Isolation

Chapter 2.

Ram had been running for quite awhile now. Until she eventually came to a big fork in the road.

"Wha...What is this?" She managed to choke out even though her tears were still falling.

'A fork in the road?' She tilted her head to the right, no-one had ever told her of a seperate way. Normally, it was straight to Leanbox, then Lastation finishing up at Planeptune from what she could remember... Oh wait!

Maybe it was a game!?

Ram smirked. "I'll win THIS!" She puffed up her chest but... Why? Who was around to celebrate with when she did win? Would she be okay?

Ram put her hands into her coat pockets as she walked forwards, briskly but with an air of slow caution. Everyone had disappeared and she was... On her own.

If only Ram had seen IF, that, and the guild agent was following Ram at a good distance away - Not wanting to scare the Candidate.

"What's she doing now?"

IF cleared her throat. "She's gone past the fork in the road between Lowee and Leanbox. She's heading somewhere, I just don't know where. I have to get to the Basilicom soon Lady Blanc, so if it's alright with you-"

"Can you stay with her? I'll ring Histoire and see if I can get her to tell me what's going on. I AM worried to bits about her but I can't stop work at the moment. Stay with her, and if she suddenly comes back to her senses get her back here."

IF blinked. "I'm not a babysitter, a guild agent yes, but not a babysitter. Those are two very different roles!"

"Okay, fine. I'll pay you. Whatever it costs to follow her, I'll do it. Just don't leave her, Rom'll come out to replace you when I finish work. I need to make sure whatever Ram has isn't going to effect Rom as well."

IF calculated this and took in a deep breath and finally nodded. "Alright, I'll call when I have something."

"Thank you. I can see why Neptune likes to have you around. Bye."

IF was suprised at being thanked but when she went to ask what Blanc was on about, Blanc hung up on her. Huh. Rude. But that's Lowee's Goddess for you... Sometimes a pleasure, sometimes not. Depends on her mood.

IF looked ahead and saw Ram had slowed down to walking pace so she started to walk forwards in order to keep her in eyesight.

The weather changed to bright Sunshine with little clouds as Ram (With the trailing IF) headed into Leanbox territory.

Ram looked around as everything changed slowly. "This is nice. But still... NO-ONE'S HERE!" She shouted.

Over in Planeptune...

"Jezz! I just cleaned that Neptune! Get up!"

It was business as usual...

"I only JUST spilt my drink Uni! And you should be with Nepgear, right?"

"Neptune! I want that mess cleaned up before-"

Bzzt. BZZT. BZZT. BZZZT. BZZZZZT. BZZZZZZZT!

"Before, what?"

"Before anyone comes and-Abababababababababababababababababababbbaaaababababababababbabaa!" Histoire grumbled after sounding like a telephone. "That's the LAST time I let the other CPU's have MY direct line!" Histoire pulled out a reciever from...Somewhere, don't ask where. Not even Neptune knows.

Neptune's eyes widened. "Not fair!"

Nepgear walked in with a tray of cookies. "Huh? Who are you talking to Neptune?"

Neptune smirked. "Ah, little Nep with my cookies! Gimme! I'm hungry!"

Uni growled from her place on the dining chair. "Not until you've cleaned up this drink spillage! I'm NOT doing it for you!"

Nepgear pulled the tray back from Neptune's grabbing fingers. "Not." A twirl. "Until." She moved backwards. "You." She stepped forwards, causing Neptune to misjudge and fall on the floor - face first. "Clean up!" She walked over to Uni. "Here you go Uni."

Uni blushed a bit and picked up a cookie from the tray. "Thank you..."

Nepgear smiled brightly. "Anytime!"

Neptune on the other hand was by the tray (again) and had pinched a cookie without anyone seeing (somehow) and cleaned up the mess, again without anyone seeing her.

To Be Continued...