"We're gonna see Vert! We're gonna see Vert!"

"Yeah, we're gonna to have tons of fun..."

"How many times do I have to tell you two to calm down?" I'm surprised I haven't flown off the handle yet, considering Ram and Rom have been extra obnoxious lately. Well, I guess they have a good reason to be happy since I kind of told them that Vert and I talked about...us. I wasn't really clear about what happened for obvious reasons but I don't think they need to know the details just yet. Just knowing we'll all be seeing more of each other is enough to make them happy, but I can't take it too easy or else they'll run amok more than usual. "Ram! Rom! Get over here!" It's only been a few days since that night and I've...we've decided that we should see how Vert would fare with my twin terrors for more than just a visit.

"Aww, but this is the first time we've had a chance to really walk around Leanbox like this." Ram protested while trying to give me puppy-dog eyes. It would be nice if they could come here on their own in case Vert or I needed errands done, so maybe I should let them run around a little. This would be a good chance for them to get a feel for roaming Leanbox by themselves and to prove they can be responsible...although there's this small, nagging feeling in the back of my mind when I think of them by themselves in a place like this.

"Hey Blanc...something on your mind?" Rom pulled on my sleeve gently, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Can we maybe visit some shops before we see Vert? I want to find a gift for her..."

"Yeah right, you just want to look for snacks!"

"Maaaybe..."

I couldn't help but smile as they went back and forth with reasons for going off on their own until someone suspicious caught my eye. I could've sworn I saw a blonde, twin tailed woman glance at me and speed up for a moment. "That's a good idea." I said calmly, bringing Ram and Rom's playful arguing to a stop as they looked up at me in disbelief. "Go ahead and get some snacks you think we all would enjoy. Take some extra credits while you're at it." I gave Rom a decent sum of money and waved to them as they headed towards to market. I hope they use good judgement and don't do anything stupid while they're browsing these stores, provided they were serious and don't go playing around. The blonde woman that had passed me was going in the direction of the basilicom, so maybe if I speed up myself I can catch up with her. For some reason she seemed familiar...in a way that bugged the hell out of me and I could've sworn she smelled a little like candy. I don't know why but I feel like I need to find out who she is, and if she's who I'm thinking why she's here. Maybe a quick run through some shortcuts will get me caught up. Even if this person is someone completely this is more practice for me in case I get the short straw with the twins again. A short sprint through this small shopping strip...and a dash through this one and jumped out, hopefully surprising my target. "Noire!"

"G-gah! Bla-I mean, who are you calling Noire you insane woman?!" She nearly jumped out of her dress when I landed in front of her and panicked some other people that were passing by. She immediately calmed down and tried to play off her scare as if it was nothing, typical of someone who feels the need to constantly go on and on about perfection. I looked at her like she was stupid until she sighed and scratched her head forehead. "Wh-what gave me away?"

Is she serious? Blonde hair and a green version of her crazy dress isn't enough to fool anyone. Well, it might fool Ram...and Neptune, but this seemed like such a rushed attempt at a disguise that it's almost offensive. I think all the anime she's voice acted for has started to muddle her brain. "A few things, but that's not important. Why are you trying to hi-" I was too busy looking at her Leanbox inspired attire to see her giving me bashful looks. "What?"

"N-nothing! I was just thinking of how to word this question without offending a...young woman such as yourself." A compliment? From Noire? This is so out of character for her it's almost scary. I don't like where this is going already so I think I'm going to take my leave. "Please, before you think I'm being weirdo just hear me out. Now that you're here I might as well ask now while I can."

I must've involuntarily given her a strange look or something for her to say that. "I guess I could, but I don't see why Lastation's goddess needs help from someone like me." I said mockingly, trying to goad her into her usual self.

"How did you 'get' Vert?" Her face started to go red as she awaited my answer but...I don't understand the question. I might have made it obvious that I didn't mind her being my special someone and another woman I want my sisters looking up to, but I have no idea what she means by 'get'. "You know..." She barely closed her eyes, as if to recall something from that arrogant head of hers, and began making weird motions with her hands. No...she couldn't mean that!

"I..." My eyes widened in horror and I took a step backwards. How am I supposed to answer something like that? What the hell is Noire of all people doing knowing about that? We were in that sauna all by ourselves with the door shut! "I don't know what you're talking about." I'm not going to deny what I did with her but I sure as hell don't want to talk about my private matters out in the open.

"W-well, after Neptune dragged me away we decided to get a few soft drinks and...relax for a little while. After that I got los-er, I explored your facilities for a little while on the way back to where I last saw you to ask if Uni and I could practice here. I saw a door that was barely open ajar," I thought I closed that damn door! "and I was ready to close it until I heard Vert cry out over the sound of something loud, like furniture moving."

I-I can't believe she of all people stumbled on that massage and heard so much! I'm torn between running as fast as I can to Vert's and forgetting this conversation ever happened or beating that memory out of her. If only I could move or do something at least instead of standing here like a dumbass...

"Are you ok Blanc? You've been standing still for about two minutes and I was starting to get worried." I'm suddenly greeted by her with her waving her hand in my face before sighing in relief. "It's alright if you don't want to talk about it, it's something I shouldn't have heard and it's really none of my business..."

"Dumbass."

"E-excuse me?"

