2664/Even gems must rest.

Even gems must rest.
Date of Scene:	22 July 2015
Location:	Gem Warship <GW>
Synopsis:	Pushed to the point of exhaustion, Peridot finally takes a break and converses with Ferham.
Cast of Characters:	516, 836

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Peridot (836) has posed:
    "And.. then another one.. here... yes yes." Peridot hunched over a piece of machinery. It looked like it was a small gem attached some coils and circuits. Likely extracted from an injector. One she had deconstructed at the citadel. Though deconstructed was not the right word- more like, she had lost her temper and utterly destroyed the machine when it had zapped her during a short circuit.

    But now, Peridot was too tired to be angry. Her diamond shaped hair was completely wilted. Long and light green, almost white. It hung around her shoulders to her chest and shoulder blades. Dark green circles adorned her eyes and she continually muttered to herself. "Not my job.. Oh yeah just leave a robonoid to it. Useless. Little.. spiders."

Ferham (516) has posed:
     Ferham had gotten over the little... mishap with the robonoid around Peridot a few days earlier, and since she'd been invited to help around the gem woman's ship and possibly help repair a few things the femmebot agreed. She found the homeworld gem in her room apparently working still, tirelessly at something. Fer had to feel a bit bad herself, as she had been somewhat high strung and stressed about things herself before, quite many a time. The sounds of heels clicking might alert the gem to Ferham's presence as she approached from behind, laying a pair of hands against her shoulders in what felt like a massage.

     "You know, I've heard that rest and recuperation can assist with the ability to make proper decisions and heighten mental acuity," Ferham was likely trying to help calm and sooth the gem, it would appear.

Peridot (836) has posed:
    "Rest, haha.." She laughed, without even turning to face Ferham. "Gems.. Gems don't need sleep." Though whether or not she needed sleep was debatable. It was certainly true that gems needed to rest every now and then. But little sparks flew from her fingertips as she zapped the gem on her table, seemingly separating it from the coils.

    "Entire... fate of gem kind on my shoulders. Can't let them blink out. I'm not going to spend the rest of my time stuck on this.. miserable little ball of dirt and mud.. as the only gem in existence. Not going to happen, nope. Not at all. Heh.. heh..." She grinned weakly, hunching over her table even more. "Funny, when you think about it."

    "Funny.. funny.. funny. Besides, what would I do? Sit around? What's more important than this? Nothing really. Nothing is the answer." One thing was certain, the gem woman was getting really unhinged.

Ferham (516) has posed:
     "It's far from little, unfortunately, though in some ways that's a good thing," Ferham continued rubbing her shoulders, thankfully with what felt like her bare hands, she wasn't wearing her gloves. "I mean you should rest for a short while and then resume your activities, is all, it's fairly well known one can miss things when they are tired," she removed one hand from the gem's shoulder to idly fix and sift through the green hair. "And a bit of a... freshening up might help," she tried to say this in a gentle as possible tone, keeping her voice neutral. She likely didn't want to just flat out say Peridot looked like she needed a shower.

Peridot (836) has posed:
    For a moment Peridot's shoulders stiffened. It was almost like all at once, she woke up to Ferhams presence. She was talking directly to her, and hadn't quite realized she wasn't alone in her room anymore. But the tension soon evaporated as she relaxed her shoulder blades. She was completely unaccustomed to anyone touching her, but everything in her physical form ached. She'd been going non-stop since her arrival. Hadn't taken a single moment and it'd been nearly two weeks since she found herself here. A majority of that time had been spent repairing the warship and cleaning it up.

    She took off her visor, and rubbed her eyes with her floaty fingers. She pushed aside any thought of objecting, or stopping Ferham. After all, she had reprogrammed her to assist in her endeavors. She was no more than an automation in Peridot's eyes. An automation that was currently at least succeeding in removing the tension from her back. "Freshening..." She pulled idle at her own hair, noticing perhaps for the first time that it no longer maintained its diamond shape, before letting it go. She supposed it may have been true. She did have to meet with Tesla and Souji. If her game had changed, if she had to maintain alliances now. She was not doing her cause any favors by looking like she'd fallen into the reactor core and got spit out the other side. "Ugh... maybe you're right."

Ferham (516) has posed:
     "There you go, see, just need to relax," Ferham laid both hands back down against Peridot's shoulders and worked her fingers into her shoulders (which, at this point she had assumed was at least organic, unlike her hands and feet) and increased the strength of her fingers just a little. She wanted to heighten the relaxation, after all. "Yes, you know... do you have any shower unit in this ship? something where you can clean up and relax? Maybe a bath? I could draw you one if so," she nodded a little, not stopping what she was doing for the time being, either.

