"Don't say I didn't warn you!"
Neptune grinned at Arfoire, her posture practically radiating her arrogance despite how injured she was. If she was going to make an enemy out of her enemy (that totally made sense), might as well do it with a bang, right?
The woman didn't seem intent on giving away how she was feeling about Neptune's claims. If anything, she looked like she was bored. Perhaps she was doubting her still? Well, Neptune could probably serve up a good old Neptune Break after she transformed if that wasn't good enough to convince the mean old bat!
"Here goes..."
Deciding she had built up plenty of dramatic tension, Neptune closed her eyes and prepared to let her transformation take hold of her.
... It didn't come.
"Impressive."
Neptune grit her teeth. She wasn't going to let Arfoire get to her. She had never had to transform like this before. The "fog" between her and the Sharicite was thick and sticky, but she could push through it. She had transformed with almost no shares before, she could certainly do this!
It wasn't gradual when it finally happened. It was as if there hasn't been any kind of holdup at all. Once Neptune reached the Sharicite, that was it. White light enveloped her, and she felt a rush of power fill her from head to toe as she grew into her more godly persona. As the light of her transformation faded, Neptune, now Purple Heart, opted to stand on the ground rather than float. Despite the fact that the transformation had wiped the visible traces of her injuries away, she could still feel them, more or less. She would really have to find some way to recover after this, but for now...
"Well?" Purple Heart placed a hand gently on her hip, raising an eyebrow as she watched Arfoire for some kind of reaction. She mostly expected an attack, now that she had revealed herself like this, but the lack of the hostility that Underling had given her made her wonder. Calmer now that she was in this form, she wasn't ready to jump to conclusions just yet.
That didn't mean she trusted Arfoire, of course. That was an entirely separate issue.
Arfoire, for this new one's part, had yet to attack Purple Heart. She looked... stricken, if anything. As though she had seen a ghost. She was even holding a hand to her chest, one that was clenched, which displayed... something. Purple Heart couldn't help but smirk at that, even if she had no idea what the action meant. Seems she had proven herself after all. Now how would the witch take it?
"This... This is a surprise, kid, I'll give you that," Arfoire's expression returned to normal after a few moments. She was definitely hiding something now and Purple Heart knew it. She narrowed her eyes and gave Purple Heart a once over, looking her up and down as if to analyze her. Purple Heart waited quietly. She wasn't going to attack without reason, and this Arfoire had done nothing to give her one.
Yet.
After another silent moment, without warning, Arfoire lunged forward. Purple Heart prepared to call forth a weapon, even if it would be a weak one, but to her great surprise, Arfoire wasn't attacking her. Not technically anyway. She was grabbing Purple Heart's chin, abruptly yes, and pulling the CPU closer for a better look. Nothing more. Not quite an attack, anyway.
Purple Heart wasn't sure what to make of this. All she could do was look Arfoire in the eye, her gaze firm and unwavering, while the woman looked into her eyes, as if she was... searching for something. But what?
After what seemed like an eternity of this odd behavior, Arfoire dropped her hand. Her expression was... peculiar. She didn't look angry, as Purple Heart had expected. If anything, she seemed disappointed. Let down. That made even less sense to the already confused CPU.
"You shouldn't go around telling lies, kid. I don't know what kind of trick this is, but you're not a CPU. You should avoid pulling crap like this, it'll just confuse people. I'll explain to them inside that you were confused, then you can come back in."
Purple Heart frowned, not only taken aback by Arfoire's strange words, but her complete and utter dismissal of the proof that was standing right before her very eyes. Arfoire was already stepping back, looking for the world like a game she had been looking forward to had just been canceled, but that was wrong. The game was right here, and her name was Purple Heart!
"I'm not sure how you could possibly think I'm not what I very clearly am, but..." Purple Heart puffed out her chest slightly. She was also just a little bit offended. Transforming had taken care of everything last time, why not now? "I am a CPU. Believe me. I'm from Planeptune, albeit not the Planeptune you probably-"
Purple Heart had merely been explaining herself. She had just been about to get to how she was from another world and hopefully erase any confusion the woman might have about her. Maybe she doubted Purple Heart because she had simply never heard of her before. That was reasonable, wasn't it? She hasn't existed in Plutia's world after all...
