Devious Fanatics

Fandom: Steven Universe (All Human AU)

Pairing: Pearl/Rose Ruby/Sapphire 

CH1 (pt1/2)

The busy streets of Empire City wasn't a new scene for her.

It was noisy, it was dark and it was alive even in the wee hours of the morning. Yet, today , the echoes of the cars that passed by the street sounded scarce and distant from her skyscraper office. And among many buildings, her office was one of those floor that was still illuminated in the wee hours of the morning of a weekend.

She was huddled over her desk since last night, papers stacked her once tidy desk. She had been signing and studying contracts that needed to be done over the weekend. Not that she minded... She didn't have any plans for the weekend anyway, and running a multi-billion dollar company doesn't mean she can slack off anytime. She had to work harder than ever, and yet here she was, staring into space, having finished everything before the sun rose.

She sighed, rubbing her face in exhaustion. She took a glance at her desk, papers now stacked nicely for her secretary to pick-up. Her gaze lingered momentarily on an overturned picture frame, reaching for it tentatively, however; like clockwork, her secretary knocked.

“Garnet, come in”

The door opened slightly, “Good morning--” She paused to look at Pearl and her desk. “Have you been at it since yesterday, Pearl?”   Garnet made her way towards Pearl’s desk, she sets down a cup of Pearl’s favourite coffee.

“No, just started it last night, I didn't have anything better to do anyway” Pearl replied; taking a sip of the hot coffee. She hummed in appreciation. “That’s one good coffee. Thank you Garnet.”

“You know, Pearl. Sapphy and Ruby wouldn't like it if I told them you're working yourself too hard these days,” She pointed to Pearl’s disheveled look. Pearl took the hint,compared to Garnet’s smart look, in dress shirt and slacks, she was looking horrible.

“You don't need to tell them” replied Pearl as she adjust her collar and straighten her dress-shirt.

“Aunt Pearl, you know how they are” moaned Garnet. Pearl chuckled.

“I know how your parents are, Garnet. It just doesn’t seem necessary for you to tell them every little detail about my work-a-holic life, you know?”

“Well, they do insist that I keep an eye on you while I’m interning here” she gave Pearl a soft smile. “Besides, who would look out for you if not me?”

“Ever the adult, you should slow down, you’re growing up way to fast!” exclaimed Pearl and both shared a laugh, then there was just a short comfortable silence.

Pearl took one more sip of the coffee, and cradled it in her hands. “Is there anything else important we need to discuss?” she gave a soft look to Garnet.

“Oh, right! You have a charity event in Beach City this coming weekend”

“Beach City… huh?” Pearl expressed a longing, something Garnet barely missed.

“I remember, Ruby telling me a lot about Beach City” Garnet piqued.

Pearl gazed out the window.“Yes, they were, great memories” she turned her attention back to Garnet, a sad smile on her pale lips.

“Well, the arrangements are already in order, and you needn’t worry about anything”

“I know you’ve handled everything well, you may leave now”

Garnet turned to leave. “Pearl?” But Pearl did not seem to hear her. She pursed her lips in thought but sighed in defeat. If something was bothering Pearl, Garnet knew Pearl will come to her in her own time. She walked out the office without a second glance.

----

Beach City.

Ever the paradise.   Pearl thought as her car sped down the nostalgic boardwalk. Glistening sea and clear blue skies, it seemed like nothing changed in this small town.

Her car slowed down as a crowd of people gathered around her car. Her driver opened the door and she was greeted by flashing lights. Reporters. She pressed forward ignoring the screams and the annoying questions. Soon, she was standing in the podium, Beach City’s infamous Beach Stadium, where almost everything is held. Though she had been here before, a closer look made her realize, a lot seemed to change. There were more people, there were more buildings and more tourist. She could barely count them now in her hands.

20 years is a lot of time.

As she was standing before the podium, looking at some familiar faces in the crowd, like Kiki Pizza, her dad, Kofi, and Nanefua Pizza, who looks a lot older than when they were younger. And there was Vidalia, who seemed to hold a son? Oh, Barbara is ever the same and Bill, still look like when she left. Pearl shook her head. Focus.

