A Single White Hibiscus (Pearl x Rose)

14. Word Vomit by Author

***Graphic credits: Joe Johnston and Steven Crewniverse.

Hi everyone. This is really the first time I say hi to you all, who kindly read my poems and proses and see my drawings. So first of all, thank you so much. I appreciate your gesture deeply.

I kind of wanted to talk about my fascination around Pearl x Rose relationship, how it all started, how it evolved, what I think of the relationship, etc. cuz I think intention is pretty important when you do something like this—write about it, make art, do anything, really.

So, when I first started watching Steven Universe, the first scene I ever saw in the show was a scene where Pearl gracefully catches her hat with one hand on the balcony of the Empire City hotel. I had been a fervent artist who loves cartoons and anime (I still am), so I was fascinated by it. Afterwards, my younger sister (a big shout-out to her!) introduced me to the show officially, showing me the episode "Jailbreak." After I watched the fusion scene of Lapis and Jasper, I could never go back. I started watching all the episodes right away.

For Pearl and Rose, I haven't had big deep feelings about them until the most recent episode "A Single Pale Rose." That episode just added so much complexity and depth to the two's relationship, in which I took an immense interest. I started pumping out art and writing like crazy about Pearl and Rose, and this one-shot page on Wattpad is a fraction of those copious amounts of art that I created after watching "A Single Pale Rose."

Yeah, so that's a brief history of why I got so into making art and writing about Pearl and Rose, those beautiful gems—and now I'll briefly talk about them.

I am a fervent believer of Pearl's romantic love toward Rose Quartz (a.k.a. Pink Diamond). Some people contend that Pearl only thinks Rose as her closest, best friend, but I don't think so. My views are my own, so please don't criticize me. But yeah.

My perspective toward Rose varies quite a bit after the most recent episode. She could've been an innocent gem who just wanted to escape (I think PD's next song is escapism if she ever has one haha what do you guys think?) from her homeworld or a villainous gem who exploited Pearl's eternal loyalty and love toward her. I think a little bit of both. She knew Pearl could not refuse her asking favor/order, but at the same time, she kind of (and kind of) respected Pearl by asking her to fake her shattering with her (as opposed to just ordering her without asking her consent). I respect Rose for that, and if she had not asked, my opinion of Rose would have plummeted so badly that this page right now might not have existed. But I do think we need more context. And Joe Johnston (1 of the storyboard artists) mentioned that we're gonna get more, so I'm excited!!

However, I do think that her having Steven was a real betrayal of Pearl's happiness and trust. She did all that (shattering and rebellion, including giving up a life in homeworld) just for a life together with Rose on earth. But if she just vanishes from earth just because she wanted to, so simply like that, how would Pearl feel? No wonder she has to lock so many of her selves inside unconsciousness. It's so harsh for Pearl. All the guilt, responsibility, and sadness Pearl must have felt for deserting and corrupting her friends (other crystal gems) and exploiting earth's resources and doing bad things to the planet? I can't imagine. I personally think those feelings together would top Lapis's feelings of anger and frustration and depression from getting trapped in a mirror for thousands of years and fusing with Jasper for an extended period of time under the sea.

But yeah, that's where my opinion about Pearl and Rose stands right now. Like any perspective, mine might change later on. But I just wanted to throw this out there, so you guys can have access to my perspective haha. Throw out yours in the comment section if you feel like it—I'd love to read them.

I might upload my reactions (in a form of additional word vomits?) here after watching further reveals about context between Pink Diamond and Pearl's past relationship. What do you guys think? Comment down below if u would want something like that.

I'm getting carsickness from writing all this on a bus. So I'll finish it up, but please do let me know if you guys want more word vomits. For sure. Or just write down your thoughts about this amazing official ship. Don't be shy. I'll try to reply to every one of your comments. Thank you again for reading this and sharing dreams with me!