A smile tugs on Rose's lips, and she rewards Pearl for her answer with another kiss to her gem. She loves her, she truly does -- this tiny dainty thing who feels everything so strongly, but dares to express so little.

It's hard not to oblige her requests when they're so few and far between -- always so restrained, too, soft and meek-voiced. But that's exactly why Rose chooses to resist the urge, instead -- to push Pearl a little further. Teach her a little bit of selfishness.

"And how," she croons, nails scraping lightly at the base of Pearl's scalp, "would you like to be reminded?"