She's about to prove that she can actually sing, though I doubt it." Peri rose a brow.
" why's that?" She questioned
"Well- she's so hesitant on proving herself. Probably just said it for the praise."
"Well maybe she's just shy! Stage fright is a thing ya know."
"Hon what do you know about stage fright?"
"It's true- I'd rather not sing in front of so many gems.." seafoam admitted softly.
"It's okay! You don't have to prove yourself."
"Oh..well that's good. I'm seafoam" she greeted periwinkle with a handshake
"Periwinkle" she smiled, shaking her hand and nodding.
Caramel only glared at periwinkle, scoffing as she left to find her friends. The amber hovered nearby, still listening to the situation. She took note of the new pearl's personality's. It was so interesting to her.
"Do you have any other talents?" Peri asked
"Well, I can also ribbon dance. Though that's more of a personal hobby. What about you?"
"Oh I have combat skills and receptionist potential"
"Very nice! Bet that will land you a well known owner."
"Hm. I suppose so."
"I'll probably just be an entertainment pearl."
"How could you be an entertainment pearl if you have stage fright?"
"Ironic isn't it?" Seafoam shook her head with a nervous grin.
Peri chuckled. Two claps where heard loud and clear the nacre had come back. "Alright pearls! We have customers arriving soon. Everyone to your podiums!" The nacre walked down the lobby, making sure everyone heard what she instructed.

Amber flew around, guiding the new pearls on what to do when the potential owners arrived.
When amber got to peri, she fluttered down to her eye level, and made sure her posture was perfect.
"Alright sweetie, when the buyers arrive, just make sure to be your most genuine self alright dear?"
Peri nodded.
Amber did as well and glided over back to her nacres side.
Soon the front doors opened, and in walked the guards escorting everyone inside. Strong agates, tall opals, and intimidating golds walked in. The mother of pearls walked up to them and warmly greeted them all.
"Ahh welcome everyone! We have a brand new stock on pearls, so if you spot any that you're interested in, don't be shy and let me know. Any minor questions you can ask amber," amber nodded.
The gems dispersed, looking at all the pearls on display. Asking them questions. Each gem seemed different. Some were nice, some weren't, most wanted different purposes from their pearl.
Peri has noticed most of the customers spoke to the pearls the most who shared similar colors to them.  No one had come to speak with her yet, so she thought about various scenarios quietly to herself.
She wondered what kind of owner she would end up with. Maybe a selenite to work at the medbay with. Her receptionist skills would come in handy there. Or maybe a olivine to assist with data logs. Whoever she'd end up with, she hoped that she would make them very proud.

She watched each pearl speaking to the customers. She saw red pearl, someone she had enjoyed hanging out with, was talking to a cherry red agate. Their conversation seemed to be going well.

The day would go by. Peri noticed that indigo walked out with a sapphire, which must mean she had gotten picked. A few customers would ask peri about her skills, but none were too set on picking her. That's was okay though. There was no rush.

The next day was training. Pearls were coded to have knowledge about themselves and how to perform their skills, but the nacre wanted them to learn much more, so training to become their best selves was necessary.
Every pearl was in the backroom, all lined up on a dot on the floor.

"Now, everyone today I will teach you how to address any gem socially above you. This will be very important when speaking to your owner or their peers."
Amber fluttered lightly around the room. She surveyed everyone.
" when you speak to your owner, you are to say 'yes my,' And then their gem type. For example," nacre nacre walked around as she spoke.
" if your owner were to be an agate, you say, 'yes my agate' or 'greetings my agate' understood?" Each pearl nodded in respond. Some weren't paying attention of course, like ocean and caramel.
" I don't know why we have to stand through these unnecessary lectures. I already know what to do." Caramel complained.
" it is quite annoying. Although I think it is for the new pearls."
"Ahh.. the new pearls." Caramel rolled her eyes.
" Genius idea. Why doesn't the nacre just code the new pearls with this information already. That's how we are supposed to be anyways."
"It's stupid right?"
"On the contrary," azure butted in from behind ocean in line.
" it makes sense for her to manually teach them these skills if she were to form a closer connection with each pearl."
"What like a bond? Why would she want that?" Ocean questioned.
"Could be possible that nacres nowadays need more of a purpose other than create and sell pearls. She is called the mother of pearl after all."
Caramel just stood quietly, her face clearly showing how bored she was.
"I still don't understand. Why would she put us through training after she invites customers to try to buy us? Nacre must not be thinking straight." Caramel smirked, while ocean did the same."
"Because we are pre orders." A flat voice abruptly intervened near caramel.
"Wha?-" caramel turned to where the voice had come from. Grey stood at her left. " deer stars- how long have you been standing there?" Her eyes scanned the Pearl judgmentally.