It was a very well known fact that Lady Nepgear had a very deep affection for her older sister, Lady Neptune. What most did not understand was the true depths of her emotions.
Nepgear woke up that day the same as any other. She woke up with a yawn, did some stretching and switched out of her pajamas into her usual clothes before heading off to make breakfast for herself, Histoire and Neptune. She'd gotten so accustomed to doing it that these days she would be up and dressed in only a few minutes.
Much to Nepgear's surprise, Neptune actually woke up earlier than usual. On most days Nepgear would have had to nudge her awake with the promise of food, but for once that wasn't necessary. By the time breakfast was ready, Neptune practically inhaled it like a starving syrup pig at an all-you-can-eat-buffet. Before Nepgear even got a chance to question this unusual behavior, Neptune was already headed for the door.
"I'm gonna head out real quick. I'll be back later!" Neptune was already out the door before Nepgear could get in a word edgewise, leaving the candidate alone with Histoire.
"Gracious, I wonder what's gotten into Neptune today?" Histoire asked aloud. Her words practically fell on deaf ears as Nepgear was more interested in the door her sister had left from. Not that it really mattered; Histoire was already taking her leave of the room as well, completely oblivious to the look of longing on Nepgear's features.
"Neptune..." Nepgear mumbled to herself. "Come back soon..." She said to no one in particular. She cast a glance towards the clock, an odd feeling of emptiness overcoming her. What a strange feeling indeed.
Many long seconds passed before Nepgear finally moved from her spot. She didn't really care where she went, her legs just sort of... carried her of their own accord. She found herself standing in front of the door to her room and she twisted the knob without even thinking about it. Perhaps her heart was trying to tell her something?
Walking inside her room, Nepgear looked towards the bunk bed she and Neptune slept in. It was strange... Casting a glance at the clock, she realized that Neptune would usually still be asleep by this time of morning. "I wonder what must have happened today that would make Neptune of all people wake up early..." She wondered aloud.
The candidate's eyes drifted around the room, as they usually did when Neptune was out and about. The CPU didn't often go out on her own, but when she did, it left Nepgear to wonder what to do without her. It was an aspect of herself she wasn't entirely fond of, her own over-attachment towards her own sister.
"Maybe that's why Neptune doesn't like me... Because I'm so... clingy..." In a rare moment of weakness, Nepgear crawled over to her bed, but instead of laying down on the bottom bunk, something possessed her to climb up into her older sister's bunk. She didn't know why, but before she could stop to ponder that she was already lying down on her sister's mattress. It was... oddly comfortable, she noted. It was supposed to be the same as the one she slept on, but something about Neptune's was so much nicer. Perhaps... It was because of the smell. The bed practically radiated with the smell of lilacs... The smell of Neptune.
Goodness, Nepgear really was overly attached to her own sister, wasn't she? No... This wasn't just a simple attachment and she knew it. But, was that really such a bad thing?
"Neptune..." The name left her lips so easily. It had such a pleasing sound to it, but at the same time, a conflicting one. "Neptune..."
The girl looked over the side of the bed, her eyes landing on a small, unassuming portrait of two lilac-haired girls looking forward, smiling. Unlike the short girl in the picture, Nepgear's smile was upside down in the shape of a frown as she eyed the photo. The younger version of her looked so happy, so close to Neptune... Much more so than she felt right now. It was almost hard to believe Nepgear was once that same little girl in the photo standing next to Neptune.
"I never thought I'd feel so jealous of myself like this..." She muttered aloud. "I wonder... If we could ever be like that again... someday."
The room became eerily quiet after that. Nepgear's eyes lingered on that photo for far longer than intended, but she was soon able to break herself away from it. Giving herself a good slap on the cheeks, she tried to think of something else as she laid back down on her sister's bed and stared at the ceiling. She failed. Miserably.
"Neptune..."
-~-~-~- Purple Lovers -~-~-~-
In the midst of all of Planeptune's bustling streets and towering buildings, a single girl stood out amidst the crowd of people. This girl was none other than the beloved goddess of the nation itself, Neptune, or more formally known as Lady Purple Heart. Regardless of what people called her, the short-statured CPU found herself zipping through the streets of Planeptune, casting the occasional glance through the window of various stores, or even going in to look at their merchandise.
The CPU ran around like an excited pup in search of a toy to play with. She flew from building to building after having gone through the various trinkets and other such memorabilia, ultimately leaving with no more than she went in with. Nevertheless, that did not discourage the spry leading lady from her quest, whatever it may have been.