The crowd’s cheer soon settled down. She gave them short eye contact and started her speech.

“There goes a famous saying “Charity begins at home.” It’s not enough to contribute good and money to the charitable organizations alone. If your own mother is lying on the bed and you do not serve her and instead are interested in helping a charitable organization, you surely do not understand the true meaning of charity. A charity free from any selfish motives is charity in true sense of the term.”

Pearl looked at the crowd, seemingly satisfied with their eager reactions. She continued. “I came here to Beach City, because it has been part of my life. Beach City has been my home. The people here had been a part of me and are the reasons why I’m standing on top of the world right now. Pearl Gems Corporation’s motto is  ‘Every gem counts’. It doesn't mean that these gems pertain to our products, but to our own as well, we treasure our people, our employees as gems and they are in need of delicate care. That’s why we have started Little Gems Association, because we believe want to take care of our employees and that extends to their family and friends. We believe that children are our future and we haven’t seen enough of them grow because of the rising economy, you can only find them in Empire City, London, Paris, Europe but not in small towns like Beach City. We believe that children even in small places like this needs a touch of delicate care and be polished to be diamonds. Learning is the key, improving themselves and preparing them for the future is our oath. This association is founded to make education free to locals we have the establishments in, because you support our corporation, and now we are giving back to you, people of Beach City. Thank you” Pear gave a short curt and went down the stage, people giving her big applauses and whistle. The crowd followed her to the newly built establishment, a school, one of the biggest in Beach City.

Her assistant, Garnet, presented her with the ceremonial pearl white scissors and she proceeded to cut the dangling red ribbon. Everyone cheered. “Welcome to Pearl Beach Elementary”

Pearl waved the people to go inside and slowly she started to blend with them and eventually, pulling herself out for some alone time. She went out back,  from the distance she could hear the MC, Jamie, “So without further ado, let’s start the fair!”  Music blared and the fair was in full swing. She continued to walk and was surprised to see Garnet.

“Taking a break?”

Pearl chuckled. “You know me, I can’t handle big crowds that long”

“I understand, you should head over the beach, the people have already started to enjoy the fair, I think it’ll be fairly quiet.”

Pearl nodded in agreement. “I believe so too, can you handle things while I’m gone? Bill Dewey has been giving me this weird eye contact ever since I arrived”

CH1: (Part 2) 

"Very well then" she stood up, dusted her dress and grabbed the tray. "Come with me then"

I stared at her surprised, "Where are we going?

"To give you a grand tour of course, you are staying here am I mistaken?" she said from the doorway. She paused and considered me for a moment. Her eyes scanned me from head to toe and shook her head. "You probably need to change to something else"

"What's wrong with my clothes?"

"No, nothing. It's very pretty just anachronistic, they'd be curious. I have a dress, I think we're almost about the same size"

She sighed again and placed the tray on a nearby chair. She approached the closet just beside the bed and picked out a wonderful purple dress.

"You think I'm pretty?" I sheepishly smiled at her. Eleanor was taken aback, a blush spreading quickly on her cheeks and reddening her ears.

"I said your clothes are pretty-"

"So... you don't think I'm pretty?" I pushed her further. I could see her grow brightly pink. She huffed and turned away.

"I didn't say that! It's just been ages since-"

"Since what? Since you've-"

Eleanor's lips tugged into a smile and you watched, Eleanor is really beautiful. I watched her tuck a stray hair behind her reddened ears. "Never mind, it's not important. Hannah, if you must know... unlike me... my siblings doesn't know that they are- dead. Will you promise me not to tell them?" she said softly, brushing a hand against the soft fabric of the cloth she held.

I felt Eleanor's sincerity from her words. It pang my heart to hear that she's keeping this burden to herself. Her face turned from melancholic to a soft smile. "I think this would look perfect on you, Hannah"

I took the dress from her and kept an eye on her as she walked to the other side of the room. "I'll turn around so you could get dressed."

Clenching the clothes in my hand. What are you hiding Eleanor? I thought to myself.

I slowly unzipped my pants and pulled my shirt over my head. I placed them folded on the bed. I watched Eleanor from the corner of her eyes. She was staring at the door and then to the side, her arms tightly crossed over her chest.

