An odd corrupted pearl I made for a fairytale inspired reef roleplay.
Juniper is a returned pearl with some pretty severe corruption on top of a height defect. He is inspired by the fairytale “The Juniper Tree”
He has a kinda long af backstory so read it if you feel inclined under the cut.
[CW for decapitation (bloodless, offhand)]:
Juniper’s story doesn’t really start with him at all, it starts with a ruby named Carri.
She was the leader of a small ruby force tasked to protect the prestigious Crimson Sapphire in her day to day doings. Carri was a good leader, and at her best when giving spur of the moment commands. On a particularly dangerous day in which Crimson was ambushed by rebels aiming to take her as a hostage, Carri successfully pulled off such a feat of coordination and bravery with only one ruby lost to the rebel side, that she was awarded her very own pearl.
Unusual indeed, Carri took her trip to the reef at which she was only offered pearls with some defect or another, the nacre not seeing her station fit for a perfect pearl, no matter how good a deed she had done. Still delighted, Carri chose Juniper, and went back to work. The two bonded well, working seamlessly as a pair, and Carri often confided in Juniper. Juniper found companionship in Carri, and began to bond with Crimson Sapphire’s pearl as well. All seemed to be going well.
Unfortunately, good things couldn’t last forever, and Crimson Sapphire began to grow envious of Carri’s success and seeming pride in her position, despite being a much lower rank than herself. She began to scheme and plot how to ruin the Ruby’s little success. She eventually decided on luring Juniper away, using a missive she sent specially to him, asking for his help. Once alone with the pearl, she ordered her own pearl to decapitate him. Her pearl hesitated, having known and bonded with juniper, but complied, proofing him instantly.
Crimson sapphire later tossed the pearl far from her station. Carri was devastated, not knowing where her pearl could have possibly gone, and was left with no comfort as the only explanation she received was from Crimson, suggesting that Juniper must have rebelled and run off.
Juniper reformed in an unfamiliar place, with the memories of being looked and betrayed, and couldn’t handle the anger and sorrow he was holding. He fully corrupted into a bird like monster and began flying around the gem colonies nearby. He first stopped at a forge, screaming down the bismuth’s, and quickly snatching a golden Morningstar in his claws before flying off. Second, he visited his old reef. He scrambled, sprinted and flew into the back room and snatched up a pair of pearl shoes made for the fancier models. Third and finally he visited a colonization site and gathered the largest stone he could onto his back.
When Juniper returned to the station, he partially uncorrupted, feeling some relief in the chaotic plan he had formed on his rampage, called out to his friends. First, Carri came out, running as quick as her legs could carry her. She cried at the sight of Junipers state, more pearl like than it had been an hour before but far from gem-like. He offered her the golden morning star and an apology. He asked her to go back inside and tell the sapphire and her pearl that he was here.
the sapphire sent her pearl first, suspicious, and seeing a vague vision of a bad future ahead. When the pearl came out, he offered the shoes and forgiveness, understanding as a pearl himself, that his friend wasn’t the one to blame. He asked the pearl to send out their sapphire.
When the sapphire came out, there seemed to be no gems in sight. And that was all she saw, and high above her had flown Juniper, with his monstrous wings, before dropping the large stone directly onto her, shattering her completely.