[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...]

Comments

[diediediediediedie]

[Crossed arms and raised eyebrow. This human is making no sense at all.]

Did this city bring us here to clean up it's trash or fight monsters? Surely the other humans look down upon you for such menial work. [Like she is doing, right now? If she did this the other Gems would think she was completely cracked.

It did not escape her notice that he responded to her presence in a way that suggested he knew what she was. Not that she could be sure of that, but it was a vital piece of the puzzle.]

Whatever you need the money for, this city should be providing.

[panspermia]

Well... sure they are, I guess. [But he's used to that.] But it seems like everyone's looking down on us from the start, aren't they? May as well do my best to clean up the place we're wrecking.

[He deposits the garbage into a large plastic bag, shrugging. He doesn't want to keep staring, but he sure doesn't feel comfortable taking his eyes off her, either.]

Oh yeah, all the basics're taken care of, they're good on that. I'm trying to save up for a little something extra, though, y'know? It's the extra stuff that keeps you going, after all. A hot dog's no fun without some condiments.

[diediediediediedie]

But why would you cultivate that attitude? Not that I think this would be beneath you, but surely there are other clods around here lower than you who would pick up the garbage! Why take on the task willingly?

[He keeps staring at her, which she thinks might be something humans aren't supposed to do? She has no idea, really, but he seems uncomfortable which is a fair hint.]

I don't know what a "hot dog" is, but it seems to me they should be rewarding those of us who fight us by providing everything we require!

[panspermia]

Mmm. I see where you're coming from, yeah, but I'm not much for fighting, anyway. [He stoops to grab a couple cigarette butts.] Sometimes, when people already have an idea about you, it's better to just let them think what they want, and do your own thing. Takes the pressure off.

[He pauses, considering her for just a moment, before making a decision. He may as well give it a shot.]

More importantly, we have to get you properly educated on your frankfurters.

[diediediediediedie]

So...they underestimate you and leave themselves open for when you choose to strike? Surprising. I didn't think humans were capable of that sort of strategizing.

[Missing the irony in that statement completely.]

...Explain. What's a furter and why is it frank?

[panspermia]

Not... exactly what I meant.

[Well, if anything, that makes him all the more sure he's got the right idea about her.]

Oh, you know. Frankness gets the furter further. [Heh heh. Jokes, right? No? Okay. He clears his throat.] It's food. You've never had any before, have you?

[diediediediediedie]

[She just...studies him. Is this another human survival tactic, to babble nonsense at a superior being in hopes of confusing them? Humans are trickier than she thought.]

Food...That's the substance you humans must put in your mouth to live, correct?

[panspermia]

Yeah! That's the stuff. And it tastes good, too!

[diediediediediedie]

Ugh...it seems so...inefficient as an energy source!

[She pulls a face at the thought. The whole process seems disgusting.

...And this seems like a clever distraction of some kind, but Peridot can't quite figure out what his game is. Close monitor should reveal the cracks in his plan as well as solve the problem of WHO IS HE SHE IS SURE SHE'S SEEN HIM BEFORE AAAAAAGH.]

[panspermia]

Hey, whatever works, works! I'm not gonna make you try anything, but I sure as hey enjoy it.

[He gives his gut a little bit of a pat to emphasize.]

Name's Greg, by the way. You're new around here?

[diediediediediedie]

Humans have to spend so much time taking care of their body meat. How do you get anything done?

[Ugh, it's trying to be friendly.]

Peridot. And yes. I am currently on a fact-finding mission regarding the magic in this place.

[panspermia]

One thing at a time, I guess. [He's not exactly someone to go to for advice on productivity.

He falters at the name. Peridot. Isn't that... didn't Steven mention...? Isn't she one of the ones who came to--?!]

Mission, huh... Hah... I think a lot of us would like to know more about it. It, uh. Doesn't quite work like back home, does it...?

[diediediediediedie]

No, it doesn't.

[Teeth gritted. Hands clinched. She is very much aware, thank you. She's not really talking to HIM at this point.]

I can't believe I'm being forced to rely on magic again when I have perfectly good tech! Haven't Gem kind evolved beyond this?! FAR beyond this? I don't even know what I'm supposed to HAVE now and I sure can't USE what I don't KNOW-!

[She will go on and on if she is allowed.]

[panspermia]

[Greg stands there for a while, awkwardly letting the confirmed Gem go off. He clears his throat, once or twice, to no apparent acknowledgement. Being honest, he's less and less certain he even wants to bring her attention back to him, going off of what Steven said.

...You know what, maybe it's for the best she gets it all out. Maybe she'll feel better after a good rant.

........He goes back to picking up garbage.]

[diediediediediedie]

[Peridot runs out or interest far sooner than she runs out of things to say. She realizes that she'd completely lost sight of why she came over here.]

What do they call you?

[panspermia]

Huh? [It took him a second to realize she was actually talking to him properly again.]

Oh, uh... Greg, usually. Heh, or Mr. Universe, if you want.

[diediediediediedie]

[Swift as always, human.]

Then tell me, Greg, what is your rank among humans?

[Low, right? Has to be pretty low.]

[panspermia]

Ah... ha. Humans don't exactly have ranks, Peridot.

[But yes it is pretty low.]

[diediediediediedie]

Don't they?

[Humans were odd. Asking for a serial number wouldn't mean much to her either.

...Maybe she was playing the wrong game.]

Look- Just- Who are you!? Why do you seem so familiar!?

[panspermia]

Familiar...?

[After a second, Greg's mouth presses in to a hard line. So, it really is her, then? There's only one possible connection between the two of them.]

You're probably mistaking me for someone else.

[diediediediediedie]

[The human is making a face that she can't quite read, but it isn't a happy one. There MUST be a reason.]

I know I'm not! What are you hiding?

[panspermia]

Yeah. You probably met my son.

[She probably doesn't even know what that means, but he's just being obtuse out of spite.]

[diediediediediedie]

...Son. Son. So-o-o-o-o-n...

[She clearly has NO IDEA what the word means. She gives it a bit more play and...]

You own the yellow dwarf that powers your planet!?

[panspermia]

[SIGH. Just because he's not surprised doesn't mean he can't be exasperated.]

No. My kid. Steven.

[diediediediediedie]

...Steven? You're connected with the Steven?! Are you some kind of Big Steven?!

[It makes sense why they look so alike: They're the same species! Apparently the younger ones are called "kids," but that's simply trivia.]