#cultusamoris: Sheena

[pacexlikexaxghost]

@cultusamoris

It's with some trepidation, that Pearl asks to borrow Greg's phone, she's leaning against the side of the van, staring at the text message screen.

She has the phone number typed in, and she's ready to send a text. It's just a message about her own lack of phone, and where Sheena could find her if she really cared to. Put the ball in her court, as Amethyst put it.

This is so silly. To even be considering further contact with a human, even one as interesting as Sheena seems to be.

Shaking her head, she deletes the unsent text, and navigates to call her instead.

❝I doubt she'll answer, Pearl,❞ Greg says, watching over her shoulder. ❝People don't like to answer calls from unknown numbers.❞

Pearl freezes, and shoots a look sidelong at him. ❝What is the point of a communicator if it's not answered?❞

❝People get scammers and such calling them. Just text her.❞

❝... Why am I even doing this?❞

❝Because you liked her, Pearl,❞ Greg says with a laugh. ❝Would you rather me send it?❞

Pearl clutches the phone tighter at those words, and quickly shakes her head. ❝No, no, I can do it.❞

She retypes the initial message, and hits send before she can change her mind, and watches anxiously to see if she responds. She can't hold onto Greg's phone indefinitely though, and reluctantly hands it back to him.

❝Tell me if-❞

❝If she texts back, got it.❞

[pacexlikexaxghost]

❝We're all very musical! Amethyst plays drums, and Garnet the Keytar! And my dad can do guitar, piano, and drums,❞ Steven says brightly. ❝Once at Beach-a-Palooza, use four went on together because my dad had an emergency at the car wash. It was a lot of fun!�� He glances at Pearl. ❝We should do that again!❞

❝I'm not opposed; though I would hope Greg never has a boat get stuck in his car wash again to force it.❞

Steven laughs. ❝I think him and Yellowtail both learned that lesson! Boat is handwash only because it is too fat!!❞

Pearl frowns slightly at Sheena's words. Why would it be rough for Garnet? ❝Oh, well, Garnet likes her alone time. She's the quiet sort. Likes her privacy.❞

She laughs slightly at the mention of Amethyst and gigs her speed. ❝Funnily; I was a fill in that night. It was originally supposed to be Greg going with her, but he was more or less held hostage at a card game with another one of his friends, because she is also his mail lady and was threatening to hold his mail if he no-showed. I only went to convince Amethyst that I could be rebellious. My original plan that night was to put together a puzzle with Steven.❞

❝It was fun, in the end,❞ Steven says with a slight laugh. ❝But please never let anyone make you feel bad about your rebel cred again! Running from the police was scary!❞

❝Well I couldn't let them pull me over! I don't have a license!❞

❝It was neat, to come across you at the show,❞ Steven adds, nodding at Sheena, trying to turn the topic back to the matter at hand. He gets the vibe here. ❝Since Pearl wanted to talk to you when you came to the big donut, but totally didn't.❞

❝Well, I tried.❞

Steven giggles at the slight brush that appeared on Pearl's face. ❝Yes, and you had a rousing conversation with the cups you accidentally threw on the floor.❞

"Quite a talented family." Sheena muses, genuinely smiling from one to the other as they go over their expertise. She light-heatedly joins in on the laughter while dodging around those troublesome thorns, wanting to avoid anything that might not be appropriate on a first outing. Glancing around, Sheena's gaze moves from the mysterious temple once again, to the group photo right near her; the one of Pearl, Steven, their friend from before, and a tall woman in the background. "Such a colorful cast indeed." she distractedly adds while focused on it, wondering if this ever more interestingly sounding Garnet is the last one.

Given when they first met, Sheena takes a mental gamble. "Garnet only flies solo on outings? Gotta be rough, even if Love is worth it." Sheena remarks while standing up and stretching her back. (Perhaps Garnet and her partner have different schedules, or are even Long Distance...) "Still be fun to meet them, if at different shows. Amethyst, though?" Sheena wonders if her intuition is correct while throwing herself into the couch just next to the door. "Given when we met, I know gigs more her speed. Next time I have one, I'll let you all know. Guests would be more than welcome." she adds, throwing Pearl another suggestive smile, interrupted by the smallest of knowing winks at Steven, getting the impression that the 14 year old might understand a bit better than his caretaker, and laughing again at the thought.