"How long have you been like this with them?" I said. Putting my right arm inside the dress and then next my left and slowly pulling it down until it cascaded just down my ankle.

"Time seems to have stopped in the manor. I've lost track of it..."

I hummed in understanding. I went back to fixing my dress and stopped as soon as I realized that the zipper got caught.

"Eleanor?"

"Yes, Hannah?" she softly replied, yet I could observe that her body tensed.

"Could you help me, I think the zipper got stuck" I chuckled. Trying to lighten the mood. She approached me and mumbled for me to turn around. I could feel her fingers tracing the lining and embroidery of the dress, it felt weird yet I think I liked it. She slowly closed the dress up but without grazing her fingers on my back. I shivered at the sensation.

"There" she said. I turned around to face her. I could see her eyes glistening with excitement.

"How do I look?" shyly I asked. A crimson blush spread through my cheeks.

"You look beautiful, Hannah" Eleanor quickly turned, flustered. "L-let's head down to the parlor." With that I followed her to meet the other Waverly siblings. I walked with her, pacing her strides but before we reached the parlor, she stopped and turned to me.

"Do you still remember our talk?" she asked.

"I know, Eleanor. But may I ask why you haven't told them any of this yet?"

She looked at me in shock and then in distress "How could I possibly?" she said rather furiously at me. I took a step back hands raised in front of me as if I was trying to calm her down. She stopped and regarded me. Her expression softened as she turned to look away.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't be crossed with you. But the truth is, I don't know how I could tell them. They're only children, they wouldn't understand... I don't want them to be burdened by it. Sometimes ignorance is... bliss. I look at them every day, see their smiles in their faces... How... I don't want to see them in despair" she inhaled deeply and exhaled, her hand rested at the parlor door handle. "You can stay, for as long as you need to. But, Hannah... I beg you, please spare them the pain. Don't talk about the world beyond these walls and where you came from..."

Sighing, I agreed. "How?"

"We need some story to fit you in..." She bit her thumb thinking. After a few seconds her eyes lit up. "I know! You're their new governess!"

"Governess?"

"Have you any experience in teaching and such?" she looked at me, clearly worried.

"I have... babysat in high school but I don't think-"

"Perfect! It won't be difficult, you'll see. Simon is the youngest and I think he'll be the only one who needs watching. Clarissa and Thomas on the other hand are fifteen and thirteen respectively. They're old enough to look after themselves."

"Alright"

"Are you ready?"

"Ready as I will ever be..." Eleanor spared me a glance before opening the doors to the parlor.

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I think they didn’t do justice to the THOBM Story from Choices. So I’m doing a fanfiction of what could have been and oh the possibilities! Stopped using my wattpad so I’m transferring all my  choices stories here on tumblr. 

Summary: Hannah (MC) was visited by the ghost of his dead brother, the only solution: visit Braidwood Manor.

CH1: Curiosity Could Kill (Part1) (Part2)

Hannah

I couldn't believe my eyes. I rubbed them eagerly trying to clear the hallucination in front of me. But to no avail, she was still there. She looked at me keenly at first, her dark brown eyes observing me from head to toe, but then they soften and a small welcoming smile finally emerges from her young fair face. She looked no older than seventeen. She's beautiful, yet I feel that it was the understatement of the century.

I watched her move about, placing a tray on the vanity table just across the room. She wore a very distinct dress from a bygone era; the dress-a deep wine color- starts from her neck, elegantly framing her slender body and curving her waist properly, it falls down short of her ankles where her boots started.

"W-who?" I stutter. Barely managing to compose a proper question. The tray clattered softly as she placed a jar of what seems to be sugar on top of it. She paused her movements of stirring the cup of tea she prepared and heave a sigh.

I observed her when she placed the spoon back on the tray, turning to me.

"I hope you like tea" she softly said, handing me a cup perched on a small porcelain platter. With hesitation and trembling hands; I reached for the cup.

"Don't be afraid" she said softly, turning her gaze away from me. "I won't hurt you" the lady whispered. My fingers accidentally brushed against her; I felt her skin, they were cold as ice.

I took a big gulp of the tea she prepared, wincing as I managed to scald my tongue.

