[Open] She's never tailed anyone before but is pretty sure it can't be that hard

[diediediediediedie]

[The big question hanging over everything for Peridot was "now what?"

She was stuck in a big human city, ordered to destroy shadow monsters who may or may not pop out at any time with hypothetical powers she has no idea how to use. Most of her own Gem abilities are gone, she has no need of most of the services in the city, and she can't go anywhere.

So what was she meant to do now?

Her training tells her that if she has no idea AT ALL what to do, then she should gather information...but what would that look like? Tracking someone in the hopes that THEY'LL have a clue?

...Yes, apparently. Well, shards.

Perhaps she could tail a likely looking suspect and watch what they do. See if she can catch them working out their powers. It's just a matter of waiting for someone to come by and follow them for a distance.

Of course, that all depends on someone magic walking by...]

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[diediediediediedie]

[Peridot has meant to inspect the mines since she learned about them. She's not quite sure she understands, but it sounds to her like a proto-Kindergarten. Respectable intention to imitate a superior species, if nothing else.

She had picked up an earth fem that seemed to be inert, and analyzing it while sitting somewhat out of the way. She felt the weight of it, moved it in the light, tested it with her tongue...

And then nearly bit it in half when the ground shook.

Of course she was going to need to have it out with the person doing it, marching around the corner with determination]

Do you-!

[She bolted back around the corner and frantically dove behind an outcropping to hide.

It was-

No.

It was Rose-

NO.

It was Rose Quartz-

NO NO NO why was SHE here? Why was she HERE? HOW was she here? If she was alive then what was all that business with the Steven?! What had she lost her ship, her escort, and her informant for? WHY WAS SHE STUCK ON THIS STUPID PLANET?

Was Rose coming around the corner?! Had she seen Peridot!? Was she hidden enough?! What, why, what-?]

[defactodefector]

[The answer to most of those questions is because of magical forces pulling them here, of course, though Peridot would have to actually ask Rose to find out herself- and it's doubtful that she would be very compliant. Being face to face with the leader of a rebel faction that continually messes with your stuff probably isn't a situation that Peridot wants to be in right now, even less than being stuck here.

On the bright side at least, Rose Quartz doesn't seem to have noticed the other Gem. She's too busy practicing, trying to get some level of subtlety and control with her powers. Right now, she's trying to get the hang of something that might come in handy- immobilizing something without hurting it. Making two walls of stone rise up on either side of an object, and press it between them. Unfortunately, every time she tries, the two walls just smash together, and crush whatever object she's trying to keep still.

Rose misses when she didn't destroy everything she touched.]

[diediediediediedie]

[Maybe Peridot hadn't seen what she thought she saw. Maybe the stress of the new environment was getting to her. Maybe if she poked her head around the corner, she's see a totally different giant pink-haired lady. Maybe if she looks again she'll see...

Rose violently smashing things between giant rock walls.

Peridot had been briefed on Rose before she began her tasks on earth. There was no question that she was dangerous: she'd coerced so many Gems to fight and die for such an insignificant planet, she'd upended every plan they had for the planet, set back their progress in every single way.

There was no way she hadn't seen Peridot. This was a message. A warning. Rose was toying with her. Don't interfere or you'll get smashed. How much clearer could she make it?

Peridot couldn't help the little shriek as she shrunk behind the log. Hr only hope was that Rose was going to keep it a warning for now.]

[defactodefector]

[While that's certainly a message Rose would like to convey to Peridot, it wasn't intentional. This time, at least.

She does hear that shriek though, stopping her practice and looking curiously over towards the source. It doesn't look like anyone's there, but...]

If you can hear me, I recommend you leave! There's a very good chance I'll kill you otherwise!

[There! Now if she wasn't imagining it, then whatever poor human happened across her will know how dangerous it is to be here while she's messing with her powers like this! She points back towards the city, and- whoops, she forgot to get her magic back under control and launched a rock in the direction she pointed, near where the source of the voice came from.]

[diediediediediedie]

[She's truly a MONSTER!

It had all been a trick, a manipulation, a ruse to catch her off guard! The sweet tone and kind words might have lead a lesser creature to take a bolder to the gem, but fortunately Peridot was too smart for that. She was a little too close to the impact, however, to avoid having to duck and cover.

When the dust settled, Rose could hear the sound of a mad scramble. Peridot had never heard that Rose had rock powers, but apparently she was a natural deceiver. The only hope now was that Peridot could get away without being seen and chased.

Rose had to be stopped. That was as clear as the gem on Peridot's forehead. She didn't know how, she didn't know when, but she knew there was no one else who understood the danger. They would likely all fall for Rose's tricks.]