[cultusamoris]

"Quite a talented family." Sheena muses, genuinely smiling from one to the other as they go over their expertise. She light-heatedly joins in on the laughter while dodging around those troublesome thorns, wanting to avoid anything that might not be appropriate on a first outing. Glancing around, Sheena's gaze moves from the mysterious temple once again, to the group photo right near her; the one of Pearl, Steven, their friend from before, and a tall woman in the background. "Such a colorful cast indeed." she distractedly adds while focused on it, wondering if this ever more interestingly sounding Garnet is the last one.

Given when they first met, Sheena takes a mental gamble. "Garnet only flies solo on outings? Gotta be rough, even if Love is worth it." Sheena remarks while standing up and stretching her back. (Perhaps Garnet and her partner have different schedules, or are even Long Distance...) "Still be fun to meet them, if at different shows. Amethyst, though?" Sheena wonders if her intuition is correct while throwing herself into the couch just next to the door. "Given when we met, I know gigs more her speed. Next time I have one, I'll let you all know. Guests would be more than welcome." she adds, throwing Pearl another suggestive smile, interrupted by the smallest of knowing winks at Steven, getting the impression that the 14 year old might understand a bit better than his caretaker, and laughing again at the thought.

❝I also play piano, drums, harmonica, and full size guitar now,❞ Steven says, but he did catch that flirty wink towards Pearl. Sheena doesn't really care about his music; she likes Pearl, and is saying that as an excuse to come back, so he adds, ❝Pearl plays the violin and piano!❞

❝Oh, well, technically I know how to play most keyboard and string and bow instruments, but yes, Piano and Violin are my preferred instruments.❞

The wink completely passes her by; she is assuming it was genuine interest in Steven's skills. He IS quite remarkable with his music.

❝As for Garnet? No; she prefers her... dates to be solo. Honestly, it would be strange, a double date with Garnet...❞

Steven muffles a giggle into his hand at Pearl's obliviousness. Sheena is NOT being subtle, and it's clearly flying so far over Pearl's head that someone should tell air traffic control.

❝Oh yes,❞ Steven says through his giggles, ❝That would be very strange with Garnet. Trying to imagine that. You, mom, and Garnet walk into a Broadway theatre- Sounds like the start of a joke!❞

Pearl's face flushes slightly blue as Steven directly references her relationship with Rose. There's no point in denying that, but she wishes it would have been longer before Sheena learned that.

❝It would only become a comedy routine if Amethyst was along. Garnet can sit quietly through a show.❞

Not that Rose always could.

Steven starts laughing again, bending over with his hands on his knees. ❝Amethyst at a Broadway show- hahaha- Oh gosh, no. She'd sooner throw herself into the sun, I think. Sitting still and quiet for two hours is not Amethyst's thing unless she’s asleep. And with songs she's not even allowed to sing along to!❞

[pacexlikexaxghost]

❝I also play piano, drums, harmonica, and full size guitar now,❞ Steven says, but he did catch that flirty wink towards Pearl. Sheena doesn't really care about his music; she likes Pearl, and is saying that as an excuse to come back, so he adds, ❝Pearl plays the violin and piano!❞

❝Oh, well, technically I know how to play most keyboard and string and bow instruments, but yes, Piano and Violin are my preferred instruments.❞

The wink completely passes her by; she is assuming it was genuine interest in Steven's skills. He IS quite remarkable with his music.

❝As for Garnet? No; she prefers her... dates to be solo. Honestly, it would be strange, a double date with Garnet...❞

Steven muffles a giggle into his hand at Pearl's obliviousness. Sheena is NOT being subtle, and it's clearly flying so far over Pearl's head that someone should tell air traffic control.

❝Oh yes,❞ Steven says through his giggles, ❝That would be very strange with Garnet. Trying to imagine that. You, mom, and Garnet walk into a Broadway theatre- Sounds like the start of a joke!❞

Pearl's face flushes slightly blue as Steven directly references her relationship with Rose. There's no point in denying that, but she wishes it would have been longer before Sheena learned that.

❝It would only become a comedy routine if Amethyst was along. Garnet can sit quietly through a show.❞

Not that Rose always could.

Steven starts laughing again, bending over with his hands on his knees. ❝Amethyst at a Broadway show- hahaha- Oh gosh, no. She'd sooner throw herself into the sun, I think. Sitting still and quiet for two hours is not Amethyst's thing unless she’s asleep. And with songs she's not even allowed to sing along to!❞

As she laughs while taking in some of the commentary, Sheena takes a few steps towards the temple… before turning back towards her hosts while taking a seat on one of the stools. (Certainly a lot to think about for a first true meeting.) Sheena muses, her eyes flickering from one to the other. (Their connection with this Greg, his Mom, the family history here, even Steven's height and age seems kinda off… Dwarfism, maybe? Possibly from one of his parents.)

