Crystal Facets

Steven

It was a bright, sunny morning in Beach city, and Steven had just woken up. He let out a yawn, covering his mouth as he did. As he blinked and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, he let out a content sigh. He was wearing the T-Shirt that Pearl apparently hadn't fixed, since he had decided to turn it into a pyjama shirt. He didn't want to risk this one getting damaged, since it felt more comforting than any other shirt he had.

As he pulled himself out of bed, stretching out his muscles to wake them a little faster, he began to get himself changed into the day's clothes. He began to hum as he made his way downstairs, but paused as he passed his bedside table. On it was a small jar, which he swore had a new item in it every day.

He peeked into the bowl, and sure enough, there was a new shell in it! He gently lifted it out, and looked it over. It was a simple cone shaped shell, one that was about the size of the tip of his finger. He at first thought it was Pearl, since the first thing he found on his bedside was a small pearl, but when she denied it he had been very surprised!

There had been a few other strange things, like his food going missing in tiny bits from the fridge and cupboards. If it had been Amethyst, she'd have taken a lot more. If it had been Onion, it would have only been Chaaaaaps taken.

He set the shell back into the bowl, and began to head downstairs and to the bathroom. So far, this room and the Temple had been the only ones unaffected by whatever was happening in the house. Honestly? Steven suspected ghosts!

He had heard Pearl muttering about pebbles, but how would little rocks do all that stuff? It wasn't all bad that a bit of his food went missing; he was used to Amethyst taking a lot more. He was really happy though that he got those shells in the morning, it was always a nice surprise! He just wanted to meet whoever was doing this stuff. Maybe he could invite them out for doughnuts some time?

Actually... that gave Steven a really good idea! He finished getting himself together in the bathroom, and ran out into the living room. He was greeted by an irritated looking Pearl, who was pacing in the main room. "Good morning, Pearl!"

Pearl didn't acknowledge him right away, so he stepped up behind her and tugged at her skirt lightly. She nearly leapt out of her skin with surprise as she whipped around to face him. She seemed so jumpy! "Oh! Steven, it's just you... How are you today?"

He smiled brightly. "I found another shell in my bowl this morning!" That.... Seemed to have been the wrong thing to start off with, Pearl's eyes widened, her shoulders tense as she stared up towards the bedroom. "Steven, I want you to get rid of those shells, something isn't right! None of us are leaving them for you, so it can't be safe!"

He perked up a little at that. There was nothing bad about the shells, it was just strange that they kept appearing, that was all. "But Pearl, I used to bring shell's in all the time when I was younger, so what's wrong with these ones?"

She shook her head. "It isn't the same, and you know it! What if it's some trick or something? Or a trap? Get rid of the shells, Steven, it's too big a risk!" Pearl stamped her foot on the ground, clearly frustrated.

He felt anger flare up inside of him. "Pearl, they're shells! Y'know, from the ocean? Just outside our door? If they are from someone else, I'm definitely not getting rid of them! They're a gift, and that would be plain old rude!"

It was at this moment, as though knowing tensions were flaring, that Garnet and Amethyst stepped out from the door to the temple. Amethyst looked laid back, but there was something about the way she held herself right now that seemed tense. "Yo, sup Pearl, Ste-man?"

Pearl turned to the others, gesturing at Steven. "I am TRYING to get Steven to get rid of the shells! They can't mean anything good, especially if we'd never do something like this!"