They listened as Amethyst, with an enthusiasm that she unsuccessfully tried to cover under a facade of coolness, proposed multiple names for them. Some were interpretations of their combined names, others were more like descriptions of their appearance, others a combination of the concepts that composed them, and still others simply sounded good beyond having any meaning.
However, they liked one of them: AraNor. It sounded good and was not the classic combination of two names that didn't blend well phonetically.
But moving on from that, they really only decided that before looking at Amethyst.
"We'll stick with AraNor," they told her before ruffling her hair, which did not amuse her because they were treating her like a little kid when she was at least over three centuries old.
But if you keep acting like a rebellious teenager, we'll treat you like one, thought the "him" part of them. The "her" part thought it was adorable to see how embarrassed she was. Perhaps that's how he sees her? Because if so, then she understands why he has that habit of teasing others.
"Ugh, stop it, guys," Amethyst said, trying to wriggle free without success until they let her go. She had a complex expression, or so they noticed, as she looked amused, happy, but at the same time mortified and insecure.
The "her" part didn't know what to say about that, while the "him" part remained silent. As always, he seemed to know everything she didn't, and that bothered her because even in this state, they were two beings with their own secrets to keep.
She sighed as she let Amethyst move away from her. She directed her gaze at Garnet, who was a little behind, with a Pearl whose passive and happy expression, though reflected, they knew was not genuine. So, with a simple snap, Pearl's expression showed a blank face, devoid of... she had no words for it, but it didn't look right. Then she realized that Pearl was looking at her, smiling with that maternal aura that had been imposed on her: I'm fine.
These were words that Nora had been hearing lately, and they meant only one thing: I'm not fine, I just don't want you to worry about me.
Adrian also recognized those words in her as something he had said. While he was no longer in that pathetic state of himself, that didn't mean he had gotten rid of his feelings, only that it is what it is, and we must move forward. He will not tire of that stance.
While they collectively debated as AraNor, they returned the smile before going out to see the world not as two people nor as beings, but as what they now were: an experience.
They slowly took in the night air as the stars returned to their original positions. Appreciating the world for what it is is also beautiful, but the feeling of the world itself being your canvas is not something to play with beyond that little joke they pulled.
After all, the "him" part of them reminded them that the power he holds cannot be used carelessly. The "her" part of them rolled her eyes, saying: Seriously, you're telling us that? The mysterious guy who uses his powers for everything?
Hey, hey, harsh blow, but name a single time where my powers had a permanent consequence on the world that wasn't something good, he said to himself while sticking to it. Besides, the jokes? They were just that, because just as you had fun making Amethyst embarrassed, I'm doing the same with you.
The "her" part of them was about to respond, until she stopped to think. When she couldn't refute any of his arguments, she frowned as her metaphorical arms widened between them.
They had to admit his point as true, then slowly began to organize those things their existence brought to this universe.
AraNor snorted, as she had lost the discussion and also won it, which was strange. The only thing they could compare it to would be like playing chess with themselves. They pushed away those thoughts about the paradoxes of identity as they walked through the illuminated streets of Beach City.
They thought to themselves about themselves, or rather, their parts. Neither was exempt from problems, only that they were radically different in so many aspects that they were surprised not to be a living contradiction. But hey, a living contradiction was already a part of her; the strangest thing would be if it were normal. Meanwhile, one part was perfect in everything except what he sought to be, which was one of the greatest ironies ever seen.
Their eyes rested on the neon lights in the distance, and taking a page from his trick book, they ended up concealing the outcome of the place itself, since there would be no fun if they knew everything that would happen. They walked slowly with the sea breeze touching their skin, just as uncertainty, whether good or bad, is the point of living life; that is the point of being an experience.
Nora is, to the utmost, the emotional but distressed part of them, a distress to fulfill the expectations that had been placed on her even before she was born. Her actions sought to fit the ideal her mother had left behind, but deep down, she didn't want those expectations. She wanted to be someone on her own, not the continuation of Rose Quartz. She didn't know who she truly was, because every time she looked at herself, she could only see an ideal to reach, not the person trying to reach it.
The faint sound of disco music became increasingly understandable as they continued inside their minds, conducting their own self-analysis.
She is someone who, although she lived in an ideal, had herself without being able to desire anything... well, that was until today. If it weren't for that, they wouldn't be here; there wouldn't be an experience as contradictory as AraNor. That lady who sought to be an ideal is Nora.
She had control for a moment and considered the conclusion not as spoken sentences but as a whisper, as they would not give themselves clues, because deep down, everything was crystal clear, only they didn't accept that it was there or mistook it for something else.
They continued with their introspective thoughts while now evaluating him with every new rhythm that reached their ears, as well as the flashing lights.
Adrian, their other part, was someone who, in short, would be defined as the protagonist of a tragedy without being able to remember what he lost, accompanied by himself on a search for purpose disguised as the quest for more power. The power he had could resolve everything, but was that what he wanted to do? No, because if he solved everything, then others around him wouldn't grow; they would simply stagnate, become predictable, lose that sparkle of free will that he longed for, even if he himself was lost in his tragedy. The wheel of fate would not, and that is something he kept well in mind.
They entered the place, a nightclub hidden in an old building that everyone knew was maintained by Mr. Smiley. But following their previous train of thought to the rhythm of the fast music, they finished their evaluation of him.
He is someone profoundly tragic and contradictory, yet coherent, without a goal beyond that illusion of searching for power. But despite everything, he didn't regret anything, even without knowing where his decisions would lead him. That being whom many would call a god is Adrian.
With the eyes of everyone on the dance floor, fixed on their impossible forms being light and power, for a moment, reality celebrated, intensifying the colors, the sensations, as well as their weight on every concept, forcing a gaze upon this moment. Their bodies separated and fell, or that would happen if either of them let go, because their hands were joined in a grip that left no room for anything other than themselves. The music adapted to them as if everything were coincidence, but the two knew that this was not the case.
One look between them was enough for them to smile at each other with contained laughter and the applause of a hugely surprised crowd, which embarrassed her. But just by looking into his dark eyes, she found the courage not to shrink away from it.
He looked at her with that characteristic smile. He didn't know what awaited him, but he eagerly anticipated it, because that is the greatest pleasure in this life he could ever have.