     "You've been rather busy of late, and you don't want to overextend yourself or burn yourself out... so to speak," she used a soothing, calm tone of voice here, which sounded a little husky thanks to Fer's deep voice.

Peridot (836) has posed:
    Peridot's shoulders felt soft and biological to the touch, the same way human flesh felt. They were soft even if riddled with stress. Though her physical form was an illusion of light and mass, it embodied who she was.
    "Gem physical form maintenance room." Peridot raised her hand some and makes a little flick with her finger. The wall to the far right suddenly starts glowing, and then just as suddenly it fades away. This reveals a station not completely dissimilar from a human bathing room. It contained a vertical transparent container, this was the only thing that looked like it could be a bath tub. There as also a sink, and various care-products to maintain physical forms and their appearance.
    She began to pack away her work on the injector components, cleaning her work space meticulously. "I should hope you're smart enough to riddle out filling the cleansing tank."

Ferham (516) has posed:
     "Ooh, forgot this ship had that feature," Fer muttered under her breath, sounding as if she had been just a bit surprised by that, but was fairly casual in her reaction. Stepping back from the gem woman, she peered at the vertical device, raiisng a brow, likely. "Huh, doesn't seem to command much privacy, does it have a... tinting option, or?" this might also be the first time Peridot is able to see Ferham with her armor off at this point, as well. Yes, Ferham didn't wear it all the time, and the indoorsey area of the ship not built for her kind had likely coaxed it off.

     Ferham was standing in what looked like a green leotard, black tights and a pair of matching green heels, a lighter shade, closer to Peridot's. While unconventional for ship repair, it definitely seemed like something Fer would wear. Her long black hair swept back and down her shoulders. She was indeed not wearing her normal clawed gloves, either. Her nails seemed to be painted green and just an inch or so long.

Peridot (836) has posed:
    Peridot looked her over, it was the first time she had took notice of Ferhams appearance since she came in and she noticed the abundance of green clothing the reploid had adopted. That was... strange. Peridots brows pressed down some. Was that a quirk of her reploid programming? Her own robonoids were programmed to obey her, but they didn't try to emulate her. But, then again there was a lot about how humans made their robots she didn't understand. For the time being she brushed it aside.

    "Privacy? I'm already in my room." She went on. She did after all, view Ferham as little more than an upgraded Robonoid. The same way one wouldn't be bothered by undressing in front of a toaster.

Ferham (516) has posed:
     "Alright, fair enough," Ferham bent down and would go over the device and it's controls, eventually ascertaining how it worked and how to operate it after a few short moments. Fer still seemed more or less herself, though she did seem to be paying Peridot a lot more attention than she had been before, that was true. The outfit was... well, someone had said the best form of flattery was imitation, right? she'd even switched her usual red lipstick for a shade of green.

     "It should be ready for you to enter now, I'll just be over here, yell if you need anything," she gave a little grin and stepped aside, moving back to where Peridot was working, but not touching anything, yet.

Peridot (836) has posed:
    Peridot got up and approached the tank as it filled with water. The constant cleaning and maintinence required to keeping a physical form exhausted her. But, she needed it, otherwise she'd be forever stuck as a immobile sentient gem. At the very least the process had been stream lined.
    Undressing for her, was a more involved process than with the typical gem which could shed their clothes as simply as one shed a glove. But, Peridot was unlike other gems. First she knelt down and pressed a button on her boots just at her knees. This appeared to cause the boot to loosen up and release her limb. She steps out of it, revealing that her leg seemed to suddenly end about midway down her calf. The gem on her forehead began to glow, and soon a translucent foot began to form in front of her. When it was finished she hovers it down and it seemingly attaches itself to the end of her leg.
    She repeated the process with her other leg. Until she what appeared to be two normal functioning legs, complete with toes. The transparent feet glowed gently. She then removed the casings on her forearms. Though, like her legs, her arms ended where a wrist would be. Though unlike her feet, she had no need to create a false hand- her fingers merely continued to hover around the end of her wrist.

Ferham (516) has posed:
     While Fer hadn't intended to spy on Peridot while she bathed, but to say that she hadn't been a bit curious about the gem's physiology would be a lie. She turned about halfway to see Peridot's limbs apparently forming from underneath the boots and such she wore, watching the process. "So you have prosthetics...?" she asked, watching the gem woman, and commenting a bit on it, turning to face the tank more or less fully now. It was a bit unusual, she thought, though she hadn't seen many more gem homeworlders, a few things about Peridot seemed... cybernetic.

     While she didn't want to pry, she seemed to be resisting the urge to ask what those things were all about. And of course not bothering to turn away exactly, Peridot hadn't seemed to mind Fer being in there, after all.

