Resonance in the Void

CHAPTER 7: Beneath the Surface

The days stretched on, and the power struggle between Peridot and Jasper became more evident. Jasper, true to her nature, took every opportunity to assert her dominance, often mocking Peridot's methods as too "soft" and "un-Gemlike." Peridot, however, didn't relent, though the strain was beginning to show.

One evening, after Jasper had stormed through the corridors in one of her typical rampages, Lapis was surprised to see Peridot lingering by her cell longer than usual. Peridot didn't say anything at first, merely scrolling through her tablet, but her fidgeting betrayed her internal struggle.

"You've been different," Lapis said, leaning against the wall, watching Peridot. "Jasper's been getting to you."

Peridot's hands paused, hovering over the tablet. "I'm fine."

"No, you're not," Lapis pressed. "You're not like her. You don't want to be."

Peridot's lips pressed into a thin line, her visor angled downward. "I don't have a choice."

Lapis stepped closer to the force field, her voice softening. "There's always a choice, Peridot. You don't have to follow Homeworld's orders blindly."

Peridot clenched her jaw, her hands tightening around her tablet. "You think it's that simple? You think I can just walk away from everything I've been programmed to believe?"

Lapis met her gaze, her blue eyes filled with understanding. "It's not about walking away. It's about realizing that you can be more than what they made you to be."

For a moment, Peridot's defenses seemed to falter. She stared at Lapis, her mouth opening as if she wanted to say something, but then, as if remembering where she was, she quickly composed herself.

"I can't..." Peridot said quietly, her voice trembling. "I can't just abandon my duty."

Lapis shook her head. "You already know what they're doing is wrong. You're not like Jasper, Peridot. You care, whether you admit it or not."

Peridot stared at the ground, her hands trembling slightly. "I don't... I don't know what I am anymore."

Lapis reached out, her fingers barely brushing the force field, but the gesture was enough. "You're someone who can make her own choices. I see it in you."

Before Peridot could respond, an alarm blared through the prison, and Peridot immediately straightened, her fingers flying across her tablet. "There's been a disturbance," she muttered. "I have to go."

Lapis watched her leave, but not before catching one last glance from Peridot—a glance filled with doubt, and perhaps, something more.