"Singing and Ukulele so young? Maybe I'll have to return to catch an encore." Sheena laughs, crossing her legs on the stool and sending another wink to Pearl. Still intent to not cause trouble this night, now that it's finally happened and going so well, she decides to pivot points, even with the cave still in her peripheral vision. "Broadway's not my usual scene, but it is wonderful. You… ever go there on a double date, with Garnet and her partner?" Sheena asks, a slight hint of a purr in her voice as her sultry gaze rests on Pearl.

[pacexlikexaxghost]

❝Oh yeah, Broadway is there!❞ Steven says brightly. ❝Pearl, I bet you'd love Broadway! It's plays- like Jamie puts on but... better- but with music!❞

❝Steven,❞ Pearl laughs slightly, ❝I'm familiar with Broadway shows.❞

She's not familiar with much of Earth culture even now (though she's getting better about that) but Rose had taken her to several Broadway shows in the past.

❝... and yes, I like Broadway. There is something special about a live performance.❞

❝Don't say that to Jaime!❞ Steven laughs. ❝He might move on from his crush on Garnet to you!❞

Pearl blinks quicky. ❝Oh, oh stars, no. No, absolutely not.❞ She pauses. ❝Jaime has feelings for Garnet? Really? Does he know-❞

❝That she's totally taken? Yes.❞

❝For,❞ Pearl chuckles, ❝Certain definitions of taken.❞

The pair both laugh, neither at this moment thinking to explain to Sheena.

Her question about the temple entrance surprises Pearl slightly, and her gaze flicks over towards where she gestured.

❝... Roughly 4000 years, as I just said.❞

❝The house is... uh, ten years old, I think?❞ Steven adds. ❝It's newer. I wrote my first song when it was being built. Pearl, I was four then, right?❞

❝Yes, Steven, you were four, and Greg had only taught you to play ukulele that morning.❞

❝Oh yeah!❞ He grins. ❝But yeah, the temple has been here since FOREVER, but the house was built for me!❞

So, some drama involving Mom. Just going to sidestep that for now. Sheena reflects, continuing to ponder the connection between her date and her date's charge. Let alone the situation between them and Greg, who seems to be Steven's Dad, but almost sounds like Pearl's Ex as well.

"Empire City's certainly a place for songs and music." Sheena quips about Empire City itself, running a hand through her hair. "And singing must run in the family. Maybe I'll catch one of your shows some time." Sheena adds, with a smile to Steven and a wink to Pearl.

Their combined answer marks the first time Sheena shows outward confusion, though she rallies quickly enough. "Guess you have quite the history in Beach City, huh." she manages. …before looking to the end of the living room, and noticing the platform contained in the back. "And, might I ask, how long that's been there?" she says, gesturing towards the cavern.

[pacexlikexaxghost]

❝Honestly, I like pink-❞ Steven pulls on his shirt, as if to show the pink fabric. ❝It's kind of my signature color. Like, totally divorced from, you know, like... mom stuff, I love the color pink! Completely my vibe!❞ he looks at Pearl. ❝And Pearl has pink hair too! More of a peachy pink- kind of like my shirt!- but pink!❞

That his actual mom and one of his... mom-type-figures in his life. Gosh, it's weird to consider the Gems his Moms, but like, they are, right?

Weird.

❝Oh, Empire City is a beautiful place,❞ Pearl says. ❝We had a one night trip there recently.❞

❝Pearl sung a sad song on the balcony in the middle of the night and then I sung at her and Dad to make them get along!❞

Pearl laughs slightly. ❝Ah, yes, Greg and I used to have a much more... strained relationship.❞

Stars, is she glad that's been worked out. It all feels so petty, in retrospect.

To Sheena's question about how long they've lived here, Pearl and Steven answer simultaneously.

❝Six years!❞

❝Oh, roughly 4000 years.❞

Sheena follows Steven's gaze to the nervous Pearl, then looks back at him… and pats him gently on the head. "Thanks for the props. I grew it myself." she adds as a joke, trying to help with the tense air. "You could do a few things with yours, kiddo. Plenty of colors to try, but natural is also nice."

Straightening up, she puts her hands in her pockets while turning towards Pearl's clap. "Used to traveling even more, but now I'm stationed in a small cell just outside Empire City. My real home is on the road. And yourselves? How long have you lived in the shadow of the statue?" she returns the question, keeping on polite chat.

[pacexlikexaxghost]

❝Yeah! You were at the Big Donut and that garage show! We didn't really talk, but we were totally in the same vicinity as one another!❞ He shakes her hand.

