☠ Protect (pearl-of-the-crystal-gems)
Protect: My character keeps yours safe from harm.
The gash was deep and brutal looking, the outcome of a very small misstep while avoiding the attacks of the gem monster. Razor sharp teeth barely graced her skin, but undeniably left their mark on her gastrocnemius muscle. It’s just an illusion, she tells herself. She can get through this.
Gems don’t bleed, but if they did Pearl would be complaining about the stickiness of the blood instead of her pain.
The wound is not enough for her to poof back into her gem, but it sure smarts. She grips her spear tightly, trying to stand and failing. If she had the time, she would beat herself up over this tiny mistake; but it seems like today that’s the monster’s job.
It lounges at her again, and she barely manages to lift her spear in a final defense.
With a crack of a whip, the gem monster is pushed off it’s path. Amethyst slides in front of Pearl, breathing heavy, also an illusion. “You okay P?”
There’s no time to answer. The monster comes back at them, and Amethyst scoops up the wounded gem. She jumps high above the monster, laughing as it crashes into a tree.
“Come on Pearl, let’s get you home before you hurt yourself even more,” the purple gem teased. “You’re not even complaining about me carrying you, aaand that’s a little weird.”
Pearl blushes, barely now registering that Amethyst is carrying her like a princess. It’s all happening too fast, flustering Pearl. “I can take care of myself Amethy-”
“Yeah yeah, quit yapping and lemme borrow your spear for a second.”
Pearl grumbles and hands the spear to Amethyst. She doesn’t hate relying on her, but she can already hear the relentless teasing she’s going to endure at home, and in front of Steven and Garnet! Oh, they should have waited until Garnet could come back to go on this mission. It wasn’t even an emergency!
Standing firmly on the ground with Pearl still comfortably cradled in one arm, Amethyst wraps her whip around the spear. With a flick of the wrist, the spear is launched at the monster, this time mortally wounding it.
It poofs, it’s gem landing on the jungle floor before Amethyst bubbles it. A smug grin curls on her lips, making Pearl roll her eyes. “You can put me down now Amethyst, the wound is mostly healed.”
“Mmmmm... nah. I’ll carry you to the warp pad.”
“Augh, Amethyst!”
“Come on P,” A sincere smile spreads on her face this time, and she steps on the warp pad. “Lemme protect ya for a little while longer.”