Neptune must have spent the better part of half an hour bouncing from shop to shop before she all the running finally caught up to her and she was forced to stop for air. She gasped for air, stopping herself from falling over by setting her hands on her knees. She looked around for a moment and noticed a bench nearby, immediately pouncing on it to rest her weary feet.
"Why is it so hard to find a good gift these days?!" She whined to herself, unknowingly startling the crowds of people walking around her. Thankfully, that only lasted for a brief moment before they all returned their own attention to... whatever it is they were all doing. "Maybe I should just bring back something techy for Nep Jr.. She loves that kind of stuff, after all..."
The girl mulled the thought over in her head for a while, before nodding in disapproval at her own idea.
"Nah! That'd be too easy. I want to get her something really, really special. Something only I can give her." The CPU clenched her fist with determination, until a familiar voice caught her attention.
"High quality merchandise for sale!" Standing some distance away, standing in front a wheeled cart containing a wide assortment of goods was an incredibly short, brunette girl. A girl that Neptune would recognize in any situation. "In need of good potions to help on adventures? Look no further! Gust's potions will cure what ails you, and even more!"
"Gust!" Neptune cheered, surprising the short brunette for a moment.
"Ah! Lady Neptune!" The short brunette turned her attention to Neptune, greeting the CPU politely. "It is good to see you again. What brings you out here today?"
"Well, I just figured I'd go out and take a stroll, maybe get a little gift for Nepgear. That kind of thing."
"A present, you say?" For only a split second, a glint appeared in Gust's eye. "Gust may be able to help with that."
"I don't know about that," Neptune replied. She didn't see it, but Gust's hand tensed slightly at her words. "I really wanted to find her something on my own. Something I know she'll like. You get what I mean, Gusty?"
"I see, I see..." Gust nodded her head along understandingly. She eyed Neptune quietly, like a silent predator weighing its options, or something along those lines. "If Lady Neptune has trouble finding something, then it should not be trouble if she asks a friend for help, should it? It is the thought that counts when giving gifts, after all."
"Hmm... Well, I guess when you put it like that," Neptune spoke in the midst of casual contemplation. "Sure, let's do it!"
"Excellent!" Gust exclaimed. "However, before Gust says anything, would like to ask small favor of Lady Neptune."
Gust was then met with a surprisingly inquisitive look from the purple CPU. "What is it?"
"Gust simply asks that Lady Neptune try one of Gust's newest creations," The brunette explained. "Been working in atelier on new potions. Normally, Gust would have to take them to Guild to be analyzed to discern effects, but such method is very costly and time consuming. Would be much simpler if had someone to test it for Gust and tell me about its effects."
"So you just want me to drink one of your new potions to see if it works?" Neptune repeated. "Sounds pretty easy to me. Any idea what it does?"
"If Gust played her cards right, should revitalize energy and increase stamina for short duration." The minature, and not metal in any way alchemist spoke confidently of her creation like a kid at a science fair. "Gust is sure effects of poisons used won't be harmful."
"Sounds good to- Wait, poison?" Did the wind suddenly feel a little colder?
"Yes! Potion was made using various poisons found in wilds, such as extract of fangs from rare breed of Fenrir, as well as a few poisonous plants." It was amazing how the alchemist could so casually talk about making potions with poison. "Would be quite fatal to most makers if handled improperly, but Gust made sure to be very cautious and careful during the mixing process."
"Well, that's-"
"Gust is 65 percent sure poisons will do no harm."
"A little concerning..." By this point Neptune was starting to go pale at the idea of drinking something that could potentially kill her.
"No need to worry. Estimate only applies to Makers. CPU's have been shown to be much more resistant to disease and other such matters." Gust only continued to casually speak about her potion, unfazed by all the lake's worth of sweat Neptune was producing. "Goddess such as yourself should be completely fine... Probably."
"That's not making me feel any better, Gusty!" Neptune sighed. "I really don't want to spend half the day looking for something, so I guess I might as well."
"So, do we have deal?"
"Definitely!" Neptune responded. "But first you have to help me find that gift or no deal."
"Understandable. Gust will help find gift for Nepgear."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's get a move on!" Neptune didn't wait up, instead grabbing Gust by the hand and pulling her along on their little outing. "Just you wait, Nep Jr.!" Only the best of gifts would do for the girl who changed Neptune's life for the better, after all.