After her revelation of being a CPU, Purple Heart certainly hadn't expected any change in Arfoire at the mention of her nation of all things. Yet, like when she had let slip she was a CPU with Underling earlier, the mention of Planeptune seemed to set something off in Arfoire. Before Purple Heart had a chance to react (Arfoire's dismissal of her very existence combined with the pain of her other form's injuries had her off her game), Arfoire had called forth a staff-like weapon and pressed Purple Heart against the farmhouse wall.
Despite this, Purple Heart found herself smiling weakly against the force Arfoire was pressing against her, who had just proven with those swift, experienced movements that she was no mere farmer after all.
Arfoire watched Purple Heart for a reaction, which confused the CPU. Wasn't she the one being attacked here? Shouldn't it be her attacker who explains herself now?
"Have you come to finish me off?" Arfoire's voice was cold, cruel, and... there was something else there, something Purple Heart couldn't quite place. Coming from Arfoire, it was just alien. "I was sure your similarities before were just coincidence, that some poor lookalike just happened to nearly die this close to me... Hell, you can even transform too! But you had that wrong, so I figured you had to be different... But I see the truth now. You're some kind of twisted creation of hers, aren't you? Well listen up, I'll rip out your organs or parts or whatever you have right here and feed them to the pigs if you don't-"
"P-Please, just wait a moment!" Understanding absolutely nothing about what this Arfoire could possibly be so upset about, Purple Heart's mind was racing to try to make a picture out of the accusations being thrown her way so that she could better explain herself, and what she really was, to the woman. "If you would just listen to me..."
"Hah!" Arfoire's laugh, as always, held a certain amount of cruelty to it, but now there was an added hint if bitterness as well. The fact she was shaking, despite the fact that she clearly had no reason to do so, added even more confusion to the situation. "Next you'll tell me your name is Neptune, right? I'm sure you were programmed with everything you needed to know to manipulate me however you wanted, maybe to even get me to come back, but I'm not falling for her tricks. Not again."
Purple Heart was getting desperate now. She could certainly... probably fight back against the woman, but she needed answers badly if she wanted to get anywhere in this world (and more importantly, back to her own), and retaliating would likely just prove whatever it was Arfoire thought of her. Was there no way to show she meant no harm?
"I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about," the CPU tried to reason, even going as far as to drop her hands to her sides to show she would not fight back. Not that that meant much. She could just as easily kick Arfoire away if she wanted to, but...
Arfoire, for a brief moment, seemed to consider Purple Heart's words, as her actions seemed sincere. She didn't seem like a threat... But from her perspective, this all being some kind of ploy made far more sense than a random customer of hers conveniently collapsing practically on her doorstep. Unless... No, there couldn't be any other explanation.
"Listen, I've made a good life for myself here. I work hard, I make ends meet, and I can even support all of those morons inside. Not a lot of people can say that they can do that these days." Arfoire jabbed her weapon into Purple Heart's chest. Not too hard, but enough to get her point across. It made Purple Heart gasp in pain, if nothing else, so Arfoire considered the message received. "I've gotten away from that life. I got a fresh start. I don't want any more trouble from her. I left her alone, so she could run everything into the ground or do whatever it is she wants, so she can leave me alone to my business just the same."
Purple Heart was beginning to understand... something, though it was difficult to do much about it when she was being prodded like that.
Arfoire had some kind of history with someone. Not a good one. She had left that life to become a farmer (Purple Heart still couldn't believe this part, but evidently it really was true), and she didn't want anything to do with her old life... Yet for some reason, Purple Heart claiming to be from Planeptune had Arfoire thinking that she was involved with whoever Arfoire was trying to get away from. No, Arfoire believed she was some kind of... creation of this person, in fact.
Whoever they were, Purple Heart already didn't like them, and she liked less that she and her nation (even if it wasn't technically "hers") were being associated with them.
Arfoire watched Purple Heart for a few more moments, as if she was thinking about something. Maybe she was considering Purple Heart's side? The CPU could only hope.
"I have to admit... Something doesn't add up here." Before Purple Heart could relax, Arfoire continued, her tone still accusatory. "What was it you were saying before? When I cut you off?"
Now Purple Heart could let out a sigh of relief. Inwardly, anyway. Maybe there was still hope in this situation, absurd as it was. She wouldn't know unless she tried, that was for sure.
First thing's first, though...