❝Your hair is really cool! I considered dyeing my hair pink once cause my mom had pink hair, but I talked to my friend Connie about it and it'd have been a whole process with having to bleach it and color it, and my hair is so dark so the roots would be super obvious super fast, and Dad said that my hair texture is really fragile- cause the curls are so thick- and Connie also thought it might be weird, cause stuff is so complicated with my mom anyway and- ohgoshIshouldshutup!❞

He looks nervously at Pearl, who is fidgeting with her sash, her gaze fixed on the floor.

❝I am very glad,❞ she says softly. ❝That you did not do that. It would have been weird.❞ She spares an anxious glance up the the portrait then down to the floor.

She had hoped that Rose wouldn't come up while Sheena was here. Just one night without her past hanging over was all she wanted.

She also wishes Steven wouldn't worry so much about living up to his mother's legacy, but she knows some of that pressure came from her, accidental as it might have been.

She clears her throat, and claps her hands together. ❝I feel like we barely know anything about each other, Sheena, after just, some passing encounters and one conversation. Are you from the area, if you're attending local rock concerts?❞

Either a found family, or a very colorful tree, Sheena muses to herself, though she nods while listening to Pearl.

"If you've already eaten, I'm fine for now. Might snag something on the way out of Beach City." she answers while accepting the invite inside.

Her eyes barely have a second to take in the lounge before almost being surprised by the boy jumping down. "I remember you from before, too." Sheena replies with a smile to him. (Hmm… Little Brother? Nephew? *Cou-sin?* Regardless, Family.)

She crouches down to be closer to his height. "It's nice to meet you, Steven. Sheena." she adds, offering him a hand.

[pacexlikexaxghost]

❝Oh,❞ Pearl shakes her head at the question about the rest of her... friends, ❝No; just Steven from my family is here.❞ She's not sure why she felt the need to correct that; they are her friends, but it is really more than that, especially with Steven.

❝Garnet and Amethyst are out somewhere,❞ and should be staying gone, ❝And Greg does not live here.❞

She heads up the stairs, spinning on her toes to face Sheena again as she walks backwards towards the door.

❝Have you eaten dinner? Steven ate a couple hours ago-❞ and she already washed the dishes, ❝But I don't mind making something for you if you haven't.❞

She opens the screen door and gestures Sheena in ahead of her.

Steven leaped down from the loft the second the door was opened. He's a little excited to properly meet Sheena himself. She seemed cool (weirdness about how much she looked like his mom aside), and for Pearl to actually text her? Like, woah.

❝Hi!❞ He chirps as she comes in the door. ❝I've seen you before, but it's nice to actually meet you!❞

Don't I know that feeling. Sheena thought to herself while chuckling at Pearl's radiant reaction. Though she continued smiling through her reply, the mention of a 'Steven' brought her back to when they met. The little one, as well as her fellow friend.

…or do I? Sheena mentally wonders, looking Pearl up and down while she bounced. Before curiosity could make Sheena's smile waver, she grasped at Pearl's apology. "No worries. I'm used to late night travels and house calls." she replies.

As Pearl invites her in, Sheena takes her gloves off and sets them on her bike with her helmet. "I'd love the tour." she grins at Pearl, following her lead. "Is it just Steven, or will I be meeting the rest of your -friends?" she asks, hesitating for a barely discernible half second on deciding between friends or family. None of the three of them looked directly related, and Sheena slightly doubted the purple one was either a Greg or a Steven.

[pacexlikexaxghost]

❝I don't sleep,❞ Pearl says brightly to Sheena's question, crossing her hands behind her back. ❝And Steven shouldn't be going to bed for several more hours, so you shouldn't be disturbing him either.❞

She pauses, rocking on the balls of her feet.

❝I do rather hope it's not too late for you. I know it must be terribly inconvenient to have to come to me in person to communicate properly. I do apologize about my lack of a phone; I never had need of one before now.❞

The more she thinks about it, the more having a phone would be a good idea, if just to be able to get in touch with Steven when he's not home.

Or Greg, for that matter.

She takes a few steps backwards onto the stairs. ❝Would you like to come inside?❞ She gestures up to the house, then flashes a nervous smile back at Sheena.