I can't let a little embarrassment get the better of me, I'm better than that. "Follow me." I quickly walked ahead and tried to find a decent place to have a conversation as personal as this, but I had no luck in finding a little shop that wasn't crowded. We must've picked a terrible time to come here, it seems as if a bunch of people are getting off work, getting dinner or returning to their homes. I had to settle for a modest looking cafe, with shades, that was on the corner of our current block so I got us some seats outside, along with a few drinks. "Now ask me again." I'm not going to get caught off guard this time, my mind and body are ready.

"I'll try to make it not so personal. How did you and Vert...or rather, how could I..." She started poking at the little jewels on her gloves and had a hell of a time getting her words out. Her fragmented sentences went from Vert and I to her and...of course!

"This is about Neptune, isn't it?"

She clasped her hands together and let her head hang low while...sniffling? "She hasn't been all that...attentive to me lately and I've been thinking about ways to rekindle that but she's been ignoring my invitations more and more. It's either us having fun sparring, playing a game or me having to patch her up which is ok, barring that last one."

"Patch her up? What the hell are you doing to the poor girl?" It looks like her need to prove she's better than Neptune is finally biting her in the ass. I want to say she deserves it but not when it comes to something like this, that's cruel and unusual...but what am I supposed to say? Neptune's a little weird, but she's a nice girl and she deserves better...or maybe she's into that sort of thing?

"What?! No! No no no, it's nothing like that!" She panicked and brought the attention of some customers but that lasted all of a second before they went about their business again. "I get...twitchy..."

"That's what happens when you try to work 24/7."

"Would it hurt you for once to not be yourself?!" She snapped at me with tears running trickling down her cheeks just as the waitress delivered us our drinks. The stranger left without a word or even waiting for a tip, leaving Noire feeling worse than she already is. "Sorry...I just don't...I can't disappoint Neptune..."

"No, I should be the one apologizing here." I should've known how serious she was since her relationship with Neptune is on the line. Can't say I care too much about what exactly happens between them but...no one should have to go through this. I took a sip of my tea and stared at her until she calmed down and did the same. "How did your first accident happen?"

"Well...the first time we decided we'd be together all she did was attempt something and in the end I kind of kneed her in the face." I nearly choked on my tea at not only the mental image but her potentially freaking blinding her partner! I might have to actually lighten up on the tough talk, I'm sure she had to deal with a lot of crap from Gear and Histoire after doing that. "After she recovered I nearly-"

"No please, I've heard enough. You don't have to recall the other incidents." There's no need to remember every time incident or else I'm going to start worrying, and I already have plenty on my plate. Neptune must be going through hell trying to put up with this oddball...but what I don't get is why of all times does she flip out like this. I would've expected her to melt and be completely calm and helpless or something. "Why the hell aren't you like this when you fight Neptune?"

"It's easy to keep my focus when it comes to winning. I don't completely ignore my emotions but I'm in total control when victory is on the line...most of the time." She answered with confidence.

This is a long shot, but I think I have an idea on how to fix Noire's little problem. "Why not add a little competition to your more...intimate things? You could...I dunno..." I probably should've thought that suggestion through, I don't even know how to properly word it.

"What? Am I supposed to fight her while trying to..." Her voice trailed off as she folded her arms and looked off in the distance. "I think you're onto something. What you're saying I should do is treat my relationship like our sparring and try to tire her out first? Rather, I should find a way to defend myself while still tempting her continue trying to..." She trailed off, muttering to herself while I took a sip of tea.

"That's...yeah." That isn't exactly how I'd say it but as long as stops her moping that's fine with me. "Since you can't really take her attacks, you should bide your time and wait for her to make a move, then counter her with one of your own. Although you're better off going all out and giving her the run for her money, if my opinion matters to you." I motioned for her to lean forward and whispered a vital tidbit of information to her. "Her weak points are her armpits and stomach. Thank Ram and Rom."

That pro-tip must've been what Noire needed to hear, I caught a gleam in her eye as she smiled and finished her tea. "Heh, so that idiot does have a weak point after all. I suppose you bumping into me was worth my time after all, you've given me some surprisingly good help."

I finished my tea as well and got up to stretch my limbs before going about my business. "Whatever gets your ass back in shape." I can't stand it when my girls get sad or hurt, I'm not going to put up with a grown woman lamenting her inability to do 'everything', especially when we're supposed to be rivals or whatever she calls us now. Regardless, I wouldn't be a good friend if I left her hanging like this.

"Seriously though, thanks for taking time to talk to me. I don't know how I would've been able to face Neptune later tonight if it hadn't been for you."

"If you're supposed to be with her tonight why the hell are you in Leanbox?"

She gasped and pulled out a little accessory that resembled Planeptune technology. "Oh no, I hope Vert has our ite-I mean my item! I hope MY item is ready." She immediately started running without another word, leaving me to stand here like a fool...until I realized that I needed to head to Vert's myself.

"Wait a minute." It's no use. Noire was sprinting as if her life depended on it and thanks to her little slip up I have to haul ass as well. 'Our' item...either she or Vert are hiding something and I'm going to get to the bottom of this. "I said wait a minute dammit!" I took off after her, wondering just what was in store for me and how Ram and Rom were doing...I'm sure they're fine, I have faith that they're watching out for each other and will be on the way to Vert's as well.