"Mmhmm" is the extent of Pearl's answer, and you can hear the corner of her mouth tipping up, the patient roll of her eyes. Garnet is the last person on Earth to admit even a moment's weakness, and Pearl often finds herself awestruck by it.

But sometimes, well... sometimes it's just a little bit silly. Maybe it's the illusion of power granted by Garnet's bound arms, but Pearl feels the rare urge to tease.

"You're so big and strong, aren't you?" Her voice is the kind of sing-song reserved for nursery rhymes. Her hand sneaks around, cradling the sole of her foot between fingers and thumb, and Pearl squeezes. "Barely felt a thing."