❝The tide shouldn't reach this high unless a heavy storm hit out at sea, and that's not forecasted, so your bike should be safe right here, from the water.❞

No additional trembling in her pocket interrupted the rhythm of her bike, as the few clouds slowly crawled across the sky. But after a few minutes of riding, this renewed Sheena's smile, wondering if Pearl was as into this as she was. Indeed, the engine of her motorcycle let out a bang as she accelerated, almost trying to reach Beach City before the setting sun did. Despite her own interest, Sheena was forced to slow down upon entering town; both with her unfamiliarity of the place, and to avoid any mishaps along the way. Passing by a few interesting shops (and a little boy who appeared to be trying to set one of them on fire), catching the sand of the beach was a relief, even if it forced her to tread more carefully.

"Wow..." she marveled, having followed the edict to the other side of the Beach City Lighthouse cliff, and at first seeing just the hand. Sheena's gaze bounced up the gigantic statue as she slowed to a stop at its base, remembering Pearl's story from when they met. When Pearl's running wave pulls Sheena's attention back down, the mild look of shock on her face is replaced with an amused smile. "Hey, Pearl", she replies in a purr while pulling off her helmet. "Didn't catch you too late, did I?" she asks while shaking out her long pink mane.

[pacexlikexaxghost]

Pearl is bordering on anxious for the delay in Sheena's response, and she jumps slightly as the bubble pops up on the screen.

And is... utterly indecipherable. ❝Okay, I know she must be speaking in code now. What in heavens could that mean?❞

Greg snickers, and holds out his hand. ❝Let me see it, Pearl.❞

She reluctantly returns his phone to him, and he laughs more and grins at Pearl upon seeing the message. ❝She's on her way. It's an acronym Pearl.❞

❝... tell me how you would pronounce O-M-W as a word, Greg.❞

❝You don't! You just say the letters.❞

❝That's an initialism, then.❞ She exhales hard. ❝So she is enroute. To be here tonight.❞ And then she stands bolt upright. ❝Tonight!? Oh Stars, the house is a mess!❞

❝Now, I seriously doubt that,❞ Greg says with a laugh, but Pearl was already taking off back to the house to clean it top to bottom before her company arrives. And she begs Garnet to find some way to get Amethyst out of the house.

Steven is probably fine, but she just knows Amethyst would embarrass her somehow.

As the evening approaches, and the house is totally spotless, Pearl is anxiously watching out the window for Sheena's arrival.

And she's outside in an instant, running down the porch stairs to meet her at the bottom as she nears on her motorcycle, not that it would drive as well on the drier sand over here.

❝Hello!❞ She calls out, waving to her, as if the temple is even possible to miss, or there's anywhere else the direction of on the other side of the cliff from the Beach City Lighthouse could be.

The vibration in Sheena's pants made her smile as she tore down the road, but not until she reached an empty four-way intersection did she pause to take out her phone. A small laugh, followed by a short reply, and off she rode, her bike roaring with renewed gusto.

OMW-S

[pacexlikexaxghost]

Pearl was about to walk away from Greg, having done what she came over her for, and handed him back his phone, but he stops her with a hand on her shoulder.

❝Oh this girl must be down bad for you Pearl, with how quick she just responded!❞

Pearl slowly turns back around to face Greg, her eyes wide. ❝You think she's bad?❞

❝What- No, no, I mean she's into you!❞ He holds back out his phone to her, and Pearl takes it, looking at the message.

And she's smiling despite herself at it.

❝Yeah, we're definitely getting you a phone,❞ Greg says with a laugh. ❝I can't middleman forever if you get a girlfriend.❞

❝Oh, don't assume it's anything so serious,❞ Pearl mutters, already typing out a reply to Sheena.

Not busy at all! Greg is only here because this is his phone. I take it that you are enroute to Beach City, then? - Pearl

She does not hand the phone back again, watching the message screen with anticipation.

❝The look on your face tells me you're serious, Pearl. Oh, and the fact that you're bothering at all, after a week and a half.❞

Pearl's face goes slightly blue, and she shoots a glare at him. ❝Shush.❞

She wasn't sure that she was going to do this at all. Amethyst talked her into it. It's not that she's not interested, but it does seem rather... unwise.

It's about time that cutie from Mike Krol's took her shot. Sheena thought to herself, after pulling of to the side of the road to check the new message. An eyebrow arched as her gaze traced the text, lingering for a moment on Greg. Must be friend or family. Hopefully. she considered, popping the bubble of her-hair-color-gum she was chewing before reaching the end of the message. "Hmm..." After a moment's contemplation, Sheena rapidly keyed in a reply of her own, before revving her motorcycle back to life again. Her u-turn away from Ocean Town was complete before the text had finished sending: "Hey there. Been a while. Hope you aren't too busy with Greg for a visit tonight. -S"