Resonance in the Void

CHAPTER 18: A Quiet Routine

Three months had passed since Peridot left Homeworld behind. Life on Earth had settled into a new, if somewhat odd, rhythm. The barn, once an empty and dusty relic, had become a home—modified to suit both Peridot's and Lapis' peculiar tastes. In the mornings, sunlight filtered in through the windows, catching the motes of dust as they danced in the air. The two Gems had grown used to their new routines, although the pace of life on Earth was unlike anything either of them had experienced.

Lapis stood outside, her eyes on the horizon where the ocean met the sky. The waves gently crashed against the shore, their rhythmic sounds soothing. The barn was close to Beach City, far enough to be isolated but close enough that they could visit whenever they wanted. Lapis had always found comfort in the water, but now it seemed to have a different kind of allure—a reminder that they were far from Homeworld and all the horrors that came with it.

Inside, Peridot was at her workbench, tinkering with one of her many gadgets. She had thrown herself into her work since coming to Earth. The machines and inventions kept her mind busy, kept her from dwelling on the past. But lately, it hadn't been enough. The longer she stayed here, the more the weight of everything started to crush her.

The depression was subtle at first, creeping in like a shadow she could ignore. But over time, it had grown, festering inside her like a wound that wouldn't heal. She hadn't told Lapis about it—how could she? Lapis seemed happy here, finally at peace after everything she'd gone through. Peridot didn't want to ruin that.

So, instead, she kept her struggles to herself, finding comfort in the quiet moments of solitude. And, in secret, she had started to slip away during the nights, venturing into Beach City under the guise of "observing human behavior." But her true destination was the small, dimly lit bar she had discovered a few weeks ago. Humans used alcohol to dull their pain, and while it didn't work the same way on Gems, Peridot found that the atmosphere of the bar—the noise, the anonymity—helped her forget, if only for a little while.

Lapis, meanwhile, had no idea. She trusted Peridot, believed that they were both adjusting to their new lives together. They had built something here, something that felt fragile but real. And while Lapis knew that Peridot had her struggles, she didn't press. They had been through too much already.

"Hey, Peri!" Lapis called from outside, her voice soft but cheerful. "Are you coming out today? The weather's nice."

Peridot glanced up from her workbench, her fingers twitching over the delicate circuitry she was assembling. "Yeah, in a bit," she replied, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

Lapis smiled and nodded before turning her attention back to the ocean. She liked the peace they had found here, but she often wondered if Peridot felt the same. There were moments, fleeting as they were, where Lapis noticed the tension in Peridot's shoulders, the way she would sometimes retreat into herself. But whenever Lapis asked, Peridot brushed it off, insisting she was fine.

Lapis believed her—why wouldn't she?

That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Peridot's anxiety began to creep in again. The barn, once a comforting space, now felt too small, too confining. The thoughts she had tried to suppress during the day returned with a vengeance, swirling in her mind like a storm she couldn't control.

Lapis was in the loft, reading a book she had picked up from the local library. She had fallen in love with human literature, finding it both fascinating and strange. Every now and then, she would call out to Peridot, commenting on something she had read or asking a question about human technology.

Peridot responded absentmindedly, her thoughts elsewhere. She needed to get out. The urge to escape was overwhelming, like an itch she couldn't scratch. She told herself it was just another visit to observe humans, just another night of research.

As the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, Peridot quietly grabbed her jacket and made her way toward the door. "I'm heading into town," she called over her shoulder, hoping Lapis wouldn't ask too many questions.

Lapis looked up from her book, her brow furrowing slightly. "Again? You've been going into town a lot lately."

Peridot's heart skipped a beat, but she kept her voice steady. "Yeah, just observing human behavior. It's... interesting."

Lapis shrugged and smiled. "Okay. Don't stay out too late."

Peridot nodded and slipped out the door, the cool night air hitting her face as she made her way down the dirt path toward Beach City.

The bar was as dim and unremarkable as always, a small dive tucked away in a corner of the city. Peridot walked inside, the familiar smell of alcohol and stale air washing over her. She made her way to the counter, where the bartender gave her a nod of recognition.

"Back again, huh?" the bartender asked, pouring her the usual drink she never touched but liked having in front of her.

Peridot nodded silently, taking a seat at the bar and staring down at the glass. The noise of the bar was a comforting hum in the background, drowning out the thoughts that constantly plagued her. For a moment, she could pretend she wasn't a Gem, wasn't a former loyalist of Homeworld. Here, she was just another face in the crowd, another lost soul trying to make sense of it all.

But even here, in this sanctuary of noise and distraction, the weight of her depression hung over her like a dark cloud. The drink in front of her, untouched, was a symbol of her disconnect from the human world. No matter how hard she tried to blend in, she couldn't escape the fact that she wasn't like them. She couldn't drink away her pain, couldn't numb herself like the humans could.

Still, she came here, night after night, hoping for some kind of relief.

Back at the barn, Lapis was lying in bed, staring up at the ceiling. She had grown used to Peridot's late-night excursions, but something about tonight felt different. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, that Peridot wasn't telling her everything.

But Lapis pushed the thought aside. Peridot was adjusting, just like she had. It took time to heal from everything they had been through. Lapis of all people understood that. So, she didn't question it.

For now.

(More words, YAY!!!!!)