[ In the midst of all this blizzard nonsense and magic going haywire, it'd be understandable if Lapis hasn't had time to visit her new bonded in the infirmary. Peridot being barely conscious the whole time, she definitely hasn't noticed the absence anyway.
They probably haven't spoken in a few weeks. That's just how sick Peridot has been. But she's finally on the mend now, so as soon as she's able, she wastes no time picking up her watch and dialing Lapis for a video call. She stares intently at the little screen, holding it right up to her face, waiting for an answer. ]
Yo- [Is Peridot's first, unaffected response. However the moment that she sees that it's Peridot, her face is immediately all too close to the screen. It's like. A quarter of her nose, and mostly her eye!]
[ Peridot instinctively leans back from the camera a little, as if that'll give her a better view of Lapis's face. ]
In a manner of speaking, yes. [ Her voice is still pretty croaky sounding, but she looks better than she has at any other point in the last few weeks. ] Where are you?
[Peridot blinks owlishly, unsure of how to react to this sudden deluge of concern.]
They said I was out for several weeks. [She murmurs this, then trails off, contemplating a moment... Until a thought hits her like a bolt from the blue, and True Fear spreads her face ] Oh my stars MY PLANTS! Lapis PLEASE tell me you've been taking care of my plants!!!
Of course I took care of the plants! And I still am! [That is, quite literally, the least of her concerns right now?? The camera shifts back to mostly nose and eye.]
I'm more worried about you than the plants, though! Tell me how you're feeling!
[ The immediate relief.... Peridot sags, the spark of anxiety that was threatening to engulf her instantly snuffed out once she hears that her hoard is, in fact, safe and intact. ]
Like I've been unconscious for several weeks under the influence of a disgusting organic disease. [ She can't really muster the energy for anything other than a deadpan response. Also, she still sounds stuffed up. More nasally than usual. ] So, not great, if I'm being completely honest?
Well... make them fix it? [Lapis, quite frankly, still doesn't understand organic diseases! They're not a thing for Gems!] Seriously. It's weird being here by myself!
Well... Actually, it's just me and Pumpkin. I haven't seen Steven in awhile. [Which makes her really uncomfortable! Pumpkin is great and all, but she can't really hold a rousing conversation. ]
[It.. probably takes Lapis longer than it might had she had her original powers. Or even just the ability to move snow out of the way! The problem is she doesn't, and even she's got problems trying to wade through all the snow!
Which means when she does inevitably get to Peridot, she's... freezing cold. Not that she cares, but Peridot might inevitably, should the dragon feel like touching her.
Thankfully, Pumpkin was just having a Grand Old Time bouncing in the snow. She barks immediately once she sees Peridot!]
Sorry, the snow was deeper than I thought. It's.. pretty hard walking around everywhere.
[ In the time it takes for Lapis to get there, Peridot has withdrawn somewhat back into her sick den. It's not a drastic return, but with no one familiar around and her body still feeling generally weak from the combination of illness and the cold weather, huddling under a thick duvet swiped from one of the dorms seems like the only acceptable way to pass the time.
When she spots the pair of them though, the force of the surge of enthusiasm coming in over their bond might just bowl Lapis right over. She sits up with the blanket still draped over her head, snagged up on her horns. ]
Pumpkin!
[ Peridot flings her arms open to beckon the gourd over to her grasp, not yet realizing that she too is probably hideously cold to the touch, from bounding through the snow. She also looks at Lapis with puzzlement. ]
I haven't been outside. There's really that much snow?
[It... does make her trip. Just a little bit, feeling that enthusiasm come at her full force. Thankfully she catches herself, stopping just shy of Peridot's sick bed.
Pumpkin shows no such restraint however, bounding right up onto said sick bed and nestling her entirely too cold gourd body against Peridot. Who receives slimy, cold, pumpkin kisses.]
There's a lot. Also wow, more excited to see Pumpkin than me, huh? I see how it is.
Hey! I'm happy to see you too, I just-- EEEYYYYAGH!
[ That sound is the noise Peridot makes when Pumpkin's ice-cold hull bumps up against her bare scales. She shudders and goes rigid, gritting her teeth in a startled grimace. The little veggie dog feels like ice. ]
[Thanks for the best possible payback, Pumpkin! Who is, completely unaware that she's frigid and Peridot Hates It! At least Lapis kind of gets it. Sort of.
It didn't used to bother me like this! Ugh... The witches here think it's another side effect of being a dragon...
[ While she complains, she bundles pumpkin up under a portion of her duvet so she can hold her without having to directly touch her COLD, COLD BODY. She looks down at the dog with a rueful expression. ]
[Remember that space that Peridot had previously had, because Lapis was being nice? It's gone. She's basically hovering over Pumpkin (And Peridot now).
Peridot will get the a far too mischevous hint, before Lapis just. Plaps her freezing cold hands to Peridot's neck like she's seen done on TV!]
That's a vine reference that implies a reaction to this treachery much, much calmer than the one that Peridot actually winds up having, which is to squeal at the top of her lungs and try to bat Lapis's hand away with an offended hiss. Her wings flare out involuntarily, making the duvet fly up briefly as the dragon topples over to the side. ]
[Too bad?? Lapis thinks it's hilarious, she's laughing and snorting up a storm, trying to get words out that just kind of end in giggles and more snorting.
At least! She's in a good mood!
Pumpkin, however, barks at the sudden change in lighting, getting stuck under the duvet!
[ Luckily the magic of their bond lets Peridot feel some of Lapis's mirth, so she doesn't react in quite as humorless of a manner as her draconic instincts might otherwise compel her to do. Violence may well have occurred, otherwise.
She's still EXTREMELY annoyed, though. Righting herself with a huff, she scowls at the other gem. Lapis doesn't get it? Lapis doesn't have to deal with the discomfort and drawbacks of having her body turn half organic. It's not funny that Peridot has to!
She frees Pumpkin from the duvet again and pulls her into her lap, hunching up and hugging the gourd while she waits for Lapis to stop. ]
That's easy for you to say! You don't have to struggle to maintain your own internal body temperature! It's the worst! This cold weather makes me feel all... Weak. It makes me feel like I'm weak, dull, lumpy clumpy sluggish clod!
[ She frowns, resettling her blankets. Despite all the complaints, she's being more just... Sulky, rather than being actually mad at Lapis. ]
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