Peridot (836) has posed:
"This form is more efficient than one I could project for myself, allowing me access to superior technology than what my gem is capable of creating. Such as it is, when I shed my armor, I can project temporary replacements." She went on, wiggling her toes. Then she reached up and unbuttoned her body suit. With a simple enough gesture it fell to the ground revealing Peridot's petite green body.
    
    She reached forward and opened the container to the tank. It looked like the water may have poured out, but some invisible force seemed to hold it within. This allowed Peridot to walk through it and then close the door behind her.

Ferham (516) has posed:
     "Huh, interesting device--does it manipulate gravity, or is the solution itself controlled by it?" Ferham still had questions, even though she was more or less standing there watching this the whole time. Curiosity didn't seem to be squelched even though she was kind of being rude, here. She walked closer and studied the nature of it, walking around the tank and peering at it from every angle, less so it's occupant. "Strange... well, if you desire I could wait outside until you are finished, you must need some time to relax," she then stepped back and seemed like she'd be going.

     "I'd been thinking about the other day, however... I think you may be a bit naive about just how much us synthetics can feel, I was... a bit upset when you stepped on that robonoid, I must ask if we're to work together you refrain from casual cruelty like that, if you please," her green eyes turned toward Peridot's face.

Peridot (836) has posed:
    Peridot seemed to melt into the hot water. The water level went to her shoulders and she momentarily dunked her head underwater and soaked her hair. It floated effortlessly in the water around her. Little streams poured a green solution into the tank, giving it a light tint. It was possible it was some manner of cleaning agent. Peridot listened distantly, far too indulged in her bath to consider Ferams question about how the water was contained. She didn't care much to explain it for the moment. "Ah..." She smiled gently.

    As Ferham began speaking about the other day, her gentle smile turned into a somewhat disconcerted frown. As she lazily opened one eye to see the reploid circling her tank. "Upset? I really do have to have words with whoever programmed you. Stepping on a robonoid is like stepping on a bug."

    At Ferhams request, Peridot's other eye opened halfway. "How about this? I'll be the one giving orders around here. My robonoids are made to be disposable. I'll destroy as many as I please."

Ferham (516) has posed:
     "If it simply contained no intelligence at all, I'd be able to look past it, but your constructs seem to possess a low sort of intelligence, almost like an animal--and I dislike cruelty to those as well as fully sentient constructs," Ferham said with a conviction of tone that seemed like an admittal. When Peridot opened that eye of hers and peered directly at Ferham, she seemed surprised, almost--taking a step back with a click-clack of those heels she was wearing.

     "I see, I thought perhaps you'd honor my request, but," she left the words hanging there as if she had nothing more to say on the matter. She did watch as the solution seemed to... leech off some of her green color, however. "Odd..."

Peridot (836) has posed:
    "These little quirks in your programming can certainly be aggravating." She commented offhandedly. The water started swirling around her, and the green solution was drained replaced again by crystal clear water. The difference now was Peridot's body was practically shining. It possessed a healthy glow visible through the water. Even the bags under her eyes had faded.

    "I may have to run a few experiments on you later to ascertain the reasoning behind this persistent care." Peridot began to ponder what exactly her algorithm had changed about Ferham. She knew what it was designed to do, go in and replace memories with those that inspired loyalty. But she had no easy way of knowing which memories it created. She didn't know what Ferhams 'ideal' Peridot acted like.

    But at the same time, she also didn't care. The loyalty was just a mask to obscure the real reprogramming. So she wouldn't question exactly 'why' she was doing Peridot's bidding.

Ferham (516) has posed:
     "Hmm...interesting. So it is some kind of leeching process, or some kind of polishing solution?" Ferham blinked, speaking mostly to herself even as Peridot talked about her and her programming openly like that, right in front of her. "I didn't have a real programmer originally, the software and neural net hardware was created by a scientist long dead in my world's history, we are then allowed to develop as we will when we're rolled out of our creation pods," Ferham shook her head. "You keep thinking I was created by an individual who was my owner, not how it worked in my world," she looked away briefly, heels tapping at the floor, taking a few steps around the tank.

     "You see, I'm not some kind of mindless machine, so I take offense when other machines are treated as such, that's all," she peered back towards the bench, then at the tank again.

Peridot (836) has posed:
Slowly the water began to drain around Peridot, dissappearing into holes on the ground. Peridot began to listen carefully as Ferham insisted on her own sentience. She didn't say anything at first, merely pointed at the wall, where there hung a towel. "Fetch my towell." She instructed.

