Swapped Out!

Chapter 5: Peridot gets close to a good Lapis expression.

"Initiate Operation: Carbon Copy. Nyehehehe."

Peridot puffed out her chest and confidently strolled off the Warp Pad, finding herself now at the edge of Beach City. The sandals on her feet felt weird as they dipped into the sand, the grains rolling over her skin. She marched towards the human settlement, buzzing with excitement at what exactly she was about to dive into.

After leaving Lapis set up to take care of the technician's task for the day, Peridot immediately set her sights on enjoying the body she currently found herself, and all the possibilities that came with it.

Truth be told, when she said she'd follow Lapis's routine for the day, that wasn't a most specific statement. Lapis didn't really have a routine, save for a few meetings or get-togethers that occasionally popped up. She was far more of a "flexible planner", typically working on her art projects, reading and lounging in their shared home, or tending to the small garden she and Peridot were cultivating.

Now, Peridot had no intention of butting in on whatever artistic vision Lapis was currently pursuing, and the gardening thing was more of a couples project. So, by all accounts, she had a completely open schedule!

Peridot was free to do whatever she wanted.

This is, in some cases, an abjectly terrifying phrase to hear, but for now, let's assume nothing's going to go wrong.

The techie-turned-tallie reached the city street, marching along with the buildings whilst observing the people passing her. She had no clear destination in mind, no goal or objective to pursue. In her mind, she was going to follow Lapis's "flexible planner" lifestyle, and simply go with whatever flow she happened to come across.

It made her giddy, seeing how tall she was compared to her old form. Any time she met someone's eyes without having to move her gaze upward made her giggle and point, causing the unfortunate citizen who interacted with her to question the Gem's sanity. Peridot couldn't care less at the moment (she knew Lapis wouldn't have cared either about what other humans thought of her), she was having a superb time finally being on equal, and sometimes even higher, ground as everyone else.

"The operation seems to be going smoothly," Peridot murmured to herself, still strolling down the street, "No human so far seems to have detected that they are not, in fact, speaking with the illustrious Lapis Lazuli, but rather, the great and lovable Peridot!" Another giggle escaped her lips after that, and she marched confidently towards nowhere in particular.

Passing by a clothing shop, however, complete with a sufficiently reflective surface in which she could spot her reflection, caused her to pause.

"Hmmm... Although, if this is going to continue flawlessly, I suppose I shall have to develop my impression of Lazuli, to sufficiently trick others into believing my charade." Clearing her throat, she stared steadfast into the mirror.

"'Pfft, s'up. It's, like, totally me, Lapis.'" She spoke, slouching her posture and lowering the tone of her voice. "No, that's more like Amethyst. Uhhh.... 'Howdy, everyone! Lapis Lazuli here!' No, I don't think ANYONE talks like that."

Peridot scratched her chin pensively, tapping her foot to try and figure out the optimal impression of her girlfriend. It should be easy, she thought. After all, they spent so much time together she knew her like she knew her way around a starship drive.

Finally settling on a new approach, she took in a deep breath. Relaxing her eyelids, stuffing a hand into her pant pocket, and dawning an expression of nonchalance, she stared once again into the mirror.

"Hey."

Almost immediately, the mimicry was dropped in place of an exclamation of joy, the Gem leaping up into the air with glee. "That! That was the optimal impression! My stars, it's like Lapis was really there! It seems my stint in that strange improvisational group really paid off."

As Peridot stood longer in front of the mirror (Weirding out a few of the patrons inside who could see her from behind the glass) she started to realize something else she needed to explore. "Hey... That's right, I have new powers now! Oh. My. Stars. I can shapeshift now! I need to try this, I need to turn into something"