"I'd be happy to explain it to you, but..." Purple Heart have Arfoire a strained look and raised a hand to gently touch Arfoire's weapon. It was pressing right on a particularly sore rib. "Would you be willing to move this first?"
The woman, who Purple Heart suddenly (finally, more like) noticed was in a more "Arfoire"-like outfit, gave her a doubtful look... then promptly rammed the weapon into her chest before pulling it away, leaving Purple Heart to collapse onto the ground in a spasm of coughs from the sudden pain. Had she been in her human form, she probably would have blacked out altogether.
"W-Was that... necessary...?!" Purple Heart managed to get a few words out between coughs as she struggled to her feet, shooting a glare at Arfoire. She could always get answers elsewhere, and her patience could only last so long. She had gone along with this because Arfoire hadn't tried to harm her badly thus far, but now that she had, she was suddenly finding herself caring a lot less about the witch's opinion.
"It was a precaution," Arfoire answered simply.
Purple Heart was sorely tempted to snap at her, but after looking up at Arfoire while leaning against the wall to get her balance, she didn't see any malice in Arfoire's expression. It was neutral again.
She was giving Purple Heart a chance.
Under normal circumstances, Purple Heart wouldn't particularly care what Arfoire did or didn't do, but after the witch had clearly helped her recover from whatever had happened upon her arriving in this world, she decided she would give her the benefit of the doubt one more time. Just one, though.
She still wouldn't let herself get hit again, that was for sure.
"You said... You said this is Cruptindustri, right?" Purple Heart asked quietly. Arfoire apparently hadn't expected a question like that (after all, where else would they be?), as it clearly took her off guard.
It didn't last long though. Shame.
"That's right. We're not too far from the ocean right now, but this is neutral territory. Closest nation is Lowee, obviously. Why?"
Purple Heart closed her eyes. Time for some good old fashioned exposition.
"I don't know about whatever Planeptune you might know, and that's because my home is a place called Gamindustri..."
Purple Heart's explanation had taken longer than she had wanted it to. Naturally, she excluded pointing out that Arfoire was an evildoer where she had come from, and she felt no need to get into the details of her personal life or the smaller details of her adventures in her Gamindustri or the other one. Names were left out, of course, instead opting for titles like "Lastation's CPU" for any description she needed. Arfoire didn't seem too interested in those details anyway, but she wasn't denying Purple Heart outright, so Purple Heart continued on. By the time she finished telling Arfoire about how she and the other CPUs had dealt with a catastrophe that has threatened both worlds (at least both of the ones that they had known at the time), the sun was setting.
"... and when all was said and done, the portal connecting our worlds was open constantly. Life returned to normal... Until I found myself here, of course. I'm still not sure how that even happened."
With that, Purple Heart was done. Arfoire was looking over the CPU with an expression Purple Heart couldn't read. She had no notions or expectations that Arfoire would turn around and give her this world's history, at least not right now, but she was hopeful for, if nothing else, acceptance.
If she was going to be stuck here she could really use some of that.
"That's a hell of a story. Anyone would have a hard time believing it." Arfoire's words were exactly what Purple Heart hasn't wanted to hear. Purple Heart watched the woman, tensing up and waiting for the accusations to resume once again. They never came. "It'd explain a lot more than it doesn't though..."
Wait a minute. Did Arfoire look... guilty?
She couldn't think much on it now though. At her limit, Purple Heart's body flashed with a bright, shining light, and just like that, Neptune was back... mouse hoodie and all. It seemed transforming back
"So... You believe me, Arfy?" Neptune asked, hopeful. She added a flutter of her eyelashes for effect.
"I'm not saying that, I'm saying it makes more sense than-"Arfoire paused, narrowing her eyes. She leaned down, her lips forming a fine, angry line on her face. "What did you just call me?"
"Ohhh, nothing much, Arfy!" Neptune smiled widely. It was time to lay it on her! She really didn't want to get hit again. "Just that you're the being a total pal right now and I'm super duper appreciative!"
For a moment, Arfoire looked offended, but then, out of nowhere, she laughed.
"You're definitely not something she would bother to send, that's for sure. You'd sooner be declared defective and thrown out acting like that..." Arfoire took a few steps back, allowing Neptune some breathing room. "Fine, kid. I'll believe you... for now. But I'll me keeping my eyes on you."
Choosing to ignore the "defective" comment (until she was all fixed up, anyway... though wait, if she needed to be fixed up, wasn't she technically...? oh, whatever!), Neptune let out a sigh of relief.