Ferham (516) has posed:
     Ferham stood there for a moment, blinking, before her expression resumed more of a calm and dubious sort of expression, right now she was giving Peridot an expression like, 'are you for real?' before she turned and strutted off to return with said towel. "You are fortunate that I happen to like you so much," she said with a bit of a purring tone, which might seem like she was being a bit mischievous with Peridot almost, standing there with the towel draped over one of her arms.

Peridot (836) has posed:
    "Not mindless?" Peridot stepped out, and took the towel, first she began to dry her hair. "Stand on one leg." She started in an informal tone as she wrung out the water from her light green locks. She then wrapped the towel around her midsection and made her way over to a large mirror. Where she lifted a strange looking device that soon revealed itself to be a gem version of a blow-dryer. She began to dry her hair out.

    "Once you've done that, spin three times while balancing on one foot. Then jump up and down exactly three times. Then tell me your favorite quality about me." Peridot didn't watch directly as she gave the bizarre instructions, though she could see Ferham in her mirror.

Ferham (516) has posed:
     "Please, on a slippery surface while I'm wearing heels? Standing on one leg would be quite dangerous, even if I /do/ possess excellent balance and poise," Ferham raised a brow and then smirked a little, a hand on her hip. The next series of instructions is met with a blank expression for a moment as she processed that. "I... have no idea why you'd want me to do that, but I do confess I have little data about the customs on your homeworld," Ferham was however approaching Peridot from behind, as she could see in the mirror, heels clicking.

     "However, favorite quality? it would have to be this hair," Ferham purred and reached up, her fingers combing through that rather long set of green tresses of Peridot's, helping to comb it back as she dried her hair off.

Peridot (836) has posed:
    This gave Peridot some pause. She hadn't out-right refused the order, but she hadn't complied either. This put Peridot a little on edge. Was her reprogramming not complete? Did Ferhams security systems somehow bypass Peridot's modifications? If she could chose to not comply with this order, would she not comply with a more serious order? Peridot couldn't let this slip by. She didn't know what Ferham was capable of, if she broke free of the chains Peridot had put around her.

    Peridot had to know in no uncertain terms she was still safe. She turned and looked at her. "Do the other things first." She squinted. "And no back talk. Then you may resume."

Ferham (516) has posed:
     "Oh, if you insist," Ferham sounded only mildly annoyed, stepping back from Peridot's fluffy green hair to raise one knee, standing on one foot, looking like some kind of cocktail waitress ballarina as she spun around practically expertly on one of those green heels of hers. Then she jumped up and down exactly three times, the sound like a tapdancer jumping rope. "Well then, if you are quite satisfied," Ferham returned to the gem woman's side, peering at her. "You might want to use a shampoo and conditioner next time, just some advice," she winked.

Peridot (836) has posed:
    Peridot let out a small sigh. Good. She had been worried there for a moment. She turned her back to Ferham again and looked into the mirror. "The solution in the water cleans my hair far better than any earth-bound chemicals." She said with a tone of some disdain. "It's specifically enhanced to provide gem-bodies with the nutrients, oils and silkiness they need for flawless hair and skin. The humans may as well be bathing in creeks and rivers with salty animal fat.. or whatever it is soap is made of- compared to what I use."

    She ran her fingers through her own hair then picks up her visor from the counter and begins polishing it. "Not to mention it will keep me clean for days to come, provided I don't overly expose myself to earths abundant supply of mud."

Ferham (516) has posed:
     "Understood," Peridot might feel the tips of Ferham's fingertips and nails as they casually brush down the very center of her back, around her spine--just gentle enough to give her a little shiver up it. "Well, maybe we can have some small talk later in your quarters once you've dried off, I think I'd like that," she nodded, smirking a little. She seemed a bit more in control or confident than she had been, though she was still heeding Peridot, mostly.

     "Reminds me, next time we're at the citadel we should use one of the computers to get you a weapon fashioned maybe, I think a pair of swords would be fitting for you," two blades, like a preying mantis? Was it all the green? Hrm.

Peridot (836) has posed:
    She holds up her hand. "My fingers can form a blaster, when I am in a pickle. Though I prefer to put myself in situations where I don't need to use it." As the last bit of her hair was brushed out, Peridot went about the trying task of styling it back into its perfect tetrahedron. However she did so with practiced effort that made short work of her once wilted hair.

    Once everything once done, closed her eyes for a moment. Her gem began to glow, and under her towel a bright line shone. She then removed her towel, to reveal that she had formed a fresh pair of clothes for herself. She then put her visor back over her face and walked over to he armored boots and legs. Dissappating her projected feet, she stepped into them one at a time.

    "Leave me, for now. I will rest for the moment and then return to the command bridge."