Chapter Text
The afternoon sunlight streams into the barn’s living room, casting a warm glow over everything. Lapis Lazuli sits comfortably on her hammock, a human book about the oceans of Earth open in her hands. She’s lost in the description of the underwater life of Earth, completely absorbed in the words on the page.
Across the room, Peridot is surrounded by a cluttered array of gadgets, wires, and metal parts. She’s busy tinkering, her hands moving quickly as she adjusts and assembles various components. The air is filled with the sounds of clinking metal, soft beeps, and the occasional mutter from Peridot.
“These clods!” Peridot grumbles under her breath. “How can something so simple be so infuriatingly flawed?”
She tightens a screw on one of her devices, causing it to emit a high-pitched whirr before falling silent.
Lapis, still focused on her book, sighs softly. “Peridot, could you... maybe keep it down a little? I'm trying to read.”
Peridot glances up briefly. “Sure, Lapis,” she says, barely paying attention as she goes back to her work. “Just need to recalibrate this stabilizer—these Earth components are so... primitive.” Her voice is full of disdain as she mutters, “I don’t understand how these clods accomplish anything with them.”
The noise continues, and Lapis’s concentration begins to waver. She tries to stay focused on her book but finds it increasingly difficult.
“Peridot. Quiet,” Lapis says, her voice a bit more forceful this time, though her eyes remain on the page.
But Peridot, still engrossed in her tinkering, continues to mutter to herself. “Primitive clods... If they just used the correct torque ratios, this would be so much more efficient. But no, they have to complicate everything with their... cloddiness.”
The sounds of metallic clanking grow louder as Peridot adjusts another gadget. Finally, Lapis closes her book with a sharp snap and looks over at Peridot.
“Peridot. You’re being... really loud,” Lapis says, her tone deadpan.
Peridot freezes and looks up, blinking innocently. “Oh, was I? I didn’t even realize,” she says, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. “These pieces of tech they just demand my full attention. And they’re so... *cloddy*.”
Lapis rubs her temples, taking a moment to compose herself. “I get it. Technology is your thing, but... maybe you could work on them somewhere else?”
Peridot’s eyes widen, and she looks a little hurt. “Somewhere else? But this is the best spot for light, and... Lapis, these clods need me. Without my genius, they’d be useless piles of junk.”
Lapis softens her expression but remains firm. “And this book needs me to focus, or I’ll never find out what happens next. Maybe you could... do both? Tinker, but... quieter?”
Peridot thinks about it for a moment, then nods. She gathers her tools and moves to a different part of the barn, the noise reducing to a quiet hum. Lapis opens her book again, a small smile on her face as she finally finds some peace and quiet.
From across the room, Peridot’s voice can still be heard, though much quieter now. “Clods... So noisy, so clumsy... but I’ll show them. I’ll show them all!”
Lapis smirks to herself, shaking her head slightly before diving back into her book, the atmosphere now calm and serene.
The peaceful atmosphere in the barn is suddenly disrupted by a loud *BOOM* from the other side of the barn. Lapis jerks up from her book, eyes wide, as smoke starts to drift into the room. She hears hurried, uneven footsteps approaching.
Peridot bursts into the room, her bright green skin now smudged with ashes and soot. Her visor sits crooked on her head, and her hair is frizzed, with a few strands slightly singed. She coughs, trying to wave away the smoke clinging to her.
“Why in the *stars* would humans put flammable liquid in their engines?!” Peridot exclaims, her voice full of frustration. “It’s so... *illogical*! If they had used a stable, non-combustible power source, this never would’ve happened!”
Lapis looks at her, trying to hide the amusem*nt on her face as she slowly closes her book and places it on the side table.
“Peridot... what did you do?” Lapis asks, though the smile tugging at her lips shows she already has an idea.
Peridot huffs, planting her hands on her hips. “I was trying to improve that ridiculous Earth engine! It was supposed to be a simple enhancement! But no—apparently, Earth technology insists on using volatile, unstable liquids that combust at the slightest provocation!”
She gestures emphatically, sending a small puff of soot into the air. Lapis finally can’t hold back a chuckle.
“So, what did we learn?” Lapis asks, her grin growing.
Peridot crosses her arms, pouting. “That humans are clods with no concept of safety! Who uses flammable liquids in a device meant to create motion? It’s inefficient, reckless, and—” She pauses, noticing Lapis’s soft laughter. “—and it’s not funny, Lapis!”
“Maybe not for you,” Lapis giggles. “But you have to admit, Peridot, you’re kind of... combustible yourself.”
Peridot frowns, but after a moment, the corners of her mouth twitch as if she’s trying to resist a smile. “Fine. Maybe it was a little... explosive. But I’m still right about the clods!”
“Of course you are,” Lapis says playfully. “Now, why don’t we get you cleaned up before you blow anything else up?”
Peridot sighs but nods, still grumbling under her breath as she heads off to clean up. Lapis watches her go, shaking her head with a smile before picking up her book again. The barn is peaceful once more... for now.