She seemed to have noticed my mistake.

"Careful, it's still hot- fresh from the stove" she brushed a napkin over my lips as the tea trickled on the side. I froze. Afraid. Nervous.

"I- I'm sorry" I held her gaze for a moment before she shyly spun away.

I managed to get my composure back and held her hand in place. "It's alright, and thank you for the tea..." she stared back at me. "Where you the one...?" I trailed off, hoping she would finish the thought that passed on my lips.

Eleanor simply nodded. "I don't look like it but I did carry you back up here after my brother Simon- he didn't mean too"

"R-right. He just gave me a bit of a scare that's all... I was wondering downstairs and my pack went missing, I didn't know that he would show up. He... he did leave some toys for me to follow" I swallowed remembering the incident. The manor was creepy, I could attest to that and to see toys suddenly coming out of nowhere, it freaked me out. But I couldn't possibly admit it to her. It'd be embarrassing. I could feel my cheeks heat from humiliation. "W-who are you, exactly?"

She studied me for a moment, probably contemplating on what to say to me next. Hopefully, I won't freak out from the answer she's going to give. I could feel my heart hammering against my chest, probably because I knew in myself the answer. I just have to confirm it. I watched her, waiting for an answer. As the silence was stretching, I become more defeated to get an answer.

Then, my host parted her lips to speak. "My name is Eleanor..." she said. "Eleanor Waverly"

I quaff the contents of the cup in one go, I knew it! But now that I think about it... I could feel the hairs on my neck stand up. "You- you're that Eleanor Waverly?"

She grimaced, a pained expression latches on her face. She nodded slowly in confirmation. "It must be a shock for you to talk to someone who's supposed to not exist anymore... I know you must've hundreds of questions"

"Yeah, I do."

"But I ask you to be patient with me, I don't know a lot but I will answer what I can"

I contemplated her words for a moment and nodded. "I understand, I probably should hold off the questions for a much better circumstance then" I gave her a soft smile and she smiled in return.

"I'm Hannah, by the way" I extended a hand to her, she regarded it for a minute before giving in and shaking them. Her hands are really cold.

"Are you really a ghost?"

"You could say that, I guess that's what I am to your kind. But-" she paused taking the empty cup from my hands "-but I don't feel like a ghost"

I played with my hands, hearing the melancholy off of her voice. "What do you feel like, then?" I treaded slowly.

I could see hesitation in her eyes. "I feel like the same, when I was still alive, yet there's this empty feeling. I don't know. It's a lingering sensation that I'm missing something or might've taken a wrong turn. Like I'm lost... Forgotten"

"This house, it's like a memory of its former self, one day I just woke up- to find that we're back here" She walked towards the vanity desk and assembled the tray, preparing to leave. I stood up walking to towards the window, wondering when I was. If she said this was a memory then whose memory is it?

I squinted my eyes towards the tree. I could see a shadow looming over there, slowly I moved to get a closer look only to fall back as I see my brother's eyes glaring back at me. I tripped backwards causing Eleanor to rush towards me. She looked at the window for a brief second, understanding flashed across her expression.

"I see why you've come..."

I was still trembling, he's here and he's watching me. I could feel him closer than before. Where the hell am I?

"I-I..." I tried to reply but she shushed me. She rested an arm around my waist and helped me up and sit on the chair adjacent the mirror.

I took a big nervous gulp, and looked at my hands trying to stop them from trembling. Eleanor did something unexpected and rested her hands over mine. "You're being haunted even before you set foot in the manor"

"Y-yes. And I-I wanted to know more about life and death... about ghost"

"You... wanted to meet me?" she shook her head. "Aren't you afraid to be here? I don't think you'll find your answer here, Hannah. You clearly thought of a senseless idea." she said, clearly with distress in her voice.

"No, Eleanor! It may have been a crazy-senseless- whatever you think of this idea, but I need to know. I have to know. I went here to get answers and to know you and your siblings. To know about your world, otherwise..." I hesitated, looking back at the window for a moment. "I promise I won't be a bother" I held her gaze for as long as I can before Eleanor sighed.

"Very well then" she stood up, dusted her dress and grabbed the tray. "Come with me then"

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