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Mischief hadn’t initially been her intention when she’d approached Pearl’s house that morning. She’d wanted Pearl’s opinion on additions she’d made to the stone skull she’d been building. She’d called out to her friend and hadn’t received a response despite the indication that Pearl was in-fact there. She could hear water running and the soft sound of Pearl humming or singing an indistinguishable tune. If Pearl couldn’t hear her, she had an opportunity for shenanigans, and Pearl happened to be her favourite target. She quietly let herself inside, turning her attention to the bathroom door to assure that it was closed, and that Pearl wouldn’t see or hear her there. She made her way into Pearl’s bedroom to find inspiration, and there it was. Sure, she’d had the urge to snatch the hat a couple of times, but Pearl’s entire postmaster uniform was laid out on her bed, ready for her to don once she got out of the shower. Gem couldn’t help herself, she quickly stripped out of her own clothes, placing them inside her ender chest for the time being, and snatched the outfit from the bed. She pulled on the brown pants, which were several inches too long and quite loose in the waist. Damnit, Pearl. Why do you have to be so tall? She pulled the belt as tight as it would allow and cuffed the legs, but they still looked comically baggy on her much shorter frame. She pulled on the shirt and buttoned it up. The short sleeves hung off her shoulders and came down past her elbows, and she laughed to herself when she saw how ridiculous she looked in the mirror. She heard the water turn off and panicked, grabbing the hat, and leaving the room as quickly as she could without tripping over the pantlegs, which were coming unrolled. She silently cursed them as she pulled the hat on and ran toward the post office. She wasn’t quite sure what she was planning to do, but considering she was in the postmaster uniform, it made sense for her to head to the post office. She was just grateful that the hat wasn’t too big so at least she could see where she was going.
As she approached the building, she could see that Tango and Etho were inside. Maybe they could help her scheme. She got inside, a little out of breath from her escape from Pearl’s house.
“You’re not Pearl,” Etho said.
“Thanks for noticing,” she deadpanned.
“So, what’s the plan for today, postmaster?” Tango asked, with an impish grin, and a stifled giggle.
“Uhh,” Gem hesitated, not even sure what to say to keep the bit going.
“Well, BDubs needs me to fix his mailbox to get it properly connected to the system,” Etho said, saving her.
“Right, well I’ll get his stamp bundle ready for when that’s done,” Gem said, with false authority, as she went over to where Pearl kept the stamps. She noticed Etho had pulled out a book and quill and was scribbling in it as she selected two stamps for each of the online hermits. Or, well, at least the ones she could remember.
“We need to get started on getting Stress connected, too,” Tango added. “I think she’s picked out a spot for her mailbox.” That was when Etho held up the book he’d been writing in, so Gem and Tango could see what he’d written.
“Your mailbox is online!” it read. “Please contact Postmaster Gem for a tutorial and your free stamps.”
“I love it,” Gem laughed.
“Postmaster Gem!” Tango squealed, with devilish laughter. It was just a few moments later when Pearl made her way through the door. She wore her regular blue hoodie and didn’t look particularly impressed.
“Hey, Pearl, what can we do for you?” Etho greeted, with a straight face. Tango, on the other hand, was snickering under his breath.
“What do you mean, what can you do for me?” Pearl asked. “I’m here because that cheeky nugget stole my uniform.” She pointed an accusatory finger at Gem, though, Gem could see that she was trying to hold back a smile. It was that reaction that made Gem want to keep pulling little pranks and engaging in her tomfoolery and mischief. She loved the way she failed to hide how entertained she was, and the way her face scrunched in a poorly masked smile. Gem thought it was cute, but she wouldn’t dare say it. She loved the tone of her voice and the affection that was present even when she was pretending to be annoyed. It made Gem’s heart flutter.
“What do you mean, Pearl? Gem’s the postmaster. That’s not your uniform,” Tango said, rather unconvincingly.
“Yeah, because it fits her perfectly and she’s definitely not swimming in it,” Pearl said.
“Well, swimming does fit with my nautical theme,” Gem said, without missing a beat. Tango chuckled. She smirked.
“Give me back my uniform!” Pearl exclaimed, running across the room, and attempting to grab at her. Gem let out a yelp and ran around the counter and out the door. Unfortunately, the oversized pants and Pearl’s height were not giving her an advantage. She tripped over an unrolled pantleg, and Pearl used the stumble to her advantage. She tackled Gem to the ground. Gem rolled onto her back on the grass, laughing. Pearl had pinned her to the ground, but she didn’t care. It had been worth it.
“Alright, you got me,” she said, smiling. Pearl wasn’t saying anything. She was just looking at her with this soft look on her face. “Pearl?”
“You look cute in my hat,” she said, with an affectionate smile. Gem couldn’t mask it anymore. She felt her face get hot and a nervous and flustered giggle escaped her. Pearl grabbed the brim of the hat and pulled it down over Gem’s eyes. “But that doesn’t mean you can steal it.”
“Pearl!” she exclaimed, laughing and readjusting the hat. “I’ll give it back if I can have more free stamps.”
“What do you need more stamps for?” Pearl asked.
“So, I can mail you back you uniform after I wash it,” Gem explained.
“You don’t need to wash it,” Pearl said.
“But I got it dirty,” she said.
“But what if I want it to smell like you?” Pearl asked.
“Why would you-?” Gem began, painfully aware of how flushed and panicked she must’ve looked. Gem could feel her heart pounding in her ears. She could barely meet Pearl’s gaze because the look in her eyes made Gem weak. Pearl looked so pretty with the way her hair cascaded over her shoulders.
“I really want to kiss you right now,” Pearl cut her off.
“Wh-?” Gem said, trying to comprehend what was happening. Pearl wanted to kiss her? Pearl cupped her cheek and pulled her gently toward her. Gem propped herself up on her elbows to get closer as Pearl closed the space between them. The warmth of Pearl’s lips on hers made Gem melt.
“Ohhhhh, snappers!” she heard Etho exclaim.
“Jeeez, get a room!” Tango said, with a snicker. She and Pearl both turned to face the post office where Etho and Tango stood watching them. It was then that Gem realized how compromising their position looked, with Pearl kissing her while straddling her lap in the grass. Pearl scrambled up off the ground, holding out a hand to help Gem up.
“Get out of here!” Pearl shouted at them. Tango gave them a smile and followed Etho back into the post office.
“What was that about?” Gem asked, still reeling from the kiss.
“I really like you,” Pearl told her. “Why do you think I’m hanging around all the time even though we aren’t neighbours this season?”
“I like you too,” Gem said.
“Yeah?” Pearl teased. “You’re not as good as you think at hiding it, cutie.”
“Oh.”
“But I still need the uniform back.”
“I don’t get girlfriend privileges?” Gem asked.
“Girlfriend?” Pearl questioned. Gem took the opportunity of Pearl being caught off guard to take off running again. “Hey! Get back here!”