"Also."
Aaaaand here it comes. Neptune knew it would be too good to be true for her to get off the hook so easily.
"There's going to be some rules. And before you get pissy about them, they're for your benefit, not mine."
Neptune made a face, which Arfoire responded with a stern look. She supposed she didn't have much choice here, now did she?
"Fine, fine... What are the rules, your royal highness?" Neptune couldn't help but sound sarcastic. Otherworldly adventures were supposed to be fun, not painful and filled with rules. She hated rules!
Arfoire simply rolled her eyes at the punk kid standing before her. Yeah, it was looking more and more like some weirdo really had dropped in on them from another universe than what she had initially thought. Hopefully she wouldn't have to answer too many questions about that original train of thought just yet...
Arfoire held up one finger.
"First rule: Wear something like that all the time, especially in public." Arfoire reached over and, despite Neptune's protests, tugged the hoodie's mouse hood over her head. "You don't want to be recognized."
Arfoire held up a second finger.
"Second rule: Don't call yourself a CPU. It'll just bring unwanted attention." Arfoire clamped her hand down on Neptune's mouth before the little CPU could protest further. "If you have to transform, come up with an excuse. Just don't make it my problem."
Arfoire held up a third finger.
"And finally..." Arfoire paused, a dark look briefly crossing her features. Neptune supposed this was going to be the big one, but she had no idea how big it would be yet. "Never, and I mean never, mention Planeptune if it's not already part of a conversation. You do it on your own, it's your problem, but you do it in front of me and I'm through helping you."
Neptune was silent. It was unlike her, but there was something to be gained from analyzing these rules for a minute.
First off, Arfoire had just flat out told her she intended to help her... Whatever that meant. That was more than Neptune had been hoping for at this point, so she was definitely thankful for that.
Second... CPUs weren't liked, either in Arfoire's circle (which would honestly make plenty of sense to her) or in general. Either way, she had seen it firsthand and she supposed that was a rule she could adjust to. At least until she finally met this world's versions of her fellow CPUs, anyway.
Third, and perhaps most importantly, Planeptune was a touchy subject and apparently it would be better for Neptune to keep a low profile and disguise herself. That told Neptune the most important thing of all: It would be bad to be confused with this world's version of herself.
If Neptune had to guess, that was probably the "she" and "her" Arfoire had been talking about. She'd often wondered what meeting another version of herself would be like (she at least knew Nepgear would be thrilled to have two Neptunes instead of one, Nep Jr. had often said as much), but with how Arfoire had spoken about this person... She was honestly kinda worried. At least Nepgear wasn't here too, that would really make things confusing.
Realizing she had yet to respond to Arfoire's rules, Neptune offered a sheepish grin.
"Sounds good to me!" This seemed to appease the witch. Good. Now for the hard part. "So, uh... If it's so bad for me to be recognized like you're totally avoiding saying... The me from here must be something, huh?"
Neptune knew it was probably too soon to fish for information, but she was so curious! Maybe Arfy would get mad at her, but maybe if she was lucky, she'd learn at least about one of the CPUs here, even if it was just the other her.
Surprisingly, Arfoire answered right away. What was even more surprising was that Neptune was immediately wishing she hadn't.
"You? Cruptindustri's 'you' has been dead for years."
Neptune froze.
"But then... Who was the 'she' you were talking about?" Neptune shook her head, forcing a laugh. "Ohhhhh, haha Arfy, I get it, this is you initiating me, right? Welcoming me to the club? You're gonna tell me 'I' died from not having enough pudding to eat, right?"
Once again, Arfoire stared at Neptune like she had an extra limb. Maybe three extra limbs. And a tail.
"... Right?"
Arfoire snorted, her face looking oddly emotional for a mere observer in all this. She was definitely hiding something.
"To answer both of those questions: The 'she' is a power hungry brat who killed 'you' out of jealousy, then proceeded to take over Planeptune and start to destroy any future it may have had. Probably still doing it too. Lucky for you, it sounded like you don't have anyone like that where you come from."
Neptune swallowed. She suddenly felt worried. Really worried.
"Y-Yeah, lucky me, huh? So, uh... What was this person's name again? Y'know, so I know who to look out for when I get home."
Arfoire's answer made Neptune's blood run cold.
"Nepgear. Planeptune's current CPU."
